Why?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxqfDs-64I0 

This is from a wonderful song by Mercy Me about the question Why?....

From Katie this week:
Okay, this week has been full of the question "Why?" 

Like... Why did God want me here? Why did I need to serve in Italy? Why is this work SO hard? Why don't people listen? Why am I in LOVE with my mission? Why did I leave all my life behind for this? Why are there so many miracles?

I have found so much peace when I have asked myself these questions. I was thinking back to when I was doing my papers and put that I had studied Spanish. I had been hoping that somehow, some way, they would think to send me to Italy. I remember just hoping SO bad to come here. BUT, I was willing to go WHEREVER. That is the beautiful thing about being here. There isn't a more personal way that I feel my Savior's love other than the fact that He wanted me HERE. At this moment in missionary history. A time when there are more people prepared to hear the gospel than ever. I love thinking about all the feelings I felt while trying to decide to come on a mission. I distinctly remember conversations with everyone that is important to me. All those conversations left me wanting to be out in the field. They left me with a feeling of being incomplete without those experiences in my life. And that "incompleteness" fills up every day I am out here. Even when I think there is no room left in my little heart, someone or something slips right in as if it were meant to be there. I am still obsessed with my mission. :)

Last week for my birthday, we got to go to ward council. I am remembering sitting there being surrounded by the members and feeling so much love I could have burst into tears. Sometimes it AMAZES me how much more I want to cry on the mission. It's changed from crying because it is NOT what I expected to crying because it is WAY MORE than what I imagined. I love it.

This week, tons of people have asked us why we are here. I mean, it is so not normal that we come and leave everything behind to serve. People on the street have told us that they feel bad we are here in the north of Italy. They tell us, "The people are really cold here. I bet they don't listen or want to talk to you." It sometimes confuses me. They are so right! But our response has been that we aren't here to find those who don't want to listen...but those who hunger for more. The more rejections you get, the more "acceptions" you get. It is simple math! And while I may not be the best at talking to everyone, I have seen the miracles that come when we simply try.

Hmm...what else is on my mind...

That's it for now. If I think of anything else, I'll let you know. :)

Love,

Sorella Katie Beus

Happy Birthday and Temple Anniversary!

May 22, 2013

Hard to believe this is where she spent her birthday May 22, 2012! Beautiful day!

From Katie:

Thanks for the email you sent out. I LOVED seeing all the messages from my dear friends back from home and from my FAMILY!!!! LOVE the sweater!! Thanks for getting it to fit, haha. I wore it on Sunday and ALL the members made comments. I said it was from my twin, and that made it even better. They LOVE that I am a twin. Thanks for thinking of me and loving me!!

I know Katie will like this! :) 

Wonderful to have a model to try things on!

Yep, it fits and I like it! LOVE my twin!!!

The card from Westley says, "Driving to the next age"

We Love Serving Here!

May 15, 2013

ALRIGHT. How crazy is it that Mother's Day is already gone?!?! I remember thinking after Christmas that Mother's Day just would never come. And now it has already passed. Bummer.

Thank you for your amazing conversations we were able to share. I laughed, cried, and was filled with the spirit. What family for?!?!?!

Other: We have been SO blessed lately!!! Mother's Day ended up being such a wonderful day with one of our investigators. She is one of those people who is hot and cold. Never totally makes up her mind. Well, we wrote her a little note a week and half ago, and delivered it to her at the right moment and time. Since that day, she is on the up and up! She is the one who asks about when the next FHE is. She comes to church and looks forward to the lessons. She is our miracle!! We LOVE SERVING HERE!!! Life is great.

Hmmm....don't know if there is much else. LOVE YOU! I told you almost everything on Sunday.

Love,

Kate

I sent out the update below to the close friends and family and SO very much appreciate those of you who sent her a Birthday greeting! SHE LOVED THEM ALL!!!!

Hello friends of Katie!

We were able to Skype for a bit on Sunday and she looked wonderful! My favorite thing was to hear her recite D&C 4 in Italian. Luscious language! She has a little over 6 months left and has enjoyed every place/companion she has been with and learned to truly love the scriptures. Right now she is in Lake Como, up by the Switzerland border, one of the prettiest cities on earth and she adores it. She tries very hard to be the best missionary/trainer she can be and fortunately loves her companion like she loves her twin, even calls her Kimmy occasionally. :) We absolutely love the unbelievable growth and maturity we see in her letters home.

We got an email this week from the Managing Director of the Missionary Dept who had been with Katie at a training session about a month ago in Milan and took the attached pictures of her and her badge. So grateful he took the time to write and send them! Treasures!

