Mom, Family Friends and all of you who I love so dearly!
Thank you for making such an incredible Birthday even when I was not even with you! Lindsey I absolutely loved the cards and about died when I opened them. Katie and Kristen, I wanted to take a picture with your food, but the Anziani devoured it before I had the chance. One of my friends Sorella Rossi, whos family is from Firenze couldn't believe that you made the pane, she was like it looks just like it does in Italy and it smells amazing. The notes, food, cards, everything was perfect so thank you so much, it was a Birthday I will never forget.
I have to admit that the icing on the cake was the fact that Elder Ballard came that night and spoke to us. It was so PERFECT. Just a few highlights, he talked about being Enthusiastic, being a master teacher so that you could teach anyone, anthing, anywhere anytime, and on top of that he promised us blessings that we could if we will do our part and Own the Info. Of course he also just had the most powerful testimony and just said "He lives(Christ) and I know it." I will never forget it or the conviction in his voice and in his eyes, and I cant wait to go out and share that with others.
Unfortunately, despite my excitement I am coming to find that this whole language buisness is going to make me have to work really hard. Every Sunday our branch presidency choose two people to give a five minute talk in church on a certain topic. Because they are so nice they don't even tell us ahead of time who it will be until they are at the pulpit. Knowing that they do love the sisters a little more and hardly ever have them speak, and still being the mezzo newbies, my companion and I were not worried. As we took a quick little trip to the restroom right beofre, President Engerbretsen was like so are you two ready to speak? We both laughed and were like Of COUrse! with two big grins on our face. Well guess whos names were announced over the puplit. It was a shocker, and President just smiled and laughed. We were sitting on the front row and apparently Sorella White had a face of relief when they announced my name since there is only ever one sister that speaks and then when they said her name her jaw dropped.
Really it was good though. Especially becuase we just got 25 new missionaries on wednessday, and where I was so worried that I would make no sense, there was nothing more comforting than the newbies faces when I would say words like Gesu Cristo and Obedienza, and their faces would light up and their heads nodded, I loved it!
Well sorry for the long stories, just a few other updates our companion almost died, but Sorella White and I saved him. We taught our first lesson in Italian yesterday and it kind of felt like getting hit by a truck. The weather is absolutely amazing here right now and the mountains are gorgeous. I Loved you before I came and now I love you even more. I know that the Gospel blesses lives, and I am am excited to share that message no matter how broken my Italian is. Thanks for everything. Hope all is well!
Sorella Robb
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Compleanno di Sorella Robb!
hiya All!!!
Talk about an amazing way to spend your Birthday, it is snowing outside and absolutely BeAutiful! Mom I just got your package before lunch, so you couldn't have timed it anybetter. Thank you for the nuts, I couldn't quite put my finger on what it was I was missing, but right when I saw those Mrs. Mayes I was in love, especially because they remind me of home. And I love, loved the pictures, Emma you are just so adorable I hope I can be just as cute as you someday :)
Life here is still going strong and speeding up every day. Like really, I am starting to get scared becuase I can hardly keep up. Even though I did not tell anyone about my birthday, Sorella White figured it out and spread the word so this morning while I was doing my laundry all the Sorelle came and sang to me, and then to top it iff, becuase its p-Day our whole zone went to the temple together and it was special as always.
I hope you all had a great Valentines. I have told you how my Companion, Sorella White, has a mother that loves to spoil her, well for Valetines she sent me my very own plate with sugar cookies and a Valentine, it was so sweet. And mom don't worry you asked if I get to run, and its amazing, I go every day except Tuesdays and Sundays, but I also never told you that we live on the 4th floor and our class room is on the 4th floor of another building, so all is well in the MTC.
My companions and I have discovered two favorite pass times, one is to sing. We don't have any music to listen to so we sing what we remember of hymns and then we embellish them. Our other great joy is going to the RC. I know I mentioned it briefly last week, but I don't know if I ever mentioned the fact that we getting to take the chats and answer what ever questions or conversations people want off of mormon.org. On occasion we get stinkers who like to tell me that I should really consider my beliefs, but I just love to tell them my purpose and bear my testimony, it is so amazing to KNOW, and I love that. I have actaually had some really neat conversations with others that have lasted as long as 2 and a Half hours and it is so fun. Sara for example a 25 year old in Alberta Canada was wanting to get baptised but has some concerns. She mentioned she was scared of loosing her personality, and let me know that she is not a girly girl and does not want to be one. I was able to share with her how the gospel has blessed my life, and help her to see that getting baptized requires a change of heart not a change of personality. Its a little hard because its not quite as easy to follow up on people, but boy has it gotten me pumped up to go out and teach in the field.
