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
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
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
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
Monday, October 29, 2012
Mission pictures
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| Alison and her group at the airport in Italy |
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| Alison and her group on the day they arrived in Italy |
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| Alison with her group |
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| Alison and her mission president, President and Sister Wolfgramm |
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| With the President and his wife and her companion Sorella Oakes |
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
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
Sunday, October 21, 2012
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.
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.
Saturday, October 13, 2012
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
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
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!!
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