** 8/6/14 **

Hello everyone!!! 

This is the last email from her mission!! She will be home Friday!!
Thank you all for your support for Kassi on her mission!

We are super excited to have her coming home, I can't wait!!! We are so very proud of her and all of the missionaries out there and the missionaries that email me, I love reading all the emails, they give me inspiration and help my testimony and spirit grow! 

Love,

Debi aka sorella Gillette's mom

---------------------------------------------------------

And so it ends...

MAYBE I started freaking out today in the grocery store asking if America had my fave scamorza cheese...or tortellini? I don't know! All I remember is processed snacks and basta! 

MAYBE I started feeling antsy sickness as I am reading the emails about home...

I've been rather calm and collected this whole time until about an hour ago.

Last night I talked to Sorella Bucco, Alessandro, new convert from Lodi who is visiting Sanremo and went to a fireside there last night and called me! He then passed the phone to Bucco and then the whole entire branch screamed hello to me. It was such a tender mercy. Also Presidente Bignami called me to say goodbye the other day. I almost cried. 

Last pday we went to Milano and I got to be with my Filippini from Navigli! We had lunch together at the Burger King of Duomo. Then when I was taking some last photos with 2 new converts I started to ball and I couldn't hold it back. Then randomly the Sorelle of Muggiò showed up and it helped me choke down the tears haha. And pretty much every sorella was at Duomo so we all randomly saw each other and hung out! It was so fun. 

Tomorrow the Young Women from Torino are taking a 2 hour train just to come say goodbye to me at the station!! I am super stoked. Not to mention most of my old compies are training my replacements! I called it! So I will be able to see most of them tomorrow! I wrote everyone cards of love and death haha. 

Also, I AM A GRANDMA NOW! Sorella Walch is training! And I knew she would have to come up from Firenze to spend the night near Milano to get there on time, so I called the APs and out of the kindness of Anziano Tanner's heart...WALCH IS COMING TONIGHT to sleep over before we go to Milano tomorrow! I am sooooo happy. I brought her into this world and now she is taking me out! 

MAYBE Sorella Carter bought party hats....

Freak man....what do I even say. I don't even know who reads this anyways haha. 

Shared my last testimony in Italian on Sunday. I didn't really have words. There are not words to describe the mission, or Italy or how divinely intricate this year and a half was. 

I would do it all over again in a heart beat, even longer if I could. It changed my entire life in every way. It is sacred and beautiful. Usually looking back on the memories, I feel bad that the mission hasn't been "super hard" for me. But lately I have reflected back to more difficult moments and I thought whoa. I did do hard things, there were big trials all the time what am I saying?! haha. But I don't think back on those negative things and I didn't realize it too much in the meantime because of all the good that happens! It outweighs by a long shot. Just like Elder Bott says in the district. #Shoutout

It really is the best 18 months-2 years. If you allow it to be. I am eternally grateful for this adventure and all of the blessings and experiences that came with it. Above all the lessons learned and how I have personally changed, my favorite part would probably be the relationships formed. Companions, friends in the field, members, investigators, my parents, my Savior and Heavenly Father. 

I am not leaving Italy, it will always be with me. :)

I love you all. More than you love me. That is doctrine. 

A presto. 

Sorella Gillette

(luckily that title will still work :))

That's my peace, that's my cents, that's my journal entry for this week.

J Hepworth. 

Read it.

name the reference and feel proud.

** 7/30/14 **

The longest email I think I have ever written

So I already had to say goodbye to a new convert yesterday, Alessandro. (man in photo in the museum...a.k.a his house.) He is going on vacanza in SANREMO. The holy land! He loves that place so we always had that in common. It was so sad. Then 2 other new converts found out I was leaving and were so sad. What the heck I still have time! 

Last night Fiona made me ball. She kept saying how grateful she was that we came over and how we are a blessing to her from God and how sad she will be that I won't be around anymore. Then I said I still have a week and a half and she said "that's nothing." haha. But anyways it was a very sweet tender mercy all the kind things people said to me yesterday. I really felt the spirit. Which was my goal as I close the mission, to really focus on enjoying being around the spirit so strongly all the time and not be immune to it. The Lord instantly blessed me as soon as I prayed for that. 

