July 7, 2014 - Celebrating Independence Day in Italy

Dear Friends and Family,

Real quick. My area is outside Rome by about 45 minutes and is just a bunch of little towns with a couple cities. The town I live in is smaller than The Colony, by a long shot, and I think I have probably met or seen most of them by now, haha. It is cute. My companion does all the driving when we need to, or the Elders drive when we go to church or District meeting in Terni. They are the prettiest drives of my life that is for sure, but we are spending a lot more time in a car than I am used to, and that means not talking to people. My solution? Memorize scriptures! At least I am practicing the language and trying to memorize ones I could use with people I meet. It is nice, and passes the time fast. 

For the 4th of July, I made some burgers for me,  my comp, the elders, and Alessandra and her friend Veronica. It was great. We had a great little celebration of about one hour because then we had an appointment, haha. But it was nice to remember I am American :)

This week was... HOT. And filled with awesome miracles. I'll show you one I wrote to President, well it is one morning, but like 100 miracles. It is really nice to be a missionary. I am just so grateful, all the time!!

Letter to Presidente:

"That's about all the investigators I have seen. The rest of our time is spent finding new people that are typically not from our area, so lots of referals! It kinda makes it seem like missionaries aren't meant to be here, and I think that is the mentality here, from what I have seen, but to me it shows how much God loves His children that He put us here to find all these people that might not have been able to ever meet the missionaries of their own area. We have been seeing so many miracles that put us in the most random places where we find people that accept our invitations. Saturday morning for example, we were headed out to a little paesino dove abita this contact that we met last Monday. When we got to the station, we realized we hadn't taken into account that it was Saturday and so the trains were less frequent. We missed one by about 30 seconds, and the next wasn't for 3 hours. We decided to see if there was a bus, so we headed to the bus station across the way. On our way there we stopped for a moment to talk to this man that sells things on the stairs of the station. We told him about how we missed our train, and he said that there was no bus at the station that would take us to Monterotondo, but that we had to take a little bus to the highway thing and wait for a bigger bus. We had no idea that existed, so that was awesome. He waled us over to the little bus and told the driver what we needed. Then, we realized we didn't really have money for the ticket, but the really nice driver let us ride for free since it was one stop away. On the bus we talked with the driver until another man got on so we talked with him too, and that man already had a Book of Mormon at home! Miracle! We gave him a booklet on the Restoration and gave an English Course card to the driver when we got off. Then, we walked over to our next bus stop where there was just one woman sitting alone, so we started talking to her. She was SUPER interested from the very beginning, I mean 100% prepared! She took a Book of Mormon and while we talked about it, her bus passed! It was ours too but we really felt bad that she missed her bus, especially when we found out the next one didn't come for an hour... But since we had an hour, we asked if we could explain the Restoration booklet and she said yes, so we said a prayer with her then we started. Before we got halfway through, two more people came up to this bus stop in the middle of nowhere (literally) and listened for a bit as we were talking about prophets. One, a young man, asked if we were nuns (common question). We said no and paused our lesson to explain who we are to him (Terry). He then said he doesn't believe in anything, but agreed to listen to us as we talked with Pelagie. As we were talking with them and teaching the Restoration, ANOTHER bus went by, and we all missed it! Another hour to wait... Haha! I couldn't believe it. Heavenly Father knew what needed to happen that morning though, way better than we did. Long story short, Pelagie, the first woman, is the best referal I have ever given (she lives in Rieti-so Terni) and Terry, who believes in nothing, was super touched by the Book of Mormon and our testimonies and took a book and gave us his number and really hopes we can help him build his faith. When their bus finally came, we knew it was too late for us to go to that appointment, but they both got on it with huge smiles and both had a Book of Mormon in hand. Pelagie was really glad she had missed her bus that day, and I think Terry was too. I just am so grateful to be a missionary for the Lord. Right after their bus pulled away, we walked off the road into the hay field and knelt down to say a prayer to thank Heavenly Father for all that had happened. I have never been so happy to miss a train by 30 seconds."

This place is great :) Also, this week is Zone Conference!

