Catania, Sicily Week 8

Cara Famiglia,

Holy cow! It's sounds like life is going a million miles back home! I am so glad that Matthew's farewell talk went well and that everyone was able to hear it. You'll have to let me know how things go for Thanksgiving. I assume that you guys are going to spend it with Holly's family. I cannot WAIT to hear about Mark's 40th birthday. I am sure it will be hilarious!

Ok, question answering time. Christmas ideas... I was thinking it would be really great to get some family recipes so if great grandma and grandpa wanted to send me that I'd be down. Or anything Christmasy really. I don't know. I feel like I have a million ideas for it and then as soon as I sit down to write I can't remember! But really I will just be happy to hear from home!

So about Thanksgiving! We will have the pleasure of going to the Godfrey family's house for dinner. They are members that work on base, but they attend the Catania ward. They're the same ones that sent you that photo of la conferenza generale. I am SO excited. This will be my second Thanksgiving in a row outside of America so I am happy that I will at least get a Thanksgiving dinner.

Dad asked about a spiritual lesson I have learned in Sicily. I think one of the biggest lessons I've learned is in Ether 12:27. It says that when we come unto God he will show us our weaknesses. It's funny that the closer I get to Him the more imperfect I feel. It's as if more and more of my weakness or being whittled away and underneath them are more. But it's been beautiful to see the progression. Each day I get a little bit better and each day that change is thanks to my Heavenly Father, who in the same verse promises to make those weaknesses strengths. We may be imperfect and weak, but our Heavenly Father happily works with us and uses us as His instruments until we are made strong. Life really is a beautiful progression!

Ok, so Mario.... Well this has been a rough week with him. After postponing his baptism for a more convenient day we have had to cancel it. It has been absolutely heartbreaking. I never knew before what it could be like to care so much for another person. Mario is just going through a lot in his life right now. A sick grandpa and a crazy work schedule has him WAY stressed out. So he just can't find space for this now. He still wants to be baptized, but it will probably be in a few weeks. It's SO hard. I know that the gospel will help him with his problems and I just want it to work out NOW. But patience is a virtue and I am just glad that these experiences have not broken his faith.

We saw Lucia again this week. She is making progress and read the Introduction! Woohoo! And she wants to share the gospel with her friends. We also saw Teresa, our other old woman. She started reading the Book of Mormon and is in 1 Nephi 2. She LOVES it. Now we just need to get here to understand that our religion is not an add on to the Catholic church. I think she is starting to get that because she came to church yesterday! It was the primary program and she thought it was just about the cutest thing ever. She also tried to convince vescovo that he should have them do it for money and give the proceeds to starving children in Africa. Allora... What ya gonna do?

On Friday Siracusa sorelle came up and did a scambio with us. I was with Sorella Clyde, our beloved greenie here in Catania. So yeah... The two greenies went traipsing around the city together. It was fun! We went to Sigonella and we had the coolest miracle. We went to visit a sister who just needs so me support and then we went to visit her visiting teaching companion. While we were at the companions house a woman came over to use the oven. She said "Oh! Sister missionaries! I grew up Mormon." It wasn't planned at all! But we got to meet a less active who is here, pregnant, and alone while waiting for her husband to arrive. Sounds like a golden reactivation opportunity to me! I am excited to follow up on that.

On Friday night we commenced the end of transfer traditions. Like always, we had pizza with the Mirabella family. It is SO fun. They have a wood oven in their garage and they just whip out pizza after pizza. Incredibile! Then that night we did kinder egg predictions. I got the same toy that I got last time, but this time it had elephants, the animal of Catania, on it. So of course we predicted that I would stay...

Then on Saturday morning we got transfer calls! I am staying!!! I am getting Sorella Fuller. She is literally the oldest sister in the mission so I will have the lovely chance to kill her next transfer. It's kind of humbling to be put with someone with so much experience, but I am looking forward to meeting her and learning from the best... Sorella Vincent is going to Rome 5. It's in the mountains north of Rome. She will be serving with..... SORELLA JACKSON, my MTC companion. My two favorite people in the mission will be together! I am really, REALLY going to miss Sorella Vincent. It will be weird walking the streets without her.

Life is good. Etna did erupt, but we are ok!

