Heather Hastings	8:57 AM (8 hours ago)

If you always do what you've always done you'll always get what you've always gotten... I'm pretty sure this is a quote from a general authority but President Dibb says it all the time. It's true. We need to change things up sometimes, we can't always do the same things if we want different results. As a missionary, when we change cities or companions, sometimes it is like completely starting over, flipping over the paper and starting new. In real life we can't necessarily do that so easily, but we can do it in a different way... One choice changes everything, so there's a thought to think on.

We had a busy week! My companion is Sorella Francesca Distante, she is Italian and comes from Rome. She is an amazing missionary! She is only in her fifth transfer (I am in my tenth out of 12) and she has good fire and energy. Her dad is Catholic and her mom is a convert form when she was little. She has two sisters and is 19 years old. She is short, so very sweet. She has studied psychology and such and so she is a thinker... she thinks and analyzes people in that way which is perfect for this city because there are some very interesting, particular people that we meet but she listens and knows how to treat their needs. 

Our first miracle was meeting these kids our first day together! On the bus coming home, we started talking to them about English class, not expecting them to listen at all (they looked like punks) but as we kept talking to them turns out they were all three super interested to learn English AND to know more about our church. Score! So we got home late because we stayed on the bus but it was so worth it. 

An approach to meet and talk to people that my companion used is to just walk up to people and extend your hand, say hello my name is, I’m a missionary, and sometimes they will tell us their name. It's great because it makes them interested in why we want to talk to them and then gets their attention. Why had I never done this before? Work is improving a lot, just in this last week we have talked to so many people! We are meeting people who listen... It never happened before. We have been pretty busy.  Based on our faith I believe and the spirit is a huge factor. With faith, anything can happen.

Weekly planning took forever on Friday... My brain is fried and I feel unusually tired these days, but I think it's just old age. We speak soooo much Italian... it's great, but a bit exhausting for the brain.

Sunday we made some calls and did some casa, which would be knocking on doors (what do you call that in english?), it rained all day, but one man let us in! He was Chinese and spoke English. He said that we can come back the next Sunday. What! Then we went to the family Furia, again as a miracle. They are the ones who have a daughter serving down south in my same group. They talk about her all the time. It's kind of hard to forget about going home when you have that reminder, but I love that family. I haven't laughed that hard in a long time, it was fabulous. He told us about his mission stories, about his companions, things that happened. Being American and having an Italian companion now I feel like sometimes I am left out, but I am grateful that I understand and speak well enough to be a part of the conversation. Laughing is so good for you.

Monday was a blessing to be inside teaching and not out in the rain. We were late all day from the first lesson which is frustrating, but it worked out for the best. So we called a potential investigator that has been on our board since I arrived, not really knowing much about her because she was in vacation. She invites us over and we go with the restoration lesson. We get there, and she had invited a friend to listen, plus we find out that her son (who needs to have heart surgery-what a coincidence, seeing as mom just had heart surgery) her son is a member and was baptized 20 years ago but is now inactive. He has such a strong faith and helped us teach the lesson. So, we found him and found two new investigators!  Marisa and Marco. Then for lunch the Sassi family invited us over, and then we went to the Tribastone family for correlation... where she made us Focaccia! Go look up that up. It is a delicious type of bread/pizza/Heaven! I have some recipes but I hope to be able to make it when I get home.

On Monday we had a meeting with Luana, a girl we met this weekend. She has lots of questions but is ready and searching. We were able to testify and answer them all! We taught a solid restoration lesson, then went through her questions. She wants to come to church and she is like 23, a really good person. Then we had hamburgers at the Gallo's for lunch... A member family. Young. He is in the bishopric and she is young women’s president. A good juicy hamburger... it's been a while. Then we went to visit Sorella Cappa an older lady, and she is sweet, just kind of blind and so she has some difficulties. She told me that when her son met me the first time (he is older, married) he thought I was a good missionary and complimented me for how I try to get to know everyone. It's good to hear that because sometimes you just never know how much good you are doing. Seriously though, Sunday's in church can be stressful because there are so many people we have to talk to and get appointments, etc. If only our investigators would come... Then, a huge miracle. 

You ready?

Meeting Antoinetta and her husband just when they needed it. So we were walking through the park, saw this couple on a bench. We walk through the grass and walk up to talk to them. We introduce ourselves and she asks "Are you Jehovahs witnesses?" No, we say. "Ok, then you can sit down," she says.

