Are we lucky or what?

Sightseeing just outside Florence

Silly Katie... last view of Florence... until next time!

Here are some pics from two weeks ago adventures. Sorella Santoro and I get a little crazy. It was beautiful. We took a bus about 20 minutes away to Fiesole. It is a Tuscan paradise!! Rolling hills and houses tucked away in the green. Geesh, are we lucky or what?!?!

I have no idea why, but the pics are taking a long time to upload...yikes.

This week was the BEST. I love getting emails!!!! AHODEEHOO!!!

MOTHER! I almost forgot!! I need some American recipes. Sorella Santoro gave me a bunch of her Italian recipes, and I want to return the favor with some of my favs. For example, Mary's choc chip cookies, sticky buns, etc. Mom, she is too cute. I love her to pieces. We have so much fun together. I feel so content. 

This week has been wonderful. Mom, my companion is too cute. I love her to pieces. I am learning so much about working with an Italian companion, haha. I am learning that some people don't like walking 6 to 8 miles a day. My boots are officially ruined. They split last night on the sole of the foot. Kind of weird. But hey, proof that we're working, right?! Haha. We have so much fun together. I feel so content. Mom, I love this work. It takes its toll, but it is beyond worth it. 

We saw so many miracles. Nothing has come from them yet, but I know something wonderful will happen. :)

Time is up. Share my love with everyone. You are the BEST fam ever!!!

Katie

Facetiming with Dad

Her response to this pic was "FAV!!!! And Kimmy looks like ME. Weird!"

This past week was FULLLLLL of doing finding work. My feet hurt in the best possible way. AND, it was so NOT in vain. We found quite a few potential investigators. It was great. We've already seen two of them, and there are still more that we can see this upcoming week.

I am beyond happy for Miss Kimmy!!! Pure love, happiness, and excitedness for her. I love her to pieces and I hope all goes well. SO PROUD OF HER! 

I got the Valentine's package!!!!!!!!!!!!! It was the highlight of my week!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Mom, I love you more than words!!!!!!!!!! I adore the pics. It is the BEST to see Joe so happy. Also, I loved the blogposts from Paige and my cousins. I love hearing how the other missions are. I am having a really different experience. 

Sorry for the lack of writing this week. I wrote a longer email to President Wolfgramm this week. 

By the way, we have a Sorella Conference next week!!!!! Yay!! The second one in 6 months! 

I am running out of time, but there is the quick update.

Love you!!

Ciao! Vi amo!!!

Sorella Beus

Well, hello family!! Como estan?! jk. Come state?! I am sitting in an internet point right below the Santa Maria Novella train station. I love it. There are people yelling all different languages around us. Ahh, the sound of happy people in the morning, haha. This week has been s l o w... like, real slow. But, we had some pretty neat experiences this past week.

Santa Maria Novella Train Station

My companion and I were made for each other. I have been blessed with such good companions! She and I joke around allll the time. We spend most of our days ringing the citofono. We are getting REALLY good at talking to speakers. :) We look forward to getting into an apartment building so we can at least see some faces and talk to people through the door. When it comes down to it, I don't really blame the people for not wanting to open the door or let us into the building...these are scary times. I mean, I wouldn't want some random people coming into my house either! But, we are still praying that someone opens. We have to find the elect somehow!! :) We also spend a lot of the day talking to people on the street. Like I have told you all before, we look for any excuse to start talking with someone. For example, after someone coughs or whatnot on the bus, we find ourselves asking, "Oh I heard you cough...there must be something going around. And the weather doesn't help. But did you know you can still be happy and find joy even when the weather is horrible?!" Or, when you find someone looking at your nametag, you just ask them if they have ever heard of our church before. That is probably the best one. One of my favorite places to go to talk to people is at the Cascine on Tuesday mornings. They have a HUGE market every Tuesday, and there are tons of people. So we just walk around the outside and talk to people as they leave the market. It works pretty well. And it is gorgeous. 

