The Count of Monte Cristo

Hello Again. 

Well it sounds like it was quite the exciting week at home. 2 5k's and a spin-a-thon, and apparently Pop-Pop went and worked out too? That's more athletic activities than I've done in my whole life  haha. You guys are CRAZY! I'm so excited to hear about the Tough Mudder! When is that again? Also, you guys all look great! I need to start running if I'm going to catch up with this super attractive fit family of mine. 

I had a pretty exciting week too. On Tuesday I got to go hang out at Presidents house while Hermana Bowers did medical examinations on the new missionaries. It's kinda fun being her little assistant...kinda of. And then we found out about changes. I probably should have seen this coming but I just didn't want to focus on it. About 2 weeks ago President informed Hermana Bowers and I that there was "A very good probability of changing the two of us together to an area which is in the mission over which he will preside". Usually President doesn't take a companionship and move them together to a new area so I was a little shocked. I was even more shocked when it actually happened. Haha. We are now opening an area called Monte Cristo (hence the lame email title). It's a challenge but I do enjoy a challenge. We are outside the city now, which I like. It's a lot different. Poorer. But the people are more friendly. We also live with 2 other Hermanas which is pretty fun at night. We all mostly just read and journal together but it's nice to have company. 

I am attaching some pictures of clothes that I really like and serve me well. You probably should not send me anything that costs too much money as the hand washing does not treat clothing very well. My wardrobe is sad.  (because all my clothes are stretching like CRAZY due to hand washing). Also, another more fitted style black skirt would be nice. Blehh I'm picky. 

I love you guys so much and I miss you like crazy. But I want you to know that I am growing so much. This is probably the hardest thing I have ever done, but I get to experience miracles every day. I know that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ live. I know that they love us and that if we have faith the love is SO easy to see. Prayers are answered everyday. 

Love you,

Hermana Victoria Giossi

P.S. You asked what the chapels here look like. Here is the mansion chapel that I now attend on Sundays. It's two
stories...and has an elevator. 

Gettin' Caught in the Rain!!!

Alright here's the deal, it escaped my mind until this past week that on Sunday May 12 I can talk to you on the phone. So now I am kinda panicked that this isn't going to happen. But I do want to talk to you so I will be waiting at the phone at 8:30 PM your time on Sunday the 12th (Mother's Day). Sorry it's so late but we have church until 6:00 (your time) and an appointment the hour after. So I will be there waiting, it should be the same deal as Christmas except that my new phone number is: 

Hope it works out :)

This week was good. We had interviews with President which was definitely the highlight. He is so inspired. He asked two simple questions and the spirit was so strong in the room. I am going to pass the questions on to you: How has your conversion become deeper in the last month (or 6 months)? and How do you feel about your Savior Jesus Christ? Questions to ponder and maybe write down. I had to answer them in the moment...that wasn't easy. I hope I made sense.

The only other things of note that happened is that we got caught in the rain (see attached pictures). It had been kind of a hard day and then the rain started as we were finishing our last appointment. So we RAN home, it took about 5 mins and as you can see I got VERY wet AND I had an umbrella. You may notice a dry spot on my skirt... that's where I was clutching my bag to try and keep my books dry (success! Only because I had them in a plastic bag. I was laughing the whole time...it was like the rain just made everything that had gone wrong that day better. I was SO EXCITED. I just wanted to stare at the rain all night. It's hard to explain but it rains different here. 

Also, I got to explain to a Latino elder what Pepto-Bismol is. That was fun to describe in Spanish. And he still couldn't find it. 

Oh and we have an investigator that according to her husband "never stops reading" her book of Mormon. He told us that and then when he left the room she informed us that he doesn't know the half of it. Sometimes when she is supposed to be cleaning the house or something she reads the book. She says she take the broom and the mop with her upstairs so it looks like she is going to clean but instead she just sits and reads. And then when her husbands calls her to ask what shes doing she walks out with the broom and tells him to leave her alone because she's trying to clean. We were cracking up laughing. If only all of us had the desire to read the scriptures like that. 

I have other stuff I could tell you about but we'll just save it for Sunday (haha, now you HAVE to call) I'll also think about the birthday package and we can talk about it then.

Love you and Miss You!