It's her 22nd birthday next Wednesday on the 22nd (her Superstar Birthday) and the church discourages sending packages because they have to pay the duty on them so if you get time she would love a one line email wish whenever you think of it? Just seeing your email address in the bar would make her happy. :)

katherine.beus@myldsmail.net

Thanks to your prayers, she is so blessed. I know Heavenly Father is aware of her, protects her, comforts her, and is helping her every step of the way, as He does ALL missionaries. I can't say thank you enough, they mean SO MUCH!!!! 

MUCH LOVE TO YOU ALL!

Love,

The Beuses

Mother's Day!

May 12, 2013 

It always takes a little time to get technology working but we eventually did get it going. She looked great... when we could see her. She was at a sweet member's house that didn't have enough power to keep us connected. Finally, they went to a nearby internet cafe and things improved greatly. That left us just a half hour though. It was enough to get a good report and meet her adorable companion, Sorella Madeleine McCann. The main things I remember from our conversation was that she and Sorella McCann have many mishaps and things unique to them which have now been dubbed, “McBeusisms” by the people living in the Mission Home and consequently are spreading outward. She just laughed about it so it can't be too bad? She is always plagued with Zombie Dreams, which is very unusual because she has NEVER seen or watched a Zombie anything! She scares herself enough as it is! Dad tried to reassure her that she was ENOUGH! Doing enough... Being enough... and to let her mind rest at ease at night. Hopefully our prayers for peaceful sleep for her are working!

MY FAMILY!!!

"Ok, this isn't working... we're going somewhere else...

Oh you know...

May 8, 2013

Slla. Hallum, Allison Riding's roommate from BYU!

             
Alright, so there is not a lot of new things going on. SO, I decided to write you a small list with why I love Italy and Italians.

1. The people are the best! The other day, we were walking through a small little cafe to get to the train station, and this group of old Italian men asked us what our religion was and if we could explain it. We sat down and started sharing with them a mini verson of the restoration, and they got WAY into it. We prayed with them and what not, and they didn't want to hear more because they have their religion...but it was nice to see that the message is unique that we share. It is special. It is TRUE. One of them, Giovanni, told us that we will never want to go back home. Italians just are born with a goodness that you can't find anywhere else.

2. The church. The members here are so strong. They give the gopsel their ALL. As we all should. They laugh. They joke. They love showing their affection to all those around. We have, like, 5 mothers here that look out for us. They are SO willing to share the gospel, and just need to know where to start.

3. The food. There isn't a whole lot to say about it except that it is the best. I'm completely biased. And obsessed.

4. The scenery. I feel like we are in a MOVIE. I can't get enough of walking around in this beatiful city! The trees, the streets, the GREEN...mamma mia, I'm in love with this country!!

5. The conversations we have here. For example, we were eating with a member one time and she said, "Can you tell there are 4 different cheeses in this pizza? Wanna know what they are??? Okay, I'll tell you." and then she began listing off the cheeses. She was so proud of herself. I love that people are themselves here! It makes for interesting and funny conversations. I have no idea how to explain it.

Alright, that's it for today! LOVE YOU BUNCHES. SEE YOU ON SUNDAY!!!

How does 4 or 5 (our time) sound? Hope it works for you. :) Cause I'll be here. at the internet cafe. Awaiting our call.

Love,

Sorella Beus

Dealing with Doubts

May 2, 2013

This letter is in response to a fireside by Robert Millet I had summarized for her on "Dealing with Doubt." I'm SO glad I took the time because THIS is wonderful to hear:

I remember when I first got on the mission and it started getting hard. I remember saying a lot that I didn't want to do it anymore. I just wanted to be home in the safety and comfort of my own home. I just wanted to "holdju." All of you. It was hard to get up. I didn't want to go outside. I was too scared to talk to others. I doubted my ability to speak Italian. I doubted my testimony. It was rough. That basically sums it up.

