tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73279382088497009092024-03-12T19:11:43.557-04:00When In Rome...Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05201206454810966051noreply@blogger.comBlogger101125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7327938208849700909.post-25397674696792541702010-08-22T23:37:00.000-04:002010-08-22T23:38:07.963-04:00Mission Finale<p class="MsoNormal">Ever since I returned from my mission Crystal has been bugging me to finish up the blog with my testimony and some final words.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Now, almost 6 months later, I'm finally getting around to it.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Today, August 22, 2010, I was blessed with the<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>opportunity to attend a homecoming in Draper, Utah for a senior couple who I served with.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>There were about 15 returned missionaries there, the mission president and his wife, and two young couples from the Rome 2 ward.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>One of the couples was married not too long ago and even more recently the girl, Francescia, was baptized and now has a calling in Primary. When I started my mission in Rome 2 this girl would come occasionally. In the three transfers that I was there she came maybe 3 or 4 times.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The elders were all over it and I was still very new in the mission so I don't really feel like I got to know her very well.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I can't even describe my joy today to see her there and so excited to see the missionaries and see how happy she is.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I was shocked that she even remembered me with how little I could actually speak the mission at that time.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It's amazing to see how much can change in such a relatively short time.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Two years ago, I was about to enter the MTC and had absolutely no idea about the marvelous experiences that awaited me.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Through my mission I have been able to form relationships that I know will last eternally- whether it be with members, investigators, companions, or other missionaries.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It seems preposterous to me that I ever thought that I didn't want to serve a mission.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Clearly, the Lord knew what I needed and was loving enough to guide me to the experiences I needed to have.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Obviously I'm far from perfect and it was discouraging to see how easily bad habits returned and good habits left quickly after my return.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>But I know now how to overcome and it's a daily, hourly, and minutely process to make sure that I stay close to the Lord so that he can help me.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Today at the homecoming we sang the Hymn of Rome.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>What an overwhelming and powerful experience to be joined once again with my fellow missionaries and sing a hymn that is so special for me.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I know now more than ever that I am a daughter of God and that I have so much potential.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I need only to learn the will of the Lord for me and act upon it- trusting Him to guide me to eternal happiness.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I am such a blessed person and it is because I have the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>How wonderful was my experience to share that with the wonderful people of Italy.</p>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05201206454810966051noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7327938208849700909.post-38300164683411386192010-05-15T01:28:00.005-04:002010-05-15T01:52:07.187-04:00Sara Comes Home!!! 3/26/10<div>After posting Sara's emails so diligently for her entire mission, I completely bombed the last post. Sara arrived home from her mission on Friday, March 26th. Her original flight was due in at 6:55. However, that was with a flight time of one hour from Atlanta. Everyone who's flown that route knows that it doesn't take an hour to get from ATL to GSP, I figured her flight would get in early. At 6:15 it was saying the actual arrival time was scheduled to be 6:46. I drove separate from the rest of my family and when I was just getting off the interstate at the airport exit, I saw Sara's plane fly over my car and land. AHHH! She was even earlier than predicted. My family was also just arriving and we walked as fast as we could (actual arrival time ended up being 6:32) to meet Sara. We met up with her in the hall. So exciting!! She looked just great and it was so exciting to see her! We went to get her luggage and hers was the first one off. We were in the car on the way home before her flight was originally scheduled to land. Crazy! Here are some pictures from Sara's home coming:</div><div><br /></div><div>Poster that Aunt Thelma made (note the Italian leather boots)</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TfukbJKgYGU/S-41DOXzrNI/AAAAAAAACFo/IBBj4bLCh2o/s1600/DSCN0593.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TfukbJKgYGU/S-41DOXzrNI/AAAAAAAACFo/IBBj4bLCh2o/s400/DSCN0593.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471368926815562962" /></a><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TfukbJKgYGU/S-41DOXzrNI/AAAAAAAACFo/IBBj4bLCh2o/s1600/DSCN0593.JPG"></a>Another Welcome Home sign & balloon from Mom & Dad<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TfukbJKgYGU/S-41CgegssI/AAAAAAAACFg/lLMOu1r4gKw/s1600/DSCN0592.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TfukbJKgYGU/S-41CgegssI/AAAAAAAACFg/lLMOu1r4gKw/s400/DSCN0592.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471368914495648450" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TfukbJKgYGU/S-41CgegssI/AAAAAAAACFg/lLMOu1r4gKw/s1600/DSCN0592.JPG"></a>On our way into the airport!<br /><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TfukbJKgYGU/S-41CgegssI/AAAAAAAACFg/lLMOu1r4gKw/s1600/DSCN0592.JPG"></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TfukbJKgYGU/S-4z4F7P0BI/AAAAAAAACEw/PvmGgZWdGhE/s1600/DSCN0582.JPG"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TfukbJKgYGU/S-4z4F7P0BI/AAAAAAAACEw/PvmGgZWdGhE/s400/DSCN0582.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471367636058099730" style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TfukbJKgYGU/S-4z4F7P0BI/AAAAAAAACEw/PvmGgZWdGhE/s1600/DSCN0582.JPG"></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TfukbJKgYGU/S-4z4r_Wh8I/AAAAAAAACE4/rIr-mnC2YF0/s1600/DSCN0584.JPG"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TfukbJKgYGU/S-4z4r_Wh8I/AAAAAAAACE4/rIr-mnC2YF0/s400/DSCN0584.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471367646275864514" style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a><br /><div><br /></div><div>There she is!</div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TfukbJKgYGU/S-4z42uDqLI/AAAAAAAACFA/z92ICr2x3Ks/s1600/DSCN0586.JPG"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TfukbJKgYGU/S-4z42uDqLI/AAAAAAAACFA/z92ICr2x3Ks/s400/DSCN0586.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471367649156114610" style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TfukbJKgYGU/S-4z5KqL1QI/AAAAAAAACFI/7H-ryLnzk7s/s1600/DSCN0588.JPG"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TfukbJKgYGU/S-4z5KqL1QI/AAAAAAAACFI/7H-ryLnzk7s/s400/DSCN0588.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471367654508582146" style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Headed for baggage claim</div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TfukbJKgYGU/S-41CGGKQrI/AAAAAAAACFY/5KgTZw_i3yY/s1600/DSCN0590.JPG"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TfukbJKgYGU/S-41CGGKQrI/AAAAAAAACFY/5KgTZw_i3yY/s400/DSCN0590.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471368907414192818" style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TfukbJKgYGU/S-4z42uDqLI/AAAAAAAACFA/z92ICr2x3Ks/s1600/DSCN0586.JPG"></a>Sign from the Nathan Leckie family...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TfukbJKgYGU/S-4z5dO9L7I/AAAAAAAACFQ/NY5I04wWxMI/s1600/DSCN0589.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TfukbJKgYGU/S-4z5dO9L7I/AAAAAAAACFQ/NY5I04wWxMI/s400/DSCN0589.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471367659494649778" /></a></div></div></div>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05201206454810966051noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7327938208849700909.post-88999546071613390072010-03-17T23:02:00.006-04:002010-03-17T23:28:17.700-04:00Email from Sara 3/17/10<div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;">Oh what a beautfiful day! </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;">Today has been GREAT! We went up to La Spezia as a district and met up with the missionaries there and went hiking. It's so beautiful! It's starting to feel more like spring and I absolutely love love love it!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><br />This week has been great. Josy decided that she will be baptized in July. Fiorella is deciding between three dates in April. Veronica is doing a presentation on the church for her class. Lara came to church for the first time after investigating the church for 6 years. Antonella came to a Relief Society activity. Stella (a less active member) has been in church the last two sundays. Silvana (a crazy inactive) wants to come back to church. Gil came to church on sunday. Lots of good things happening here. On average as a district we have about 10 investigators in church. I've never been in a district when it was like that. The branch is super supportive and we had a little fireside the other night as a "mini-MTC" to help them know how they can help us more and they loved it.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><br />We also had a miracle the other day... I lost my wallet... I know shocking, right? Anyhow, i'd left it actually on a foosball table near the sea at about 4 pm and didn't realize that I'd forgotten it until about 8:30 that night. The sense of dread set in quick and hard. I remembered exactly where I'd left it and thankfully we were with a member who could drive us to the place (the buses don't go after 8.15 or so) So we ran there and miraculously the place was still open (usually everything closes around 8) and it wasn't there on the table so we ran inside and asked and the man working said that someone had left a business card and had my wallet. YAY!! But the story doesn't end there. So I call the number... SUPER nice man who coincidentally lives accross the street from the church and has a beautiful family and said that we could come back to teach them about the gospel. Amazing experience. It went from being an awful feeling to a SUPER happy feeling. It's great. That was just a day ago so we haven't been back yet. The story will continue...</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><br />Anyhow. Yeah, life is good. We're still just working hard. I love these people!!!!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><br />Alrighty, gonna go attach some pretty pictures from our hike today. Love you all so much!!!!<br />Sorella Leckie<br /><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;">These are all from this morning. We left a bit early to go to La Spezia. The missionaries in the group picture are: Anziano Manwaring, Grigg, Ehorn, Me, Hervoyavich, Slla Naslund, Hansen, Dalia, Anz Reyes, Hoopes.</span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TfukbJKgYGU/S6GbdR6RXCI/AAAAAAAAB_k/vijqn4cyb8U/s1600-h/SDC10253.