Christmas Day Skype call!!!

I can not express how happy we were to speak with Alison on Skype and to know she is doing well. It was awesome to see her face!!! She looks great and happy and healthy.  We are so happy for her and so relieved to know that she is doing great.  I try not to worry but that is almost impossible.  As a parent you worry about your kids and we are always praying for them.

E-mail from December 26, 2012

Hello, 

Haha I know I just talked with you guys last night but I did not have the change to tell you about our investigators and what happened this week or the corse I took last Friday. So let me begin with the Course, the 5 hour long course. So my companion could not come in with me, so she went and taught lessons with another member so that she would not be sitting by herself. Anyway the course. The people were monotone. I felt like I was going to sleep from the begining, but I had to keep myself awake. I was in the course with a bunch of Africans. The people who producted the film spoke about the articles of the government, why they have the government they do, facism and I thought are the africans understanding. Okay I know that it sounds bad, but in truth they do not speak english very well and they do not know alot of english words, so they really would not know what was happening. Well the course ended 40 minutes earlier than it should have and everyone was leaving, so we had to get permission for the Anziani Burger (one of the senior missionaries) to pick me up. So I had to wait in the dark by myself for like 10 minutes. It was a little strange to be by myself, since I am always with someone. But then he picked me up and we went to the lesson that my companion was at with his wife Grazie (I was at their apartment yesterday for christmas). Oh we had brown sugar roasted ham, yams, pastries, apple pie, potatoes, veges, fruit, this italian dessert thing with bread and other stuff. It was like a italian American Christmas dinner. But good. So we have a few progressing investigators. But I do not have time to explain them I will write you it. I love you all ciao. 

Love 

Ali. 

email from December 18, 2012

Hey Family, 

So I am writing on a different day because since tomorrow is the Christmas conference we do not have pday on the same day this week. But next week we will have it on Wednesday. So this week has been a bite crazy. Things have been falling through like crazy. We had a lesson with a lady named Vania who came to church last sunday, last saturday and we were a little nervous to teach her because her scada says a few things about her and the past missionaries thought that she has a devil. But she really wanted us to come over and teach her so we did. But the scada was wrong. She is a very kind person and she pretty much gives everything she has for the poor in this country and she was very sweet. She just does not want to change her religion. We taught Elizabetta again and I just love her, she is reading and commited herself to come to church in a week and a half. YEAH!! I was happy, we just had to listen to her and understand her point of view in order to be able to help her. We finally got to see Praise last saturday, but the day before we were not sure if we were going to see her. You see on friday her parents got into a car accident in Zevio, because it was snowing like crazy. That was such a cold day. My boots got soaked and the water started to leak through the boots and soaked my soaks. Haha Sorella oakes and I both thought that we might be getting frpst bite, but we did not. But anyway we were trying to get a hold of them on saturday to make sure this time that we get to see them and they never responded. So we just hoped that when we get out there that they would be there. I think I was saying like fifty mini prayers as we were taking the bus over to Zevio. And they were there when we got there and we taught Praise with her mother Charity. We taught her the Gospels and with her mom s help she understood it. Gloris and Peter we are not able to see. They are just so busy and do not have time to see us. It is said because they were just so amazing when we saw them. 

 Well I want to share a experience that Sorella Oakes and I had last night with you. We were doing casa on this street and we finished the casa. And Sorella Oakes was like I just want to continue doing casa and casa because after my mission I know that I am going to miss it. So we continue walking down this street. And as we turn to go down on this street, I was just getting this awful feeling. And I knew that we should not go down this street. But Sorella Oakes continued walking and in my head I knew I could not leave her by herself on this road so I walked with. We past by this warehouse and I knew with every part of me we should not be anywhere near here. But I felt that I should not yell, because it was not a good area. Sorella oakes whispers to me lets get out of here now. And I was very glad that she did because I was about to tell her the same thing. So I just start sprinting. And we both just sprint with each other to our bikes and we get our bikes and ride our bikes as fast as we can away. That I tell Sorella oakes that I know I do not want to mention any movies but and then I tell her what movie it reminded me of. And she says that she felt that it was the exact same thing. I do not want to tell you what it was because it freaks me out even thinking about it. But I am just glad that the I am living my life worthy enough to have the promptings of the holy spirit.

Gosh, I am glad that no one was home but geez!! I think that your guys neighborhood needs to get a fence!! I am sorry mom, but at least you guys are save. I really do not like the people in this world sometimes and to think that this world is only going to get worse. 

Fredrico sent us a text saying that our church did not answer all of his questions so he did not want to continue to learn. I actually have no idea what midnight mass will be like. I will tell you next wednesday, since it is tuesday christmas and then I will know. I am glad that she was happy to recieve my letter. How is she doing? Last time she told me she was having chemotheropy. I am proud of Conner for winning the spelling be. He is such a bright boy. 

In our ward there are 200 people, but only 65 or 80 come. Italians mom, they are strange. haha, sometimes it is funny because the members at least some like to come in jeans and in a regular shirt. But they are friendly. Well I will tell you more about them in the letter. Oh sorry I forgot to get a letter out, but I found a amazing place to print of pictures and you will have a few of the city mom. So I thought you would like that. Love you and all and I do worry even when you tell me not to.

Love

ALi

Oh I forgot to tell you that we will probably be skyping at 6 o clock my time. My companion just told me that and she said that she does not know if we will be allowed to skype. It will just be a call then, but be prepared for both. The mission president has to tell us if we can tomorrow so we will see. 

E-mail from December 12, 2012

Dear Family, 
Haha I can answer all your questions. Looks like lego land was fun. I like the lego christmas tree. I hope Parker wins, what would he get if he wins? Oh I have no idea what that is that he built, I have never heard of it. 

