Week 34 -- Palermo Pictures

Brie called this morning to talk but did not send an e-mail today. 

Her birthday is coming up this weekend and she would love to hear from everyone -- her e-mail address is brienna.gisseman@missionary.org.

A windy day...

 A less active member invited us over to eat and it was so gooooooooood!

Just a cute Sicily breakfast -- so much fresh fruit -- I'm in love. 

Forgot to mention -- I got some sick knock off perfumes in Catania "dance and gabriel", lol.

Met some random kids on the street and they wanted a picture.

Put some carrots in the oven and then 2 hours later smelled a smell and was like, Sorella what is that and then found it.  Oops! 

Teatro Massimo

First pizza I have paid for outside of Napoli.

A church.

Sono io (It's me)

Our first granita.

Week 33 -- Palermo

What's up?!  Coming at you live from PALERMO. So basically just the other side of Sicily. This city is pretty lit -- definitely will have to come here for the post-mission giro. It's beautiful and there is literally soooo much to see, so much history, and also a lot of trash but I mean hey, what can you do?

I wanted to first do a little wrap up of my transfer in Catania. So a few last week blown in (both of us coming in new to the area together) open up (opening a new area) and then one and done transfer miracles. OK, so this past week it wasn't like I had a ton of people to salute, so we just had normal missionary work to do. I'm literally still sad I had to leave Sorella D -- she is literally THE BEST but that's okay. When I got the call I was honestly pretty sad and a little discouraged because I felt like I hadn't really done any good for Catania yet, but then we had a pretty lit week.  Anyways, long story short, I was able to see somethings that we had actually made happen in that transfer nonostante (despite) we didn't have a phone for a week and I was in Napoli for like 3 days and we were opening up a new companionship. 

1. This week we had our second meeting with this man named F. He is a super sweet man but a man and that is never a good thing so obviously we always pass them off, but we wanted to make sure he was ready. He has lots of questions and we really hope he actually wants to learn but you never know, so we planned for this lesson to tell him that next time we would meet with the anziani and do a pass off. So we meet with him after a wack morning of finding (some guy selling bracelets was talking to us about Mary and the lineage of Jesus but he didn't really speak Italian and was using some interesting hand gestures). So we meet with F and we are like, ok, we want to finish teaching the story of how our church started, and then he asks the question, ok, but how does someone do this percorso like to become a member of your church, basically. And we explain the gospel of Jesus Christ and how we have the missionaries (but missionari like masculine but also if a group is both male and female you use masculine so we were kind of just talking about missionaries in general), that teach the lessons to help people through this percorso. And he straight up is like I want to meet with the Anziani. Like before we even ask or do anything. And the best part is that the way he was found is that I made a joke to him while we were crossing the street about how I wait for Italians. And he didn't really want to take the Book of Mormon or anything, because he has studied with other groups in the past and says he never does the reading but he said it's different now and he is actually reading!!!! WOW 

OK, that was my favorite story so know the others like aren't as good so we can just bullet point

-K is a less active member that I literally found on a bus.  We have been meeting with her and she really needs the missionaries right now and her husband I think has potential and just crazy because she has completely slipped through the cracks in the ward and we found her on a bus. Miracle.

-And then, like, one other super cute lady who I met on scambio on the metro who literally asks us for passages in the Book of Mormon.  Lit.

-The just fun things in our last days together -- the last person we talked to in the park named L asked US to exchange numbers and then we saw her the next day. Lit.

-Getting the last bomba of the transfer and a girl starts talking to us, we teach her the restoration, she gives us a cookie that her nonna made and wants to meet. Blessed.  

OK, now just a lil about Palermo:

-So we have an African branch here so for Easter we got to eat lunch with them after church. It was so cute.  The culture is very different, so its kind of like a different kind of missionary work but we will figure it out. Luckily my companion has been here for 3 transfers so she understands it. A slight goal is to learn pidgeon (sp?).

-Two cute lil miracles -- PEOPLE HAVE ACTUALLY LET US HELP THEM CARRY THEIR BAGS! I remember when I was with Sorella SI think she literally said that no one has ever let her serve them and we have 2, one told us to come back to her house whenever we want and has a cousin in the UK who is a member, and the other asked us where our church is and we are going over there tonight at 18.30.  Lit. 

1.  How was your journey to Palermo?  Were you the only missionary traveling there?

It was good! I was with 2 other missionaries!!