Hermana Victoria Giossi

You Can Never Do More for Him than He Does for You

Hey!

Good news, the church reimbursed me for half of the value of everything I lost last week, I was able to go to the distribution center this week and replace my scriptures and a couple other things. I still need to get a new bag, and all the camera stuff though.The camera wont be hard to find here (I'm in the city remember), nor will it be expensive. The one I looked at last week costs $100 and I have $50 set aside from the church. And I can get the memory cards cheap. I'm sure i can find an adapter somewhere., I'll look and then let you know. As far as the pictures they're gone but the good thing is in the mission you always have a companion so I will just ask Hermana Harria and Hermana Perry for their pics. I was really worried about how I was going to replace all this stuff, thank you so much to Nana for her love and support (now i'm almost crying).

I got my package this week! You're right it was super fun! I've already been using the stickers and the clothes of course. Beef jerkey is delicious. LOVE the bracelet! And I am using the pens as part of my new scripture marking system. The packages get her fast I guess, because that was only like two weeks. 

That's so cool that President Packer came to the ward. Mission Presidents sure are special people. I know that if I don't end up in the same mission as President Glazier I will really miss them. But I also know that the President and his wife are called of God and will be amazing and loving too. I am proud of you for doing missionary work. And I know you will be blessed for it. I often wish I had been a better missionary before my mission and have promised to be one after. 

Things are going well here. Hermana Bowers and I get along pretty well and we're starting to work well together. She works hard and has such a strong desire to help our investigators. Plus, being the nurse is NOT easy, people are always calling, we spend hours every week just helping the other missionaries with their sicknesses.  I have alot of respect for her.I do miss Hermana Perry sometimes. We became such good friends. I just felt like I was companions with one of my friends from school. So, yes it is a different relationship but I am learning just as a did with Hermana Perry and I know that Heavenly Father put me here with Hermana Bowers for a reason. 

The work here is going well. Mariateresa is doing really well, we just need to resolve this one problem and she's golden. We're praying super hard to get this all worked out. It's breaking my heart a little that she can't be baptized yet, in fact it was really bothering me and then she said something that made it okay. She told us that because of things in her life she used to feel really sad and lonely but ever since she started talking to us and learning she's been happy because now she knows that she is never alone. I LOVE THIS WORK!

I read the book Our Search for Happiness by M. Russel Ballard this week and loved it. I wanted to share something with you that I really liked. The book is addressed mainly to people who aren't members and want to know more about the church, about the missionary program he said, "The Lord does bless His missionaries just as surely as they bless the lives of those they teach and baptize. Difficult languages are learned with astonishing speed and skill. Financially strapped families back home find unforeseen means to support their missionaries. Weaknesses become strengths, challenges become opportunities, trials become triumphs and adversity becomes adventure in the service of the Lord." I know that I am truly in the service of the Lord. I am His servant bringing His saving gospel to his children. I love this Gospel and this work with my whole heart. I am grateful everyday for this amazing opportunity. I know that Christ lives. I know that he loves each one of us. 

I pray for you. I miss you. I love you. 

Hermana Giossi

Bring on the Rain!

Wow, 

I had heard about the attack in Boston, but not in as much detail. All of the members and investigators know I'm from "Boston" so they were all very concerned for my family. I just about cried reading about the 8 year old boy. Shelby also sent me an email she said something I really liked, "There is more good than evil in this world". It's true. It's a shame that sometimes it takes an evil act just to see how much good there really is around us. I like this BOSTON STRONG thing...I'm sure there are tons of inspiring stories and funny memes coming out. Thank you for sharing with me. I think it's important that even though we're far from each other we are sharing our lives. 

I also debated for a while whether to tell you something that happened this week or not but when I opened my email I had my answer. I am totally fine but my backpack was stolen. I'm pretty bummed out because it happened Sunday so I had all my stuff from church including my camera (and all my photos, memory card and adapter), nice Spanish scriptures, and everything else including my license. I'm pretty bummed out especially about the pictures and scriptures. I just felt like I needed to let you know because I'm probably going to buy a new camera and have no idea what to do about the ID situation. Luckily I did not have my credit card in the bag. Like I said I really didn't want to tell you this because I know you'll worry but you really shouldn't  things are calm in this area. Plus since we lost our house key we got to spend the night with another pair of sisters and they have HOT WATER...I had forgotten what a shower in hot water was like.