Um, no one ever invites us to sit down? OK! So we sit, we talk. Her husband has problems of health and has two tumors. She is hardcore catholic but asked us for advice on how to help her children follow Christ. She needed "a word of peace and comfort" in that exact moment and we were there to give it. It was amazing, I'll tell you. We talked about the atonement, about Christ, about the Plan of Salvation. We talked about things I wrote in my journal but won't put in an email. They need the gospel and are ready to receive it. She gave us her number and address and invited us back over! At the end, we prayed. While praying the wind was brushing through the trees and afterwards there was a just a peace with all of us. As much as I know that the wind is there but I can't see it, I know that God is real, He is our Father and His spirit is so very near and we can feel that Love, that comfort, but we have to seek for it and accept it. The presence of the Lord is here, and I testify of the strength and power that I receive from Him. That I cannot deny. Miracles, blessings, are real! After that lesson the spirit was so strong neither of us wanted to talk to anyone else for fear of rejection and losing it, but we talked to people and it turned out ok :)

On that note, I will leave you to go be awesome. I love you dear family, I love you friends (even though I never hear from anyone...ahem). I know that God loves us, I know that Christ lives. The Church is true, the book is blue, and we have the fullness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, we have the priesthood authority, and it comes from God. Our mission tour with elder Kearon is tomorrow in Milano, I will tell you all about it next week. Love and hugs!

Also, where are my little people?? I would love letters from them...just sayin.

Fotos: Our church building

there were slugs? I think the other day when it rained

My companion studies english and I study italian, so we learned about the body together

And this is my companion sorella Distante

Sorella Hastings =)

Love and Be Loved

Abducted by Prophets!?

Heather Hastings	9:04 AM (12 hours ago)

Hello, hola, bonjour, boun giorno!  

Look! I can speak four languages!

Ok, not really. I can't really speak proper English anymore, but I can speak Italian so that's good. 

We are teaching English class tonight at the church, but we don't know if anyone will come because it is summer. We bought flowers today and are going to plant them so that's exciting. 

I havn’t don't have much to day today. I do, however, have a great story for you.

We do a lot of proselyting in this big park, and there is a building in the middle of the park. Turns out the park and the building used to be an old insane asylum and they just closed and let everyone go. Obviously that probably didn't happen but, there are just some interesting people here...

Well. We have a lady that we are working with. We see her about every two weeks. I can't tell you much about her, but she cannot be a member of the church nor does she want to... Although she is a member. Remember this story and I will tell you all about the craziness one day. Let's just say, God is real, but the work of the devil is just as real. I much prefer the happy and peaceful feelings from God, though.

This past week I did a companion exchange with Sorella Stott! We were at this park leaving, and as we leave we pass the Jehovah's Witness stand. There is a man talking to them, and we know them. They are nice. They told us we dress nice. So, this man starts talking to us. We walk a bit, then stop. We keep talking. And talking... He asked great questions, like about Adam and Eve, the restoration. We were doing well and had answers, until he asked about prophets, and said a word we didn't understand so we had to look it up. To be brief, he asks how come we are so happy, we are so convinced. Then he asks how we can know that a prophet is real. He says that we have been abducted. We are not from this world because we are so happy and we have an unworldly light, so it must be that the prophets abducted us and we come from God, from a different world and thus we have been changed.

Um... Preach my Gospel doesn't tell you how to respond to that!

We laughed. So to translate, he meant that we are good people with the light of Christ and are committed to what we believe. He wants to come to English class so, we shall see how that goes.

I could also tell you about the time we were in the square and start to approach people on a bench, then a member walks up, and realizes they are JW's and starts a bible bash with them as we are talking with another man. So embarrassing. I wanted to run into a wall afterwards. 

Well to end on a happy note, we are doing great member work here. We have potential referrals. Yesterday we met with a lady who is so sweet and has such a strong testimony of this gospel. The members here are solid, they just have some big challenges too.

Allora, vi voglio bene a tutti! 

Can someone please answer me this: what makes you happy? What is a blessing you have seen this week in your life? 

Life is good. Don't worry about me. Stay away from hospitals and be happy :)
Talk to you next week! 

Sorella Hastings 

Love and Be Loved

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

10 giugno

Heather Hastings	Jun 10 (5 days ago)

10 giungo 

Well we have had a very interesting week in the sense that, it wasn't all that interesting...

Thursday we met Giovanna in the park, our sweet little friend and we had a really cool prayer lesson with her. We were just doing some park finding because our other appointment fell through and after we talked with two old atheist ladies, we found her. She is studying here for a short time, and we were able to sit down for a solid 45 minutes to talk about God being our Heavenly Father, other points in the restoration and prayer. It was really cool, just sitting in the park in the shade and she was really interested. It's a bummer she will be returning home to her country within the month. I love meeting such a diverse people here.