Gloria and her husband we were no able to see this Saturday they were in Milano. But they are still reading in the book of mormon. We got a few new investigator this week. We got a 19 year Italian (Yes finally a real italian). His name is fredrico and we taught him the the entire restoration on saturday with a member. And he completely understood it. We can only see him Saturdays in the morning because he is studying at the University. So he does not have time except saturday, but we will see him this saturday and he said that he is going to go to church on Sunday. We repicked up this woman we dropped 2 months ago because she called us and asked us to teach her. And we took a member from Verona 2 with us Joyce (she is awesome) and she was completely different (Elizabetta the investigator) from the last time we saw her. She had a real interest to learn and a desire to read. She was reading by herself and showed us the chapter, even though she did not understand it. We are now teaching the son of a new convert Daniella. We taught him the first lesson yesterday.  Oh I need to tell you about this amazing miracle. Sorella oakes and I have been feeling that we need to give Gica a date. And one month ago she was angry at us for even bringing it up. So we fasted that she would have a open heart when we asked her on sunday. At the end of the day we were waiting at the Bus stop for the bus and the golleito family (the couple that takes us to the store, who thinks we are her children) came by in their car. The pull over and ask us where we are going we say to Borgo Roma area. They say hope in and they tell each other that we are going over to Gica's house. We did not tell which was funny. Anyway we find out in the car that Gica and Emma Golleito are really close, that she thinks of her as family, sort of like a mother figure. And we were like that was news to us. They decide to come along with us to the lesson. We meet Claudio at Gica's house (another new convert). Gica's was so surprised to see Sorella Golleito, but in the good way. The lesson went amazing we felt the spirit and when we asked her to be baptized she was not angry. She said she could only not accept a date yet. But after the lesson when sorella Golleito told her something, Gica said she feels that she is going to get baptized really soon. So at least now she is open to it! Now we are not teaching Esther anymore, she sort of fell of the planet. But she will be a baptism for someone in the future, who does the Area book. We had a interesting event happen to us on our way to Zevio this Saturday. We went to Porta Nuova and waited for the Bus, it never came. So we took the train to Caldiero, the Kerekes family drove us to Zevio (this was a miracle, because we had no idea how we were going to get there if the bus did not come). When we get to Zevio we are 40 minutes early. So we did a little bit of phone calls, Finding work. When we call the family that we were supposed to have a lesson with they tell us that they are not home and are 3 hours away. They tell us that we did not call them today to conferm. But we confermed it the other day and come every Saturday!! Anyway we got to the bus stop and have 40 more minutes until the bus comes. So we do casa a casa. Then we wait for the bus it never comes. Then we realize that Saturday was a holiday and the buses do not pass. You see Italian holidays are not celebrated so no one knows about them. We have to call a member to come get us and drive us home. We were just glad we made it home. 
   Well it snowed one day and now it is warmer and sunny. Verona does not snow really and winters are not bad here. It is nice. I bought nylons last Pday and they are amazing! I think I am going to be fine with everything that I have right now. There is no malls in Verona, it is like a bunch of little botiques. 
The pizza, I just think of it as something completely different than american pizza. People here use so much Olive Oil. I have never in my life seen human beings that could have so much. At least it is the healthy oil. 
  For Christmas we do not have a family we are eating with yet. But I bet someone will. People in our ward are always last minute with eating lunches. They will come up to you the day of and ask. We are going to midnight mass (the Catholic thing) and next week we have the Christmas meeting for our Zone with the president. I have seen the president twice each transfer. I hope I will be calling you in the afternoon my time, which will be in the morning maybe 9 or 10 your time. It will be a skype. I need you guys to set one up for me because I cannot remember mine. Thankyou!! Well I have to go if I thin kof anything else I will write you it. Oh tonight we go for Bergamo for a blitz. It should be fun. We come back tomorrow night. Okay well I love you all!!

Love, 

E-mail from December 5, 2012

Hey Family, 

I actually have no idea what this class is. It is just based on information from the government. I really hope it does not take me 6 hours. On the 21 of Novemeber our ward is having a ward christmas party so I hope that I will be able to go, but if the class goes to long I cannot. This are going alright. I think as the weather changes and since it is starting to get cold here it is harder to continue. But do not worry I do, I mean why is it when it gets cold it spirits can be a little down. I just try and go out. I think it is harder around the holidays. But I think I will be okay. Haha I love the picture of Conner infront of the Christmas tree he is so funny. I love the kid. I like how you guys are wearing shorts, kind of makes me a little jealous that it is that hot, there. The other day when we were outside, we were just so excited to get inside and have our toes defraust, haha. Well at least we know he will not be a fraid of roller coasters. I have not recieved his letter yet, but the office probably has. You see I normally do not get mail until after like 3 weeks or so. But I cannot wait to see it!! I bet he worked hard on it! Tell him I love him and Parker. Well I sent off a letter Monday, that has my letter from last week and the week before. Sorry I am so bad at sending them off. 
  I am excited to see what is in the box. Haha I bet it was a hassel I am sorrry. Mom I will love what ever you get me. Parker is just a social person what can you except. Haha. Wow that is amazing that they donated $1000 dollars worth. I bet that made it easier for you guys to do this project. It is always a blessing when other people help out and you guys are doing a good thing. 
  Do night worry I will try and take as many as I am can. Oh we are going to this dome thing on the top of the hill today, I bet it will have a great view. Trust I have, the bike is pink. And it is funny when it creeks. 
  Parker needs to tell me of his experiences he has with the missionaries and what he thinks of it. I am glad that he helps. It is sometimes hard to cordinate with members to get them to lessons and I know that it is a large help when there is a member present. Because the testimony of a member means a lot to a investigator and truly helps them to progress. 
I am able to call you guys on Christmas day. So it is still a little while, but I am so excited. That is amazing that there are a lot more. They said that we will start to see the effects in February. So I cannot wait, they call it the hastening of the work. And I get to be a part of it. 
  Remember me talking about Gloria last week, well she is just amazing. We only get to see her once a week, but it is so worth it. We taught he husband with her last saturday and we watched the Joseph smith film. We watched it i tagalic, because they were able to understand it better. But after the film she told us that she knows the film is true. And then excempted a baptism date!! I love this woman. Each time we go to her house she has pizza for us, so I think that I should just not eat lunch until I get to her house on saturday. But last week was a really hard week for us. All our lessons fell through so it made this lesson that much better. We had a first lesson with this African 18 year old on monday. And in the middle of reading the book of mormon he just asked us if he could have this book. And said that he will read the entire book. The funny thing was we met him a month ago and were not able to see him and then he called us asking to meet with us because he wanted to know about the church. We meet the amazing man named Fernando from shrilanka, we gave him to the anziani because his wife worked at night but he has good potential for them. Well if I think of anything else I will put it in the letter. I love you all alot!! 