The downside is my agenda was also in my bag and it had all my notes about the stuff I wanted to write to you this week. I know I was going to say that rainy season had started! I was so excited when it started to downpour the other night...I'm so ready for this. There is nothing like falling asleep to the sound of rain. 

Also, my testimony of how much Heavenly Father answers prayers was strengthened big time this week. One of our investigators shared a very special experience she had after praying to know if the church is true. She dreamed about the temple in such a way that when she woke up she was still feeling the spirit so strong. Please pray for her, Cecilia, she investigated the church about a year ago but I really think she's ready now. We also had another investigator receive an answer that really impacted her. After our first lesson with her we asked if there was anything we could ask for her specifically and she asked us to pray that she could find work. This happened on a Tuesday and on Thursday she found a job. For someone who had never really prayed before this had a big impact on her. She told the story in an FHE with our Bishop and his family, and they loved having the opportunity to hear it too. She now prays every morning and night and is reading the Book of Mormon. I know that Heavenly Father answers our prayers and that he is waiting for us to exercise our faith so that He can pour the blessings out upon us. 

My mailing address is the same. You just mail letters to the mission and I get them from the office.  That wont change until maybe the mission change...but I am not even sure about that.

I love you and miss you. Pray for you always.

Love, 

Hermana Victoria Giossi

Scientology and Salvation

Hey Family!

Emails from all 3 of you this week! Zach's just barely came in...I was actually in the process of writing how I didn't get an email from him and then Bam! New message in the inbox. Mom, thank you for the pictures...I love them! Dad, I don't even know where to begin with responding to your email. But thanks for the laughs! It was thoroughly (sp?) hilarious.

I'm so glad to hear you got the package, I was worried about that. I debated telling you about it but I thought it would be better as a surprise. I will let you know when my package gets here. I should know almost immediately as I now have a real in with the office elders. 

This week was not too exciting. Other than I think I need to rethink the way I explain my purpose as a missionary to the people here. In this past week we had a man try and convert us to Scientology and another try to save us through what I know to be the sinners prayer. First the Scientology thing: this guy was crazy! we went in to teach him for the first time (after contacting him on the street) and after we sat down he just got up and started bringing all these random books in and telling us how awesome this Scientology was. He was jumping up and down and running all over the house speaking half Spanish and half English ..we were slightly uncomfortable (especially since we had a member with us) so we tried to ask him if we could bless his house with a prayer and then leave him to his studies. He said he didn't believe in God or prayers and didn't want to learn...so we left. Then later in the week we went to teach this man and his family the first lesson. When we invited him to pray about our message he said he would if we would say the prayer found in Romans 10:9-10 with him. My companion was confused but I knew what he was talking about. He asked us if we had ever said the prayer to accept Jesus into our hearts...I told him "yes we all should have Jesus in our hearts"  My companion was super confused though. He was trying to save us...he wanted us to say the prayer out loud with him. Remember when I used to do that. I probably would have kept talking about this subject with him but my companion was uncomfortable so we just left after closing the lesson with a  prayer.

But no worries my testimony is still in tact; I haven't converted to anything else. Ha Ha!

Gotta go eat now. Love you lots! Miss you tons! Until next week

Hermana Victoria Giossi

The Gift Of Tongues

Hola!

Welp I have quite a bit to talk about. First off, I did get my package from the Normandins, it was full of all sorts of goodies to keep me nice an clean hehe. I have bad news...I was not able to get the pictures of the salt painting from Hermana Perry before changes.

Which brings us to the fact that I had changes this past week. I am now in Miramonte. It's pretty different. It's really city and there is MONEY. I'm pretty sure I am in the richest stake in the country. It's a big area so I have a lot to learn in these coming weeks. The cool part is the TEMPLE is in my zone. I get to see it every Monday and Thursday, in fact I can see it out the window right now. It is such a beautiful building and the spirit here is amazing. I was a little sad to leave Hermana Perry, we became really good friends but I'm sure we'll be friends at BYU. My new companion is Hermana Bowers, also a Norte. She's from Utah and is a nurse. In fact she is the mission nurse.  I can already tell this is going to be an interesting experience. We get all sorts of crazy phone calls. But at least now you know I'll be nice and healthy, I thought mom would be happy. Also, good news, we go to the mission office every Tuesday so I will know much sooner when my packages arrive. I think this should be a good time. 

