The mark of a year 24/6/2015

Heather Hastings		8:36 AM (1 hour ago)

My dearest family and all, 

This time last year I was starting a new adventure. The family had taken me to the airport, I was short on sleep, Matt and Kirstyn took me out to Mexican one last time and then I entered the MTC, I don't think I really cried yet, and I really had no idea what I had decided to do or what I really would be doing for the next 18 months of my life. But I knew that I loved God, my savior, and they loved me... and so I needed to work for God so that this Love could be shared and people could come unto Christ with the proper ordinances that God needs. And here I am.

What is a day in the life like? I tell you about people we see, our lessons. We wake up every morning at 6:30, and try so hard not to fall back asleep while we crawl down on our knees to pray. I get up, usually go (necessities), first thing (then do like 15-20 minutes of stretches or exercises. I have only ran once with this companion... we need to go more. We study every morning from 8-9 personally then from9-10 together, and before that we eat and shower. We leave the house at 10am, have lunch at 1, language study at 2 and head back our around 3pm then come home at 9pm to plan for half an hour, then we do whatever (journal, etc) and go to bed at10:30pm. In between, what do we do?

We talk to everyone! It is always an adventure. Did you ever think I (Heather) would be one to walk down the street and Just stop someone to talk about Christ? Or in the park, walk up to a lady on a bench "What makes you happy?" Then go on to talk about my family and God's plan for us. On average every 1 in 6 people stop and will talk to us, but then only 1 in 10 will actually stop to have a solid gospel conversation and let us teach something. Hearts her are very, very closed. We try, and we try, and sometimes we cry, and we get distracted by gelato and the Italian men in nice suits, or we just want to have appointments and not stress about where we should go next because no one in the park wants to talk right now, but sometimes it is so fun and we just laugh because people are so rude we can't believe it! Or they are so nice we never expected that. The foreign men whistle and call us out all the time, we usually talk to women but they are so stubborn. We like trains because it is so easy and natural to just talk about who we are, explain our tags and teach them. And at the end of the day, we come home to make calls and no one will ever respond! I am pretty sure it's not like that in America. But at the end of the day we come home, worrying about what we can do better to help someone, to love them or figure what they need. We always teach, we always help people. We are Gods hands, and that's kind of a big deal! Did I mention I love it? I love it, I am grateful, and I don't know how or why time goes by so fast but it's... crazy. 

Well, Happy Father's Day!!! I love my dad, he's so great. And all you other dads in my life, too. I said before but they celebrated Father's day here back in March.

Thursday we went to visit Anna, but she wasn't there. She used to have a baptismal date but, we really don't know what's up with her. We did meet a lady named Carla, who was really sweet and she told me I have a sweet face. She was a miracle lady in the park and we got to teach her the restoration. Then we met these girls from England! When we meet English speakers it is always fun.

Friday we went out to S. Iliario, a little town in our area half way to Parma. We met an old couple there and a girl named Silvia! We wanted to try a new place because we need new sights and people. Well, this girl knows who Mormons are! Did you know that never happens here? She invited us over for lunch next week to teach her and her mom our message :) God puts us in the right place at the right time.

Saturday we did gimnastica with Svitlana and the relief society, we got gelato, then did the Mostra with the Anziani. It was a good morning, but then the day got long... here is a simple recipe we like.

Recipe for pasta: cooked pasta.

Add drizzle of olive oil, crushed red pepper (like the powder), garlic powder (pinch or two) couple shakes of salt, stir all together. Top with parmigiana cheese and your good to go.

Sunday King came to church! We set baptismal dates with him and Evelyn last week. She is back in the hospital though she cannot come to church. African problems; they thought that once we get baptized, we are perfect and never sin again, and then we can receive healing power (the men of course.) So we are bringing a member next time to help us clear all that up... We ate Fufu with the Dwomoh family after church, and it was much yummier the second time! We went to Parma and had a blah end of the Sunday because we just didn't get response from people, but we saw a piano man playing away in the center and it was beautiful. We stopped for two songs and found out who he is, Andrea Carri.

Monday we went with Nicoletta for a breakfast date and she brought her friend and cousin. They all don't really believe in God, they are on the edge. We got to present a really good restoration lesson but we also got to enjoy ourselves all at the same time. They will come around but it might take some time. Late that day we got lost on a bus in the middle of nowhere, we met a 9 year old kid and taught him! But then his grandma told us she was atheist and suddenly he didn't want to listen to us anymore. So sad... Later that night a miracle happened. We sat and chatted with this ancient lady named Maria, 92 years old. We were super annoyed because we didn't think it would go anywhere, but then I felt she needed our love and in the end we prayed with her. She was grateful for our company, we chatted and committed her to look for the Hand of God. She said she is too old and too confused to know what to believe, but she believes, I could see it.

So, what do you believe? Who is Christ for you and how have YOU seen the love of God in your life? I can testify that he has always been with you, and when we look for that love we will find it. We are not alone. I know my savior lives, and that is why I am here.

The fact that I might be leaving this city in a few weeks make me sad, so let's not think about it yet. I love being a missionary, and don't love the hardships but I love the people and what I learn from it all.

Life is good my friends. It's good stuff.

Also, no, the missionaries here are not involved with the expo or the world fair. There are tons and tons of riots, car burnings and so forth so even when transfers happen we are supposed to stay away from it. I'm sure on pday and such we can visit it, but I know there are lots of people here.

Other questions?

Vi voglio tanto bene!

Sorella Hastings 

Love and Be Loved