Letter #9 and Pictures from Bari, Italy

Dear Parents and family and friends,

I know I am sending this email to all, but at the beginning I have an EMERGENCY! (Don't worry I am not bleeding nor will I die).

Do you remember how last week I mentioned our cockroach infestation? Well, on Thursday Fratello Pastano came and sprayed some heavy duty poison in the apartment. That selfsame day we left, Sorella Mikesell for Foggia and me for Rome. We returned, and by then I had forgotten how horrible our apartment was. Well, we arrived Saturday afternoon and found many dead bugs and I was HAPPY.

Dead cockroaches

I then decided to clean under the kitchen sink, just in case I found more dead ones. Well...I found a lot of ALIVE ones. THEY DIDN'T DIE!! But we found where they were coming from!! :) They are all in, under, behind our cabinet unit in the kitchen where our sink and oven are connected.

Molded cabinet unit

Hole in the door to our balcony that they come in

Close-up of a cockroach

They also have crawled and pooped over all our dishes in the dish drying rack above the sink! So I sprayed under the sink and the BIG MAMA'S CAME OUT (literally, one was pregnant). WE IMMEDIATELY called Fratello Pastano again and explained that though he had sprayed everything in the house, he had missed the 3 feet where they were living. He wanted to come proprio the next day but we did not have time so he came early this morning. 

We pulled out the cabinet that was only being held to the wall by a thin strip of moldy caulk. And there were SO MANY BUGS. He sprayed all of the kitchen down (EVEN HE was grossed out) We dismantled the WHOLE KITCHEN and threw away a lot of food. 

Here is the emergency, we have to leave the kitchen all dismantled and in upheaval for 2-3 days and we cannot cook in it.

Sink lined in cockroach poop

Kitchen is a disaster area

Long story short, I need more money. I know you just sent me money but that disappeared fast with train tickets. I might still have some in USAA but I have no way to check my account balance. I have no money and we have to eat out for a few days. Even 10-15 euro will be fine. And the sooner you put it in the better (aka this afternoon).

Now if it is not possible for you guys, that is okay because we have canned corn and such and I can rough it out. BUT it would be nice to be able to eat hot food.
 

Now after all the dramatics to the more serious stuff...

When is Thanksgiving? because I have no idea :) I just want to know for curiosity sake. Me and Sorella Mikesell are going to make a nice big dinner the preparation day closest to Thanksgiving. 

Mom, I also would like some tips on condimenting a chicken, I have done it before but I do not remember all of what spices to use and the temperature, etc.

I don't feel like I am very useful as an STL (Sister Training Leader) but I am doing my best. Before I came to Capi conference, I made a goal to talk to at least someone while I was on all of the trains etc. I tried to keep this goal in mind and in my prayers. I had many opportunities to talk with people but one in particular stood out. On the way home to Bari. I was separated from the other 3 missionaries and seated across from 2 people who did not know each other. I do not remember how but a question came up about "who I was?" and "Why I was there?" I explained about the mission and from there a beautiful conversation started that lasted 3 hours. They asked many questions and I had the opportunity to share the Restoration and the Plan of Salvation. They listened so well. One of them accepted a Book of Mormon and the other a Restoration Pamphlet. The conversation just flowed so smoothly.

It was only after this experience that I realized that God allowed me to be His instrument because I was open to the spirit and had a desire. I feel like these are two of the most important things in missionary work.

I love being here in Bari. There is so much potential and I feel blessed for the opportunity I have had to see people's lives change and watch them come unto Christ. 

As my last letter ended on a more spiritual note I want to continue that way. That train experience was wonderful. I have had many amazing moments in my mission but that one on the train was one of the best. 

This Sunday, during sacrament meeting in the Bari Libertà ward. I was sitting there and I was astounded by the miracles I was looking at. I was watching some of our African members pass the sacrament (when I first got there our ward did not know how to involve these wonderful people). Those who were passing the sacrament, I remember when they first started meeting with the Anziani. I was sitting next to Giovanni, who I was blessed to teach a little and was baptized in January. I saw Sorella De Vanna sitting in Sacrament meeting and another inactive who we had just contacted this week, Sorella Rita D'amore. I saw how much closer these members were. I Realized I was looking at miracles. 