Love 

Ali 

Alison's letter from Nov. 28, 2012

What Alison means in the first sentence is that she asked me to send her toothpaste because the toothpaste in Italy is not that good. I told her I would and that is what she meant by "I thought you would".

Here is her letter

Haha I thought that you would. Right now outside it is pouring cats and dogs outside, haha I think it is funny how outside our apartment there is like a puddle that has become a lake. 
Well I am glad that he likes it. I hope that he becomes amazing at it! Okay thank you! I know that was probably a really weird request, but that will be wonderful. I have a letter that I forgot to send off last week. So you will probably get that with the other one I will be sending off. The letter has details of the Genova trip. We have to make another trip tomorrow to Genova again. You see last week we only were setting up her appointment and this week we are picking up the premesso. I think I only need to get it renewed once. And I have to go to this like 6 hour class for mine because they have started doing that about the Italian rules and if I do not go I will not get my premesso. 
Yeah we got 11 investigators but they not wanted to continue to learn. Sad! Oh we got this amazing Filopean woman on Saturday. Her name is Gloria and during the lessons she told us that she knows that we are instruments of God and that she feels like she is remembering things from the past, when we were talking to her about the book of mormon. She said that she feels that this is in her heart right and the only reason that she would invite us over is because she is interested. She said she knows our time is precious and she does not want to take up our time unless she is interested. She felt the Holy spirit she said!! Yeah! And she wants us to teach her husband with her this Saturday!! I am so excited to teach her and watch her grow!! 
Our apartment is a little big I guess, for two people it is nice. Most Italian apartments are not large. About my bike, I did not buy it. You see the other sisters used the bikes we have now they are just in the apartments when we get there. Oh my bike is ancient. But it makes me laugh when ever I am on it. 
Do not worry I eat pretty heathly, my companion loves to eat heathly so it is all taken care of. But yeah I get tired because we are just going from place to place, constantly on the go. It is not that big of a deal. And I drink plenty of water. 
For the english class it depends on the week. Sometimes we have alot others we have four, but for our class we normally have eight people. You see it is required that we do a service each week and this is our service. 
Well on Sunday our church started at 3:30 and ended at 6:30. It was kind of a weird time. Any way during relief society, a lady stood up and told the sisters that we need to provide the missionaries with our cooking skills. It was just funny, because we eat with the members but I guess they want more of them to feed us. Then after on of the ladies came up to us and asked us to come and eat at their house on friday with he inactive husband and family. So haha I just found it funny. Anyway I cannot think of anything else to say well I hope that you all enjoy your week and I hope that my letters will eventually get there. 

Love,

Ally 

November 21 email, 2012

So I have some news about Esther that is sad, she worked so much the past week that we have not been able to see her. But she really wants to come to church still so that is a good thing. Yes she speaks spanish and italian. So you will be able to she her someday. Yes I spelled the word wrong, I think it is pilazzo it is like a apartment complex or houses etc. I cannot remember who this woman is that you are asking about the big house. I cannot describe it you are going to have to try it (gelato). I know thanksgiving is tomorrow and today we are doing a turkey bowl sort of thing with our guys. So I get to wear pants or work out clothes for a little while. It feels so nice!! But first we have to find the place, you see the guys live on the side of verona where we do not teach so we are going to have an adventure, as always. Italians do not celebrate the holiday, they put up the christmas tree on saturday, it is huge, it is by Porta Nuova. That is one of our train stations. In verona we have two: Porta Vescovo and Porta Nuova. Porta Nuova is the larger one. Oh so tomorrow we are going to Genova to get my companions permesso. So I am getting out of verona for a day. Will be strange it is a 3 and a half hour train ride I think there and another one back. 
  I am so glad that they are getting along, I bet that it is a stress reliever. Right now it is not that cold yet. So I am totally fine, I will like I said buy warmer nylons that are think so my legs can stand the cold.  I keep forgetting to do this because P-day comes and there is just so much to do and little time. But I think I am going to be fine. 
 No the mountains in Italy are so different. They are so pretty. I love the mountains here and they are so close!! They are like stairs. have you seen pictures of how houses just sort of create stair cases down the mountains, they so that and then the mountains are just awesome!! I did not know that he had a cyst. Well I am glad that everything is ok and that he is doing fine. Well I bet he is happy to be able to do basketball again. 
  Anyway this past week has been kind of crazy. We got 11 new investigators. I really do not know how we did it. Man the lord blessed us. I told the president that during interviews yesterday and he was like I think that that is a record. Oh I want to tell you about a african woman we meet the first week we were in Genova. I am not sure if I have told you about her, but her name is Isoken. We have not been able to get a hold of her so we thought she was not working but there funny thing is she is interested. We decided to pass by her house on sunday and we taught her a lessons about the restoration and she loved it. She had so many questions for us and said she would read and want us to come back. Guess what we taught her 8 year old son joshua and yeah he was awesome too. Anyway it has been great, we are going to see Tina and Helen tonight and we will see how it goes and we will see Mary and Alexander (siblings, we meet them saturday) and teach them again. It has been pretty sweet.  Well I am glad that everything is well. Love you all. 

Sometimes she emails twice so here is the second one:

Oh I wanted to give you a little something else about the 11 investigators. Last thursday we were doing comp study and we read one of the talks from conference. It was about a missionary who looked at everyone as who they could be and not as what they are. We started doing that. We loooked at everyone as if they we dressed in white, as if they were going to be baptized. Once we started doing that the investigators started pouring in. That day we found 2 people and then the next day we found more and more until at the end of the week we had 11. What I have learned from this is that your attitude makes or breakes your mission. I know that this is only a small example and that there would probably have been other miracles grander, but this one was the one I prefered this week. Because we changed our ideas and then the miracle happed. First we needed to have faith before God was able to do his work through us. No faith, no work. I have a saying Faith is strength and attitude is the Key.

