On Our Own

I have been transferred!  But I'm staying in the same place.

O'Connor and Astel in the MTC

no joke

Literally that is not a joke.  So everyone in Pordenone is getting a new companion.  Sister Pearce is staying and getting a new new sister straight from the MTC.  She likes to run and dance but we don't know her name yet.  Right about now she should be tracting at the Duomo hahah.  Sister Lofely is getting transfered to Florence (no big deal right?) and... 

o'connor and astel

President Wolfgramm has seen fit that Sister O'Connor and Sister Astel should be companions. in Pordenone. ha. This is serious. So we are going to make it work, hahaha.  Who needs trainers right?  The 12-week training program is now officially non-existent, but it's fine.  WE NEED PRAYERS.  

anziano nelson

But it really IS fine, because on Sunday we had the opportunity to see Anziano Russell M. Nelson speak!  It was so cute; he tried to speak Italian.  I love him.  Anyways, he gave some good advice to the Italians.  

My favorite was, "Memorize the sound of your Father's voice reading the Book of Mormon." cute, huh?! 

Also he said our sweet prophet is having a hard time with his wife passing. sad, huh?

So Anziano Nelson said they're making a huge announcement on the 23rd about missionary work!  We have no idea what it's about, but they are having the MTC sing at it so hopefully kids from our ward will be there.  

He said it's gonna change everything.

random info and inside jokes:

It's been really hot in Pordenone during the day then it pours whenever we need to go anywhere at night. 

I'm so excited for this Bergquist baby girl. seriously. totes called it. 

We have a zone meeting Monday and I can promise that I've been through a transfer without getting one letter.  You all are awful.  But it's fine;  I'm not counting. 

I sent mom a letter today with some flowers in it I picked.  The poppies grow like crazy here. 

Italian men are literally so creepy.  I'll have some good stories to tell you when I get home. hahaha (Don't worry, Mom!)

We got a bike!  It's so cute, but it turns out I'm not very good at riding it. hahahah.  Everyone yells at me in Italian and I just wobble and look crazy with my helmet. 

I just don't know what I'm doing, but apparently the Lord trusts Astel and me because ALL of the other new missionaries still have trainers. gosh. It's gonna be crazy.

Sister Pearce drank some super sketchy water that was coming out of the ground and it even had a sign in Italian and English that it wasn't drinking water (we didn't see that until after) and the thought came into my mind, "I wonder if I will still get a Celine bag if i am honorably discharged as a missionary." hahahah....  (post-mission shopping plans with Mom and Kait)

Literally EVERYDAY I think about how i can injure myself enough to get sent home without messing up my face.  (joke from her farewell talk)  but it's the best. and the worst. but the best.

I'm craving a good green drink.  If youre sending Kaitlin a cute dress, send me one too.  All of my clothes are so hot.

I need another flowy stretchy skirt or dress.  I am riding a bike. Okay, none of my skirts fit.

I'm trying to eat healthy but literally we went to dinner at a member's house with some new converts and old single adults, and they feed you so much.  I can testify that I fit 6,000 calories of food in my body.  

Gelato is so good I want to cry.  

Also we we had to literally run home from that dinner appointment and Sorella Pearce threw up hahahah 

Did I tell you I ran into someone on my bike? 

Also I went to talk to an Italian on the bus and she had no tongue. 

Also there was a flood in Pordenone and we were trapped because our investigator's car couldn't make it.  I'm pretty sure I got bit by something not good, but don't worry about me! 

Also we have an investigator from Honduras.  She's sweet but my Spanish skills extend to, "Can I go to the bathroom?" and "Where are the keys?." soooo her daughter translates. 

And Sigur Ros is coming to Pordenone this month but they aren't playing Wednesday (pday) afternoon, sadly, so I will have to miss it. 

Last week for shopping we only bought veggies, but then we went out for kebabs twice. oops. 

Red Ledges looks so pretty.  Scott is going to have so much fun. I bet he won't be able to catch as many fish as me, but he will still probably get more than Dad.  It's easy to do that. hahaha 

Paige fishing with her dad - Heber 2012

(Email Sent - June 12, 2013)