Prato, Week 8

Man, never enough time to write!

We're heading to Florence again today for p-day! I love it! We'll hit Piazza Michealangelo and the view over Florence, and then I think we're going to Fiesole too! I'm so spoiled!

Even though it's been a bit of a slow week for missionary work, it has been great nonetheless. We finally met with Nurshia. It was a good and a bad thing. The good thing is that she was honest with us, the bad thing is that in being honest, she told us that her and her husband Anil, had talked about things and they just arent ready to change and don't see the need to change when they already are seeing blessings in their lives from reading the bible and being good followers of Christ. It was so hard to hear because we've grown to love them so much. They're such good friends and good people. She was so nice and told us they've really enjoyed having us over and don't want having us over to end.

But, as missionaries, we're here to teach those who are willing to make and keep commitments. So, we haven't seen them and don't have plans to. Sad, but some people just need some time.

Saturday we had a "solo Italiano day" where we only spoke Italian. On every other normal day we usually speak Italian when we are outside and english when we're inside. But Saturday we spoke only Italian! Well, okay, I have to admit by the end we couldn't do it anymore! It was a lot more silent than usual and we really didn't like it! We'll see if we have another one of those days! The language is coming though.

Yesterday we had "evaluations," where the district leader critiques our teaching. We had to teach a 2nd, on the plan of salvation. It was itimidating because our district leader and his companion are both Italians, and there's so much to teach about the plan. Anyway, it went pretty well.

We've been doing finding work, trying to get our teaching pool bigger. And now that we don't have nurshia and anil as investigators, we'll have even more time to find people. I hope and pray that we can find someone who really is ready for the gospel! We have a family that we haven't met with yet but they sound like they are ready to hear the message of the restoration!

I love being a missionary. Thanks for all your emails, your prayers, and support.

Have a great week!

Love Sorella Boynton : )

Prato, Week 7

Ciao tutti,

Hope everyone is doing well!

We've had another good week here in Prato. The work seems a little slow at times but we just have to keep on keepin on! We've done a lot of finding work this week. We've spent some time going door to door. I really enjoy finding work. It takes courage to go door to door but it's so worth it when you can share brief truths about the gospel with people. Most of them say they aren't interested but it makes those who give us more than a minute all the more worth it. We also enjoy doing what we call Piazza. We take a survey with questions like...do you believe in jesus christ?....do you think families extend beyond death?....etc, and just stop people who are walking in the piazza by the duomo. We've talked to lots of people this way and given out a couple Book of Mormon's. It's really neat to testify and look people in the eyes and tell them we know these things are true.

We haven't had the opportunity to meet with Nurshia and Anil this week. We're really troubled about them and just feel like they're at that same critical point that Sabrina was at (if you remember me telling you about her.). Either they're going to accept it or they wont commit and are happy with how they are. Speriamo bene!

We had a crazy experience on the bus yesterday. We were heading out to visit a less-active family and lady who live a little outside of Prato. We got on the bus and I went and sat in a chair that was facing another chair...this way, if someone sits down, we are facing each other and it makes it easier to start up a conversation and potentially teach someone on the bus. So, I was sitting and the bus picked some people up and a young man came and sat across from me. I knew it was trouble from the minute he sat down! I saw him looking at me but tried to just mind my own business. But then he started talking to me...asking where I was from and telling me how beautiful and everything I was. I tried to just play it off and ask where he was from, if he was going to school, or working etc. I told him we were here serving a mission for our church. He was saying all this stuff about boyfriends and stuff. It was so awkard and gross! He was scooting closer to me. I just acted like I couldn't understand him when he called me "amore" and "bella." He asked what we believed so I was relieved a little bit. I told him about Joseph Smith and the restoration although I could plainly see he could care less about the message! Finally Sorella Roper stood up and we we got off the bus even though we didn't know where we were. And the guy and his friend followed us off the bus! We told them we had an appointment to get to and he was totally asking for my number and saying how important love was. CRAZY! We finally just walked away as he blew us a kiss! SCHIFFO, GROSS! I'm just glad we got out of that one safe and sound! Grossed out but at least safe!