November 14th, 2012 email

On Wed, Nov 14, 2012 at 11:20 AM;

 Winter, I heard that it will snow and will be cold, but right now when everyone is wearing heaving jackets my companion and I are only wearing a cardigan (spelled wrong I know). It is not really cold at all. Haha one of our internal investigators Gica told me the other day why are you not wearing tights are you not cold or put a scarf on. Everyone wears scarves! Anyway I like the weather it is warmer than Utah. Oh and there is no snow right now, not saying that there will not be in the future but right now no. Oh so The mountains and are not to far away and we get to go to the Menighini family again this weekend, into the mountains we go, only a 1 hour bus ride to their house ( but takes up our day), bus contacting, sometimes that can be ackward when the person is not interested and you just sit and are there with the person who just rejected you for 40 more minutes. The thing is what do you talk about after that point. I have no idea.
  The couple that drives us to the grocery store are members. They have been members for a long time. Anyway so Esther is going to be baptized on the 30th!!! She told us that she feels ready and she has been picking chapters in the Book of mormon to read, she came to institute and is coming again today. She loves our church!! She really wants her family to be baptized in the church as well, she told us that she has seen the effect of reading the book of mormon in her live. She said it has provide her with more work and she just feels the love of GOD!!!!!!!! Ah I am just so happy, not that she is going to get baptized, but that the work we are doing is truely helping someone! Man this is awesome.
 We taught yesterday a inactive young single adult my age. She is Sorella Leaso daughter. Well anyway I think about how someone my age could go away from the church and I just think how in the world can I help her. But my companion and I just thought that if we teach her once a week and just try and be her friend and remind her what the church can do for her and how it will make her feel, we just hope that it works.
 Lately our finding work and casa and casa. has not been really working for us. We have tried and are doing everything we can, so in the future the blessings will come. This week not alot has happened, we had a lot of cancelled appointments as usually and well there is really nothing you can do about it. I wish I had a amazing story to tell you all but I really do not. I was having a hard time this week, I lost my patience a few times and I felt bad, I think that maybe the reason this week did not go as well, was probably because of me. And then it rained half the week so people were not outside and there was not as many to talk to anyway, sorry for the little rant. But yeah we will see how this next week goes. I love you all a  tons!! And thank you for telling me those thoughts in the email I needed them.

Love,

Ally  

  Alison sent us this small email just a few minutes after she sent the one above.

The other day we were doing casa and casa and we were doing door after door after door and a lady told us if we do not get out of her palazo she would call the police. So we left the palazo and at the end of the night when we were going home we passed by these two girls and we talked for 15 to 20 minutes just about how God loves us and she just seemed to happier. They just looked so depressed and she said she has had so many people tell her about god, that now she has a distorted view. And they way we talked of him was a happy version in a sense.

Pictures of the MTC

We got a letter in the mail the other day that had these pictures of Alison when she was in the MTC

Alison at the MTC with Sister Willis and a sister going to Rome mission

Hanson, Willis, Durfee, next three sisters went to the Rome mission, Brown, Hoppe

Today's e-mail

Hey Family, 

Well I know about the election. We went to the market this morning and the lady told us about it at the cash register. Then after we saw a member come in Sorella Mangia told us also. I am sorry I guess we will have to wait another four years. Haha I am glad you got a ton of candy for halloween. I bet Parker was glad, at least he eats the junk food. I know everyone here lives off of nutella, so it is not that bad, but my companion is trying to loss weight so we do not buy junk food. What we eat, well we eat three times a week with members and you just eat their meal and you cannot eat anymore. I have learned my lesson. And when they bring the first course of pasta, know that you do not want seconds of it because next will be the big meal with veges, potatoes, salad, pork, chicken lots of food, after fruit course, then the dessert. My stomach cannot handle alot of it but I eat it anyway. When we are not eating with the members we are having salads, chicken with the italian base brecimela things (it is good), pasta, enchiladas, tocas, soup, we like to try and make new things, but sometimes they do not taste the best. We experiments for fun. 

My apartment well there are three rooms and the kitchen, bathroom. On room is our study, one room for where we sleep and we have an extra room, no couch. Everyone here lives in apartments, the houses are to experencsive. The italians like to just tax for everything. Yeah I like to go to the bakery, I get the pastries and my companion only buys eggs. She is really weird about her weight. 
  I wish I knew what part of Peru esther was from. So we decided on monday that we would just go to her house and see her because we have not been able to keep an appointment. Because on Sunday she had a fever and could not come to church, last week her family did this big party and we could not see her. So we just went on the bus to caldiero and we had to walk 40 minutes to the outside city caldieno where she lives (probably spelled the city wrong) . But we past by all these grape vines and orchards and country villas in italy. Oh it was so awesome!! I just love the countryside of italy. But when we finally make it to her house she was there!! We were an hour late to her house then what we had told her we would be. So we walk in and talk to her. We say a prayer and after the prayer Esther just starts crying. She tells us about all her problems how she just left her companion a month ago, how she lost her job because of her companions ex girlfriend and is now doing a job she does not like. She tell us that the only reason she let us come over is because of the question on our white board. She also said she say us once before but did not have time to talk to us. She told us that the question ww asked her was how happy are you and she said it hit her because she was not happy she was at a 0 on a scale from 0 to 10. She told us that she is looking for peace and confort and wants to feel happy. Perfect!! We talked to her and told her how this gospel will help her and she was just so excited about it. She said she would read and come to church. At the end after she said the closer prayer, she said quitely I fell traquil, I feel peace right now. I think I was about to explode. She is such a wonderful person and wants to go to institute tonight. Man I think she made my mission. And her family were just so sweet to us, so we are going to ask esther if her family would like to learn about the gospel. Ah I am just so excited to teach her again!! Tina and Helen are from africa, Ghana. 

Well I am trying to think of anything else that is exciting but I cannot think of anything else. Well If I do I will send you a letter. Love you all so much!!

Love, 

Ally

E-mail from October 31st

Happy Halloween Family, 
Parker just looks like he weighs 500 pounds!! Haha it just looks funny. Then conner I like the sheild. Oh and mom it is only a American holliday, so there is no Halloween in Italy. Which is sad, but that is just how it is. 

I like how you had to list all the places we are from I did not know we were french. Italians, well they are really nice to you at first then once you tell them why you are talking to them and what they want some became a little rude. I think it is really a mix of things. And the italian people are afraid to have kids because of how expensive everything is here that people are saying that there will eventually be no true Italians. But they kind of look Spanish. I think we try different gelato every other day. MOM and DAD there is no peanut butter, I miss my peanut butter!! But I guess nutella will be my substitute. I like the gelato that has nutella in it and the nuts. Oh that one is good. 

