Saturday, December 23, 2006

Wednesday, December 20th, 2006

MERRY CHRISTMAS ALL!

I hope everyone is doing well and getting excited for the Christmas holidays! I can’t believe Christmas is already here, but I’m so glad it is because that means I’m one week closer to leaving the MTC and going to Rome! We actually should be getting our flight plans tomorrow or Friday and that will probably be the best Christmas present this year! Yea!

Okay, what happened this week? Last P-day was the best because we went and ate in the temple cafeteria; best food by far that we’d all eaten in the past 7 weeks! Then me and my comps did initiatories and our last session for a year and a half. It was great. Last Wednesday we also got 7 new Italian elders and 2 new sisters. They all seem great. It’s fun to have more people added to our branch!

The rest of the week we learned and practiced the 3rd lesson in Italian in order to teach on Monday as usual. Class is sort of starting to drag. We try our best and always make it a district goal to stay positive but it’s hard for us with our teacher, Sorella Knott. Instead of complimenting us on things we do well, she really likes to direct her spiritual thoughts toward our weak spots, which we already know are weak and which we’re trying hard to work on. Anyways, I could go off about her but it’s probably not good to do and a waste of time, so… on the other hand… Our other teacher Fratello Warren Rocks. He’s so intelligent and we all learn so much from him. He’s very complimentary and always makes us feel good about out teaching. We really focused as a companionship this week on making the 3rd lesson the best on we’ve taught. We wanted to make it personal, ask good questions and use the scriptures. We taught Dale again so you’ll have to ask him how we did!

Sunday was great; Lots of good talks. The highlight of the day was the Sunday night fireside. The BYU Men’s Chorus came and performed. They sang lots of great songs. Mom, I thought of you a lot, cause we all know how much you love the Men’s Chorus! It was a good change from the regular talks. Usually we watch a movie after the firesides on Sunday, but since we’ve been here for a while now we’ve seen them all so we decided to go back to our room. I’ve started reading Jesus the Christ this past week; I can’t remember if I mentioned that last letter. But WOW, what a book. I’m about 200 pages into it and my mind is sufficiently boggled! But it all makes so much sense. I don’t see how anyone could read it and not have a testimony or at least know that Jesus was the Christ. I know He is central to this plan. Without Him, we wouldn’t be able to overcome spiritual and physical death. I’m so grateful for this time of year to focus on Christ and his literally AWESOME life. I can’t wait to read more. I recommend reading it if you haven’t, it’s a great read! Yeah, Harry Potter’s good too but the best part about Jesus the Christ is that it’s true, all of it!

We are supposed to teach the 1st again in Italian but the TRC will be closed on Monday, I guess we’ll just teach our teachers so that takes a little pressure off. Yesterday’s devotional was awesome. Elder Merrill J. Bateman came and spoke about courage, effort, dedication, and humility. I think every speaker we’ve ever had has mentioned what an inspired program Preach My Gospel is. I believe it. The 1st Pres. and the 12 Apostles, along with many others put it together. I highly recommend reading it. It is truly inspired! I love teaching and especially learning from it! Read it!

Sounds like you’re all doing good. I wish I could buy you all Christmas presents but there’s not much here to buy unless you want a Russian Book of Mormon or some weird thing from the Bookstore. I haven’t heard what Christmas is going to be like for us yet so I’ll let you know how it goes next week.

Only 2 more weeks! Crazy. We are all so excited to get out of here. It’s been great for me (I don’t know about the rest of my districts!) and I’ve learned so much. I’ve never really said much about the group of Elders that I’ve come in with. They are all great and I’ve loved getting to know them, but I know there’s been lots of problems. I don’t know exactly the extent but that’s just a little warning for you mom and dad. I’m interested to know what you think after you meet them! Andy, I’ve talked to some of the Anziani about you! They’re excited to meet you so hopefully you’ll be at the Dinner when they come. Anziano Gibson is from Wales, he’s only 18 but the funniest kid you’ll ever meet. Talk to him! You can talk to Anziano Jensen about snowboarding too! He loves it! Anziano Gustafson has the funniest laugh ever and he makes fun of my laugh! I hope you get to meet them! They’re pretty much like brothers to me by now! And Dad, don’t be surprised if Anziano Horst or Gibson trick you about marrying me! GAG! They might say it in their interview just to see what reaction they get from you. Crazy boys. Don’t worry; I’d NEVER marry either of them! Yuck!

Well, Merry Christmas, Buon Natale!!
I wish I could have sent everyone those greeting cards but maybe Ell can post hers up so you can see it.


Miss and love you all!

Sorella Boynton


(Note from Jourdan: Ell gave me the letter to post while she is in Tuscon for Christmas, hence the christmas note from Carrie.)




P.S. Thanks to all who sent letter this week I’ll get a letter to you as soon as I have a minute! Loved Steve and Shirley’s cute Christmas picture.

Saturday, December 16, 2006

Wednesday, December 13th, 2006

(Click on images to make them larger)

Me, Anziano Gibson, and Sorella Winslow at the RC.


We Sorelle joined in on "Humble Tie Day" with the Anziani!

We got busted by a spanish teacher so we only wore the ties for the pictures! he he.

Christmas lights at the MTC... not Temple Square but it'll do!


Contents of Ell's package!! Helps it feel more like Christmas!

Saturday, December 09, 2006

Wednesday, December 6th, 2006

Happy December!

I've survived 5 weeks now at the MTC. That means I'm more than half way done! Yesssssssss (Napolean Dynamite style :) )!!

This past week was mainly spent studying teach the 1st lesson in Italiano. It's so fun I love it!