Anyway, other than that, things are good. Sorry kind of a lame email but I gotta go. Thanks for all your prayers and support. I love being a missionary and know it's true, there's no doubt!

Love,
Sorella B.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Allora,

Buon Giorno di San Valentino! I wish I could give you all bug hugs and kisses. But this will have to do...XxoOXxooX! I love you all!

I just read the emails from you all. Thanks! Sounds like ell and paul are busy with moving and work: the shooting in Trolley Square! Yikes...that's crazy! Marg and Nate, sounds like your doing well, congrats on the new job and good luck! Rod and Jo getting Milo potty trained : ), Steve and Shirley, hope you're doing well! And Tom, got your email too but haven't had time to respond. Mom and Dad, always a pleasure to read your emails and thanks for the valentine card and the pictures. I'm sure I sent that medical info in, but whatev. I'll sign it and send it again. I'm so grateful for you all and am so grateful for your prayers and support!

The work continues here in little Prato Italy. We got transfer calls this week. President calls us while we're all together at the church for our weekly district meetings and tells everyone if they're staying or going. I'm staying here in Prato with Sorella Roper! No suprise, we knew we were staying. I'm so glad to have another transfer with her. We have fun together! She'll go next transfer most likely. : ( I'm not looking forward to that one!

We had an amazing lesson with Nurshia and Anil last Friday. The Anziani (elders) came with us and it was probably one of the best lessons I've seen yet. They really listened this time and the spirit was there in full force. We talked about apostasy and shared an example of apostasy from 4th Nephi. We talked about the restoration and also about the great apostasy after the christ and the apostles died. It was awesome for me to see two great missionaries, my comp, Sor. Roper and one of the elders that was there, teach. They're experienced missionaries and knew what they were talking about and knew how to really point out the spirit. Everything was explained so clearly. I really admire them and can't wait to be a good teacher! Anyway, we invited them to read moroni 10 and then also to come to the baptism that was happening on Sunday. It would've been awesome for them to see that baptism and we were so excited because they were going to come. At the last minute they called us and told us that thier friends mother had died and weren't going to be able to make it. Dang it! We were crushed. We haven't met with them again yet but have high hopes.

So yeah, there was a baptism of another nigerian man, Austin, on Sunday. Our district leader baptized him. It's so awesome to see someone be baptized and make that step in their life. After the baptism, the font flooded the whole basement of the church! It's a collapsable font and so the hose detached from the font and water went everywhere! So we stayed and helped clean that mess up! Haha, crazy.

We met with Sabrina this week. We basically told her that we are here to teach and help people make commitments and to call us when she's ready to commit! It was sad but we felt like it was the right thing. We also had another lesson with Titi and taught her about the fall and the atonement. She knows so much, I love teaching her.

Lately we've been doing service for one of the less-actives, Sorella Lombardo, in the branch. Last thurdsay we cleaned her blinds and windows (she lives on the 5th floor so we get a sweet view of Prato out over to Florence! all the pretty hills and rooftops!). That was okay. Then yesterday she made us clean her bathroom! Schiffo! Her house smell like dog and there was just nasy hair everywhere. But, we sucked it up. I cleaned the beday (gag) and sorella Roper cleaned the discusting shower! We cleaned the walls, shelves etc. Mama mia! She wants us to come back next week for the kitchen! I love service! We had a good lesson with her about the blessing of the restoration, now she just needs to come to church!

Well, life as a missionary is great. We are reminded of our many blessings everyday as we see and talk to people who don't have the gospel in their lives. I'm so grateful for this chance to share the good news of the gospel! I know it's true!

Love you all,
Sorella Boynton


p.s. I received some old mail that didn't make it to me before I left the Mtc so I'm working on writing some of you back! Thanks and sorry!

One Month in Prato!

Buon Giorno Tutti!