Also, shout out to Paige Wightman, a sister missionary that finished last year. She was and is incredible. She was serving in this area when I got to Pescara, and she had such an incredible influence on me and my mission. To keep it short, did a LOT of work here in Rome 5 and we are seeing so many fruits of her awesome labors. I cannot thank her enough for her dedicated service to the Lord. So many seeds planted, SO MANY. And such a love for the people that showed in her actions. She is great.

Okay, missionary crush over. 

Anyway, this week was good, and I am looking forward to another good one :) I love you all. Thank you for your love, support, and prayers! Have a great week!!

Sorella Patterson

June 30, 2014 - Rome 5

Aloha Friends and Fam! just kidding, I am not on the island anymore. Do I miss it? I'll never tell.

Rome 5 is very different than any other city I have been in or seen. It is basically just a bunch of little towns outside of Rome that each have one or two members in the whole place, and they put them all together in a little branch of about 50 people. I love it. It is so beautiful and we get to take lots of trains and buses, which are great for talking to people becasue they can't walk away! Also, we have a car!!!!! Never saw that one coming. But there are several places where we just can't get to without a car, so we share it with the two Elders in our branch. This is my first time being in a 2-person home, and in a less than 6 or 8 missionary branch. It is just a really big change, haha. But really, nothing has changed, except me. I literally feel like I am starting my mission over, fresh, from the beginning. I just feel so good here, and so motivated! And so focused! I don't know what it is, but it is a bit like this at each transfer, a new beginning, taking with you only the good that you have learned from the previous transfers and cities. I know we did a lot of good in Sassari and I feel like I have brought all that with me to Rome 5 and we are just getting down to business. I just love it!!!

Exerpt from letter to Presidente:

We have one investigator who has a baptismal date for July 19th. His name is Alessandro and he is from Nigeria. Would you like to know something cool/an awesome miracle/proof that you are completely inspired with transfer calls? I was present at his first lesson ever with the missionaries, one year ago, when I did my first scambio with Sorella Wightman in Rome 5. We taught him about the Book of Mormon and he became an investigator that night with his mom and brother. Then, he had to go away to school and they haven't been able to see him at all, but he got back last week and they met with him and he says he has been reading that Book of Mormon and wants to get baptized. And now I am going to teach him! How incredible!! I don't know if he will remember me, but I'll see him tonight. He has been at his college graduation so we haven't seen him yet. I am really excited for his baptism!

Well, we had a lot of time to do finding since I've been here, but I don't think we will keep having time. Already we are setting up appointments from area book finding and members inviting us over. I was asked Friday night to give a talk in church on Sunday, and I spoke right before the Elders Quorum President and Stake President. Intimidating? A little. But I did my best, and the members were at least able to see my love for them and the work. And two have asked us over, that Sorella Mathews says they have never visited. I know that the Lord blesses us for trying! Also, somehow He was able to take my weaknesses and use them for good, and now we can gain trust and get referalls! I am so excited! I have never felt so motivated or just wanted to go out and work! This is great, and Rome 5 needs some energy and drive! 

Okay, that is all for now. I hope that you are all sharing the Gospel in fun and creative ways, like smiling and complimenting and showing your love for everyone you meet! I just love you all so much!!! Have a great week!!

Sorella Patterson

June 23, 2014 - Headed back to Rome!

Hello Friends and Family!! 

Me and Sara, the weirdest kids in town

Okay I know I have been horrible at writing AND sending pictures this transfer, but in my defense neither my companion nor I had a free memory card, nor wanted to buy one, nor did we really have time for anything. So it's been a good transfer, though somewhat pictureless. Succede. 