We are still planting seeds. And I feel like a little kid waiting for the seeds to grow. There are some elect seeds here that need a lot of nurturing. So, we will continue to be patient. I am starting to learn that in life, we will always have something to wait for. It is very rare that you get something right when you want it. Oh if I could have learned that a lot sooner in life!!! All good things take time. I have found that the waiting isn't as hard as it used to be. I used to get all frustrated when I would have to wait, but now, it doesn't phase me in the same way. I used to get so anxious thinking about the future, but as of late, I realized I need to enjoy every minute. Heavenly Father has quite the itinerary for our lives, and only He knows what comes next. Can you imagine how excited He gets when He already knows the next success that will happen, and you have NO idea?!?! If not, refer to Christmas as a kid. Remember when you used to just die with excitement waiting for your mom or dad or brother or sister to open the gift you picked out JUST for the them. Yeah, I'm pretty sure Heavenly Father feels somewhat the same way. He has put so many people in our path and whether they are ready or not, I bet He put them there for a purpose. This week, there was a girl that we met from China. We saw her twice on different buses, and then in the city center yesterday. We took it as a sign and went to talk to her. We'll see where it goes...but for now, we are content that God is in control. I can't think of a better tour guide. :)

Love you all. Until next week!!!

Kate

photo credit:   http://www.trivago.co.uk/florence-45864/train-station/santa-maria-novella-station-134653/picture-i5418999

Favorite Quotes - First Half of Italy

HALF WAY!!!

In the words of the scriptures... "It has become expedient" that Katie's blog no longer be a public blog so if you know someone who would like to continue to read of her mission adventures, please send an email to beushome@yahoo.com

Thank you for your love and support! It means EVERYTHING to her!

My Favorite Katie Quotes:

"Seeing people desire to change, then learning how, and then doing it is amazing. It means the world when you can see that a person is trying. I had a moment this morning when I was so overwhelmed with love for these people that I couldn't help but cry! It's funny when that happens. There is no way of describing in words the emotions that you start to feel when you think about sharing the message of the Atonement with others. And I mean really, there isn't a way of describing the Atonement in words. It is too special. Too sacred. Too wonderful. All we can do is invite others to feel it for themselves."

-Katie Beus, Oct 2012. 

A mission is definitely not easy and not always fun. But there is something super satisfying about looking back on the past months and realizing you worked HARD. You cried, you fell down, you got rained... actually poured on, you froze, you died of heat... and you saw countless miracles, nevertheless. The Lord loves us so much. And I love Him. 
-Katie Beus, Dec 2012

I feel so blessed that God wanted me here in this time and in this place to be a leader and an example to those sisters who will be coming in. I am learning so much, thanks to humbling experiences and miracles. I feel my Savior's love every day of my life here. 
–Katie Beus, Jan 2013

I've come to terms with the fact that I may not ever be THAT missionary who has all the right things to say. Maybe I'll never be able to fully express myself but I can love like crazy those with whom I interact. I can tell them that I appreciate them and ask if there is anything I can do to help. I can offer prayers in lessons and ask Heavenly Father to soften the hearts of those whom we are teaching so that they can understand and be touched by our message. I can bear pure testimony that I know that Joseph Smith is a true prophet of God. I know that the Book of Mormon is true. I am not ashamed to say I am Mormon. I am grateful for the knowledge I gain every day just by being a part of this church.

I know that there will be down days through the whole mission. We will all feel inadequate at times. But, that is what the Atonement is for. I know that we are not alone in this long road of developing our talents and strengths.

–Katie Beus, Feb 2013

I Can Be A Good "Stander"

Growing and maturing in every way

Okay, so my thoughts have been all over the place. The other day, we were in a lesson, and my companion and the member were talking back and forth for 20 minutes or so, but I couldn't participate in the conversation because I've never been to the south of Italy and what not, and I caught myself losing the spirit. Instead of letting my emotions get the best of me, the clear thought came into my mind to "Just be a stander, Katie (Sorella Beus...)." **

When I decided to come on the mission, I imagined that there would be those people I would meet, and I would think, “Woah, I came all the way to Italy to be in THIS room, in THIS moment, with THIS person...” but yeah, hasn't happened. Then, during the lesson I was describing earlier, I had the comforting reassurance that I was called to be Sorella Santoro's companion to just support her. I don't need to blow people's socks off with the wonderful sentences I can say in Italian, but simply, maybe I can just be someone else in the room who has the spirit and can testify of the truth. I don't know how well I am explaining myself. I guess all I can say is that I've come to terms with the fact that I may not ever be THAT missionary who has all the right things to say. Maybe I'll never be able to fully express myself. But I am a really good “stander.” I can love like crazy those with whom I interact. I can tell them that I appreciate them and ask if there is anything I can do to help. I can offer prayers in lessons and ask Heavenly Father to soften the hearts of those whom we are teaching so that they can understand and be touched by our message. I can bear pure testimony that I know that Joseph Smith is a true prophet of God. I know that the Book of Mormon is true. I am not ashamed to say I am Mormon. I am grateful for the knowledge I gain every day just by being a part of this church.