Last Thursday at the Referral Center we got to do incoming calls... taking calls that come in from people who are interested in getting a free DVD etc. I talked to a lady who wanted the "finding faith in Christ" DVD. She said she wasn't planning on having a very joyful Christmas Season because her son had just died. It was awesome to be able to tell her that she could find joy, and get through the hard time she was having. I talked to a really old grandma too who had received a Book of Mormon but hadn't had time to read it because she's been really sick. I told her to read it when she got better and that it would bring her more happiness. Good times at the RC.

Out of 11 in our branch, we're the only 3 going to Rome!
Anz. Jones, Me, Anz. Ethington

Okay, here's the sad/bad news of the week. On Friday I ate this wrap thing for lunch. BAD CHOICE! I knew the wraps weren't very good but the other choices, I thought, were just as bad. So I ate the "southwestern chicken wrap." Mama Mia! I started feeling sick that evening and knew it was the wrap. I went to bed feeling nauseous and woke up at 12:30, and then at 4:00 to go to the bathroom. Let's just say I didn't throw up, but I was in there for 10 minutes each time. Schifoso. I still felt sick through Saturday. I ate a total of 4 saltine crackers, an apple, and a bowl of raisin bran that day. I woke up Sunday morning feeling much better, but it being fast Sunday, I had to wait til 5:30pm to eat anything! So there's my "curse of the MTC food" story. I'll be so glad to get out of here and start eating real food. I think I might cry when I have my first meal of pesto or pretty much just anything in Italy!

Sunday was nice. Many of us bore our testimonies in Italian. We had lots of study time so I pretty much read the whole Ensign. Good stuff. We got to watch the 1st Presidency Christmas Devotional Sunday night. Molto bene.

The classroom where we spend most of our time!


Monday came again and with it, our lesson at the TRC. I started off a little nervous, but once I saw who we were teaching, I was the happiest ever! Ciccio Bomba = Chubby Bomb... a.k.a. Dale Bowman! Everyone here, the Italian missionaries that is, loves him because he's such a good fake investigator. He doesn't try to stump you with questions, talks slow enough to understand, and just plays a great "golden investigator." There were like 3 others in the room as well but he was the most "into it." The lesson went really well. That's the good thing about teaching in Italian, it keeps the lesson really basic, which is what first time investigators need anyway. So that was probably the highlight of the week. Now we're preparing for the second in Italian. Dolce!

Everything else is going well. Yesterday Elder Richard C. Edgley, the Presiding Bishop spoke at the devotional. He talked about alot of good stuff, told some funny stories, and stressed the importance of bringing people into the church. Even if it's just one soul.

Thanks to all who wrote this week. It really makes my day. Mom, we all loved eating the duplos you sent! Especially Fratello Fife!

Eating Duplos with Fratello Fife!

Thanks so much! Everyone wanted more but that will just give them something to look forward to.

Here's what Mom and Dad have to look forward to!
Crazy Elders!


Ell, thanks so much for the package! Love the decorations and can't wait to open the rest (at their respective times of course!) I loved reading the blogs you printed out, sounds like Christmas is in full swing in the world outside the MTC. Sometimes I don't even know what month, let alone, day it is in here. They all mesh together pretty darn well! Your decorations will help me remember its December!

I think that's pretty much it. I've got lots of other letters to write so I better get started on those. Hope everyone had a great week!

Love,

Sorella Boynton
Happy to be a missionary!
Happy to be outside!
Not happy about the double-chin!


(A note from Ell: Sorry for the quality of the photos. I'm just taking pictures of pictures and it's hard to get them in focus, but you get the idea! And that last one looks wider than it really is because of the way I cropped it! Oh Well!)

Saturday, December 02, 2006

Wednesday, November 29th, 2006

Buongiorno Tutti!

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving here was pretty enjoyable. We were surprised in the morning by Elder Richard G. Scott who spoke at the morning devotional. He gave a great talk on gratitude. At the end of his talk he told us that he was going to be the speaker for Tuesday devotional as well. So that's who we heard from again at yesterday's devotional. But let me finish with Thanksgiving Day.

After the devotional we had a neat humanitarian fireside. It's really neat and amazing how much the church helps when natural disasters happen. So anyways, half of us missionaries went and put first-aid kits together while the other half of us had a "sing-a-long" where we learned about the stories behind some hymns and then sang them. Then we had our "Thanksgiving Feast." Definitely not a satisfying Thanksgiving meal, but what can you expect with 2000+ missionaries to feed. We got to take an hour nap which was pretty nice. We ended the night off with a fireside by John Bytheway. It was surprisingly good. So yeah, that was my Thanksgiving in the MTC.

Friday was a normal day in the classroom. Just worked on our lesson for Monday. Saturday was service day. We empty all the trashes in 11M- the TRC building for those who know what I'm talking about! We had class again.

I love Sundays here. Sister Sheri Dew spoke to us in Relief Society. One thing she talked about was how lots of things that aren't possible happen. She told this story about how she was flying from a small airport in New York to JFK International Airport. Her flight was late getting in and she basically had 7 minutes to run from the tarmac, up into the terminal, and make her connection to Salt Lake. She said "Anyone who's been to JFK Airport knows that making a connection in 7 minutes isn't possible." But she continued on and to make a long, funny, story short... she made the flight after running through the airport in high heels and yelling to hold the door from 20 ft away! 7 minutes! That blows my mind. I've been there a couple of times myself and know that that was pretty much a miracle! She related it to Joseph Smith restoring the gospel, to missionaries being able to serve in the Soviet Union, and to us being able to communicate with God. All things that seem impossible... but have happened. It was a great talk, what an amazing lady. We went and gave her a hug afterward! :)

Also on Sunday, I got called on to give a talk. Here, they don't tell you who's speaking until they announce it after the sacrament. So luckily I had prepared my Italian talk about the Book of Mormon. I don't think there were many who understood it, but oh well. Now I'm off the hook for awhile! We decided to go to the choir, so we learned the song "Faith of our Fathers." Great song! The evening fireside was great. We learned how to be selfless missionaries and how there's no room to be selfish. About a week ago I got a letter from Marg that goes along with this and is something that is so important. She said "you really have to put away all selfish thoughts and focus on the work." I learn that more and more everyday. It's a hard thing to do but it's got to be done to really lose yourself in the work. It seems that I'm reminded everyday of Mom, Dad, and Andy and they're selflessness and focus on the work in Italy. What a sacrifice missionary work is, but it is so worth it.

