This address is for LETTERS ONLY and only for about the next three months. Packages MUST go to the Milan address that is listed on the sidebar of the blog, otherwise she won't get them. (Nobody home in the day to get mail!)
Sorella Katie Soh
Corso Agnelli 87
10134 Torino
Italy
Postage to Italy has just gone up, it's now $1.05 for a standard under-one-ounce first class letter. Ugh. But SO worth it to brighten Katie's day!!
25 January 2012
The dog days are over
Hi.
Um. I'm training.
Yeah. It's okay to be confused. Yes, I am currently in my last week of training as in Sorella Walton is my trainer and I am being trained. But that is not what I mean.
I'm training.
As in, I will be training a new missionary. Next transfer. Aka tomorrow when we have transfers, I'll swap out my trainer for a trainee.
Yeah. Whew.
Anyway, that's the big news of transfers this week! President called us on Monday and told me that I'm going to be a trainer! So that means that I will be in Torino for the next two transfers, so I'll let you take a quick break right now and toddle out to your mailbox to put all those letters you've written to me in the mail because I know you were all just concerned that they wouldn't get to me in Torino because I might be gone. Don't forget to lick the stamp. (***note from Nicole - I will post her direct LETTERS ONLY address in the next post)
...
Break's over. Okay. So yeah, I'm still kinda freaking out about being a trainer, but I am mostly just super excited. And also freaking out, but also excited. As for Sor W, she will be going to Varese! It is a little city by Como, and there is a small branch there of about 35 members. She will be opening and whitewashing Varese, which means that she and her new companion (Sor Oakes, who we'll hear more about later in this email) will be replacing the Anziani that are currently there, and will be the only missionaries in that city. Wow! She is just gonna light that city on fire because she is awesome and that's the kind of thing she does! I am really excited for her, even if it does mean that our cute little companionship is splitting up! The good news is, though, that she will be in the Como Zone (I'm in the Torino Zone, go figure) and we are usually together for Zone Conferences and I will likely get to see her when we go to Milano for conferences.
So! That was Monday! Crazy! We were just in Milano on Thursday to hear from Elder Caussé! It was a good meeting. We talked a lot about inviting people to baptism during the first lesson. Yikies, right? But it all makes a lot of sense as we've learned about the reasoning behind everything and stuff. In the morning he also talked a lot about how to be a good missionary, what that means, and how to improve ourselves as missionaries and as people. It was a really great morning and I feel like I still don't know exactly what I learned. I still have to think about it!
I also got your packages, mom! We have thoroughly enjoyed the pumpkin spice cocoa and the calendar is so cute! Dad, Giuseppe LOVEDLOVEDLOVED the airborne stuff you sent!!!!!! LOVED IT!!!!!! He was totally grinning from ear to ear and was so excited. He kept saying stuff about how awesome you are. He kept using the word "meraviglia" to describe what you had done for him in sending him those patches. He LOVED, and I mean LOVED, the 101st pin you sent. Loved it. We also made jello for them on Monday and they loved that, too. They were really excited about it. Giuseppe kept asking us how we made it and all we could do is just laugh and say "it's a secret!!!"
So the end of last week was a little bit nuts because we had pday and then we went to Milano to hear from Elder Caussé and then on Friday morning we had a scambio (aka an exchange) with the sorelle from Cuneo, which is about an hour and a half from Torino. We blitzed again, so both sisters were in Torino, as opposed to one of us going to Cuneo and one of them coming here. So both Sor Willey and Sor Oakes were in Torino. Funny story, Sor Willey (who was with Sor Walton on the scambio) has a brother at BYU and he was my Physics 107 TA during spring 2010. Isn't that crazy?! Sor Oakes was with me on the scambio, which was fun because we were also in the MTC together! She is one transfer ahead of me, so I knew her already. This is the same Sor Oakes who is going to be Sor Walton's new companion in Varese.
Fun fact about Torino, this is the home of Fiat! The character Guido from the movie Cars is a Fiat 500, I think. Anyway, there are lots of tiny little cars here and everyone drives like a maniac. There are also lots of Smart cars - you know, the super tiny ones - and they are the funniest because not only do they parallel park, oh no. They perpendicular park. Yeah. Try and figure out that one. So the length of a smart car is about equivalent to the width of a normal car. So what do these people do? Well, if there's not enough space to fit in lengthwise, they just pull right up perpendicular to the curb and park. Yeah. Really. It's totally normal to see a row of cars parallel parked along the street and then see a Smart car's front sticking out a little bit because it's perpendicularly parked.
I've been thinking a lot lately about the difference between tender mercies, miracles and blessings. I mean, they're all gifts from God, but I feel like each word is used in a different way. So I made a flow chart. I call it the miracle flow chart. So in thinking about a spiritual experience or event or something from the Lord or whatever, you first have to decide if it is a long term event or a short term event. If it is long term, it's a blessing. If it's short term, it is either a miracle or a tender mercy, from which you have to decide the scale of the event/involvement of the Spirit. If the Spirit is heavily involved, it's a miracle. If the event is just a small scale, it's a tender mercy. Let me give you some examples. 1) Having a loving family. I would classify this as a blessing. Why? Because it's something that is long term, as in once I received it, I've had it ever since. 2) Losing your job but still being able to pay the bills/tithing for the month. I would classify this as a miracle because it's a one time thing, but it's a HUGE deal aka the Spirit is there big time. 3) Going to lunch at Subway and getting there right as the pull the chocolate chip cookies out of the oven. TENDER MERCY. It's a one time thing and it's not a big deal because you probably would've been perfectly content with a cookie at room temperature, but it was just that extra bit of awesome that made the experience special. Not particularly because you exercised faith in going to Subway at that particular time, but it just happened. Anyway, maybe I'll draw a picture of the flow chart and then send it in a letter and mom, you can scan and upload it or something. Okay, I'm kidding, but only kind of.