However, this transfer went by WAY too fast, and the end is bringing much change. I am leaving the perfect little island of Sardegna... and headed back to Rome!! Haha, I can't believe it! The last thing I expected, but what the Lord needs, so I am excited to go. I tried to get into Bitonto... but I guess the Lord and President Waddoups probably know that's not the place for me right now :)

Fratello Marras (Zio Angelo), me, and Pietro,
our investigator/best friend/dad

I will REALLY miss this place. Sassari has been one of the highlights of my life and mission and I can't even begin to explain what it is like to say goodbye to these islanders, knowing I probs won't be back for quite a while... (to-do list:start a return-to-Sardegna charity fund?) Vediamo. But I know that the Lord was able to use me to do some good here, and for that I will forever be grateful to Him. Also I am grateful because He let me come here and meet these incredible members of the church and incredible people and to be a teacher and a friend and a sister to them. He is so great. He is just incredible. I love Him!!

my branch mission leader and Andrea,
the newest Branch missionary!!! 

I also really just love all of you. You are all so special to me and I thank Heavenly Father quite often that I am blessed with friends and family like you. I couldn't possibly do all that He needs me to do without you. So thank you. 

MARIA CILLA CAME TO CHURCH... AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I think she is almost active again! I cannot believe it. I don't feel like we did anything, but somehow our words and the Spirit are working in her and she is coming to church and making plans to keep coming. That is just the best. 

The fab 4/ the four departing missionaries. 

The one next to me, Anziano Jones, goes home.

I can't believe it! He finished a great mission!

Well, remember how Angela moved to Olbia and I couldn't see her anymore/teach her anymore? One of the best women in the world/one of my favorite members is DRIVING ME OUT TO OLBIA to see her today to say goodbye!! I cannot believe it. These people are the most selfless, caring, and amazing people EVER. AND I GET TO SEE/TEACH ANGELA AGAIN!!!!!!!! 

Well, this said member (Sorella Mastino) is arriving shortly to pick us up, so I must be brief. But I think I said everything I wanted to...

I will include some fotos this week!! These are my best friends and family besides you all. :)

this woman has my heart.
Fulvia Anardu, the Relief Society President--
my best friend besides Sorella Mastino

Okay, I love you all and vi auguro a great week and lots of love and service opportunities! I can see all your smiling faces, especially yours, little Jared. Love you all SO MUCH!!!!!!!!

Sorella Patterson

June 2, 2014 - Short Note

Okay this will be the shortest one yet. So friends and fam I am typing this email from our cute little smart phone b/c we are in church and there are not enough computers. Today we went to castlesardo, this awesome castle thing with some members and 5 investigators. This week was the best week of my life and mission. I have never seen so many miracles or worked so hard or prayed so much or talked with so many strangers. Being with Sorella Haynie again is so perfect. We just push each other and inspire each other and are learning to work so well together. I am happy :) I wish I had time to tell you all the miracles. Yesterday in church 3 investigators came and 2 less actives, one for the first time in years. And that was just for our companionship. This branch is filling up :) I am so proud to be a missionary in this branch. They are all working so hard for the Lord.

Okay well I am out of time. I love you all and wish you a wonderful week!

Sorella Patterson
Editor’s note here: These pictures are from a few weeks back, not their trip today!

May 26, 2014 - Rewarding Week in Sassari

Aloha famiglia!!

This week was... rewarding :) 

My "first companion" in the mission field:
Sorella Waddoups!!

Me and my new/old comp are doing WORK. It is going well. We are starting to work a lot with some less active members to help them regain their faith and come back and make this branch into the awesome ward that it needs to be. So far so good. I think we just need about 5 more Priesthood holders to be a ward! We got this!!!

Zone Conference - May 20, 2014

This week's letter will be a little short (do I say that every week? I think so...). But there are miracles happening out here. We had a movie night on Saturday night for everyone we know and are working with. It was quite the success! There were about 11 investigators there...!!!!! So awesome. Pietro came!!! He is this awesome guy we are working with, well he and his wife. We were supposed to have a lesson with them Saturday but then Paola, the wife, got sick, but then Pietro said he was coming to the movie night anyway!!! We showed the Testaments, the one about the Book of Mormon, and he just loved it, along with everyone else that came. They all want to see it again!! And it was really cool because most of them are just starting to read the Book of Mormon and get into it, so it was cool for them to get to see some of it (and the most important parts) in action. What a great night that was.