Friday was weekly planning as usual. Again, all of our appointments really fell through. We went to visit Evelyn, she's so sad and sick :( she has been in the hospital for a while and we just aren't sure how to help her, but she loves us coming to keep her company. We had an evening planned with the Dwomoh family and it went well! We were able to watch and listen to all of the talks from the funeral of Elder L. Tom Perry and then we shared a message, and ate together. From Ghana, one of the cooler people I know. I love them. I want to have a family like them one day! They have four kids, and two of them are twins. I will have to get pictures with them for the future.

Saturday we didn't get any lessons in which was a bummer, because we had plans but they all fell through. Starting in the morning we went to Parma and were pumped for an awesome member presence, but only the member showed up... Max and his mom, really cool people though! So we came home to Reggio Emilia and unsuccessfully did the Mostra display with the Anziani... It got up to 39 degrees!!! Which is like 100 Fahrenheit plus humidity. Side note, the Africans keep complaining because it is hotter here than Africa.  I wonder if it's true. 

We just don't know what to do differently for this city... We then went out to find Anna, our past bap date, unsuccessfully. The saddest part of the day was that we went to find our investigator Natalia from Ukraine, the one sick with radiation poisoning. As we get to the hotel where she was leaving the man tells us that she isn't there anymore... He then explains that they found her Wednesday morning in her room and she had passed away, so that kind of was a really big shocker for us. I've never had an investigator... Die before. We stopped and said a prayer and I felt the spirit really strong. We are putting things together to get her name to go to the temple, we just don't know all of her information. We were not super close and had only taught the restoration and met one other time. Then as we were walking down the street we saw the concert, and the market, and we felt like we were living the dream for a good five minutes. We ended our day making a bunch of calls to set this week up for us.

Sunday we had lunch with a very interesting family. Croatia and the Philippians. They are really cute though! Have I told you all the strange things about my companion? Like she hates casseroles and cheese, but she will eat pizza. She doesn't eat meat off the bone. Other such things... We have some fun times deciding on food. She is very simple when it comes to food. And the other day, I made guacamole! I hope someone in the family will be proud of that.

Monday and Tuesday we went searching for Natalia's info, finding, being hot.man Italian moment? We were at the police station and while waiting outside there was someone in a nearby building with the window open playing the violin. It was beautiful, perfect. So we had to pause for a minute and we just sat to listen to it.  FHE!!! We had with The Nsondi bishop family. I love them so much! They are the ones whose kitchen we cleaned. I just love them so much. I will definitely bring the family back to meet these people, and he knows what's up when it comes to missionary work which is what we need. Tuesday we spent all morning just calling people on the ward list and from the area book whom we didn't know. We have a lot of hopefuls now set up and tonight we even have a new old investigator FAMILY to go visit. Sweet!

Finding ideas!!! Anyone got any? Let me know returned missionaries... This city needs some new thoughts. Hearts here are just very closed. 

Here is a hymn I love in Italian:

"Che gioia allor, nel dì del Salvatore,

quando la terra acclamerà Gesù.

Mi prostrerò ed in adorazione

dirò: “Signor, oh, quanto grande sei!”

I am getting tan! Did I mention how hot it is? Today though, it is starting to thunder and lightning while we are emailing with the iPad's outside... Covered, of course. It's finally beautiful :)

Here's a cool scripture Sorella Montagnoli found.

D&C75:24-27 duty of the church!

I just want you all to know that my commitment to be a full time missionary has not changed. It's great! It's tough. It's dumb. It's cold. It's hot. People talk way too fast and too much sometimes. We are always tired. But we feel the spirit, we feel joy. There's nothing better to be doing, and I am in Italy! We are surrounded by families who take care of us, and I know that one day I will be with my Father in Heaven again. Every drop of everything is worth these long short eighteen months that are slowly flying by. Vi voglio bene, sempre. 

Tomorrow is zone training meeting and we go to Bergamo, then on Friday to Saturday we are doing companion exchanges. Good things planned. Be good. Write me. Letters, emails, I love them all! It is more distracting to NOT get mail then to get it so don't hesitate to send it! 

Love you all!