Well, time's about up. I can't believe my training is over. And even harder to believe is the fact that I'm training! (oh, Sor Willey is training, too - the one who did the scambio with Sor Walton last Friday). It's weird to think that I won't be companions with Sor Walton anymore! We're together 24/7 and she's all I know! I'm really sad to be splitting from her, but I know she is going to do great things because that's just how she is. I have learned so much from her. More than I even know, I think. Anyway, I love you all! Thank you all for your continued love and support and prayers - I'm gonna need them BIG TIME as a trainer (which also means I'll be senior companion! ACK!). The Gospel is true. Christ lives. Thomas S. Monson is a prophet of God. The Book of Mormon is true. Just read it and find out.
LOVE FROM TORINO,
Sorella Soh
p.s. Still waiting to hear about my challenge to ask the missionaries in your ward to recite to you the missionary purpose!!!! I haven't forgotten!
p.p.s. Shout out this week to Penny Wadham who sent me a super legit package that I just got this week!!! (Yeah...it took a while) But you'll be happy to hear, I hope, that I shared several of the little mini candy canes you sent with lots of other missionaries while we were still in Milano and they all love you and think you're great!
p.p.p.s. the pictures are from Sor W's camera 1) our power ranger sweater day - we randomly ended up wearing power ranger girl colors. The funny part is that Sor W's first name is Kimberly and I, of course, am taller and part Asian. Boo-yah. Didn't even plan it.
2) me pointing to one of the hanging Santas on someone's balcony
3) me and Giuseppe. We played a game where a different person draws each part of the body of a person and I drew Giuseppe's face. Ha.
4) Giuseppe made us cheeseburgers and fries for dinner on Monday - just like America! Although he may or may not have put prosciutto on it...
Um. I'm training.
Yeah. It's okay to be confused. Yes, I am currently in my last week of training as in Sorella Walton is my trainer and I am being trained. But that is not what I mean.
I'm training.
As in, I will be training a new missionary. Next transfer. Aka tomorrow when we have transfers, I'll swap out my trainer for a trainee.
Yeah. Whew.
Anyway, that's the big news of transfers this week! President called us on Monday and told me that I'm going to be a trainer! So that means that I will be in Torino for the next two transfers, so I'll let you take a quick break right now and toddle out to your mailbox to put all those letters you've written to me in the mail because I know you were all just concerned that they wouldn't get to me in Torino because I might be gone. Don't forget to lick the stamp. (***note from Nicole - I will post her direct LETTERS ONLY address in the next post)
...
Break's over. Okay. So yeah, I'm still kinda freaking out about being a trainer, but I am mostly just super excited. And also freaking out, but also excited. As for Sor W, she will be going to Varese! It is a little city by Como, and there is a small branch there of about 35 members. She will be opening and whitewashing Varese, which means that she and her new companion (Sor Oakes, who we'll hear more about later in this email) will be replacing the Anziani that are currently there, and will be the only missionaries in that city. Wow! She is just gonna light that city on fire because she is awesome and that's the kind of thing she does! I am really excited for her, even if it does mean that our cute little companionship is splitting up! The good news is, though, that she will be in the Como Zone (I'm in the Torino Zone, go figure) and we are usually together for Zone Conferences and I will likely get to see her when we go to Milano for conferences.
So! That was Monday! Crazy! We were just in Milano on Thursday to hear from Elder Caussé! It was a good meeting. We talked a lot about inviting people to baptism during the first lesson. Yikies, right? But it all makes a lot of sense as we've learned about the reasoning behind everything and stuff. In the morning he also talked a lot about how to be a good missionary, what that means, and how to improve ourselves as missionaries and as people. It was a really great morning and I feel like I still don't know exactly what I learned. I still have to think about it!
I also got your packages, mom! We have thoroughly enjoyed the pumpkin spice cocoa and the calendar is so cute! Dad, Giuseppe LOVEDLOVEDLOVED the airborne stuff you sent!!!!!! LOVED IT!!!!!! He was totally grinning from ear to ear and was so excited. He kept saying stuff about how awesome you are. He kept using the word "meraviglia" to describe what you had done for him in sending him those patches. He LOVED, and I mean LOVED, the 101st pin you sent. Loved it. We also made jello for them on Monday and they loved that, too. They were really excited about it. Giuseppe kept asking us how we made it and all we could do is just laugh and say "it's a secret!!!"
So the end of last week was a little bit nuts because we had pday and then we went to Milano to hear from Elder Caussé and then on Friday morning we had a scambio (aka an exchange) with the sorelle from Cuneo, which is about an hour and a half from Torino. We blitzed again, so both sisters were in Torino, as opposed to one of us going to Cuneo and one of them coming here. So both Sor Willey and Sor Oakes were in Torino. Funny story, Sor Willey (who was with Sor Walton on the scambio) has a brother at BYU and he was my Physics 107 TA during spring 2010. Isn't that crazy?! Sor Oakes was with me on the scambio, which was fun because we were also in the MTC together! She is one transfer ahead of me, so I knew her already. This is the same Sor Oakes who is going to be Sor Walton's new companion in Varese.
Fun fact about Torino, this is the home of Fiat! The character Guido from the movie Cars is a Fiat 500, I think. Anyway, there are lots of tiny little cars here and everyone drives like a maniac. There are also lots of Smart cars - you know, the super tiny ones - and they are the funniest because not only do they parallel park, oh no. They perpendicular park. Yeah. Try and figure out that one. So the length of a smart car is about equivalent to the width of a normal car. So what do these people do? Well, if there's not enough space to fit in lengthwise, they just pull right up perpendicular to the curb and park. Yeah. Really. It's totally normal to see a row of cars parallel parked along the street and then see a Smart car's front sticking out a little bit because it's perpendicularly parked.
I've been thinking a lot lately about the difference between tender mercies, miracles and blessings. I mean, they're all gifts from God, but I feel like each word is used in a different way. So I made a flow chart. I call it the miracle flow chart. So in thinking about a spiritual experience or event or something from the Lord or whatever, you first have to decide if it is a long term event or a short term event. If it is long term, it's a blessing. If it's short term, it is either a miracle or a tender mercy, from which you have to decide the scale of the event/involvement of the Spirit. If the Spirit is heavily involved, it's a miracle. If the event is just a small scale, it's a tender mercy. Let me give you some examples. 1) Having a loving family. I would classify this as a blessing. Why? Because it's something that is long term, as in once I received it, I've had it ever since. 2) Losing your job but still being able to pay the bills/tithing for the month. I would classify this as a miracle because it's a one time thing, but it's a HUGE deal aka the Spirit is there big time. 3) Going to lunch at Subway and getting there right as the pull the chocolate chip cookies out of the oven. TENDER MERCY. It's a one time thing and it's not a big deal because you probably would've been perfectly content with a cookie at room temperature, but it was just that extra bit of awesome that made the experience special. Not particularly because you exercised faith in going to Subway at that particular time, but it just happened. Anyway, maybe I'll draw a picture of the flow chart and then send it in a letter and mom, you can scan and upload it or something. Okay, I'm kidding, but only kind of.