Now, I am about to start my SEVENTH transfer. My sixth transfer takes the cake with quickest moving transfer. My doubts have changed in so many ways. While reflecting this morning, I came to several conclusions. Every day, I question my ability to be a missionary. But not just any missionary...an ITALY MILAN missionary. I am living in Como, one of the prettiest cities I have ever ever been too. I am in love with it. But was it a test that I was sent here? Every day, we have to walk by streets and streets of beautiful stores. There are pretty views everywhere. I find myself fighting the urge to look in the store window. What if I am missing the opportunity to talk to someone who has been placed strategically, by Heavenly Father, next to that store window. Gosh. Sometimes, I question whether I am cut out for this. Italy. It's difficult. The waking up? Not hard anymore. You just do it. Talking with people? Not a problem. If they reject you, you move on. It's the knowing what to say in the right moment that is hard. When your investigator tells you over and over again that they just don't get it, then it gets hard. There is a pit in your stomach that just sucks up all hope. You are constantly fighting the urge to just grab the person's face, look them in the eye, and cry, and tell them that you KNOW it is true. You love them SO VERY MUCH. You KNOW God loves them. You KNOW that this church is the only true church that will get you STRAIGHT to the presence of Heavenly Father. Doubts in your ability to teach the gospel FILL up that pit in your stomach. Why aren't your investigators praying? Why don't they read the Book of Momon? What did you do wrong?!

....and then....peace....

You pray your stinkin' heart out when you get back for the day. You pour your heart out to Heavenly Father and tell him everything. And I mean EVERYTHING. You go to the Source. And somehow, for some reason, Heavenly Father gives you a sense of comfort. He thanks you for coming to Him. He reassures you everything will be fine. You need to have faith in Him, and His timing. Trust. Just trust. Hence, why the peace comes.

That is why the mission is hard. That cycle takes place every day. It takes its toll spiritually, physically, and emotionally. But that's why we don't do it alone. Christ is there to comfort us...every step of the way. We can NOT do this alone. This experience is not possible without divine help. I am so grateful for my loving Heavenly Father. I can't even reason with myself why we're worth it. We constantly let him down. We make SO many mistakes! It's ridiculous. But maybe every time we humble ourselves and ask for forgiveness, His tenderness and mercy just grows, and His love for us grows (if that is possible). He gave us everything and more. Now, how can we give up? Isn't that why we came here? We knew it would be hard! We brought this upon ourselves! It is because we KNEW that it would be worth it. Those moments of immense joy we feel in our lives are just a tiny little glimpse of what life will be like in the future. It's gonna be legit. Can't wait.

Anyway......

I will be sticking with Sorella McCann for the next transfer. Thank GOODNESS. I adore her with my whole heart. She is the light of my life. For reals. We pretty much live the same life. I haven't laughed so much and so hard as I have in these past few weeks. Actually, the other day, I accidentally called her Kimmy. Good sign. She was flattered. :) I couldn't be more grateful for her patience, hard work, and will to do the work. She is such a good example for me! And there is still so much to learn. Woohoo!

This is gettin' long. Love you all.

Sorella Beus

This song is wonderful about dealing with doubts and I want Katie to hear it when she gets home so I'm putting it on here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mdF8b2dEQkQ

Switzerland for a Day

April 25, 2013

                         

 

We have heard from several people who have come home from the Italy Milan Mission and it is so heartwarming to hear the kind words. One funny story is from the Traveling AP who went to visit Sorella Beus and Santoro in Florence. She invited them in and offered them a drink, apologizing that she didn't have more to give. He said she said in a cute way, "We don't get many visitors..." He said he told her, "That's GOOD Sorella Beus!" HAHA! Then Nancy talked to someone who just returned who said the nicest things about Katie. She said she is an outstanding sister and has opened TWO cities and has done SO much good and is still so humble. She has such a "presence" but seems so humble and completely unaware of her light and goodness. 

This is what she said in response to the update I sent her of tending Chris's kids last week. :) Lots of funny stories....

I LOVED LOVED LOVED the updates and pictures!!!!!! Every one of them. My companion keeps asking me to remember everything so I can tell her why I am laughing! haha. I love those boys soooooooo much!!!!

We moved into our apartment in Como five days ago. It's the nicest place I will probably ever live in! Next week will be normal pday again. Yay! Just for today it was different. We had a fireside wtih Elder Tad Callister!!!!! and Elder Texiera!!!!! LOVE OUR LIFE. The mission is the best. 

You know how sometimes, you just feel like you're in the right place, at the right time, and everything just feels SO good?! Well, I had that moment. The other day. We were in a lesson with our investigator, A. She is slowly making progress and has been back and forth for the past year. She is SO AMAZING. The first day I met her, I felt an overwhelming love for her. That desire to do ANYTHING to help her. That desire has not died down and I think about her allll the time. It consumes my thougts. How to help her? What's holding her back? What does she need to hear? You know, all that fun stuff. We were talking about personal revelation in our lesson, and something got through to her. She told us that it has never felt like it was her moment to accept the gospel, but, she admitted that from the moment we introduced ourselves, she has felt something within her change. She said she is feeling something special. Something RIGHT. Yeah, God is working miracles here in Como. Ain't no doubt about it.