And now some business on my end. I made the cinnamon rolls! They were great. So I wanted to check to see if you are getting the postcards that I've been sending. Also I sent home a Christmas present. SO just watch out for it. And let me know if you have questions about how to use it.

The church is true, I promise.

Vi voglio bene!

Sorella Katie Francom

Catania, Sicily Week 4

Dearest Family,

Life is great! I am glad everyone seems to be doing well and that you all go to watch conference. I am also glad that you got the picture from the Godfreys. We love them!! 

Ok, life is CRAZY! I don't know how it is already Pday again. Not possible. A note on Pdays: they will now be moved to Monday. So prepare to hear from me again in just a few days. Wahoo!

Last Wednesday went to Mt. Etna! It was so awesome. The view was great and it was so fun to be up in the mountains with colder weather and thinner air. I also bought an awesome nativity made of lava rock. Don't worry it was cheap.

After the pday part of pday we did an exchange (scambio) and I got to go teach with Sorella Bair. We taught one of their investigators, Tina. She is a rather old woman and absolutely adorable. She seems really lonely, but she loves the church and has a lot of really good questions. By a lot of question I mean a LOT. It was interesting trying to control the lesson. 

On Saturday we had another lesson with Mario. It was ALL over the place. We covered so much ground. However, he still wants to be baptized. We picked a new day that we are all working towards having him ready. It will be November 7th! AND he wants to see us twice a week instead of once. AND he wants to go to the temple. 

That night we went to the casa of the Godfrey family to watch conference. They just moved here and Fratello Godfrey is in the navy and works for the base here. It was so fun to be with them. The next day we watch one session with the Groves family on base and then went back to the Godfrey's for another. 

Conference was great! I am pretty sure that Elder Ballard's talk was written just for me. It was what I needed as a missionary. I noticed that there was a lot of emphasis place on members working with the missionaries. As a missionary I just want to say that it is so, so, SO important. As missionaries we can only do so much. We're not living a normal life right now and lots of contacts think that is weird. They need to see members living regular daily lives. We need members to uplift our investigators by talking to them at church, inviting them over, and going to lessons. They are really so strengthened by your testimonies and friendship!

Yesterday, Tuesday, we had another scambio because Sorella Lovell and Sorella Vincent are Sister Training Leaders. They have to work with all of the sisters in the zone. So they went to Siracusa and I worked with Sorella  Bair. It was a blast. We had a packed day and made so much progress. We visited the nonmember mothers of several members. They were so strong and great to talk to. We will be visiting them again. We also went to lunch with an investigator we had kind of given up on, but are now hoping to start working with again. It was really great to rebuild the relationship. And of course nothing went quite as planned and we got lost several times. But hey, that is the life of a missionary!

Today Sorella Bair, the anziani, and I headed down to Siracusa to pick up our companions and enjoy our pday. Right now I am in a city called Ortigia. Holy cow! It is the most beautiful place I have been in Sicily. I am excited to get to explore it more today.

The church is true, I promise.

Vi voglio bene!

Sorella Katie Francom

Catania, Sicily Week 3

Dearest Family,

I got the letters from you guys yesterday! Thanks, it was so nice to hear from all of you. And Noah, I sure hope you aren't actually failing all of your classes. I am glad that everyone is doing so well. Although the rain sounds CRAZY! Glad I am not there right now. 

OK! I really have no idea where time goes because it's Wednesday again. ALREADY. But I have some things to write.

Mario! We just love him. We had another lesson with him and his member wife, Monia, last Thursday. He relapsed a bit on the Word of Wisdom, but we recommited him and gave him some help with it. I really think he'll be able to do it. And, more importantly, I know that Heavenly Father will help him to be successful. The lesson went really well. We taught about scripture study and the importance of likening the scripture to ourselves. They loved it and we found out that Monia has read most of the Book of Mormon and they are both excited to start doing so together. The next day we went to Mario's work in Misterbianco (a nearby town) to visit him. Ok, it was the cutest town I've been to since coming back to Italy. It was nice to feel a bit of small town slow Italian life. He works at a pizzeria and we enjoyed a few pastries courtesy of him. I may or may not have fought him to let me pay. He didn't and his boss didn't let me either. Bummer. That time we talked about conference and just checked up on him. He is once again keeping the Word of Wisdom and he reads the scriputres EVERY day at work. He is even telling one of his coworkers about the gospel. However, he and Monia weren't able to come to church on Sunday. They got ready too late and would have missed sacrament. This means we have to push the baptism back. At first I was really sad, but now I am kind of glad because it gives us more time to prepare him to remain active and experience a conversion. He is still committed to being baptised and that is what matters!

