04.16.14 {week 38}

Well, there's not a whole lot to report for this week, so this will probably be a really short email.  We were able to get in two awesome days of regular missionary work last Thursday and Friday before the lice struck again.  I got up on Saturday morning, went into my bathroom and there was an adult lice crawling on my sink.  Yeah.  So we started the sanitizing again and we're pretty sure we're good now!  (After cleaning the apartment better than it has ever been cleaned EVER, combing through each other's hair constantly - looking for eggs, and taking every piece of cloth and linen to the laundromat and sticking it in a dryer because that's the only way to really kill them...)  Let's just say it's been a really long week.  But, miraculously, through all of this, I still never got lice!  I have no idea how...  We're both pretty dumbfounded, but I'm not complaining!

Other than the lice, we had a great lesson with M. this week and she is just progressing right along.  We had to push back her bap date a little bit because of this crazy week we've had, but she's incredible.  Her testimony is stronger than ever.  She understands the importance of the Book of Mormon more than any other investigator we've had and she just constantly reads it without any sort of coaxing on our part.  She's awesome.

Anyway, those were the main points from our week.  It's crazy how much slower this week went in comparison with the others.  It made me realize how much happier I am when I really am lost in the work of the Lord rather in the work of .... the lice.  ;)  I'm sure this next week will be better.  Thanks, as always, for the love and support.  AMORE.

Sorella Gunnerson

04.09.14 {week 37}

You know, sometimes lice happens.

Yep, lice struck the Gunski household on Monday morning.  Well, we actually don't know when it struck.  Tokarski just found lice in her hair on Monday morning.  So that's been fun!  We were getting ready to go to a zone training and all of a sudden outside of my bathroom I hear a "Sorel, don't freak out okay?"  She had been showering and found a few as she was washing her hair.  So I refused to panic and we called the mission nurse (who was only slightly helpful - telling us what we needed to go buy but telling us that it probably wasn't lice and we should just go on with our normal lives...).  We went to the pharmacy and got the lice stuff.  Went home and put the worst-smelling gel of all time in our hair.  And then some special shampoo.  As she was rinsing her hair out there were just...more bugs.  All the time.  Just more of them.  And different sizes, too, which was a little nerve-racking.  I still wasn't finding any in mine, but we hadn't done an in-depth search yet.  So we basically just cancelled all of our plans for the day and did a million loads of laundry and tried to sanitize our massive apartment.  Sorella Tokarski started having a slight panic attack, worrying that there were eggs in her hair, so I....went on an egg hunt.  (Happy Easter!)  I don't think you want me to divulge the number I found.  It was pretty awful.  She checked me and found nothing.  Thank goodness.  I checked her again on Tuesday morning and there were still lots of eggs and we still had a ton of laundry to do, so we literally didn't leave the house all day.  It was AWFUL.  I knew I would learn things on my mission that would help me be a better mom, but I didn't think that lice knowledge would be one of them...  So, Tokarski has just been using this special shampoo every morning and night, and I've been using a special preventative spray in my hair.  Mamma mia, it has been a LONG two days.

New subject.  General Conference!  Wow, wasn't it amazing??  Definite themes that stuck out: discipleship and covenants.  I just loved it.  LOVED Elder Oaks talk in Priesthood (yeah, we just went and watched it with the guys at the church - hey you never know what could help our investigators!).  I feel like it just clarified so many things in my brain!  Also the one about how we all are living our four minutes in the grand scheme of eternity and we have to make it count.  And then I realized that I'm living the four minutes of my four minutes!  Cuz I'm on a mission!  I got slightly stressed, but decided to channel it into positivity and just become a better missionary.  So that's the plan.  My biggest realization from this conference was probably just that I need to work harder to be a better disciple of Christ.  Wasn't Elder Holland's talk great?  Another one of my favorites.  Whenever we're faced with opposition in regard to our religion, we're standing with so many incredible people who had to face even worse things!

