Two more weeks!!!

December 28, 2010

Dear Family and Friends,

In exactly two weeks from today, I'll be on my way to Italy!!!  I get my travel plans (hopefully) on Thursday, and it's crazy how fast the time is flying!  Days used to feel like weeks, but now they feel like hours!  Weeks used to feel like days, but now they feel like minutes!  But I'm learning so much here, and Monday is still my favorite day of the week! 

It seems like every Monday is long, tiring, and almost discouraging, until I say the prayer before the TRC.  Then The Spirit just FLOODS into my heart, mind, and soul.  Yesterday (because of the holiday) we just taught our teachers.  The TRC was supposed to be closed, but all of the Italians went in and watched each others' TRC lessons.  I got to observe Anziano Ellsworth and Anziano Jeter (missionaries from the new districts).  It was like a music masterclass.  I was supposed to "evaluate them," but I also got to evaluate my own teaching while watching them.  Then I taught with the Sisters from the other district (S.lla Lecates and S.lla Salyer- both going to Rome).  It was so nice to teach with sisters again!  I mean, I really enjoyed teaching with elders, but there's an extra connection with sisters.  And we got to teach Sorella Swenson (my Italian teacher).  We had a "lesson" prepared, but we felt the Spirit guiding us to scriptures and topics that weren't necessarily in the Plan of Salvation lesson.  It was all in Italian, and all 4 of us were close to tears the entire time.  It was very special, and I am so grateful that we have these little 'tastes' of teaching here.  I know that we were teaching S.lla Swenson as well as the "Christine" that she was acting as.  Actually, I think it's her first name also, but she was pretending to be a woman who had just lost her brother, gone through a divorce, and was drinking to take away the pain.  We talked about how Moroni and Jesus Christ had been alone, and yet had faith to conquer their trials.  We shared a message about the Atonement, and we all shared our favorite scriptures as well. 

If any of you have time, read Mormon 8, Ether 12, Mosiah 7 & 24, and Doctrine and Covenants 6.  They all speak of trials and having faith to overcome.  We all came out of the "teaching" experience edified by the Spirit.  It's amazing how the Spirit is "one-size-fits-all."  When we have the Spirit with us, we will receive a message suited right to us.  This week I had an incredible experience with this.  The emotions we experience here are magnified.  On Wednesday, when Sis. Tirell and Anziano Schwing left, I had a very difficult time saying goodbye.  The longer I'm here, the more goodbyes I have to say.  I felt like my heart was being ripped out of my chest, and I spent a good ammount of time on my knees praying for strength.  In class we read Mosiah 24, and I decided I would turn all the feelings I was having over to the Savior.  As I prayed that night, I felt he was kneeling right next to me with his hands outstretched to receive my "burdens" and make them light.  I even looked up once to see if I could see Him.  It was beautiful.  I know that Jesus Christ truly does live and loves all of us so much.  I truly learned about the Atonement as I prayed for my burdens to be made light, I felt them all melt away.  He truly took them, and I have had an amazing week since!  I still miss my friends, worry about my family, and have a lot to do, but the weight of it all is taken.  I know that if any of you have trials that are weighing you down, the Savior wants you to turn them over to Him!  He has already experienced all that for you! 

My scripture that I'll quote for this week is Moses (Mose') 1:39:

"Poiche ecco, questa e la mia opera e la mia gloria, fare avverare l'immortalita' e la vita eterna dall'uomo."

It is Christ's work and glory, and now I am making that my mission for the next 16 1/2 months. :)  I have felt my love and excitement for the Italian people grow so much, and I feel the Lord stretching me in so many ways to help me be prepared for them.

Thank you all for your love and support!  I hope you all had a merry Christmas and a great New Year this week!

Keep the faith!

~Sorella Willey

--
Sorella Willey

elizabeth.willey@myldsmail.net

Sister Elizabeth Denise Willey
MTC Mailbox # 194
ITA-MIL 0112
2005 N 900 E
Provo, UT 84604-1793

3 Weeks Left!

December 21, 2010

Dear Family and Friends,

This has been quite the crazy week!  I have been placed temporarily with Anziano Osborn and Anziano Schwing as my "companions,"  but Anziano Schwing is leaving tomorrow for Germany.  He'll be serving in the Frankfurt Germany mission until he finishes physical therapy on his finger.  Boy am I going to miss him!  He's the best at speaking the language, and he's basically fluent, so we can always ask him when we have questions about anything language.  This week he taught me passato remoto... I know.  I don't have to learn it, but it's been really helpful in scriptures and hymns. 

Last night and tonight I'm on splits with an Portugese sister... She's not actually Portugese, but she's been here learning Portugese for her Brazil mission.  Because of visa problems, almost all of the Brazil missionaries have been reassigned (temporarily we all hope).  But she was reassigned to SLC, and most of her district left, and all of her roommates, so I'm sleeping in her room and hanging out with her while she packs all day today.  It's funny, because we know a bunch of the same people.  She is from Provo, so we made a lot of connections last night.  It's such a small world here at the MTC.  Everyone knows someone who knows someone else, who's related to or used to date someone else.  Really funny.  :)

We got 2 new districts of all elders.  All going to Milano.  They are so impressive!  They've done all the memorizations that took us 2 weeks in 2-4 days!  They're language is fantastic, and their spirit is amazing!  Missionaries just keep getting better and better!  I had actually connected with one of the elders on facebook from Oklahoma beforehand, so it was funny to meet someone in person whom I had "met online" first.  So many great people here!

