Crepes and Taboo. 11-17-14

Cara Famiglia,

Well as stated in the email last week we had an awesome Pday in Matera. Yes, we went again. Staying in one city longer than else means doing the same pdays over and over again. But it's ok. Matera is gorgeous. Unfortunately my camera was broken so there will be no pictures :( This time was particularly fun because we went with some of the GANS (YSA) and two investigators. It was WAY fun. That night we had a planning meeting for an upcoming activity we are doing with the ward, an MTC for members. I have to say that I love activities, but I hate the time it takes to plan them. Life problems...

On Tuesday morning we had a DDM and it actually went pretty well. President Waddoups challenged us to all pray for each other instead of praying for ourselves so we had a DDM that helped boost up our selflessness. We all wrote nice notes to each other. Cheesy, right? But I do love the missionaries that I serve with. In the afternoon we had a lesson with Sorella Pepe. I am SOOO happy to be on her good side again. No we can actually work on helping her progress again. After her we headed to English course. Then we had a pizza night with the Santoro family, Piero (the Anziani's new convert), and Daniela (his girlfriend). It was AWESOME. Daniela and Piero are HILARIOUS. I really hope we can start to teach Daniela. She comes to all of the activities and has come to church a few times. The anziani are challenging Piero to ask her to take the lessons this week! Woohoo!

Wednesday was a day of meetings. Meetings and I have such a love hate relationship. However, ward council that night was pretty awesome and pretty hilarious in a way that only an Italian ward council could be. Something you should know about Italians is that talking loudly and aggressively is not yelling, just friendly banter and persuasion. I love it. So ward council was a lot of loud, but also a lot progress. We talked about some really meaningful things and our ward is becoming increasingly involved in missionary work. I love it.

Thursday morning was a morning of finding. YES! Ogni tanto I just really need a day out talking to people on the street. We were able to contact a few referrals and then we did some finding in the park. My companion is a boss and has fallen in love with using geneology to do finding. We ended up meeting this really cool man in the park who is evangelical, but super interesting in coming to do geneology with us. Random fact: the Puglia Italia stake is the 11th satke in the world for doing family history. Cool, right? In the afternoon we went to an appointment with Maria Grazia and when we rang the citofono (intercom doorbell thing) the babysitter answered and said she wasn't there. Hmm. Then we had English course to end the night.

Friday morning we had weekly planning! Woot. It felt so good to do it ALL at the right time and to just be prepared for the coming week. I can't remember the last time we were able to do that. Thus I am super excited to carry out our plans for this week! In the afternoon we went to Casamassima for a lesson with Lidia and Giovanni. It was AMAZING! We read 3 Nefi 11 with them and the loved it. Lidia's face was just glowing. And we were able to talk about the Atonement and how much the Savior loves us. It was beautiful. BEAUTIFUL. And we found out that Lidia has actually been keeping her commitments to read the Libro di Mormon. YES! Then we had a cancelled appointment so we ended up going to the GANS activity. There were a TON of nonmembers there and it was really cool to get to know them better and introduce/reinforce their relationships with members. Also, I just have to say that playing Taboo in Italian is VERY hard.

Saturday morning we had a district blitz here in Bari Poggio Franco. I was with Sorella Chandler for the morning and it was pretty much her first time doing finding so it was fun to get to show her how I like to do it. We talked to a TON of people. And we pretty much got shut down everytime. But it was still a pretty good morning. I never thought I would actually enjoy finding. Dang, I've changed. In the evening we went to the Santoro family's house to make crepes (I love having a French companion) with some investigators and one of the young women we are working with. The Santoros do so much for missionary work. Love them. They also have the cutest nephew, Domenico, who is literally in love with my companion (no worries, he's 4). The Armenise family was also there. Oh. my. gosh. I love them. Every once in a while you just meet families that you fit in with. They are definitely one of them for me. Sarcasm flying everywhere. 

Yesterday was a really amazing Sunday. Church went SUPER well. We were able to give out mission calls to all of the members to invite them to the MTC activity. It was really cool to see the excitement, especially from the primary kids. Then we went to Sunday School with the GANS and the lesson was AMAZING. The anziani's investigator, Mario, was there. He's atheist and has really been struggling to know if God exists. He is more active than any of the members. He just needs a testimony. And he said the closing prayer in sunday school. And he said that he finally understood what God wants for him and that he hopes to have the ability to do it. Amazing. Amazing. I really hope this means something has changed. Then came Sacrament meeting. AND Violetta came!!!! YES! I got to sit by her and I am just amazed by her. She is such a humble woman and has so much faith. I felt honored to be able to share a hymnbook and sing with her. I know it's cheesy, but things like that just get to me on the mission. And there was an awesome talk. The lady who gave it started by reading the title. In English something like "How to nourish our spirits as we nourish our bodies." She made a joke about how she is not skinny and thus obviously eats. But she pointed out that just because she eats it doesn't mean that she nourishes her body. To nourish herself she actually needs to take in the vitamins and proteins that will give her strength. She talked about how it is the same with our spirits. We can't just read the scriptures. We actually have to gather nutriment from them. It was really cool. For pranzo we went to Sorella Ceddia's house. Her inactive daughter was there and were able to have a rather long spiritual lesson/discussion with her. It went well. Then we had a lesson with Marinella Lagatolla and had the most amazing discussion of the Atonement that I think I have had on the mission. Then we ended the night with gesso. It went SUPER well. We talked to so many people. I even met a group of girls who are friends with a member. One of them even had a Book of Mormon. Time to do follow up with the member... I love being a missionary.