Tonight is another fireside which is always exciting, and ofcourse Lindsey my all knowing sister thinks she knows but I am looking forward to it, mainly becuase we get to sing in the choir which is so neat, really I mean so neat. It just gives you chills it is that cool.
Well, I hope all is going well. When I was reading this months First presidency message, I was reminded of the saying "Pray as though everything depends on God, work as though everything depends on you." I love that and am so greatful for prayer and hard work. John congrats on your new job. Middle schoolers are amazing, just remember that. I love you all. HAPPY BIRTHDAY Sam I am sorry I am giong to miss it. MUCH LOVE!!!!!
Sorella Robb
Talk about an amazing way to spend your Birthday, it is snowing outside and absolutely BeAutiful! Mom I just got your package before lunch, so you couldn't have timed it anybetter. Thank you for the nuts, I couldn't quite put my finger on what it was I was missing, but right when I saw those Mrs. Mayes I was in love, especially because they remind me of home. And I love, loved the pictures, Emma you are just so adorable I hope I can be just as cute as you someday :)
Life here is still going strong and speeding up every day. Like really, I am starting to get scared becuase I can hardly keep up. Even though I did not tell anyone about my birthday, Sorella White figured it out and spread the word so this morning while I was doing my laundry all the Sorelle came and sang to me, and then to top it iff, becuase its p-Day our whole zone went to the temple together and it was special as always.
I hope you all had a great Valentines. I have told you how my Companion, Sorella White, has a mother that loves to spoil her, well for Valetines she sent me my very own plate with sugar cookies and a Valentine, it was so sweet. And mom don't worry you asked if I get to run, and its amazing, I go every day except Tuesdays and Sundays, but I also never told you that we live on the 4th floor and our class room is on the 4th floor of another building, so all is well in the MTC.
My companions and I have discovered two favorite pass times, one is to sing. We don't have any music to listen to so we sing what we remember of hymns and then we embellish them. Our other great joy is going to the RC. I know I mentioned it briefly last week, but I don't know if I ever mentioned the fact that we getting to take the chats and answer what ever questions or conversations people want off of mormon.org. On occasion we get stinkers who like to tell me that I should really consider my beliefs, but I just love to tell them my purpose and bear my testimony, it is so amazing to KNOW, and I love that. I have actaually had some really neat conversations with others that have lasted as long as 2 and a Half hours and it is so fun. Sara for example a 25 year old in Alberta Canada was wanting to get baptised but has some concerns. She mentioned she was scared of loosing her personality, and let me know that she is not a girly girl and does not want to be one. I was able to share with her how the gospel has blessed my life, and help her to see that getting baptized requires a change of heart not a change of personality. Its a little hard because its not quite as easy to follow up on people, but boy has it gotten me pumped up to go out and teach in the field.
Tonight is another fireside which is always exciting, and ofcourse Lindsey my all knowing sister thinks she knows but I am looking forward to it, mainly becuase we get to sing in the choir which is so neat, really I mean so neat. It just gives you chills it is that cool.
Well, I hope all is going well. When I was reading this months First presidency message, I was reminded of the saying "Pray as though everything depends on God, work as though everything depends on you." I love that and am so greatful for prayer and hard work. John congrats on your new job. Middle schoolers are amazing, just remember that. I love you all. HAPPY BIRTHDAY Sam I am sorry I am giong to miss it. MUCH LOVE!!!!!
Sorella Robb
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
MTC P-day Numero Due
Dear Family and Friends-
What an adventure this MTC experience has been. I really did not know what to expect when I was coming in, but I am really learning and embracing every little bit that I can. I have to admit that the most stressful part of the week is trying to send out emails. Just imagine seeing a red flashing number in the corner of your eye, typing as fast as you can, and then being reminded every five minutes that you type slow and your time is running out. But really I think I will be alright. Its crazy to know that I have only been here two weeks. The time is flying by, but I feel like I have known some of these people forever and it really just messes with your head.
I mentioned a little about my district last time, but I suppose I could spill a little more info. The three of us are all going to Catania and will be leaving together at the end of March. We are finally figuring out how to teach between the three of us without vomiting info all over the investigater. Both of them are from right here in Utah, so we hear from their families all the time. No joke, Sorella White's mom sends a packaged of fresh baked goods every other day so we decided to start up a little bake sale buisness and it is going pretty well. Actually we joke all the time, becuase I make her run all the time, and she makes me eat her sweets, so together we keep eachother in balance.
We have had some cool teaching oportunities, but honestly some of the best have been within our own district. Anziono Bullock is still trying to adjust to this huge lifesyle change and we have had some really cool oportunities to bear testimony and just teach eachother. Also this week in the RC (call center) I was on chat with a girl named Lorelei from Pennsylvania who wants to know more about her church so I shared a little with her and tomorrow we set up a time to chat some more so I am excited and will let you know how that goes.
