Transfers this Week

brain freeze
We can't even begin to guess what's going to happen with transfers.  It's a weird situation because three have us have been in Pordenone for two transfers, but Sorella Astel has been with her simps for two, 
Sorella Pearce has been with hers for two, and I'm the black sheep who has been with each set for one.

My District!

Chess with the Members

Sorella Astel and I want another transfer together so we can hit six months and my birthday together. But you just can't try to guess or you'll have a brain freeze. 

meeting the president

We met President Dibbs and his wife Thursday!  They are awesome.  In my interview, he was asking me questions and I was telling him about my life.  When I told him I liked art, he told me I would do well in Florence.  FINGERS CROSSED.  Lots of leather goods there, hahah.   Also, I'm sure the work would go well too...

President and Sister Dibbs

"dying" (but sad) to go home

So much has happened this week, but at the moment I can't remember anything!  We had to say goodbye to our beloved senior couple today)= the Jacobs are "dying," I mean, going home to America.  

Paige and Sister Jacobs

We helped them clean up their house, and then they took us up to the Alps at the ski resort and we had a picnic!  It was great!  Also, we went with them to get their last gelato.  It was very sad. 

Picnic in the Italian Alps (with a Goose) - the most beautiful place I have ever been to

double dare

You asked if we really made Sorella Pearce lick a bug zapper.  That is the truth.  She's fine.  Such a trooper.  

Today we bet her a gelato she couldn't catch a goose.  We lost.  She claims to be quite the duck catcher back home. 

In the meeting with President, he said that we will have ipad minis within the year!  Also, there are some other cool things I wrote down, but don't have my notes at the moment. 

OH I am sending you home a letter with the story of one of our investigators.. It's super crazy, but I don't like talking about who I'm teaching over the internet.  I don't know, feels weird.  

sweet somethings

So I was saying my prayers at night, and I was just talking with my Heavenly Father about sweet nothings.  Then when I was blessing Kaitlin, like I do every night, I realized she was probably saying her prayers too! because we're on the same time schedule!  I don't know; I had never thought of that before... 

Sorelle O'Connor

Another tender mercy this week was that someone gave us a ton of old Liahonas in Italian and the first one I opened had a Rose Dall painting in it, so I cut it out and put it in my study room.  So I have one now too, Mom.  

But I would really appreciate if you were to get a "mini " sized picture of the one you have and laminate it (like my patriarchal blessing), and I can put in my scriptures. that would be awesommmeeee. 

"About His Father's Business" (Boy Christ in the Temple) by Rose Datoc Dall

I love my email time! 

I looked at my blog because you told me not to, but you're doing so good!

Sister Jacobs was telling me the royal baby is due this week.  WHERE HAS TIME GONE? 

Also I got a little teary over the cute picture of Bekah next to my picture at the missionary map. 

Scott is seriously so tall. gross! 

Paige's 13-year-old brother has passed us all up

Also can you send me a usb... maybe two.  Our dvd player in the apartment has a spot where I can connect one, so I was thinking of having one with conference talks etc. and one with church music.  It would be cool cause then I could download talks and play them in church for our investigators as well.

I dont know what else to say... I love you all and miss you all. 

Paige

(Email Sent - July 17, 2013)

New Apartment - New President

Happy Fourth!  

So we went on the base and Sorella Jacobs (senior couple wife) who leaves in two weeks (sad) took us to Taco Bell and then for milk shakes.  I was kind of "on one" as Mom would say hahah.  

I sang God Bless America, American the Beautiful, Star Spangled Banner, & Yankee Doodle. All the classics. It also goes without saying it was required to wear red white and blue. 

Sorelle Pearce and Hunter with Sorella Jacobs in their patriotic gear

out with the old
Then we moved!  It was crazy.  Our new apartment is so beautiful.  But EVERYTHING in our old apartment had to be taken to the dump because it was so gross.  I spent the day smashing desks, tables, & chairs etc.  It was fun and also a little hard.  

in with the new
Then we spent to rest of the day helping put together new desks tables, & chairs.  

