Sorella Kayla Wilcox
Via G.B. Amici 28
41100 Modena Italia
So, I've been transferred. I really feel like its a natural whirlwind if that makes any sense. I know I'm supposed to be here, but I feel like I just dreamed up Pordenone! Modena is very charming. It's bigger than Pordenone, but we are still on bikes. I think we look hilarious because we have our hoods on and then our helmets on top of the hoods to keep warm! How ridiculous, right? But if it's what the Lord wants, so be it. Plus, Sorella Stevens is a riot and we are best friends right off. It's a big relief because we weren't close like this in Milano, but I adore her now. It just goes to show how your companion is inspired when you are to be with them.
Our apartment is very Italian. It is such a relief to finally have a sister apartment again after all those Anziani apartments! It doesn't smell like a locker room, there are a TON of curling irons and other fun girl products and plus it is so much cleaner. I like it. Although, the mattresses I have aren't very fun. Oh well, I guess I cant have it all, eh?!
About New Years, well we had a rocking good time here in Modena! We partied to the missionary limit! woot woot! We ordered Chinese food from a semi-sketchy Chinese restaurant (ended up getting numbers from 2 people as potential investigators!) and then ate that, did a toast with grape juice and then did a tradition that Sorella Steven's family does every year. They write down 7 or 8 things they wish to forget that happened during the year, things they did or otherwise, then they burn them. After that, they do their New Year Resolutions. Fun eh?! We did that and it was good. Although, I did my resolutions after wards. Next year we should do it. That and really party. This is the second year in a row that I have had to be inside at 8 pm. Uncool. But, in Europe, it is much better that way.
My companion, Sorella Stevens is the "casa queen"! Meaning she has mastered, at least according to me, the art of knocking doors and getting in to teach lessons. We have gotten in more times and taught lessons than in any other transfer in my mission! We have 6 new investigators since I have gotten here! Plus one more last night! One of the stories is really cool.
My second night here, we were riding our bikes a long ways away from home for an appointment with a potential, who gave us a wrong address, lot's of fun. We got a flat tire. Even more fun. So the next morning, we met the Anziani at Esselunga (grocery store) to have them help us. We bought a few things, then walked to a mall to buy a new tube. Turns out, we had to buy a whole new tire because the threads were showing. So, we bought it, they fixed it (love them!) and then off we went. Later that night, we were off to go knock some doors and I was thinking/praying for us to find a family, a family of 3. I prayed so much and thought it over and over and knew it was possible. As we got to where we were going, we rang nearly every bell and nothing. Then it was the last door and Monica answered. She is divorced, mother of 2 and saw us earlier at Esselunga! She let us in, we had a beautiful lesson and she agreed to have us over again. We are bringing a member to her lesson tomorrow! This member has 2 sons on missions right now. Perfect! It was so exciting and I knew that my specific prayer got a specific answer!
Isn't Sorella Stevens so cute? I swear we laugh so much!Her on the bikes. What a super star. Don't worry, even with the helmets we are still getting "ciao bella" multiple times a day.
Well, here in Modena, everything is going really well. We have been finding so many potential baptisms and are just rolling in the blessings from the Lord! Plus, we have had one strange adventure after the other. This week has been mad. Truely pazzesco. But, hey, we don’t watch tv, so we need a little drama!
Our maind drama has been our bikes. Sorella Steven’s bike got a flat tire after having put a whole new tire on the rim. Then, after we herorically fixed up a different bike (there are three in our garage) by putting on a new pedal, lifting and adjusting the seat and getting everything ready to go (we felt so proud) we rode for about 30 seconds and the tire which was just fine went flat. So, there we were thinking, ok, what is the Lord trying to tell us? We decided to break down and go to a repair shop. Luckily we did and found the South American chain! In our district we joke about racial chains and if we latch on to one, we can convert a people. We already are on the African chain, have a slight grasp on the young Italian family chain and now we found the South American chain from Bolivia! All we need now is the Eastern Europe chain and the Philipino chain. Different countries cling to one another in foreign lands and we can use it to a serious advantage. Anyway, so the Lord had something in mind for us when He kept breaking our bikes! I’ve come to develop a very strong testimony that there are no coincidences. The world really isn’t that complicated. The Gospel really puts all into perspective. I mean, seriously, we are here to have faith, repent, be baptised, recieve the gift of the Holy Ghost, Endure to the end and live worthy to recieve and maintain our temple convenants. Then we help others. That’s it! Everything else is just apendages to it.
I read a great talk this morning by Elder Corbridge from the November 2008 conference and he says this, "The Lord's way is not hard. Life is hard, not the gospel." Isn't it so true?!
Plus, I have a great quote I put on my study journal: "When I know who I am, I can do ANYTHING He asks me to do." Elder Dickson.
He was the priesthood advisor for the General Young Women's Presidency when Susan B. Tanner was president. But, I'm pretty sure you already knew that, but it was news for me! I am a quote freak! I love good inspiring quotes and we have so many all around our house! It makes me stand a little taller and want to be a little better.
I love hearing how you go to the temple together so often! It makes me so happy. I just love you both. There are ten things that President Hinckley said that every missionary should come home with and one of those things is a renewed respect, gratitude and love for parents. I know that is true. I love both so much! I loved you before, don't get me wrong, but there is something about being here and seeing how vital it is to have both parents in the church continuously teaching and loving their children and desiring their success and striving for an eternal family that just puts everything into a greater perspective. I'm so grateful for you! Thank you for putting our names into the temple. I honestly can't wait to get back to the temple! AH! I miss it so much! I crave the serenity, tranquility and love that is found there. We need it so much.
Well, I love you so much and pray for you always. This church is the true church of God and the only one that holds the keys of salvation. I'm sending a huge hug and a baccio from Modena! Ti voglio un MARE di bene!
Sorella Kayla Wilcox
3 comments:
Moved again? Wow, can't keep up with this woman! She sounds great and happy as usual!
She sounds so happy. I know I've said it before, but I'm saying it again. Reading her letters makes me want to go serve a mission.... RIGHT NOW. Want to take my two girls for 18 months? :)
Awesome letter. Glad to hear about the "ciao bella" comments. Nothing better than good old fashioned Italian charm, eh? :-)
Go Kayla!
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