Word of the day:

hummingbird=colibrì

Sorella Hastings 

Love and Be Loved

Miracles never cease (11 months) 27/5/2015

I
Heather Hastings		May 27 (2 days ago)

This week was a killer week! We could have taught 18 lessons but because we had to prepare for an open house/ward activity we are having, we cancelled some appointments to help prepare for that. So many miracles. I'll tell ya, when we came home last night I was wiped. Physically, mentally, emotionally.... we went to bed early, today we deep cleaned the house and jammed to music, then we covered the windows and took a fabulous hour long nap. We got gelato before emailing and I feel greatly refreshed :)

So much to tell. Monday, the new day of the week. We started out nice by being on time and early to District meeting. The Elders brought us brownies so that was fun. Between the four of us in our district... we may have eaten the entire pan. What a long day! So this family search activity/open house I've mentioned we're doing is Tuesday-Saturday 6pm-9pm. There has been so much to do to advertise and make sure people come! As of yesterday, we had two people show up? Anyways, so we stayed at the church to make posters and finish up last minute touches. We brought fruit and cut up to make a yummy fruit salad, but we didn’t leave the church until like 3:30. As we were riding home, sorella Montagnoli got a flat. So I wasted five euro to buy a pump that didn't work, then in the end we got it fixed. We were doing a scambio (exchange) and had a train to catch at like 5:10. 4pm comes and we hadn’t eaten lunch yet because all the pizza places were closed! Welcome to Italy, where everything closes for lunch or after lunch. At the last minute we find some food, grab our stuff and catch the train to Piacenza. Then our phone stops working, add that to the list. Meanwhile, we start a fast as a district for this crazy city of Reggio Emilia. I leave my comp and come back with Sorella Jones. We met a cool lady on the train who is getting married next week, and it was really fun to be able to talk with her about the family. It doesn't sound like a lot but we stressed the whole day, mainly about this activity, and we were all over the place. Oh, and it rained somewhere in there too. 

So Tuesday comes around. But wait, Monday night we had just finished nightly planning when.... the phone rings. It Says "XS EVELYN" meaning an x investigator. Turns out she is in the hospital sick, and she thought of us. She has come to church in the past but wanted us to go pray with her. SO we added that into our plans. Monday we had a nice companionship study, talking, chatting, sharing my wise advice. We went to visit our bap date, she's still smoking but she's so close! We are going to move her bap date again, hopefully for the last time. Liz, you will be proud of this. We made a delicious lunch which we call "Pasta di Chicacado" which would be pasta cooked, through in some chicken, avocado slices, drizzle some oil, garlic powder, salt, pepper, cheese. Bon appetite! :)

Then we went to visit this girl Evelyn. She is Nigerian, and is really sick- but she's so young! We shared Alma 7:11-13 with her, and also 3 Nephi 17. We committed her to get a blessing and all on her own she wants to come back to church when she is better. She is so sweet, so struggling right now. We sat besides her hospital bed and just chatted in our African/English for a while. We bought her an ice cream and she had never been happier. Here in Italy, because they pay so much tax the doctors and hospitals are free. She doesn't have a job, but she has a son she rarely sees because her health doesn't let her take care of him. So sad, but we contacted the lady in the room next to her also and we just had this super awesome spiritual lesson. It was wonderful, and I am so grateful we were available in that moment. After that, we went out and spent time in the park finding. We talked with a really nice lady and were able to pray and leaving a blessing on her family. At this point, we were feeling great. Oh, did I mention how blessed we are with our hospitals in America? After we exchanged back our companions, we hurried to the church, taught English class, got a pizza. We had our Russian member there last night, and so was our Russian investigator who comes to English class. We met them up and we are so excited for them to be friends so we can get some member help with her. We came home last night and crashed... 

Life is good my dear family. Life is good. I hope you are all well. I am doing wonderful, and happy, and blessed. My studies have been really deep lately, like on Saturday we talked about "Canon" and "lost books" and the bible. I've been doing studying on faith and knowledge, and it's so cool to see these patterns in the Book of Mormon and then see how they connect to the bible. Last Thursday, we had a stellar African lesson. I have never had a lesson that wonderful. The restoration. She is super interested, feels lost and looking for the truth, for the true baptism, for peace in her life. Blessing. She wants to come to our church, too. We met another lady from Ukraine, has radiation poisoning because she lived in Chernobyl (don’t know how to spell) and she is really messed up, but we took her the spirit and she wants to learn more. 

Have I told you how amazing our bishop is? We love their family! Clausel and Enuine Nsondi, she is from Ghana and he is from Congo, they both served in Ghana. Their family is the best, so cute, I love them. We went to visit them on Friday and it was perfect because we ran into our less active and got to teach her too. 

God's timing is so perfect! Miracles! They are small, but that's how it goes. Passo per passo. Step by step. Line upon line...

That is the watered down versione of my week, but know how much I am loving where I'm at right now. Reggio Emilia... is a strange city, but finally I think the work here is picking up. Oh, and we got transfer calls- nothing changes because we are training. Another six weeks then I'm probably out. Don't wanna think about that yet though. I Love you all! You are great. The ipads are great tool we can use now, and it’s fun to read your emails when they come. Be good. Read your scriptures. Be happy. Say your prayers. Just keep up your faith and keep up the good :)

Sorella Hastings =)

Love and Be Loved