Sorella Mistura - my first companion when
I got to Pescara  :)
This is the last transfer of  Sorella
Mistura :(. She is going home soon!

So at Zone Conference we talked a lot about family history and how to use it as a finding tool. I decided to print off some family pics that I have, including one of my Great Gramma Maree, to tape onto the outside of my planner so that on the bus and stuff I can use it to start conversations. Italians LOVE Texas and anything to do with it, especially cowboys, and the picture of her is when she is in her cowgirl get-up. They just love it. She is so cool! And she is still doing missionary work, so many years after she's been gone. She is so cool. I bet she'd be happy to help me out! :)

Wellzzzzz, that's about all I got for today, plus I want to go play Foosball (how do you spell that??). I love all of you so much!! Look for awesome opportunities to use family history to share the gospel this week!! You are all so great!!

Love, 

Sorella Patterson

May 19, 2014 - Supreme Dream Team Reunited

I gave a talk in Sacrament this past week on sharing the gospel. It went okay I think. I think I would rather sing (with at least 2 others) in front of people then speak in front of them. It was better that it was in Italian though. I am SO much more confident when I speak italian than when I speak inglese. I don't know why. Maybe because I am called to serve and speak this language. Boh.

Supreme Dream Team together again!

So, yeah I am back with Sorella Haynie. It has already been some of the best days of my mission. I love her. She is so incredible. I am learning a ton AGAIN. Heavenly Father knows what I need.

 

I have been thinking a lot about unity lately, especially in terms of sharing the gospel. Obviously my thoughts are mostly about companions, but it goes for anything I bet. At first, everything is going good. You are happy together. The work is great. But then little things start coming  up, like normal. When those problems occur, our reactions are so important. We can see there are problems and think that it is just not supposed to be this way, or we aren't right together, or they or we did something wrong and needs to change. OR. We can realize that NO ONE is perfect, and thus we all will have problems, based on our natural fallen state as human beings. What we do with that realization is even more important. We can still decide we want something or someone new, OR we can put forth real effort to find all the good that Heavenly Father has put in that person, and then LOVE them for it. Satan will try EVERYthing and anything to stop this work from going forward and that in huge part means creating contention between all those responsible for carrying out its progression. We just can't let that happen and we can't accept any excuses for letting ourselves be a part of it. The greatest commandment is to love God, and then to love everyone else too, just as much as we love oursleves. Being the greatest, of course it is attacked so much!! Anyway, that's what I have been learning a lot about and trying to improve and put into practice.

Well, we are in Cagliari and it is so beautiful. I love it. I just love this whole Island!! And I love all of you. I hope you all have a great week!!

Sorella Patterson

May 12, 2014 - Mother's Day Skyping!

Love the look of surprise when Matthew came
 around the corner to join us in Skyping her.

All 3 wishing me Happy Mother's Day

Megan got to Skype me for Mother’s Day yesterday (only get to do that on Christmas and Mother’s Day). We surprised her with having Matthew there as well. There was a lot of laughing and joking and it was good to see her so happy and joyous! She said to tell everyone hello! I have some pictures of her that we took while skyping and a video I took of her reenacting our mother’s day debacle from last year where she made me breakfast in bed twice. The first time it ended up all over the hallway floor. She has a short note today because she is on her way to go fishing.

Elders Juhausz, Phillips, (Andrea!), Kiser and Jones

Andrea after church yesterday

Breakfast in bed for the sisters who were sick from last week
(Hopefully it didn't end up on the floor!)

Our branch in Sassari

The cake we made for my companion's 22nd b-day.
WooHoo! So much chocolate!!!

OKay, zero time, but I love you all  so much with my whole heart!! I am so grateful for my family and for the chance to be here and to serve!! 

MISSIONS ARE THE BEST!!!

I am staying here in Sassari, but my companion is leaving and going to Battipaglia. Sorella Haynie will be taking her place, which is CRAZY because we were companions in Rome 3 as well. So crazy, but I am so excited!!! YAY for Sassari!!!

Okay, I have to go, we are going fishing today in Alghero!! :) 

Have a great week everyone!!

Sorella Patterson