Monday we taught our last lesson in English. It went well and now we get to teach next week in Italian! I'm really excited about that!

I also received your package Mom, with the duplos in it! Grazie mille! I haven't seen Brother Fife yet, since he's not my teacher anymore, but I'll catch him sometime and he will be so happy! Thanks again for doing that!

Yesterday, Tuesday, we had Elder Scott come again. He spoke on the spirit and how we must use it to teach our investigators. My favorite part of his talk though, was his testimony. It's probably one of the most powerful testimonies I've heard from an apostle. He bore such a powerful testimony that Christ lives, that he is real, and that he wants so much to help us. The other best part was shaking his hand. He took time to shake every missionary's hand! It probably took an hour and a half, but since we were in the choir, we only waited for 20 minutes! He shook my hand and said "thank-you" really sincerely and so did I. What an opportunity!

Well, that's about it. We just got back from walking in the cold snow from the temple. I love our visits there. I'm going to miss going while I'm in Italy!

I'm grateful for your letters. I love hearing how you're all doing. Things couldn't be much better here!

Love,

Sorella Boynton

Thursday, November 30, 2006

Wednesday, November 22, 2006

Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving! Where did everyone go? Anyone do anything out of the ordinary or was it the regular eat tons of food and chat? I can remember last Thanksgiving at the Taylors where afterword, we played one of the most intense games of mafia I've ever played! he he. I'm sure some of you remember that crazy game!

Well, lots has happened this week so let me fill you in...

Thursday was a regular day. We worked on the 3rd lesson. Our investigator also needed to be taught the law of chastity so we worked on how to teach that.

While we're in class, and I guess just anytime, we try to say prayers in Italian. There's a really funny Anziano (Elder) in our district from Wales, Anziano Gibson. He's only 18 but cracks me up all the time. So we all knelt down to say the last prayer of the day and it was his turn. When we don't know how to say words in Italian, we say them in English. The last thing he said was... "ti chiediamo per a nice, prolonged dormire" ha ha. We pretty much all bursted out laughing. He said it so funny but we all knew it was true. It's tiring work here and I'm glad he asked for a "nice prolonged sleep."

We went to the RC on thrusday as well. For those who don't know what that is... it's the referral center where people call in about church commercials to get DVDs, Books of Mormon, or best of all, to have the missionaries sent to them. So we were making outbound calls; checking up on people to see if they received what they wanted. Most of the time we get answering machines. I talked only to a few people who didn't want us to call back. But I also called a number and the person's ringtone thing was none other than the song "crazy" by Gnarls Barkley! ha ha. So I had a little dance party in my chair and remembered the good times at Rod and Jos. wink wink.

Friday was just another day of learning in the classroom. We continue learning the language and it continues to be a review for me. I learn words every once in a while. I'm trying to SYL (speak your language) as much as I can. We also started trying to learn the 1st lesson in Italian so that's pretty neat.

Saturday morning we were taught by Sorella Cramer. She is such a great teacher and always has the best things to say. We also got to take a walk around the MTC, that's always nice when we've been inside all morning. I don't think I've ever said anything about how my district was struggling at first for awhile. The two Anziani in it, Gibson and Horst, are pretty sarcastic and think everything is lame. They complain a lot. Sometimes I wonder why they're here. But apparently everyone noticed. Our teacher then, Fratello German, told us that the spirit wasn't in class. So that made us all sad. The Branch President, President Marcov talked to those Anziani and now they've gotten quite a bit better. They still complain a little about having to sing 20 times a day and pray 40, but heck, so do I, the trick is just to not vocalize it!

Sunday was great. We always have such great speakers for Relief Society. Sister Bonnie D. Parkin came and gave an awesome talk on gratitude. She made us all write thank-you notes to someone. I wish I could've written you all one, but sorry, Mom and Dad got it! She gave us 5 minutes to write them and by the end I could hear many sniffles. I have to admit a few were mine. I guess it was a mixture of gratitude and homesickness. After the talk, we got to go and give her a hug. What an inspired lady.

We had sacrament meeting in the afternoon. It was the older two districts last Sunday so that was sad. After that we took our Sunday walk up to the temple. It's always so pretty because we're up there just as the sun goes down. The Sunday evening fireside was amazing. This guy, Ted Gibbons, gave a talk as if he were Willard Richards. He stayed in character the entire time. It was amazing to hear the Joseph Smith story told from his point of view. It was very personal and made me so grateful for Joseph Smith. He never did anything except the Lord's will. Praise to the Man!

Monday came and that means teaching in the TRC. We taught the 3rd with the law of chastity. We had this really old lady who was asleep half the time but the older guy was great. We are good at teaching in unity but we still need to work on personalizing our lessons. This next week we'll teach the 1st again and then it's Italian! Monday night we said goodbye to all of the older Sorelle and Anziani. I sent a note for you, Mom, Dad and Andy so hopefully Sorella Birdsall gave that to you. About 4 Sorelle went to Milano and the others (3) went to Rome. I was so jealous that they were going to see you Dad and Mom! I wanted to get into their suitcases and visit you. So now it's pretty quiet around here. It's just our two districts, 11 people.

These first three weeks we've been all together in the same classroom. But yesterday we got spilt into our 2 districts. Us Sorelle are with Anziano Hurst and Gibson and then there's 6 Anziani in the other one. The other district keep Fratello German and Fratello Fife as their teachers and we had to get new ones. We are all pretty bummed because we love those teachers and they know where we are in our learning. But now we have Sorella Knott and Fratello Warren as our teachers, they both served in Rome. Sorella Knott is okay but we like Fratello Warren a lot. Change is good, I guess.