It has been one of the harder weeks.  A couple of times I've been thinking about my departed S.lla Diehl, then I think about my departing A.no Schwing, then I think about Brother Johnston, and now I'm losing Sister Tirell... The other coordinating sister in the branch with whom I'm on splits right now (How'd you like that grammer, Cat?).  But I've found faith in thinking about all the people that I'm going to be meeting in Italy, trying to serve the people here, and falling in love with the gospel and the Savior.  It's really true that sometimes He allows us to be tried so much that we fall to our knees, and then he allows us to stay there so we can bring Him closer to us.  Boy I miss you all and love you so much!  What a wonderful family I have been blessed with!  And how could I ask for better friends who support me and inspire me to be better? 

We watched the M&SW broadcast on Sunday and I saw all my dear dear friends in the Orchestra and Choir!  Boy, the cellos got a lot of camera time.  I definitely cried the entire broadcast!  But it's good to have great friends and things to come home to.  A lot of the elders and sisters here are talking about how they have no idea what they're coming home to.

On Saturday, Anziani Schwing and Osborn and I had an english fast (digiuno inglese). :)  It was amazing.  I messed up twice and said probably about a total  of 10 English words.  But other than that, I spoke only in Italian for 26 hours strraaiigghhtt!!  And forgive the double letters, the power went out in the middle of this email, aanndd  ssince then, my computer is making really funny mistakes.  Luckily it saved most of the emaaiill,,  bbuutt  now I only have a few minutes left.  :) Eeek!  Wow, tthhaatt  wwooaass  funnny though.  I'm in the laundry room.  The lights went out, and then everbody simultaneously said "NOOO!!!"  Luckily the machines just stopped where tthheeyy  were, and all we had to do was press restart.  They all started back with the same amount of time left on them.

My testimony of Jesus Christ and how His Atonement works for me everyday in my life.  I love Him,  aanndd I feel so much closer to Him as I teach and learn about the Gospel.  Yesterday II  wwaass  hhaavviinngg  aa  hard day in the morning, and when Anziano Osborn saaiidd the prayer before we went in to teach "Allessandro" again in the TRC, I felt thee  SSppiirriitt  come into my heart, and a great love for Allessandro and desire for his welfare.  I can't wait to be meeting with people every day in Italy!  I'mddoowwnn  ttoo  tthhee  three week countdown, and boy am I excited!

I love all the people here!  I lovee  tthhee  Spirit that I can feel surrounding me and buoying me up wherever I go.  I'm going to miss the huge devotionals singing the hymns of Zion with thousands of other eenndowed members who are all united with the same purpose and love of God!

I'm going to quote thhee  llaasstt  three verses of D&C 4 in Italian.... hope there's time!

"E la fede, la speranza, la carita' e l'amore, conn  occhio rivolte unicamente alla gloria di Dio lo qualificano per l'opera.   RRiicordate, la fede, la virtu', la conoscenza, la temperennzza, la patienza, la gentilezza fraterna, la pieta', la carita', l'umilita', e la diligenza.  Chiedete, e riceverete. Busate, e vi sara' aperto. Amen."

I love you all, and I love this gospel!  I know it's true!  I know it!  I'm so grateful for this amazing opportunity to serve and feel the love of God in my life so  ppoowwerfully.  I've never felt the love and approval of God quite in this way.  I can't wait to get out and share it!  I  feel like I could just burst!

Thaannkk  yyoouu for your support!  Thank you for being miracles in my life!

Keep the faith!

~Sorella Elizabeth Willey

--
Sorella Willey

elizabeth.willey@myldsmail.net

Sister Elizabeth Denise Willey
MTC Mailbox # 194
ITA-MIL 0112
2005 N 900 E
Provo, UT 84604-1793

Mama Mia!

December 14, 2010

Dear Family and Friends,

What a crazy week this has been!  Last P-day, right after email time, Sorella Diehl and I went to the temple.  While we were there, she felt prompted to go home and marry her boyfriend.  !!!   And for the next 6 days, I just had to sit on that and help her through her decision.  It was really hard, and she finally decided that she would in fact go. It was wonderful to see her so happy with her decision, but it was so hard to say goodbye to the person who had been by my side constantly for an entire month. Yesterday morning at 4:00AM, I became a "solo sister."  My new companion is my district of six elders.  They have been so kind to me, but it is quite lonely.  Yesterday at the TRC, I taught with Anziano Osborn.  Because Anziano Schwing has already taught all the lessons, Anziano Osborn would have been teaching with the "trio," but now we're "teaching companions."  It was really fun, but I really missed teaching with Sorella Diehl.  I hope the best for her.  She is so wonderful!

