Sorella Gisseman: Week 4 -- General Conference was Awesome!

This week was super fun!! First off, singing in General Conference choir was awesome, and even better I got to do it with my zuster honnie Peterson1!!! It was such a surreal experience to get to share my testimony through song, in the same meeting God's chosen apostles and prophets were sharing their testimonies. The seats were comfy. I snuck a Chip cookie on the bus (throwback to lacrosse, just like the good old days). I LOVED conference - we didn't get to listen to the first session because we were practicing except for the part about 2 hour church (how cool, seriously - I feel like it places such an emphasis on personal conversion and now you really have to turn your faith into action). Then, we couldn't take notes in the second session, but one really cool thing is that we got to watch the teleprompter so see what they were supposed to say vs. what they did. The only person who really went off script was Elder Uchtdorff. In his invitation to non members - Come see us (not scripted), we need you. We love you. HOW AWESOME! and he repeated that phrase I think a few times, too, and none of the times it was on the prompter. Come see us. The seats were not the most comfy in conference where we watched at the MTC (the gym ) so I did not fall asleep!!! I LOVE President Nelson's invitation in the women's session for us to all read the Book of Mormon before the end of the year!!! It is so powerful to heed to the counsel of a prophet. My study has just shown me how Christ-centered the Book of Mormon is. One day I read two chapters and got over 20 references to Christ! And I only mark the significant ones! WOW. I also loved Elder Anderson's talk - there is no earthy struggle that heaven cannot overcome (something like that) - it's so true. I'm still trying to compile my conference notes.

Next fun thing, our district has been eyeing the cereal towers in the cafeteria so we decided for breakfast, on Wednesday I think, that we were going to take one down, completely empty all the Frosted Flakes. My district leader ate 9 bowls. Yikes. Almost puked. I took down 3 cups, about 5 bowls. Things were bad, big mistake on the stomach end but super fun. We started like trying to get other people to help us and recruiting, and we were so close and then a worker came and refilled it. Lame.

Then we got to host some newbies! Bummer because that means we won't get to do it next week but it was so fun! They are so cute and then I tried to go find my newbies that night - knocked on four doors and couldn't find them!! To host I had four girls, two going to West Virginia, one to Idaho Falls temple and one to Hawaii. Basically we just meet them downstairs, take them to their rooms, and show them where to go for class. Just like 15 minutes per person and just try to relax them, tell them happy things. One of the girls had Swig cookies -- so cute and the moms are so sweet.

1. What was the best thing that happened this week?

Singing in conference with Zuster Peterson - the songs we sang were so powerful!!!!

2. What was your devotional about this week?

Super good - Sunday we had Noteworthy come ( a little less spiritual break, thank goodness) and then Bonnie Cordon talked on Tuesday about how (1) she got called on a mission at 17?!?!?!? and (2) three things we need to do to have the spirit - study the Holy Ghost, be united with companions, and be obedient.

3. What was the funnest thing that happened this week? What was the funniest thing?

We play a game all the time called apimondo with a little stress ball (means like "up world" or something because it's shaped like a world) in breaks in class and I don't know why but I think it's so funny when we are playing and then one of us will call "mine" and go after every ball. So silly but I always laugh.

4. What's your current favorite Italian word/phrase?

It's hard on the spot - I don't think I've explained this before so I guess something cool is that there are multiple types of love - so "ti voglio bene" is like friend love, I wish you well is the translation, but them "ti amo" is like romantic or familial love, and it's interesting to see what we use with different people, especially with God. Something cool is that we use "you" informal with God in prayers which I think is awesome.

5. What stood out to you in your studies this week?

I don't know so I am going to tell a different story - we had our first TRC (teaching) Skype call this week and we were the only ones that actually got someone in Italy. It bombed. His name was Nelson and he was from Honduras (Tegucigalpa??) and I was like no way my sister lived in San Pedro Sula, but I didn't know how to explain to him in the right verb tenses, so we went back and forth for a bit both not understanding each other and then we moved on. SO then we taught about the spirit and gifts of the spirit (why I don't know because my companion wanted to) but our first question was what is the light of Christ, and we had just read a scripture on it and he didn't know?? And they are supposed to be members ?? and then he prayed and didn't close the prayer ?? LOL. We didn't understand anything he was saying!! We asked Fratello Harbin after and he was like - yeah, I couldn't really understand him either. The connection was bad and he was speaking Italian and Spanish at the same time. LOL

6. Do you have snow in the mountains there? There is WAY TOO MUCH snow in the mountains here! I'm not ready for winter!

Yes, there is snow! We look at the same mountains, silly.

7. How did someone serve you or show you love this week?

I've been sick this week (with a cold) so the sorelle in our room let me (and they also did) sleep in one day and it helped so much.

8. How did you serve someone else or show love to someone else this week?

I have been trying so hard to be patient with others and I'm doing such a good job!!! I am serving others in the simplest ways that probably don't seem like service to anyone but em but they challenge me and my love has grown so much.

Side story: My companion and I had a companionship inventory this week and it helped me to understand her and love her even more.

9. Do you feel like you have lots of extra time on your hands now that you don't have two hour choir practice every morning? ;-)

Yes, but still not enough time,

10. What have you learned about yourself this week?

No idea at all. All the things but none of the things.

11. What have you learned about the gospel or the Savior this week that has strengthened you?

I think one thing I have been slowly realizing is that there are not coincidences, everything has a purpose.

12. Do you want me to send a prepaid phone for you to use at the airport, or do you want to just try the phone card? (I just want to do whatever will work the best!)

Yes, please - and phone numbers

13. What are you doing for service now that the flowers have all been pulled out?

Cleaned the bathrooms ://

14. What is your favorite part of every day?

Going to bed. I am a very sleepy girl. Also checking my email before bed (I only check once a day before bed).

15. How do you feel you're doing with the language? (I know your expectations for yourself so you probably think you aren't doing well, but I am positive that you are doing just fine!)

My expectations are a lot higher. I understand a lot, we are just expected to produce now and I can't produce with correct grammar or pronunciation now. But I am able to teach with the spirit and I think get my point across.

16. Do you ever go down to campus, like to the Wilkinson Center?

17. Is there anything you want or need that we can send to you?

No - but I got your package this week and one from Grandma!! Thank you so much!! I tried to wear the headband Grandma sent me and the sweater and the shoes but it didn't all go together - I'll have to space it out.

18. What are you doing for P-Day today?

The usual - laundry, volleyball, temple, study, and I will accompany my companion to an appointment.

19. What are you looking forward to most to seeing/doing when you get to Italy?

EATING REAL FOOD

20. Do you know how much I love you?

Sempre

LAST THING - if you are not reading the Book of Mormon every day then do it!!!! And actually read -- don't just listen!!! I know it brings so much power, and even if you don't feel that you will be blessed for listening to the prophet!!!

Our district at the temple today

Just a picture with Carli (Zoster Peterson)....

The buses to General Conference...oh, the lacrosse memories....it smelled like the cherry bathroom cleaner that caused so many nausea attacks...

On the bus

I smuggled a Chip cookie onto the bus!

At the conference center...

In the underground tunnel...

Carli and me with Addie the day before she left to go to her mission field...notice the study notecards cards tucked into my waistband...the grind never stops...

In the underground tunnel waiting to go in to Conference... Sorella Ohran in the middle is in our district then a girl from Carli's district that was her companion for the day. This is the tunnel we came through with our backstage access ;)