So here's to a great week! 

The gospel is true, I promise.

Vi voglio bene!

Sorella Katie Francom

1) Sorella Robinson and I dressed up as each other.

All Roads Lead to Rome. 11/24/14

Cara Famiglia,

Well it has officially been the CRAZIEST, most emotionally draining week of my mission. 

I'm in Rome. More on that later.

Last Monday we had a super chill pday. We went shopping and just hung out with the anziani. Gotta love those kids. I am lucky to serve with the people that I have served with. After Pday we had a family home evening with Sorella Mongelli and her mom. Their husbands are at the temple and they asked us to come share a thought with them. And well they live pretty far away. And we got pretty lost. It was exciting. But we did eventually make it. And we had the most amazing lesson. We talked about the "Hope of God's Light" by President Uchtdorf. The Spirit was so very strong. I felt prompted to share an experience that I had with that talk in Cagliari. And they were super touched. It was just a beautiful night. I love the people of Bari.

Then came Tuesday morning......................... We were sitting in a the church with the Hansens and the Anziani putting the finishing touches on our MTC activity. And then... A call from President. "Sorella Francom this is your transfer call. You are going to Rome 6 and Sorella DeFranchi is coming with you." WHAT?!?!?!?! I thought he was joking. We are only three weeks into the transfer after all. But nope. A sister had been waiting for her visa to go serve in Portugal and she finally got it. SO that left a sorella alone in Rome. And well Sorella DeFranchi and I were called to be her companions. So we are now in a tripanionship with Sorella Vasilachi. And well I'd be lying if I said I was ok with it. I felt like my world fell apart. It reminds me of when Matt got transferred after only one transfer. I think I understand now. It's amazing how your life can just totally change overnight. Well after the shocking news it took a little bit of time to put ourselves back together. But then we finished getting ready for the activity. Then we went to an impromptu goodbye lunch with Santoro family. And well I haven't really cried much the whole mission and with them the flood gates just opened. I love that family. We got to spend the rest of the evening with them because Sorella Santoro took us to a lesson with Violetta and Sahondra. The lesson went SUPER well. We taught the gospel and it was really tender. Then we said goodbye to them. We're leaving and Violetta is going to Madagascar. We all teared up a bit. But luckily I know that one day we will all see each other again. Be it in this life or the next. On the ride home Sorella Santoro gave us a motivational speech about dreaming. She told us to always dream. "Sognate, sempre sognate."

Well all of our plans for the rest of the week went out the window so the rest is kind of all over the place, and all over Italy.

On Wednesday morning we had DDM. Gosh, I have loved this district. I got to give a parting addestramento. It was nice. After we all went to get sandwiches for the last time. The sandwich men were quite sad and sang us songs to bid us farewell. Then in the evening we finally had our MTC activity. I am happy to say that it actually went pretty well. A decent amount of people came and it gave us a chance to say some goodbyes.

Thursday morning was CRAZY! We were supposed to have time to pack... But we didn't. We ended up visiting a member in the hospital and we got SUPER lost in the hospital complex. By the time we found him it was lunch time... But he was doing well and it was nice to salute him. Then we met up with Gianni and Gabriela for lunch. It was so sad. But I did get to eat my last piece of focaccia. And it was nice to spend time with them. In the afternoon we dropped by Maria's house to salute her. Her brother was there and he has lived in Paris for 45 years so Sorella DeFranchi was able to talk with him. It was so sad to say goodbye. And as we left Maria's brother told me the "s word" in French and said that it meant good luck. Sorella Defranchi said that it does not... Then went to say goodbye to Mariagrazia. We had a really great spiritual thought. I just love her. Then we had English course. So hard to say goodbye. They were so sad. And then we exchanged photos with the Anziani. And then we went to grab panzerotti with the GANS. Gosh, I hate goobyes.