So being in the Stake of the Temple for conference was pretty special. We watched conference in the the chapel right outside the temple. I really loved Elder Holland and Elder Andersen's talks...about believing and faith overcoming doubt. I also felt like there was alot of talk about missionary work. I do love when they talk about missionary work. So I had a pretty cool experience Saturday morning that I would like to share. One of our new investigators agreed to come to conference. We ended up arriving about 45 mins early. It gave us the opportunity to walk around the temple with her...she was in absolute awe and overcome by the Spirit of this sacred place. She was so sad she couldn't go inside and told her she thinks this must be the most special place in all of El Salvador  I loved  being with her and I love this opportunity to share the joy I have with others. I really do feel so blessed to have been in this place for conference...Heavenly Father knows where to put us and when that is for sure. 

I don't know if I'll be in any but there was a photographer taking photos for the church. This is is blog if you want to check the pics out... www.josueapenafotos.com.

Also, really cool point about being in a new area other than the one I started in is getting to know new people. Yesterday after a conversation I was asked which country I was from and they didn't believe me when I said the US. They told be I didn't even have an accent when I spoke...I was SO happy I could have cried. I pray everyday for the gift of tongues so that I can teach with the Spirit in the language of these people and not have to worry about them not understanding. I felt like that comment was an answer to those prayers. 

Other random stuff. If you could accept "Irene Medina" on my facebook that would be great, shes Celso's wife. Who is the other counselor in your RS presidency. 

I love you and hope all is well. See you in about a year! 

Love, 

Hermana Victoria Giossi

P.S. Next phone call May 12

Photos: 

1. At the "Puerta Del Diablo"...my hair is gross 

2. Hermana Bowers and I in front of the Temple

3. With President and Sister Peterson (Temple President and Matron). They had us over for lunch between Saturday Sessions. 

Semana Santa! (Easter Week) A Pretty Huge Deal Around Here

Hey Hey Hey!

So it's the last Monday of the change and we went on a field trip. We went to this place called "puerta del diablo" it means "the devils gate" It was super chivo...uhh...cool, I meant to write cool. I will send you pictures next week because I'm in an internet cafe and can't right now. But I'm telling you all this to say,  this email will probably be kind of short.

You asked about Easter here, yeah it's a pretty big deal. They celebrate the entire week, representing the last week of Jesus' life. It's a catholic thing but catholic culture is such a HUGE part of the culture here. Every Friday night for the past month people have been doing the "via cruz, It's where they walk around to different stations that display Jesus' life, and between the stations they sing. So they have done this every week for the past month but this past Friday (Good Friday) it was CRAZY! All the roads closed down and people made these huge paintings with colored salt, called afombras, all over the roads. Everyone was doing it, but there where official ones that represent the stations of the "via cruz"/ the palms they laid down when Jesus entered the city on Palm Sunday. It was so cool, we took lots of pictures; I'll send them next week. Then they do this GIANT via cruz over the salt paintings...carrying Jesus in a casket with a statue of Mary behind. It was very interesting. I think that's the big holiday though because Easter was a pretty normal Sunday. 

This past week was pretty good though. We are prepping a few people for baptism. The first is Perla, the woman that showed up at church after 11 years, she told us this week that she can't explain it but she just wishes she was already baptized...makes sense after waiting a decade :) We also have this little old man named Pio, he's adorable and loves learning about the Savior. There's a couple others, but we'll talk more about them as it gets closer. 

Anyway I'm super excited for Diana! Yes, visas are hard to get. After being in the Provo MTC she will enjoy Brazil so much more! Worked for me with Guatemala. Thank you for the pictures! I love them, I print the pictures you send every week. 

I love you all so much! I will hopefully get some pictures out to you next week.

Love, 

Hermana Giossi

P.S. Pop-pop should probably stay away from the senor centor...he's too cool for that! Hermana Perry says he sounds awesome and wants to meet him.

P.S.S. 

I got an email from Em...I think Grandma sent her a card. She says THANK YOU!