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TfukbJKgYGU/S6GbdR6RXCI/AAAAAAAAB_k/vijqn4cyb8U/s400/SDC10253.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449807951421332514" /></a><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TfukbJKgYGU/S6GbdR6RXCI/AAAAAAAAB_k/vijqn4cyb8U/s1600-h/SDC10253.JPG"></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TfukbJKgYGU/S6GazRup5FI/AAAAAAAAB_c/B4A-Cor-98I/s1600-h/SDC10282.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TfukbJKgYGU/S6GazRup5FI/AAAAAAAAB_c/B4A-Cor-98I/s400/SDC10282.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449807229818102866" /></a><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TfukbJKgYGU/S6GazRup5FI/AAAAAAAAB_c/B4A-Cor-98I/s1600-h/SDC10282.JPG"></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TfukbJKgYGU/S6GdTHQgnBI/AAAAAAAAB_s/fwvTDpTHm1w/s1600-h/SDC10258+(1).JPG"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TfukbJKgYGU/S6GdTHQgnBI/AAAAAAAAB_s/fwvTDpTHm1w/s400/SDC10258+(1).JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449809975786380306" style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a><br /><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TfukbJKgYGU/S6GZxQlfVbI/AAAAAAAAB_U/WO4XG0Po7uw/s1600-h/SDC10253.JPG"></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TfukbJKgYGU/S6GY3YjDY7I/AAAAAAAAB_M/e4W8o7mOesE/s1600-h/SDC10286.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TfukbJKgYGU/S6GY3YjDY7I/AAAAAAAAB_M/e4W8o7mOesE/s400/SDC10286.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449805101344711602" /></a><br /></div></div></div>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05201206454810966051noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7327938208849700909.post-37676923736264604072010-03-11T00:42:00.001-05:002010-03-11T00:43:27.005-05:00Email from Sara 3/10/10<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; ">Short One</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; ">Hope everyone has had a great week. Things have turned very cold here and actually was snowing all day yesterday with some nasty wind. Nothing stuck, but it was pretty to watch when we weren't walking in it. :)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; "><br />There have been lots of good things this week. All very small, but blessing just the same. Josy is doing well. Veronica is doing a presentation on missionary work and the church for a school project. Fiorella is still deciding a date. Leslie is waiting for her dad to say yes. Lara is going to come to church on Sunday. Silvia wants to keep meeting with us. Lots of tender mercies. I love it. The Lord is so good to me.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; "><br />Today for Pday we're going to Pisa for a zone activity. We're going to play american football. It's really cold, but hopefuly there won't be any precipitaion. Keep your fingers crossed. Alrighty, gonna go now, but I just want you to know that the chruch is true and the gospel is the most important thing in the world! Love you all and hope you have another wonderful week. And if you didnt' have a wonderful week last week, look for the blessings and express your gratitude for what the Lord has done. He'll never leave us to walk alone. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; ">Love you all!<br />Sorella Leckie</span></div>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05201206454810966051noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7327938208849700909.post-50352663242863775292010-03-04T00:26:00.004-05:002010-03-04T00:42:07.964-05:00Email from Sara 3/3/10<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;">Quick One</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;">Alrighty, this is gonna be quick becuase I've taken forever today doing other things.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><br />Saturday was so much fun. We went out to the beach and played American Football (touch) instead of playing soccer at church. It was perfect weather and so much fun.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><br />Yesterday we had my last Zone Conference in the mission and I have to say that it was kinda sad. I will miss that a lot, I think. There is a mission hymn and I just love it and I was really a bit sentimental when we were singing it yesterday. I love it. There truly is just something so special about being a missionary. Everyone should do it!!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><br />As far as the work is going: Fiorella didn't feel sure with her date of 5 marzo and now she is deciding when she'll be baptized. I really hope it's soon. I also found out yesterday at Zone Conference that a family that we worked with in Pistoia has a baptisimal date for the beginning of June. I'm so excited for them to all be members of the church together. Their kids are already baptized, but this will mean that they can work towards going to the temple. Che bellissima!!! Veronica, Josy, and Leslie are still good... we're really just waiting for parental permission. Frustrating, but essential.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><br />Other than that life is good. I'm happy, healthy, and loving being in Italy.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><br />I'm out of time but I hope everyone has a wonderful wonderful week and that you do something nice for someone else!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><br />Love you all so much!!!<br />Sorella Leckie</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;">Me and my Comp, Sorella Naslund!!</span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TfukbJKgYGU/S49G4NqUZgI/AAAAAAAAB9E/WlGHSPQ5mvU/s1600-h/SDC10182+(1).JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TfukbJKgYGU/S49G4NqUZgI/AAAAAAAAB9E/WlGHSPQ5mvU/s400/SDC10182+(1).JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444648406067996162" /></a><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TfukbJKgYGU/S49G4NqUZgI/AAAAAAAAB9E/WlGHSPQ5mvU/s1600-h/SDC10182+(1).JPG"></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;">This is last wednesday when I ran allong the lungomare! So pretty!</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TfukbJKgYGU/S49FeJ4_CsI/AAAAAAAAB88/15ZuIpEkzp8/s1600-h/SDC10192.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TfukbJKgYGU/S49FeJ4_CsI/AAAAAAAAB88/15ZuIpEkzp8/s400/SDC10192.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444646858867542722" /></a><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><br /></span></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TfukbJKgYGU/S49FeJ4_CsI/AAAAAAAAB88/15ZuIpEkzp8/s1600-h/SDC10192.JPG"></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;">I love the terazza!! There was so much wind and just a beautiful sunset.</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TfukbJKgYGU/S49E_c62VwI/AAAAAAAAB80/6fKwUnbJy6U/s1600-h/SDC10211.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TfukbJKgYGU/S49E_c62VwI/AAAAAAAAB80/6fKwUnbJy6U/s400/SDC10211.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444646331399689986" /></a><br /></div></div>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05201206454810966051noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7327938208849700909.post-9204295808098822162010-02-24T23:05:00.003-05:002010-02-24T23:10:08.655-05:00Email from Sara 2/24/10<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; ">Buongiorno!!!!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; ">It's a beautiful day here in Livorno. It's very spring-like and I love it! Everything is going well. I feel like there's so much to do and we are doing our best to fit it all in. I'm pretty sure I'm being stretched and hopefully with all this stretching and reaching the Lord is turning me into something better. Otherwise, I'm not sure if the discomfort of being streched would be worth it, but I know it is. Yesterday we had our interviews with President and he asked me how training was going, how the work was going, etc. And when I told him that I thought that I'd gotten out of training he said, that's just not what the Lord wanted. So, its a bit intimidating but comforting knowing that it's really what the Lord wants. I knew it before, but its always nice to hear.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; "><br />Sunday I had a talk and my companion and I did a musical number. The talk was fine and the musical number was pretty good. She was really really nervous, and I was just nervous. But all in all it was fine. We sang a really pretty arrangement of "Did you think to pray?" I like it. I think it was the 4th or 5th time I've done it in the mission.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; "><br />Our investigators are doing well. Fiorella is doing good. She says she's not sure about the 5th of march, but that she thinks still in March. She just wants to feel sure about her baptisimal date. I guess that's reasonable, I just wish I knew what date it would be so we could plan and prepare.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; "><br />Josy and Veronica are wonderful. Veronica just takes every new principle we teach her and just has so much faith. We had a lesson yesterday where we were teaching her about following the prophet. At the end we invited her to pray about Thomas S. Monson to know if he was truly a prophet today. She said she would do it, but then when she was saying the closing prayer she said something like "we thank thee for a prophet today who guides us in these troubled times..." I really really hope that she won't have to wait too much longer for permission from her parents. We talked to her mom and asked her if they wanted to hear the things that we were teaching Veronica, and she jsut said, "oh, well she comes home and tells us everything anyway." We were like, "oh, okay. Well, if you have any questions let us know." I would really love to teach her whole family. They are just beautiful!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; ">Today for Pday we're going to learn how to make Tiramisu. It's going to be so so so yummy. I'm having to limit myself to one treat a day because we were just going crazy there for a while with birthdays and holidays and parties, etc. For example, Saturday was an activity for the primary. It was a great activity and there were lots of kids and their friends and families. Some of the kids even came to church on Sunday because they like the activity so much. But there was a TON of sweets and candy and all sorts of evil things and it's just too yummy.... oh well. You just live once, right?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; "><br />Okay, well, i'm gonna go so I can send you a picture of me and my new comp. I brought my camera today, but not the cord so I have to see if my companions will work. Keep your fingers crossed. If you don't get them today though, then you'll just have to wait until next week.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; "><br />Remember how much I love you all and hope you have a fantastic week, full of serving and doing good things!!!!<br />Vi voglio un mondo di bene!!!!<br />Sorella Leckie</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; ">After FHE one night at Annalisa and Massimo Noè's house.</span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TfukbJKgYGU/S4X3S8S5o1I/AAAAAAAAB74/tA_rAQtpB6U/s1600-h/100_2709.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TfukbJKgYGU/S4X3S8S5o1I/AAAAAAAAB74/tA_rAQtpB6U/s400/100_2709.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442027629542220626" /></a>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05201206454810966051noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7327938208849700909.post-45306121632172017702010-02-17T23:08:00.001-05:002010-02-17T23:09:55.286-05:00Email from Sara 2/17/10<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; "><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; ">Salve!