Well, time's about up. I can't believe my training is over. And even harder to believe is the fact that I'm training! (oh, Sor Willey is training, too - the one who did the scambio with Sor Walton last Friday). It's weird to think that I won't be companions with Sor Walton anymore! We're together 24/7 and she's all I know! I'm really sad to be splitting from her, but I know she is going to do great things because that's just how she is. I have learned so much from her. More than I even know, I think. Anyway, I love you all! Thank you all for your continued love and support and prayers - I'm gonna need them BIG TIME as a trainer (which also means I'll be senior companion! ACK!). The Gospel is true. Christ lives. Thomas S. Monson is a prophet of God. The Book of Mormon is true. Just read it and find out.
LOVE FROM TORINO,
Sorella Soh
p.s. Still waiting to hear about my challenge to ask the missionaries in your ward to recite to you the missionary purpose!!!! I haven't forgotten!
p.p.s. Shout out this week to Penny Wadham who sent me a super legit package that I just got this week!!! (Yeah...it took a while) But you'll be happy to hear, I hope, that I shared several of the little mini candy canes you sent with lots of other missionaries while we were still in Milano and they all love you and think you're great!
p.p.p.s. the pictures are from Sor W's camera 1) our power ranger sweater day - we randomly ended up wearing power ranger girl colors. The funny part is that Sor W's first name is Kimberly and I, of course, am taller and part Asian. Boo-yah. Didn't even plan it.
2) me pointing to one of the hanging Santas on someone's balcony
3) me and Giuseppe. We played a game where a different person draws each part of the body of a person and I drew Giuseppe's face. Ha.
4) Giuseppe made us cheeseburgers and fries for dinner on Monday - just like America! Although he may or may not have put prosciutto on it...
18 January 2012
Transfer 2, Week 5
Aloooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooohaaaa carissimi guapos!!!!!
Okay, an odd combination of several languages there...I realize this. I feel you should all know that I do weird things like that by now.
First up, SHOUT OUTS! Up this week are: Polly Lund and Debbie Hall who sent me Christmas cards (that I got this week) and Tiffane Russell/Pendleton who sent me a package with some exceptional holiday-themed awkward family photos (which were also enjoyed by the Elders in my district). I should probably shout out again to Sorella Walton's mom, although I fear that might create a tradition of communicating with my companion in a very, VERY indirect way if she continues to cut and paste from my blog! (Kidding. Still like you. Even if your daughter reads my journal while I'm in the shower.)
So all the notes I jotted down to remind myself of what to write home this week in my email are written nicely in my planner...which I conveninently left at our apartment, on my desk. Awesome. Anyway, I'll try and remember what I thought I wouldn't have to remember. First of all, Sor W and I often go out on our balcony at night before bed and drink hot chocolate and look at the stars. Could someone (coughdadcough) maybe find out what the story behind Orion (and his belt) is? And maybe how to find the big dipper? Yeah...we really know nothing. Oh, and dad, thanks so much for the stuff for Giuseppe! Except the shirt will probably be going to Sor W (who said "Oh, I want one!!!" when I read that part from your letter) because Giuseppe, unfortunately, is not a little old lady, and is, in fact, about your size. I would've said an XL on the shirt, but he is going to be SO EXCITED about all the stuff, I can guarantee it. I can't wait for him to get it!
I'm dying without my planner. I have no idea what I even did this week.
Oh! Guess who's favorite Maldovian teenager is back in Torino??? That's right! Our little investigator, Alina, is back from vacation!!! She's been really busy, so we haven't had any lessons with her yet (and we're still working on getting one for later on this week), but she did come to church on Sunday. Our Young Women are so great! They love Alina and I'm sure she loves them right back. How could she not?! Anyway, we asked her if we could see her on Friday and she said "well, why don't we just see each other on Saturday when we're cleaning the church?" and I thought "um, what is she talking about? Is she talking about our church?" Yeah. So apparently it's the YW's turn to clean the church on Saturday and they announced it in their class on Sunday and apparently Alina is planning on coming! Yeah. Isn't that so funny?! She is so great! So the YW are cleaning the church and Alina is going to come help (she's only been to church twice, by the way) and then there's a big Stake activity for all the YW at the other chapel in Torino where they're gonna teach about make-up or something. So so great.
Also, Rosa and Isabella, our new converts, both brought their sons to church on Sunday! Rosa's son, Ferdinando, is 13 and Isabella's son, Gabriele, is 12 and they are best friends. The YW kinda swarmed them in Sunday School, but that's probably because we have NO Young Men in our ward. None. And so the 12 YW we have were excited to have boys in their class for a change! We're really hoping to be able to teach them because they are really really good boys, very kind and just good, you know? AH they're awesome!
Today Sor W and I went out on the town (aka downtown) and went boot shopping. Sor W wanted new boots because she's worn her other ones to death and I wanted to get black boots because I mostly wear black skirts and tights and wearing my brown boots with them make me feel uncomfortable, even if it is generally accepted here. So I bought some (Thus the charge on my USAA account, mom). I don't LOVE love them, but I also don't love walking around the city for hours while tracting and having freezing toes. But I do like them and I'm even trying them out right now and my feet are nice and warm. And by the way, Sor W did NOT buy any boots. I just feel like that's an important detail to mention.