Friday morning we packed and then went to say goodbye to Susy. I love her. It was really hard to leave her. Then at 12:30 we head to the station. And the whole district and several members came to see us off. Sorella Santoro even made us sack lunches. And then I said goodbye to everyone. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hardest goodbyes of the mission. I don't know why. I loved the people in Cagliari just as much. But man, this was hard. I am going to miss the english course students, investigators, members, and missionaries of Bari. And then the train left. And I was zooming through the Italian countryside. At 5 we got to Rome. And no one was there to pick us up. Luckily, they eventually showed up and we were whisked away to  English course. Corso was fun. We have a really great class with lots of potential. Also, our new companion, Sorella Vasilachi, is great. She is from Moldova. So we are a very international trio.

Saturday morning we planned. There is a fair amount of work to do here in Roma 6 and I am excited to meet everyone. In the afternoon we went to a baptism. It was for the missionaries of Rome 5. It was really cool. And I got to meet Sorella Margheriti. She served in both Caglari and Catania after me, but we have never really met. So it was really cool to talk to her and get updates on my cities. She is awesome. Then we went to a relief society activity and two english course students came. It went pretty well. And it was fun to meet people. 

Sunday was cool. There are two wards in the building so that was cool. Our ward is so multicultural that I don't know what language to speak to people. So many people from Peru and the Phillipines, and just a few Italians. Everyone is awesome. And happy. And the wards functions as well as a ward back home. It's strange. After church we had a lesson with a new convert, Kathlene. It went really well. Then we went home for lunch. Then we came back to the church for a baptism. So many baptisms up in Rome. It's AWESOME!

And today we are going to the pantheon. With Sorella Jackson, my MTC companion. We haven't seen each other since day 1. I am excited to see her and to go to the places I went to on my study abroad. 

That's all for now. Life is crazy. Never take tomorrow for granted.

The gospel is true, I promise.

Vi voglio bene!

Sorella Katie Francom

1) Sahondra and Violetta

2) Fun santa hats

Panda, Mucca, and Pteradactyl. 12/1/14

Cara Famiglia,

Well I have to say that I have done a complete 180 this week. From being really sad to leave Bari I am now absolutely loving Rome. How could you not? Rome is the eternal city after all. And there is so much missionary work. We have found so many new people AND we are SO busy.

Monday was a really great day. For pday we went to the Pantheon and I got to see SO many missionaries that I haven't seen since the beginning. I love being in Rome. It is so beautiful and there are so many cool things to see. And I get to go to places that I went to on my study abroad. I took everyone to one of my favorite gelaterie from two years ago and it was just a walk down memory lane. In the evening we had two lessons so we had to do a split with a member (I love how much we have to do). I stayed with Sorella Vasilachi and taught Gabriela. She is from Romania and is going through a really rough time. We taught her about the Atonement and she accepted the invite to continue meeting with us. And the she stayed for the FHE activity. The activity was really awesome. The GANS all get together with the senior couples every monday. There are a lot of youth here.

Tuesday morning we did another member split and this time I was with Alessandra, a 20 year old who is putting in her papers to go on a mission. I got to take her to do finding. IT was actually really fun. I have never done finding with a member and it was fun to see how much she relied on me, but also how brave and creative she was. She actually asked a lady on the metro, "Posso regalarti un libro." (Can I give you a book?) She said no, but I was just so impressed with Alessandra's courage. The Finding went pretty well. We met some really cool people and a couple who even wanted to see us again. The coolest experience was with a woman named Lumi. She is from Romania. At first she said that she would never change, but we just got talking and by the end we said a prayer together and got her number. It was awesome. We ended up getting home SUPER late for lunch, but it was worth it. In the evening we went to meet our investigator Graziella with the bishop. We had an awesome lesson about the gospel. She was touched and is praying about baptism, but doesn't feel ready yet. Then we took her to a special course that a member of the ward is doing.

Wednesday was another great day, despite the fact that three of our lessons cancelled. In the morning we went to see Louisa. She is Peru and has recently been reactivated. She is AWESOME and might even want to seve a mission. We had a really awesome lesson about doing missionary work. She is super disposta to help us out! Then our next lesson cancelled so we were actually able to eat lunch and do language study. After that we headed to a farther part of the ward and met the Lesano family, also less active. They are from the Phillipines and we spoke a very interesting mix of English and Italian. I was so moved by how humble and ready to listen they were. We talked about keeping the Sabbath day holy and they commited to come to church. YAY! Then we headed to church for what we thought were two lesson. They didn't show up... Then we taught English course. It went really well. Our class is so FUN. Then we had ward council and I was blown away by how functioning this ward is. They were so bravi and so on top of things. I also really like our ward mission leader, Fratello Rigby, he is American and works at the embassy here.