The language is coming along so much better!  Anziano Osborn is fantastic with Italian, and I feel like we're about the same level (in different areas), so when I couldn't think of a word, he filled in and vice versa.  It was a little embarrasing when the "investigators" in TRC asked if we were married.  Hahaha.  He's got a faithful girfriend waiting for him, so it was even funnier for him.

I'm learning so much about the Spirit, and I'm amazed at how my prayers have been answered!  I'm praying for you all the time!  I'm so grateful for each of my family members, and I feel blessed to have so many wonderful friends!

And for my district spotlight:

Anziano Andersen (with an e) is from Alpine, Utah. He's headed to Milan also. He's a rugby player, and has become the district "polar bear" because he's so loveable, friendly, and towers above us. He's the quietest one in the district, so if you walked into the classroom, you might not notice him much.  But when you get to know him, he's got the greatest sense of humor, he's incredibly perceptive, and he always says the right thing when he does open his mouth. :)  He always gives me reassuring looks when I'm down, and if I make a joke that nobody laughs at, he laughs.  He also knows Ben Ballard (Jenny's brother, for those of you who don't know).  It's amazing to think that half of my district lived 15 minutes away from me before the mission, and now we're all going to Milan together!

Perche' non e' molto tempo, non dico Dottrina e Alleanze quattro tutto, ma il primo parte e':

Ora ecco, un'opera meravigliosa sta potere sorgere tra i figlioli degli uomini.  Percio', o voi che vi imbarcate nel servizio di Dio, guardate di servirlo con tutto il cuore, facolta', mente e forza, per potere stare senza biasimo dinanzi a Dio all'ultimo giorno.  Percio' se avete desiderio di servire Dio, siete chiamati all'opera. . . .

Piu' venira' piu' tardi.  :)

Grazie tutti per tutte cose!   Vi volgio bene!  Tenete la fede!

Con tutto il mio cuore,

~Sorella Elizabeth Willey

--
Sorella Willey

elizabeth.willey@myldsmail.net

Sister Elizabeth Denise Willey
MTC Mailbox # 194
ITA-MIL 0112
2005 N 900 E
Provo, UT 84604-1793

The Gift of Tongues

December 7, 2010

Dear Family and Friends,

What a beautiful week I've had here!  So many miracles have happened, and I hope I can include everything in this email!

Last Wednesday, Sorella Diehl and I spoke in Italian during our companion study.  It was over 30 minutes of straight Italian.  Then as a district we all shared information, pictures, and stories about our family members for another 30 minutes or so... straight Italian again. :)  Wow, the gift of tongues is real!  On Friday, we picked up a "progressive investigator," (Fratello Jarom Auna acting as a contact, Nicola, he had in Florence on his mission).  He seems so real to us, and we taught him on Friday.  An entire hour of teaching the gospel in Italian!  We both felt the Spirit guiding our 'lesson' and giving us words to say.  Afterward, F.llo Auna said he understood every word. WOW!  Yesterday we taught  again at the TRC, and again taught 100% in Italian (there were a couple of "come si dice" - english words included, but we pretty much were all in Italian.  My grammar is pretty awful still, but I'm getting there, thanks to S.lla Diehl's beautiful Italain and patience with me. :) 

I played another "special musical number" on Sunday for the entire MTC.  It was prelude to the "First Presidency Devotional," which I LOVED!!!  Elder Solesbee (an elder from California who searched me out after the last musical number) and I played O Come O Come Emanuel.  It was so fun to perform again.  We only had 2 quick rehearsals and a sound check, but it came together great, and we were blessed to have the Spirit with us as we played.  The Spirit here is so strong, and I can't believe how clear it speaks to me on a regular basis.

As for my district spotlight:

Anziano (David) Osborn is from Highland, Utah.  He's 21 years old, and is a pretty powerful personality.  He has blown us out of the water with his Italian study.  He's currently companions with Anziano Schwing, so he gets a little extra help there, but he has a beautiful accent, and works SO hard.  I wouldn't be surprised if he passed everyone up by the time we go.  He loves Italian so much, the language and the people.  He has some Italian heritage as well, and he's an inspiration to us all in his friendly spirit and incredibly hard work.  He faithfully writes his girlfriend, Leah, and it's fun to see him light up when he gets something from her. :)

Wow, the time is really flying this week!  Not just the email time, but all the time!  I can't believe it has been almost 4 weeks!  And we'll be in Italy before we know it!  Next week I'll include D&C 4 in Italian.  I memorized it yesterday, but it would take all the time I have left to type it today. 

I love you all, and I am so grateful for your friendship and support!  What a beautiful world we live in!  So many wonderful people and amazing experiences here!  I never expected a mission to be quite as amazing as this!  I've learned so much, and my testimony  is so much stronger than before!  I'll never be the same after this!  Thank you all for making it possible for me to be here!  I have learned so much from you all over the years!

So che questo Vangelo e' vero, che Gesu' Cristo e' il mio Salvatore, e che Dio ci ama! 

Keep the faith!

Always,

~Sorella Elizabeth Willey

--
Sorella Willey

elizabeth.willey@myldsmail.net

Sister Elizabeth Denise Willey
MTC Mailbox # 194
ITA-MIL 0112
2005 N 900 E
Provo, UT 84604-1793