What a day yesterday was. Sorella Winslow has been having sort of a rough time. I guess she hasn't been sleeping too well and I think she's a little overwhelmed and homesick. Aren't we all! Her Mom sends her a card everyday. She's also gotten many packages. One of them had her stuffed dog in it. I guess she can't sleep without it. Jourdan, you better tell Milo right now that Quack has to stay at home when he goes on his mission! She broke down yesterday at lunch when she got caught trying to sneak into the lunchroom without her blue card. I guess the lady gave her a guilt trip. So all that was adding up and she was weeping all through lunch. I didn't know what to do. I was sort of rolling my eyes, but yeah, that's probably not the most Christlike thing. The Zone Leaders and District Leaders gave her a blessing of comfort and she seems to be doing well today. Mama Mia!

Elder R. Conrad Schultz of the Seventy spoke at the devotional about obedience. It was great. We met with the Branch Presidency afterward and discussed the devotional. One of our Counselors, Brother Naccarato mentioned how it always amazes him how these general authorities give up their whole lives to the gospel. It's total selflessness. He said that's how we need to be on our missions. We have to give it our all, and it's true. It's so hard but it's definitely possible. When I was on the swim team I remember Coach Dan Miller telling us that "we stand on all the shoulders of all who have swam before us." He would tell us that when we step on those blocks, we have the suport of all those who have ever swam for Orem. And I think that's so true about the gospel as well. There have been so many great missionaries who have gone before me: Ell and Paul, Marg and Nate, Rod, Steve, Tom, and Dad and Mom. I'm so grateful for that and for your support. We stand on the shoulders of Joseph Smith, the true prophet of the Restoration. The Book of Mormon missionaries such as Alma and Amulek were some of the best. And Jesus Christ is, of course, the ultimate example. It's humbling to think that we are just as important to this work. If all these people went through the things they did to bring people to the church, I know we can as well! It brings on new determination when I remember this. So, many thanks to you all.

The laundry is done and this has been, yet, another long letter. Unfortunately the temple is closed today for the holiday so we won't get to do that today. But I think we'll walk up there anyway.

I hope you are all doing well. I just got letters from Tom and Rod and Jo but haven't had time to read them yet. Thanks! Also thanks to Marg and Aunt Lynne and the Hillmans for letters and cookies! Be looking for letters soon! Aub, I wrote you a letter but I guess I put the wrong address so I'll try to send it again.

I love this work. I'm so excited to go to Italy and teach this true gospel to those I find! Grazie mille for all of your prayers! They help!

Love,

Sorella Boynton

Saturday, November 18, 2006

Wednesday, November 15th, 2006

Hey there,

Well, it's p-day and that means laundry and writing letters while we're waiting. We'll also go to the temple later this afternoon which will be great. I had a good time there last week as well.

The new front to the Provo Temple

I was going to bring my journal so that I could write about the last week thoroughly but I forgot so I'll just write what I remember.

The whole last week we pretty much just prepared to teach the 2nd lesson on the plan of salvation. We just study it lots and lots and practice teaching the seperate principles in class. When we teach, we don't use notes or anything so that's why we have to study it so much. We have to know it like the back of our hands, including good scriptures to use. So we taught the 2nd lesson on Monday. It went pretty well. One of my companions started giving commitments before we had taught the whole lesson so we sort of had to back track. She was mad at herself for that but it really wasn't a big deal. We just need to work on being more simple and direct in our teaching. Now this week we'll focus on the 3rd lesson.

The classic shot.
Sor. Sarsozo, Sor. Winslow, Me

Language study continues to go well. I haven't learned very much new stuff but I'm trying to study some more advanced stuff. Wow, that was a bad sentence. I really can't wait to teach the lessons in Italian... which will be in about 2 weeks! I've heard that Dale Bowman a.k.a. Ciccio Bomba volunteers so I'll teach him maybe! That would be rad.

What else? Yesterday was the devotional. Elder Robert S. Woods of the Seventy came and gave an awesome talk on happiness and giving everthing we have to the cause of the church. I love the devotionals. After we get in our districts and discuss our thoughts. One of our Branch Presidency counselors, Bro. Naccarato sat in with us. He's funny but a great guy. He made us read about how Lehi and the Nephi were all willing to give up all they had to follow the promptings of the spirit. That's the whole purpose of preach my gospel. I love it.

All of the missionaries that are leaving next week are soooo excited. They are they ones that are going to Milano and are excited to meet you Mom and Dad! It'll be funny to see what you think about them cause I've been around them a lot and think I have a pretty good idea of who the awesome ones are going to be and who might struggle a little. Pretty judgemental, but oh well. I sort of wish I was leaving with them! But I still have lots to learn and really am enjoying the learning here.

Being goofy. Hanging onto the back of a cart. Anziano Newbold peers.

My companions are good. Sorella Sarsozo keeps me laughing. We were all playing pictionary and someone drew a dog. So she yelled out "weiner cane!" (cane is dog in Italian). Anyway, probably not funny to you but I guess you had to be there.
Me and Sor. Sarsozo running alongside the biking missionaries.

We are usually waiting on Sorella Winslow. She has to get her hair just right and eyebrows plucked before we leave. But it's all good. None of us fight or anything so that's a blessing.

The 3 Sorelle

My teacher Fratello Fife told us that there's going to be a stake made in Torino? That's so cool. That means Italy would be able to have a temple if I'm not mistaken! That got us all really excited because who knows, maybe we'll be there when they break grounds or something. Especially us Romans got excited because that's where the church has land for a temple. So good work, Dad!

