Buona Pasquetta!

Buona Pasquetta!

Today is in fact a holiday here in Italy. Here we had Pasqua (Easter)
on Sunday and Pasquetta today! I don't really understand its purpose,
other than to have another day free from work and school, but it is
what it is!

We worked with tons of less-actives this week and unfortunately had to
drop all of our investigators, but we are determined to find more this
week!

Some miracles for the week:

1. On Tuesday we had to go all throughout the town getting my permesso
done (it's basically a bunch of legal stuff I have to do in order to
live here.) We have had no time tomdomit and planned on doing it all
on Tuesday (I had to have it in the mail by Wednesday or I could be
deported) soo not our best idea, but it just happened that way. We had
a meeting earlier that day that lasted longer than we had planned on
so we were getting worried that we wouldn't have enough time to get
everything done..not to mention we didn't know exactly where we had to
go or what to do to be honest. My trainer said a quick prayer as we
walked to the bus stop that our bus we arrive on time (it often
arrives really late) and then suddenly a member drove by and offered
us a ride! This member's name is Betty and she's a recent convert. SHE
IS AMAZING. She dropped everything to help us. She drove us all around
that day taking us to all of the different places we had to go and
even making us lunch at her house! We could not have gotten that done
without Betty. She was a miracle for us that day.

2. On Sunday we were far away from home and needed to catch a bus to
get back, the only problem was, buses don't really run on holidays. We
waited for a little bit then Sorella Clark asked if I'd offer a prayer
and use some of my "greeny miracles". I thanked God from many things
and then asked that we would receive a means of transportation so that
we could get ho,e and continue to work. I hadn't even closed the
prayer when a bus drove up! And if that wasn't enough, a little bit
after we sat down a man across the isle and down a few rows read
Sorella Clark's name tag and asked who we were! We started to tell him
and we had the whole front of the bus's attention by that point. We
explained our purpose and a little bit of the restoration then gave
them all pass along cards. It was amazing!

Pasqua was wonderful! Definitely not like home, and it didn't really
feel like a holiday, but it was amazing day for missionary work! We
had Pasqua Pranzo (Easter Lunch) at Sorella Pistita's home. She's the
mother of our investigator and the lady who makes the bread for the
sacrament each week. She is a VERY good cook. We had some delicious
sard (Sardinian) pasta to start, then lamb for the meat. Sorella Clark
and I got brave and decided to try the brain as well as the tongue of
the lamb. The whole family was laughing at us but it ended up not
being that bad if you didn't think about it. The tongue was kind of
like jerky and the brain had the consistency of a sunny-side-up egg. I
wouldn't mind eating them again. Then we had veggies and salad, her
amazing bread, and strawberries with whipped cream..but don't think
that we're done yet! Usually you would be if it were a regular meal
appointment but because it was Pasqua we had Columba (a special
Italian cake that they only have during Pasqua time) and they gave
each of us our very own giant chocolate egg! These are a big thing
here. Each kid gets one that you get to break open after Pranzo and
there's a little capsule with a toy inside. I was so beyond full by
the time I left though because they give you a ton to start with and
then keep offering you seconds and don't really give you the chance to
say no. I think they're trying to fatten me up because I swear they
give me larger portions than everyone else.
That evening we decided to go finding because hello, it's Easter so
who can turn down a message about Christ? (Actually a lot of people
but that's not important!) We found the most beautiful park..its huge!
And it was filled with people. It's crazy because here in Italy a park
is usually an island of cement in the middle of the street with a few
benches, wifi, and maybe some trees. You hardly ever see any grass
here. But this was a huge park win grass and tress and a little pond
with turtles and bridges and even a swing set! We walked around the
whole thing and talked to tons of people! Some rejected us, most took
our pass-along card but didn't care to listen or watch our video, but
some were actually super interested!! One lady was so amazed at how
you we are and what we're doing. She said that her son is 22 and could
not imagine him doing anything like this. We got her number and are
planning to call her tomorrow so I hope we'll be able to teach her!