I can't believe another week has come and gone! Now it's February! I've been on the mission for 3 months and in Italy for 1 month, almost a transfer! Crazy.

This week has been full of learning experiences, miracles, and at times a little depressing. Last Thursday we had a lesson with Sabrina on desire... trying to teach her that we need a desire to do something or else we would never act on it. We've come to the conclusion that she really is just happy with her life and church right now. She told us the last time we met with her that she wouldn't be able to come to church until March, which isn't good. It seems like the excuses just keep coming. We had a fast on Sunday for her and to know what we should do with her. We also had interviews on Monday and talked to President Rhien about it. So, sadly, we're going to drop her. That's a hard thing to do as a missionary because we've spent all this time working with her and teaching her and growing to love her. She's really is so great. I don't know how we are going to go about dropping her but know the Lord will help us out on this one. We're going to need it!

We continue to meet with Titi, the russian. She's having such a hard time with her work; taking care of the old Italian. She wants to find new work. We taught her about prophets last time and are just taking it really slow with her. More than anything, I think she just needs a friend right now. She's stuck inside with this lady all day and just loves it when we come over. She said the closing prayer last time and it was so sad...she was weeping by the end. We told her we'd pray for her to find new work that isn't so taxing on her. Hopefully we'll see her later this week.

Saturday night there was a baptism at the church. The man who was baptized, Frank, is from Nigeria. He lived in Brescia and was baptized like a year ago but right after his baptism he moved to Torino without receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost. Then he moved down here to Prato. The Elders here found out that he hadn't received the Holy Ghost and it had been longer than 6 months from the time he was baptized so that means he needed to be re-baptized. At first he didn't see the need to be re-baptized. It was an act of faith for him to be re-baptized. And the baptism was awesome. There were members there and all the other Nigerian member here. The miracle of it was this....on thursday at english class we announced there would be this baptism. So Saturday night at the baptism this lady, Carmela, showed up and was so interested. When Frank was baptized and came up out of the water she said she felt something. So anyway, she ended up coming to sacrament meeting also on sunday to see him receive the Holy Ghost. She's catholic but still we are excited to meet with her.

On Sunday we got invited to go eat at Renato's house. He's a member here who knew Mom and Dad when they lived in Florence. Thanks to you mom and dad, he loves me! He has a huge, really nice house in Prato because he owns a restaurant right in the heart of Florence. So we enjoyed gnocchi with pesto and then a huge floretine steak! I thought I was going to die. The pesto was amazing but I've never eaten a florentine steak! It's cooked on the outside and then practically moo'ing on the inside. Blood was going all over my plate as I cut the meat! I really don't know how I put it down. Well, I didn't put it all down, but really, it was a miracle that we didn't die of mad cow disease! Dad, you probably would have loved it!

Monday brought us to Florence again for interviews. Renato had invited us over to his restaurant. So we got free pizza there before interviews. He's so nice. He said, as we were leaving, "Sorella Boynton, always a please to see you." in italian of course. So thanks mom and dad for being such great friends with him because he's too kind to us! President Rhien is awesome, interviews were good. I told him to say hi to you dad cause he said he'd see you this week sometime.

Yesterday was crazy. We had a lesson with Nurshia and Anil, the pakistani couple. We tried to teach about authority but it went haywire and it kind of turned into a bashing. The spirit wasn't there and they wouldn't let us get a word in. Finally, Sorella Roper, just brought it all back to the Book of Mormon. I can't describe what she said but it was awesome and we have an appointment with them again friday.

Oh man, time to go.

Thanks for everything, for your emails, letters etc. I love reading them. I love this work!

Sorella Boynton

Prato, Week 4

Hi all,

This is going to be quick because we've got to jet out of here to catch a train to Florence. We're going there for P-day! Yay!

This week was great, crazy, hard, pretty much a normal week in the mission! Last p-day we got to watch the pixar movie "cars". It was fun, we watched it at the church with our district.