Thanks for your letter Mom. Andy, Good luck with your widom teeth! Are you going to be awake or put out? Thanks cousin Katy, Steve, Jenn and Aub for your letters also. I'll try to get other letters out soon!

Also, Mom, if you wanted to make Fratello Fife's day, send me some duplos. You know, Kinder Duplo bars. He loves those and it would be cool if I could give him one straight from Italia! Send 12 or 13 if you want and I can give them to the district!

Some of our district

Anyway, that's all I can remember for now. Hope everything is going well with you all. I miss playing with little Milo and Elliot and talking to Rod and Jo all night. I miss calling Ell and Marg whenever I need. I miss seeing cute little Porter. Tom, hope your jeep's doing well. Did the zippy car mess ever get taken care of? What's Cash's latest new trick?

Love you all!
Sorella Boynton

Friday, November 10, 2006

First week at the MTC

Hi all!

I can't remember what details I told you last week so sorry if I repeat anything.

First week at the MTC down, about 8 to go! It seems like this first week has flow by with all the stuff we've done but it also seems like an eternity since Rod, Jo, Steve, Shirley, Tom and the kids dropped me off. Anyway, here's a recap of what's happened since then.

Thursday we dove right into Preach My Gospel, in preparation to teach it in the TRC to a "fake" investigator on Monday. We studied and studied all of the principles and practiced teaching it to others. It's been a little bit hard to get used to teaching with 3 of us. At first we were dividing sections up but didn't really like the idea of that because we don't learn the whole lesson well. So one of the teachers, Sorella Cramer, came in and taught the most awesome lesson on teaching in unity. That's really the only way the spirit can be there when you teach. So I was really grateful for her lesson and from then on we've all been studying the whole lesson so that we can take turns teaching no matter where the last companion left off.

Friday was filled with more studying and also study of the language. To me, it's pretty slow moving, but I've learned to be patient while the others learn. I learn new little things every once in awhile that I never knew, like grammatical stuff, so that's good. I'm really blessed to have such a head start on the language. We watched a series of videos that told this story of missionaries and converting investigators. It was so awesome. That's what I love about being here. Before, at home, I'd get a "spiritual high" (for lack of a better word) maybe on Sundays or as I read the scriptures and then the week started and I'd get caught up in other things and forget to act on that high. But here, I get those highs at least once a day and am able to keep having them everyday and I am also able to put all my effort 24/7 to the work. I don't know if that made any sense but maybe those who've been on missions know what I'm talking about. Whatever.

I've seen so many people here that I know, it's crazy! It's like at the end of the movie "Big Fish" where people from all of his life are there at the edge of the river! I saw a girl I knew in high school, Liz Cannon who was in London with me, Jackie Larsen who I lifeguarded with, 2 girls that I worked at Aspen Grove with (Maggie and Kip), Miriam from when I lived at the Brittany Apts., Dennis and Tiffany (and of course titi) who were all in Hawaii, and a kid who always used to come into the Deli at Thanksgiving Point! So crazy! I've also seen the Hawkes and Aunt Kris a number of times. It's so fun to see people I know.

Fratello Fife is my teacher, Dad. I can't remember if I told you or not. He's really good. Also, I told Fratello Garlick that I'd say "Hi" to you so... Hi. Sorella Clayton isn't teaching right now, she's doing something in the TRC. But I got to see her the other day and gave her a big hug! She's the best!

One of the highlights of my days are gym time. We are free to do whatever we want and we don't have to stay in companionships. The first time I ran around the track. But the track here is small and you have to run around it 10 times to get a mile. I got discouraged because as I ran around for the 15th time, I would look out the windows annd I just wanted to go running outside wherever I wanted instead of in dumb circles inside. So I went downstairs and played 4-square instead. (ha, ha, I pulled my unified 4 square skills out! he he!)

Saturday was a regular day in the classroom. Sunday was filled with meetings and conferences and firesides. We had a little break so our branch got to go up and walk around the temple! It was so pretty and a good break. It was dusk so the lighting was awesome and they're finished re-doing the front so it's really pretty. We took some pictures so I'll try to send some in next week's letter.

Monday we pretty much just prepared to teach the 1st lesson on the restoration. The time came and it was a little nerve-racking! We taught this older couple and it went pretty well. I was able to remember scriptures to use and didn't really have any mind blanks so that was good. Our teacher said we did well, but of course there's room for improvement.

Yesterday, Tuesday, we started on the 2nd lesson and will study that this week in order to be able to teach it on Monday. Tuesday is devotional night at the MTC so yesterday we got to hear from Elder Tingey of the Quorum of the Seventy. It was awesome. He spoke on setting goals to baptize and opening your mouth when in the field. Lots of good insight.

And today is P-day. We'll do our laundry and also get to go to the temple which I'm really looking forward to.

Things in general are going fine. It really does take some getting used to to be with companions 24/7. I really like my companion Sorella Sarsozo. I get along better with her. It's easier to laugh with her and we just have more in common. She's funny. I love her. But I'm having a little bit of a hard time being the same way with Sorella Winslow. She's just different and sometimes that's hard. She's a great missionary though. She's just sort of high maintenance and everybody knows that's not me at all! They both are pretty quiet. I'd say I'm the most outgoing one. I remember Katy saying in one of her emails that she always found herself walking in front of her companions and having to slow the pace down so they could keep up. Ha ha. That's sort of how I feel. I guess it's the "London spirit" in us! But it's also only the first week so hopefully things will get better and there won't be so much of that awkward silence like when we're getting to bed, etc.

Dad, here's a question for you and I need an answer pronto! Like, within the next week. Say a missionary was really into Harry Potter. Would you let them read just a couple chapters a day on a P-day? Maybe in Italian? There's a really big Harry Potter fan coming to you in a couple weeks and she wants to know because the 7th book comes out in May or something, he he. I won't tell you which Sister cause she'll get mad. You'll just have to figure it out when they come! This next group coming to you are a great group. Especially the Sisters! So watch out!