2.  How is your new companion and your apartment?

Cute and new!! We just moved into a new apartment so that's nice but its still a diasaster so that's not. But we are

slowly but surely cleaning, cleaning, cleaning. My comp is Sorella E, she is 1 transfer younger than me, also ginger, 

and has been in Palermo now for 4 transfers, 

3.  How was the branch/ward today?

Our Italian ward - it was 9.20 and the ward starts at 9.30 and no members except for the 2nd counselor had

showed up... but overall cute. It's hard because half the ward is technically in bagheria, a nearby area, and there 

are missionaries there now that just got blown in opened up so I still don't know what ward members are mine!

Then our African branch is so cute. Like so cute. We had lunch with them after. 

4.  What do you like about Palermo so far?

I ate a cannolo and it was pretty good. Also the people are really nice. Like on the train you can talk to anyone. 

They might not be interested but you can easily start conversations so that's good. 

5.  Have you tried any new foods this week?

Brioche with gelato inside from briosha, and the a real Palermo cannolo. 

6.  How did someone show you love this week?

Sorella D was just the cutest to me the whole time I was packing and leaving and making sure I wasn't too

stressed.  I miss her. RIP

7.  Tell me about your funnest and happiest moments this week.

OK, so I explained a little -- this lady named D let us help her with these bags and then invited us in, gave us

snacks, of course, and it was just a tender mercy for the end of the night and a good start to a transfer. 

8. Do they speak regular Italian in Palermo, or a different dialect/language?

No one in the south speaks only Italian unfortunately. They speak a different dialect, even then Catania which

is only like 3 hours away. 

9.  Do you know how much I love you?

Always

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

One thing that I studied a lot was the resurrection (with Easter), because the application of the atonement I

study frequently because like I need it every moment, but the resurrection I just kind of push off to the side. 

But one thing I read in the Bible Dictionary is that 'to obtain a resurrection with a celestial, exalted body is the

center point of hope in the gospel of Jesus Christ'. And like, wow, it's so true. Also, fun fact, I read that and

other things Easter morning and then we got invited to go up and bear our testimonies and I just like went off

about resurrection and the glories of resurrection. Hope it made sense (but like another baby miracle that I feel

like my language is good enough to even try to attempt that).

OK, a cute thing that is in Palermo is this market called Bellaro and literally just fresh fruits and veggies and

everything for so cheap.  I bought 3 kili of oranges, 1 of apples, 4 peppers, garlic, 2 onions, celery, and strawberries

 for like 6 euro!!! We love that so we are trying to get back on the Whole 30 path. I am planning on making a

ragu this week.  Maybe I can make you all a cute how to video because it's like so good and so worth it and will

work so well with Whole 30.

LOVE YOU ALL 

xoxoxoxo

Sorella Gisseman 

I wrote my name next to my "Mom's" name

Saying goodbye at the train station...

We have been trying to eat at this place called Crisperlerria for like a while but it was closed
but we finally made it and the thing we wanted wasn't even ready yet but they gave it to us
for free so like that's good.

Last supper pic ... where is my comp's tag???

A cute returning member AND MIRACLE of the transfer- literally I found her on the bus and
her husband isn't a member but totally has potential.

Saying goodbye at the train station...

Cute -- thanks anziani!

Train tradition...

With my new companion

Just a cute area I saw while we were out walking

Walked like so long to get my abbonamento and then it was closed and we weren't even
in our area...I was so blown

Another cute area

We ate with the African branch after church yesterday.  This was curry rice with meat.

Another cute area...

The train station...messy...

Briosha (boh) basically a brioche with 3 gelato flavors inside and chocolate for 2.5 euros --
are you kidding me?

Another cute area

This is Giuseppe, a friend of the anziani that called to salute me and wanted to meet up
when I have only met him once.  How cute,

Last district pranzo.

Week 32 -- Seven Months and Another Transfer

Hello friends. I regret to inform you (I am, like, really very much molto) sad that I am doing a one and done in Catania and I am getting transferred to Palermo! So I will be staying in Sicily, just going from the east part of the island to the west! It's exciting but me and Sorella D just reallllyyyy wanted to stay together. The work FINALLY got itself put into place and we got into the groove of things and were ready to run with it. And then RIP. She is staying and getting a greenie and I will be companions with Sorella E in P2, who is one transfer younger than me and also is a redhead. get ready for all the looks on the street :)))))  Transfers are this Thursday.  Sorella D will be training...there are 24 missionaries coming in this group.