In other news, Tokarski and I have taken it upon ourselves to baptize all 24-year-old Chinese females in Torino.  We're not sure how it happened, but we set two baptisms with the most adorable Chinese girls this week - F. and M.!  F. needs a little bit of time but she's awesome. M. already has a testimony of the Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith and has been to church a million times and....we're not quite sure why she hasn't been baptized yet.  She just moved here from Vercelli.  But she's awesome too and we're so excited for them both!  AND they both came to conference with us!!!  These past two days threw us off a little bit in their preparation, but we're planning on getting back on track and filling up that font.  Wish us luck.

Anyway, I think that's about it for this week.  I'll send pictures in another email.  AMORE.

Sorella Gunnerson

P.S. Siblings:  Are any of you still alive?  I hope so.  If not...someone really should have told me.  ;)

waiting for another session of conference!  (that's ma hui in the middle!)

1. stinky gel hair!

2. burning lice eggs!

3. sleeping with shower caps on!

my up-to-date picture wall!

p-day with baby j, russell and tokarski!

04.02.14 {week 36}

Can you believe I've been training for six weeks now?  Life, man.  It's just passing so quickly.  Six weeks means that transfers are here again!  

Obviously Tokarski and I are sticking around.  But my sister, Condie, is leaving us!  Poor thing has been in Torino, LITERALLY, for her entire mission so far - a year.  She was in Torino for 6 months and now has been in Collegno (the exact same district) for 6 months.  And now she's heading to Montevarchi!  A beautiful town 20 minutes away from Florence.  To say I'm a little jealous would be an understatement.  Naw, I love Torino.  And I know I'm here for a reason.  Just give me some rolling, Italian hills already!  ;)  I'm seriously so sad to see Condie go, but guess who's taking her place?  Sorella Russell!  My old comp!  I'm so excited to see her and hang out with her on P-days again!  It'll be like old times.  Can't wait.

This week flew by.  We've seen a couple of new, random investigators.  And we had to say goodbye to basically our only progressing investigator, M.  Her real house is in Calabria but she and her husband had an apartment here in Torino that they needed to sell, and that's why they were here for a few months.  She has such a strong testimony and is so ready to be baptized (her husband, on the other hand, is not so ready for her to be baptized, hence the fact that she's still an investigator, but he's super cool anyway).  So we had our last lesson with her yesterday and she leaves this weekend.  But she's in contact with the sisters down there and I have no doubt she'll be baptized.  Soon.  I hope.  We started seeing this awesome 24-year-old girl from China.  Seriously adorable, with the strongest testimony of the Bible.  We're seeing her again tonight and can't wait to get a Chinese copy of the Book of Mormon in her hands.

In other news, GENERAL CONFERENCE IS THIS WEEKEND.  Words can't even describe how excited I am.  We'll watch the womens conference at 4 on Saturday, then the Saturday morning session at 6.  Then we come back on Sunday.  The men watch Priesthood at 11, then we have the Saturday afternoon session at 2 and the Sunday morning session at 6.  And then...we just don't get to watch the Sunday afternoon session.  I'll be looking forward to the Ensign for sure!  Can't wait.

Random things from this week:  We had our last district meeting as a district and our district leader is actually dying this transfer, so we had a mock funeral AND the four of us sisters did a flash mob.  Yeah.  It was pretty awesome.  I have a video of it, but it's too big to send over email so you're gonna have to wait for that beauty.  I gave a talk in Sacrament Meeting on Sunday (my second one in this ward already!) and then I was quoted in the closing prayer and in the joint Priesthood/Relief Society meeting by the bishop!  So that was cool.  I guess sometimes my Italian actually makes sense.  Thank goodness.  ;)  Also, the bishop all of a sudden started talking about missionary work.  As the four missionaries in our ward, we've been working on making a family mission plan with each active family in the ward.  So Tokarski and I went to the bishop's house last weekend to do it with him and it was great.  Then in this meeting on Sunday he all of a sudden called us up there and had me explain to everyone what a family mission plan was and he got everyone all pumped up about it and was like, "I want everyone in the ward to invite the missionaries over during the month of April to do a family mission plan with your family."  We were SO happy - it was seriously just what we needed.