I've always been really terrible at setting goals and writing them down and working on them. Pretty much I just find something that I want - a skill, an opportunity, a trait - and then I just learn it/do it. Like studying abroad in Italy last year. Or learning how to solve a rubix cube. I just see what I want and do it. However, missionary work is different because I can't just pick and choose what I want because I want to/have to do all of it. So I've been working on writing down goals and then coming up with ways to reach said goals within a certain period of time. I'm still pretty terrible at it, but I can proudly say that I have a list! I feel like I have about 2039487293847 different things I need to and want to think about, but I don't really have much time to think about them because my mind is always focused on other things. Basically I have to schedule in thinking time, primarily in the morning as I'm doing my exercises and getting ready and eating breakfast (I don't do all those things at once, though). Sorella Walton a scripture this morning in 2 Nephi 4 that talks about meditating and pondering things in your heart or something and read it to me and laughed because she said it reminded her of me - always thinking about something and having to schedule in time about when I'm going to think about what. Geez la-wheeze.
Tomorrow we're going to Milano (for the third time this transfer, NBD that it cost 20 euro round trip) to hear from Elder Caussé! I am pretty excited about it, even if it means that we miss a whole day of work. Sor W and I have spent the past week or so trying to come up with a things we'd like to learn from him. Sor W has decided that she'd like to learn more about how to make her mission a "tremendous spiritual experience" (her words) for her. I've got a couple ideas floating around in my head: learning how to feel and show love to people, how to focus more on being a missionary and being able to identify miracles more clearly.
Next week is transfers! Sor W is likely getting the boot because this is her 4th transfer in Torino. I'm excited to change and learn from a different companion, but I'm also nervous because I just love Sor W so dang much. I can't imagine being companions with anyone else! And who knows when I'll see her again - even if we are in the same mission! That doesn't mean we'll be in the same zone or even close! It's weird to think that even though I feel like I'm getting used to being a missionary, I have no idea what being a missionary is really even like! But I'm learning things every day. I'm learning how to love the scriptures even more. I'm learning how to make the gospel personal. I'm learning to answer questions that other people ask that I've always just accepted on faith. I'm learning how to focus. I'm trying to learn how to make people want the gospel - to make them see how much they have to gain by following the example of Jesus Christ.
HEY! Still waiting to hear about the missionary challenge I gave two weeks ago!!! Did you ask your missionaries to recite to you the missionary purpose?!?!?!? I haven't forgotten!!!! I'm still waiting to hear back on that! Make those black nametags work! Put them to the test! Ask them, bug them, pester them and MAKE them tell you the missionary theme! Do it! Do it! And then tell me how it goes :)
Anyway, time's up this week. I love you all so much! I know your lives are all merrily gloating along, and I pray for your happiness and safety. Know that God is aware of you. Know that He is there for you. The gospel is true.
Have a great week!
Tanto amore da Torino,
Sorella Soh
Okay, an odd combination of several languages there...I realize this. I feel you should all know that I do weird things like that by now.
First up, SHOUT OUTS! Up this week are: Polly Lund and Debbie Hall who sent me Christmas cards (that I got this week) and Tiffane Russell/Pendleton who sent me a package with some exceptional holiday-themed awkward family photos (which were also enjoyed by the Elders in my district). I should probably shout out again to Sorella Walton's mom, although I fear that might create a tradition of communicating with my companion in a very, VERY indirect way if she continues to cut and paste from my blog! (Kidding. Still like you. Even if your daughter reads my journal while I'm in the shower.)
So all the notes I jotted down to remind myself of what to write home this week in my email are written nicely in my planner...which I conveninently left at our apartment, on my desk. Awesome. Anyway, I'll try and remember what I thought I wouldn't have to remember. First of all, Sor W and I often go out on our balcony at night before bed and drink hot chocolate and look at the stars. Could someone (coughdadcough) maybe find out what the story behind Orion (and his belt) is? And maybe how to find the big dipper? Yeah...we really know nothing. Oh, and dad, thanks so much for the stuff for Giuseppe! Except the shirt will probably be going to Sor W (who said "Oh, I want one!!!" when I read that part from your letter) because Giuseppe, unfortunately, is not a little old lady, and is, in fact, about your size. I would've said an XL on the shirt, but he is going to be SO EXCITED about all the stuff, I can guarantee it. I can't wait for him to get it!
I'm dying without my planner. I have no idea what I even did this week.
Oh! Guess who's favorite Maldovian teenager is back in Torino??? That's right! Our little investigator, Alina, is back from vacation!!! She's been really busy, so we haven't had any lessons with her yet (and we're still working on getting one for later on this week), but she did come to church on Sunday. Our Young Women are so great! They love Alina and I'm sure she loves them right back. How could she not?! Anyway, we asked her if we could see her on Friday and she said "well, why don't we just see each other on Saturday when we're cleaning the church?" and I thought "um, what is she talking about? Is she talking about our church?" Yeah. So apparently it's the YW's turn to clean the church on Saturday and they announced it in their class on Sunday and apparently Alina is planning on coming! Yeah. Isn't that so funny?! She is so great! So the YW are cleaning the church and Alina is going to come help (she's only been to church twice, by the way) and then there's a big Stake activity for all the YW at the other chapel in Torino where they're gonna teach about make-up or something. So so great.
Also, Rosa and Isabella, our new converts, both brought their sons to church on Sunday! Rosa's son, Ferdinando, is 13 and Isabella's son, Gabriele, is 12 and they are best friends. The YW kinda swarmed them in Sunday School, but that's probably because we have NO Young Men in our ward. None. And so the 12 YW we have were excited to have boys in their class for a change! We're really hoping to be able to teach them because they are really really good boys, very kind and just good, you know? AH they're awesome!
Today Sor W and I went out on the town (aka downtown) and went boot shopping. Sor W wanted new boots because she's worn her other ones to death and I wanted to get black boots because I mostly wear black skirts and tights and wearing my brown boots with them make me feel uncomfortable, even if it is generally accepted here. So I bought some (Thus the charge on my USAA account, mom). I don't LOVE love them, but I also don't love walking around the city for hours while tracting and having freezing toes. But I do like them and I'm even trying them out right now and my feet are nice and warm. And by the way, Sor W did NOT buy any boots. I just feel like that's an important detail to mention.