I know I came here just to meet these new converts and members. They have all taught me a lot of life lessons to take with me as I go. I still am in denial and don't feel like I am leaving. I just feel like it's another transfer.

And I am so jealous seeing everything that is happening in my old cities with my old lovies...ahhh covet. I just want to be back there with all of them!

But hey, MIRACLES. Some of my Navigli filipini are going to duomo today to say goodbye to me!!! and then for transfer circles some of my Torino young women are taking a 2 hour train down just to say goodbye! I LOVE THESE PEOPLE. 

We have been trying to do alot more service lately, this is the first city where I feel like I have been able to! Alot of dishes have been done, and we helped fix up and paint a newlywed's new home on Saturday. So many spiders! Sorella Carter is a champ and saved my life a few times. Imagine little Carter with a big broom and me with a giant bottle of bug killer. There are so many spiders in this area of Italy! Big suckers too. 

Let's see. Got to hang out with the Rodriguez family, photo with the food.

Ate lunch on Sunday with the Ruiz Diaz fam,













then we played ninja! It was so funny, even the parents played!! 

Last pday us, Sorella Condie and McCann went around Pavia on the hunt for McCann's dream shoes. It was alot of fun being with them. 

Funny Story: We are eating at Diablo's...a western burger joint in Pavia! They play country music! Sorella McCann and I are chatting as our compies went to the bathroom, she was telling me her realization that morning of how much time we really had left. She leaned in, all serious like, and broke down how we had one more pday, another=home. By that point Condie had returned, when Slla McCann said that, it hit me. and I made weird stuttering noises and then my eyes started to water. Then McCann's did too. Then we were in this weird moment of laughing, crying and staring at each other in shock hahaha. Condie was like "Don't look at each other!!" and blocked our faces with napkins haha. It was like a menopause moment...super funny. 

So as you can see, I am trying to be more detailed because I know I am not usually...seeing as how there is only one more email left after this..here's the goods. 

Everyone needs to watch the church short film called 'Mountain of the Lord.' It was so good! 

In conclusion...exactly how I feel from my fav chapter of the Book of Mormon...

And now behold I say unto you, has there been so great love in all the land? Behold, I say unto you, Nay, there has not, even among the Nephites. Now have we not reason to rejoice? Yea, I say unto you, there never were men that had so great reason to rejoice as we, since the world began; yea, and my joy is carried away, even unto boasting in my God; for he has all power, all wisdom, and all understanding; he comprehendeth all things, and he is a merciful Being, even unto salvation, to those who will repent and believe on his name.Now if this is boasting, even so will I boast; for this is my life and my light, my joy and my salvation, and my redemption from everlasting wo. Yea, blessed is the name of my God, who has been mindful of this people, who are a branch of the tree of Israel, and has been lost from its body in a strange land; yea, I say, blessed be the name of my God, who has been mindful of us, wanderers in a strange land.Now my brethren, we see that God is mindful of every people, whatsoever land they may be in; yea, he numbereth his people, and his bowels of mercy are over all the earth. Now this is my joy, and my great thanksgiving; yea, and I will give thanks unto my God forever. Amen.

Thanks to the wonderful people Heavenly Father has put in my life, I know He exists, I know who I am. I know His character and the potential of all of His children. I love the Book of Mormon. Ammon is a boss. This year and a half has been the most beautiful, meaningful, life-changing experience. It was one of the best gifts the Lord has given me, behind the Atonement. I could never describe my appreciation and love. 

And there you have it folks. 

Thanks for always reading/skimming/looking at my photos. I am looking forward to seeing you. :) 

Sempre,

Sorella Gillette

** 7/23/14 **

In a glass case of emotion?

I never remember what to say after I read everyone's emails. 

Last pday we went to the top of the duomo in Milano. It was incredible. Super hot, you walk up a hidden looking staircase to get to the top. But man it was so beautiful. I love italy. 

And I finally got the dream movie I have been wanting! La vita è bella. Meno male.