Ok, so my last week in Catania, like I said, finally everything got put together. We got 4 new people to teach!!!!!!! thank goodness because can you imagine being a greenie and coming into a city where they are teaching one person who hasn't even started progressing yet?? Just a blessing that I was at least able to see that I have done a little good for this city before I peace out. Also we went finding last night (like a long giro), and we have obviously been working on a lot of things this transfer (natural finding, patience, courage) and last night it just like all came together and we were walking home and like LIT with fire and so hyped to stay together and really push ourselves this next transfer, but hey, maybe God knows that I need circumstances to push me. Who knows. 

I love that you guys had Oma and Susie over for dinner and made a mostly Whole 30 meal. Also literally I have to teach you how to make ragu when I get home because it's so easy but it is so good and makes everything so good. 

Also, I reached 7 months!

1.  Did you get to listen to the rest of General Conference yet?  What are your favorite talks so far?

Yes!!!! All of them maybe??? I started re-reading this morning!!! I think I mentioned last week, but Tad R Callister's talk about the Atonement. https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2019/04/45callister?lang=eng

also President Nelson's talk in the Priesthood Session about Repentance, https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2019/04/36nelson?lang=eng, and I love the title - We Can Do Better and Be Better, and I know that repentance is the way that we can. 

2.  How was church today?

Good! Testimony meeting is always a little wild -- you never know what the old Italians are going to say. One cute miracle - we had this member referral, and we have been trying to meet with her and she is like, no, I do not want to meet, I want to come and see your meeting. So she came a while back but she accidentally went to the Evangelist church next door, then it was conference, then she was sick, then I think the weather was just too bad. But we have been diligent with inviting her and she FINALLY came and made it and said she wanted to meet with us to learn more and have her questions answered!!!!

3.  What did you do for P-Day today?  Is daily life different there in Catania than it was in Pozzuoli?

Oh boy. P-day life is much more relaxed here. In fact, I might have had a breakdown about that a few weeks ago... It's ok -- I hear they are lit in Palermo. Today, though, was really good. We needed to just do some errands before we peace out (comp item, pictures for dedicas, my watch battery died, eat at certain places that turned out to be closed -- its fine), and we found this LIT market in Catania. They changed my watch battery with a pocket knife for 1 euro, and I bought some HARD CORE knock off perfumes for 5 euro. 

4.  Tell me about a moment when you felt joy this week.

The greatest joy that I feel here really comes when I know I have done my best, and last night literally nothing happened -- we didn't get numbers, no one accepted a Book of Mormon, but I had peace and joy because we followed the Spirit and we worked our hardest. 

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

Sorella D tried Sweet Tart Ropes.  That was pretty cute. I miss her already.

6.  Did you try any good new foods this week?  (Your description of eating oranges with olive oil is a little bit different....I guess I'll have to try that!)

I like actually did so well with WHOLE30 this week, had like 4 good days and then we got all you can eat sushi for lunch for Anziano B's birthday and it went down from there. A GOOD thing to do is make a good ragu and just put it on everything. 

7.  Tell me about a tender mercy you experienced this week.

I have been like pretty tired, like not normal for about 3 weeks now, but it hasn't been bad enough to be a real problem (just like 2 days a week it's really bad but I can nap during pranzo and then I make it through), but I had a really bad day and then for some reason our Anziani did midweek calls so my struggle was high and my pride was finally low enough to ask for a blessing. (Tender mercy that the Anziani called or else I literally would not have) and I haven't had problems since!!!!!!!

8.  What is your current favorite scripture?

Something I have been studying a lot is patience, and a scripture/phrase that I found this week in my studies is James 5.10-11, and the phrase that says "behold we count them happy which endure", and just the idea that enduring with patience is what brings happiness and peace. 

9.  How has your testimony grown through your mission so far?

Lots. One thing I have really realized is how present the Spirit can be in our life and how much our Heavenly Father really is there to help us in every step. 

10.  How is the weather there this time of year?

It's supposed to be better but its kind of cold.

11.  Does the ward take good care of you?

Yes,  Too bad I am leaving it. RIP.