Thursday morning we had DDM. Not much to say there. But then we met up with the other district that meets in our church and had Thanksgiving lunch. It was impressively good. And it was really fun to be with everyone. Then we had a cancelled appointment. Then we had another lesson with Gabriela. We taught her the Restoration and it went really well. She has a lot of questions about other things, but she was touched at the end and stayed after to pray by herself. It was cool. Then we had an "addestramento" (training) with one of the ward missionaries, Sheyla. She is 20 and wants to go on a mission. We were able to give her her own Preach My Gospel and she was so touched.

Friday morning was planning. Woot. In the afternoon we had a training with Antonella, another ward missionary. Then we had alesson with Gabriela. WE taught the plan of salvation. It went well, but I think it was a little bit too rushed. After we taught corso. Once again, great. Then we had a lesson with a student named Rosadina. She is adorable and she totally opened up to us. She has a lot of questions about Joseph Smith, but she really wants to know. I know that if she asks she will know. SO I am excited to see how things go.

Saturday morning was spent travelling. We had a lunch appointment with a family who live far, FAR away. But it was so worth it. They are the famiglia Cruz and they are from Peru. I just LOVE them. It was one of those things where I just felt like I could be myself right off the bat. They are fun and sarcastic. And we had a fantastic lesson about the gospel. And the dad who is not a member actually participated and accepted the commitment to read. I am so excited to work with them. In the evening after our LONG return voyage we went to the church for a quick meeting with the anziani and our ward mission leader and then an ward activity. It was a photography contest based on the creation and the  gospel. It was really cool. I was very impressed by the photos. And a lot of nonmembers came! YAY!

Sunday was great. All of the church meetings were great. This ward is adorable. And Gabriela came!! And I think she liked it. And the Lesano family came. After we had the most amazing lesson with with a new convert named Kathlene. She is ADORABLE. We talked about missionary work. And she just opened up to us about her life and how the church is changing her relationship with her family. She has such a desire to be united with them and she so badly wants to share the gospel. It was really enlighting and touching. I love how much people teach me. And then we had a dinner with some of the senior sister missionaries. It was really cool. They are really great examples. 

Today is of course pday. We are going to the Vatican and St. Peter's. No big deal.

Gotta love Roma.

The gospel is true, I promise.

Vi voglio bene!

Sorella Katie Francom

1) With Kathlene

2) Pantheon

Wet Feet 12-8-14

Cara Famiglia,

It's been a good, but very rainy, week in Roma. SO I've had some wet feet. But luckily I am from Washington and we're used to that.

Well last pday we attempted to go to the Vatican Museums, but we got there too late. But we still went to La Basilica di San Pietro. St. Peter's. I think that church is just STUNNING. I love Michelangelo's pietà. It make me emotional every time. Once again it was just fan to be back in places that I went to two years ago. Pday is like a walk down memory lane. Love it. In the evening we had a lesson with Gabriela. We taught her the gospel and challenged her to be baptized on December 19th and she ACCEPTED!!! YAY! The spirit in the lesson was fortissimo and I just love getting to watch her progress from the very beginning. Then we had FHE with the GANS. It was really nice. Gabriela was there and I felt like I really got to the GANS a lot better. I am starting to feel a lot more in place here.

Tuesday morning we had DDM. Nothing much to say. After we got lunch as a district. Then I got to go on another member split. This time I was with a new convert (of one month) named Sorour. She is SO amazing. She has the most touching conversion story. It's something I'll have to tell you about when I get home because it's too personal and long to explain over email. We actually went to visit some members who are trying to learn English. It ended up being really fun. And we are working on sharing a message with all of the members and helping them invite their friends to church the 21st of December. A lot like we did in Bari back in September. I just loved being  with Sorour. She's amazing. And we had a ton of travel time so I got to hear her whole story.

Wednesday morning we went to see Louisa again. We taught her the restoration and it was just amazing! She was super touched. There was just a really tender spirit. I am so happy that she is active again! After the super cool story of the week began. So I don't know if you can tell, but Sorella Defranchi's last name is Italian. SO she has Italian family. And when we got transfered to Rome her family sent her addresses of these people. And one of them, Louisella, lives REALLY close to us. And she was a very good friend of Sorella Defranchi's grandmother. SO we went to track her down and surprise her on Wednesday. But she wasn't home. But we were able to call her and set up an appointment for Friday. More on that later. After lunch we went to see the Tuminello family. 'Twas interesting. But they agreed to invite a friend on the 21st. Then we had another lesson with Gabriela. This time we focused on scripture study and committed her to read the Book of Mormon. Then we had english course.

Thursday we did planning. Then we went to go see the Duran family. But they forgot about the appointment and weren't there. SO we went to see Graziella. We had a really great lesson on scripture study. It was really cool because when we walked in she was reading the gospel principles manual. I love that she actually cares and want to know more. Then we had a bus FIASCO as we tried to get all the way across town to correlation. But hey, it was worth it. Our ward mission leader, Fratello Rigby, is American and works at the embassy. He is SUPER helpful and very engaged in our work. And he brings us American treats, like Goldfish.