I know that there will be down days through the whole mission. We will all feel inadequate at times. But, that is what the Atonement is for. I know that we are not alone in this long road of developing our talents and strengths. This week, find some weakness you have and let the Savior direct you on that road of making that weakness a strength. It is possible. I promise. :) Let me know how it goes.

LOVE you all... so much.

Sorella Katie Beus

** She is referring to the last line of John Milton's Sonnet 16 he wrote upon becoming blind, "They also serve who only stand and wait." That phrase reminds me of temple workers who stand faithfully at their posts and of my beautiful Grandma Rich who was bedridden for many years, who couldn't stand at all, but never complained or lost her sweet testimony. The phrase "God doth not need either man's work or his own gifts: who best bear his mild  yoke, they serve him best." also reminds me to bear, with patience, the trials I have been assigned so that I too, may serve Him best.")  Full text of the poem below) 

Sonnet 16 - By John Milton

When I consider how my light is spent

Ere half my days in this dark world and wide,

And that one talent which is death to hide

Lodg'd with me useless, though my soul more bent

To serve therewith my Maker, and present

My true account, lest he returning chide,

"Doth God exact day-labour, light denied?"

I fondly ask. But Patience, to prevent

That murmur, soon replies: "God doth not need

Either man's work or his own gifts: who best

Bear his mild yoke, they serve him best. His state

Is kingly; thousands at his bidding speed

And post o'er land and ocean without rest:

They also serve who only stand and wait."

http://litmed.med.nyu.edu/Annotation?action=view&annid=1129

Although blind, John Milton went on to write the epic poem, “Paradise Lost”

On Cloud 9

First of all, thank you for the wonderful update. I laughed so hard when reading about the Florida happenings. I am obsessed with our family. It seems like so long ago that I was there with you all.

 

I am beyond grateful for emails I get on Wednesday. I have the best grandparents, parents and sisters in the world! It always gives me an extra boost of the spirit. :) :) :) I am on Cloud 9.

 "I love this. It makes me so happy! I love being YOUR missionary!!"
-- Katie, when seeing this picture of Kim's Luggage Tag

Happy Anniversary!

On Valentine's Day, it will have been ONE YEAR since my call to the Italy Milan Mission was assigned. Crazy, right?! So much has changed in that one year! And boy, am I happy for that change. Wouldn't want to be anywhere else.

This week, I got a new companion. She is Sorella Santoro from Bari, Italy and outstanding! We have way too much fun together. The members adore her, the investigators adore her, and all is well on the Firenze front! 

http://www.simplyrecipes.com/blood_oranges/

Dear Dad,

I just got done eating a “blood” orange. It's an orange that looks totally normal on the outside, but when you peel it apart, the pieces are “blood” red color mixed with orange. It's actually really pretty! And yummy. And I think of you and your love for oranges every time I eat one. :) Dad, you're going to love it here. I can't wait to be here with you and mom!

Sorella Eaton and I just had a conversation about seasoned salt, which I hope you still use. We realized that the U.S. is really good at a lot of things. For example, season salt is one of the best inventions ever, but I don't even remember what it tastes like because it (or anything like it) doesn't exist in supermarkets here.