Tom wins the prize because he was the first one to write me! Just like every other missionary, I've come to find how great it is to get mail. It's a big event when mail comes and sad when none is for you! So I'll say this once... WRITE ME! All you bloggers should print off your blogs so I know what's going on outside this chamb... I mean MTC.

I love you all and am so grateful to be here. It's crazy and sometimes lonely but most of the time it's way good. The spirit is always present and ready to teach me so much. I'm so grateful for this gospel and know that it is true.

Love,

Sorella Boynton

Jessie Woods: I saw your friend Lyndsay who went to Zion with us! Oh how it made me miss you Big T! :)

p.s. Maud Squad, I don't have any of your addresses so you'll have to write first!

That goes for anyone really!

Saturday, November 04, 2006

November 1st, 2006

Wow, what a place the MTC is and it's only the first day!

After saying goodbye to the fam I followed the line of new missionaries and we turned in our medical forms and there I saw Sister Forsyth. It was fun to see her and talk for a bit.

They asked if I wanted a flu shot and I thought that'd be a good thing to do since I'll be around a lot of people in tight quarters for the next 9 weeks in the MTC. So I got the shot (Mom will be glad to hear this I'm sure!) and then went and got all my Italian books and then went to my room. I was the 1st one there so I got to choose my bed, bottom bunk!

Anyway, I have 2 companions. Sorella Sorsozo from Denver, Colorado and Sorella Winslow from Ogden. They are both going to the Milano mission! They seem to be great people and I think we'll all get along well.

We've had lots of meetings today. They've all been very spiritual and it's neat to be here with all these missionaries. We met our branch president tonight, President Marcov. He and his wife are very kind and have lots of good advice. It's so funny because they call us Sorelle, "Sorelli"! Like because plural for Fratello is Fratelli, plural for Sorella must be Sorelli! Ha ha. I get a kick out of it!

We met with our district tonight and all introduced ourselves and told where we are going. I'm the only sister in my district going to Rome along with 2 Elders. All the others, my comps and about 4 or 5 Elders, are coming to you Mom and Dad! Give me a couple weeks and I'll let you know whether to be worried or excited! Just kidding, they all seem like hard working missionaries. The Sorelle and Fratelli that leave in about 3 weeks are a good group so you can look forward to them. I told them they can ask me any questions about you they want!

Looks like I'll be super busy for my stay here. It's a bit overwhelming right now trying to figure out schedules and where everything is, but I'm sure that comes with time.

I'm so happy to finally be on my mission. There's a great spirit here and I'm looking forward to giving it my all in order to be ready to teach the best I can. I know, and something they've stressed a lot today, is that with faith and through obedience anything can happen. I can't wait to learn more here and then be able to go and teach in Italy.

I love you all! Thanks again for all your love and support.

Love,

Sorella Boynton
MTC Mailbox #178
ITA-ROM 0102
2005 N. 900 E.
Provo, UT 84604-1793

(A note from Ell: Carrie does not have access to this blog, I'm just typing her letters in. So if you want to "comment" or write to her, use the above address! You're more than welcome to comment, just know that she won't see it!)

Wednesday, November 01, 2006

Ci Vediamo Fra Poco!

Just wanted to say one last FAREWELL! Ell is going to be typing my letters for the next couple months and posting them on here.

Godspeed!

Sorella Boynton

Tuesday, October 31, 2006

Farewell and Halloween: The blog that literally took all day!

I never thought the day of my farewell would come! And now, it's gone. I feel like it went pretty well and am just glad it's over. I was more nervous the night before my talk than the night before my marathon!

After sacrament meeting, some of us took a stop to see how the old house was doing. It needs a bit of work but we had fun walking around outside, peeking inside, and I had fun posing on the porch like all the other missionaries did before me!






Milo had fun eating cheeto's with Maura.

Cameron had fun looking at bugs!


Then we ran down to Proctors and waited there until the open house.

Tom took some pictures of the famous M.a.u.d Squad, my best buds.

I didn't take pictures at the open house. But it was a great day!
Thanks, everyone, for coming!!!


HALLOWEEN PARTY

Monday night we all got together at Rod and Jo's for the first annual Bo
ynton FHE Halloween party. We weren't allowed to attend unless we dressed up.

Ell, Paul, and Cash showed up as cowboy, pajama girl, and monkey. Cute!


Rod and Jourdan were superhero/power ranger people. Milo was a humble chicken and Elliot a hatchet!



Steve and Shirley were punk rock stars. Cute little Porter was Tigger and tiny Jade, an Indian!


Tom showed up as a hospital dude!


I was a lion! And had fun doing many cat poses!
I promise that's me and my real hair!


Dinner was great! Squash and spinach soup in an edible sqaush cauldron! YUM.


Games and carving pumpkins were fun as well.


Liars dice came down to Jourdan and Ell but Ell ended up the winner!


What a fun party! Thanks Rod and Jo!

(Seriously though, it took FOR-EV-ER to download all the pictures.
I had to do it one by one. Don't ask me why!!! I started at 10 this morning and now it's midnight! So ENJOY!)

Tuesday, October 24, 2006

All Aboard!


Things are looking up. I'll always be sad that I was the one to do the zippy car in but I've finally come to terms with it. It was a great car and took us all many places! It always had a smile on! Thanks, Ell, for helping me out with that mess.

My computer was able to be fixed and just about everything was salv...I mean saved. hehe. Or NOT!! haha. : )

Work is over and now I can finish up the last bit of shopping before I leave in about a week (gulp!)

Mom sent me this quote once and it's quickly becoming one of my favorites.

