Email from Sara 5/6/09

Happy mothers day and counting

Ciao tutti!

This will probably be pretty short today if I want to get any pictures sent. We are the Library in Pistoia. It's free, but we are limited to exactly an hour so... I have to be prompt and I have 20 minutes exactly right now.

This week flew by. It's been good- we are working with a quite a few inactives and we have a few contacts and investigators. Right now we are trying to get everything (area book) in order and straighten that up.

Sunday was my first day in the branch. Funny thing, both the opening and closing prayer were offered by non-members. There were over 20 people there, but of the 20 only 11 were baptized members of the branch. (I excluded the 2 kids and 4 missionaries when counting the baptized members) but they are great. We're trying to help some of the less active members remember their testimonies and finding those who are prepared to receive the gospel.

I met and have seen on the bus the past three days, the sweetest lady from Synagal. (no idea how to spell that) I met her while we were doing a mostra (street display) for our english class. She is so so so nice and I really hope that she's not only interested in teh english class, but that we can also teach her the gospel. It is really really strange for me to see the same person three days in a row, so to me, that's not just a coincendece. (spelled wrong, I know)

I seem to be losing all ability to speak... not only in English. It's amazingly humbling to have a companion who has only been in italy for less than two months and she speaks better than I do. She did have an italian trainer for a month, but I have no excuse. Anyhow, jsut something else for me to work on. Part of the reason she's so good with the language is because she likes and I mean LIKES to study. Its not the funnest part of my day, but I do it because I'm supposed to. I need to learn to have more desire to study, then it will be fun.

We had a great zone conference on monday. The Zone leaders gave a great addestramento (training) on overcoing obstacles- how often times we draw an imaginary line in the sand and we have to decide if we will take the time to prepare to step over the line or if we will let it stop us. The line can be anything from talking to someone on the bus, or giving a talk, anything really that presents a challenge. The ultimate part of the training was that our Savior is on the other side of that line with His hand outstreached to help us over, we just have to use it. I think sometimes I forget that even for the simple things (like talking to someone at the train station) the Savior is waiting and willing to help us overcome ever weakness and trail (Alma 7:11-13) This has become one of my favorite scriptures on teh mission. I just have to be reminded sometimes that I know that the things written there are true.

Alrighty, gonna go so I can get ya at least a picture or two. Hope everyone is doing well. Send my love to Karen and her family.

Vi voglio un saco di bene!!!
Sorella Leckie

[Sara couldn't get her usb to work, so there are no pictures]