On Friday night we went out to Sigonella to go to a relief society activity with the American branch. We learned how to cook Philipino food! It was awesome. More importantly we had one investigator (more on her later) and one contact from English course come with us. It was fun to watch the Italians interact with the Americans and to feel the Spirit that was there. There were a few nonmembers from the base there and the other sisters have an appointment to teach them. Wahoo!

Ok, so that Italian investigator that went with us to Sigonella is Valeria. The missionaries have been working with her and her husband, Rosario, for a year now. They are a young couple and the are AMAZING. They already act like members. The come to church every Sunday and to all of the activities. However, they haven't wanted to be baptized. But.... drumroll.... The other sorelle have no gotten them to commit. Rosario will be baptized next Friday and Valeria will be a few days later after Rosario gets the priesthood and can baptize her. We are all so excited because we have all had the chance to work with them.

For my Siena friends, do you remember that institute fireside we had at the Dante? Well the same man, Brother Perego, gave a fireside here in Catania on Saturday. It was a super weird and awesome flashback. Also, I live with Sorella Lovell one of the missionaries who was in the ward in Rome when we went. She remembers us and was at the dance we went to. Also, Andrea from that same ward, the one we took that picture with, has a brother here in Catania. Small world, right? I love that there is always something to remind me of Siena.

Right now, as a district, we are focusing on gaining the trust of the members. So we're trying to visit and serve as many as possible before the transfer ends. Without the members are work is not as affective. Italians listen to and understand better when they can see a member who understand their background and difficulties and has overcome them. So far all of the appointments have gone well and I am excited to continue them.

Well I am off to Mt. Etna this afternoon. You know the famous mythological volcano. Yep, going there.

The gospel is true, I promise.

Vi voglio bene!

Sorella Francom

Catania, Sicily Week 1

Dearest Family!

I have so much to say and so little time to say it!!! I am so excited for Matthew! Las Vegas better watch out because they're about to get one heck of a missionary. It's going to be super hot, but he will survive haha. Also, congrats on the Eagle!! That is great news. Also, I am so happy that everyone is enjoying the start of the new school year. It sounds like everyone is doing so very well. I love hearing about you guys!

 

Ok, where to start.... I am in Catania the capital of Sicily. The train ride here from Rome was ten hours... Longer than the flight from the states. Non buono. Actually, it wasn't bad. I sat with another Sorella and we got to talk to a lot of the Italians. It was really fun to talk to them about the gospel and just about life. I met my trainer when I arrived in Catania. Her name is Sorella Vincent. She's been out here for four transfers so we're both super young in the mission. It's great! We are also probably the youngest looking companionship in the mission. She is a year younger than me and shorter than me so really we look so young. People ask us about it everyday. But I LOVE her (despite the fact that she goes to the U). She is so dedicated to working hard and you can tell it is really paying off. We live with two other sisters, Sorelle Bair e Lovell. Sorella Bair is from Seattle and Sorella Lovell did a study abroad in Siena. So of course we all get a long.

 

So about Sicily... I thought Siena would prepare me.... Let's just say that Sicily is a world apart from up North. It's dirty and SO SO SO hot. However, the people are so warm. They are incredibly nice. Seriously, I can barely go a day with out someone buying me a pastry. I like that. And they are also so open to talking about the gospel. Instead of being defensive they are just curious.

 

And the work here is fantastic! So far I have just really loved it. I haven't felt discouraged, just super excited. I guess that's just the greenie in me. We are teaching some really great couple. There is one couple that has been taught for the year and they come to church every week. We just have to work on the word of wisdom.... I think that's going to be a common theme in Italy. Then there is Mario, the husband of a member. He wants to be baptised, but couldn't because he works during church. However, last night we got a call saying that he now has mornings off!! Such a miracle! The there is Giulia and Loredana. A daughter and her mom. I've only met Giulia so far, but she is probably the happiest person in the known world. I am so excited to get to work with her. There are so many others I can't even list them. We also teach an English course twice a week which I just love!!!!! I feel very in my element while teaching.