I've always been really terrible at setting goals and writing them down and working on them. Pretty much I just find something that I want - a skill, an opportunity, a trait - and then I just learn it/do it. Like studying abroad in Italy last year. Or learning how to solve a rubix cube. I just see what I want and do it. However, missionary work is different because I can't just pick and choose what I want because I want to/have to do all of it. So I've been working on writing down goals and then coming up with ways to reach said goals within a certain period of time. I'm still pretty terrible at it, but I can proudly say that I have a list! I feel like I have about 2039487293847 different things I need to and want to think about, but I don't really have much time to think about them because my mind is always focused on other things. Basically I have to schedule in thinking time, primarily in the morning as I'm doing my exercises and getting ready and eating breakfast (I don't do all those things at once, though). Sorella Walton a scripture this morning in 2 Nephi 4 that talks about meditating and pondering things in your heart or something and read it to me and laughed because she said it reminded her of me - always thinking about something and having to schedule in time about when I'm going to think about what. Geez la-wheeze.
Tomorrow we're going to Milano (for the third time this transfer, NBD that it cost 20 euro round trip) to hear from Elder Caussé! I am pretty excited about it, even if it means that we miss a whole day of work. Sor W and I have spent the past week or so trying to come up with a things we'd like to learn from him. Sor W has decided that she'd like to learn more about how to make her mission a "tremendous spiritual experience" (her words) for her. I've got a couple ideas floating around in my head: learning how to feel and show love to people, how to focus more on being a missionary and being able to identify miracles more clearly.
Next week is transfers! Sor W is likely getting the boot because this is her 4th transfer in Torino. I'm excited to change and learn from a different companion, but I'm also nervous because I just love Sor W so dang much. I can't imagine being companions with anyone else! And who knows when I'll see her again - even if we are in the same mission! That doesn't mean we'll be in the same zone or even close! It's weird to think that even though I feel like I'm getting used to being a missionary, I have no idea what being a missionary is really even like! But I'm learning things every day. I'm learning how to love the scriptures even more. I'm learning how to make the gospel personal. I'm learning to answer questions that other people ask that I've always just accepted on faith. I'm learning how to focus. I'm trying to learn how to make people want the gospel - to make them see how much they have to gain by following the example of Jesus Christ.
HEY! Still waiting to hear about the missionary challenge I gave two weeks ago!!! Did you ask your missionaries to recite to you the missionary purpose?!?!?!? I haven't forgotten!!!! I'm still waiting to hear back on that! Make those black nametags work! Put them to the test! Ask them, bug them, pester them and MAKE them tell you the missionary theme! Do it! Do it! And then tell me how it goes :)
Anyway, time's up this week. I love you all so much! I know your lives are all merrily gloating along, and I pray for your happiness and safety. Know that God is aware of you. Know that He is there for you. The gospel is true.
Have a great week!
Tanto amore da Torino,
Sorella Soh
11 January 2012
I'm running out of creative subject lines
A big CIAOOOOOOO to all you dear people - famiglia, cari e stranieri!!!!!!!!!!
Well well well it's Wednesday AGAIN already and apparently time for my weekly email. I feel like I just wrote an email to you all last week! (Maybe because I did...) Anyway, shout-outs this week go to Sorella Walton's mom and sister(s?) who, I found out yesterday, not only read my letters/blog, but also cut and paste little snippets of what I write, print them out and send them to my companion. So now not only has Sorella Walton read my list of mission goals without my knowing it, she also has been reading all the mean things I've said about her in my letters home!!! :P But in all seriousness, Sor W is great and I love her to death and we will likely be friends for forever. (And maybe Sor W's mom if you want to cut and paste and send me a letter of all the things she's said about me, particularly the email she just sent you today which she covered her screen and wouldn't let me read because it was about me, I would be okay with that. Also, I'm sure my mom would be totally okay with you email her. It just feels right.) (Note from Nicole - Katie's mom: YES! I would love that! nicolesoh (at) yahoo (dot) com! I'd love Sor. Walton's blog address too, as would others here I bet if you want to put it in the comments?? Pretty please?)
Anyway, a few quick secular things - there's a less active family that we visit every other week or so, and the last two times we've gone, we've brought these Crayola markers for them to use - they're called heads 'n' tails and are double tipped markers with crazy names like "electric sky blue" and "candied red apple". Anyway, the mom really really likes them and asked if we could get her some. So if anyone can find these markers and would be willing to buy them and send them to me, she said she would pay for them. And they'd probably like any other kinds of cool Crayola markers because Crayola is the best.
Also, a funny thing they do here in Italy, especially in the city, as a Christmas decoration, is that they buy these little Santas that are hanging on ladders and then hang the ladder over the side of their balconies. So if you at their balcony from the street, it looks like Santa is climbing a ladder onto their balcony. It reminds me a lot of those Halloween decorations that look like the witch has flown her broomstick into the tree. It's the same kind of idea. Totally funny.
AND. Olivia and Audrey. Addresses! I need them! Come mai voi non mi avete spedito i vostri indirizzi?! Ho bisogno di comunicare con voi belle ragazze!
I've decided that the best gift members can give missionaries is stationary and notebooks/journals. Speaking of which, if someone really really really loves me, it would be super great if they could send me another set of journals like I already have. I bought them at Target, and the brand is Markings (crgibson.com). My journal journal has a black leather cover, about 8"x10" (about $15) and my study journal is the same brand, black leather cover, about 4"x7", graph paper inside and has a little elastic band to keep it shut ($10). They don't come in a set, but they're the same brand. Anyway, I just know everyone loves to show their love for me by buying me tangible things... (Note from Nicole: I plan to get these for her, and the markers, so you don't need to - not sure how many of each she possibly wants!)
What a week this has been! The holidays are FINALLY over, which is great because it means we can get back to work since people are in town again! Huzzah! Friday, the 6th, was the last holiday (La Befana, google it. Actually, wikipedia it and then send it to me so I know what the heck it is because I still don't know). We have gotten so much food from members. And candy. And chocolate. SO MUCH CANDY AND CHOCOLATE. So much. The weather has been uncharacteristically warm lately, but we're okay with that because it means that there are more people out in the parks and on the streets for us to talk to!
