Finding Christine Marie: Happppy Humpty Dumpty Day to Hermana Alley

Happppy Humpty Dumpty Day to Hermana Alley - oh and Happy Year to me! It is crazy to think that it was a year ago today, I became a missionary. I have learned many things in this year, far to many to scrivere but let's jump right in to this week!

"everyone loves a nice rifle in the happy couple's picture"

"Naturally i celebrated Irish with Green Eggs and Salami!"

Last week, we were in a little area called Villafranca and we were feeling a bit down. We had two options, we could either go home and do area book contacting, updating and calls and be home on time, or we could stay out and work till nine and guaranteed get back late. We dediceded to hit the Miracle Fence. We talked to quite a few people who were "non mi interessa" and one specific man wanted to argue about us for an hour about why we think we can marry Jesus. Brother, that is not us, that is your people called Nuns. Bah! We were a little further down when we walked to the station to catch our train (40 minutes late....) Well, there we met Luca who walked up and initiated the conversation. He said he knew instantly we were Americans (not because of the accent WIN!) but because we are both tall and blonde. haha So we leered him into our perfectly laid trap and had an hour lesson with him. At the end, he invited himself to church and asked us for the restauration pamphlet. MIRACLE FENCE SHATTERED! The concept of the miracle fence is as follows.

If we stay out until 8:50, then we did great and demonstrated 90% of our faith. Surely God will bless us with about 10% because we did a fine job. However, if we hit the miracle fence meaning we stay out, working hard until 9 then we receive the rest 90%. The miracles pour down when we really put in the effort to not just wander toward the fense but when we bust through the fence. We love the miracle fence!

Next wonderful moment, I got to take both the greenie sorelle in Verona with me to do missionary work sunday night. Sorella Haslem who is training Sorella Miller (we live with this coppia) was super sick so we left her at the senior couple's and headed out to conquer Italy. And conquer we did. We had a lesson with Paola and Cesare who were complaining about feeling all a lone and helpless. Not on Sister Alley's watch. I heard mom saying in my head, "You can whine all you want but it wont change my mind" and I decided they needed a little Sarah Alley. So I went Sarah on them. Then I called in the greenies to do damage control. Sorella Quiton shares testimony about understanding. "heck" she says, "I am in a country I dont know, without a language, and without my family. I know how it feels to be alone." But she called them to repentence with encouraging them to focus on being happy. Then Sorella Miller shares testimony about acting for ourselves before demanding that our problems be fixed. Come si fa? By reading the scriptures, making friends, coming to church, praying. BOOOOOOM. I literally just smiled heavenward. The spirit was so strong as these new missionaires, while struggling to put thoughts into words completely testified of the power of the Atonement. I was so proud. Amazed. Impressed. Blownaway. This new generation of missionaries is more prepared than ever!

"My favorite people came to find me!!! Best surprise ever!"

Final miracle - the Ruiz Diaz Family came to find me in Verona! It was the best miracle, and Sunday surprise ever. That has been the best part of my mission. The people and the members. I love them!

Stay righteous, and if you're not, Repent!

LOVE YOU ALL!

vi amo!

sorella alley