I was looking at the efforts of so many missionaries that served before me, or with me, I feel blessed that out of all of those missionaries, God let me see the results of their work. As I sat in that meeting, I wanted to stand up and shout glory to MY God for His merciful hand and the lives He has molded. I do not know why I am lucky enough that I get to see these people change over a long space of time but I thank Him for this gift. 

I love Bari!!! And I never want to leave even if there are cockroaches in our apartment! :) I praise God for all that He has done for me and for the opportunity I have to be a missionary.

I love you all so much!!

Sorella Preston

Letter #8 from Bari, Italy

Yes, family and friends, we have COCKROACHES, or in Italian BLATTE! Every morning I wake up and go in the kitchen and kill 10 who have been killed by our cockroach poison. This morning I killed another 30!

I am the one assigned to killing the bugs because Sorella Mikesell is terrified :) (Thank you Dad for taking me fishing and getting me comfortable handling crickets and such.) I will be getting dressed and then I will hear a scream from the kitchen and I run with a swatch of toilet paper and get the little bugger! (pun intended) 

Don't worry mom and Dad, we have reported it and there will be people coming to spray. We are pretty sure there is a nest judging by the numbers and that I also kill and find a lot of baby cockroaches. 

Besides our cockroach infestation things have been going quite well. Our bishops in both wards have been really accommodating with our new assignments and have been helping us a lot. We also have been trying to get to know the Poggiofranco members.

This Saturday we went with the ward to go clean the house of a sister in Poggiofranco ward, where we dealt with more bugs, and I am sporting a few spider bites :) (Again, don't worry the spiders were not poisonous). It was quite dirty but all the members were so kind to her. She let us throw away a lot of stuff. I am very proud of that sister being open to our help.

Some of the members are upset about not having sisters anymore and we are getting the brunt of their disappointment. I was a little frustrated yesterday while sitting in church. The human side of me was thinking; "You know what! If they don't want us, we don't need to be here! WE volunteered to come help them, but if they don't appreciate it, just leave them be!" Right when these thoughts came the next speaker got up. Her topic was becoming more Christlike. She talked about how we only need to think and say kind words about each other and we need to turn the other cheek.

I realized that this was a message for me! It does not matter if some do not appreciate the work we are doing. Because there are many who do appreciate that we are there. And even if no one wanted me there I still had to do what I was called to do! I have to work my hardest and love them and invite them to come unto Christ. I have to move on apart from their indifference and maybe they will someday appreciate it. It was a great reminder to me that the journey to be like Christ is A LIFE-LONG PURSUIT!(PMG p. 123) And I am not there yet, but God loves me with all of my imperfections! 

I love you all and I am so grateful for your love and support. You all inspire me!

Love.

Sorella Preston

Letter #7 from Bari, Italy

Dear family and friends,

I feel like recently on all my emails I title them "Crazy News" because crazy stuff is happening here in Italy.

We got our transfer calls this Saturday and Sorella Mikesell and I are staying here in Bari. That is not the crazy news... the crazy news is that Sorella Ghio and Sorella Ruppe are both leaving and they are not being replaced. They are being pulled out!! This means that Sorella Mikesell and I are the Sorella For BOTH WARDS. Those of you who have served missions will understand how crazy this is.

We will be like missionaries in America that are over 2-3 wards. Our area will cover (for those of you who know St. Louis) from outside St. Charles, through St. Louis and surrounding areas, all the way to Springfield, Illinois. I would say we could drive from one end to the other in 3-4 hours. Now there are a lot less members than there are in those wards and branches in St. Louis. But I hope you can picture the size of our area. In fact, we chose to be the Sorelle to both wards because the Poggiofranco Sorelle have many female contacts and female less actives they are teaching and helping. We did not want these people to be lost so we are going to try and help.

Both wards are meeting now in our building so we will go to church from 9-12 and then from 16-19 pm. I am excited! 

Last night we went to the Poggiofranco ward and they had a baby blessing. Mom and Dad, do you remember Femy Bellomo, Grazia Bellomo's daughter? Well she remembers you and sends her greetings. Her grandson was blessed last night. It was so beautiful. Most of Grazia Bellomo's family is inactive and last night the chapel was filled with family and friends that have not been in church for years!! I almost cried to see how this little baby boy was able to unite and these people again and bring them to church. There was a beautiful spirit and I know that they felt it! I wish you all could have been there.