We celebrated Italy Independence Day by going to Switzerland with the members. SO fun. I am obsessed with my and Sorella McCann's life. We even got to do some missionary work in the midst of all of the fun. Which made it even fun-er. I love our life. Here are the pics. I am BURNT. Weird... It's been a while.

Well, we are late. It has been a weird P-Day. Thursday P-Days just feel different. 

Love you ALLLLLL!!!!!

Love,

Sorella Beus

When in Milan... My Testimony is Growing

April 17

We got to experience one of the neatest things this past Monday! Elder Steven B. Allen, an Area Seventy that heads up the Missionary Department, came to the mission! The mission president and assistants invited about half of the sisters, all the zone leaders, and a couple of district leaders to attend a special training! How did we get so lucky to be here in this place, in this moment and time?! It was held in Lamugnano, which is right across the street from where we live here in Milan. I learned so much. He taught us so many valuable lessons about how to truly teach about the gospel of Jesus Christ. He taught us how to invite, how to pray, and how to teach. He taught us how to plan so that our days and weeks (and therefore transfers) go better. I could not have been more grateful for his influence on all the missionaries that were in that room.

When it comes to the work, I have to be honest and say that numbers aren't lookin' too good...BUT, we are both giving it our ALL. We are tired, and happy at the end of the day, and that is what matters. I was writing Dad, and realized something about this mission. Remember when I was talking about how I KNEW there was someone here in Italy that needed me? She is my age, and has had a life similar to mine, and needs my testimony? Well, still haven't met her yet. I started thinking, maybe that girl was ME. Maybe, I needed to realize that I can be changed. My heart is in a constant state of change. We love so many people, all at the same time, and I never knew that was possible! We change house, companion, and city every few weeks or months, and we're expected to learn how to adjust. We live with someone for TWENTY FOUR/SEVEN. Geesh, that is SO not normal!! But you know what?! I LOVE IT. I love my nametag that identifies me as a servant of the Lord. I love walking around in Milan with a Book of Mormon in my hand. I love getting rejected because I know it means there is someone else out there who is ready to accept, and needs our time. I love speaking Italian and eating with Italians. I love meeting people!!! I love asking questions. I love studying the scriptures. I love knowing that Heavenly Father knows each and every one of His children...and LOVES them. With a love greater than we can even imagine. I love riding on buses in the mountains in Como, looking out over the lake and all the houses, and realizing that there are people in those houses who are waiting for the gospel. It is safe to say that I am still obsessed with my mission. I would love to find "that girl" that I felt was here. But if in fact it is me, then I couldn't be more grateful. The mission is changing me. I love change. I needed the testimonies of every single person I have met who has one, member or non member. I needed to be to the point of breaking down, so that I could find the source of true strength. I needed to truly love the scriptures and learn how to learn from them. I needed to be changed. I am the luckiest. 

There it is. My testimony. I love my Savior. I love the gospel of Jesus Christ that makes being with God again possible. 

Love,

Sorella Katie Beus

My Growing Heart

April 10, 2013

Mom, I love being a missionary.It sure has its hard days, but overall, I couldn't feel luckier. The Lord loves His children beyond words. I feel a little part of that love every day. It amazes me how big your heart can grow. I love Sorella McCann too. She is so full of light and joy. She is growing and changing so much, and it has only been a few weeks! She is positive all the time. I sure did luck out with her! She has such a good attitude with the strange situation we are in. It's starting to take its toll. We've both put on a LITTLE bit of weight in these past weeks with all the stress and nutella...but we restart our diet every day, haha. 

Easter and the Duomo

April 3, 2013

Mission Home Missionaries in front of the Duomo in Milan

Sidenote: while writing this letter, I was asked my an older Italian man to help him upload a picture to facebook. After explaining about 5 times that I can't use it, he said, "Its okay, you just need to show me how to get a picture from email to facebook." He then offered my companion and I a drink, haha. Oh the joys of being an American in these crazy internet cafes. Love it. 