Actually the other day because it has been raining brought in the cold weather. Oh it is funny my hands start to freeze when riding the bike because of the rain. But it stopped raining so it is a lot better weather. Oh I have a few stories to tell you, first the accident with my Companions bike. Her brakes stopped working and so we are getting it fixed today, but on monday we were coming down the large hill from church and so we were walking the bike and for the small hill we rode our bikes down, but she forgot that her brakes were not working and so her bike just zoomed down the hill and she had no way to stop, so she jumped off her bike and she had to continue to run when she got off or she would fall flat on her face. Then both her shoes go flying off. Her bike does not stop but continues to go down the hill straight into a car. It was lucky because her bike hit the tire of the car and bounced off the car was fine though and she was too. But two men come around the corner asking if everything was fine because they only saw the bike. But since everything was fine we were just busting up laughing. 

Next I want to tell you about a amazing bakery that is right across from our house, I love to eat their pasteries. You see my companion is a bit of a health freak and really does not like to eat out. But I do so I just got it for me. But the creme ohh it was so good. Well we found out on monday we cannot teach Helen or Tina anymore. They do not have there promessa which permits them to be in Italy and so they cannot get baptized and they are not legal. And whats stinks in the middle of the lesson Monday Tina asked us why she was feeling like her heart was bursting. She felt the spirit, but she cannot get baptized. Oh we have not been able to get a hold of our other baptismal date sisi, so yeah. Rosa we had a appointment scheduled with her and we went to her house, her son gave us back the BOM and said she was not interested in us. It was sad. But on a good not another woman we have not been able to see, came to church sunday and said she loved it so much she is going to set aside every sunday morning so she can come for the 3 hours. Her name is Esther and she is from Peru. Well we go to caldiero yesterday for her appointment and well we were waiting at a members house and the bus to bring Esther to where we were never came. She said she was waiting and waiting and the bus was not there. She was waiting out in the cold for an hour. I felt so bad, but we are seeing her tonight!!

Well that is a little of what has been going on love you all and well I guess the adventures are still to come. 

Love, 

Ally 

Mission pictures

Alison and her group at the airport in Italy

Alison and her group on the day they arrived in Italy

Alison with her group

Alison and her mission president, President and Sister Wolfgramm

With the President and his wife and her companion Sorella Oakes

T

Alison's email October 24, 2012

Hey Family,
I was able to hear Conner singing, he did so good. I loved it thank you for sharing that with me. I know yesterday we were on the bikes for 3 hours riding around the city doing finding work because our 6 lessons fell through. But it was good exercise and I think if I was not in the shape I am I probably would be have a hard time.
  Oh and do not worry about the bikes haha, my bike needs a new seat because it is always falling off, but mom I just laugh about it when it falls. I think if I laugh things off I feel ten times better and I do not have to worry about things as much. Oh yes we have been taking the bus like crazy this last week. It takes us on bus to get to surrounding cities sometimes an hour or just 45 minutes. But yes, and we were riding our bikes two days ago and we passed the most beautiful place. The country houses for the rich. But the funny thing was we had to ride past the goats and all the farm animals. I feel like I am constantly exploring this city. Yes mom I am taking pictures, but we are only allowed to take them on Pdays, at least that is what my Mission President has said, so on Pdays I take as many as humanly possible.
  We get to see Rosa tomorrow, so I will tell you how that goes because I am hoping she does not have any other crazy part of her religion. Well we are hoping, you know all those baptisms that I said we were going to set well they did not happen but we have at least 2 with them. Oh I think I remember telling you about Tina, well she went to another baptism and right after she turns to Helen our other investigator and said I want that I want that. I want to be baptized in this church. HAHA I love her, she is like a little child at times.
  I am glad you were able to hear from the missionary who baptized you. I hope that the people I baptize will not forget it and I hope I will not. Anyway, what I realized yesterday is the power of just singing a song can truly help me. I was riding my bike and after 60 or so people had rejected the message I just sang a hymn to myself and it just started to make me smile. My companion started crying because of how hard it was and I told her what I did, that singing can help she did it and the remaining 2 hours of work went by smoother. It was just nice that I was able to help her in a small way since she always does so much for me. The other day we were talking to this lady and she said that she would just look at the website because of how nice we had been to her and she could see the light of christ in our eyes and not a minute later we were talking to another women and she said she could see the light of christ in our eyes. I guess that was a nice little pick me up.
  Well I think I am starting to like being out here, I know it is hard because they do not think it is important, it is hard talking to the athiests but I know this is what God would want me to do. I love you all and hope that everything is still well.

Love

Ally  

MOM and DAD
I still had a little bit of time and I wanted to just tell you a little about what I have learned so far on my mission. First is to continue the extra five miles even when you know that you have not had an success, to continue to try and eventually it will all work out despite how you feel. Second to have patience beyond description. I mean I am wanting to teach and so many people are rejecting the teachings that I know are true and sometimes I just wish they would get it. Next in the patience line of thought is to be patient with my companion. I mean we all have flaws, but I need to just let a few things slide and now let them bother me or this mission will not be a fun experience for me. Third to just love the people despite how they treat you, despite what they say because people can be truly rude. Yesterday a young woman with her dog was mocking us, it was actually funny because she was talking bad to us to her dog and I am like yes the dog truly understands you. Fourth to pray every second of the day, I mean in my mind or out loud, but it has helped. Fifth to just be happy, people are more willing to talk to you when you are happy. Sixth that everything takes time, I want things to happen now and then I want things now and it is not my time. There are so much more and when I think of them I will tell you, but there are a few.

Love

Ally

Alison's email Oct. 17, 2012

Hey Mom and Dad and family, 

We live on the top floor so we get the exercise each time we go up. I actually have no idea what me address is I know how bad that might sound but I really have no idea. I literally am just going places and hoping I remember them. It is a gorgeous city. I think I am just going to send you the photos in the mail because I have no idea how to do it here. I do have a gorgeous view. Downtown Verona is like a dream!! I go there at least three times a week for teaching or more times and it just gets bigger and bigger. The buildings are old but so pretty. I could walk them often. Well the thing is we also get a few surrounding cities as well and we have not had time to go to them yet, but when I have seen the entire city then I will tell you. Because you would love to see it. 

