When In Rome....

BUONA PASQUA,                                                                                 Tuesday, April 07, 2015

In Italy, Easter is like a huggeeeee thing.  Everyone and their dog went to church.  I’m serious, I think the stray cats and stray dogs had a mass of their own.  It was really cool to see everyone go to church though! Everything was closed, and everyone thought about Christ.  I kind of felt the Spirit in the air.  Maybe it’s just because I’m a sister missionary hahaha. But it was great.  We loved being able to enjoy Easter and watch conference ALL DAY…best Easter present ever. 

Here are some highlights from the week if you guys wanna hear ‘em.  Let’s be honest, you all have just been WAITING all day for this email, actually an EXTRA day because p-day is on Tuesday this week.

-I’ve been forgetting to tell you guys about this, but Italians use a lot of American words, especially with American foods, which is great, but the problem is when we say it in our American accents, they don’t understand it!  We ordered a cupcake the other day and one of the flavors was "cookie."  The lady asked, "What kind do you want?" and we were like, "cookie" and she was like, "COSA?!?!" and we were like, "cookie." That lady didn’t understand us until I finally broke and said “cookie” with a super Italian accent.  Then she was like, "ohhhhh cooookie" and we were like, "YOU JUST SAID IT EXACTLY THE SAME WAY WE WERE SAYING IT!" haha so funny.

 -There are African people here everywhere and they are awesome.  This week we saw some and they were like, "How’s the good work of God Sorelle?!"  hahaha  They are stellar.

-I’ve been eating wayyy too much food this week.  It’s like Christmas here on Easter!!!!!! It’s so yummy.  A less active we visit gave us a toooon of food.  So yummy.  She’s like my Italian grandmother.

-I had a dream this week that Gordon B Hinckley came to visit me, and I was in prison.  The funny part was the first thing he said when he saw me was, "Where are your tights?!?!" (The members here freak out when I don’t wear tights if it’s not like blazing hot outside.)

-This week I saw a cute old man carrying flowers for his wife for Easter.  Italian old men are the cutest.

-We had a ward party this week that the missionaries planned.  The moms brought treats and then the kids were the judges.  The sorelle got third place!  whoop whooppppp.  We rock.  The party turned out good.

-Sister Mazzarella got sick this week, so sad!  So with my extra time, I wrote a letter to the fam!  whoo hoo. You guys are getting a package so be excited.  Mom and Dad, there is something special for you in there.

-CONFERENCE WAS SO GOOD. I know I am a missionary and have to say that, but for serious you guys, it was so good.  I loved loved loved it.  Like I could talk about it for six years, but I’m not going to. Just know that EVERYONE needs to watch and rewatch it. K? OK thanks.  I can’t believe how much they talked about the family.  We gotta all be ready to defend it.  (ahhh that means I have to HAVE a family, which really freaks me out bleeeh.. good thing I still have LOADS of time on the mission.)

-Valentina and Elisabetta are doing well!  Valentina came to conference!  She liked it.  Her parents are interested actually, too.  We really want to teach the whole family.  AH THAT WOULD BE SUCH A DREAM. speriamo bene.

Sorry this email is kind of short slash lame haha but so much happened and I just can’t write it all.  Next week, hopefully, will be better, but are you all ready for the MIRACLE?

Remember Marinella Lampis?  She was the lady that we ran into her husband at the door and he let us into the apartment.  She hasn’t been to church in almost a decade. Well...we showed up to a ward activity thing on Wednesday.  It was a surprise party for a lady in the ward.  We just felt like we should stop in to say hi and then go do some more missionary work.  As we walked in the church, who did we see....MARINELLA.  Yes everyone, she was in the church for the first time in 10 years!  Without us knowing, a member had invited her to the activity, and SHE CAME!  That is what I call a miracle and members that are awesome.  My heart did a million jumps in the air and I wanted to run into the next room and do a huge and embarrassing victory dance.  I restrained myself, but not easily.  Yay for miracles and for the work of the Lord.

THERE IS NOTHING BETTER.

Time is going too fast.

I love you all and miss you! I hope that life is well for all of you.  Have a fantastic week.

Much love,

Sorella Brunson