If I don't learn anything more on my mission, at least I will know that I can assemble chairs from IKEA the fastest. 

new kitchen

the pompelo is to die for here

Church History is pretty cool (Did I ever think those words would come out of my mouth?  I'm gonna go with "No.")  But history in general is pretty cool. Italians are obsessed with it. -- Probs because everyone's house is older than America.  (Paige's sister, Kelsey, is going to Nauvoo, IL on a Church History Edition of EFY)

shocked
I finally wrote Dylan Johnson.  He was a little...shocked I'm a missionary hahah.   Also he wants me to get him ties.  I told him I would if there was any room in my suitcase after all the shoes I'm going to buy. (We both know the probability of there being room in my suitcase is pretty low.)  But overall he is doing well!  Love that kid.

now:

Sorella O'Connor

serves in Italy

Elder John Dunn and Elder Dylan Johnson  

serve in Peru 

then:

Paige, Dylan, Katelyn - Dance Festival (circa '08?)

Paige and John - neighbors (circa '97?)

Okay, a Justin Beiber song came on in the Taco Bell on the Fourth of July annnd I listened a little bit. oops. il pentimento e per tutti right?  ("there is repentance for all")

We haven't met our mission president yet, but we do tomorrow!  They are going to bring us mail too! Don't try and guess what I'm most excited for;  you'll be disappointed. 

I just really hope Pres. likes me and keeps me with Sorella Astel another transfer, because then we'll have spent six months of our mission together & also my birthday! (August 29th)  hollllla 

I had a dream Mom was best friends with Sister Hunter's mom.  Sister Hunter and I compare mom notes and they are on the same level. hahahahahaha. 

playing dead
Oh so I started doing this new thing (missionaries are so weird).  I've acquired a new quirk where whenever someone brings out another food course or it's just too hot or I get 6 new spider bites that night... I pretend to cut all my main arteries and die and then someone has to come close my eyes. 

(The making someone close my eyes part isn't all that new--I did that before the mission.) But the members think it's HILARIOUS!  Sister Pearce, on the other hand, well.... hahahah

(This is Paige pre-mission practicing her "movie dead face."

I believe this scene is from Hunger Games after she eats Nightlock)

But the work is going really well! 

Love you long time & ciao for now, 

Sorella Paige O'Connor

P.S.  OH also all our sweet little members went to the temple last week in Switzerland and put our names on the prayer roll!  cute, huh? They're the best.

(Email Sent - July 10, 2013)

Homeland

To Dad:

It's actually going very well missionary work wise!  We had the best numbers in our district this week, but numbers aren't important, hahaha...but if they were... we would win.  

The language is coming really fast which is good.  Our grammer is poco a poco but people understand us.  Also we teach a lot of Africans, so they speak very simple English and Twi (dialect from Ghana). 

We watched the broadcast!  It was AWESOME (ha I'm such a missionary).  But seriously. 

Heck yeah, the members are supposed to do ALL the finding!  That way 19-year-old girls don't have to wander through parks where Romanian men try to kidnap me, hahaaa, I mean them.  

Seriously I will be such a good tweeting missionary; I'm sure of it.  We'll see how long it takes for the good stuff to get over to Italia!  But seriously, we are stoked on it. 

Do missionary work.  You will be blessed per eternita! 

Awww Dad I love ya. keep up the good work! ciao ciao baci baci

To Mom:

We haven't heard from our new mission president yet, but we are moving Friday!  I'm so excited because we will be in centro (downtown) and closer to church, sono grata.  But that also means I have to paaackkk so that stinks.

america

Paige in CA 2012

Tomorrow is Fourth of July and I'm going back to my homeland:

the American base.

close enough right? but seriously I'm going to have Hot Cheetos and not feel bad about it.  probs even a root beer and a cheese burger! (the things you miss about America).  Seriously America is great.

referrals or setups?

