God Guns and Freedom

BUONGIORNO A TUTTI!! COME STATE?!?!? MI MANCATE TUTTI!!

This week has been nothing but awesomeness. I'd give it a 9.83/10 because there is always room for improvement!! 

We've seen some pretty awesome miracles this week. One being that I have a literal Italian friend who's name is literally Luigi. Who would've thought. Another myth busted for this week.  ️ 

My new comp Sorella Andersen is AWESOME!! She gets crap done. We do have a bit of an issue in the relationship though. Us Arizona gals can't seem to stop talking in a country accent and telling everyone that we love God, Guns, and Family . It gets real bad when we start speakin Italian Country. Everything ends in an "uh" ("Ci vediamUH" this means "see yall later") or a "gosh diggity dagumm darnit" We have fun. Maybe too much. 

Here's my miracle for this week. At the start of the transfer I was feeling a wee bit scared because I would be leading out the area. The issue was that we really don't have a lot of friends we're teaching, so I was nervous about bringing a new sister in the area with nothing to do  I've been praying to Heavenly Father that he can put us in the paths we need to be to find new people excited about the gospel!!!! This week as we've said a prayer inside the door and opened it with faith to go find someone, we have seen just the smallest of miracles. Everytime we walked outside people WALKED UP TO US!!  

Its been crazy and I've seen my specific prayers be answered everyday. We even ran into a less active member and her husband and they invited us over for dinner!! I am terrified. If you know italians, they dont just set all the food out on the table, they bring it out plate by plate and you never know when the food stops. They told us "don't eat alot of food before you come over" I am just a little girl. How am I supposed to eat 6 plates of food and then dessert?!?! Usually this problem would be solved and i would just hand my plates down to the garbage disposal (otherwise known as my little brother Isaac) but there is no garbage disposal to save me this time. Pray for me guys   

Pictures: 

- saying goodbye to my mother 

- Sorella Andersens first pizza in campania

- the Caserta fam saying goodbye 

- COPPIA DENISON

- Pizza with the Caserta fam

Thank you for your prostitution

Hello to all my fans out there and thank you for tuning into the email this week. Let's jump right into the title just incase some of y'all are a little suspicious of what that could entail. 

Basically we have this homeless king named Bob who comes to church every week. We have never heard him say a word. This Sunday, he walked up to Anziano Reynolds, took him by the hand and with the little English he knows yelled, "THANK YOU FOR YOUR PROSTITUTION!" It was probably the funniest thing I've ever seen. And then watching Anziano Reynold decide how to respond to that made me and Sorella Crane pee our pants. 

We got transfer news this week and my mother Sorella Crane is LEAVING ME  tears have been shed but I'm excited to meet my new trainer who is from ARIZONA!!

This was truly la settimana delle feste. We somehow attended 4 birthday party's. It was great but I don't think I've ever had this much cake in my life. I need to do some extra sit ups today. 

ALSO MY SISTER HAD A LITERAL BABY!!! Everybody welcome Stratton Tanner into the world. And if you know Alice text her rn and tell her she's amazing for having a literal child and being a mother!!!! He's the cutest and I can't wait to hold that Little man. 

Today for pday we are headed to the Amalfi coast which is so exciting!!! I'll attach some pictures so you can see it in all its beauty. 

My spiritual thought of the week is about the Lord's timing. Nothing is just a coincidence and everything happens for a reason!!! If you guys remember, I really struggled in the MTC. I seriously thought about going home and was terrified to go out to the field. I said lots of prayers and trusted in the lord to guide me where he needed me. I am SO glad I trusted in that guy. In the end of my first transfer, I have been ever so grateful for the Lord's perfect timing. I am so grateful the lord helped me through those times and responded in his perfect timing. He knew I could wait just a little longer and he had something even better for me up his sleeve. So, if your going through a trial right now, I encourage you to soak it all in!!! Its going to be hard, but take this time to build your relationship with the Lord and build your faith. Put it all in his hands. This is the Lord putting all his trust in you because he knows how strong you can become!! It might sound a little weird, but I miss that time of trial because of how much my testimony grew. God is good everyday!!