Okay lastly, my funny story for the week. Every Friday Sorella Clark
and I do this thing we call "Friday Finding" where at the end of the
night we go "finding" for a new pizza, gelato, or pastry that we can
try. We decided to try a new pizza shop this week. First let me say
that it was so good. We watch the man make a giant pizza right in
front of us then stick it into his big oven. When he pulled it out
he'd fold it in halves and cut it. It tasted like a grilled cheese
sandwich but with pizza inside! We decided to take a selfie with out
cool pizzas then the bus came so we ran to get on. Then I realized
that my camera was actually recording so I tried to stop it but the
bus driver started going and these busses are crazy so if you don't
hang on to something you're toast. Sure enough I wasn't hanging on and
my camera flew out of my hands right in front of some Italian guys
that we would call ragazzacci (punks). Then to make it worse, right
after I picked it up we went around a roundabout type thing at full
speed and I dropped it again!! They started making fun of us. They're
like "look at these girls eating their pizza on the bus alone on a
Friday night" -let me just interject that eating is kind of a big deal
to them so it's only done around a table at home or in a restaurant or
something like that. They never eat on the bus.- "they probably live
alone and don't have any guys in their lives" HAHAHAHAH I got judged
hardcore but the funny thing is they're right hahaha. Also I don't
think they know that we heard/understood them so that was funny too.

Lastly, I'm sorry because I took all of the good pictures on my camera
and the cord I bought to connect my camera to my doesn't work. I'll
try to buy a card reader this week. But for now, I'll send a few
pictures that I took on my iPad.

Also, I just want to let you all know as a public service
announcement: if you come to Italy in the spring/ summer BRING BUG
SPRAY. Our apartment is hot at night so we left the window open and i
have been EATEN ALIVE by mosquitos. Anyway, just thought I'd give you
the heads up! Haha

Letter to President
This week a little tough for us as far as the work goes because we had
to drop all of our investigators except 2 and are planning to do a
drop-lesson with one tomorrow. There were various reason for each of
them, but the majority were dodging our phone calls and the last one
will not keep commitments and does not show a desire to know this
gospel or follow through with the commitments we give her. But I truly
believe that the things we learned at Specialized Training were
inspired things that we needed to hear. Sorella Clark and I have
decided to make this week a "Finding Week." We are planning to focus a
lot of our time and efforts into finding people who are prepared to
hear and accept this gospel. I am excited to work through the spirit
this week to know where to go and who to speak with. I hope that we
will be able to see and report the fruits of our labors next week.

Everything is better in Italy!

Hello friends and family!! So much has happened since I got to email
last so in sorry if this is really long. I'll try to condense it as
much as I can. Oh and 1st things first: if any of you want to know my
mission president's wife's blog its: romeitalymission.blogspot.com she
puts a ton of pictures up so she has some of my group when we arrived
and they'll visit my city for specialized training this week so I,
sure there'll be some then just so you're aware!

So last Monday morning we left Provo and the MTC for good. It was the
coolest thing because on our flight to Italy I wasn't by any of the
other missionaries but I was seated right next to an Italian man! He
was the nicest guy and we talked for a lot of the flight because I'd
ask him one question about Italy and he'd talk for 30 minutes about
it. I told him a lot about my purpose as a missionary and he was
really impressed that we learn a new language just to come and teach
people here. He was like "there's Mormons in Italy?" Hahaha it was so
cool though.

K the 1st day here we got here at 9am. I could not sleep on the plane
so I was super tired but they kept us going all day. The first thing
we got to do was go see the Rome temple! We got to stay in The Villa
for Tuesday and Wednesday night which is our mission home. It's called
the villa because it was the house that Mussolini built for his
daughter. It's absolutely beautiful. After lunch the APs took us
sight-seeing all over Rome. We saw the Colosseum and tons of over
really cool stuff that I don't really remember the names of. We even
got to go into a Cathedral and it was magnificent. That night they
took us out for Kebobs. I actually don't know what kind of food that
is but it's not Italian. But it was still so good.

Everything is better in Italy. I'm convinced. The fruit and veggies
sweeter, all of the buildings are ancient-looking and beautiful, and
right now I'm sitting on a beautiful beach emailing because their
beaches have wifi!!

I love President and Sorella Waddoups so much already. They are so
funny but also so spiritual. We got Sorella Waddoups to do her duck
call and moose call for us and we could not stop laughing.

We had our welcome dinner on Wednesday night then our golden envelope
ceremony where we found out who our trainer will but and which area
we'd go to first. It was like opening another mission call!
And guess what?!?! I am on the beautiful Sardinia in Cagliari!! It is
the most beautiful place. I am so blessed to be here. This is where
Italians come to vacation because it's so great. So on thrusts day
morning I got up early once again and said goodbye to all of my MTC
friends and went to the airport with 5 elders. It was super weird not
having a companion but they took care of me.
Once I got here I met my companion Sorella Clark! She is the happiest,
most positive, brightest person ever. I love her so much. We did
English course that night where we taught English to a bunch on
nonmembers. It was super cool. Then we missed our bus so we ran home
in the pouring rain and stopped at a pizzeria on the way home to
celebrate my first day!