Baby blessing from Left to right: Femy Bellomo, Sorella Maria Scarola, Franco Scarola (Grandpa del bimbo), Elli (Femy's daughter), baby Francesco, Grazia Bellomo  

I love Bari: I have been learning how to make Barese pasta, orecchiette from scratch, pasta al forno, and Bietole, and foccacia, and pizza, and panzerotti. You all should be VERY EXCITED. Because I am going to cook such good food for you, if I can find the goods in America. I think I will be able to (thank you Costco) or at least very close!! YAY

Me and Sorella Gallone making Foccacia 

Me and Sorella Mikesell making Orecchiette with Sorella Devanna

I am going to try to attach some fotos. I love you all so much and I am hope that you are all doing well.

Love, 

Sorella Preston

Letter #6 from Bari, Italy

Dear Family and friends,

I just learned today that they are changing our Preparation day. I HAVE NO IDEA WHY!!! But our p-day will now be MONDAY. It is really weird for me. This will be starting October 14th, So in 5 days you get a new email from me. I totally support this decision but I must admit I am confused and would like to know the why. "BUO" (shoulder shrug)

This week has been wonderful especially because this weekend was General Conference. Best experience of my life!! I have always loved General Conference. I have great parents and they did a great job with a us Preston kids. They always made Conference a spiritual experience. Every 6 months we would dress up in our Sunday clothes and go to the church building for a special Saturday and Sunday broadcast. The prophet and the 12 apostles and other leaders of the church would speak on various topics a total of about 10 hours. 

Even though we could have watched it on the internet in recent years (because of technology advances) we always went to the church. To as many hours as possible. I knew it was something special. For a little kid it would have been more fun to sit in the corner playing tictactoe with my friends. (Over the years I did do this every now and then :) ) But my parents set the example - they always payed full attention. And I would feel stupid if I didn't. Even if the most attention I could do was try to listen and color. 

When I was little I remember looking over at my mom and she would be taking very intense notes. Every now and then I would look up and see her in tears because of the prophetic words being spoken. This made me want to take notes. So started from age 8 (maybe even younger) I would go and take notes. I would write down the names of the speakers and try to write down what they said word for word. It was not long before I realized this was impossible. 

Now my notes make more sense and are more legible than an eight year old's but I LOVE general conference. 

As a missionary general conference continues to be wonderful. It has very real application. During conference I usually hear things that I want to share with people. Family or investigators. I hear a talk and I think, "Fabrizia needs to hear this" etc-

Every conference I feel like there are themes. I feel like the themes for this conference were:

1) Helping those who are no longer active in the church come back. I loved President Henry B. Eyering's talk. I was crying so hard.

To quote President Eyering

"I have prayed with faith that someone I loved would seek and feel the power of the Atonement. I have prayed with faith that human angels would come to their aid, and they came.

God has devised means to save each of His children. For many, that involves being placed with a brother or a sister or a grandparent who loves them no matter what they do...

There is a wonderful lesson for us all. The way for loving parents and grandparents and all of God’s servants will not be easy in a decaying world. We cannot force God’s children to choose the way to happiness. God cannot do that because of the agency He has given us.

Heavenly Father and His Beloved Son love all of God’s children no matter what they choose to do or what they become. The Savior paid the price of all sins, no matter how heinous. Even though there must be justice, the opportunity for mercy is extended which will not rob justice.

Alma expressed that hope to his son Corianton in these words: “Therefore, according to justice, the plan of redemption could not be brought about, only on conditions of repentance of men in this probationary state, yea, this preparatory state; for except it were for these conditions, mercy could not take effect except it should destroy the work of justice. Now the work of justice could not be destroyed; if so, God would cease to be God.”3

My message then to my grandchildren, and to all of us trying to forge eternal families, is that there is joy guaranteed for the faithful. From before the world was, a loving Father in Heaven and His Beloved Son loved and worked with those who They knew would wander. God will love them forever."

This talk was so comforting - God will love us and our loved ones forever. So should we!!

The second theme I noticed was Endure to the end. No matter what the world says, do what is right!!!

There were many themes. What themes stood out to you all?