I also want to add, for all my friends thinking about missions, JUST GO until you get a no!!

I've been carrying a carton of eggs around for a day

Welcome back to the weekly re e regine !! (That means kings and queens if you dont know Italian. Honestly i dont know Italian either so dont feel too bad if you dont.) This week flew by so the fact I'm writing another email is crazy. 

This week we had a little Scambio action (exchange) with me and another greenie. It was totally awesome because neither of us speak Italian so you can imagine how two American white girls got around in Italy. 

We went on a grand adventure to go visit a meno attivo and it was just a chill hour long walk  Anyways that hour long walk was so worth it because it was my first in person lesson and we taught this sweet lady and the spirit was so strong. And HOLY SHAZAM you guys the gift of tongues is SO FOR REAL. It's not just a myth. Maybe my mission is just a Mythbusters episode because I keep busting myths. Anyways, in the lesson I felt so confident in my Italian and understood just about every word this lady was saying. It was crazy lit fire. 

WOWZA. We had an insane monsoon/hail storm but we had a lesson planned that was about an hour and a half walk this time  so we took up our umbrellas put on some hefty rain coats and boots and headed to this queens house. Welp folks. It was infact not her house. That was awesome. But me and Sorella Crane made the most out of walking through the literal rivers In the streets. The rest of the week was pretty chill. I didn't step in any dog poop this week CAN I GET AN APPLAUSE?!?! but who is hyped for general conference?!?!?! I know I am excited to cuddle up in a blanket and get to watch something for 10 hours while being spiritually uplifted ALL AT THE SAME TIME?!?! I think yes. 

The language is coming along folks.  I just have been praying for the gift of patience because I know it will come in the Lord's timing if I just put in effort. I seriously love it out here every single day and have so much fun. Don't get me wrong, days are hard but I've learned to just find the happy and just laugh. There will ALWAYS be something you can find joy in. 

Sorry guys I took no pictures this week. But I attached some videos so hopefully they work!! 

Love,

Sorella Coon 

I'm joining the evangelical church?!?!

WHAT A WEEK LADIES AND GENTLEMAN!! WOWZA!!! I've got lots of good stories to drop on you this week so buckle up.

Let's start off with a little Scambio action. (Perks of being companions with an stl is that I get to do exchanges every week) once again we were two greenies who spoke zero English BUT the Lord provides and we got to teach a lesson in English!!!!! We killed the lesson and she accepted our invite to come to church so we asked her to close with a prayer. Ladies and gentlemen nothing could've prepared me for this moment. This sweet African lady began praying in a very different way than I had ever experienced. The worst possible happened. I broke out a laugh. I immediately started to say my own prayer that I could make it through this ladies prayer and not laugh. It was like laughing gas was filling the room. I felt so bad but I had to mute myself because the laughter could not be contained for much longer. Anyways we made it through and she's excited to learn more about the gospel. 

That night I had my first non member italian meal. These people also spoke two different dialects so that was awesome. My brain was swelling after trying to keep up with that conversation. The food was great though. 

Saturday morning we had a brunch with a sweet lady we met at the park. She and her husband showed up and were shocked when we told them we eat fruit for breakfast. Italians go into shock when I tell them I eat anything other than coffee for breakfast. Anyways, we were having a great gospel discussion when Francesco (the husband) turned to me and asked a question. I had no idea what he asked me so I did what any sane person that doesn't know Italian would say "Si" well ladies and gentleman I later learned I had basically agreed to join the evangelical church so well see how the rest of my conversion process goes!! 

GENERAL CONFERENCE WEEKEND LADIES AND GENTLEMAN!!! God blessed us with so many blessings this weekend. Leading up to conference I was just a little sad about having to watch the sessions in Italian just because my understanding is not all there yet. BUT GOD IS SO GOOD and we got invited to not only ONE BUT TWO American families homes to watch it. And we had not only ONE but TWO batches of cinnamon roles made for us. Wow. Then, on Sunday Sorella Crane and I came up with a master plan to make this conference memorable. We decided to watch conference and eat lunch inside the palace of LA REGGIA!!! It was insane. We had a cute little picnic on the grass and it will definitely be one of my most memorable conferences. 