Otherwise, life is just good. Sometimes at night my eyes burn a little bit becuase I have been studying and reading for so long, but its always gone by the next day and it is way worth it, for learning such a beautiful language. I am so excited to teach! Everyday my teachers go off about how incredible the people of Italy are and what a blessing it is to serve there. . . only 7 more weeks. Well happy Valentines Day to you all. I love you more than you know!
Love Whitney
What an adventure this MTC experience has been. I really did not know what to expect when I was coming in, but I am really learning and embracing every little bit that I can. I have to admit that the most stressful part of the week is trying to send out emails. Just imagine seeing a red flashing number in the corner of your eye, typing as fast as you can, and then being reminded every five minutes that you type slow and your time is running out. But really I think I will be alright. Its crazy to know that I have only been here two weeks. The time is flying by, but I feel like I have known some of these people forever and it really just messes with your head.
I mentioned a little about my district last time, but I suppose I could spill a little more info. The three of us are all going to Catania and will be leaving together at the end of March. We are finally figuring out how to teach between the three of us without vomiting info all over the investigater. Both of them are from right here in Utah, so we hear from their families all the time. No joke, Sorella White's mom sends a packaged of fresh baked goods every other day so we decided to start up a little bake sale buisness and it is going pretty well. Actually we joke all the time, becuase I make her run all the time, and she makes me eat her sweets, so together we keep eachother in balance.
We have had some cool teaching oportunities, but honestly some of the best have been within our own district. Anziono Bullock is still trying to adjust to this huge lifesyle change and we have had some really cool oportunities to bear testimony and just teach eachother. Also this week in the RC (call center) I was on chat with a girl named Lorelei from Pennsylvania who wants to know more about her church so I shared a little with her and tomorrow we set up a time to chat some more so I am excited and will let you know how that goes.
Otherwise, life is just good. Sometimes at night my eyes burn a little bit becuase I have been studying and reading for so long, but its always gone by the next day and it is way worth it, for learning such a beautiful language. I am so excited to teach! Everyday my teachers go off about how incredible the people of Italy are and what a blessing it is to serve there. . . only 7 more weeks. Well happy Valentines Day to you all. I love you more than you know!
Love Whitney
First P-Day Email
Dear Family,
Today was a little crazy with my first P-day, but all is going extremely well. My threesome is a little odd with there being two sisters and one elder, but it catches everyone off guard and we are breaking him in to the relief society scene really quickly. They are also both extrememly bright, so the Italian is moving fast. We can pray and even bear our testimony.
As far as the food goes, mom don't worry, I am only at ten pounds so far and it feels great and tastes even better :) We have had one opportunity to teach so far and it was a real hoot. The guy was from New York with a heavy accent and really fun, but when it came to the lesson there was a great spiritual high too. Too bad he is already a member, but he said it was the most fun he had and he was way impressed. Well I have to run to a meeting but I love you and will write you more next week!
Sorella Robb
Today was a little crazy with my first P-day, but all is going extremely well. My threesome is a little odd with there being two sisters and one elder, but it catches everyone off guard and we are breaking him in to the relief society scene really quickly. They are also both extrememly bright, so the Italian is moving fast. We can pray and even bear our testimony.
As far as the food goes, mom don't worry, I am only at ten pounds so far and it feels great and tastes even better :) We have had one opportunity to teach so far and it was a real hoot. The guy was from New York with a heavy accent and really fun, but when it came to the lesson there was a great spiritual high too. Too bad he is already a member, but he said it was the most fun he had and he was way impressed. Well I have to run to a meeting but I love you and will write you more next week!
Sorella Robb
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Letters Wanted
Here is Whitney's information while she is on her mission... I know she would appreciate letters from all of you. There's nothing like getting mail as a missionary!
In the words of Whitney:
I am gone missionaring for the next 18 months in Italia, but it does not mean that we can not be friends. If you have time I would love to hear from you. Love you, you know who you are!
MTC Address (until the end of march):
Sister Whitney Jane Robb
Italy Catania Mission
Provo MTC
2005 N 900 E
Provo, UT 84604
Italy Address:
Sister Whitney Jane Robb
Italy Catania Mission
Via Corsaro, 84/7 (Parco Inglese)
95030 Sant' Agata Li Battiati CT
Italy
In the words of Whitney:
I am gone missionaring for the next 18 months in Italia, but it does not mean that we can not be friends. If you have time I would love to hear from you. Love you, you know who you are!
MTC Address (until the end of march):
Sister Whitney Jane Robb
Italy Catania Mission
Provo MTC
2005 N 900 E
Provo, UT 84604
Italy Address:
Sister Whitney Jane Robb
Italy Catania Mission
Via Corsaro, 84/7 (Parco Inglese)
95030 Sant' Agata Li Battiati CT
Italy
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