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; "><br /></span></div>Well well well... My life has been topsy turvy for a few days and hopefully will be leveling out here pretty soon.<br />Obviously the biggest change is my new companion. She speaks english perfectly, thankfully, so we don't have to play charades or anything, which is good. She has a pretty good grasp on Italian, too, so I'm pretty excited about that. Obviously there are things to learn still, but she's anxious to learn. She has a lot of good ideas and is pushing me to be better. The toughest part right now is balancing good ideas and MTC mentality with real-life knowledge of these people and experience in the mission. But I think its a good thing, becuase for the last couple of transfers at least I was more just focused on keeping our investigators on the right track, and now the focus in on getting them to baptism. I really hope to be able to see several baptisms here in Livorno before I go home. Fiorella still is scheduled to be baptized 5 March, and that's still the plan, but she's been so busy with working that we've hardly been able to see her. She still comes to church, but we've just got to nail it down so we can finish teaching her the few things that are remaining and so she'll be prepared for her baptism. Veronica is also wanting to be baptized sooner than later and I think she'll push her parents a little more than Josy. Hopefully, though, she won't have to push too too much. Her mom is really nice and we also hope that she'll come to church with Veronica in the near future.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; "><br />As far as my district goes, things are very different dynamically here in Livorno. My last district was very close and we worked well together, but now we hardly know each other so we're having to figure out how we're going to work together. Different strengths and personalities require different activities and planning. But we'll figure it all out here eventually.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; "><br />The branch continues to be amazing and I absolutely love the people here.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; "><br />Alrighty, I'm gonna sign off now so I can send a couple pictures. Remember how much I love you all and hope you have a fabulous week!!!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; "><br />Vi voglio più bene!!!<br />Sorella Leckie<br /></span></div>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05201206454810966051noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7327938208849700909.post-21631689565748797582010-02-10T22:26:00.003-05:002010-02-10T22:39:52.266-05:00Email from Sara 2/10/2010<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; ">Mamma Mia!!!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; ">I'm feeling a little relieved/overwhelmed with lots of changes that are happening in my life at this moment. My whole world for the last three months was revolving around a very needy companion and now she's gone home. It's just strange and I feel a little bit at loose ends. Then most of the Elders in my district got transfered (3 out of the 4) and I feel like my support system just left me, and I need it still as I will be training a new sister. Boy oh boy. Anywho.. I knows the Lord wouldn't ask me to do it if I couldn't, but he just wanted to make me work harder, right?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; "><br />Anyhow, aside from that I will at least be staying in Livorno which makes me VERY VERY happy. At the moment, however I am in Ladispoli (Near Rome) on a scambi (exchange) with Sorella Stephenson. It's too much fun. I would have liked to have been able to get our apartment ready for this new sister who is coming in, but I didn't know 100% that I was training until after I was in Rome. We just knew that I had to come to Rome with Sorella Gambardella, but that I didnt' have to pack my bags. There really was only one obvious solution, but I was still holding out hope that I would get an experienced companion who could help me lots this transfer, but I guess that's not what would help me the most, so we'll just have to pray lots and go forward. I will go to the Villa tomorrow to "pick up" my new companion and we'll have a lunch there and then we'll head back to Livorno. I haven't met her yet, but I know that her name is Sorella Naslund and she is from Sweden. I've been told she speaks english... I sure hope so :) It will be a very interesting learning experience.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; "><br />Aside from all of these changes going on, the work is still going well. Sorella Gambardella finished the mission. She says its the first time in her life that she actually finished something. I was really happy for her. I really hope she can remember the thigns she learned and not digress. She was able to form some good relationships here and she really needed to feel that she had made some kind of contribution, so it was really good. Veronica wrote her a sweet little note and had written that she hopes that Sorella Gambardella can come to her baptism and that she hopes it will be soon. She also wrote that if they don't see each other soon that she hopes someday that they will meet again in the Kingdom of God and that she will be worthy. It was beautiful! How I love seeing people grasping the gospel. Veronica also has been inviting her mom to church. We actually invited her mom to church, too, and she very very kindly told us that it was their one day not to work and that they slept in on Sundays. But I hope that someday soon she'll at least come to Sacrament meeting. Veronica is also very hopeful. It's good.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; "><br />I'm really going to miss my last district. We did LOTS together, but it was good because we WORKED together. I feel as though some of my friends just had to leave and I didnt' even get to say bye because I was in Rome. :( But I guess there's always mission reunions, right?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; "><br />I've been thinking lots lately about trusting in the Lord and how important it is that we trust Him. I stumbled upon this scripture the other day that just really hit home But behold, he did deliver them because they did humble themselves before him; and because they cried mightily unto him he did deliver them out of bondage; and thus doth the Lord work with his power in all cases among the children of men, extending the arm of mercy towards them that put their trust in him. (Mosiah 29:20) I know that when we truly put our trust in Him he will always deliver us. He won't necessarily take away our problems, but he will help us carry our burdens.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; "><br />I love you all and hope you have a fantastic week. Pray for me lots!!!<br />Sorella Leckie</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; ">We burned a pair of nylons to celebrate finishing the mission. It smelled really bad.</span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TfukbJKgYGU/S3N53J9-_cI/AAAAAAAAB5k/yVcc-0IYc0k/s1600-h/SDC10158.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TfukbJKgYGU/S3N53J9-_cI/AAAAAAAAB5k/yVcc-0IYc0k/s400/SDC10158.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436823163641986498" /></a><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TfukbJKgYGU/S3N53J9-_cI/AAAAAAAAB5k/yVcc-0IYc0k/s1600-h/SDC10158.JPG"></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; ">Me and Sorella Stephenson in Rome.</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TfukbJKgYGU/S3N5FE2lVtI/AAAAAAAAB5c/CdvVgde9yf4/s1600-h/SDC10164.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TfukbJKgYGU/S3N5FE2lVtI/AAAAAAAAB5c/CdvVgde9yf4/s400/SDC10164.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436822303275308754" /></a><br /></div>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05201206454810966051noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7327938208849700909.post-63849734385276532242010-02-03T21:55:00.003-05:002010-02-03T22:00:58.937-05:00Email from Sara 2/3/10<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; ">I'm Cold.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; ">Okay, at the moment my fingers are freezing so I can't guarantee any type of accuracy in typing. But anyways... It's been a good week. I feel appreciated which is really really nice. Our investigators are all progressing well. Fiorella, Veronica, Josy, Leslie, Cecilia, Gil. They're all still hanging in there. We just have to keep them going in the right path.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; "><br />Today is my companions last p-day so we're doing whatever she wants which means that we went Ice skating again. It was fun, but I'm kind of ice skated out.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; "><br />She heads to Rome on Tuesday so I'm not exactly sure where i'll be next week before transfers. I really really hope that I will be staying here in Livorno, but only time will tell. I feel that there is enough work here for sisters that it would be somewhat counter productive to send in two new sisters, but the ways of the Lord don't always make sense to me. Either way, I hope to be here sino alla fine.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; ">We heard some interesting news yesterday. In July the mission of Catiana will be closed and combined with the Rome mission. And the boundaries will be re-drawn. Which means that where I'm serving now will be part of the Milan mission. Weird. We were told that it will be announced in the church news Feb 10th? I think. Anyhow, I'm glad I'll be home because it will mean very big changes, but I'm sure it's inspired.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; "><br />Okay, well I'm going to see if I can send a few pictures for real this week. Remember that I love you all and that you are in my prayers. You are all wonderful and I thank you for your prayers and supprot that you sempre send my way. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; ">Love you so much!!!<br />Sorella Leckie</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; ">I love this picture. Even though it's a little blurry, It's not terrible inaccurate.</span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TfukbJKgYGU/S2o3rNOAgPI/AAAAAAAAB3Q/zRWfIKHN2jM/s1600-h/100_2640.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TfukbJKgYGU/S2o3rNOAgPI/AAAAAAAAB3Q/zRWfIKHN2jM/s400/100_2640.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434217115798241522" /></a><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TfukbJKgYGU/S2o3rNOAgPI/AAAAAAAAB3Q/zRWfIKHN2jM/s1600-h/100_2640.JPG"></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; ">This was after Coco's baptism. Fiorella, Me, Coco, & Sorella Gambarella.</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TfukbJKgYGU/S2o3arsiXdI/AAAAAAAAB3I/53h3olXSbcE/s1600-h/100_2668.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TfukbJKgYGU/S2o3arsiXdI/AAAAAAAAB3I/53h3olXSbcE/s400/100_2668.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434216831921577426" /></a><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; "><br /></span></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TfukbJKgYGU/S2o3arsiXdI/AAAAAAAAB3I/53h3olXSbcE/s1600-h/100_2668.JPG"></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; ">This was last night Sabrina was playing the piano for us. We're going to do a prelude number on Sunday. We'll see how it goes.</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TfukbJKgYGU/S2o3RbwD00I/AAAAAAAAB3A/wqTalFsFgd8/s1600-h/100_2681.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TfukbJKgYGU/S2o3RbwD00I/AAAAAAAAB3A/wqTalFsFgd8/s400/100_2681.