Also, the U.S. is good at making scotch tape and other tape that rips. Here the tape just doesn't rip and it is funny to us! They are really advanced but are just behind in some small things. My love and appreciation for the U.S.A. grows (& has grown) quite a bit the longer I'm here. I am proud to be an American. :)

I just read a talk that Sheri Dew gave at a BYU Devotional in 2003-ish.. changed my life. She says that to access the power of God, we need to have unwavering faith. If you know what it is and how to develop it, feel free to let me know. I want to grow my faith on the mish before it's too late." (She really means it! Any ideas? Send them to  katherinebeus@myldsmail.net ) 

I love studying the scriptures on the mission. I'm reading the Book of Mormon in Italian and am getting different things out of it. I just finished Mosiah 18 and was touched by the faith and diligence of Alma. He put his life in danger by doing what he did-- but it was his knowledge of the truth that led him to that point. THEN, the number of those who believe increases from approx 200 to approx 500.. SO NEAT. It reminded me that we ARE planting seeds. I have worked so hard and know we've strengthened the members here. I am content and happy with life. It is hard, but I am growing. Thanks for the letters of love and encouragement. They make all the difference in my attitude and love for everything. 

Love and think about you!

[insert cheek to cheek hug here]

Love,

Sorella Kate Beus

P.S. There are AMAZING Italian products too... I do love everything about Italy :)
(Handwritten Jan 27, 2013)

Seasoned Salt photo cred:

http://www.fanpop.com/clubs/lawrys-seasoned-salt/images/9828663/title/lawrys-photo

Scotch Tape photo cred:

www.shopbrodart.com/tape/3m-scotch-tape/

Staying in Florence! Excited for McKay To Come!

Anziano Tanner got to be the MTC Traffic Cop

I will be STAYING in FLORENCE!!! I am so happy. I am in love with this city! My companion will be Sorella Santoro from Bari, Italy. Woohoo! I'm going to have an Italian companion! We will probably only get one transfer together before the wave of sorelle hits next transfer...but I am grateful nevertheless. I can't wait to learn from her. I remember when I first met her at a sister missionary conference, I had the thought that I would like to serve with her some day, and Heavenly Father made it happen. He is the best. I am going to miss Sorella Eaton like crazy though! She has been such a great friend and companion. We will definitely find each other after the mission.

We are moving into a new apartment in about two weeks and can't wait. We are losing our district leader and zone leader! They are going home! Crazy. But that opens up a few new spots...maybe for an Anziano McKay Tanner?!?! (Katie's cousin:) We'll find out tomorrow!

SO ready to get to Milan!

I don't know what to share this week. I am learning more about life every day. It's such a neat opportunity. Look for letters in the mail.

Oh and btw, can you email friends and family members to thank them for their Christmas cards?! I loved receiving them! They are all so beautiful!

Love,
Kate

Crazy News! From 24 to 68 Sorelle by June!

Family, how did I get so lucky to be yours?

Oh, you are the BEST! Family, how did I get so lucky to be yours? I know I ask that every week, but I mean it! I have been so overwhelmed with love and gratitude this week and I have no idea why. I just am so grateful for the gospel, the scriptures, and the mission. My life is changing. My heart is changing. My mind is changing (hopefully for the better, haha). It just doesn't get better than this. I get so excited when I think about sharing all my experiences with you when I get home.

First things first.... DAD!!! I am SOOOOOOO thrilled for you!! I can't wait to hear about all the miracles you will see... I have been so emotionally touched by all the men who hold the priesthood in the church and who accept callings to serve. You have always been a great example to me in your desire to serve others. The Lord has so much faith and confidence in you! As do I. I have NO doubt that the Lord WILL prepare a way for you to do everything you have to do. He is guiding every step you take. Thank goodness, right? He is the best guide...EVER. I couldn't help but be overwhelmed with love, gratitude, and even more love. :) Dad, you and mom and our family are THE BEST THINGS that have ever happened to me. The mission has made me appreciate you all so much more. I am trying not to miss you all, but you make it hard, haha. You're all just too amazing!

The work is going so well! Two days ago, two investigators that we had let go CALLED US to set up an appointment. That never happens to us. So it was pretty cool. Heavenly Father loves us.

Other crazy news...so right now, there are about 24 sisters in the mission (more or less), but by June, there will be 68!!!!!!!!! This is HUGE!!! There will be sisters EVERYWHERE in the mission!! I feel sooooo lucky to be a part of the growth of the church in Italy. I feel so blessed that God wanted me here in this time and in this place to be a leader and an example to those sisters who will be coming in. I am learning so much, thanks to humbling experiences and miracles. I feel my Savior's love every day of my life here. It's the best.