Saturday was great, is was what we call a Zone Blitz. All the missionaries here from Prato (6), from Pistoia (2), and then the Florence missionaries all got together for a day of work in Florence. We met at the church at 10am and worked the entire morning. We went on exchanges so I was with one of the Florence sisters. It was fun but made me realize how I'm so lucky to have Sorella Roper as my trainer! She really is the best! I'm so grateful for her.

Anyway, then we went to the sisters apartment for lunch. Then headed out for the afternoon and went and did sondaggio (survey) right in the heart of florence, right by the duomo and in those cool streets. We then all meet at Piazza della Signoria and sang hymns in the piazza. It was really fun. We talked to this family about the church who were so amazing. They were catholic but it was cool to explain to them our church. The dad asked me what made our church different so that was a perfect set up. I talked to him about the restoration. It was awesome. Me and Sorella Roper went for a minute and walked by the uffizi and then looked at the ponte vecchio for a minute with the night lights reflecting in the river. Oh man, I love it. I can't believe that it was two years ago that me, mom, andy, and tom, were waiting in that forever long line to get into the uffizi! I would have never thought I'd be walking back through that piazza as a missionary! So that was a fun day on saturday.

We've been really busy lately. We had a great lesson with Nurshia. She doesn't understand why it's necessary to be baptized again. We had to explain to her the whole authority part of the restoration. When we told her that the authority was restored to Joseph Smith through John the baptist etc....she held her book of mormon up to her face and started laughing. Hey, you can't blame her though. It really is a...what's the word... amazing... I guess, story. But I know it's true and hopefully when we meet with her later this week we can really teach with the spirit so she can see and know that it's true. I'm excited.

Yesterday was crazy. We've been trying to contact this referral but she's never home. We had a lesson with our Russian investigator, titi. We taught a very visual lesson on the book of mormon. We just want to make sure she's understanding because her Italian isn't great. Meanwhile, the older Italian lady she lives with who has alzheimers, I think, keeps interrupting and saying the same things over and over. It's great though. We met with another investigator last night...an Italian lady, probably moms age. She's a heavy smoker but very intelligent. She wonders where God is in all the calamaties of the world. She barely let us get a word in edgewise but I'm excited to meet with her more. She's so ready for this gospel.

Things are going well here in little Prato. I'm learning new things everyday. I love the people here and am so grateful for them.

I love this gospel and know it's true.

Thanks for your prayers and support.

Love, Sorella B.

Prato, Week 3

Another week come and gone here in Prato.

It's been raining here the past couple days, which isn't very fun to walk around in but we get by.

We usually get up and go running in the morning but this morning we decided not to because it was too windy and cold. So instead we sat on our beds and stretched : ) and talked for half an hour. It was a good rest. We have been running every morning so the rest was needed!

Last weeks events....

Thursday nights we teach an english class at the church. It's fun. We teach the intermediate class. Lots of good people, hopefully we can teach some of them the gospel!

Friday we do our weekly planning which takes all morning. Friday night we had an appointment with Nurshia and Anil at our new branch president, president Ianni's, house up in the mountains near Vaiano (maybe you know where that is dad.) It went well. It's so great to have a member there who can testify and help teach. We taught about prayer and how we pray to Heavenly Father in the name of Jesus Christ because Anil didn't know that. We also just talked about the godhead and thier relationship with each other and our relationship with them. Its was great. We'll meet with Nurshia and Anil again this week.

Saturday we met with a Russian lady who's living here in Prato taking care of a senile older italian. We left her with a russian book of mormon and she was so excited to see her russian language. We actuall went back last night and she had read over 120 pages in the book of mormon! We were like, what! Holy Cow. Her Italian isn't that great so it's a little hard to communicate with her. We tried to teach her that she should pray about the book to know if it's true. She started reciting this memorized prayer in russian and we just sort of sat there. She doesn't understand that she's got to say her own prayer. Anyways, we'll go back later this week.