Sorella McCann and I had a strange combined interview ish from President yesterday at district meeting. His dying advice to us was pretty much to not talk about going home. Sorella McCann said her dad always says, "Go out like a thief in the night." Which is super solid advice. I haven't talked about home as much as these past couple weeks. Man the struggle. 

So in Lodi there is a giant quote wall of post it notes. If you were ever my companion, you know that is right up my alley. Unfortunately all the stupid crap I am starting to say is going up there haha. Sorella Carter numba 2 is super rad. She always fights off the mosquitos from me when I lock up the bikes. That is true love. 

The members of Lodi are gems. They are some of the best missionaries ever. They do their own strada and parco finding! They are real examples of being member missionaries. We had a lesson last night with the new convert Alessandro. I always feel the spirit. He is so wise. After I said the closing prayer he said, "What a beautiful prayer, it's true they send the best to Lodi." Then I got all bashful but it was really sweet of him. We also watched some mormon messages with Fiona, another new convert. The bible video of the Savior in the Garden of Getsemani...idk how to spell it in english. But it is so powerful and my favorite. 

I had a realization that I don't have just one testimony. I have specific testimonies on different doctrinal points of the gospel. And our stories and testimonies are meant to be shared to strengthen others. Even when we think we aren't helping anyone or saying anything of value. We usually are. 

Recently I have just been reading talks after talks after talks. Man the leaders of the church know what's up! So often we let these little treasures slip by, we don't utilize all of the things Heavenly Father has given us. So I guess for the cheesy missionary council of the week...Read the Ensign/Liahona people! And constantly repent and pray for other's welfare. 

I am grateful for the last lessons of the mission the Lord is sending my way. 

I am excited to see you, but at the same time I'm not haha. :) 

VVB! 

#Blessedbetheday

** 7/16/14 **

Lodi has bikes yay!

Well last week we went to the Duomo in Milano, ate some really good American food at a place called Mama Burger haha. Good job Italy. You did it.

We also had a country ward party haha. It was a good way to meet people. Most are South American, score! They are all really nice. Traveling here is really, really stupid. Takes so long to get to all the paesini, worst I have ever seen. There are barely any buses and none on Sundays, so people are forced to be inactive. I want to rent a bus myself and just pick everyone up. Ahh the dream life.

Had a scambio with the loverly Sorella McCann for the second time! We saw a lot of miracles and it was a really good day together. Her and Sorella Condie made homemade lasagna. Sorry, I haven't really learned anything of food value like them, but I do have recipies!

There are a lot of less actives and new converts to work with and trying to help them become missionaries. People here are really good at sharing the gospel. I am proud. 

We had a lesson yesterday with a family who's daughter served a mission but isn't currently a member anymore as far as we know. Ironically I just talked with Sorella McCann about how we are worried about mantaining the schedule of reading scriptures daily and not getting consumed in the world. It can happen to the best of us and it is so scary! 

I just know I am going to be a really weird person in a few weeks. I already make jokes about fearin headphones, being alone and letting my knees shoe. che peccati! 

Thanks for your love! I am always thanking God for the wonderful people he has put in my path. I imagine if you read this boring letter, you are one of those individuals. Kudos. ;)

READ YOUR SCRIPTURES EVERY MORNING. Seriously. 

VVB. 

Sorella Gillette

** 7/9/14 **

Just when you thought it was over...

Can anyone say SPACE TRANSFER? Everyone made jokes that if anyone was randomly transfered it would be me haha. 

Well, my 2 weeks of glory in Ravenna were amazing. I was actually able to give my dying testimony (testimony on the mission you served at your last zone meeting) in Rimini with some of my cari amici. 

Giving my dying testimony was terrible, but it was so cool to be there with Sorella Clawson giving hers as well. She made me cry haha. 

It is so hard to put into words what the mission has meant to me. I talked way too much and spazzed out alot. It was nerve racking. I do remember mentioning as parts of advice to wear stretchy pants, eat gelato and use hashtags. haha gosh sorry everyone! 