"Anyone who imagines that bliss is normal is going to waste a lot of time running around shouting that he has been robbed. Most putts don't drop. Most beef is tough. Most children grow up to be just people. And most marriages require a high degree of mutual toleration. Life is like an old-time rail journey--delays, sidetracks, smoke, dust, cinders, and jolts, interspersed only occasionally by beautiful vistas and thrilling bursts of speed. The trick is to thank the Lord for letting you have the ride."
(Teachings of Gordon B. Hinckley, p. 254, quoting Jenkins, Lloyd Jones.)

I can't wait for my next train ride!!


Wednesday, October 18, 2006

I've Had It! Part 2

It's been a hard week. And of course this all has to happen 2 weeks before I go into the MTC.

The zippy car crisis makes me sick. It's either pay $1000 to have it fixed or salvage the title and kiss it goodbye.

My laptop crashed the other day. Now I have to go through the trouble of trying to get that fixed.

I don't know what I've done to deserve this. Maybe it's just in preparation for the hard times that lie ahead in the MTC. But bottom line, it's crappy. I remember Marg telling Rod one day that, "Crap happens." It can testify that it does and I don't like it one bit.

Tom, if you don't get your car fixed soon we can drive....I mean, you can call me and you can join me in my cry fest if you want.

By the way things are going...stay tuned for I've Had It! Parts 3, 4, and 5!

Saturday, October 14, 2006

I've Had It!

The past couple days I've been seriously debating whether or not to keep working in the "L" hole that is the Thanksgiving Point Deli. It started out as an okay job but has quickly become a bad dream...and that's the nightmare of it all, it's not a dream, it's reality.

I wish I was more bold. That's something I would change about myself if I had the chance. But instead it's in my nature to please others, even if it means having people walk all over me. If I were more bold I wouldn't show up to work on Monday, like my fellow worker Jaylee did this past week.
My first day working I met Jaylee, who'd only been working for a couple days herself. She was a cute, hard working girl, not much different than myself. Starting last Saturday and throughout this whole week, even though she was scheduled, she didn't show up to work. My boss called her and she never called back. Yesterday, as I was getting yelled at for the third or fourth time by my boss in front of customers for making mistakes I did and DID NOT make that could have easily been handled in a more professional manor, I thought about Jaylee and how she'd had it, and haven't stopped thinking about what a SMART, BOLD move she made by quitting.

I've had it with my boss.
I can no longer handle the way she looks at me as if I'm retarded when I ask her a question. It makes me want to shrivel into a corner...or just stare back and say, "What are you gonna do about it, huh?" Her loud voice that yells across the deli so that all can here makes me cringe. Leaving the team during the busiest part of the day to take a smoke break and coming back smelling like smoke is a let down. As one of my fellow
normal employees said, "She makes it, like, 10 times more stressful than it already is."
And she wonders why she's had so many people not show up to work never to come back or quit after a month of working.

I've had it with a fellow employee.
I really think there's a medical problem in this one. I'm always nice to her but because she's been there for 3 years (gasp) she watches my every move and things have to be done her way. Not to mention her maturity level of a 5 year old (swatting ferociously at my hands when I was about to do something wrong).

There's only a few things that have kept me happy there.
1. The mexican workers downstairs that cook the hot food. They are nice and the hardest working people in the whole place.
2. The time when I turned around to get 3 bottled waters for a customer and I dropped one on the tile only to have it bounce all the way back up and land in between my thighs. I was laughing to myself about that for the rest of the day.
3. Visits from family members.

I started today thinking that this could be my last day of work. I thought it was a sign when a black guy with the coolest British accent (he's a 'regular' to the deli, so I'd talked to him before) came in and told us that he'd been thinking about something for a long time and he'd finally figured it out. He explained that when you're young you live by instinct because you have your whole life ahead of you and when you're older you live by wisdom because you've learned from the past and that makes one wise. I could see what he was saying and almost convinced myself right there to go with my gut instinct and not show up to work on Monday. I thought and thought throughout the day and remembered back to my American Heritage class and how we learned about opportunity cost. And that's what swayed my decision to stick with it. I might as well work one more week and earn some money to fix the zippy. Who knows, maybe that's why I got the job in the first place...to pay for the broken zippy. MAN O MAN.

Since I have decided to endure my last week of work, all I can say is boss, you are LUCKY to have had me...

And if I had decided not to show up on Monday, it sure would have been fun to say,"Sure, I got one question for you. It's CAN YOU DEAL WITH THAT(with karate chop hand motions, of course!)

Consider myself vented...

Monday, October 09, 2006

Here's to Running

I started training for my first marathon, the St. George Marathon, at the beginning of June. By training I mean running 3 times a week, cross-training (usually swimming) 2 times and week, and resting 2 days a week. That's what I did from June until last week. It's a strange feeling to have trained for something for so long, complete it, and have it be over so quickly. I woke up this morning, the first Monday all summer where I didn't feel obligated to go running. It was nice, especially because my muscles are still recovering. But when it comes down to it, I'd wake up for an early run over sleeping in any day. It's one of the most refreshing things in the world.

Some people think running 26.2 miles straight is crazy... and so do I. As I was half-way through the marathon, I looked ahead of me and just watched everyone running. Running, running, running, some walking, but most just running. I thought, "What is it that makes people want to run for such a long time?" "Why do I like doing this?" In my opinion, the benefits of running far outweigh the craziness and that's why I run.