Sunday, church. Church is great but always a little crazy. It's noisy and hard to concentrate but relief society and gospel principles are great. Renato invited us over for lunch next sunday so that'll be fun. Sunday night we met with the Diblasio family, probably a little younger than you, mom and dad, and have about 5 kids, some married, some Andy's age. They're great members. It was the best dinner ever. They have a real brick oven outside and so we got fresh, homemade pizza! Sorella Roper and I were in heaven and probably ate to much! But it was sooo good. We laughed so hard because they were trying to speak english. Anyway, we had a good lesson with them about missionary work and how it starts with our faith. I was able to give a portion of the lesson and share a scripture. It was a great night.

Oh yeah, we also taught Sabrina last Wed. We watched the restoration video with her and our relief society pres bore her testimony and everything. But Sabrina said that she hadn't felt the spirit. Yikes! So we kind of don't know what to do with her. She loves meeting with us but we don't know her motives. If she's happy with her church why is she meeting with us? We think it might be because we speak english and she likes to practice here english. So we've got to figure out her motives and if she really desires to find out about the true church.

Sorry if that was all a bit scatter-brained but I'm trying to hurry and write.

In all things are going good. I'm excited to work with our investigators this week and to help them progress.

Life is good, hard, but can't really complain.

Love you all and hope things are going well.

Love,

Sorella B.

Prato, Week 2

Hi all,

Thanks for the emails marg, mom, and dad.

And Ell yours made me so mad because you cant just tell me there's "big news" and make me wait another week to find out what it is! Oh well, it'll give me something to look forward to at next weeks email session.

Thanks mom and dad for telling me about where the anziani and sorelle are. I bet sorella winslow is sooo happy because I think that's where she wanted to go!

Last Thursday we had Zone Conference in Florence. It was amazing. President and Sister Rhien are awesome. They gave amazing talks and trainings. I learned a lot. It's so wierd to think that Mom and Dad are just a couple cities up doing the same thing! I'm sure your conferences are just as amazing.

We met with our investigator Sabrina again and taught her about faith, repentance, baptism etc. She read some scriptures and we asked her what she thought they meant and she said that they meant she needs to follow Christ and be baptized. So we asked her what she thought about being baptized and she said she felt like she isn't ready. We're pretty sure she knows its true. She said she needs to stop going to her other church first. Today we have a lesson with her and also our relief society pres. will be there, so we'll see how it goes and hopefully she'll make it to church on sunday too.

The language is coming slowly but surely. I've made a goal to practice teaching this week so we prepare for our lessons and then practice them. I think it will help a lot.

Yesterday was sort of a crazy day. We had all these appointments lined up and house after house nobody was home. After lunch we went back out and still no one. So we knew we had a set appointment at 7. We still had some time so we started doing house. We went into a palazzo and started up at the 5th or whatever floor it was. About the 4th floor we rang and this lady answered the door. I introduced us and expected her to say the usual "non mi interessa" and shut the door but she listened and then invited us in. We were so happy and surprised because it's rare that this happens. So anyways, Sorella Roper pretty much taught a whole 1st to her about the restoration. This lady was catholic and said she would never change. But she accepted a book of mormon and really seemed interested. So that was the miracle of the day. I had the chance to bear my testimony in my broken italian but she understood and it was great. The spirit was definitely there. We spent so long there that we were late to our 7 o clock appointment. We ran (our morning runs pay off!) over to our next appointment and it was great. So after having a difficult morning and afternoon, the miracles came that night! The Lord's hand is so apparent in this work. I've heard missionary after missionary say that but now I can say it and know that it's true!

I can't think of anything else to write.

The works going good, hard, but I love it.

My address here in Prato is: Via Erbosa 114
59100 Prato Italy

Sorry forgot to include it last time.

Thanks for all your prayers and support.

Love,

Carrie

Tom- I'm waiting to hear about your christmas in Italy, you came to Prato? Cool. I want to hear about it.

Andy-I want to hear from you too! my long lost brother...

MAUD SQUAD- what's even going on?

First Week in the Field!

(Ell's note: This was written as a letter to my parents)

Well, it's been a week since I last talked to you and Dad, you win the prize because my first city is Prato!