My first lunch appointment was on Friday with la famiglia sanna. They
fed me something I can't remember the name in Italian but it's like
fennel. We also had pasta and meat and strawberries. It's so funny how
they do it here. In all the meals they start out with a pasta then
meat then salad then fruit and veggies them dessert.

My first gelato here was at McDonald's on Friday night after we taught
one of our less actives. It was so good though. McDonald's here is
like super good and fancy plus they have a whole cafe thing with tons
of Italian pastries. ,y gelato was called Bacci which means "kisses"
it had chocolate and Nutella sauce in it. They are obsessed with
Nutella here.

On Saturday we visited recent converts named Eride and Roberto. They
are the sweetest people. And they had 5 cats hahaha. I got a picture
with Hercules wearing his tie. We also visited the famiglia puddu. I
emailed my mission pres about that so il just send that because I am
running out of time! It was a miracle though!!

I had to bare my testimony in church on Sunday. It was so scary but
all of the memebers are so sweet and complimented me. We actually
have a really big ward for Italy here. We get fresh homemade bread for
the sacrament every week Oh and so funny, After sacrament meeting
everyone went into the kitchen and got a snack before Sunday school.
They love their food.

That night we had dinner with Sorella saffina and we brought one of
our less actives with us. It went super well. The people are so sweet
here! Sorella saffina drove us home. And I found out that even old
ladies drive fast here. Sorella saffina is pretty old but she drove
like a race car driver. We went for 0-60 real fast on her tiny
residential street.

Today we are at the beach for our pday. The weather is so nice here. I
love it! So I'm here and happy and healthy and loving life!

I don't have the cord for my camera which is sad right now so il just
send a few pictures that are on my iPad for now.

Letter to my mission pres:
It has been a very exciting and exhausting last few days, but I am so
grateful to be here in Calgliari. The ward has been wonderful and
welcoming to me as I work to come to know and love them. Sorella Clark
is such am example to me. She is the kind of missionary that I am
striving to become. I have set some goals to share the gospel at all
times and in all places, always making sure that the people I speak
with know my purpose for being here. I have struggled a little but
with these conversations due to the language, but this week my
testimony of the gift of tounges has truly been strengthened. I have
been able to understand people more and more each day.
Sorella Clark and I have shared the "Egli Viva" with some of the
less-active members who we are working with. It is such a powerful
testimony of our savior and I know that it has touched each and every
one of their hearts. In fact, we had a miracle this week! We decided
to visit a less-active family who hadn't been to church in 4 months
and also wouldn't let missionaries or members in during that time. But
they let us in that day! And they were all home! Sorella Clark warned
me that this family is usually very rowdy and often won't even let us
share a spiritual message. But this time they allowed us to share our
message. We had prepared to show the "Egli Viva" video and talk about
the true meaning of Easter as well as the significance of what Christ
did for us. They all sat quietly and watched intently to the video. I
could feel the spirit in the room. At the end we invited them to come
to church on Sunday to which they finally agreed. On Sunday I was sad
not to see them when the meeting first started, but I wasn't very
suprised because they didn't sound very convincing when they promised
that they would come. Then about 10 minutes into the meeting, the
whole family walked in!! And they stayed for the entire 3 hours of
Chruch! We were so happy to see them there, it was truly a miracle.

Sent from my iPad

1st gelato with my trainer

LAST P-DAY IN THE MTC!

I feel like I always start my emails with some kind of news with our travel. Don't worry, I got my flight plans and I'll be leaving THIS MONDAY! But, there was another mistake with paperwork and for the same reason that we couldn't fly out last week, all of the Milan missionaries have to spend an extra week here and won't be flying out until the 21st. I feel really sad for them..I can't imagine thinking you'd leave march 7th then finding out you have to stay until the 21st! My whole district is going to Milan except my companion and I. I just keep realizing how much I am going to miss everyone. I love all of these people so much so while I am beyond excited to go to Italy, I am not excited to leave all of them behind.