For pday we went on the American base and if you have ever seen the show Wanda Vision it is exactly that. It felt like a fake town and I didn't know where I was for a hot second. I went grocery shopping in the American store and I BOUGHT CHOLULA!!! I cried. 

Something I loved from conference was just to think about things with an eternal perspective. Every little choice we make is important so THINK CELESTIAL!! I also love the talk by Elder Phillips about our divine identity. It is so important that everyone knows they are so loved and have a father in Heaven that is looking out for them and helping them every step of the way. I highly suggest listening to that talk 

Sorry this email was long again. Maybe they will just always be long because I have so much fun here!! Hehe sorry!! 

PICTURES

- Me and bestie Sorella Gugler with the prettiest sunset in Pozzuoli

- me in Pozzuoli 

- my view for Sunday morning conference session at the reggia

- comp and I at the reggia

-  my views for conference (notice the CARPET!!! Italians don't believe in carpet so this changed my life)

- me crying because CHOLULA!!!!

This week was CRAP!

Hi everyone!!! How are you all?!?! Seriously let me know because I love getting emails and messages throughout the week. Its like a little present. Also I am now over 2 months in the mission. That sounds like nothing but is so crazy that it's already been 2 months!! Um anyways lets get to the knitty gritty. 

First let me explain the title "This week was crap" hehehe. So basically everywhere on the streets in Caserta is poop. Like seriously people don't pick up after their dogs and they just poop and pee everywhere. Its literally a game of Mario cart dodging the bananas. Anyways, there I was walking happily along, doing a great job of dodging each piece of dog shazzz. Then we sat down for some din din and I start smelling something reallll bad and im like "Sorell, do you smell that like that smells terrible. She literally says "yeah it smells like cacca." Well folks it was infact a huge ball of cacca. Joy  Okay now time for a cool story frfr. Okay so Sorella Crane and I decided to do some good ol knockin of the doors. We picked this random apartment building and this was a Padre pio LAND MINE. I seriously have never seen more Padre Pio shrines in my whole existence. If you dont know who padre pio is, basically he stinks because hes like Jesus but he only pays for 1/3 of your sins and he wears gloves because he has like the marks that Jesus has on his hands. I personally don't understand it but ya know jesus said love everyone so I guess I love padre pio. ANYWAYS, we get door after door slammed in our face and then we decided were going to do one last apartment building. We walk up all five flights of stairs and no one gives us the time of day. And then we knock on the very last door and BAM SHE OPENS WITH A SMILE?!?!?! She literally knew where our church was and we exchanged numbers and were going to visit her on Saturday!!!! LAST DOOR LAST FLOOR FOR THE WIN!!! I thought that was just a myth but i guess it's real. 

Okay last story and then I'll let you all go. Pov there we were 6:30am starting the 30 min walk to the train station for Zone Conference. Sorella crane and I are just talking and jollying along, halfway to the train station, when Sorella Crane goes "Do you have your nametag." Well folks lets just say we started running the fastest I've ever ran at 6:30 in the morning with a full face of makeup on and in a dress. It was awful to say the least. We made it on the train as the doors were shutting. 

This week has been tough for me with the language. It's especially hard when we teach lessons and I just want to be their friends so badly and tell them about how much I LOVE JESUS and how much jesus loves them and how this Gospel can help them with every single need they have. but instead I sit there like a mute unfortunately because I literally speak English. This week were doing an English fast too (every conversation, every district and zone meeting, and every waking second is all in Italian) so the only thing keeping me going is that there's coke in Italy and prayer. Anyways, anyone who has learned a language, don't be shy, give me tips on how I can be people's friends even when I literally can't speak to them. Grazie. Sorry this was a long email. I think I'm getting all the English out that's in my mind. So thanks if you read all this. Now enjoy some silly photos. 

Pictures: 

- Sorella Crane and I's performance of "tequila" 

- our awesome friend Oscar got the Priesthood WOOT WOOT

- poop

- Padre pio shrine (find the jesus i put there)

- me and my cutie collega

- district and I with gelato  

- ZONA DI CAMPANIA!!! FORZA ITALIA!!!!