Finding Christine Marie: Week 2 Excitment

Mia Famiglia!!!
Weeeeeeeekkkkk 2 done!!!!!!!! It's true what everyone says, the days here are so long and the weeks super fast. It's weird. But I'll start at the beginning!

MY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!! I was totally not expecting anything from home so the wonderful packages totally caught me by surprise. I loved the cupcakes and even shared them with my district. Turns out 21 cupcakes is quite a few, way too many for sister alley to eat by herself, although I did indeed try (just preparing the bod for Italy. Average weight gain for sisters is 25 lbs.....hello tubby tinnie!) Anyways, I had to wait till after I got back to the room to open everything so at 930 at night. I was darn patient and very proud of myself but you are all too blame. The first tears of the MTC were shed at the hands of you people!!!!!! I started laughing at the birthday cards and then started crying because you goons make me miss you!!! Mom and Dad, thanks for the easter eggs!!! I found the golden egg (perks of being the Easter Bunny) and am saving the candy for a rainy day. Sister Nelson had a few doctor appointments off MTC campus so I got to escape for a few hours and chill by myself while she was getting checked out. It was the perfect birthday gift. I miss alone time!!! I never got to bust out the glow sticks because Sister Nelson wanted a blessing but it was still a fun birthday! 21 in the MTC-not how most young adults spend their first completely legal birthday!! Thank you for the love!!!

Also, when you write on DearElder.com make sure you write START and END at the beginning and ending of the letters. The mtc prints them all goofy so it can be difficult to decipher!!! Grazie

So Preparation days are the best days of the week. The day is all mine, until 6pm!!!! I have to do laundry and go to the temple but anything else is time Sister Nelson and I can use as we please. I mostly like not having to be to class at 8 in the morning :) The other sisters love to nap on pday but I have made it a goal to not nap unless absolutely necessary. I feel like I would be waisting my time. I even get up at 6am to get in 30 more minutes of study time. It seems that I never have enough time to study and write in my journal. As coordinating sister, I spend my nightly free time visiting and checking in on the sisters. I've started sharing quotes (thank you Boo) and a thought with them and it seems to be well received and needed...I love getting to know the Sisters on a more personal level and am constantly amazed by the caliber of women now serving their Savior. Becca, your sweet and simple testimony will soon blow the mind of an old fart 21 year old sister. You youngins are incredibile (yes, say that one fast-its fun!)

Saturday night class session from 6-9 was a neat experience as well. We had a subsittute teacher (Fratello Jeter) and he was able to gauged the class fairly well. Usually every class is in Italian but he took pity on us and spoke in English (yippppeeeee). We vented our frustrations to him and he gave us tips on how to stay positive and learning the language. One of his thoughts hit me hard- when I was set apart I was given the gift of tongues. IT WAS A GIFT!!!!!!! Yes, I need to do my part, work hard, stretch and talk to receive that gift but It is already a part of me. As I learn to teach by the spirit and focus on my own conversion the language will come. Cool thought ehh?! woo

I write everything on the whiteboard and erase it as I memorize it...

So Easter was a neat experience in the MTC! We had a special 2 hour sacrament meeting with the Causse's (he's in the presiding bishopric). He's only message was that Easter represents the soul purpose of being on a mission. Christ overcame death as we will, and we can live with our families and with Christ forever! It was incredible. As 3500 (that is how many crazy missionaries are locked in the MTC with me) received the sacrament, there were pictures of Christ rotating on a screen above the sacrament table. I completely blocked everything out and focus completely on Him. I felt so much peace and my relationship with Christ is strengthening every day. This is especially important since I can't covert people past my own conversion. We then had this epic zone testimony meeting. Only 2 elders shared and the rest were sisters. we.are.taking.over.the.world (well, not really but there are currently more sisters my zone than elders...represent!) I even shared my feeble testimony. Rachel sent me this quote about Christ's suffering in Gethesemane and I likened it to our experiences at the MTC. Of course this mission will be tough at times, but should I expect it to be easy when Christ's suffering was excruciatingly uneasy?! I need to take a few steps towards my own Calvary to truly understand the Atonement at a level needed to invite others to come unto Christ. And I didn't even cry. It's kinda weird, I'm like emotionless here. hahahahahahhaahhaha YOU DON"T BELIEVE IT BUT I AM!!! I can control the shaky cry voice like a champ and there have been no ugly tears. Just the ugly laugh....So that night, The Dew came to the MTC for our sunday night devotional. She still terrifies me. Elizabeth, don't tell her that. I want to live. But her talk was good and it was a pleasant way to end Easter Sunday. We started a tradition as well - Chaco Taco night on holidays and special occasions!

Since then we've had more classes, taught more lessons, and getting the hang of this place. Valentina, our investigator, totally denied the invitation to be baptized. I worked hard to memorize the invitation and she sat on my heart when she denied it because her parents are devout catholics. I was so sad. She's a fake investigator but man was I invested. I'll probably get this a lot in my future I have to keep the faith. Mormons>catholics :)

In closing, one last special moment. I was standing in line and getting my food when this man starts going off in Italian to me. I think to myself "uh, I've heard that language before. How strange." I give him a look of confusion before I hear myself responding! WOW! Totally legit. Go me, go go go me. I invited him to sit next to me for the rest of dinner. Turns out he is form Italy (they live in a little town in my mission boundaries) and he and his wife will be returning as a senior couple to Rome. He was absolutely adorable and totally mischieveious and she was as sassy and sweet as can be. I fell in love. I AM GOING TO ADORE the people of Italy. I can't wait to start talking and interacting with them all!!!!!

Well that concludes my letter! Thank you Dad and Mom for the awesome easter letter!!! Everyone else too. Every little piece of mail helps so much and brightens every day. You homies are the bomb diggity!!!! love you

peace out homie skillets - Sorella Alley

ps. I might have put sister nelsons skirt in the dryer just now....ooops.....pray for my life...