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434216673022563138" /></a><br /></div></div>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05201206454810966051noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7327938208849700909.post-26133757567127504672010-01-27T21:16:00.000-05:002010-01-27T21:17:17.399-05:00Email from Sara 1/27/10<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; ">Another short one this week. It's been a pretty good week. Nothing too grand to report, but we're just plugging away. </span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; ">Coco's baptism was wonderful and his family came. It was good. Fiorella told President Acerson that she wanted to get baptized on her birthday, March 5 (and Crystals :) So unless we can help her want to be baptized earlier we will shoot for that. I really hope to be here for it.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; "><br />Our other investigators are still here and Veronica is amazing. She's already in 2nd Nephi and loves the book of mormon. I love it!!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; "><br />We went ice skating again for Pday. Fun stuff. The ice rink will be taken down sometime in February so there really isn't too much opportunity. But it was really fun.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; "><br />Alrighty, well, gonna call it good for now. I really will try to send some pictures next week. I've been a slacker about that, sorry.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; "><br />Remember that I love you all and hope you have a wonderful wonderful week.<br />Con tanto affetto,<br />Sorella Leckie<br /></span></div>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05201206454810966051noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7327938208849700909.post-89857469265257956742010-01-21T21:09:00.000-05:002010-01-21T21:10:05.472-05:00Email from Sara 1/20/10<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; ">Good week.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; ">It's been a pretty good week. We're all looking forward to Coco's baptism tomorrow. And, Fiorella decided that she wants to get baptized on her birthday, March 5th. We had our interviews with President yesterday and he was talking to Fiorella and said that he would come back for her Baptism. It's pretty exciting. Also Josy told me that she wants to get baptized in May and Veronica will most likely get baptized with her. We're trying to help them want to be baptized sooner, but if we have to wait until May, I guess that's okay.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; "><br />Interviews were good. I really feel that President appreciates me and what I've been doing here in Livorno. It's a good feeling.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; "><br />I'm loving the mission and am so happy to be here serving the Lord. Sorry, this is a little short this week, but dont' really have too much else to add. I'm sure I'm not remembering lots of things, but life is good.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; "><br />OH YEAH! One amazing thing that happened this week was that Walter (Leslie's dad) called us yesterday. We hadn't been able to get ahold of them for more than 3 weeks and so it was really really a miracle that he called. Hopefully we can get back on track with her and help her get baptized too. And who knows, maybe Walter too, we'll see what we can do. With the help of the Lord all things are possible.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; "><br />Okay, gonna go head out and to the spesa (grocery shopping). Hope you all have a wonderful and fabulous week!!! Love you all!!!<br />Sorella Leckie</span></div></div>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05201206454810966051noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7327938208849700909.post-9186174298830960172010-01-14T21:22:00.000-05:002010-01-14T21:24:08.947-05:00Email from Sara 1/13/10<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; ">WHOA!</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; ">Okay, so maybe the subject is a little overdramatic, but it's pretty accurate some of the time.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; ">It's been a good week. Zone conference was great. Investigators are doing well and the work is going forth. Sometimes I'm not exactly sure what to do or where to go and yet things just work out.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; "><br />Yesterday we were teaching Fiorella, a 19 year old Peruvian who's friend is getting baptized next week. She really has such a strong desire to learn and follow the commandments. It's great. Right now she doesn't understand the power of the Atonement and feels that she can't let go of former mistakes, but I was reading in the Liahona this morning a great talk and I'm so excited to share it with her. We had a good lesson with her last night though and it seemed at first that the lesson was kind of all over the place and I was just praying and praying that it would work out and that somehow the spirit would just help her understand. It was amazing to see how a seemingly uncoordinated lesson was brought together through the scriptures. It was wonderful and she felt the spirit. I love it! We really hope she will be baptized soon, but obviously want it to be her decision and because she has a testimony. She already received an answer in church that this was the true church so she says piano piano she'll get there. She even talks sometimes about when she's a missionary what she's going to do. It's great. Josy and Veronica are doing well, also, and Veronica loves meeting with us and learning. She really understands so much and I love being able to teach her. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; ">One thing that sticks out to me is how all of these people who we are teaching are friends of someone else who is learning. It helps me realize how important it is to have a friend in the gospel. I KNOW that they talk about these principles together and that it helps them reinforce their small but growing testimonies. What a wonderful blessing to be a missionary!!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; ">No pictures this week. Haven't really taken too many anyway... need to be be better about that. Today we're going to go with our district to see one of the sights of Livorno so I'll try to take a few then. Something to look forward to next week, right?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; "><br />Remember that I love you all and hope you have a wonderful and safe week!!!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; "><br />Con tanto tanto affetto,<br />Sorella Leckie<br /><br />p.s. Karen, if you read this, I saw the pictures and mama mia!!!!!! :)<br /></span></div></div>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05201206454810966051noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7327938208849700909.post-65007277603947199052010-01-07T12:53:00.005-05:002010-01-07T13:11:18.710-05:00Email from Sara 1/7/10<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px;">Buon La Befana</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; ">So, today is a holiday here in Italy. Makes it a little tricky to do our grocery shopping when all the stores are closed, but at least the internet point was open. School starts back tomorrow, so today is the last day of the holidays here. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; ">The "Befana" is like a witch who brings stuff and puts it in a stocking. Santa Clause comes the 25th and leaves things under the tree and the Befana comes the 6th of January and if you've been good brings a stocking full of treats, or coal if you're bad. Overall it just spreads out christmas a little bit more. Anywho, It's been a pretty okay week. We had some really good appointments with some of our investigators and we hope and pray they will continue to progress. The elders have an investigator who will be baptized this month, so hopefully that will help encourage a few others to "take the plunge" :)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; "><br />Sunday was really great. I played the piano for Primary, translated for Sunday School, and then played the organ for Sac. meeting. Makes church go by so fast... a little too fast, really. But it's nice to feel needed, too. We had a wonderful fast and testimony meeting, and the spirit was really strong. Unfortunately with the holidays some of our "regular" investigators weren't able to make it, but I really wish they had. It was a good meeting.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; "><br />Other than that, don't really have too much else to say. Some days are hi, others are low and I just have to figure out how to deal with it all :). We will have Zone Conf. on Monday so I'm looking forward to that and the boost that comes from being a little more spiritually uplifited.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; "><br />I'm gonna go now so I can hopefully get you a few pictures. There aren't really that many, but I'll send what I can.<br />Love you all!! Hope you have had a great beginning of a new year and that the year goes well!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; "><br />Con tanto affetto,<br />Sorella Leckie<br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; ">Me and my loot from Christmas... there was a TON. Thankfully I've given most of it away now and it's not there to tempt me. :)</span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TfukbJKgYGU/S0Yi3PQ4XsI/AAAAAAAAB0E/udbACWVCA-g/s1600-h/Christmas+loot.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TfukbJKgYGU/S0Yi3PQ4XsI/AAAAAAAAB0E/udbACWVCA-g/s400/Christmas+loot.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424061133599825602" /></a><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TfukbJKgYGU/S0Yi3PQ4XsI/AAAAAAAAB0E/udbACWVCA-g/s1600-h/Christmas+loot.JPG"></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; ">The primary with Babo Natale</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TfukbJKgYGU/S0Yie4WG9PI/AAAAAAAABz8/7vorQ07xJmo/s1600-h/Livorno+primary+with+Santa.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TfukbJKgYGU/S0Yie4WG9PI/AAAAAAAABz8/7vorQ07xJmo/s400/Livorno+primary+with+Santa.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424060715130877170" /></a><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TfukbJKgYGU/S0Yie4WG9PI/AAAAAAAABz8/7vorQ07xJmo/s1600-h/Livorno+primary+with+Santa.JPG"></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; ">Me, Irene, and Slla Gambardella. Iceskating!! Che fun!</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TfukbJKgYGU/S0YiOyquyoI/AAAAAAAABz0/sE7KmJ3N2WU/s1600-h/Ice+skating+in+Livorno.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TfukbJKgYGU/S0YiOyquyoI/AAAAAAAABz0/sE7KmJ3N2WU/s400/Ice+skating+in+Livorno.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424060438728854146" /></a><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TfukbJKgYGU/S0YiOyquyoI/AAAAAAAABz0/sE7KmJ3N2WU/s1600-h/Ice+skating+in+Livorno.JPG"></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; ">Josy, Slla Gambardella, Veronica, Antonio( Veronica's brother) and me. I love them so much!!!</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TfukbJKgYGU/S0Yh60Yb3dI/AAAAAAAABzs/vOghv2oUPWk/s1600-h/With+family+and+friends.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TfukbJKgYGU/S0Yh60Yb3dI/AAAAAAAABzs/vOghv2oUPWk/s400/With+family+and+friends.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424060095591603666" /></a><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TfukbJKgYGU/S0Yh60Yb3dI/AAAAAAAABzs/vOghv2oUPWk/s1600-h/With+family+and+friends.JPG"></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; ">Us with the Eubanks on Christmas</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TfukbJKgYGU/S0Yhm9QO_CI/AAAAAAAABzk/w1U_DeNz54A/s1600-h/Shopping+in+Livorno.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TfukbJKgYGU/S0Yhm9QO_CI/AAAAAAAABzk/w1U_DeNz54A/s400/Shopping+in+Livorno.