12.  How have you helped someone feel the Savior's love recently?

We have started trying to show people grazie a lui (for Easter) https://www.lds.org/youth/video/because-of-him?lang=eng because it invites the Spirit so strongly and then bear testimony of the atonement of Jesus Christ and how it is a sign of his love for us. It's the best way I know how. 

13.  Do you know how much I love you?

Yes

14.  How is your energy level?  (Mine sucks right now, but that's because I'm still recovering from Disney World, LOL!)

^^ so much better

Love you.

xoxoxoxoxox

Sorella Gisseman 

We ran really hard to go get this gelato....it was worth it.

We got Anziano B a birthday gift but we didn't have any wrapping paper so we used a shirt from the death closet.

More gelato!

We went bowling a few P-days ago.  I wore the dachshund socks from Grandma.  Thank you, Grandma!

We played soccer as a zone for P-day.

I love the dachshund socks!

Week 31 -- The Week of the Bidones

This week in short was the week of the bidones. This means that you make an appointment and then they cancel on you. I think we got one every single day this week. Luckily we had general conference to bring the end of this week up strong. Don't worry.  We are doing well still. 

 

First a few little miracles. One day we had this appointment like a little bit far out and it was raining a little I think and we get there right and the people aren't there. And this was like after 3 other bidones that week so we just kind of both started looking at each other like, ummmmmm, ok, well this sucks, yikes, what do you want to do. So we took a bus and were like, ok, we will do some bus finding. And we weren't doing that great if we are being honest. And so we are on the bus and like some little baby angels this mom and her son from English course (who we are trying to work with, she is currently reading the Book of Mormon also her mom is currently reading the Book of Mormon and is through 2 Nephi, can you say wow) get on the bus!! And we were all obviously taking the same buses into English course so we took the bus together and then went and sat down got a snack and just got to talk to them more. And then at the end of English course she said she would want to watch general conference! We will see if they did but wow!!! Thank you, Heavenly Father is all I have to say. 

OK, then we had like a real lesson this week with a real person that we are now teaching. Can you say miracle!!! We could've had another bidone but someone is looking out for us and knew I could not handle that this Thursday!  We also did an English fast this week (which, like, ummmm... why don't I do that all the time -- we will -- we are working on it) and Anziano B did district council in Italian and wow -- I understood and contributed and just has been a huge miracle to see how much I have progressed in the language. Prayers answered. Thank you all for your support. 

Last little miracle -- literally found the BEST gelato that I have ever tried. It's the stracciatella (?) from Spinella -- wow --oh my goodness. 

THEN THE BIGGEST MIRACLE -- general conference, am I right?

We still haven't finished watching all the sessions because the timing here is different obviously so we still have to finish 2 talks from Saturday afternoon and all of Sunday afternoon, but I came into conference with specific questions and I have already received strong answers to all of them. How blessed we are to have inspired men and women leading and guiding the church. 

Questions because I am sure we will cover more of conference there --

1.  What language did you watch conference in?

English, thank goodness!! Like, yes, I am doing well with Italian but I get lost when they tell stories so yes we watched in English.

2.  What were your thoughts on conference?  Which talk stood out to you the most?

So far I really like the stress on the importance of covenants. I think a lot of times we skip over that. At least as missionaries because we focus on baptism as your first covenant. But it truly is a covenant path and does not end with baptism -- that is just the beginning. I can't say which has been my favorite talk but one that definitely stood out to me was from Tad R McCallister where he talked about the Atonement of Christ. I think I mentioned this last week is that it is something I have been pondering (before bed), but it wasn't one of the questions I had written (my question maybe would've been how and why does the enabling power of the Atonement of Christ work), and he talked exactly about that. Obviously not in the grand detail that I would like, but an answer and a starting place for my studies. An answer to a question that I didn't ask, but God knew I had.

3.  What has been your happiest moment this week?

Listening to the prophet. And general conference in general. They are all literally so cute. There's a word that means puppy but also just like you can use it for babies and young kids, and secondo me President Nelson. 

4.  Tell me about something that made you laugh this week.

Sorella Dand I have been laughing a lot during our prayers. I don't know if that's inappropriate. I have a few examples. 1. She eats during prayers sometimes and then I just lose it. 2. Sometimes our prayers are so ironic, in the sense of like, wow, we really need help and we are asking for this thing and it's funny how bad we need it. I don't know if that made a lot of sense. 