Friday morning we went to go see Louisella. It was AMAZING. She is a fantastically beautiful and kind woman. I think she's in her sixties. And she was SO happy to meet Sorella Defranchi. SO happy. It was a beautiful morning. We got to share the family proclamation with her. And she shared with us a sincere desire to learn more about our church. She said that when Sorella Defranchi's grandparents joined the church she saw a huge difference in their marriage. I am so EXCITED to get to know her better. And I am so, SO happy for Sorella Defranchi. God really puts us exactly where we need to be. In the afternoon we went to see Sorella Spinelli. She is super kind and I really enjoyed getting to know her. Then we did another split and Sorella Defranchi and I taught Michela, a student from English course. She's been reading the Book of Mormon on her own. But she has had such a hard time understanding it. We were able to explain the story a bit and she is excited to keep reading. Then came English course. It was fun as always. I really like our students here. Then I had a really amazing experience. We were just standing around talking to students after and I saw this lady in the hallway. I felt that I should go talk to her. So I did. She had travelled THREE hours to get to the church and just wanted to ask about English course, but I had the prompting that I should talk to her about the gospel. I didn't. And she walked away. But then about ten minutes later she peaked her head around the corner. And this time I talked to her. I ended up teaching the Restoration and she asked for a Book of Mormon. Her name is Anita. Unfortunately she lives in another ward, but at least I will be able to put her in contact with the missionaries there. And I am so grateful that Heavenly Father gave me a second chance.

Saturday morning we got transfer calls. One the sisters we live with is going down to Bari Poggiofranco and I am so excited for her. And well Sorella Defranchi and I will be staying together in Roma 6. And so is Sorella Vasilachi. But she will be opening a new companionship and training. So we will have six sisters in one apartment. AHHHH! But they are going to try to find a new one for four of us. Then we went to stop by a couple of people. And one of them was Marco. He is 29 and super cool. The kind of person that you would think wouldn't give us the time of day, but he did. And we taught him the Restoration. And he loved it. And in his prayer at the end he thanked God for our message that had open the window to new spiritual horizons. Way cool. In the evening we went to see Graziella again and the visited the Perticaroli family. We shared the message that we've been sharing with all of the members and it went really well. Then we helped them make music folders for the ward choir as we listened to Christmas music. Christmas is here!!

Church went really well on Sunday. The Waddoups came to our ward and it was really great to see them. Gabriella came too. I love how much she is putting into learning about the gospel. After church we had ward choir and then had a lesson with Kathlene. In the evening we were supposed to have a lesson with Gabriella. But she never showed up, and we waited forever. But it's ok.

Today we are going ice skating with the GANS for pday. Should be fun! 

Well I guess this is the start of my last transfer. And here's to making it the LONGEST and best one yet!

The gospel is true, I promise.

Vi voglio bene!

Sorella Katie Francom

1) Me with St. Pete's 

2) The three of us with pizza.

Reunions, Verdini, and One Death Testimony 12-16-14

Cara Famiglia,

Sorry that I am writing a day late!!! Yesterday was zone conference. More on that later....

Well last Monday we had a super fun pday and went ice skating with the GANS. Our new investigator Chiara came too! It was super fun to just hang out with everyone AND I didn't even fall once!! Yes! Monday night we had a lesson with Gabriella. We were able to clarify her desires about getting baptized and teach her the ten commandments. After we had FHE with all of the GANS. Chiara came to that too and it was a blast. I really like the young people here in Rome. They come from all over the world, but they're all such great friends!

Tuesday morning we had DDM. It was of the odder DDMs that I have been to. The greenies from Italy arrived and sat in with us, President Waddoups walked in, and the housing director for the mission gave us a little lecture, AND everyone who was being transfered had to say their goodbyes. But hey, it was nice. After lunch we went to go see Dora. She is a referral from her mom who is a member in another ward. She is 19, but she already has her own apartment, goes to college, and is very independent. That's not really normal in Italy. But she is SO cool. And she really wants to know more. We were able to focus in on the Libro di Mormon and she was super excited to read it and learn more. It's cool because she is half south american and studies anthropology so she was excited in that way, but also in a spiritual sense. After that we booked it the church for antoher lesson with Gabriella. Then we went to Graziella's house and accompanied her to the church for a special course that our ward is doing. Busy day.