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424059754375740450" /></a><br /></div></div></div></div>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05201206454810966051noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7327938208849700909.post-86408637335007384542009-12-30T02:57:00.005-05:002009-12-30T03:05:57.366-05:00Email from Sara 12/29/09<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px;">Oops.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px;">So, me being the smarty pants that I am forgot to tell you on Christmas that P-day would be Tuesday this week. But, I don't really have too much to add. I do know now, though, that I will be staying in Livorno with Sorella Gambardella until she goes home. Wish us luck. Some days are much better than others, but apparently it's not exactly a pretty prospect for her to go home so she's not happy about it. Pretty controlling parents and not good situations, etc. Anyhow, when she asked President if she could extend the mission he told her no and that she needs to face it. We'll see how things are in a few week when the inevitable is closer. Pray LOTS!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px;"><br />It was an absolutely wonderful Christmas for me. We got to watch "Up", the new Disney/Pixar movie and I absolutely loved it. It was so ridiculously off the wall, but so fun.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px;"><br />We're looking forward tonight to an appointment with Veronica and Josy. Veronica has come to church a few times now which is great and she loves learning about the gospel. Happy days!!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px;"><br />It's a little rough sometimes because some members and investigators don't really trust my companion very much, and she isn't always very tactful so some relationships are kind of strained, but hopefully they can have patience with us as we are trying to go forward in the work.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px;"><br />Today for Pday we're going to go Ice skating... should be fun. The ice skating rink is temporary in a piazza and very small, but fun.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px;"><br />I'm going to go now so I can hopefully add a few pictures today. I haven't really taken lots because my comp takes tons, so I'll get some from her to send to you someday :)</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px;"><br />Love you all and hope you have a very very happy new years!<br />Con tanto tanto tanto, ma tanto amore-<br />Sorella Leckie<br /><br />p.s. people here think its kind of strange when I tell them we burn our christmas tree... oh well.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; ">The sunset. I think I was on the phone with Crystal when i took this one.</span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TfukbJKgYGU/SzsJWghLrxI/AAAAAAAABys/yvfHeGK7Ntc/s1600-h/Sunset+on+Christmas+day.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TfukbJKgYGU/SzsJWghLrxI/AAAAAAAABys/yvfHeGK7Ntc/s400/Sunset+on+Christmas+day.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420936858761408274" /></a><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TfukbJKgYGU/SzsJWghLrxI/AAAAAAAABys/yvfHeGK7Ntc/s1600-h/Sunset+on+Christmas+day.JPG"></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; ">The view at about noon from the Eubanks.</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TfukbJKgYGU/SzsI-07Id2I/AAAAAAAAByk/da57CdYP2e4/s1600-h/View+of+the+Sea+from+the+Eubanks.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TfukbJKgYGU/SzsI-07Id2I/AAAAAAAAByk/da57CdYP2e4/s400/View+of+the+Sea+from+the+Eubanks.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420936451922098018" /></a></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TfukbJKgYGU/SzsI-07Id2I/AAAAAAAAByk/da57CdYP2e4/s1600-h/View+of+the+Sea+from+the+Eubanks.JPG"></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TfukbJKgYGU/SzsItFEj5yI/AAAAAAAAByc/CrYv448vwmk/s1600-h/View+of+Sea+from+Eubanks.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TfukbJKgYGU/SzsItFEj5yI/AAAAAAAAByc/CrYv448vwmk/s400/View+of+Sea+from+Eubanks.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420936147018966818" /></a><br /></div>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05201206454810966051noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7327938208849700909.post-44514431100300904262009-12-24T00:28:00.000-05:002009-12-24T00:29:52.073-05:00Email from Sara 12/23/09<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; ">MERRY MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; ">Wow! I can't believe tomorrow is Christmas Eve and then its CHRISTMAS!!!!! This will be extraordinarily short this week siccome I will talk to most of you this week. We've been singing lots this week and i LOVE Christmas music. Honestly that's probably one of the things I miss the most- apart from just being at home with family. But it's all bearable. The members and our investigators here are wonderful. Last year we weren't really invited to spend Christmas with anyone, which was fine and it was really nice to have a day to just relax. But here a ton of members have invited us to come over and were somewhat disappointed when we told them we already had an appointment. I would love to be able to spend Christmas with so many of them but it's just not possible. I want to try to make cinnamon rolls to take to some of the members though. We just gots to do them today. We had interviews with President yesterday and I was reminded how much our Heavenly Father truly loves us. It was a great reminder and I was so thankful. I know that deep down inside of me He loves me, but I guess sometimes its just easier for me to see how much he loves others. I realize that I need to focus more on seeing the love He has for me. It's not really hard, just a good reminder.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; "><br />Alrighty, well, sorry there's no pictures, but I'll try to send some next week. Love you all and hope everyone has a very very Merry Christmas and that you do something nice for someone else!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; "><br />Love you all so much!!!<br />Sorella Leckie<br /></span></div></div>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05201206454810966051noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7327938208849700909.post-20343092627781575692009-12-16T22:49:00.002-05:002009-12-16T22:53:32.806-05:00Email from Sara 12/16/09<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; ">8 days until Christmas!!!!!!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; ">Wowsers Christmas is comin up fast! It's been a pretty good week. I'm still... "adjusting" to my companion and learning more and more to trust in the Lord.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; "><br />Our investigators are doing well. Josy told us that Veronica wants to get baptized when she turns 18. We just have to help her want it enough not to wait anohter 2 years. Gil is also progressing. We seriously see these investigators at least 5-6 days a week. It's wonderful.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; ">It has gotten very very cold here the past few days. Something about those Russian winds are just biting. But we're still truckin'.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; "><br />This past week I learned how to make "Arancini" a Cicilan treat. Pretty much you take rice, make a ball, stuff in some ragu (sauce with meat), ham, cheese, and then make then reform the ball. Then you roll it in flour, egg and bread crumbs and deep fry them. They are yummy but HEAVY. I ate one and thought I was going to die.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; "><br />I never would have thought I would say this, but I'm really learning to like soccer. I never played before I got to Livorno, but now we play every Saturday with members, contacts, investigators, etc. and I absolutely love it. I'm still not very good, but I still love to play.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; "><br />Looking forward to talking with you all at Christmas. It really is the most wonderful time of the year!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; "><br />Hope everyone has a great week. Sorry this is a little short again this week, but we gots to go see the leaning tower of Pisa!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; "><br />Love you all!<br />Sorella Leckie<br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; ">Making the arancini. Our kitchen was a complete disaster!</span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TfukbJKgYGU/Symqo7bZsII/AAAAAAAABxg/s4OMANSnk8g/s1600-h/SDC10063.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TfukbJKgYGU/Symqo7bZsII/AAAAAAAABxg/s4OMANSnk8g/s400/SDC10063.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416047647013843074" /></a><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TfukbJKgYGU/Symqo7bZsII/AAAAAAAABxg/s4OMANSnk8g/s1600-h/SDC10063.JPG"></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; ">This was just an hour ago when we got to Pisa.<br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TfukbJKgYGU/SymqoVgtO7I/AAAAAAAABxY/guaxSanb4ps/s1600-h/SDC10075.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TfukbJKgYGU/SymqoVgtO7I/AAAAAAAABxY/guaxSanb4ps/s400/SDC10075.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416047636835548082" /></a><br /></div>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05201206454810966051noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7327938208849700909.post-4734081482336076972009-12-10T00:09:00.001-05:002009-12-10T00:09:54.838-05:00Sara's email 12/9/09<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; "><div>SHORT ONE!!!</div><div><br /></div>Okay, I have two minutes. It's been an alright week. We had Zone Conference and District Conference so I've been to Florence twice. I got to meet one of the members of the 70 so that was cool. Josy and Gil were there and they got to meet him, too. Too bad he didn't speak italian, but translating is good too. The 70 (he has a really really hard name) talked a lot about not getting trapped by the things of the world. Good reminder.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; "><br />Time is flying and I can't believe there are only 15 days until Christmas. I look forward to talking with you and hope everyone has a wonderful wonderful week!!!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; "><br />Lots and lots of love!!<br />Sorella Leckie</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; "><br />p.s. I miss Christmas music!!!!!<br /></span></div>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05201206454810966051noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7327938208849700909.post-51578327663356282582009-12-02T23:38:00.005-05:002009-12-03T00:22:01.634-05:00<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; ">Happy December!!!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; ">Well, the Christmas tree is up. The Christmas lights in the city are twinkling, and here it is also beginning to look a lot like Christmas. The weather here actually reminds me a lot of how it often is at Christmas time at home. Pretty mild. Today is absolutely georgous!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; "><br />This morning we had a breakfast together as a district and I made biscuits and gravy and also pancakes. It was pretty yummy and fun. Then we've just cleaned the house. We still have to do the grocery shopping, but it will be a pretty low key p-day.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; "><br />Thanksgiving was fun. The dinner went really well. Most of the members have had some kind of Thanksgiving before and so it wasn't completely new, but still fun. I had everything I would have had at home... maybe a little less but still it was delicious. We had a really really good turnout. We were expecting around 50-60 but there were probably close to 100 or so. Thankfully there was plenty of food so everyone was happy. In the church there's no oven or crockpots so a hot dinner is practically impossible. There were people from the Livorno branch, the Pisa branch, English class, investigators, and then just friends. There were a LOT of non-members there. It was a great turnout.