Week 3

Sorellas Decker, Black, and Argyle

I am officially halfway done with my MTC stay! I can hardly believe it. Part of me wants to leave for Italy RIGHT NOW and the other part thinks that I could stay in the MTC for 18 months and still not be ready to go and actually begin my mission service. So much happens in what feels like only a few days here...it's the weirdest kind of time warp.

They don't tell us anything about the history of the language in the MTC, so I loved hearing from Aunt Kelli. Each region of Italy speaks basically their own brand of Italian because they weren't a unified country until like 1861, and when they made Italian a language in like the 1400s, each region gave the language its own flavor. Venetian Italian is supposedly the most "pure"; Napolitan and Sicilian are supposedly the worst. Guess which two cities are in my mission and which one isn't! haha

I don't remember much of what happens day to day so I will just tell a few good stories. Saturday night we taught our "less-active" Samantha (the teachers pose as investigators so we can practice teaching in the language). I was really worried about being able to communicate, as that's the only barrier I have at the moment. It's really frustrating to have so many things to say and ways to explain things in your head but to not have the words for it in the right language. I've come to realize that the more I focus on really nailing the verbage, the less of the Spirit I feel in each lesson. That's really weird for me because I don't know how I can even get a message across without having the Spirit there.... It's all a little confusing. But basically what I took from it was to have faith that whatever I feel prompted to say will come across the way it is supposed to because the Spirit is working with me and her to communicate what God needs both of us to learn. So I got to teach and really go by the Spirit while we taught her and even though the grammar and sentence structure were rough and I had to find alternate ways of saying what I wanted to, I was able to get the point across that when we keep our covenants, God is able to bless us and that repentance is part of keeping our covenants. It was a wonderful experience.

We also got to do something called TRC, which is another teaching experience. They have members come in so we can teach them, but again it's all in Italian. They don't want us to teach in English ever, which is good and bad because it forces us to figure out how to teach in Italian but also we don't get a break ever. Good practice though, I won't have much use for English in the next 17 months!

This past week was harder, definitely dealing with some homesickness and struggles, but God is looking out for me (I am sure there are plenty of prayers contributing to that, I can feel every one of them...THANK YOU!!!). I have been blessed with two companions who are perfect for me. They teach me so much, especially Sister Argyle because I am with her all the time. She knows her Book of Mormon backward and forward; she's inspired me so much too really get to know my scriptures better. She is also learning the language a lot faster than I, which for someone who is as academically competitive as I am, has been a little hard to handle. But I know that she loves me, and that she has her own struggles and reasons why I am her companion, and that helps me to know that God loves me and knows what He needs from me. He isn't going to ask me to do something that I can't do, and He'll provide a means for me to accomplish what I’m asked. I have had so many incredible opportunities for growth here, and while I definitely feel stretched, I know that God is strengthening my testimony so it can stand to the world as I share His gospel and bring people to Christ.

We have 2 new "investigators" that we are teaching, Luca (Fratello Deursch, who is from American Fork and knows Alan Moody), and Angela (Sorella Urban, who was on vacation all last week). Both of those are going well; it's crazy to see how quickly I have learned this language! I know enough to be able to share the first three lessons from Preach My Gospel (PMG), share my testimony of each of the doctrines and principles they contain, and I know some very random vocab that we ask for from our teachers when we are trying to SYL in class and we can't figure out what the next Italian word we want. Tomorrow we are having an "all-Italian" day, which means that from 9:30-6:30 when we are with our district we are only speaking in Italian. A prayer or two in that direction would be much appreciated.... tomorrow will be a very quiet day! ;)

My district is the bomb. There are 5 elders (sorry if this is repeat info): Anziano Pope, Fullmer, Zappettini, Tew, and Maxwell. It's like having brothers finally! (I've only got one, and he's the best brother ever!). We all get along so well about 99% of the time. The other 1% is when we finally get on each other’s nerves and kindly, and lovingly tell the other to knock it off ;). I feel like an older sister to all of them. It's lovely.

Last Tuesday we went to the consulate, and on the way back the sisters decided to pick "spirit animals" for each other. There were two groups of us and they both picked a mama bear for me, which I decided I love and come by honestly (thank you, Mother!). Then we moved on to picking Disney characters for everyone in the zone, and I got Mrs. Potts from Beauty and the Beast. Sorella Black was Ramone from Cars because she is super chill, and Sorella Argyle was Tiana from Princess and the Frog because she is so hard working and kind-hearted. 

I love it here. I know I am where I am supposed to be. That thought comes into my head like three times a day.

Keep the letters and Dear Elders coming! Every single one makes my day and I love knowing that my prayers for the people I love are being answered. I miss you all so much and I know that God is going to bless our family in ways we can't even imagine. I know that if we expect and ask for miracles that they will come, because that's the only way any sort of missionary work ever gets done. Thank you for your love, prayers, and support!

Io so che questo e il lavoro di Dio. Sono molto grato per il Suo Vangelo e per la Sua amore. Sono grato per il piano de salvezza e che io so che la mia famiglia possiamo essere insieme sempre. Sono grato per l'espiazione di Gesu Cristo e per la chiesa. Io so che questo vangelo e la via avere felicita, pace, e coforto nel questa vita.

I know that this is the work of God I am very grateful for His Gospel and His love. I am grateful for the Plan of Salvation, and I know that my family can be together forever. I am grateful for the Atonement of Jesus Christ and the church. I know that this is THE Gospel and the way to have happiness, peace, and comfort in this life.

Till next week!

All my love,

Sorella Decker