Wednesday we got to do exchanges with the Italian verdine (greenies) as they waited for the American ones to arrive. I went to the Villa (the mission home) for the first time since my first day. It was WEIRD! But cool. So I was on a scambio with Sorella Rossi. She is from Genova. And speaks some of the fastest Italian that I have ever heard. And she was awesome. We had a good morning of finding and met some really cool people. One of whom ran by with an afro and said "I'm George Bush." 'Twas odd. I took her for lunch, did a little more finding and then headed back to the villa. That even we taught English course. It went SUPER well. One of our students volunteered to say the prayer and then came up to us and told us that she would be coming to church on Sunday. Exciting, right?

Thursday morning we did weekly planning. Woot! It was kind of odd because now that we are in 4 sisters we only have half of the work, but I am excited to build it back up. Here's to doing lots of finding! That even we did some finding on the metro. Then we had a lesson with Chiara. She is from China, but she was born and raised in Italy. She's almost 21 and probably one of the coolest people that I have met on my mission. We kind of just spent time getting to know her over a pizza and the talked about the Book of Mormon. She is amazing! I just feel the Spirit so strongly when she is around.

Well Friday morning there was sciopero.................................................... STRIKE. So the buses weren't running regularly and the metro was totally shut down. Yep. Think about that in a GINORMOUS city. But hey, I experience claustrophobia for the first time in my life. We were on a bus that was so packed that the only reason I could stay standing as we drove was all of the other bodies pushing me around. Yep. So we didn't ended up getting to where were supposed to so we did finding. But I did have a really cool experience. As we were walking home I felt that I should stop this random lady.  So I started talking about English course. And she started making odd comments that made it seem like she knew the missionaries. Like "you guys are used to walking." And well eventually I asked if she knews us. And well, she was a member. And she's been inactive for 13 years. But I think I convinced her to come to the Christmas party. In the afternoon we attempted to go to a relief society activity, but they weren't there. Then we had a lesson with Chiara. We brought Jomar, a recent convert and talked about the gospel. It went really well. I was especially touched by Jomar's story. We then challenged Chiara to be baptized on January 10th. She was so scared that she was trembling, but she accepted. We talked about how this is somethig we will work towards together, but that the choice will always be hers. I love that she takes it so seriously and that she really gets it. Then we ended the night with English course. This time we taught the class with the bambini. It was really fun. And we taught the song about the wheels on the bus.

Saturday morning we went to the Villa Borghese to meet with a contact that Sorella Defranchi met when she was doing finding with a verdina. He works renting bikes there. It was cool to get to walk through the park to see him because it was a gloriously sunny and warm day and it did me well to be in nature. But seeing him was rather sad. He was talmente triste that he couldn't even speak. I mean he literally said almost nothing. It was so SO sad. I don't know what happened to make him that way, but I hope that he will let us help. In the afternoon we tried to go see Luisella, but we got so lost that by the time we figured out where she was she had alreay left. So we went home and went through the area book. Because we are both new to the area and have started a new companionship we are working on calling all of the old investigators and there are actually quite a few that want to see us. It's cool.

Sunday morning was church as usual. It was good, but not unusual. Then we had choir practice. Then we had a lesson wth Kathlene. She is just adorable. We talked about families and invited her to bring her family to the activity. I think she is opening up to the idea. I am hoping that we can teach them! By the time we got home it was three so we shoved lunch down our throats and ran out the door. We actually went to see Luisella this time. And we were able to explain to her and a friend where the Book of Mormon comes from. She was really curious so we will see how this goes. Then we headed to church to watch the Christmas devotional, but no one who knew how to work the technology showed up.

Yesterday. Oh man. Well it was my last zone conference. Duh duh duh. It was sad, guys. However, one really cool thing is that a LOT of my friends have been transfered up to Rome so we were all able to see each other. For example, I saw Sorella Henson. We just ran to each other. I've missed that girl. And well I gave my departing testimony. It was weird because I still have so much time left. But I think it would have been weird anyways. Gosh. The mission has flown. But it was really neat to be able to share some of my experiences and to realize how much the Lord really has blessed me in this last year and a half. After I had an interview with president. It was just really nice to talk to him. He's a good man. Then I went to FHE with Sorella Vasilachi and a less active. 

Today we are going to the Modern Art Museum and then doing a little bit of Christmas shopping. Woot woot.

The gospel is true, I promise.

Vi voglio bene!

Sorella Katie Francom

Roman Holiday. 12-23-14

Cara Famiglia,

Well it's been an interesting week. Christmas is the best and the worst on the mission. The worst because it is hard to see people and teach. The best because you're already feeling the Spirit so much and then you add Christmas on top and it is just WONDERFUL. Really it was a really beautiful week and a Christmas that I will always remember.

