It's a great day to be alive :) 08/10/1994

Heather Hastings			2:28 AM (7 hours ago)

Last night we hurried home after serata famigliare, planned, cleaned the whole house and went to bed. This morning we studied early, and for companionship study Sorella put up the birthday banner, through out some confetti and I opened the gifts the family sent :) we are emailing now then will get some foccacia, then we are going to Varese to eat lunch with the Sorelle in our zone at Fuddruckers, then going to the chocolate Lindt factory and will explore this beautiful land! Oh, and it's my birthday. I am SO grateful for my life here on earth and for my family. I am grateful for the knowledge of God and his plan, and for prophets, and for the scriptures. I know that all of these things are true!!! thank you everyone, for all you have ever done to bless my life :)

Well, I did it. I gave in. I woke up this morning and put tights on. The last three days it has rained all day and it is fredissimo (really cold)!!! 

I have a request: the family sent a package and mom and dad sent letters weekly, but otherwise my stack of mail is like, non-existent. So, if friends or anyone want to send me a letter, feel free. 

ALSO, if you send a package, throw something small in a little bubble envelope. Like fall candy from America, or some photos, or... i don't know. It's cheap and small and easy. 

Here is the mission address:

Sorella Heather Hastings

Via Antonio Gramsci 13/2

20090 Opera, MI 

Italia

Also, an easy cinnamon roll recipe would be wonderful, if that exists. And maybe someone could mail me some baking powder in the next 13 15 months? It doesn't really exist in Italia... 

Now for some good stuff. Life is so good!!! Last Thursday I got to be senior comp for the day and visit our two most progressing simps with a brand newbie. We had members at both lessons and went so well. It was stressful, but I learned a lot and really was able to rely on the spirit with what to say, and the language came well. Sorella D'Ambrioso her dad is from Italy, and she enjoyed getting advice from me because I just went through everything she is about to experience.

In preach my Gospel, there are four basic points that we teach in the Gospel, on page 7. President Dibb challenged us to use these points in meeting people, and well, Friday we found FIVE new investigators! What a miracle. We ate lunch with a member and she invited over three friends for us to meet. We are eating again together on Friday. So cool!

Remember Diego, my favorite crazy Italian family? We visited them Sunday night and taught him about the basics, Prayer and such. We asked him to say a prayer, and it was so genuine, funny but amazing! We have hope! Then because I have a bad cough his mom gave me this grandma scarf to walk home in (because Italians firmly believe in scarfs to avoid sickness. it's like medicine) and she gave us Ragù and cheese. Score.

I got to interview with President Dibb yesterday at Zone training. Sorella Carter told him that I would be ready to train after this transfer (yikes) and he said he is proud of us. We are blessed to be in Lampugnano , in such a big ward. Well his brother married President Monson's daughter, so that's where the connection comes from.

Speaking of Prophets... conference was incredible! It went by so fast but it was perfect. Prophets’ are REAL! We can receive revelation for ourselves, and we must serve others with love. We must walk as Christ walked, and as we obey the commandments we will change and have more joy. The Temple is our ultimate goal in this life. Good stuff. As we watched the two morning sessions at 6pm at night, ya'll were watching it at home. Kinda cool. We are so blessed. SO so blessed! Go back and relisten/rewatch the words of the prophets. They only do good if we remember them and APPLY them in our life. 

I found a scripture to share with you today: In the Book of Mormon, Ether 6:7. Read it. reread it. How can you apply this to your life? If we are like the scripture says, then Satan cannot come into our life. We turn to the Lord, and he will help us. Good stuff.

Well, this weekend I get to go to Lugano for scambio and next Monday Varese comes to me. Fun stuff. Time is flying. I am loving being a missionary and love this work!!! It's so great. Truly, I love you all. Thanks for all you do! Enjoy the beautiful fall season in America and keep your chins up! BE awesome! 

Sorella Hastings =)

Love and Be Loved