Here's what I can remember about the past week! It's been awesome, tiring, overwhelming, exciting, hard, and so many other things!

We flew into Rome Wednesday morning Italy time and the three of us started getting so nervous. We were waiting for our bags to come out of the baggage claim and we were all saying to each other, "What have we gotten ourselves into!" Anziano Ethington looked at the "uscita" or "way out" sign and said, "suddenly, that takes on a new meaning!" Haha.

We got our bags and Sister Rhien and the APs were waiting for us. Unfortunately President Rhien was in the hospital with a kidney stone so we didn't meet him till later. Poor guy!


We went on a tour of Rome with the APs. Saw St. Pauls, went to the Vatican, the Coliseum, some of the Roman Forum (it was getting dark) and then even made it over to the Trevi Fountains! WAY COOL! I hope I get to serve in Rome at some point!

We had dinner at the huge mission home and then finally got to go to bed around 8 or 9. I fell asleep in the middle of my prayer that night! hehe.

We woke up the next morning and went and did some permesso di soggiorno stuff and then also went over to the land that has been purchased for a temple some day! It was great and I can't wait for the day when there will be a temple there!

Then it was off to Prato. What an interesting place it is! There's Chinese people all over the place. Weird. And the accent cracks me up. Dad your probably familiar with it, they just don't pronounce their c's, it sounds weird but whatev.

We live in a beautiful apartment. I don't really know where it is yet cause I'm still pretty turned around.

I have the coolest trainer ever, Sorella Roper, from California.

She's been out a year and is such a good missionary. I've already learned so much from her. I'm really lucky! I don't remember much about my setting apart, but I do remember Pres. Olsen saying that I'd be blessed with "great" companions. So I'm coming to find out how true that is and am counting my blessings!

The work is going along here in Prato. We have a few investigators and then the other times when were not teaching them we visit less-actives, do casa in casa, or talk to people in the park or in giro.

The language is proving to be a trial for me but that's what I expected! Poor Sorella Roper has to do the majority of the talking in Italian and I just sit there. It's hard to get the courage to pipe in because I'm not sure if I've totally understood what's been said and I just don't want to ruin the lesson. But I'm sure it will come with time and also unfortunately with lots of mistakes! It's exciting though.

We've also had a few english lessons though. We are working with an Italian lady, Sabrina, who is awesome. She knows english and like to speak to us in english. So we taught her in the park because her aunts or someone don't like her to meet with us. We taught and then at the end she said the prayer. I guess it was the first time she prayed with the missionaries so Sorella Roper was sooo excited. I already have such a love for Sabrina and can't wait to keep meeting with her.

We are also meeting with a Pakistani couple, Nurshia and Anil. He's here working and she's pregnant and due in like July or something. But they also speak english so it's nice to be able to speak with them! We were trying to fulfill our daily contacting goal the other day and so we made some notes to deliver to people. We got to Nurshia and Anil's and it was so funny! Sorella Roper went down a couple steps to drop the note in their mailbox and then a man came out from another door. I had no idea but it was Anil! Sorella Roper tried to hide behind me but it didn't work out. He saw us and we tried to just leave the note but he insisted that we come in. We really didn't want to stay because we had already called them earlier and they said they were busy that night and so we didn't want to come off as not believeing them. Ha senso? Anyways, to make a long story short we ended up eating some really spicy rice and some pizza with them. We left them with a message. Sorella Roper felt so bad because she doesn't want to ruin it with them and we just felt like we might have overstepped our bounds. But I'm convinced it was for a reason. There were too many other little things that happened before that, like waiting for-ev-er for a bus, for it to have been a coincidence that he came out right then and caught us in the act. Cheesy but true.

There's been so many miracles that I've already seen here. We've been able (Well, I've been able to introduce us, and Sor. R. teaches) to teach many lessons at the door. Last night was incredible, there's people who are listening to us. It's just hard to get a return appointment is all!