A cool thing happened last night. I wrote about it in my weekly report to the president:
"The other night we had to run back to our apartment because we had forgotten something. It was kind of a pain, but what can you do. Anyway, as we were walking out the door of our palazzo, there was a woman walking past the door and we said hello to her. She looked at us, confused (as people often do when we try to be friendly, who would've guessed...), and then we just started teaching and talking to her. She refused a copy of the Book of Mormon because she said she doesn't even read the Bible, but she did let us pray with her. After we had prayed, she said, "Posso chiedervi un favore? / Can I ask you all a favor?" and of course we responded with an enthusiastic "Certo!!!/Of course!!!" and with watery eyes she said "Potete sempre pregare per me?/Can you always pray for me?" She really needed that prayer and I am confident that she felt the Spirit. The Lord's timing is so perfect."
It's kinda crazy sometimes to look at the experiences I'm having with people and realize that that really was something that happened to me. Sorella W said something the other day that I've been thinking about a lot lately. She said something along the lines of "make purpose of your experiences". It's all fine and dandy to go out into the world and "live it up", but if you aren't making anything of your experiences, what's the point? I can have all kinds of crazy, neat-o experiences as a missionary, but if I personally don't think about them or what they mean for me as well as what they mean for other people, how can I ever expect to grow or gain anything from all this time I've decided to dedicate to the Lord? I'm still trying to figure everything out, but I know that if I try and make purpose of the experiences I'm having now, even if I don't really have time to think about them a lot, when I do end up having more time to think about them I'll remember them better and be able to get more out of them.
I've really been missing my ukulele! We have a mission hymn, and I know exactly how I would play it on the uke, but guess who doesn't have one to figure out how to play it on the uke?! Ah! Sor W is a superstar on the violin and hasn't been able to play for a long time, so we commiserate together about it. Except she's way more legit than me.
OH! How did my challenge from last week go, everyone??? Did you do it??? Do you even remember what it was?? I want to hear what happened!!! If you haven't done it (or if you forgot), have no fear! There's still time! Go ask the missionaries in your ward to recite the missionary purpose to you!!! Do it! Do it! And you can even tell them I told you to do it. Mwahaha.
Well, it's that time again. Torino is great. The ward is great (we actually just got a new bishop!). The people are great. The companion is great. We sometimes have hard days and experiences, but that doesn't prevent us from seeing miracles if we really look for them. And guess what - they're there! I love you all so much and pray for you and just love you! We go out and work every day because of love - the love we have for the people, the love we have for YOU and the love that we are lucky enough to receive in return. Keep up the great work! The gospel is true! This is real life! In the words of Sorella Walton: "Woo Hoo!!!"
TANTO tanto tanto amore,
Sorella Soh
Well well well it's Wednesday AGAIN already and apparently time for my weekly email. I feel like I just wrote an email to you all last week! (Maybe because I did...) Anyway, shout-outs this week go to Sorella Walton's mom and sister(s?) who, I found out yesterday, not only read my letters/blog, but also cut and paste little snippets of what I write, print them out and send them to my companion. So now not only has Sorella Walton read my list of mission goals without my knowing it, she also has been reading all the mean things I've said about her in my letters home!!! :P But in all seriousness, Sor W is great and I love her to death and we will likely be friends for forever. (And maybe Sor W's mom if you want to cut and paste and send me a letter of all the things she's said about me, particularly the email she just sent you today which she covered her screen and wouldn't let me read because it was about me, I would be okay with that. Also, I'm sure my mom would be totally okay with you email her. It just feels right.) (Note from Nicole - Katie's mom: YES! I would love that! nicolesoh (at) yahoo (dot) com! I'd love Sor. Walton's blog address too, as would others here I bet if you want to put it in the comments?? Pretty please?)
Anyway, a few quick secular things - there's a less active family that we visit every other week or so, and the last two times we've gone, we've brought these Crayola markers for them to use - they're called heads 'n' tails and are double tipped markers with crazy names like "electric sky blue" and "candied red apple". Anyway, the mom really really likes them and asked if we could get her some. So if anyone can find these markers and would be willing to buy them and send them to me, she said she would pay for them. And they'd probably like any other kinds of cool Crayola markers because Crayola is the best.
Also, a funny thing they do here in Italy, especially in the city, as a Christmas decoration, is that they buy these little Santas that are hanging on ladders and then hang the ladder over the side of their balconies. So if you at their balcony from the street, it looks like Santa is climbing a ladder onto their balcony. It reminds me a lot of those Halloween decorations that look like the witch has flown her broomstick into the tree. It's the same kind of idea. Totally funny.
AND. Olivia and Audrey. Addresses! I need them! Come mai voi non mi avete spedito i vostri indirizzi?! Ho bisogno di comunicare con voi belle ragazze!
I've decided that the best gift members can give missionaries is stationary and notebooks/journals. Speaking of which, if someone really really really loves me, it would be super great if they could send me another set of journals like I already have. I bought them at Target, and the brand is Markings (crgibson.com). My journal journal has a black leather cover, about 8"x10" (about $15) and my study journal is the same brand, black leather cover, about 4"x7", graph paper inside and has a little elastic band to keep it shut ($10). They don't come in a set, but they're the same brand. Anyway, I just know everyone loves to show their love for me by buying me tangible things... (Note from Nicole: I plan to get these for her, and the markers, so you don't need to - not sure how many of each she possibly wants!)
What a week this has been! The holidays are FINALLY over, which is great because it means we can get back to work since people are in town again! Huzzah! Friday, the 6th, was the last holiday (La Befana, google it. Actually, wikipedia it and then send it to me so I know what the heck it is because I still don't know). We have gotten so much food from members. And candy. And chocolate. SO MUCH CANDY AND CHOCOLATE. So much. The weather has been uncharacteristically warm lately, but we're okay with that because it means that there are more people out in the parks and on the streets for us to talk to!
A cool thing happened last night. I wrote about it in my weekly report to the president:
"The other night we had to run back to our apartment because we had forgotten something. It was kind of a pain, but what can you do. Anyway, as we were walking out the door of our palazzo, there was a woman walking past the door and we said hello to her. She looked at us, confused (as people often do when we try to be friendly, who would've guessed...), and then we just started teaching and talking to her. She refused a copy of the Book of Mormon because she said she doesn't even read the Bible, but she did let us pray with her. After we had prayed, she said, "Posso chiedervi un favore? / Can I ask you all a favor?" and of course we responded with an enthusiastic "Certo!!!/Of course!!!" and with watery eyes she said "Potete sempre pregare per me?/Can you always pray for me?" She really needed that prayer and I am confident that she felt the Spirit. The Lord's timing is so perfect."