 

So cool story of the week. We had a night free, but we couldn't go far because President Wadoups is still trying to decide who will drive the car. We decided to try to visit a contact who lived really close. As we were walking down her street we ran into another contact and started talking. While we were talking an old man just came up and exclaimed "mormoni!" Turns out his name is Carmello and he met with the missionaries a long time ago. He really likes the church and will be coming on Sunday. The woman we tried to visit wasn't even home. I am so happy that we ran into Carmello. He really just seems ready. It is so wonderful to feel truly directed by the Lord.

 

Oh and funny thing, one of the sisters in my house  actually rides a unicycle. How's that for our story?

 

Life is just so good. I feel so blessed to be here doing the Lord's work. As I've started to focus more on his work. I've felt more and more blees.

 

The gospel is true.

 

Vi voglio tanto bene!!!!

 

Sorella Katie Francom

MTC Week 2

I am doing SO well. Life in the MTC is FUN! We've been learning a lot about how to relate to investigators and how to better meet their needs through our teachings. It is really exciting and I love getting to know and helping all of our "investigators." Two days ago one of them committed to be baptized. It felt awesome to hear him say that! I know it's not real so I am so excited to see what it feels like when it actually happens. Yesterday we had an in-field orientation. We learned a lot more "practical" skills for when we head to field. It was awesome and made me SUPER pumped to head to Italy on Tuesday! I can't believe time has gone so quickly. Each day feels like a week, but the weeks fly by!

Can I just say that I love my zone, district, and companion?! Our zone is full of all of the advanced language speakers so there are people from all over the world. It is so fun and we all get along so well. My district is even more awesome. We laugh all of the time. Who knew I would get such an ab workout as a missionary?! This really helps to unify us and makes our teaching stronger because we trust each other. Now, my companion, Sister Jackson, is SO cool. We get along so well. We have a ton in common. I am so glad because not all missionaries are blessed with companions they work well with. Together we have improved a lot on our Italian and our teaching.

It's been really fun to go to the MTC in Provo because I get to see so many people I know. I run into Natalie all of the time and I saw the carpet crew the other day. They left a bueno bar on my bed and it made my day!

Katie

Katie's address in Italy
Italy Rome Mission
Piazza Carnaro, 20
00141 Rome RM, Italy

Katie's email:
katie.francom@myldsmail.net

MTC Week 1

So you're probably all dying to know what life in the MTC is like. Right? Right. Well it is totally and completely overwhelming. The first day, Wednesday, was a lot better than I expected. Classes were not too scary and we didn't have to teach any investigators. We got put in our districts pretty much immediately. I am in the advanced language district. There are 5 sisters and 2 elders. We are going all over the world. My companion, Sister Jackson, is the only other one going to Rome. She's taken a year of Italian at BYU. She's great! We have a lot in common. We also both really want to obey with exactness. That is fantastic because I am realizing more and more that that is not always the case with missionaries. That night we had a meeting with a all of the missionaries who came in that day (I saw Spencer Clark). We practiced teaching investigators all together. I mean 100 people teaching 1 or 2 investigators. It was interesting... One thing that did really impress is the caliber of the other missionaries. Everyone had such insightful things to say. Also, the Spirit is amazing. Even though we are all completely exhausted the Spirit still touches us and helps us know what to say.

Yesterday, Thursday, was, without a doubt, the LONGEST day of my life. I am pretty sure I lived a whole month yesterday. I am also relatively certain that I experienced every emotion known to man (with the exception of anger). I woke up bright and early. Of course. And got ready. That part was actually better than I expected. I was able to get up pretty easily. The we had companion study, breakfast, and personal study. All good. Then came our first class. It was ok. But I was getting REALLY tired. I thought I was going to pass out in the middle of a lesson. We practiced giving the first discussion to our companion. Then Sorella Jackson and I did it in Italian. It went much, MUCH better than I thought it would. Until I rather bluntly said that all of the apostles began to die.... Might not sound funny in English, but it was HILARIOUS in Italian. We busted up. Then came lunch. I was worried I would fall asleep in my food, but I made it through. Then we had class again. And we got new teachers.... One of them looks exactly like Andrew Mason. Yeah... That made me feel awkward haha. They are way more intense than our other teachers. I was getting so overwhelmed and feeling so inadequate. At one point I thought I would cry. But I didn't! Small victories. After class things started to get better. We had dinner and then met with the Branch Presidency. During the meeting I was feeling pretty down, but then I had a person interview with the Branch President. I just got to talk. It felt so good and I immediately felt so much happier. Then I got assigned to be one of the two sister training leaders for our zone. SO basically I work along side the zone leaders to make sure that everything goes smoothly and to orient the new missionaries. I am actually super excited. I feel like it has given me a real reason to be her in the MTC. 