I am so sorry I don't send very long emails. I feel like it is unfair of me to want emails from you when I just don't have time to write and respond...but please know that every email you send is so loved and appreciated! It makes me feel SO happy to know you thought of me!! So, yeah. Thanks again. :)

Anyway, I will be praying for you all! Love you!

Wonderful to Witness Rock Solid Friendships 1-23-13

http://www.blazetravelguides.org/destinations/florence/cascine-park

(Above Picture)  The Duomo is the cathedral on 

the left middle side of the picture. Katie and her companion would have been on the right side of the River Arno walking next to the grass parkway.

(Right picture)   Farther down the grass parkway

(Below picture) Tuesdays there is an outdoor market

Oh my goodness, I am in LOVE with Firenze. It is the best city in the mission and I am completely biased, haha. We were out doing finding work yesterday morming at this park called the Cascine. It is alongside a river and you can see the Duomo peeking out from the middle of the city. There are people walking "ther" dogs and markets all set up. It is gorgeous. The sky had just cleared up for a second before the rain hit again, and it just hit me how much I love this city. I love talking with the people here. Everyone has a story to share. I love Italians.

This morning, we were supposed to have an appointment, so we double-checked the address and were on our way. The appointment was with a really cute and sweet Peruvian girl who was so excited to talk with us! We get to the address, and no joke, we were in front of a building called "The Church of Christ." I immediately thought, oh well that's funny, I think she was totally pulling a prank on us! I laughed and thought it was no coincidence that in ALLLL of Firenze, and out of ALLL the apartments, we would just by chance get this address. I thought it was a good one! I mean if you're going to pull a prank on some missionaries, that would be it! My thoughtful and sweet companion, Sorella Eaton, decided to at least call her and check again. Turns out, we had the wrong address and she wasn't just pulling a prank on us after all. Oh well. It felt good to laugh and hey! We will see her again!

Firenze is such a neat little city. There are so many fun little finds. There are a lot of family-run restaurants. There are lots of little shops to explore. Like I said earlier, everyone has a story. For example, we met a guy yesterday that said he was in Firenze years before they began building houses. His house was surrounded by green fields and the river. When he talked about Firenze, he glowed! There is definitely a special light in the people of Italy. They have so much going for them! They love family. They love food. They love friends. And actually, they love their religion and culture. I love seeing how proud they are of their country. It is incredible being here.

As far as the work goes, we are still just moving along! We have been trying really hard as of late to strengthen the less active members, like I said last week. It seems to be working! I love hearing the conversion stories of the members over here! I realize that I am so lucky to have been raised in the gospel, but I really do admire those who chose this road without knowing how different it would be. We have every kind of member here. And they all work together in this unique way that is unlike anywhere else. For some, the branch is their family. There is a friendship among the members that is rock solid...and wonderful to witness.

I can't believe I've been in this beautiful country for over 5 months!! I couldn't be luckier. :) Thanks for loving me from afar. Sometimes, it feels like my life up to this point has just been a dream. I am obsessed with my family and how cool they are. My friends are the best friends that anyone could ever ask for. Seriously. I don't know where or who I'd be without them. Life is good. :)

Love,

Sorella Kate Beus

I love my LIFE! Everything is GOOD! 1-16-13

I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE FLORENCE!!!! BEST CITY EVER!!!! Can't wait to come here with you and DAD!!!!! :) :) :) I think this transfer is going to be a GOOD ONE! Knock on wood. These past few weeks, we are starting to slowly see miracles. We found a solid investigator who is SO excited about our message. She is a mother of two, and knows how important her role is in the family. She kept promising us she will read the Book of Mormon and we thought it was way cute.

We had zone training yesterday and talked about how special this time is to be serving in Italy. The work is about to get HUGE! There are A LOT of missionaries coming in within the next few transfers. It is so exciting for us! I can't believe I am part of this wonderful work. I just want to soak it all in. Geesh, we are blessed.

Sorella Eaton is the best. She is FULL of light. She smiles and waves at everyone. She always makes me want to be a better missionary. She is really uplifting. I love how positive she is! We are hoping to stay together for at least one more transfer. :)

I finally got the Christmas letters and loved it!! You are all the best support system!! Thanks for keeping me going!! I adore getting emails. They make me want to work harder!! I mean, how often do you get to do missionary work in FLORENCE ITALY!! This city is full of strong members and families. Once again, so blessed. The mission is hard, but I guess that's why you end up loving it.