Bikes, I think I might be alright with the bikes, but holding down your skirt as you ride is never fun, but I think I am just beginning to laugh at myself because I look pathetic. And no one follows the rules when it is a red light people still cross the streets, bikers always ride where ever ther want. But oh well. 

We are teaching a few people, we set another baptism date yesterday and her name is Tina she always says she wants to be more holy, and be pure again and to come unto christ. We have a woman named Mary like I said last time but she sayd she has not had time to read the Book of Mormon yet which I am feeling sad over. We are teaching this woman named Lorenza Bee who told us she is so grateful to have found the right church but when we went to see her yesterday her caretaker said she was sick and could not see us so I hope she feels better. We are teaching this woman named Rosa, hahah this story is a kicker, so we went to do finding work and were riding around the streets when we found her. We asked her a few questions and then went into her house. We were bold, we told her we know that the is a true prophet today, this book is true, this is the only true church and more. And she kept saying amen to it all and then she said I know that there is a true prophet to and she pointed to her wall and said this is him. We looked over at the wall and sorella Oakes just busts up laughing it is a man in a hippy outfit and has huge goofy glasses and is doing the peace sign. I had to keep myself under control which was hard. Anyway we told her he is not a true prophet and she was like I was not even 100 percent convinced he was I guess I might need to change my believes and I do not even like him. HAHa I busted up laughin after. We are going to teach a woman named abigal we met on the bus the other day. We sat down with her for 20 minutes yesterday gave her a book of mormon and she said that she thinks this could be the true church. Then we are teaching a girl named praise, her family is less active but they really want her to be baptized and are coming back to church, we are going to give her a date for baptism friday. The work I think is going well!!

I am so glad that I can see your photos and hear about your life! I love you all so much and I do hope that is will get easier being away. If I think of anything else it will be in the letter I will send. I love you all dearly and please keep telling me about home I love it!!

Love 

Allie. 

Alison's first email from Verona, Italy Oct. 10, 2012

GEEZ so many questions, I am joking. Well I am in Verona and I am white washing. So it is a little scary that my companion and I both do not know the city but I know that it will all work out. Not let me tell you something that I thought was strange, we are not alot to have dinner, I mean not missionary in the italian milan misson can have dinner. We just take snacks with us. Next I have not had real italian food, so I guess I just hope that one day I learn how to cook. From the moment I got of the plane that zanzare have been my best friend. They seem to think biting my legs is a part of there culture and I would send you a picture but I have no idea how to so I might get my film developed and send pictures that way. My first day we got stuck on the elevator  in our apartment. We were trying to get all our stuff up to the fifth floor and it was a funny day. You take buses everywhere, it is different. And I do not think I can get used to everyone smoking omg, mom and dad I just want to walk up to people and be like you are going to kill yourself anf others by this. But I contain myself. I love teaching lessons, though I do not much I still can help. We taught a wonderful lessons today on the plan of salvation and let me tell you I felt the spirit so strange. Oh when we got to the city there were no investigators. Since my companion and I are both new to the area, we are always getting lost, I mean lost!! We have to always pull out the map and try to find our way, it i crazy! The first day we got here we went to the duomo in milano and I loved it. I tried to speak with everyone but let me tell you the people they are nice but when they do not want the infomation it is funny. They do this little hand signal anyway yeah. I need the names mom of our ancestors. You keep forgeting to send them to me. Oh my mission is a bike mission so that is why I needed the money. And yeah it worked out fine, it converts and the bank we have does not charge. We finally got our shower fixed, it was having problems. Well I love you all so much and it is kind of late and I love you all!! Yeah mom I do not know how I feel about riding a bike with a skirt. And yes at times I do feel inadequete but I know it will go away, when I eventually learn this language!!

Love 

Sorella Hanson

Sister Alison Hanson arrived in Italy Oct. 3, 2012

Alison's Mission President, President Wolfgramm, called Brent today.  He said she made it to the mission and when she got there she was sick with motion sickness. Brent told him that it is normal for Alison to get sick with motion sickness.  The President said she was better and was out in the Market in Milan doing some proselyting.  She has been assigned to Verona, Italy and that her companion is Sister Oaks from Provo, Utah.  Her p-day is on Wednesdays so she will not be able to write to us today, it will be next week and so it will be a while before we hear from her. She will be having a dinner tonight with the group of new missionaries and the Mission President. We are so excited for her!!

Today's email

Hey Family, 
Mom I sent off a letter to Brittany last Thursday, I hope it gets to her. I had wrote her a letter the other week but did not finish the letter so I had to wait until the following Thursday to send it off. Tell her I am sorry if she did not get one. I can write her another one if it does not make it to her. HAha Garth was funny, I did not realize that it was him in front of me until we were walking down the stairs in the gym for the Brigham city dedication. When I thought that I knew him I kept wanting to get his attention. I finally asked one of My anziani to tape his shoulder for me and we only bore our testimonies to him in Italian. But that is funny. 

I got your packages, I love the watch and I think I was more excited for the carrying kit I love it. Mom I cannot believe I only have 5 days left I was sort of freaking out the other day. Of course in a good way, I just hope that I will be able to do everything that will be needed of me on the missions. So one of the sisters in our group came up to me and said that there have been no problems with the Italian visa and when I heard that I was so happy!! Because I did not know the other missions at least in Spain have been having to be switched to other missions, so God is truly blessing us with this right now. I saw them and I like them. I told you the dress looked good on you. 

Mom, I have plenty of things, if I need anything I can go to the book store and buy some more. So our flight is going to be a day long. We got our travel plans the other day, that was so amazing. I am trying to think of what I can tell you about the MTC but I cannot think about anything right now. I probably will write you and tell you about everything later. Can you tell grandma thank you for the Cookies and brownies, my roommates and I have been eating them. Well I love you all and I hope that you all are doing well and I am glad to see all is well. I hope that Parker will feel better. And tell Conner I love him tons and Parker as well!! 

Love 

Sorella Alison Hanson 

Last Week's email

Hey family, 

Mom- i was going to send you out a card but my p-day got crazy and I had no time so here is your b-lated birthday wish, I am so sorry I did not send anything out to you, I love you lots. 