Today for P-day, the four of us decided we were going to go see Superga (second time for me, first time for the others) but we got there literally 30 seconds late - just in time to see the little trolley making it's way up the hill.  So instead we went to this adorable park/river thing and ate.  (Tokarski and I bought some really yummy bread and brie and pesto - Condie and Jackman were mocking our sophisticated meal the whole time, but they were just jealous.)  Then we headed back to Superga and hung out up there for an hour and a half.  It was beautiful!  I'll try to send pictures.  Anyway, I hope you all have a wonderful weekend.  General Conference!  Yay!  AMORE.

Sorella Gunnerson

the district.

FHE.

Our picnic at the river!

Last lesson with M!

03.26.14 {week 35}

Ciao guys.

It's been a pretty normal week here in Torino.  Nothing too exciting to report.

We had a scambio from Friday to Saturday.  It was so great!  I was with Sorella McCann and I seriously just adore her.  Tokarski got to go to Genova for the scambio, and then on Saturday, McCann and I took a two hour train ride to Genova to make the switch again.  Genova is so pretty!  Granted, they live in a pretty ghetto part of town.  But I got to see the sea!  It was beautiful!  And then it started raining super hard.  And I seriously just love the rain.  And then we literally just ran all around Genova trying to get back to the station so that we could take the train on time to get back for a baptism they had in Torino 1 (that I sang at).  It was a crazy day.  But so much fun.  During the scambio with McCann, we were able to go see M. (the incredibly golden investigator whose home is actually in Calabria - so she's leaving us officially in a week and a half), an inactive family that the Anziani found (from the Phillipines - she just had a baby and had a really rough time with the delivery.  she just started crying as i was saying the opening prayer.  we're working on getting them to come back), and the P's (A. wasn't there, but all four of her other siblings were - but they're moving to Novara this week).  Seriously everyone is moving.  It's driving me nuts.  But even though some leave, we're finding others in the meantime.  We were able to meet with a couple of new investigators this last week and we'll be seeing another one tonight.

So the work is progressing.  Sometimes slower than we would like, but it's all good.  We're really trying to get the members in our ward to work with us.  It's kind of like pulling teeth here in Torino sometimes, but it's all good.  I know I wasn't a member missionary at all before the mission, so I get where a lot of them are coming from.  It can be scary to talk to friends or family members about the gospel.  But it's so worth it.  And if they're not interested, va bene, but it's important to at least open your mouth and give them the opportunity to choose.  Free agency, you know?  That's what it's all about.  And when I'm having a hard time opening my mouth, D&C 33 is always there to help me open it again.

Anyway, that's what's going on around here!  We find out about transfers in less than a week - obviously Tokarski and I are staying put.  I seriously can't believe that It's already been a transfer since I got my baby!  Time flies.  Thanks, as always, for the love and support.  I'm trying to reciprocate it as much as possible.  :)  AMORE.

Sorella Gunnerson

we played with these lovely ladies today.  mamma mia, i love them.

03.19.14 {week 34}

It's spring in Torino!  Seriously the weather this week has been so sunny and just perfectly warm.  You know, not too hot, not too cold.  It makes going outside every day that much easier.  First off, we had a zone conference this Monday and you know what that means?  MAIL.  Yes, mom, I finally got the valentines package and THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH.  I was so surprised by all the notes inside!  They made me laugh....and cry a little bit....but only in the good way.  I'm just so grateful for all the people in my life.  You're all just great.  So thank you.  :)

This week was a little less productive than usual.  Sorella Tokarski has been having some major back issues.  She had them before the mission, due to a couple of car accidents and stuff, and it's just been progressively getting worse since the beginning of her mission.  So on Sunday we basically just went to church and then she just had to lie down for the rest of the day.  Same with Monday night when we got back from the conference.  It's been challenging.  On the work, of course.  But I know it's just really frustrating for her to not be able to do anything.  So we're not quite sure what to do at this point.  But yesterday we were able to go out and work (she just tried to work through the pain) and it was such a good day!  