Last week I forgot to mention that we got to do a Skype TRC which means that we got to skype a member in Italy (unless they can't find one for you then you have an RM here in Provo skype you) but regardless they're fluent in Italian. So last week we got to skype Milca. She is from Milan, Italy but is currently living in Texas because she married an American guy. It was so cool to teach her though, and I decided to have faith rather than fear of what I would say, and I know I was blessed with the Holy Ghost bringing words to my remembrance. And through my broken Italian, I was able to share personal experiences with her as well as my testimony of gospel principles. We were supposed to do it again this week but when we got there they said that they didn't have anyone for us to teach so I got to experience my first cancelled teaching appointment right here in the MTC haha. In Italian they use an idiomatic phrase for cancels which translates to "they threw us a big trashcan" 

We finished teaching Lucia on Thursday with one of our best lessons up to that point. I have been praying for the gift of tongues and I know that I've been blessed with remembering the words to say. She finally committed to a date for baptism which coincidentally is Emily's birthday (March 21st!) We began teaching Gennaro (Fratello Sloan) this week as well. He was a great guy, and I feel like we had some really good lessons with him, but in the end, he was not ready for baptism--the same thing happened in real life when Fratello Sloan taught him on his mission. (our teachers always play simp's that they've had in real life) We also started teaching each other as simps. We all chose someone we know who needs the gospel. It has been fun playing a simp and even better teaching the sorelle as their friends. Neither of them (their friends) believe in god or had any desire to learn about the gospel when we started, but as we've worked with them, we've helped to grow that desire. It was really difficult and frustrating at first to try to teach someone who didn't care about anything but it has helped me and taught me soo much about finding needs and helping people have the desire to know the truth. 

I almost forgot to talk about culture day!!! since the first day, almost every time we'd ask Fratello Sloan something about Italy he'd say "ask me on culture day" so we have been waiting for this day for a long time. He usually does it on the last saturday we're here but he's going out of town this weekend and he doesn't teach us today because he's our morning teacher so we did it on wednesday! He showed us a ton of pictures from his mission and it made me sooo excited to finally get there. I guess it's also tradition for your teacher to guess your first area so for Sorella Rushton he guessed Badi and somewhere in Sicilia (sicily) for me. We would both love to go to those places so i hope he's right! 

Okay funny story for the week: 

I was talking to Anziano Palombo at lunch and it's hard to explain what we were talking about anyway, he's like "I don't know how they do it in Utah, but where I come from, we have these things called cows." (keep in mind that he's from Tennessee and has a slight southern accent) I just gave him the strangest look. But then I realized that he was talking about Computers On Wheels that we also had at my high school. It was soo funny though..know that i type it..it might not be as funny for you but oh well!

Okay Okay one more funny story.. 

Fratello Walden (another Italian district's teacher) was telling us about the first lesson of some Anziani in our zone who will be going to rome with us. They thought that he was a real italian investigator and that he didn't speak english. I guess it was not going well at all so one of them was like (in english) "I know you don't understand me, but I doesn't matter what I say, all that matters is what you feel. And I have faith that the spirit will translate what I'm saying for you." Fratello Walden's just like "Non ha capiso." (i don't understand) HAHAHAHA 

It is my last P-DAY here. The next time you'll hear from me I'll be in Italy! So if you plan on sending me any mail or dear elders just to be safe, I wouldn't send anything later than noon on Friday because our mail room closes early on saturday and isn't opened on Sunday. Also, I just want to let you know that I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY and I have LOVED this MTC experience! I hope that you can tell by my emails. And I know that there's no way that I would have enjoyed it this much if it weren't for my amazing Zone, district, and especially my companion. One minute we're having these deep gospel conversations and the next we're in tears because we're laughing so hard. I don't think I've consistently laughed so much in my life. I am going to miss her soo much. 

Thank you all for being so supportive and wonderful! I appreciate all of the emails, packages, letters, and dear elders! Wish me luck as I start a new journey in this great adventure! 
My first week in the MTC I set some goals for myself that I wanted to accomplish before I left here: 1. to be comfortable praying in Italian 2. " bearing my testimony in Italian 3. increase my testimony of Jesus Christ and of His doctrine. As my time here is coming to an end, I can happily report that I have completed all of these goals and although I still have a lot to learn, I am excited and as ready as I can be to go and serve the people in Italy. With this knowledge I know that I will be able to bring people closer to Christ and fulfill my missionary purpose. 

I love you all!

Love, Sorella Bonzo

Email to my branch president:

the girls of my district:

my district on our last day with Fratello Sloan (we have a trio of elders and our teacher is the furthest left)