Love you!

Gotta go! 

e basta. ;)

Sorella Katie Beus

THIS WILL GIVE YOU A MAXIMUM MISSIONARY  BOOST!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bg74zh6GhY8

"An Eye Of Faith" - Then and Now

Two years ago this very weekend, Katie chose this road to becoming a missionary, and wrote 

"I hope to be able to see everything with an eye of faith..." 

This is her testimony now............

"All we can do is work hard, ask for His will to be done,

and have enough trust and faith in Him to wait patiently for the results."

I think she achieved this goal....

Wow... this mother could not love her more!

Skype Report 1-1-13

She called earlier than planned but luckily Kim caught it!

The only moment she cried... seeing her nephews

         
Christmas was so great. I LOVED seeing you all. You are all the lights of my life. I just want to be with you guys forever...and I CAN. Yayyayayayayayayay! This gospel rocks.

Skyping with our beloved Katie... 47 minutes of FUN!

1-1-13

Buongiorno!!!

You are the cutest family. By FAR. You sure do make the mission easier, haha. I know that some missionaries say that to talk to their families makes it harder, but to be honest, you all make me want to work even harder! I love it! You make life on the mission wonderful. :) I definitely feel your prayers and love and support. Every day. Thank you sooooo very much. You all look SO good!! It was fun to see your faces and hear your voices!

Not much has changed since last week. My poor companion got a bad flu and we have been trying to help her feel better. Poor girl. She is feeling a whole lot healthier now, and we go out and work...but the people are still enjoying the holidays. So the streets are pretty bare. That's okay. Miracles are waiting for us..I can feel it, haha. ;)

Love you all! 

Kate

We are ONE! Christmas in the Italy Milan Mission

Zone Christmas Conference 2012 - Matching Scarves and Ties!

19 Dicembre 2012 (handwritten letter)

Mother and Father,

I know this won't get to you before Christmas, but I wanted to take this little moment to tell you how much I love you... especially this Christmas. I got the packages on the 17^th and I had THE best time opening them. You both spoiled me TOO much! I was on a “be grateful, not guilty” kick for a lil' bit as I was going through & marveling at how thoughtful you are! I shared the Twizzlers with my district as we were taking the train from the zone conference in Modena back to Firenze. (Side note: the train we took was SWEET. It was like the movies where you all have a seat, and there are 6 seats in a cabin with your own heat control AND curtain. The curtains came in handy when I got tired of waking up to 3 Indian men staring at me every time I opened my eyes from my “half” nap. You would think those people have never seen a blond American before! Haha, too funny! End side note) The brownie mixes & other goodies just hit the spot! My companion is SUPER grateful. We have some carrots we just haven't used, but now can't wait to eat them with RANCH DRESSING! YAY!!! You are the best. I can't explain how much you mean to me. Gosh, why are words so hard to put together... into pretty sentences. 

Anyway, so the other package was just as loved as the other! Maybe even a little more because of the pictures as ornaments, haha. The tree is BEAUTIFUL! I was putting out all the stuff for the decorations, & just couldn't help but cry. That is THE most thoughtful Christmas gift ever ever ever. I love every single picture. It is a missionary Christmas dream come true. I loved seeing your handwriting on the plastic. I loved seeing your names on the “from” part of the packages. I love each ornament shaped picture. I love the white and gold trimmings. The socks = Classic! You NAILED it. This is turning out to be such a great Christmas. I checked the DVD to see if it works, and you should be so proud I didn't give myself a little preview, haha. I only looked at the main menu, which is beautiful & works! (on our little DVD player). I love Christmas time. I find myself thinking of you all a lot. The holidays are so fun with the whole fam. 
We'll all be HOME... NEXT Christmas!!! Riiiight?!?! :) Hope so.

Anyway...