We saw one of our inactive members (whose little kids need to get baptized SO bad - but she won't take them to church) and finally made some headway with her.  This was the first time we've seen her without her kids which made so much of a difference.  She was actually able to focus and concentrate.  Her dad passed away a few weeks ago and her mom has been having a hard time with it, so we gave her a plan of salvation pamphlet and she said she's going to talk to her mom about it.  That was a miracle.  And then we've been seeing this girl, K., who we've really mainly been teaching English to, but we throw little gospel messages in there because, you know, we're missionaries.  We do that.  She started asking us more questions yesterday after the lesson and we ended up finding out that she and F. grew up together!  But she didn't know she came to this church building.  Oh my goodness, I freaked out.  So she already has a friend in the ward and it's just perfect.  She's gonna get baptized.  Someday.  And then last night we had dinner with one of my favorite families of all time - the C's.  Sorella C. is less-active and she has three sons.  The middle son is about my age and has this girlfriend - L.  Not sure if I've talked about her before but she is just so ready for the gospel.  Whenever we read scriptures with them, right after, before even asking a question, she just goes into this long explanation of what it means.  We want to start actually teaching her the lessons.  We're trying to figure out the best way to go about that right now.  But they are just awesome.  Anyway, yesterday was such a good day.  It's been a good (although sometimes slow) week!

Our conference on Monday was amazing.  We were asked to deeply study the first thirteen chapters of 1 Nephi before the conference and then for the first hour and a half, President just went in depth with them and it was incredible.  I absolutely loved it.  It just made me have an even deeper love for the scriptures and for these people who risked their lives and everything they had to follow the Lord.  I also got to see Sorella Carlock and Sorella Harward!  Best day ever.  Sorella Harward dies this transfer, so I was able to hear her dying testimony.  She is one of the most incredible missionaries I know here.  I'm sad we never got to serve together, but I'm so glad we became such good friends.

Anyway, it's been a good week.  Yes, we made the pizza and it was INCREDIBLE.  With roasted bell peppers on top.  Mamma mia, I'm salivating.  We also made homemade tortillas this week.  So that was exciting.  This week will be a little less exciting EXCEPT we're gonna make some tiramisu.  With strawberries.  Still salivating.  Alright, ciao.  AMORE.

Sorella Gunnerson

03.12.14 {week 33}

Hey Family!

 

How is everyone?  I feel like nothing happened this week because it went by SO quickly.  Seriously trying to rack my brain here...  This email might end up being super short.  Va bene. 

 

Well H. got confirmed this Sunday, so that's good news!  It was so awesome.  He was glowing all day long.  I'm so proud of and happy for him.  We met with F. FINALLY this last weekend.  I was kind of worried she had died because I couldn't get hold of her for two and a half weeks.  We even passed by her house and nothing.  Anyway, we got to see her on Saturday and I just adore that girl.  We talked a lot about the temple because there's a youth trip to the Switzerland temple at the end of April and since she's the first member of her family she has SO MUCH work she can do in the temple!  And she is so stoked about it.  Man, I wish I could just go with her to the temple.  Guys, I miss the temple a ridiculous amount.  I never thought I would miss it as much as I do.  Just go to the temple as much as you possibly can, okay?  Do it for me!  ;)  Anyway, she has a goal of taking at least ten family names to the temple in April.  So we're gonna help her do it!  I'm so excited for her and for all of her ancestors who jumped for joy in the spirit world when she was baptized.  Temples.  Best things ever.  Also, the temple is one of the first things I'm doing when I get home.  That and a massage.  And Lonestar tacos.  Basically I already have my first weekend home all planned out.  ANYWAY.  Those were the two big things that happened this week. 