Well unfortunately a sorella had to go home for medical purposes. Saturday afternoon I get a call from President, which is usually not a good thing haha. He asked me how I liked being in the trio, I said I loved it. He said, "Good, I am glad you've enjoyed your 10 days there." I said, "Oh no." He said, "Oh yes. You be gettin spaced!"

Okay maybe that last part isn't exactly verbatim. 

But anywho. I got to say goodbye to everyone on Sunday which was great. and I still got to go to the zone training on Monday. I got to see Rimini for a half second and it is beautiful! Yesterday me and my compies traveled to a random Milano station to get picked up by the Harmer couple with my new compie, Sorella Carter. Yupp round 2! 2 Carters. and now I am in Lodi! A very small town outside of Milano. The assistants are in the ward and my new sister training leaders are McCann and Condie! 

Silver linings people. I think being able to go to Ravenna was such a tender mercy. The hardest part is loving people so much so quickly and having to leave and horcrux my heart elsewhere.

So now (I think) I will end here in my 7th city, with my 15th companion. Pretty sure that is record breaking for even Anziani. But on the phone Pres said he will have me tour the mission haha. 

I am really excited to be here and see why I was needed here. I am really excited about the people. Let's hope I can leave my mark! 

Thanks for all of your love. You are GEMS.

Sempre con gratitudine, 

Sorella Gillette

P.S. I forgot a really cool 4th of July story! We go to our branch mission leader's house for lunch and he is rockin a huge American flag in the yard. He said he put it up just for us! Then before leaving I asked how he knew it was our national holiday...he was like, "What are you talking about? What holiday?" hahaha. 

These next pics were sent to me from Sorella Carter -

* 7/2/14 *

Do the Dibb!
Shout out to one of the best district meetings ever. Picture this. Me, Lefler, Clawson, Mata'u and Gneiting. Reppin the old Verona zone back in the first days. Now we are old hags. I am so happy to be with all of them.

So idk if I mentioned, Lefler and Gneiting are in the same branch and Slla Clawson is my new STL! Scambio round 2? yes. 

And I love my companions. They are so dope. Sorella Carter served in Bergamo with Woods and was Walch's MTC comp. Slla Yost is Lopez's baby. These poor souls have heard a lot about it before hand and seen some videos and photos...uh oh. haha. 

Ravenna is really pretty. Very old with it's own leaning tower. It looks like Notre Dame. We are riding our bikes in the nice breeze through old Italian buildings. Can't complain. And this city is famous for Mosaics. They are randomly all over. 

The members here are AWESOME. I hit them all up Sunday after church and we have so many member visits planned! 

I had ONE OF THE BEST ITALIAN MEALS of my life yesterday! We did homemade pasta, bolognese, my fav with some homemade bread, chicken and peas with like bacon in it. Man. And we weren't force fed any portions. It was perfect. 

Also on Sunday we taught a really dope lesson for the combined 5th sunday with the anziani. It was cool because we used 2 videos that I used all the time in Mestre. It's neat when I used up all my ideas I guess I just bring them to a new city and create more ideas. 

A member kept asking what city I served it like. oh Mestre and before that? and before that? and before that? How many cities are there?! hahaha. 

I am really happy to go hard this last transfer. I am really praying we see a baptism together. Seems like a long shot, I will be happy even if we don't, but let's be honest, it would be nice!

Thanks to all for the letters! Much love!

Sorella Gillette

p.s. I guess my homecomings talks will be aug 10 st george and aug 24 vegas. weirrrddddd. 

Oh and maybe we went to the mare today. 45 bike ride in the countryside with some corn, hay and sunflower fields on the way. AWESOME. I am a missionary in Italy. Cool. 

** 6/25/14 **

Goodbye Venezia


Well well well look who is going on their 6th and final city!! Ravenna here I come. And guess what else? In another trio! That is 3 trios and 13 compies. 14 if you count Slla Montag twice.

Well not much time today. Tipo 15 minutes of internet. Sorry. Last transfer Pday. Some photos saying goodbye to investigators, and guess who came to visit me today? 

Sorella Hanson! Her family took us out to lunch in Venezia! Super nice. 

Love you all! 

Slla Gillette.