But this week was funny.  We got so many referrals!  But they turned out to be dates, so that was awkward.  We got a call from a random guy, and because we don't understand Italian we just set up an appointment with him (obviously right?).  

But then when we got to centro, he took us to the bar (not the same as an American bar) and he ordered us sparkilng water.  He said, 

"Yeah the family you talked to in the park gave me your phone number and told me you were pretty!"

 But we taught him a lesson and he turned out to be Muslim, so there's thaattt.  

Then one of our simps brought her cousin to a lesson to meet us, and it was weird.  I'm pretty sure it's the language barrier, haha, I don't even know!   

Also Sorella Astel and I both got our first marriage proposal!  hated it.  literally it was awful. hahahah but I'm over it.  

That's why the broadcast talks about the members doing the finding and the missionaries doing the teaching! It's seriously the best way.

green card
Sorella Astel and I had to sit through a five-hour culture class this week, and we get to go back tmrw for an hour and a half more (Happy Fourth of July) but after that we can get our permesso! (green card) hollllaaaaa

So I got this bug bite.. and I'm pretty sure it's eating my leg off, but that's normal right?

Our bikes broke.

Well someone just slashed our tires. mean huh?!  So we are back on foot until I can find a bike shop!

surprise
So last Wednesday our English class threw us a surprise party!  I was so confused.  We were in church waiting for everyone to come when a lady ran in frantically and was like,

 "You have to get in my car! " 

So we did, obviously, because we are missionaries, and she took us to a pizzaria where our whole English class and half the Italian ward were waiting for us and made us eat a lot of pizza!  Then they gave us lots of presents. 

But when I say presents, I mean food.  Literally they gave us 6,000 grams of pasta, nutella, pizza dough, ragu, mozzarella, Nesquick.  Seriously so much stuff and these cool pens.  I don't know.  I'm still confused as to why.

Ew, I had the grossest meal yesterday. I still feel nauseous thinking about it.  ONE of the appetizers was a stuffed tomato with baby shrimp and fry sauce. literally I can't do it. ahah anyways.

meanwhile...back at home
ALSO, an exerpt from my email from Marielle last week: 

"This week Joe went to answer the door and I hear 'Babe, Paige's people are here!' So we let them come in and I made them pray for you. It was nice because I know you're out there doing similar things."  cool huh?!

Paige and Marielle Jan. 2013

Also one of the young adults got called to Scotland this week! and he leaves on the 25th!  That's where Wyatt Clement got called to, right?  They should be friends.

Elder Clement

Hey Mom, you're great. I got mad love for ya.

I'll see you soon then (too soon to start saying that?)
anyways, xox sorella p oconnor

(Email Sent - July 3, 2013)

Baptism and Bug Zappers

Pordenone is good!  I cannot confirm or deny the fact that I bought a nightgown at the market this morning and am wearing it out in public with a cardi and belt.  

I also cannot confirm or deny the fact that Sorella Astel is wearing a matching nightgown with a different color cardi and belt hahaha.  To each their own, right?

We are alive and well!  We are working really hard and learning a lot.  We really have no other choice.

smarts

I think Sister Pearce is warming up to the fact that she is living with three 19-year-old girls, hahaha.  We bet her eight scoops of gelato she wouldn't LICK the electric bug zapper we have in our apartment one day at lunch, and she did it!

Literally she is the SMARTEST woman I have ever met, but in that moment of her life.. I'm not so sure.  Everyone always says sorelle and anziani have completely different missions, but I'm not so sure about that either.

Good luck on your hike, Mom!  My hands swelled up super bad yesterday from walking a lot with my hands down-- idk super strano (strange).   Keep your hands over your head when you walk (and make sure Kiefer takes a picture of that, ha).

baptism

My dear friend got baptized on Friday, and it was the most beautiful thing!  It didn't really count as "my"  baptism in the eyes of the mission because I'm in the other copia (companionship) now. (It's so hard but also great watching your friends progress without you).  But I am glad I was able to teach her; 

As for me, she is my convert and I love her.