I also really like the talk by President Monson in the Relief Society Broadcast. My favorite thing he said was:

"There will be times when you will walk a path strewn with thorns and marked by struggle. There may be times when you feel detached—even isolated—from the Giver of every good gift. You worry that you walk alone. Fear replaces faith. When you find yourself in such circumstances, I plead with you to remember prayer. I cherish the words of the poet:

I know not by what methods rare,

But this I know, God answers prayer.

I know that He has given His Word,

Which tells me prayer is always heard,

And will be answered, soon or late.

And so I pray and calmly wait.

I know not if the blessing sought

Will come in just the way I thought;

But leave my prayers with Him alone,

Whose will is wiser than my own,

Assured that He will grant my quest,

Or send some answer far more blest.6

"My dear sisters [and brothers], your Heavenly Father loves you—each of you. That love never changes. It is not influenced by your appearance, by your possessions, or by the amount of money you have in your bank account. It is not changed by your talents and abilities. It is simply there. It is there for you when you are sad or happy, discouraged or hopeful. God’s love is there for you whether or not you feel you deserve love. It is simply always there."

This talk really comforted me. I know that GOD's love is always there. Especially when we assume it isn't. I love you all so much . I love being a missionary. I love my Savior "For the Lord JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also has become my salvation" (2Nephi 22:2) It comforts me that my Savior's love is always there and I know it is always there for all of you! 

Love you lots

Sorella Preston

P.s. Expect a Lot of photos next week :)

Letter #5 and Pictures from Bari, Italy

Dear family and friends,

The seasons have started to change and now it is cooler and I have a cold :) So this email will be shorter. (Don't worry!! I am fine I just have to let it run its course :)

Mom

1) Grazia Bellomo's Son is named Nicola.

2) I have not seen a Francesco Bellomo

3) Enza Bellomo never was married. She has worked for Grazia and Raffaele Bellomo for 50 years. (About) So maybe you saw her around at church when you were here. But she was not baptized till '73 I think.

4) All is set for skype this Friday with the Bellomo's and I will give them your phone number :)

This week has been great. We had Stake Conference and Zone Conference right after each other and then this weekend will be General Conference. I am so excited!!

During zone conference Sorella Mitsvotai and I took Sorella Waddoups to visit to members here in Bari. This is Sorella Waddoups, me, and Sorella Panza

Us at zone conference. All the Sorelle di Bari and Taranto Zones

At our Stake Conference, Anziano Leimer, a member of the Area Seventy, came and spoke to us. He challenged all the members to raise our youth. We have to prepare them, and start it at home!! He then also talked about General Conference. He challenged us to go with a question, and listen to what our leaders say. He also said to learn from their example and lives. He shared a story about Thomas S. Monson. He said that as he was waiting at temple square, one of the senior missionaries came and talked with him. The conversation led to this missionary sharing this story with him.

This missionary's wife was very sick and in the hospital. His 3 grandsons were waiting in the hospital room visiting her, when a tall shadow filled the door. It was President Monson. He explained that he was uninvited and unexpected but asked is he could come in. He sat and talked with this woman for  an hour. Gave her a blessing, and left. Anziano Leimer asked, "What does an hour of the prophet's time do" He shared how this woman's story ended. She was fine. Lived a happy 2 more years and died peacefully at home. But then he said, Think of the difference 1 hour had on those 3 grandsons. How were they affected? They watched the prophet come and take an hour to come an sit with their grandmother. They later served missions and brought the gospel to others. "What is an hour with the prophet in a generation!" That one hour changed hundreds of lives. Anziano Leimer then explained. We must learn from our leader's examples. We do not have to be the prophet to go and spend that hour. To go and visit others, smile at the people on the street. It is part of our baptismal covenant to do this.

He said, "There is a reason why God's prophet in these days is a bishop at heart. And always will be. What do you think God is trying to teach us?"

I wanted to recount these parts of Anziano Leimer's address so that you will be as excited for General Conference as I am. Be prepared to go hear their words and then be "Doers of the Word" I know that this church, The Church of Jesus Christ, is led by a living prophet of the Living GOD. The priesthood of God has been restored and we all can be blessed and have been blessed by this power.

I love you all so much,

Love Sorella Preston