5.  Did you eat anything new this week?

A fun breakfast we had this morning was dolce from the bakery from down the street so I had something new (the dolce of the saint here) and then Nesquik and orzo. So good.  Also something that was new last week but I forgot but have been making a lot is orange cut up with olive oil and salt (and crushed red pepper if you want).  We had it at that service project and wow, so good. Also makes you feel boujie. 

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

I have been really trying to slow down and not make studies a check list and one of the things that I am doing is going through and reading all of the scripture references in Preach My Gospel, and a few things, 1 was 1 Nephi 13, and really all of the scriptures about the apostasy. Just really stood out to me the power of prophecy in the scriptures.

7.  How are you progressing with your language skills?

Yes

8.  Tell me about a tender mercy you experienced this week.

Above

9.  How have you been feeling?  Has your energy level improved?

Better and a little better

10.  How has someone shown you love this week?  How have you shown love to someone else this week?

Being in a 4 sister house there are a lot of opportunities to serve, and me and my companion have taken it upon ourselves to serve the other sorelle by cleaning a lot.  Also a cute thing my comp did for me, since I was super super tired and we read in "Adjusting to Missionary Life" that you need to make sure your apartment is free of dust and dirt because apparently it makes you tired, so she started sweeping our room every morning. Awwwww, such a cutie. 

11.  What's your favorite thing about being in Italy?  And what's your favorite thing about the Italian people?

The food is literally so good.  I'm trying to actually do Whole 30 this week like hard so will check in next week. Also everything is so beautiful. I had a day where I saw a sign that said like "Made in Sicilia" and I was like, wow, I'm in Sicily and wow, I understand what the people around me are saying.  My favorite thing about the people here in south Italy (I've heard the north is different) is how open they are to talk about religion for the most part, and talk in general. And help you when you are lost. Even though Italians literally do not know how to give directions. 

12.  What can we pray for specifically for you and for the people you're working with?

This energy thing to finish working itself out for me, and I think that they can just feel the difference for the people we work with. 

Love you all lots. If you didn't watch conference it's online so there really are no excuses. We really are so blessed and have direct guidance.  Hello -- listen up!  One of my goals is to start studying the talks as soon as they come out and invite everyone to do the same!! Study!!! Pray!! Find answers!! It's the gospel y'all!! 

xoxoxoxoxoxoxo

sorella gisseman 

Notes from a 21 day Book of Mormon challenge....

The sweet sister from English course

Week 30 - Zone Conference

(Sorry this is late -- I was out of town for work for the last two Mondays)

On Wednesday we had interview with President (I think he just looks into our souls, like questions aren't super necessary),  With him I am sometimes a broken record because it's hard for me to keep faith in the results and the efforts of what we are doing, so for the past two interviews it's been like, ok President, when is it coming and how can I keep my faith up.  He and Sister Pickerd were both so cute and sweet and encouraging and like, yes, we know you are working hard, and yes, we know this mission isn't easy, we are a finding mission and you are still doing so well and we know that.  That type of thing.

That night we did some scambios so I got to go finding with Sorella C from Ragusa. And we had some really good conversations, got a cannolo, but then the best part wasn't until later. So we got a text a little later saying whoever (because our entire zone was in Catania finding) wants to come get gelato meet at this place at 8.15.. so we were like, duh, we'll get a second dolce (dessert) for the night. So we bused out there again and then had a little time before 8.15 so we were doing a little street finding. And we walked past this bench with these two girls, got about 10 feet and I felt like we should have talked to them so I said, do you feel like we should have talked to them and she said, um, yeah, so we awkwardly turned back and asked for directions and then ended up talking to these girls for a little and then some of their friends came up and we showed them all Grazie a Lui, and that video BRINGS the Spirit, let me tell you. And then I probably bore the strongest testimony I ever have on the Spirit. Hands down the strongest spirit I have ever felt while finding. IT was INCREDIBLE: and then the girl said that she was kind of far from the church right now (Catholic) and this is exactly what she needed. Follow the spirit, my friends!

With that also I realized that I have gotten very routine in my missionary work, and one thing that I have been trying to work on is really listening to the Spirit because ultimately this is God's work and if I don't do it in His way then what really is the point. If I am not showing to Him constantly that I will follow the Spirit why would He trust me to say the right things to His children? So today I bought a little notebook that I will be tracking promptings of the Spirit. Stay tuned. 