We had just a giant Christmas Zone Conference. The Wolfgramms asked me to be the director for the musical portion of the Christmas program, & I loved it. I led a bunch of missionaries in singing classic childhood Christmas songs.... actions and all. I wish you could have seen how involved all the missionaries got! They were singing & dancing, loved it. We did a live nativity & sang Silent Night. I really appreciate that the Wolfgramms try to make Christmas fun for us. For Christmas, they gave all the sis. Missionaries the same scarf, & all the Elders the same tie. Not only that... it is the same scarf & tie that the Rome Mission Presidents gave all their missionaries!! WE ARE ONE! How cool? Right?! They also got that tie for all Bishops & Branch Presidents in all of Italy. It was such a neat idea. I LOVE THIS MISSION!! Sometimes, it just hits me how cool and random that I got called HERE! Out of all the missions... :) small world. 

In the past I have worried that I'm not changing, but am starting to notice little things... It is definitely not easy and not always fun. But there is something super satisfying about looking back on the past months & realizing you worked HARD. You cried, you fell down, you got rained, actually poured on, you froze, you died of heat... and you saw countless miracles, nevertheless.

The Lord loves us so much. And I love Him. :) This Christmas, the best gift is knowing I am a part of your family FOREVER.

Merry Christmas! (beautifully written in cursive)

Love,

Sorella Katherine Beus

Midnight Mass at the Duomo in Florence!

                                                                     http://www.aviewoncities.com/florence/duomo.htm

Sorella Eaton and I have decided to celebrate Christmas through January...because we can. :) 

By the way, Christmas is LEGIT here!!! We get to go to midnight mass at the DUOMO!!!!!!! 

THIS IS SOOOO NOT REAL!! I LOVE MY LIFE!!!!!

Video of Florence

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUkLLab8J1w

THIS WILL GIVE YOU A  MAXIMUM MISSIONARY BOOST!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bg74zh6GhY8

I love Florence... I love it! 12-19-12

From her Dad:

Dear Miss Kate, 
Can't wait to see you next week!  You are on my mind daily.  I love you so much.  I am so glad you are finding the joy that comes through sharing your love for the Italian people and being the Lord's messenger to help them learn of His great plan of Salvation.  By understanding who is their Redeemer and how they can return to their Heavenly Father they too can have that inner peace that will carry them through this life even in the most perilous of times.   I love the scripture where the Savior says, "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you.  Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." John 14:27

As you experience Christmas in a foreign country, almost half way around the world from your home, remember what a blessing it is to be in the service of He who made it all possible for us all, that we might have the fullness of joy and peace of heart.  Again, I love you.  Dad

From Katie: 

Dad, I am in love with this experience. I have had some really hard days here but every day, there is some miracle that reminds me why I'm here. Time is flying by!! The branch here is soooo wonderful. They always greet us very happily. They are grateful for sister missionaries in their branch. I feel SO lucky to be here. And I feel luckier to be your daughter. :) :) LOVE YOU!!!!

Until next week. Ciao ciao!

Your Kate

        P.S. We get to see "THE DAVID" TODAY!!!!!!! AAAHHHH!!! Can't wait! 
        I love Florence... I love it!

http://www.bluffton.edu/~sullivanm/micheldavid/side.jpg

"I love my name tag!" 12-14-12

This is from a handwritten letter to Kim:

14 Dicembre 2012

So, for the month of December, we gave a “Gift to Christ” every day. We all picked a Christlike attribute from Preach My Gospel Chapter 6 then wrote it on a paper star to put up on the Wolfgramm's Christmas tree :) :) :) They are such great mission presidents. Love them... beyond words. I hope you can meet them sometime. Anyway... I chose Diligence & it's been fun to see the change in me. Diligence is a hard quality for me... I love a good nap :) BUT there is enough to do on the mission that I need to focus & use every minute to the max. There are some times when it hits me how weird it is that I am out here. Me! Katie Beus! Imperfect & young, yet, sharing the gospel! I knock on about 40 doors & introduce myself to loads of people every day. It is so strange but so wonderful. I LOVE my nametag. I love that people look at it & associate me with the LDS church (Mormons)... Now, if only people would LISTEN! Geesh.