Last week for pday we had a picnic in the Villa Borghese and then went to ride bikes. It was SUPER fun. A lot of the GANS and our investigator Chiara came. And when I say we rented bikes I mean we rented those four man ones that are like little cars. It was AWESOME! (even if Sorella Defranchi's driving scares me a bit haha) It was just nice to be out in nature and be with friends. After pday we got a huge group of GANS and missionaries together and caroled in Piazza del Popolo. It went really well. We were able to talk to a lot of people! I talked to the most adorable lady from Northern Italy, Irene. She was so happy to see us! She thought that what we were doing was so beautiful and she was so excited to go home and watch "He is the Gift." At the end she was so happy that she even asked me if she could give me the two kisses (people don't normally do that with strangers). It was a really neat, happy, Christmasy experience. We were also able to give Chiara her Christmas present! A study journal for when she reads the scriptures. She LOVED it!

The next morning we had DDM. It was very Christmas oriented. And for whatever reason there was a particularly strong spirit. We were all able to get blessings and it was just a really uplifting experience. Then we went home for lunch and language study. After I went with Sorella Vickers to pick up a member to do some casa in casa with them. After Sorella Defranchi and I went to do some finding in the bus. I met a really cool girl named Giusy. She happily told me about all of the happenings in Rome for Christmas. Such as a series of nativities made out of trash. Apparently they are so beautiful that even the pope went to see them. Who knew? And in the end she was super curious about the church. Awesome.

On Wednesday morning (Christmas Eve) the senior couples hosted a Christmas breakfast. It was really nice and there was a cute little Christmas program with very interesting renditions of the Christmas classics. Afterwards it was my turn to stay with Sorella Reber (the one with the broken foot). We sat in the mission office and made snowflakes. It was fun and it was nice to talk with her. Despite all of this trial she has a very uplifting and positive spirit. Then came our Christmas eve night. We roamed around Rome. We saw the colosseo with a Christmas tree. We saw the pantheon. We saw a ton. We even ran into an investigator. Oh, and there was a Christmas string quartet all dressed in santa suits. It was REALLY fun and natalizio (adjective for Christmas). We ended the evening out with dinner at a cute little restaurant. Then we came home, made cinnamon roll dough, and read Luke 2 around the tree. 

CHRISTMAS! We got to sleep an extra hour (we are really spoiled here...). Then we woke up and opened presents. I loved the package from home (which Sorella Defranchi had secretly delivered to our house)! And then we headed upstairs. We are SUPER lucky. We have the senior sisters as neighbors and they invited our whole district over for breakfast. We all brought Christmas foods that are special in our family. Then we had a "secret" santa exchange. It wasn't so secret. I gave some really awesome dinosaur slippers and received a cackling Befana (the Italian Christmas witch). Then we played werewolf for a few hours. And the we went home and just relaxed. After we went to skype. And it was really wonderful. It's so nice to see my family. Then we played games in the church. 'Twas a good Christmas.

Friday. The day after Christmas is a holiday here in Italy, San Stefano. So we got to watch our two movies. Frozen and Emperor's New Groove. It was my first time for Frozen (obviously). I have to say that it is great, but Tangled is still better. Then we headed into the city again. We went to La Basilica di San Pietro. It was packed, but so beautiful all decorated for Christmas. Then we went to dinner with the Duran family. They are really wonderful. WE had a fun dinner and afterwards an amazing lesson. We talked about Christmas and it was so cool to hear everyone bear testimony.

Saturday morning we were supposed to see Marina, but when we got to the church she cancelled. Then we had a lesson with Antonella (a ward missionary). We are focusing on helping ehr learn to study and use Preach My Gospel. We had a great lesson on Chapter 5 about the Book of Mormon. Antonella has a very strong testimony and it was beautiful to hear ho wimportant the Book of Mormon is to her. Then we headed home for lunch. After lunch we headed to visit Kathlene, the new convert that we work with. We got to teach her at her house for the first time. She totally opened up to us. And right when we were about to start the lesson her mom walked in, then her sister. So we were able to teach all of them. We watched "He is the Gift" and then talked about Christ and how He is central to our purpose as missionaries. They ALL participated and the Spirit was SOOOOOOOOO strong. At the end their friend Rosa walked in. Turns out that she is an investigator from many years ago and she was so excited to see us. It was awesome! And they want us to come over again next week. YES! On the way home we met the sweetest girls, Giorgia and Seline. They are about 16 and the type that would usually totally ignore us. But we invited them to English course and just got talking. We talked all about the mission and what we do and why and they were super touched. They even sent us a text message saying how special it was! I am so excited to start working with them!

Sunday we had church. There we SOOOOOOO many people there and a TON of Americans. It was odd, but awesome. All of the talks were great. After we headed home for lunch and then did weekly planning. Exciting stuff!

I am super excited for this week. I am excited to get back to work and have the feste be over. Although we still have New Years... I just feel excitement in the air and am ready to just kill it these next few weeks.

The gospel is true, I promise.

