I'm on a horse!

Me and Sorella C's favorite Italian expression is "Siamo a cavallo," which figuratively means "I got away with it" and literally means "We are on a horse." We mostly use it out of context. 

"How's it going?"

"We're on a horse!"

"Where are you?"

"I'm on a horse!"

"How long will it take to get there?"

"We are on a horse!"

It's the phrase that says it all!

Next: we are in Catania this week for ZONE CONFERENCE! We spoke about how sometimes missionary work goes down during the month of December. Now this is just a theory, but, I have a feeling that for all the good warm feelings that come about at Christmas time about serving our fellowmen, we get a sense of entitlement at Christmas. Maybe it's because we missionaries are missing home, but the thought trend tends to be, "I work ALL year round, without vacation days. At least Christmas should be a break, eh? Eh? Don't I deserve something for all that I do?"

At least I know I think like that sometimes. And I've found that entitlement always brings me sadness and a tendency to sing overly dramatic music. But, I realized something the other day. Maybe I'm wrong, but if we, as weird and weak as we are, feel entitled for the little that we do, imagine how God feels. "I gave you ALL of this. I gave you life, I gave you your understanding, and I'm here willing to give you the happiness and peace you want in this life and in the life to come. Can't you at least now, at least at Christmas, remember all that I have done and do what I ask?"

The difference between us and God is that when we feel entitled, we want people to do things for us for our sake. God wants us to do things not for His sake but, ultimately, for our sake. Thanks Heavenly Father!

Ok, time to describe the pictures!

Photo ...824: FIRST SNOW OF MISTRETTA! We've hit freezing and had a HUGE storm. It thundered and lighteninged (?) all night while the snow came softly down. It's very strange to have the roar of thunder without the patter of rain, just the white white white silent snow. But we escaped from our mountain just before the storm got really bad. 

Photo ...813: Our first Young Woman's Activity! The 2 daughters of our branch president make up our entire Young Women's group (and his 10 year old daughter is the primary). They don't have any other leaders besides their parents so we decided to do an activity for them. Their favorite pasttime is listening to American music and they love replacing the word "sexy" with "Mormon" (as in such Top Hits, "Heeey, Mormon Ladies", "I'm Too Mormon for My Shirt", and "I'm Bringing Mormon Back."). We made a tshirt stencil for their favorite song: "I'm Mormon and I know it." NICE.

Photo ...810: Us and Giuseppe, our favorite Jehovah's Witness turned Mormon investigator! Giuseppe is up in northern Italy and we miss him BUNCHES but he should be back before Christmas. 

Photo ...192: Happy 12-12-12-12-12! We were doing exchanges in Catania and I got to spend a day with Sorella R and Sorella M -- both the bomb! Most of the day was spent me observing them on how I can be a better missionary. And it's always exciting to be out in the city of Catania, aka "The Big Spaghetti," where there's people EVERYWHERE, all of the time.

Thanks to Miss Hayley Paul ... I got your letter with the Eyring Talk. Thanks for always being so consistent -- every zone conference I can count on something from my fav redhead. GRAZIE

That's all for this week. Oh, I also ate at a Chinese buffet this week. CHINESE SPEAKING ITALIAN IN AN AMERICAN SIZED RESTAURANT. I wasn't sure what to do with myself, there was so much culture clash. 

Have a great week everybody! And if you could do me a favor and remember and appreciate the blessings you have -- especially Mexican food. Because I'm not going to get it for another year, so eat a burrito in memory of me!

all of the love

Sister Annie

Master the Tempest is Raging and Giving Tanks

Hello everyone!

Couple things this week: two new sets of amazing investigators. Our pool keeps growing and growing! We've started teaching a family with two little boys (2 and 4). Both the husband and wife are INTERESTED and PRESENT, which is rare. In Italy it's easy to find one person who is interested, but usually their spouse isn't. 

We also found a man named Alex... we were talking to him on the street and offered him a pamplet with more information. He didn't take it, but said, "I would love to learn more!" which plently of people say, before adding: "I can't Monday or Tuesday... but I'm free Wednesday and Thursday. Oh! And here's my number so you can call me beforehand and confirm." For anyone that has ever tried to set an appointment with an investigator knows, this is a missionary's dream. We will be seeing him again tomorrow and we're excited.

AAAALSO. There are insane windstorms here! A boat got beached the wind was so strong. So spiritual/common sense thought of the week: make sure you have a set anchor or else your boat will get beached!

It should snow soon in Mistretta which means we get to have a white/chains on the tires Christmas. NICE.

I realized I never did a very good Thanksgiving email. And I realized I had a lot to be thankful in regards to YOU, my family and friends. And I wanted to take a moment to thank everyone for the special things they've given me while I've been out.

to Morelia: thank you for all of my beautiful clothes that help me preach the gospel without looking frumpy. And thanks for your letter, I just got it this week.

to Mom: thank you for all the rest of my beautiful clothes that I couldn't have picked out without you

to Papa: thank you for funding the purchase of beautiful clothes!

to Chris Lameroux: thank you for the Plan of Salvation wood puzzle... we use it almost every time we teach and it is very useful

to Jesse/Jamie: thank you for the care package, especially the chapstick and journal which I use daily.

to Jess: thank you for the missionary appropriate earrings that you made me!

to Taty: thank you for the photos you sent me, the bulldog tatto, and arms

to Tay: thank you for the candy corn and Reeses and the soul soaring leeters you always send

to L'Deane: thank you for the Joseph Smith pamphlet!

to Meish: thank you for the orange puzzle that brightens my day/wall

to Sven: thank you for your advice (I always do comp inventory!)

to Sue Gubler: thanks for the journal, which I have finished!

to my parents again: thanks for the CDs you send me, the magazines (got the Liahona!), the cute cards, the love

to the brothers and sisters: thanks for your emails and help with all the small things that I can't do by myself ("I can't put my arms down!" ... or look up UNO prices...)

Thanks to everyone that has ever written me a letter! I have all of them saved and they are wonderful! To Rebok and Jerry, David Ruvalcaba, and Emily Newman. Kyle H., Hayley, KayAnna, GrandMum and GrandPop, Annabelle, Sue Fu, Michael Jamieson, Brenna, Kayci, and Ingrid! Thanks to everyone who has ever sent an email back to my Mom, that she mails on to me. Thanks to everyone who helped me get on this mission, most especially my parents and Eliza. And thanks to the Kremlin.

Thank you everyone for all of your prayers on my behalf. And on behalf of my companion because she has to be my companion. And if I forgot anyone, I'm very very sorry. But if you are on this email list to begin with you are very dear to me regardless.

Ok, short this week. My companion burned her fingers so I have to type her emails! Love to everyone!

SISTER FULLER