We move into our new apartment next week and I am way excited TWO BATHROOMS, yippy.  

We also get new mission presidents next week, which is gonna be crazy.  I will miss the Wolfgramms!

We haven't seen the broadcast yet, but we want to so bad!!  We are hoping to see it Sunday.  (I'm praying it will be in English.)

Literally I love the pictures of Natalie in the nightgown cause I'm rocking the same thang. 

Sister Nelson in Riverside, CA

xoxo gossip girl. oops, I mean, Sorella O'Connor

(Email Sent:  June 26, 2013)

One Degree Hotter

Received an email and this picture from a family vacationing in Venice. 

They said, ""Look who we literally ran into in Venice when we walked out the door of our hotel! They all looked healthy and happy; bright lights in an incredible part of the world. Beautiful examples for our daughter (second from right) who is anxious to get home to open her own mission call delivered while we are traveling. We hugged them for you if that is OK!" 

lost

I was reading Kaitlin's email from last week, and I was literally laughing out loud (in this less-sketchy internet cafe we found).  She has no clue. hahah.  She thinks she is lost...We are so lost ALWAYS, but really, it's fine.  

I just don't even think I can accurately explain everything that has happened this week.  Literally, it's so funny.  

Our first real day as companions we had an appointment set up that Sorella Astel's companion made for us.   We call this lady and as she is telling us where she lives,  we realize she lives like an hour on train and isn't even in our zone.  But she gave us a referral to see her SISTER who lives down the street from us, so were just like "Cool, we'll do that then." 

sorella needs a weave

We call this lady (they are all African so they speak English--thank you), and she wants to meet with us so we walk to her house.   She sits us down on her couch and starts showing Sister Astel different hair pieces and extensions.  

She thought Sister Astel wanted to get her hair done.  We were just in total shock and had literally no idea what to do, hahahah, so Sorella Astel was just like swatting her away because she was trying to do her hair!  

I had to yell at her and say,  "We are not here to get our hair done. We are here to talk to you about Jesus!"  It was.. an experience. hahaha

phone call

Then that night after like two hours of contacting, I got my first Italian phone call without Sister Pearce with me.  It was a fratello in the ward!  He knows I don't speak well, and he was talking very slowly so it was fine. until. he explained to me that they want me to give a TALK. in church. this Sunday. in Italian.  I said "yes" then hung up the phone and cried. ahhhhh.

my mom writes my talks

So that is what I did for Father's Day.  But it's fine, because Sorella Pearce is just like Mom and helped me write it.  Okay, she wrote all of it.  Okay, I'm a bad missionary and I have my mom write my talks.  Whatever, it's fine.  No one else has to know.  

But it went fine.  Everyone thought I wrote it and they were telling me how much my Italian has improved. blah, blah, it's all a lie, I'm a fake and I still don't speak well hahaha.   

Anyway, the ward is literally freaking out that we are together and they call us all day to make sure we're doing okay.  It's a really good learning experience.  

baptism

But it's also extra hard because I am technically transferred to Astel's copia which means I lost all of my old investigators and my baptism on Friday. (That's fine though. I still get to go because I'm giving the prayer)  But it's hard losing the American ward and my investigators.

legendary

We went to a zone conference in Verona on Monday and all the missionaries already knew about our copia--apparently it's the talk of the town.  Someone came up to me and said, "I heard two sorelle on their second transfer are now companions." then laughed.  When he found out it was me, he laughed even harder. I know. 

Sorella Pearce and the new sorella, Sorella Hunter (She is literally so cute! She's from Colorado and Mom would be friends with her mom.)  She actually has an uncle who is a bishop in Ventura.  Don't know his name, sorry.  Anyway, they are doing really well.  Sister Pearce is helping us a lot, but we dont want to be a burden so we try not to bug them too much. 