It's kinda crazy sometimes to look at the experiences I'm having with people and realize that that really was something that happened to me. Sorella W said something the other day that I've been thinking about a lot lately. She said something along the lines of "make purpose of your experiences". It's all fine and dandy to go out into the world and "live it up", but if you aren't making anything of your experiences, what's the point? I can have all kinds of crazy, neat-o experiences as a missionary, but if I personally don't think about them or what they mean for me as well as what they mean for other people, how can I ever expect to grow or gain anything from all this time I've decided to dedicate to the Lord? I'm still trying to figure everything out, but I know that if I try and make purpose of the experiences I'm having now, even if I don't really have time to think about them a lot, when I do end up having more time to think about them I'll remember them better and be able to get more out of them.
I've really been missing my ukulele! We have a mission hymn, and I know exactly how I would play it on the uke, but guess who doesn't have one to figure out how to play it on the uke?! Ah! Sor W is a superstar on the violin and hasn't been able to play for a long time, so we commiserate together about it. Except she's way more legit than me.
OH! How did my challenge from last week go, everyone??? Did you do it??? Do you even remember what it was?? I want to hear what happened!!! If you haven't done it (or if you forgot), have no fear! There's still time! Go ask the missionaries in your ward to recite the missionary purpose to you!!! Do it! Do it! And you can even tell them I told you to do it. Mwahaha.
Well, it's that time again. Torino is great. The ward is great (we actually just got a new bishop!). The people are great. The companion is great. We sometimes have hard days and experiences, but that doesn't prevent us from seeing miracles if we really look for them. And guess what - they're there! I love you all so much and pray for you and just love you! We go out and work every day because of love - the love we have for the people, the love we have for YOU and the love that we are lucky enough to receive in return. Keep up the great work! The gospel is true! This is real life! In the words of Sorella Walton: "Woo Hoo!!!"
TANTO tanto tanto amore,
Sorella Soh
04 January 2012
Happy New Year!
Well well well all you lovely people, HAPPY 2012!!!!
I can't even believe it's 2012 already, much less that I will spend the ENTIRE YEAR here in Italy as a missionary! Best year of my life!!!!
A few quick things - first, thanks to everyone who sent me Christmas cards! Last Thursday was a GREAT day because I got about 6 letters in the mail!! It was the best day ever! So Uncle Bry, Auntie Liesl, Nana, and Mom - I got your cards! Also thanks to the Dave and Fran Hafens who sent me a card! You are all so great! Also, Dad, Sorella Walton got your letter in the mail yesterday. She said "um, are you sure this has the right name on it??", but I think she liked it. I also realized that you probably don't know what her first name is! Haha. Mission secret! Oh, and if anyone is planning on sending anything to the mission office for me, we are going to Milano again on Jan 19th (to hear from Elder Caussé!!!) so if you mail gets here before then I'll be able to pick it up when we all meet together in Milano again. Also, remember that picture of my armspan in comparison of that with Sorella Huber's? Yeah, I don't think I mentioned this before, but I totally know her sister! We met in the MTC - she is in Russia. Weird, right?
So funny story, I got the Christmas card in the mail from you, mom, with the picture of our family. It's a good picture! I like it. I love being able to carry it around with me in my scriptures because I can show it to people we meet (who are always very confused at what nationality I am. Racial ambiguity. Love it.). Anyway, I showed the picture to Angela (a new convert, Giuseppe's wife, we called from their house at Christmas) and she looked at our family, pointed at you, mom, and said (this is a rough translation) "it's the mozzarella in the midst of all this chocolate!!!" Hahaha. Isn't that a great analogy?! It's so Italian. And I may have to add "momma mozzarella" to my list of nicknames for you ;)
If anyone is trying to think of something fun to send me, I think Italians would get a kick out of big marshmellows. They have no idea what marshmellows are. And they would probably be disgusted by them. Which is what makes them so great. Also, Dad, could you do me a favor? Two things, 1) could you make me a CD of Hawaiian music? I always listen to Hawaiian music on Sundays and have none here. And 2) Giuseppe LOVES war stuff. Loves it. I was talking to him the other day about it and he mentioned that he loves the eagle patch from the 101st airborne. Is there any way you could get your hands on one and send it to me so I can give it to him? He would love it. LOVE IT. Any cool Army stuff, actually. I told him that you and mom are going to pick me up from my mission and that we'll likely stop in Torino and he was really excited and wants to meet you both.
Okay, as for the pictures that are attached to this email - they are all from Sor W's camera! She is so much better at taking pictures than I am and she takes more with both of us in the picture. Here is the breakdown:
1) Me and Sor W in the elevator of our palazzo with our helmets on! Woo!
2) Us in downtown Torino
3) Me, Camilla and Sor W in our glasses! Camilla doesn't actually wear glasses... (she is Angela and Giuseppe's daughter. She's 12)
4) Us by our Christmas tree!
5) Us with ALL THE FOOD the ward gave us! Is that a pizza I'm holding? Why yes. Yes it is.
6) In our new hats!
7) Our zone! Torino zone!
8) On Christmas with our stockings!!! (Thanks mom!!!)
9) A bit of funny graffiti on a sign by the Olympic Park where we do lots of finding work
Gah! I'm almost out of time and I haven't even said anything yet! Well, yesterday we went to Milano again for a training meeting. I finally got to see Anz Moh and Anz Hatch, who I hadn't seen since we left the first day with our trainers (we are all in different zones). They are doing great and have already changed so much in these past 2 months. I am confident that they are going to be some of the best missionaries in our mission. At our training we talked a lot about the importance of focused personal and companion study. I've got to say, the hour of personal study that I have is probably the best hour of my day. I wish it was longer! We also talked about working with members, and the Assistants to the President asked us to do a quick 10 minute lesson on working with members. So Sorella W and I got to get up in front of about 10 missionaries and talk about working with members! One thing that we thought was really important was letting members know what our purpose as missionaries is. The first page of Preach My Gospel states the missionary purpose. It says that our purpose is to: "Invite others to come unto Christ by helping them to accept the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost and enduring to the end." (gosh, that was hard to do in English!) Every missionary is asked to memorize this purpose within their first three days at the MTC. SO!!! CHALLENGE!!! I would like all of you who are members of the church (and even those of you who are not members) to ask the missionaries in your ward to recite to you the missionary purpose!!! Keep them on their toes! And if they can't get it right, ask them every week until they get it right. And if you want, you can ask them to tell you what they do every day to fulfill that purpose. But only if you want.
