#makerealconnections

I title these in Italian, you can look up google translate to help you know what it says. That's how I know what to write! Thank goodness for google translate. I have Italian lessons at least once or twice a week. I am really enjoying it. It's fun learning a new language, especially when I am immersed in it. Much easier to have the energy and drive to learn. It's not easy, it feels like school again a bit, but it's a good feel. My tests aren't graded either, ;) But she does give us homework! Every day I see God's love being shown to me. Everyday! Whether it's through another person, nature (wind, sunrise, sunset), an animal, a message, a smile, a hug. EVERYDAY! The other day I was overwhelmed and feeling sad. I had just gotten off of the phone with my sister and a little black dog ran up to me and climbed on my lap and just sat with me while I pet it. It is exactly something that Buckwheat would do. It was not a coincidence. I cried with gratitude after th...

One thing I love about travel and being away from my norm, is that I feel like I fully live everyday. It has already been two weeks, but I have lived everyday within those two weeks. I already feel like I've been here so long and know so many people because it is such a community. Working 5 days a week, then going to Sunday services with the same people. It's so easy to love and feel the family connection so quickly. This week has been wonderful. Our first Italian lessons were this week. I have down the ABC's! Almost 1-10. I keep forgetting how to pronounce 10. Vowels are mixed here, so you pronounce e as (a), i as (ee), u as (oo), e' as (e as in example). So it's a brain focus when trying to read or pronounce words. My brain feels like it's in school again- it kinda is I suppose. This is Sister Zilli, she teaches our Italian lessons. Her and Christina I'm a big big fan of these! It's okay if people give me them for my birthday ;)  I wil...

I'm real excited for the second coming and for us all to live the Law of Consecration and give and help each other. It's so wonderful to be immersed in the Lords work every day! I know that we are here to have a human experience, but man it's wonderful to be reminded of our true purpose and the larger plan. It's been a neat week so far. Each day gets better and better. I think a large thing that has helped (besides working 5 days a week in the temple) is that I have stayed in touch with my support system. I marco polo friends, message family, talk to my mom on Whatsapp, and share struggles and not try to do it on my own. On Monday, we went to Gran Sasso. It's a national park about 2.5 hours from Rome. They filmed some movies there, like Lady Hawk. Me and Christina, Christina is working in the temple for a year! This is her mission. She is an Italian native and speaks English very well. We are currently planning a rafting trip. She's great.  Best chips! ...

I've been debating what to put on my blog and what to just journal. I'll keep learning as I go, but I just have to start off by saying, my words cannot describe. The peace that I felt the first day in this temple was breathtaking and even overwhelming. Heavenly Father loves us so much! We have no idea how much. Meetings and trainings are in Italian, so I pick up on words here and there, but I mainly go off of feel for now. I don't think I give that sense as much credit and time because sometimes the sight and hearing take over. But wow! I've worked in the temple Tuesday-Saturday this week. I did 5-6 hour shifts each day. First Day at the temple My second day here My trainer at the temple -Chris from Spain Chris is a special women. She has a light about her that beams love and goodness. She is genuine and has great boundaries. This week was really hard and really good. I can guess that it's similar to going out on a mission. New place, new com...

Okay, I've tried to post, but been busy. I made it to Rome! We arrived Monday morning after a wild adventure getting here! I'm really grateful that I told myself to hope the best and expect the worst because things never go smoothly, especially with travel. We are pretty spoiled in America with all of our instant gratifications and wants.   On my way to the SLC airport, I got a text that said our flight from LA to Rome had been cancelled due to technical difficulties. I was with mom and talked through it with her. We decided that I go to LA then figure out the next step in getting to Rome. This weekend has been anything but smooth logistically. Instead of a direct flight to Rome; we flew to London, had a 6 hr layover. Then we flew to Copenhagen, had another 6 hr layover overnight. They airlines told us to talk to someone and get a voucher for a hotel in Copenhagen; after looking for someone at 1pm, them saying they don't know what we're talking about, and us not want...