Then, of course, zone conference was incredible (pizza was so bad but everything else was so good), and then on Saturday we did a service project. So every quarter the American branch (who we are also technically over) does a service project and there is some guy who coordinates it there, BASICALLY there is a archeological park (everything in Italy is archeological, though) that they are trying to work on, so we thought we were going to clean up the park (awww, literally so cute) and we cleaned up trash for like 20 maybe 30 minutes (but there really like wasn't any trash) and then they gave us a tour of the entire site and fed us (SO WELL). It was super fun.

So that's the week.

Questions --

1.  How was your zone conference?  What did you learn?  Was it good to see Pres and Sis Pickerd again?

Good -- very good. One thing I definitely took away is the stronger our testimony of the atonement is, the easier life will be in general but also the mission. I'm working on that. As you very well know i am not a good sleeper girl nor have I ever been so before bed while I am waiting to fall asleep I have been trying to figure out (because I understand it but I want the patterns in my brain to also comprehend it) the vastness of the atonement of Christ. Any insights would be loved. (PAPA!)

2.  What was your happiest moment this week? 

After talking to that group of girls.

3.  What made you laugh this week?

Me and Sorella D have been laughing a good amount.  I can't remember at what for anything, though.

4.  How have you found joy in the journey this week?

There is joy in testifying.

5.  How have you seen the Lord's hand in your life this week, or what tender mercies have you noticed?

We are finally starting to get appointments set up. A tender mercy is last night we had some awkward time so we did some area book and got like 3 appointments out of like 5 calls ????  They might not come through but, wow, that's some good stuff.

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

I was reading in Helaman this week and there is a chapter that talks a lot about Satan which is interesting because the Book of Mormon doesn't really talk a lot explicitly about Satan. But I was thinking about the difference between like really giving in to the temptings of Satan and then giving into our natural man. And I think there is a difference. There is a difference between being a "good person" (or a not bad person) and putting off the natural man AND becoming a Saint through the Atonement of Christ.

7.  How was church this week?

Good!!! So much Italian and then after we had a meal appointment with 3 Italian couples.  Wow!

8.  Do you know if you'll be able to listen to General Conference in English, or will it be in Italian?

Depends on who shows up.

9.  What is granita?

Like gelato but lighter.

10.  Have you tried any other new foods this week?

The best olive oil of my life, and a broiche (gelato in bread basically).0

11.  What did you do for P-Day this week?

Bowling, centro, food

12.  Have you been good about exercising this week?  

Yes.  I am excited because our neighbors complain about us making noise nonstop but I think that means we will go outside every day which means I can run everyday!!!!

13.  How do you feel about your calling as a missionary?  Have your feelings about it changed since the beginning of your mission?

This is actually an interesting question because it's something I had a wake up call to this week. We are told to be natural (like when we find) but there is a difference between being natural and being normal and we are not normal. Even in normal life we shouldn't be normal -- people should be able to tell a difference in us. I think in the past when people say, oh, are you in giro for proselyting I'm like, um, yeah, we do that sometimes but right now we are going to an appointment, but it's like, YEAH, that's what I am doing -- a PROSELYTING mission -- I am here to CHANGE your life and TALK ABOUT JESUS CHRIST and how his church is HERE again and we have a PROPHET and you can feel a joy and peace with you constantly. Like that's not a normal world thing, but it is a thing that we do and its an incredible thing. 

14.  Do you have investigators we can pray for?  What specifically can we pray for for them and for you?

No. Opening up a new companionship is really hard. Pray that the appointments we have set up come through this week

15.  Do you know how much I love you?

Yes

Also a quick plug for general conference. One scripture I shared in my talk last week is Amos 3.7 (a classic) that God reveals his secret through his servants the prophets. AND WE HAVE A PROPHET. So let's get ready to hear some secrets!!!! But really I am so excited to listen to general conference, and I have been studying last general conference to prepare myself and LITERALLY every talk speaks to me and I learn something new. The words of our modern day apostles and prophets are literally scripture for our day. And like President Nelson said, buckle down and take your vitamins, and I would like to add prepare yourself spiritually to be uplifted because if you are prepared you will receive answers and you will feel the spirit.

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoox

Sorella Gisseman 

Oops -- we dropped the zucchini and the carrots on top of the dessert I made...

Brioche....

At the service project

Literally the best bread and olive oil I've ever had in my whole life.

At zone conference