I can't wait for the end of this week because it means that all the holidays are over (Friday is Epiphany, when La Befana comes. Google it.) and Alina comes back! We are hoping to set a baptismal date with her very soon. Please pray that she will continue to read the Book of Mormon! She is so great!
Well, time's up. I love you all so much! I feel like I'm only just getting started in this work. But I have the entire year to really dig myself in deep and I am super excited about it. The Gosepl is true! Christ lives! There IS hope in this world!!! Happy 2012!
Lots of LOVE from Torino!!!
Sorella Soh
I can't even believe it's 2012 already, much less that I will spend the ENTIRE YEAR here in Italy as a missionary! Best year of my life!!!!
A few quick things - first, thanks to everyone who sent me Christmas cards! Last Thursday was a GREAT day because I got about 6 letters in the mail!! It was the best day ever! So Uncle Bry, Auntie Liesl, Nana, and Mom - I got your cards! Also thanks to the Dave and Fran Hafens who sent me a card! You are all so great! Also, Dad, Sorella Walton got your letter in the mail yesterday. She said "um, are you sure this has the right name on it??", but I think she liked it. I also realized that you probably don't know what her first name is! Haha. Mission secret! Oh, and if anyone is planning on sending anything to the mission office for me, we are going to Milano again on Jan 19th (to hear from Elder Caussé!!!) so if you mail gets here before then I'll be able to pick it up when we all meet together in Milano again. Also, remember that picture of my armspan in comparison of that with Sorella Huber's? Yeah, I don't think I mentioned this before, but I totally know her sister! We met in the MTC - she is in Russia. Weird, right?
So funny story, I got the Christmas card in the mail from you, mom, with the picture of our family. It's a good picture! I like it. I love being able to carry it around with me in my scriptures because I can show it to people we meet (who are always very confused at what nationality I am. Racial ambiguity. Love it.). Anyway, I showed the picture to Angela (a new convert, Giuseppe's wife, we called from their house at Christmas) and she looked at our family, pointed at you, mom, and said (this is a rough translation) "it's the mozzarella in the midst of all this chocolate!!!" Hahaha. Isn't that a great analogy?! It's so Italian. And I may have to add "momma mozzarella" to my list of nicknames for you ;)
If anyone is trying to think of something fun to send me, I think Italians would get a kick out of big marshmellows. They have no idea what marshmellows are. And they would probably be disgusted by them. Which is what makes them so great. Also, Dad, could you do me a favor? Two things, 1) could you make me a CD of Hawaiian music? I always listen to Hawaiian music on Sundays and have none here. And 2) Giuseppe LOVES war stuff. Loves it. I was talking to him the other day about it and he mentioned that he loves the eagle patch from the 101st airborne. Is there any way you could get your hands on one and send it to me so I can give it to him? He would love it. LOVE IT. Any cool Army stuff, actually. I told him that you and mom are going to pick me up from my mission and that we'll likely stop in Torino and he was really excited and wants to meet you both.
Okay, as for the pictures that are attached to this email - they are all from Sor W's camera! She is so much better at taking pictures than I am and she takes more with both of us in the picture. Here is the breakdown:
1) Me and Sor W in the elevator of our palazzo with our helmets on! Woo!
2) Us in downtown Torino
3) Me, Camilla and Sor W in our glasses! Camilla doesn't actually wear glasses... (she is Angela and Giuseppe's daughter. She's 12)
4) Us by our Christmas tree!
5) Us with ALL THE FOOD the ward gave us! Is that a pizza I'm holding? Why yes. Yes it is.
6) In our new hats!
7) Our zone! Torino zone!
8) On Christmas with our stockings!!! (Thanks mom!!!)
9) A bit of funny graffiti on a sign by the Olympic Park where we do lots of finding work
Gah! I'm almost out of time and I haven't even said anything yet! Well, yesterday we went to Milano again for a training meeting. I finally got to see Anz Moh and Anz Hatch, who I hadn't seen since we left the first day with our trainers (we are all in different zones). They are doing great and have already changed so much in these past 2 months. I am confident that they are going to be some of the best missionaries in our mission. At our training we talked a lot about the importance of focused personal and companion study. I've got to say, the hour of personal study that I have is probably the best hour of my day. I wish it was longer! We also talked about working with members, and the Assistants to the President asked us to do a quick 10 minute lesson on working with members. So Sorella W and I got to get up in front of about 10 missionaries and talk about working with members! One thing that we thought was really important was letting members know what our purpose as missionaries is. The first page of Preach My Gospel states the missionary purpose. It says that our purpose is to: "Invite others to come unto Christ by helping them to accept the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost and enduring to the end." (gosh, that was hard to do in English!) Every missionary is asked to memorize this purpose within their first three days at the MTC. SO!!! CHALLENGE!!! I would like all of you who are members of the church (and even those of you who are not members) to ask the missionaries in your ward to recite to you the missionary purpose!!! Keep them on their toes! And if they can't get it right, ask them every week until they get it right. And if you want, you can ask them to tell you what they do every day to fulfill that purpose. But only if you want.
I can't wait for the end of this week because it means that all the holidays are over (Friday is Epiphany, when La Befana comes. Google it.) and Alina comes back! We are hoping to set a baptismal date with her very soon. Please pray that she will continue to read the Book of Mormon! She is so great!
Well, time's up. I love you all so much! I feel like I'm only just getting started in this work. But I have the entire year to really dig myself in deep and I am super excited about it. The Gosepl is true! Christ lives! There IS hope in this world!!! Happy 2012!
Lots of LOVE from Torino!!!
Sorella Soh
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