I had the most amazing Easter Sunday!!! It started with a train ride in some beautiful misty mountains to the station of Lomazzo, a city in the suburbs of Como. We rode to church just as the sun was coming up over the mountains and the lake. It was gorgeous. Us and the sun are just never in Como on the same days, so it was a treat. Church was beautiful. Vescovo (bishop) Cusin shared an incredible testimony of the restored gospel and the necessity to share it with everyone. We talked about Christ in Gospel Principles. I was touched by the testimonies that were shared. All the investigators and new converts are supposed to go to gospel principles, so the lessons are supposed to be really basic and general. I have noticed that it is in gopsel principles when I feel my testimony growing. And when I say feeling, I mean seriously feeling. The testimonies that are shared in that class are so pure and real. They are fresh. They are testimonies that are growing every minute as they live this "new life" with the gospel. I am in love. 

After church, we met with our ward mission leader, who is AMAZING. He and his wife are so supportive of the misisonaries. He is willing to do ANYTHING to help move missionary work along in this ward. We were able to talk about how to help our members be more prepared to do missionary work with us. It made both Sorella McCann and me super excited to get going. There is so much to do here and we are SO ready. 

We had a lunch appointment with an Italian family. And oh boy, it was as Italian as it gets!! The Corteggiano family is from Sicily, so they eat, talk, and act like southern Italians. I LOVED IT. There was a lot of laughing, talking/yelling, and eating. There was food being passed around from one side of the table to the other. There were yummy appetizers of olives, tomatoes, eggplants, cheese, and bread. Then, we had canneloni with spinach for the second meal. We then had so GREAT BBQ. Everything from Italian sausage to pork chops. Oh. My. Gosh. I loved it. There was another family with us that is from Switzerland (but the Italian part), so they made some great cake with Swiss chocolate for dessert. I know this description of dinner doesn't even come close to reality...but it's the best I can do. I guess you had to be there, haha.

The day after Easter is called Pasquetta. They basically do the same thing they did on Easter, but it is more casual. We went to the church for a BBQ, but supposedly, everyone is supposed to bring their own food. So, there is a family that brought us some yummy PERUVIAN food. I was in heaven. we had some papa alla juancaina, with hotdogs, chips, and then, to top it all off, a devil's chocolate cake made by one of our American friends who is investigating the church. WOW. We are SO well taken care of. We talked and ate, and just enjoyed being with our members. We actually also had a lesson with an amazing girl named Anabel who is a former investigator.She is so ready to learn more about how the gospel can change her life. I hope to tell you more about her later. She has potential. Anyway, I wish I could explain how great the members are here. During the bbq, there were so many people in the room, and all of them look out for one another. Vescovo Cusin has 7 kids, but still, he was walking around with a plate of steak offering it to every person in the room. They share EVERYTHING.

Yesterday, we were able to go to a member's house for lunch. They are an older couple with three older kids all grown up and out of the house. Fratello and Sorella Sammaciccia. They are the best. They served a mission in 2002, but they are the kind of missionaries that will be missionaries for life. They are full of love for the gospel. You see it when you talk to them. You see the love they have for the church that changed their lives. Their testimonies are so strong and firm. 

AAANnnd, that Italian man I mentioned earlier keeps trying to ask if he can buy us a pizza as I am writing. Mamma mia.......

I am reading in the Romans right now. I read Romans 6:23 this morning, and two things hit me. It says  23 For the awages of bsin is cdeath; but the dgift of God is eeternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord....

Alright, are you ready for my thoughts??!

As I was reading, I saw "wages vs. gift" and realized that wages are EARNED. So, when you sin, you are earning death...BUT, a gift is something given out of love and concern. It is something that you can recieve whether you are worthy or not. Christ doesn't expect us to EARN eternal life. He already paid for it. Now, we have to live worthy of it!!! Be GRATEFUL, not GUILTY: When you recieve a gift you are not worthy for, you can't fully enjoy it. 

Anyway, I just wanted to share that with you. I LOVE the bible.

Okay, we are off to Milano! We're hiking the Duomo today if it doesn't cost too much. We're also eating at this yummy yummy place called Luini's and then eating gelato at Ciocolat. I am in LOVE with life as an Italy Milan missionary!!! 

LOVE LOVE LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!! Time is flying by so fast.

Sorella Beus

Trains and Training!

March 27, 2013

27 Marzo 2013

Dear Dad,

I just got done reading the chapter of “Called to Serve” from the book you got called “Words of Wisdom for Missionaries.” Wow. I've read those quotes before when you sent them, but they means SO much more to me now. If there are other quotes/stories in that book, I would love to read them!! Or maybe mom could send that book?! That's not the only reason I'm writing... but I wanted to tell you first that I'm grateful that you are such a thoughtful dad :) I love you so much. I love the mission so much.