<br />We even got to play american football before the dinner. It was so much fun.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; "><br />As far as the work goes.... it is going. We were finally able to meet with Veronica again- at her request. She is so sweet and she and her brother came to church on sunday! We had 6 investigators at church just from our companionship. With the Elder's investigators, too, I think there were 10+. It was a good sunday. Some of the elders are working a lot with Gil and have formed a really good friendship. I'm a little worried that after they leave (they both go home in 2 weeks) that his willingness to meet with the elders will decline since they've become such good friends, but for now he still meets with us, so we'll just keep at it and keep praying. Josy is so happy. She truly is like a member, just unofficially. I really hope she can get baptized soon. I would love for it to happen before the end of the year, but she still needs permission from her mom, who hasn't necessarily had any change of opinion. Again, we just have to keep praying. It would be absolutely amazing if she and Gil could get baptized together! Wow.<br />Alrighty, I'm gonna call it good now so I can add some pictures. Again, I'm doing great. Still loving Italy and the wonderful people here! Thanks for all the love and prayers you send this direction. They are so so appreciated. Keep'em comin'!! The church is true!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; "><br />Vi voglio un mondo di bene!!!!<br />Sorella Leckie</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; ">Me and Sorella Gambardella in front of our BEAUTIFUL Christmas tree!!!</span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TfukbJKgYGU/SxdIfYoqOaI/AAAAAAAABu0/RiWV8OZO_-I/s1600-h/Sara+%26+S+Gambarella+in+front+of+Christmas+tree..JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TfukbJKgYGU/SxdIfYoqOaI/AAAAAAAABu0/RiWV8OZO_-I/s400/Sara+%26+S+Gambarella+in+front+of+Christmas+tree..JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410873181335075234" /></a><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TfukbJKgYGU/SxdIfYoqOaI/AAAAAAAABu0/RiWV8OZO_-I/s1600-h/Sara+%26+S+Gambarella+in+front+of+Christmas+tree..JPG"></a><br /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; ">My district before transfers. Anziano Mondragon, Kelly, Bryant, Me, Sorella Cheesman, Anziano Porter.</span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TfukbJKgYGU/SxdHqWByOrI/AAAAAAAABus/vLThFSFSjpc/s1600-h/Last+distric+picture+with+Cheeseman.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TfukbJKgYGU/SxdHqWByOrI/AAAAAAAABus/vLThFSFSjpc/s400/Last+distric+picture+with+Cheeseman.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410872270102084274" /></a><br /><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: -webkit-xxx-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; ">Last p-day with Sorella Cheesman. We went to a little place up the coast. Sabrina Santelena took us to see a little bit of Livorno outside the city. It was absolutely beautiful. Sabrina is a member of the branch here and is Amazing!! I love her to pieces.<br /></span></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TfukbJKgYGU/SxdFWyHU_0I/AAAAAAAABuc/PF94bgMuB7Y/s1600-h/Hike+up+the+coast+w+cheeseman+3.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TfukbJKgYGU/SxdFWyHU_0I/AAAAAAAABuc/PF94bgMuB7Y/s400/Hike+up+the+coast+w+cheeseman+3.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410869735020887874" /></a><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TfukbJKgYGU/SxdFWyHU_0I/AAAAAAAABuc/PF94bgMuB7Y/s1600-h/Hike+up+the+coast+w+cheeseman+3.JPG"></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TfukbJKgYGU/SxdBpcjL8_I/AAAAAAAABuU/PWjm-W9LpgQ/s1600-h/Hike+up+the+coast+w+cheeseman+2.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TfukbJKgYGU/SxdBpcjL8_I/AAAAAAAABuU/PWjm-W9LpgQ/s400/Hike+up+the+coast+w+cheeseman+2.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410865657603159026" /></a></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TfukbJKgYGU/SxdBpcjL8_I/AAAAAAAABuU/PWjm-W9LpgQ/s1600-h/Hike+up+the+coast+w+cheeseman+2.JPG"></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TfukbJKgYGU/SxdBM1mH52I/AAAAAAAABuM/HpJe79nKfgQ/s1600-h/Hik+up+the+coast+w+cheeseman+1.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TfukbJKgYGU/SxdBM1mH52I/AAAAAAAABuM/HpJe79nKfgQ/s400/Hik+up+the+coast+w+cheeseman+1.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410865166110156642" /></a><br /></div></div>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05201206454810966051noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7327938208849700909.post-42015427068869500142009-11-25T16:28:00.000-05:002009-11-25T16:29:38.972-05:00Email from Sara 11/25/09<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; ">Quick One.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; ">Oops. I spent too much time responding to personal emails and now I don't have too much time. It's been a good week. Gil, Josy's brother is showing more interest in the gospel and has become really good friends with the elders. Josy is so excited to see his progress and I love it! We have another new investigator, Nicoletta who is an english class student. She says she would like to feel the way we feel but doesn't think it's possible for her. We're gonna prove her wrong! At least we're sure gonna try. </span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; "><br />My brain is exploding with speaking Italian all the time. I can't imagine if I had had an Italian companion closer to the beginning of the mission. My comp, Sorella Gambardella is from southern Italy and goes home on February 10th. Just ask her. She's very excited and prays every day that Heavenly Father will just get her to the end of her mission. Its a little tough for me, because I can honestly say that I love the mission, to see someone who wants to go home so badly, but I'm learning a lot of patience. Honestly, I can say that at the beginning of the mission I relied SO much on Heavenly Father because I needed so much help. As I've gotten more comfortable in the misson with the language and teaching I can see now that I've relied less and less on the Lord and more and more on my own abilities. What a great reminder it has been for me of how dependent I am on the Lord. I can honestly say that I can feel the power of the prayers that so many send this way, and I am SO thankful. Keep them coming!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; "><br />Honestly, I'm doing great and I am so happy to be here in Italy. We're having our thanksgiving dinner and I'm pretty curious to see how it will go. We might be a little short on dressing, but there should be lots of turkey and some ham and lots of mashed potates. I'm really looking forward to it. As long as everyone brings what we asked them to bring we should be okay. There will probably be at least 50 people or so, and because I'm kind of a bossy person, speak english and Italian, and becuase I know about Thanksgiving traditions, I kind of got more ropped into helping than I intended to. But oh well, it should still all work out alright.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; "><br />Okay, really gots to go now. I haven't taken a picture with my new companion yet because I had to charge my batteries, but I'll send one next week.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; "><br />Love you all and hope you have a very very happy Thanksgiving!!!<br />Sorella Leckie<br /></span></div></div>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05201206454810966051noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7327938208849700909.post-84349669869590573812009-11-20T00:27:00.002-05:002009-11-20T00:33:23.993-05:00Email from Sara 11/18/09<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; ">Change in the Winds</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px;">Well, I will be staying in Livorno, but my companion, Sorella Cheesman will be going to Sassari on the Island of Sardegna. We were supposed to be together for Thanksgiving and Christmas and now she's ruining all my plans! I guess it's not entirely her fault though. My new companion will be Sorella Gambardella. She's an italian from Cicila (Southern Italy) She only has a transfer or two left so she's got some experience under her belt. I'm determined that it will be a great transfer.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px;"><br />The fireside in Florence was great and it was great to hear the love and support from President Monson. They talked a lot about being true at all times and ways to stay close to the spirit. It was great. Josy came and she got to talk with Sister Cook so that was cool. It was also great to see so many of the members from Pistoia and a few from Florence.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px;"><br />It's been a good week, though. I'm getting over the worst of the cold and it's about kicked the bucket. Life is good. We're working with some great people, we have some inactives that are making progress, and the work is going forward.<br />We're actually planning a big Thanksgiving dinner for the branch next week. It should be really fun. I kind of took over, so hopefully it will go really well. It will be interesting to have a Thanksgiving dinner with an Italian twist. We are asking the members to bring traditional Thanksgiving items, so we'll see what they come up with. ;)</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px;"><br />Alrighty, I'm gonna call it good now so I can hopefully add a few pictures. Love you all so much and hope you have an absolutely fantastic week!!!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px;"><br />Con tanto affetto,<br />Sorella Leckie<br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; ">This is in front of the station waiting for the bus. It's just such a typical situation for us.</span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TfukbJKgYGU/SwYpeggV1-I/AAAAAAAABs8/QMLUPbQvLwc/s1600/Waiting+at+the+bus+station.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TfukbJKgYGU/SwYpeggV1-I/AAAAAAAABs8/QMLUPbQvLwc/s400/Waiting+at+the+bus+station.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406054006803257314" /></a><br /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: -webkit-xxx-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; ">I was using a moped to write a note to leave for someone and my companion had my camera and was taking pictures of me in the rearview mirror. It was kind of funny.<br /></span></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TfukbJKgYGU/SwYpDh8UXbI/AAAAAAAABs0/sbA2CZhPze8/s1600/Moped+Mirror.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TfukbJKgYGU/SwYpDh8UXbI/AAAAAAAABs0/sbA2CZhPze8/s400/Moped+Mirror.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406053543332568498" /></a>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05201206454810966051noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7327938208849700909.post-75950868017568013102009-11-11T09:08:00.003-05:002009-11-11T09:13:34.649-05:00Email from Sara 11/11/09<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; ">Happy Veterans Day</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px;">Alrighty, we have to be super fast because we have to be at the church at 4:00 and we still have to get groceries. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px;">AHHH!! We have to be at church at 4 because we're going to a fireside in Florence. Sorella Barbara Thompson and Mary Cook (Counselors in the RS and YW general presidencies) will be in Florence. It's a little far away so I wasn't initially planning on going, but then the YW pres here asked us to go if Josy came. Well, Josy's coming so we are going. I'm excited, but it makes for an even shorter p.day. We have had a fun day though. We went to Lucca today to have a guided tour from a member here. It was fun and an absolutely beautiful day. We had to book it back though to do email and shopping. Lots of traveling today. But still fun.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px;">Okay, lets see. There were several things I wanted to mention and now they are all escaping my mind. I guess my talk went alright on Sunday. It was interesting. The first and only other time I've given a talk in Italy was in my 4th transfer and I really had to write out almost every word of my talk because Italian was still a very foreign language, but this time I was able to just make an outline. It was only 10 minutes and I actually went over a little bit. It was on Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and there is just so much you can say about that, ya know.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px;"><br />We've had some great lessons this week with Josy, Veronica, and Leslie. They are great and I have so much hope for them. We also have some other good potentials and I'm excited for them.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px;"><br />My very generous companion has so kindly acquired and shared a pretty good cold with me, so I'm sniffing and coughing right and left. I'm sure the people around me love it. :) Especially on the buses.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px;"><br />Well, I think i'm going to call it good now so maybe I can get a couple pictures off since it's been a couple of weeks now.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px;"><br />We had president interviews this past week and one of the things that stuck out to me and that he emphasized to me was just the importance of loving those we serve and how even when they don't do what they want we want them to, it just increases our capacity to love. It was a good reminder of why we share the gospel.<br /><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px;">Hope you all have a wonderful week and prepare well for Thanksgiving!!!<br />Love you so much!!<br />Sorella Leckie<br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; ">This is from Lucca today. It was so pretty.</span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TfukbJKgYGU/SvrFz3xvyNI/AAAAAAAABsU/-T8SuRmYHDI/s1600-h/Lucca.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TfukbJKgYGU/SvrFz3xvyNI/AAAAAAAABsU/-T8SuRmYHDI/s400/Lucca.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402848197920934098" /></a><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TfukbJKgYGU/SvrFz3xvyNI/AAAAAAAABsU/-T8SuRmYHDI/s1600-h/Lucca.JPG"></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; ">There is a really cute piazza with the "le sorelle" store. So here you have us... le sorelle. : )</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TfukbJKgYGU/SvrFk_fx5VI/AAAAAAAABsM/ay7V9OOslqg/s1600-h/Le+Sorelle+and+dyed+hair.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TfukbJKgYGU/SvrFk_fx5VI/AAAAAAAABsM/ay7V9OOslqg/s400/Le+Sorelle+and+dyed+hair.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402847942295020882" /></a><br /></div>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05201206454810966051noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7327938208849700909.post-68010115438655901352009-11-04T22:59:00.003-05:002009-11-04T23:02:46.279-05:00Email from Sara 11/4/09<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif, 'Arial Unicode MS';font-size:13px;">Happy November!</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, sans-serif, 'Arial Unicode MS';font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size:13px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif, 'Arial Unicode MS';font-size:13px;">Wow! Can you believe it's already November?!?!?!? I can't. This year just seems to be flying even faster. They are already putting up Christmas decorations here in Livorno, and I hope I will be here to see them all lit up.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif, 'Arial Unicode MS';font-size:13px;"><br />Friday night we had a great Halloween party. It started a little slow, but then lots of people came. We invited all the English class, the Pisa branch, our branch (of course), and then contacts, investigators, other random people, etc. There was a pretty good turnout. We had some games and treats for people in the multi-purpose room/ chapel, and then we had turned a few of the classrooms into a haunted house. There was a crazy doctor who was operating on someone's leg, and then a scary room that was dark and had sheets hanging all over and they had to get through to get to the fortune teller who would ask questions to the "voice" (an elder under the table with a microphone) who would then tell the "future" something ridiculous, like their feet would turn green, or all their hair would fall out... etc. Then I was under another table with my hand through the bottom of a candy bowl, and then when the people would go to get some candy I would scare them and try to grab their hand. It was actually pretty fun. But it was kind of sad that I had to stay under a table the whole time and couldn't see who came. :(, but it was still fun. It was a fun activity.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif, 'Arial Unicode MS';font-size:13px;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif, 'Arial Unicode MS';font-size:13px;">The other night there was a pretty good storm and my companion and I went by the ocean and it was magnificant. I can't even describe to you how turbulant the water looked. It was invigorating. Unfortuately though, there weren't any people around to talk to so we had to go. For some reason most people didn't want to be around, even though the storm had already passed, it was crazy windy. It really was absolutely beautiful. Wish I could have taken a picture.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif, 'Arial Unicode MS';font-size:13px;"><br />As far as work goes. Things are going well. We are having a little trouble nailing down a time to meet with some of our investigators and then cold season is starting and people are less willing to come out for a lesson when they are sick. But the work will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif, 'Arial Unicode MS';font-size:13px;"><br />It's been a good week, it was a little strange because of the halloween party, but we were able to talk with a lot of people and also meet with other inactives. There's room for improvement, and we have lots of ways that we can be better and work harder, but little by little we have to improve. I've tried to fix everything at once and it lasts for a day or two and it's just not very maintainable for me. There is hope though, and there is progression.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif, 'Arial Unicode MS';font-size:13px;"><br />This is going to be a little shorter today and next week we're going to go to Lucca with one of the members here who is pretty much a tour guide (or so he says) and the other elders. After that we may be going to Florence where there will be a fireside from Barbara Thompson and Sister Cook (General YW Pres?) It will depend on if Josy can go or not. If her mom says yes, then the YW leader here has asked that we go. So hopefully her mom will say yes, becuase that would be a really cool experience. So... I'm not exactly sure how much time I'll have to email next week, so you may not get pictures for a couple of weeks. But I'll still write, I promise.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif, 'Arial Unicode MS';font-size:13px;"><br />Okay, gonna run! Love you all so so so so much!!!!! Take care and remember your missionary here in Italy!!<br />Sorella Leckie</span></div></div>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05201206454810966051noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7327938208849700909.post-75895985130862054912009-10-28T23:13:00.002-04:002009-10-28T23:19:08.587-04:00Email from Sara 10/28/09<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; ">Short One...</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; ">So I've already been reading/writing for quite a while so this will be really short today. It's been a good week. We are hopeful that our lice problem is resolved. Especially now that we have both dyed our hair. It's basically the same, but sorella Cheesmans has a really really cool purple undertone. I really like it. Apparently I had been going shockingly blonde before and now all my blonde highlights are gone and are a reddish brown color. it's not bad, but I reallylike my natural hair color. I'm anxious to put it all behind me.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; "><br />Sunday I had to play the organ for Sacrament meeting... all four songs on the organ!! AHHHH!!! At least i'd had some heads up and had been able to practice a little. The organist is amazing. Sabrina. She is so much fun. She came to play soccer on Saturday and seriously pulled or tore a muscle. Anyhow, it's not technically her calling to play the organ but she's VERY accomplished in the piano and organ... went to school for it and all that. So she just usually plays. Before she had even gotten hurt she was jokingly/seriously saying how much she'd love a sunday to just relax and sing and not worry about playing, so I was already considering it. And then when she hurt herself it sealed the deal. Oh well... we're all still alive so I guess it's alright.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; "><br />We were able to meet with Josy and she just blows me away by how much she's learned and how strong her desire it is to continue. I love it!! Veronica is also great and is bringing her brother and sister to our Halloween party on Friday! Yay!!! It should be a pretty fun night. We have the branch here and from Pisa who will hopefully come and then we invited all of the english class. We're going to try to do a cakewalk (NOT an Italian thing) and other trunk or treat games and stuff. Italians love halloween. It's really not a holiday here at all, but lots of people love it. It's kind of funny to me. I mean, if you're going to steal a holiday, why not a better one like thanksgiving, right? Oh well. We will probably have a thanksgiving activity too.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; "><br />It's been a good week. We are working on improving in so many ways, one step at a time. Life is good. I feel so loved! So many good stories that I would love to share, but I really just don't have time today. I love you all and hope you have a fabulous week and a very happy halloween!!!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; "><br />Vi voglio tantissimo bene!!!!<br />Sorella Leckie<br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; ">Claudia. This is the doll I made for a relief society service project. I wish we'd had a sewing machine!</span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TfukbJKgYGU/SukJQQli-oI/AAAAAAAABqM/IOKlLu0mv3k/s1600-h/Claudia+the+doll.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TfukbJKgYGU/SukJQQli-oI/AAAAAAAABqM/IOKlLu0mv3k/s400/Claudia+the+doll.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397855803315255938" /></a><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TfukbJKgYGU/SukJQQli-oI/AAAAAAAABqM/IOKlLu0mv3k/s1600-h/Claudia+the+doll.JPG"></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; ">Before dying our hair. Sorry it's a little blurry.</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TfukbJKgYGU/SukI4nMUarI/AAAAAAAABqE/CKDMtLxmn5k/s1600-h/Hair+dye.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TfukbJKgYGU/SukI4nMUarI/AAAAAAAABqE/CKDMtLxmn5k/s400/Hair+dye.