 

We went to a park by our house on Monday to find some of the elect and it was just...so frustrating.  I don't know, sometimes I feel discouraged.  We try talking to people and they just don't want to hear anything we have to say.  But everyone has their free agency.  And I try not to get too down.  I especially try to be positive for Sorella Tokarski's sake.  I just love her so much.  She makes me laugh constantly.  Gosh, I have really lucked out in the companion department.  That just makes me more nervous for my future comps!  Haha.  Seriously though, she has handled the first half of her first transfer so well.  I was a mess for my entire first transfer! 

 

But we're just workin' away!  Doing the best we can to build up the kingdom here in Torino, the creepiest city of all time.  ;)  Oh and we got an incredible homemade pizza recipe, so we're making it this week and I'm SO excited.  I'll let you know how it goes.

 

We've done some stuff the last couple of P-days that I've forgotten to tell you about!  Last P-day we got together with Jackman and Condie and rode the elevator to the top of the Mole.  SO COOL.  I wish it had been a little bit clearer to see the Alps better, but it was awesome, nonetheless.  And then today we went to the Gran Madre di Dio and then hiked a hill and found a really cool, old villa.  Anyway, I'm really gonna send pictures today!  Alright, AMORE.

 

Sorella Gunnerson

 

(P.S. FAMILY:  You all should just skip the whole regular Christmas trip and come to Utah when I come home at the end of January instead!  We can celebrate Christmas in January!  It will be great!  Think about it.)

Gross, F. and me on Gross' last night here.

Tokarski and me on our first P-day together!

LASAGNA.

H.'s BAPTISM!

Tokarski and me on the top of the Mole!

p-day last week and this week.  love these girls!

03.05.14 {week 32}

Oh my goodness, it sounds like it was an eventful week back at home!  Congrats to Keith and Heather - words can't express how excited and happy I am for the two of you.  Just wish I could have been there!  But I'm so SO happy.  And then Bethany's birthday and skiing and separated shoulders and baby showers and laser tag and homemade cakes!  Wow.  What a weekend.  Ours was a little less exciting...

So our week started off with a baptism!  H. got baptized and it was amazing!  Right after he was baptized and came back in the room he got up and bore his testimony.  The Spirit was so strong.  It was awesome.  And then he started thanking all of the sisters who have taught him and he was looking straight at me and I just got all teary-eyed.  It was so great.  He is so awesome.  And then he gave us a referral on Sunday.  He's already doing missionary work!  BUT he's not technically a member yet.  Yeah.  He came to church late on Sunday, unfortunately.  So the confirmation didn't happen.  But we talked to him after and he just kept apologizing profusely and he was like, "I'm going to be SO early next week!"  Poor guy.  So we're crossing our fingers!

Nothing else major happened this week.  We made a bomb lasagna on Sunday, so watch out for my lasagna-making skills when I get home.  Also I had the saltiest salad of my life on Monday night.  I literally was worried I was having an allergic reaction to something because the top of my mouth started itching.  Nope.  No allergic reaction.  Just a salty salad.  That was an interesting night all in all.  I don't have time to tell the full story.  Just some keywords: cacti, harpoon, see-through bathroom door, clown puzzle on wall, colored spotlights in family room, dog that wanted to kill me.

We went to a new missionary training yesterday.  It was really great!  A little stress-inducing for me, but really good!  There was a quote President read us by Elder Ballard: "The most important leadership position in the mission BY FAR is to be a trainer.  No pressure, Sorella Gunnerson."  Okay, I added that last part, but that's just mainly how I felt.  My verdina is awesome.  The language is hard for her, but that's normal and she's a great missionary.  I'm glad we're together.  I'll have to send pictures.  Anyway, sorry that's all I've got time to write.  Love and miss you all!  AMORE.

Sorella Gunnerson