Okay sweeeeet, Thanks and I am going to try and resend that email again, you will get it at least at one point. Yeah I said pictures and I am not sure why, but maybe I will just send you pictures home when I get out of the MTC. So guess what yesterday I got to be a host for the new missionaries, ahh it was so awesome. The new sister missionaries were so cute, I just love missionaries now. I guess your heart truly goes out for them now more then before because I am in their position. But anyways it was sad some of the sisters were crying, but I just tried to make them feel at home. I had two Spanish speaking girls I helped and one sister going to the Czech Republic (that would be tough). I still get up each day thinking how in the world can I be leaving for Italy, I have 11 days. OMG I cannot believe it. I am going to be teaching in italy :) I get all excited now because of how close it is. 

We had an amazing speaker on Sunday His name was Watson missionary director of proselyting, he spoke about the book of mormon and about the play that is out and how they worked against it in new York to stop all the bad publicity. He said they bought space in time square, put up segno sul taxi cars e videos in the taxi cars e much more. He talked about how the book of mormon saved him. How he could not read until he read the book of mormon and it was just a good talk. On Sunday we had a talk from Sheri Dew omg she was just absolutely amazing. I love this woman. And the talk she gave was inspired. 

My roommates left on Tuesday and we got a new set yesterday, they are going english speaking again but I already love them. And I miss my old ones but I know that they are out doing the service of God. My collega and are have been having very different lessons lately. We plan and then our lessons always take a different course so we never end up teaching the lesson we had planned, but trust me it is not a bad things. Oh so an amazing thing happened the other day, so one of our simpatizzanti pietro he never shows emotion and we finally got him to smile in the lesson. AHH I was so happy, I mean it was different and he seemed excited for once!!! 

Oh I saw a Older Lady who is in Grandmas ward on monday. My collega needs new shoes so we went to the garment center and she was there to try on the shoes. But anyway I thought that was cool. Mom and Dad I just love my mission. I think this has probably been the best choice I ever ever made in my entire life. And I know that Dio sta bendendo mi. AHH I just cannot wait. 

I am sorry to hear that he went home I will put him in my prayers and I hope that all is well. I sparo all will get fixed and that he can come back out on his mission again. I am glad to here that Brittany and Bronson are adjusting their lives to the school and I am glad that James is getting better. I love you all and I will try to send that letter. 

Love 

Sorella Hanson

The email that we never got and Alison had to send 5 times for some reason

Hey Family, 

Ok let me see, she is one of the shorter brunettes. Um she is the one who is a little more plump. But I thought both brunettes had long hair that was short. She likes to wear scarves, so if she is wearing scarf then that is here but I could be wrong and then there could be someone else who is wearing a scarf in that photo. In the group that went off that time there were only 4 guys and 6 girls. It was a small group compared to ours. Mom give me a minute to think about the scriptures, I probably will come back on later today and tell you. That is good to know that you like to follow the blog. Oh I added a few pictures and I hope you enjoy them. Oh the last picture was taken today. 

Well I guess betris had to go at one point. But man that stinks, why in the world would someone do that. Oh well. sorry mom, I know you likes it. okay mom I will look for my cousin. I still cannot believe how fast it has gone. Oh so I want to tell you an experience I had the other day. No it was not a fun one. So my collega and I went to teach a lesson we were completely prepared for the lesson and we not worry about how it was going to go, because we had prepared and thought it was going to go well. I think we might have been a little to confident over it. We went into the lesson it was a total disaster. I mean we could not even speak it got to the point where we were telling each other we wanted to leave. I think we thought we could do it all by ourselves and not with heavenly father. Because we were like oh we know how to do this, it is no big deal. But so we had a bit of a crying feast over it, I know me crying for a long periods of time over a lesson who would have thought. But anyway you Sister Travalini in your ward who has been sending me letter. Well her letter came the next day and she put quotes in her letter. I read them to my collega and they just seemed to be perfect for our current situation. I do not have them on me right now but I will probably type them on here later or something. But they seemed to brighten up our moods, I truly think the Lords knows exactly what we need. 

Oh I want to tell you about this crazy picture that we got from the frencesce the other day. So my collega while we were planning on of our lesson through a note into the room it had a picture of smigal on it (ok I know I spelled that wrong) and so we decided to draw a ringwrath and it is colorful (we made it last night, my collega and I) Anyway I just wanted to say that because it makes me laugh. Oh we also had a awesome lesson yesterday, we were able to teach in italian for over 35 minutes what. I was happy. 

Oh I thought they were sent with Conners letter and I was worried they would not get here. Man that would have created less stress hahaha. Oh well. The funny thing is mom I was thinking the same thing over that issue. In my district the other days we had an hour talk over issues that needed to be confronted and it has helped our district so much. Because I am not saying there was contention we just were not all on the same page and it was a times a little bothersome to others. Well mom and dad and of course the boys I love you all and hope all is well. I hope your remainder of the week goes well. Tante bella cose e anche ci amo. 

Ciao,

Sorella Hanson 

Alison's letter this week

Hey family, 
I recent the email from last week and I hope you got it this time. Sorry about that I did not know that it did not go through, at least I wrote a letter so that you knew I was ok. Yeah that would be great if I can get a new watch. I just did not know what to do with it. I have never had a watch start running backwards. It was strange, oh mom I have a request if possible. You know that travel tolietry bag you have for when you travel that you put everything known to man in. Like all your tooth brushes, toothpaste and everything else. Can you send me one? Because that would be a great help. 

Yeah I can write them, they are also allowed to email me if they wanted. Since there are in my immediate family. But if they want something tangible I am totally fine with writing them. Do you forward them the emails as well? That is a crazy that he is going there. I know a bunch of the people heading out to Fiji this Saturday and the only thing I know how to say in fijian is hello. But that is a cool mission. Oh and I will tell Tyler you said hello. 

We had a group of friends head out to France and Canada French speaking on Monday and Tuesday, but because of how close everyone can get at the MTC it was hard to watch them go. I mean I know I will probably see them again, but it was different. I mean I am now thinking in three weeks when I head out how challenging it will be for me to say good bye to my zone. Things are fine with my companion, we just like I have said both a pride issue and we both do not want to talk about our weaknesses. Mom and Dad it is not like I feel like I am not learning here, but the guys in my district are learning at such a faster pass. I love talking in italian and I am still trying to get my companion to talk more. It is such a pretty language. Here are the scriptures I currently have memorized in italian: James 1:5, first vision, Mose 1:39, our purpose, and half of D&C 4, which trust me I have to review all the times because I really feel if I do not not I will forget it. 