I wish I would have done more missionary work before I went on my mission. I had no idea how simple it is! All you need to do is open your mouth! Yeah, it's different when the people walk up to you & are staring at your name tag b/c you just ask them if they've ever heard of this church before while pointing to your tag. But still, you would be amazed at all the different ways you can bring up the church in random conversation. I try & think of anything to ask people while on the bus so I can at least talk to them. Per esmpio... I was sitting across from a lady on the bus & I had NO idea how to start talking to her but knew I wanted to... so I asked her where we can buy Christmas lights. HAHA! Funny thing was... it was still November & she thought I was CRAZY. Oh well... I tried. :) …

I am content here on the mission. I thought serving in Bergamo was hard, but we had it good in Bergamo. Kimmy, we don't have anything. No lessons, no investigators, no BLANKETS... but we did go out & buy Christmas lights! Life is always cozier with Christmas lights. FACT.

She decorated our Christmas Letters :)

The Reality Of It All... Dec 2012

Excerpts of Katie's letter to her Grandma who just got back from serving a mission herself:

I loved getting your letter! I am always so impressed with your knowledge of the gospel... Thank you for thinking of me! I am the luckiest granddaughter in the world. :) 

The new area is proving to be a lot more difficult than I had expected. Grandma, when we got here we didn't have a-n-y-thing. We do finding work ALL DAY EVERY DAY. I was so blessed to serve in such a well established city before this. To go from not enough time in the day for all the lessons we had to teach to no lessons at all has been very humbling. Every little miracle is noticed, and we are beyond grateful for any success we have. I'm learning a whole lot. 

I think it's healthy to remember the reality of it all. This is the Lord's work, and His timing is key. We can't ask Him to do what He isn't ready to do. All we can do is work hard, ask for His will to be done and have enough trust and faith in Him to wait patiently for the results. 

We did companion exchanges last week with 2 sisters who are in their last 2 transfers. I hope I can be in their shoes one day and know that I've done my best. I want to look back on the mission and be happy and feel fulfilled. So far, so good :) but there is still quite a ways to go. I'm ready. I am so excited to keep growing and seeing miracles. Thank you for the prayers. They are felt. :) 

I love you oh so much!

Sorella Katie Beus

Sorella Eaton Shout Out... 12-12-12

Sorella Eaton and I get along SOOOO well. Sometimes we forget that we've only known each other for a few weeks. We have way too much fun talking at night and sharing family stories. We are at the point where she quotes my nephew, and I quote her siblings, haha. It is great. We don't have to talk very much to know what the other is thinking. Truly, she is one of the biggest breaths of fresh air! I LOVE HER! She is the epitomy of nice. She is brilliant. When she teaches, she teaches with so much patience and love. It is crazy how she does it. She helps people understand what we are teaching in a manner where they can't confuse it. She is straight up talented! Wow, did I get lucky or what?! I have had STELLAR companions.

Visiting Old Friends in Bergamo-- Dec 12, 2012

I am writing from BERGAMO!!!!

Yes, you heard right. I got a call last Thursday saying that my "permission card" to stay in the country has arrived and was waiting for me in Bergamo and needed to be picked up on Wednesday. Which means, I had to go back!!! YAY! Not only that. Sorella Eaton got her card too, but it came into Torino...so that meant we had to go there TOO! We went to Torino on Sunday night and got to do a little bit of the work with the sisters there. It was fun, and BEAUTIFUL! I would love to serve there one day. How cool to serve in the same place where your family lived for centuries?! Start praying now, haha. We got permission to go to Bergamo on Tuesday and do splits with the sisters here...which meant that Sorella Padula and I got to work together again!!!!! I cannot express in words how beautiful the splits were. I was SO excited to see the people here. Sorella Padula knew I was coming, so she set up appointments for us with Stephen and Patrisia, and some other great people. She also didn't tell any of them I was coming so I could surprise them. How sweet is that?! I wish I could express how cute they were!! There faces were SOOOOOO surprised and SOOOOOOO happy to see me! It felt like coming home after a long vacation. They all asked if I could stay longer. It felt good. We saw miracles like CRAZY! Seriously. One after another. Bergamo is doing SO well. Sorella Padula and I had some great conversations. She kept telling me that all the miracles that were happening now were due to the hard work that I did...and of course the timing of the Lord. She was so sweet. We were super content and happy to work together again. Pure love. I am beyond grateful for the things she taught me and continues to teach me. We taught some fabulous lessons. Overall, this was one of the best mission Christmas presents EVER. There are tons of baptisms scheduled for the people that we started teaching last transfer, and I am so grateful for the Lord for helping them all prepare. Sigh.... life is good.