So, life is good and I love being a missionary. I'm so grateful for this opportunity to serve. I'm constantly reminded of what a blessed life I have been given; sometimes it makes me sick!

I hope everything's going well with you all. Dad, I want to know where all the Anziani and Sorella Winslow and Sarsozo ended up so email me that! Oh also, I was at church on Sunday and a guy came up to me and said he knew you and Mom about 35 years ago, his name is Renato. I'm pretty sure I've heard you and mom talk about him before. He's the one who owned a restaurant in Florence right? Anyways, cool, I think he's going to have us over for dinner soon... so thanks for the hook-up! hehe.

Love you,

Care


(Another note from Ell: Please scroll down to the next post for information on sending Sorella Boynton mail/packages. I will also update the address in the upper right hand corner of this blog and will continue to update it as I get new addresses for her throughout her mission, so watch that space! Unfortunately blogger won't let me put her address on separate lines, so I put hyphens where it should be a new line. Hope that makes sense!)

Mail/Packages for Sorella Boynton

Dear Missionary Family,

Recently we have received numerous packages for missionaries where the missionary has had to pay a customs fee to receive their package. Often the Italian government charges an importing fee of 25% or more of the value of the package. To avoid this fee we ask you to be cautious when writing in the value and contents of the package. A customs fee is charged if you declare $0 on the package or if you put a value higher than $50. There is also a fee if you insure the package. It is best to write a value somewhere between $10 and $40. In the description of contents we suggest you put “Missionary Supplies,” then list some of the contents such as candy, peanut butter or other food items. A large fee is often charged if the description of items says shoes, medication, cosmetics, soap, deodorant, creams, such as hand, foot or face cream.

We encourage you not to send expensive items. You might want to consider putting money in your missionary’s personal account so they can buy the items they need/want here in Italy . Another option is to send items that will fit in a padded envelope. (These very seldom have a customs fee) We discourage you from sending large packages. Because of the location of our missionaries and transportation it is sometimes difficult for us to deliver large packages to them.

Please share this information with other family members or friends who may be sending packages to your missionary.

Send letters to this address:
Name of Missionary
Italy Rome Mission
C.P. 11/282
00141 Roma, Italia


Send packages to this address:
Name of Missionary
Italy Rome Mission
Piazza Carnaro, 20
00141 Roma, Italia


Sincerely,
President Robert C. Rhien
Italy Rome Mission

A letter from Carrie's Mission President

Dear President and Sister Boynton,

We are pleased to inform you that your daughter Carolyn is doing well in the Italy, Rome Mission. We met her at the Leonardo Da Vinci airport when she arrived, and Sister Rhien and I enjoyed getting acquainted with her during her brief stay at the mission home.

We are so thankful for her decision to serve the Lord as a full time missionary. This service is one of the noblest known to mankind. While missionary work is very rewarding, it is also very demanding and difficult. Written communication with family and friends can be a great source of support and encouragement. We encourage you to write her every week and she is counselled to do the same. Share her mission with her and you will grow together.

Missionaries receive 180 Euro (about $225) each month to buy food and other personal supplies. All other expenses are paid directly by the mission office. All of the missionaries who watch their personal expenses closely have sufficient to be comfortable. It is recommended that your daughter not receive more than she requires. If special circumstances occur, she should contact you to work out any adjustments (if you are supporting her financially). If hardships exist, I would appreciate being informed as soon as possible.

Sorella Boynton will have an amazing experience as she begins her mission, learning how to love the amazing Italian people, speak the beautiful language, and do this important work of the Lord. She will begin her mission in Prato and her first companion will be Sorella Roper. She is one of the best missionaries we have, so your daughter will be in good hands.

Sister Rhien and I wish to thank you for the opportunity of working with Sorella Boynton. I will interview her every six weeks, and we will do our best to love, encourage, and sustain her. If there is anything I should know that would assist me in helping her, please do not hesitate to advise me.

We appreciate you sustaining your daughter and thank you for not calling her directly. This will help her better concentrate on her work. If you need to contact her, you can call the mission office and we will be happy to help you. We know the Lord will bless you because of your daughter's missionary service. May this be a time of joy for your entire family as Sorella Boynton serves her Father in Heaven in the mission field.