Vi voglio bene!

Sorella Katie Francom

Sardegna, Week 4

Cara Famiglia,

Sounds like it has been a great week in the family! Matthew, congratulations on the baptism. It sounds beautiful. I hope it will make a difference in her family. Noah, WOWZAS! You're going to state! Congratulations. You're going to rock it! Mom, it sounds like work is going super well. I am glad that you're having fun and enjoying it. Grandma, I am SUPER happy that we will be going back to Mt. Rainier for Christmas. Thanks for keeping me involved in all of that. Dad, I wish you could have been there too. I think Sorella Caramia will probably post videos on facebook sometime this week so you'll just have to accept her friend request to see our acts.

Question time...

Ok about cakes... I have no idea why we always make cakes. We just always want to do something to show our love for people and the only gifts that we can really give are food. And well cakes are easy... But I think I would be okay without eating one for a LONG time. I would also just like to say that I have gotten a lot better about eating here in Cagliari. I am finally starting to lose my Sicily weight haha.

On killing a companion... It's a really odd thing to do. Each time it's been a little bit different. But it is always hard to watch it end. To know what their going through and tell them it will all be okay. Out here the mission feels like the only life you've ever known so it's scary to go back into what seems unknown. It's like the Plan of Salvation. We can hardly remember the premortal life, we're working our hardest in the earth life (mission), and unsure but hopeful for the next life which we're told and we believe will be infinitely better. On a serious note, I have loved serving with such experienced missionaries, especially Sorella Caramia. I have learned so much and seen who I want to be at the end of the mission. It has really motivated me to change and improve.

On customs differences... One big thing is that the wards here are a lot tighter knit. Every one knows everything about everyone because church is their social and spiritual refuge. The have dinners together. The primary kids often call their teachers by their first names because they were have raised by them. Uhhh... what else? Dating is different. You do not go on casual dates. Someone who only goes on one date with someone and then on another with some one else does not have a good reputation. They also do NOT get married early. When they do they say are doing things the "American" way. Oh culture differences...

Well it has been one heck of a crazy, busy, whirlwind week. Wait.... I say that every week. But I like it this week.

The week started with Zone Conference. I LOVE zone conference! It always come at the right time to give me the spiritual boost that I need. The leadership of our mission is so inspired. This conference was all about personal revelation. It really helped answer some questions I have had about the work. One funny moment of zone conference: We were playing this game where I was blind folded and had to follow a voice. Well I followed the wrong voice. It was the voice of the AP, ok. You're supposed to follow your leaders. Well The other sister in my group grabbed my arm and began pulling me rather forcefully away from the voice. Sorella Waddoups says that has never happened before haha.

On Wednesday we had a crazy full day. In the morning we had an English lesson with Giusy and Alessandra (the women from last week). Alessandra brought her husband too so that was really cool. We started to teach them the Restoration. I am excited to finish it next time. After that we had a pranzo with the Gordillo family and several of the GANS (young single adults) from the ward. Then we ran to a lesson with the Secci family. We taught them the restoration. The have been members for a long time, but despite all of this time the Spirit still touched them and they learned something new. It is cool to see that no matter how many times we here a message of truth it still touches us. We ended the night with the Leone family. We taught about the gospel and that gave Francesca a pep talk to prepare her for her first talk in church.

Well Thursday I was sick so that day was not particularly exciting. However, it brought news that all of the water in Cagliari is contaminated and will not be drinkable for another few weeks. Didn't think that sort of thing happened her! Luckily bottled water is readily available.

Friday and Saturday commenced our long weekend of goodbye appointments for Sorella Caramia. We went a little bit of everywhere. It's been so touching to watch how much every cares about her and to witness the difference she has made here. She is truly special.

On Saturday we also had a lesson with Simonetta. We were able to bring a member that she loves and she opened a lot more than normal. We talked about prayer again and how it really will give here more peace. This time she was so much more open. The Spirit was so strong. At the end we watched the Restoration video and talked about how our prayers ARE answered.

Well we also got transfer calls on Saturday. And......... I am staying! Big surprise, right? I will be getting Sorella Hensen. She has been serving in Pozzuoli (by Napoli). She is my age in the mission. For the first time I will not be with someone older than me. Should be intresting! I am kind of nervous about having to know everything, but luckily we have a lot of help from the Sprit.

Sunday brought the beginning of the end. We spent the day teaching last lessons, eating, and saying goodbyes. The it was Sorella Francom. In the study. With a spoon. Sorella Caramia is dead. We took her to the airport this morning. The Italy Rome Mission has lost one amazing sister.

I am excited to tackle this new transfer and all of the challenges and miracles that await.

The gospel is true, I promise.

Vi voglio bene!!

Sorella Katie Francom

P.S. The photo is at the scene of the crime.