The marathon was hard. We woke up at 4:30am and were bussed up to the freezing starting line. Before I knew it we were running. I've always loved running in the morning. The sun slowly came up and the full moon slowly went down. The first big hill came at mile 7 and my friend Jessie had to take a pit stop so I continued running and from there on out I ran alone. I guess that's not totally true. I did have The Killers, The Arcade Fire, The Fray, Interpol, and a couple other bands to keep me company. I can remember mile 13 being tough. I was tired but was only half way there. My left knee had been hurting pretty bad earlier on but was feeling better. I had already eaten a gu and I think that's what got me through for a while. The next wall I hit was at mile 20. It's hard because at that point you know you only have 6.2 miles left but the problem is you've already been running 20! A number of times during the marathon I thought of Dad and his Ironman. I might be able to run 26.2 miles, but add a 2.4 mile swim and a 112 mile bike? Now that's borderline insane! Props Dad! Anyways, all I could do was keep running. Walking was not an option because I knew if I did my legs wouldn't allow me to start running again. The finish line was finally in sight and it took every last ounce of energy to get there! I saw Rod, Jo, Milo, Pam, and Dean there cheering me on. I crossed the finish line with a time of 4:00:55. Sweet. I ate a couple popsicles and watched my other friends come in. It felt so good to be done! Especially because I had cut my goal time by 30 minutes. We all hobbled around the rest of the day but had a nice swim and later, dinner at Bajios. It's an experience I'll never forget and hopefully one I'll be able to experience a few more times.

Running in races is rewarding in many ways and leaves you with a great sense of accomplishment. I love the feeling AFTER a good race. I also love running when I'm not training for a race. It just plain makes me feel good. So here's three cheers to running for helping me relieve stress, for helping me get to know my way around new places, for keeping me healthy, and for bringing me closer to friends and family. Hip Hip HOORAY! Hip HIP HOORAY! HIP HIP HOORAY!

So whose going to run the 2008 St. George Marathon with me?

Thursday, October 05, 2006

Sunday, October 01, 2006

Watch Out Ladies!!!

Last Wednesday, after much debating, many hours of searching, and a couple explanations to the sellers that I was his sister and not his wife, Tom bought a Jeep Cherokee! I've had some requests from the Vegans and Italians to post some pictures so here they are...

Driving down state street after the purchase. Look at that big smile!!! If you look at the door, you can see my reflection snapping the picture from the zippy! Probably not the safest thing to do while crusin at 50mph but hey, had to catch it in action!


It looks nice outside and the inside is in mint condition!


A great car, a great guy, now all he has to do is find a great girl and take her for a spin! Woot woot! And if he buys a bass he'll be able to whip that out of the back and seduce her with it's soothing, low bass notes...look out ladies...there's a new man on the road!!!

Update...We just got back from a Sunday diggin' (driving in the dirt up steep, rocky passes, etc etc.) trip so I had to add a few videos (above) and pictures. They look pretty pixely but what can you do? We drove up Provo Canyon and then from Cascade Springs up and over into Heber! Bumpy ride but fun in the Jeep! Mom, Dad, and Marg will appreciate seeing the Alpine Loop in it's fall splendor, if it doesn't give you motion sickness that is!


After the bumpy ride with a tiny Mt. Timp in the background.


Thursday, September 21, 2006

For the Love


bow wow ruff woof Carrie (no dogs allowed near Carrie)

Sorry future kids, I discovered something monumental today. The plain truth is that I don't like dogs; never have and probably never will, so don't ask for one (unless you're blind). They may be cute when they are puppies, but for me, that doesn't cut it. I've just never had a reason to like them. Why? Glad you asked...

I don't know about you, but I never liked having a dog leave a poop on the lawn. Mowing the lawn was never one of my favorite things to do and having to clean up after a dog that I didn't own only made it worse.

Maybe I was just a weird kid, but I didn't like having to watch where I was running in my friends backyard to make sure I didn't step in poo, and even though I would try my best, it happened many times. Who likes scraping that mess off the bottom of a shoe? NOT me.

The only thing I hate about running is the dogs I encounter on the way! Mom, Dad, and Andy (and maybe others) know about those killer Italian dogs that hide in the fences, waiting for you to walk by just so they can bark and scare the bejeepers (sp?) out of you. While running in Hawaii, gaurd dogs came out from under the fence and chased us down the highway. Today, while I was running, a big, mean looking dog came and chased me up the hill. Running up-hill is hard enough WITHOUT a dog chasing you!

They don't smell very good and don't make houses smell very good either.

They bite people.

They pee and poo all over the sidwalks in London and Italy.

They bark during the night and keep me awake. (especially in Hawaii!)

They take up money that could be used more wisely.

Trick-or-Treating was never the same after I came home one Halloween to find poop on my shoe. Let's just say the Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, my favorite Halloween treat when I was a kid, didn't seem so appatizing that night.

The list goes on and on. But one last thing that I can't understand is why people can't leave home without their dogs. Just ask my friend Cam, I've been venting to her about this a lot lately, only because I've seen A LOT of dogs in cars lately. They take their dogs on trips, they take their dogs to the store, they take their dogs on the highways. Here a dog, there a dog, everywhere a dog dog. Maybe I should give everyone the benefit of the doubt and just say that they've got an appointment with the vet. No, I don't think so. Not this time. As my friend John Stossel from 20/20 sometimes says...GIVE ME A BREAK!!

Sunday, September 17, 2006

A Grand Day Out

I'm so grateful to my friends and most especially to my family for making my 21st birthday one I will always remember! It was filled with all of my favorite things; running, eating, games, friends, and most especially, family. I'm grateful to Ell for being my escort as I went through the temple for the first time. I'm so glad she was there by my side and don't know what I would have done without her! Thanks Paul and Cash for letting me take her away from you for the afternoon!
I'm also thankful for Rod and Jo, and Steve and Shirley for making the extra effort to get their boys a babysitter so that they could be there with me. It made the experience ten times better!

(After posing for dozens of photos we had to get one that showed some "pizzaz" as Rod called it! ow ow!)

I'm thankful for the support of those who couldn't be there as well; Dad, Mom, Marg, Tom, and Andy. Know that I was thinking about you as I was sitting in the temple! I'm looking forward to the day when I can go through with you all!

Dinner was great at Mi Ranchito's and games and cake at Rod and Jo's was a blast.



Who would've thought I'd get to this point in my life?! Time truly flies when you're having fun!