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397855397066599090" /></a><br /></div>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05201206454810966051noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7327938208849700909.post-24148351177321956332009-10-22T23:56:00.006-04:002009-10-23T00:16:54.752-04:00Email from Sara 10/22/09<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; ">Interesting Week</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; ">Well well well. It seems as though fall is here for real... maybe even a little bit of winter, but I guess it's getting about that time. Speaking of time, the time change here is next sunday. When is it there. I think I saw on a calendar that it's not until november, but I can't remember. Anyhow it will be nice to have an extra hour of sleep.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; "><br />Zone conference was great. It was interesting. A couple of Zone conferences ago we were able to hear from Elder Kopischke (or something like that) and one thing he said was that we should never come to any church meeting without having an idea of what we want to get out of it. Having recieved this counsel it's amazing how much more you can get out of meetings when you're listening for something in particular. When you're prepared to be taught. Anywho, before this conference I was trying to get a good idea of what I wanted to walk away with, and I was having trouble nailing it down. But it's amazing how well the Lord knows us and answers our prayers, even the unspoken ones. I'm not even exactly sure what was said that touched me, but at that time it was exactly what I needed to hear.<br />I also did a musical number with my district. It was a beautiful accapella arrangement of "Beautiful Savior." I'll try to record it so you can hear it someday.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; "><br />Playing the piano for the primary program went well enough. It definatly wasn't perfect, but I don't think all of my mistakes were too distracting. The program went great though and all the kids did great.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; "><br />So, we play soccer every saturday with investigators, memebers, little kids from the neighborhood, etc. It's a really good and non-intimidating way for people to get to know the church. Usually there are some 9-10 year old boys that come to play and it keeps everyone a little less competitive and it's actually a really good thing. Last week we found out that the didn't come because they thought that Saturday was Friday and they were really sad they missed it. (They have school on Saturday here). Anyhow the game was not terribly intense still, but a little more, and Josy always likes to be the goalie. She does a really good job, too. But you have to understand that Josy is a ridiculously small person. She's probably 4'9" and weighs 80 lbs. Anyhow, someone kicked the ball a little harder than necessary and broke her wrist. She has a cast now that goes almost up to her shoulder so she can't even rotate her hand. Yuck! We were a little bit... not worried... but suspected that having been in the emergency room for 5 hours and breaking her arm, she might not come to church on Sunday. But she was there. It made me so so happy!<br /><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; ">We also have had a little bit of a pest control problem in our companionship. Saturday night my companion was going to curl my hair in foam rollers, when it was unfortunately discovered that I had some visitors in my hair, in the form of lice. Yep... it's gross. It was like 10:00 and obviously no stores are open (everything closes at 8:00) and then the next day was sunday and nothing is open then either. So were were like, "what do we do?!?" We called Sister Acerson and she called someone else who has also recently had this problem and told us that we could use olive oil to suffocate them and then we have to pick out all the "nits." Holy cow!! Ridiculously painstaking. My wonderful companion has spent hours picking them out. I don't think they had been there really long because there weren't very many live lice, but lots and lots of eggs. Apparently they really liked my nice clean hair that I never put any hairspray in or blowdry. Anyhow, pretty much any spare moment has been spent oiling our hair, picking nits, and doing laundry. I can't imagine what our water and electricity usage will be this month. We have to keep up the routine for a few more days, but I think for the most part we have eliminated them. It's obnoxious, but thankfully not painful. Sorella Cheesman didn't have it too bad, but whats mine is hers and whats her's is mine, right? It would have been virtually impossible for me to have it and not her, but she blowdrys her hair and uses product and hairspray, so I think that detered them.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; "><br />So... another week in the mission and another story to add to my collection.<br />Hope everyone has a wonderful wonderful week! Love you so so much!!!<br />Con tanto tanto affetto,<br />Sorella Leckie</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; ">Sister Cheesman with Sister Gadd yesterday Zone Conference.</span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TfukbJKgYGU/SuEsevPS91I/AAAAAAAABpM/oHAaWFO8shE/s1600-h/Cheeseman+%26+Gadd.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TfukbJKgYGU/SuEsevPS91I/AAAAAAAABpM/oHAaWFO8shE/s400/Cheeseman+%26+Gadd.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395642735154886482" /></a><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TfukbJKgYGU/SuEsevPS91I/AAAAAAAABpM/oHAaWFO8shE/s1600-h/Cheeseman+%26+Gadd.JPG"></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; ">Last P Day at the Terrazza. (When we went running)</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TfukbJKgYGU/SuErpBnJ_KI/AAAAAAAABpE/zfzkz9Oi_94/s1600-h/Sara+%26+Sorella+Cheeseman+running+at+the+Terrazza.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TfukbJKgYGU/SuErpBnJ_KI/AAAAAAAABpE/zfzkz9Oi_94/s400/Sara+%26+Sorella+Cheeseman+running+at+the+Terrazza.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395641812373863586" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TfukbJKgYGU/SuErpBnJ_KI/AAAAAAAABpE/zfzkz9Oi_94/s1600-h/Sara+%26+Sorella+Cheeseman+running+at+the+Terrazza.JPG"></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; ">Also last P Day. Sun bathing at the Terrazza. It was a good day.</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TfukbJKgYGU/SuEq_urhU6I/AAAAAAAABo8/mJIuLV0PMXY/s1600-h/Sunbathing+at+the+Terrazza++2.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TfukbJKgYGU/SuEq_urhU6I/AAAAAAAABo8/mJIuLV0PMXY/s400/Sunbathing+at+the+Terrazza++2.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395641102917260194" /></a><br /></div>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05201206454810966051noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7327938208849700909.post-7940742062765559612009-10-15T05:56:00.002-04:002009-10-15T06:08:24.170-04:00Email from Sara 10/14/09<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px;">Happy Fall !!!!!!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; ">WOW! It went from summer to fall in a hurry around here. One day it was hot, short sleeves and everything, and then BAM! Fall. But it is absolutely perfect! A little chilly at night, but that's how October is supposed to be. It's great.<br />Last week has been great.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; "><br />Gil came to sacrament meeting, of his own free will and choice. When we were asking him he wouldnt say "yes" or "no", but he was like, "well, if I say 'no' and then come anyway, you'll be really surprised. But if I say 'yes' and don't come then I would have been a lier." So, we just said, "Just come." It was a great testimony meeting. It's great to hear the testimonies of some of the "pioneers" here in Italy.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; "><br />We also were able to have an appointment with Veronica (a friend of Josy) this week. It went AMAZING. Josy bore her testimony of how she learned the Book of Mormon was true, which was a HUGE step for her, because when I first got here she wouldn't even say a prayer in front of her brother or friend. It's great to see them learning together and supporting each other in learning. At the end of the lesson we gave Veronica the choice of saying the prayer or choosing who said it, and she chose to say it and asked "how do I start, again?" It was such a sweet prayer and I really hope she can stick with learning and overcome the obstacles that satan will surely put in the way.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; "><br />Stella, an inactive we've been working with, bore her testimony on Sunday. It was great to see her share her beliefs. We gave her son, Francesco, a Book of Mormon this past week and she said that he's been making her read wiht him almost every night. Hopefully he will be able to be baptized soon. He's 8 1/2, but the dad isn't a member and isn't so keen on the idea. Piano piano.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; "><br />I've been playing the piano in primary lately and the primary program is on Sunday. Hopefully I won't mess up too terribly. I'm really nervous. For being the PRIMARY songs, they really aren't that easy. I guess it's a good growing experience for me, though.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; "><br />Today for Pday we're going to go on a little run along the coast and then watch the last session of conference. I'm pretty excited about it. We're watching it at Sorella Eubanks house and she takes really good care of us. I'm really looking forward to it.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; "><br />Okay, well, I'm gonna sign out now, but I hope that everyone has a wonderful week and that you do something good for someone else. Love you all!!!!<br />Sorella Leckie</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; ">Sorry, I really haven't been taking too many pictures lately. There have been some amazing sunsets over the ocean, but I haven't had my camera. Oh well. I'm sure you can imagine, right? :)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; ">Gil rockin it up at soccer.</span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TfukbJKgYGU/Stbz8-BQl_I/AAAAAAAABn0/04L5CFCSQAo/s1600-h/Gil+playing+soccer.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TfukbJKgYGU/Stbz8-BQl_I/AAAAAAAABn0/04L5CFCSQAo/s400/Gil+playing+soccer.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392765832588728306" /></a><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TfukbJKgYGU/Stbz8-BQl_I/AAAAAAAABn0/04L5CFCSQAo/s1600-h/Gil+playing+soccer.JPG"></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; ">Between sessions of conference. We ate lots of gummy bears/worms.</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TfukbJKgYGU/StbzsIkB-uI/AAAAAAAABns/aX7FcG1G808/s1600-h/Gummy+Bears.JPG"></a></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TfukbJKgYGU/StbzsIkB-uI/AAAAAAAABns/aX7FcG1G808/s1600-h/Gummy+Bears.JPG" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TfukbJKgYGU/StbzsIkB-uI/AAAAAAAABns/aX7FcG1G808/s400/Gummy+Bears.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392765543361149666" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TfukbJKgYGU/StbzsIkB-uI/AAAAAAAABns/aX7FcG1G808/s1600-h/Gummy+Bears.JPG" style="text-decoration: none;"></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; ">My contortionist companion trying to pop her back...</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TfukbJKgYGU/StbzMssfZQI/AAAAAAAABnk/RM_u2yl9cfg/s1600-h/Contortionist+companion.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TfukbJKgYGU/StbzMssfZQI/AAAAAAAABnk/RM_u2yl9cfg/s400/Contortionist+companion.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392765003304494338" /></a></div>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05201206454810966051noreply@blogger.com0