Alright, so we are living in Milan right now with two other sisters. We went to Como last Saturday for a wedding. I loved it! The members are incredible. Within 2 minutes of church ending, we had 3 referrals. SO different than Firenze. There are loads of cute adorable kids. Our ward mission leader's name is Fratello Elia, and he is on the ball!! He found out that we were going back & forth from Milan to Como, so he asked the members to provide us w/lunch so we could eat more than apples & crackers. We went on Monday to a member's house & it was so fun. She was so glad to have us over & was excited to show us her house & tell us about her family. 3 cute little kids. :) I love it. And DAD! Guess what?! I am speaking Italian! I LOVE it. And, I am also TRAINING. I got super lucky. My companion is Sorella McCann from Orem, UT. We get a long well. I feel like God is looking out for me because he always sends me wonderful companions. Sorella McCann & I are a lot alike. I hope so bad to help her learn to love the mission. She has SO much potential. I am grateful for the chance to work with her. I hope things go well for the work in Como. President Wolfgramm is happy we are together. And like I always say, miracles are waiting to happen.

Anyway...

I am reading in Acts, & I love it! I adore the Bible! Acts 26: 19, 22-23 really just touched me this morning. Paul is so obedient to his heavenly vision! It makes me want to pay more attention to the personal revelation I receive, & be obedient to it! I need to hold more dearly the things I receive from Heavenly Father.

Alright, sorry this is short & sloppy. I just want you to know my thoughts (BIIIG SMILEY FACE)

Love you & Mom!!! SO VERY MUCH!

See you soon! :) :) :) 

Love,

Sorella Beus

http://www.tripadvisor.com/LocationPhotos-g187833-Lake_Como_Lombardy.html#1691087

"I had no idea I loved trains so much!" - Katie

Also, bless Brock Harding's heart... he sent me this great news from Katie :)

So we are living in Milano and we take the train to Como every day. I can't help but adore every moment I am having on the mission. especially the train rides to and from cities. I had no idea I loved trains so much.

Okay. Como. It is a city nestled in the mountains. It a huge lake with homes, docks, and boats lining the edges. But the boats aren't those whimpy kind...they are like yachts, and speed boats and stuff. It is legit. I actually heard that George Clooney used to have a home near the lake here in Como. But he moved. According to the elders who are serving here. bummer. The other night, we were going to the station in the rain, and I looked to my left, and was blown away by the view. It was the lake with a sort of mist right over it. But the lights from all the docks and boats and houses/mansions was reflecting off the water. I stopped for a minute with my companion and we just basked in complete happiness.

Tiramizu, Transfers, and Grace!

March 20, 2013

Making Tiramizu without coffee!

Alright, some big news for this week. But first of all, I just want to share my thoughts with you. I have been so full of gratitude this week. I am super duper tired. And the weather has been horrible. But the lyrics of the song "Grace" by U2 have been stuck in my head. You might have to look up the lyrics for me to help me out a bit (the blessing of missionary brain includes forgetting song lyrics and other stuff :) ) but I remember a line that goes "grace makes beauty of hopeless things." Oh how true that is. I am one of those hopeless things. I realized this week that I am nothing without the Savior. He makes me who I am. He makes MIRACLES out of broken things too. I have often found myself saying "I'm broken." I have felt that way one too many times on the mission. But, grace makes all the difference.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IsFRQoYVzHc

Anyway, so the news for this week is that I am being transferred! Oh my heart sank when I heard it. I have grown to adore this city and everything in it. Also, I will be training for the first time!!! Welcome, little verdina (translation: Greenie). I can't wait to meet her. I am nervous beyond BELIEF. Also, to add to that, I will be opening up COMO to a sister companionship! Talk about CRAZY. We will live in Milan for 2 weeks while they find an apartment for us, and we will take the train to Como every day after lunch. Oh mamma mia. I want to hide. But, the promise of being qualified for your call just keeps reminding me that it's possible! I can do it. Thanks to Grace. And thanks to wonderful emails from home reminding me why I am here. 

Katie's Travels 

I am beyond proud of Dad. He is such a good example to me! I have never been more sure in my life than I am now of the reality of a loving Heavenly Father. He is watching out for dad, you, and everyone else. As cliche as it sounds, it is still SO true. I wish I could express how lucky I feel to be a member of our family, in this day in age.

Okay, we have to go get our greenies. Sorella Santoro is training here in Firenze, btw! it is her 3rd time. THE HASTENING IS HERE!!!!!! I LOVE being a part of it!!!

Ciao famiglia! Vi voglio bene!

Sorella Beus

Getting Sorella McCann