Tell the munchie I love him and he is amazing!!!! He is silly and I am always trying my hardest to remain focused.

We heard the other day the only way you are able to teach the doctrine is to understand it better and I have been striving to read the doctrine and learn it to its fullest potential, but once I know one part, I open a cannon ball effect and want to learn everything. Well I feel like I have been writing a lot and there are other people who are in need of using the computer, so I guess I will send this one then add the pictures and tell me if you have received that last email. Alright? I love you all and I love hear about your lives because I am never there to. Alright I know I have said good bye like twice maybe more, but love you bye. 

Love 
Sorella Hanson 

Fratello Bulloch's last day of teaching us

Alison's letter for this week

Hey,

So funny thing Sister Pearce was my favorite sister missionary here. She left last week for Milan. I want to share an experience that I had at TRC on Monday. Mom this is were we teach members of the church who just volunteer and come in for us to teach. Anyway we were teacher a member named Ted and he served in Milan. We were sitting there teaching about the BOM and of course it was in Italian. He begins to say something and he just breaks down in tears. That was a bit of a shock because I did not expect a full grown man to start crying from my collega and mine's teachings. I really never thought that the spirit would be that strong. The funny thing Is I sort of knew something was going to happen. After my collega said the prayer my heart was racing like it was going to leap out of my body. But I was just glad we could help him. 

Now mom it really depends on the day which scripture I like. This is hard because I really like D&C scriptures but I also like 2 Nephi 31: 20, but I really like D&C 59:23. Oh so I can now send photos, I will do that another time, they installed these machines so we can do that. 

I got conner's letter, but yours did not come with it. So i will tell you when I get it. Thank you. That is good that she is getting ready to go back to school. Parker is going to love those early mornings. Oh and Conner does not have to worry, like I said our district is probably the most disciplined. We have people constantly telling us that so his prayers are definitely answered. Oh we finally got knew girls in our room, they are going to the states. 

I am not going to say this next line to brag or anything, but one of our teachers told us sometimes how he thinks our district is destined to be leaders. He says this because he has just been amazed at our progress, at least I think. The other groups are not at the level we are at, but people keep saying things like they heard while their friend was on a mission how they were told that boys are sent to America to become men and men are sent to Europe to become apostles. They say that an apostle said that. But in reality, I think it does not matter where you go. The Lord knows the intentions of your heart and he chooses his leaders not the worlds idea. But then again I do not know. 

Ours teachers are switching up again and I think it would be nice to wish for consistent teachers. Well I cannot think of a lot that has happened this week. Except for that when I went to the temple last week I asked God if he would help me be patient with those around me and it has been a slow progression but it is working. Oh and since two anziani that are companions in our district were just getting frustrating with each other and taking behind each others back finally resolved it, after my collega and I forced them to take. They just were to concerned about it and did not want to get their feelings out. But after one of the Anziani came over to us and thanked us. He said thank you for making me do something that I did not want to do. It really was actually what I needed. Well at least I do not have to listen to the complaints anymore and now they finally get along and are working as a team. The day they worked it out that night was the first time they actually bore their testimonies together, yay,

Anyway I love you all and hope everything is still going well and I am glad james is feeling better. Love you guys, 

Love 

Email from Alison for last week

Hey Family,

HAha I am glad you enjoyed my last email. Yes I thought you would enjoy my little testimony in italian. Don't worry I know more than that. But haha I am glad that Conner's prayers have been answered. Want to know something funny, when the church primary president came she told us to think about how all the children are praying for us, so I guess that is how it is. I showed everyone conners letter because I loved it and everyone is like in love with him. I am glad that everything is organized for Parker at school. Let us hope it is all going well. Yes mom I can see the pictures and my fellow missionaries think that I look like you. Mom I have realized that I can easily understand spanish as well. We have had a few people bare their testimonies in spanish and other things and it is not that had to understand. But I think when deals with the gospel it is pretty easy, but others things are different.

So for our devotional the other day Elder Neil Anderson came and spoke and since it was Presidents Monsons birthday we sang a birthday song for him it was funny. What Elder Anderson spoke on was everything that President Monson would say if he was here and hit 9 points, I would type them but I left my journal in the classroom and we are not allowed to go into the classroom if we are not in church attire.

I am trying to think of other things that have happened but I am completely drawing a blank I am sorry.  Oh the other missionaries in my room left on Monday so our room has been really quite. It is just me and my collega sorella willis. Let me tell you it has been nice, we get to bed on time and get to sleep with out interuptions. We are not getting any new people until next week, but we do not even know if we are. We wonder if they are going to wait until the next group of italians come in because it is in three weeks.

Let me tell you of what me and my collega sorella willia are doing as service at the mtc. Since we have been feeling like there are different things we can do. Each night we are sort of doing like a secret note for a group of girls on our floor. We go and place it on their day and pretty much run away as fast as we can in order not to get caught in the action. The other night was a close one we were placing it on the door and after we did the door began to open. I booked it, I ran as fast as I could away. I think my collega thought I was crazy (pazzo). But anyway we are currently writing one for one of the sorelle in my ramo (branch) because she has been having a hard time and she is one of the sorelle I connect with the most. Sorella Durffee is her name she is so sweet. I do splits with her because she likes to work out and my companion does not like to much physical activity. But anyways we do it to try and brighten up others days.  

Oh on another note, I think I scared my collega the other day, I was went into to line to get a wrap, the wraps take forever, but they are better than eating something I do not want to eat. But anyways the line took 25 minutes to get the food and when I finally got the wrap and went back to the italian table she looked like she had been driven crazy on why I was not back. She said our district leader had said that I hope she did not die. HAHA I felt like sometimes the lines take forever. Good thing we get at least 45 minutes for lunch.

Well I hope you all are going to have a wonderful remainder of the week and I love you all. Oh give Parker a hug from me, because I know how much he is not the biggest fan of hugs and a kiss hahaha. Oh and Conner too, I could never forget the muchine.

Love

Sorella Alison Hansone