Sincerely,

Robert C. Rhien
Italy, Rome Mission President

Wednesday, December 27th, 2006

Buon Anno! Happy New Year!

How was everyone's Christmas? I hope everyone had a great time! I know it is not very...what is the word...polite? ... to thank everyone in a big letter but I thought I'd better do it just in case I run out of time to write individuals. So... THANK YOU everyone who sent me stuff for Christmas! I loved it all and had fun opening everything Christmas morning. Before I get into Christmas day I better back up a little.

Last Thursday was one of the best days here because we received our flight plans!! Yea!! I have to get up probably around 3 am because me and the other 2 elders going to Rome are leaving here at 4 am. EARLY! We fly to Chicago, wait there for a couple hours until the rest of our group (The Milano missionaries, including my comps) catches up, and then we are all on the same flight from Chicago to London, Heathrow airport. They'll all leave for Milano, the 3 of us will wait around another hour and then fly to Rome. So there you go. Imagine that, I get to be in 2 of my favorite cities, London and Rome (I know I've never been to Rome but I'm sure it'll be a favorite!) within the same day! I might not be awake and coherent but nonetheless...Exciting!! Uh, that's Tuesday the 2nd by the way. We are all so excited.

Sunday, Christmas Eve was just a normal Sunday. We had a good speaker in the relief society, Sister Madsen, mother of Mark Madsen for any NBA fans out there. (I heard that he isn't that good but his mom was excited that he got 9 minutes of playing time the other night. Whatev.) But talk about living a life really consecrated to others and the church. She told some awesome stories, we had some study time as usual and then sacrament meeting. I can't remember the fireside speaker so it must not have been that good! Scherzo.

Christmas morning we woke up at 6:30 as usual and went and had some breakfast and then opened presents till 9:30. All 5 of us Sorelle opened our gifts together, it was pretty fun. Then we went to a morning side. We watched a little movie thing of missionaries here at the MTC being interviewed on favorite traditions and what Christmas meant to them. Sort of cheesy if you ask me but I guess Id be hard pressed too for ideas to entertain 1,700 missionaries on Christmas morning. They gave all of us these stockings filled with donated stuff...things like floss, cotton swabs, some candy. we ate lunch and had lots of personal time where I just read Jesus The Christ. We had another devotional in the afternoon. Elder Callister of the seventy gave a deep doctrinal talk that half the audience fell asleep in. He went through the whole Christs birth story. I thought it was pretty interesting. Then we had a sack dinner, our zone got together and ate outside in the cold. It was fun though. We all told of our Christmas traditions...eating Christmas Eve dinner with Taylors, driving through the rich neighborhoods to look at lights, jumping on Mom and Dad in the morning, and an occasional hike up rock canyon on Christmas day. Good memories! There was yet another devotional from 7-9:30. A Choir from Mapleton came and sung and we also watched Mr. Kruegars Christmas. So, by the end of the night I was really glad to get out the building after having spent nearly 7 hours there! It was a good Christmas. I think we were all expecting an Apostle to come and visit us so that was a little disappointing. So Yep. That was Christmas. Definitely made me appreciate Christmas past and look forward to Christmas in the future.

Well, We've finished teaching all our lessons. This week we'll keep learning commandments from lesson 4 in Italian. We've been practicing talking to people on busses, and planes, and handing out Book of Mormons. I cant wait to do it for real in a week! It'll be a little intimidating at first but we learned to be bold last night so that's what I'll do!

So, this is the last letter from the MTC! Imagine that! I've survived 9 weeks here. Thanks for all your letters and prayers. I've learned so much here and cant wait to learn more in the field. My testimony has grown so much, I know it is all true. I'm so grateful for all of your wonderful examples and support. Now it is off to ITALY!

Love you all,
Sorella Boynton

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.

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!

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!)

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

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

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

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!

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!)

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