Today is P-day. So far we've just done some online assessments and gone to the temple. The temple was SO amazing. It was nice to get to walk there and just take a break and find peace. It was nice to feel like me again. I just love being there. And now I am here writing all of you.

So what have I learned so far? Well, a lot. But the biggest thing has been realizing that I can't do this. Not on my own. I have to completely rely on my Heavenly Father. I think I came to the MTC a little too cocky. I thought that I had talents that would automatically make me some sort of awesome missionary. The truth is that this work is not about me being an awesome missionary. It's about being worthy and receptive. It is only through the Holy Ghost that investigators can be changed. My words, not matter how persuasive, do not have the power to bring conversion. It is only the Spirit. So I am trying harder to totally lose myself. To stop thinking about my needs all of the time and to focus on giving my life over to the Lord. I know that he will make more of it than I could.

So how are things? Are Matthew's papers in? Are you guys getting excited for school? Are you missing me quite terribly?

Mom, could you get on my facebook and message Kathryn, Natalie, Hannah, and Andrew Potts (obviously) to see if they want to be on my weekly email list? If so, could you get their emails and forward this to them? Also, did my bag come?

The church is true. I promise.

I love you all!

Sorella Katie Francom

Ciao, Ciao, Ciao

This will be my last post written and posted by me for quite some time. I will be a set apart missionary in approximately 4 hours... So I figured I should wrap this summer up and say a few parting notes.

These last few weeks have been a whirlwind! After finally feeling the strong conviction that this mission is what is right for my life I began my goodbyes. Goodbyes to Provo. Goodbyes to friends. Goodbyes to family. SO many goodbyes. It's been a bit overwhelming to someone who HATES goodbyes. But somehow I have made it through without too many tears. (Although I still have to say goodbye to my immediate family)

So my last little bit in Provo was spent just enjoying my friends. I was privileged to get to do a lot of fun things. I feel like I got to go out with a pretty epic bang. So here are a few pictures:

I went hiking one last time.

We rocked out at a rooftop concert. Actually it was 

rather boring...

And of course there was one last boating trip! 

I didn't get hurt this time. (Small victories, people)

I got to go to the Manti temple with my ward. 

It was so very, very beautiful.

We had a fancy dinner party at Sam's cabin.

Alex and I conquered the Kong Kone. 

They were a lot bigger than expected...

I hosted a going away bonfire.

To my Provo/BYU friends: I love you all. The last three years of my life have been the best years of my life. Thanks to each of you for being a part of that. It has truly been life changing. Try to have fun without me... I will sure miss you guys!

Then two weeks ago I came home to Washington. It's been SO nice to be back. To just relax and spend time with my family. The day after I got back we left on family vacation. We spent several days hiking and camping in the North Cascades. It was gorgeous. And the lightening storms and stories around the campfire were fantastic. After that we headed to a resort at Lake Chelan. Holy cow! I'm usually not Eastern Washington's biggest fan, but I have to say that Lake Chelan was spectacular. The water was clear and warm. Our hotel was literally right on the water. You could jump from the lawn to the lake. FANTASTIC. We spent our time swimming and relaxing. I suppose I should include some pictures of that trip as well...

Hiking in the North Cascades.

The gorgeous pass we hiked to.

Swimming in Chelan.

Out for a nighttime stroll.

It was SO gorgeous!!

So that's it. That's the end of my summer. 

But it's not that sad. It just means the beginning of a new chapter. A new chapter that I am so scared for. But also so excited. I know that I am about to embark on a very difficult 18 months. But I also know that I am doing so as a representative of my Savior. I know that with Him all things will work out. I know that the message I will be sharing is true. I look forward to watching it change people's lives. 

So peace out!

And know that you have a Heavenly Father who loves you!