Sorella Gisseman: Week 28 -- Catania, Napoli, Catania

Hello, Hello, Hello!

This week was interesting and still not like a real missionary week but that's okay -- this transfer officially starts this week, I guess! So Monday night we had our first appointment (kinda) -- the sorelle got a call from a "potential" saved in their phone but really she just uses the missionaries to translate so she can talk to her grandkids about how they need to pay their bills... but we taught the restoration and she said she would take the lessons so we will see, I guess.

Then Tuesday we found a little (but on a weird scambio because of appointments and meetings and stuff) and then after I left to GO BACK TO NAPOLI FOR PERMESSO!

(permesso is like my green card to be here). So I got in super late and then the next morning me and Sorella N went to the permesso office and were there for like 4 hours. Then I decided to attempt the pellone challenge for sorelle (which -- fun fact -- I made up but everyone in the Napoli zone is new so they think it's a real thing). Basically two (three for anziani) pizzas but they are huge. I ALMOST GOT IT. It was bad. Hurt so bad. Finished everything but like 2 crusts. Would've kept going but I threw up in my mouth. Maybe when I go back to pick up my permesso we will try again. Also I discovered cherry explosions (like Italian SweetTart ropes -- pretty good, not quite as good but it's ok). They couldn't get me a flight out that day so I was there until the next night. Cute -- fun -- I miss Napoli.

Then we have just been doing a lot of finding. We are getting a lot better! More updates to come! Lots of growth going on. I think I might be learning how to enjoy finding! Also read a scripture that says if you don't open your mouth your talents will be taken away and I don't have a lot of talents so I need to keep everything I have.
The ward here IS LITERALLY INCREDIBLE. We have had two member appointments and shared thoughts about member missionary work and THEY ARE SO DOWN. The ward's goal is 15 baptisms off of the efforts of members. WHAT. Plot twist -- that scripture I just referenced (it's in D&C 60 if you wanna check it out) doesn't just apply to us missionaries. It applies to ALL of us. We have this incredible knowledge, hope, faith and WE HAVE TO SHARE IT. I invite everyone to read (also have been studying Chapter 11 of Preach My Gospel -- wow) a talk by President Hinckley called (hopefully) Find the Lamb, Feed the Sheep (May 1999, I think). Really good. One thing I'm realizing being out in the streets every day, which don't get me wrong I'm growing to love it, it's a chance for me to show my love for God. But it's not the most effective. The most effective is to harvest the seeds that have already been planted by US as members. Get planting y'all!

Questions....

1. Did you get a phone???

Yes, finally! I picked it up from Napoli when I went there.

2. How was your first full week in Catania?

Lol. I wasn't actually here for over 48 hours.

3. How was church yesterday? Are you in a ward or a branch? Are the members friendly?

Ward conference! It was really good and also my first all Italian church meeting. It's an incredible ward.

4. What was the spiritual highlight of your week?

My studies have just been really good this week. Because we aren't teaching anyone (yet) our studies are like for us which is fun! This week I've been studying self-discipline (because like literally the only way to put off the natural man is to be self-disciplined) and Preach My Gospel a lot. IT'S INCREDIBLE -- wow -- lots of good stuff.

5. What tender mercies have you experienced this week?

Little miracle. Last night I had the feeling we should do bus finding. We were talking to a man already and this woman comes up, and she is like pretty destroyed. She was gone for a week and everything from her house was stolen (like even all the food she had bought for her kids) and she was having a rough time. So we talked to her and she was pretty focused on the negative but we tried to lift her spirits, shared a scripture, and bore some testimony. And I told her, these probably weren't the conversations you would have expected to have tonight, but everything happens for a reason. And she gave us her number and said she wanted to meet up when thing are more calm and read more of the Book of Mormon together. WHAT. Miracle. Also just the fact we got to provide her at least a little peace or hope.

6. What was your happiest moment this week?

I just love Napoli, honestly.

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

Like painful but eating two pizzas.

8. How is it going living with another set of sisters?

Pretty good. We each have a day to cook and Sorella K made us lasagna this week -- it was so good.

9. Do you notice your Italian improving since you have an Italian-speaking companion?

Yes. I would say we mainly speak Italian, but the other problem is that when we are with other people I don't feel the need to speak because she does so well so that's something I need to work on.

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

Going to the beach! We can only go from October to April so we have to get it all in while we can!

11. Have you tried any new or unusual foods this week? What was the best thing you ate this week?
Not new still. Still need to try cannoli and granite from Sicily so stay tuned. But I did find the best sfogliatella place like ever. So when we go back to Napoli we can go there.

12. Do you know how much I love you?

Yes.

13. What can we do to help you with your missionary efforts?

Just prayers -- it's all you can!

Ok, that's all love you all, Ciao, ciao!

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