Also, it's so hot in Pordenone.  Literally I have never felt like this before in my life.  First summer in Italy yaaayyyyyy. 

quote me

I've been saying the most missionary things lately.  I quote Preach My Gospel and everything.  I feel normal, but let's be honest, that's so weird. hahah.

Although Sorella Astel and I have no idea what we are doing, we are just taking it a day at a time trying not to get deported and talking to people about the Book of Mormon.  I haven't had gelato in a week, but that's on purpose. 

one degree hotter
Keep up the good work family.  And whenever you feel sad or overwhelmed, just think, "Sister O'Connor is probably giving a talk in Italian on Sunday.  It could also be one degree hotter." 

(Paige is referencing this talk:  BYU Devotional "What Happens When Life Gets One Degree Colder" by Dallan R. Moody, March 6, 2012 -- Read or Watch it HERE

With love, from a very green sister missionary out alone with another just-as-green sister missionary in a very hot Pordenone, but she wouldn't want to be anywhere else, 

Sorella O'Connor

(Email Sent - June 19, 2013)

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)

La Settimana di Crisi

crisis

It's Week Five of my first transfer. That means I'm senior companion for a week, and it's AWFUL! hahaha  

It's so hard being senior companion, and I've cried every day, and it's barely Wednesday.  

But Sister Pearce is a gem like always and just laughs at me when I "vado in crisi," (which reminds me of home).  But this time I'm on the other side of the bathroom door. karma. hahaha 

hard things

But yesterday when I was stressing out about having to talk on the phone in Italian and figure out bus times and things, she sat me down and had me read a talk her brother gave at some BYU thing and it started with... "I can do hard things."  

Whatever, it was perfect. My companion is just literally perfect.  She reminds me a lot of Mom; is that weird?

Paige and Sorella Pearce

lost

Oh so we got lost in Budioa which is like a 40-minute bus ride out of Pordenone, and it's beautiful.  But it was raining, so that was not beautiful.  And we had to be home in two hours.  And there were no more buses that day.  Perfect right?  

found

Anyways we called a member in the American ward to help us.  She picked us up, drove us home, and on the way took us to Lidl to pick out our favorite 10 things each.  It was such a miracle.  So then I was thinking.. everyone should be like Sister P.  She's literally fantastic.

scambi

We had our first SCAMBI (missionary exchange) this week as well. that. was. a new experience. hahah  No, it was good!  I was with a sister in her last transfer, so I was just trying to soak up as much information as possible.  She's so cute and smart.

I also taught Gospel Principles in the American ward while Sister Pearce taught it in the Italian ward. We're allowed to do that as long as I have a fake companion and she does too.

extra mayo

You will never guess what happened to me.  So we were at my favorite Italian member's house for a ghans (YSA) activity, but it was just our coppia (companionship) and our awesome investigator and their family.   

So it was super low key and we were eating pasta.  Suddenly the dad starts talking to me in Italian, so I'm just smiling and saying, "Si, Si, Si"  like always.  Then he starts putting MAYONNAISE all over my pasta!!  all over my perfectly good pasta! and made me eat it!  

It was really funny apparently to everyone else. ha. Anyways I still love them, but I can never look at mayo in the same way.

venice

We went to Venice for Pday today, and it was perfect!  Couldn't be more cute and charming.  

The shopping is to die for, but I'm a missionary so i just kept walking.  Start saving Dad. 

healthy appetite

Ugh! I don't want to get fat.  It's terrible when they give you 20 euro for the whole week's food and pasta is .35 and apples are 6 euro.  It's even worse because I know how to eat healthy, but I literally can't afford it.  WHAT DO I DO?

I love being a missionary.  I love teaching the people here.

Sorella Paige O'Connor

(Email Sent - June 5, 2013)