KOBE!!!!!

Yep that's right, Kobe Bryant. He was raised in Italy and apparently is fluent in Italian! Wish he was our teacher...... jk I love my teachers :)


So I heard about the devastating BYU football loss and I have 1 thing to say: When I die I want the BYU football team to be the Paul bearers of my casket so they can let me down one last time.

Moving on...

As if life as a missionary can't get any better.....it does. Every day, without fail.

First off, we're in the teens! Let the countdown to Italy begin.

On Sunday morning, we had a Sisters Conference and Sister Ann M. Dibb came to speak to us! She is the daughter of Thomas S. Monson. She talked about all of the Christ-like attributes she has observed in her father over the course of her lifetime and how we too can demonstrate those attributes in our lives!

The future Sorella of Rome "family pic"

We have been doing so much teaching the past couple days and what a testimony builder it has been to me. We teach "Antonio" and "Chiara" aka Fratello Hatch and Sorella Francom (our teachers). This week, Sorella Oehler (my companion) and I, made a goal to teach by the Spirit in our lessons. In the past we have written out just about every word we want to say because the language is hard! But it's been awesome to see how far we've progressed in the short time we've been here! The gift of tongues is real, and through it we've been able to teach according to the needs of our investigators. Although our Italian isn't flawless, we are able to communicate (somewhat) effectively and feel the Spirit. It's awesome. I've learned that the gift of tongues isn't something for me. It's something for the people I come in contact with. The gift of tongues is a gift from God to the people I'm serving (Doctrine and Covenants 90:11)! So that they can hear the gospel in their native language. How cool is that?!

We got to host the new missionaries arriving. It was so fun!

The weather here has been nothing short of fabulous! I think it's been 70 degrees like every day this week! Unusual for Utah, but I'm definitely not complaining. Sorella Oehler and I like to go outside during exercise time and play sand volleyball with whoever else is on the court. It's cool meeting new people up there every day and so much fun to be in the sand and sun!! On Saturday we played with a district going to Indonesia and we were all getting to know each other... one of the Elders said to me, "So what's your name?" And, of course, my initial reaction: "Carley" was met with lots of laughter. Hahaha my bad... it's going to take a while to break that habit! It's super weird not being called by your first name, I have to admit.

My new friend from Japan.

OUR DISTRICT GOT TO HOST YESTERDAY! Basically we greet the new missionaries at the curb as they come to the MTC! Then we take their bags to their room, get their books, and show them to their classroom! It was so much fun meeting new people and seeing the new missionaries all excited to be here. I mean why wouldn't you be excited to be here!?!?! Best place ever. Anyways, I hosted 3 sisters. The first is from Japan, had never been to America, and she is just the cutest thing ever. We had a super hard time communicating, but we managed! She kept saying "you so cute!" to me it was adorable. And she's serving in Japan, just here at the MTC for 3 weeks. The second girl I hosted is serving Spanish speaking in Ventura California, and the third was headed to Portugal. Fingers crossed that we'll get to host at least one more time because it was so much fun! If not I'm just going to re-wear my "host" sticker hehehehe ;)

One of my teachers said something on Monday that has really stuck with me: "better or bitter?" When we are faced with hard times, are we going to make the situation better? Or are we just going to take the easy way out and be bitter? Sometimes being optimistic is hard but I promise you it is so worth it! God has put us on this earth and given us everything we have-- how is it possible to be unhappy???

#SiblingShoutouts
Chase: you're and #AGGIE! Congrats on the acceptance to #UtahStateUniversity
Cade: #sendmesomemail #perfavore #ily
Claire: #bravestsorellaever happy to hear you #survived at the #hauntedhouse

And grazie a madre e padre for sending me daily quotes and uplifting messages! You are the best.

Sorry my email this week is shorter than in the past.... not too much has changed! Still loving life, though. I have no doubt in my mind that this is where I am supposed to be right now :) I know that God loves each of us more than we can imagine. I know that through the atonement of His Son, Jesus Christ, we can overcome sin and endure any trials that come our way. How awesome is that?!
If you have any questions for me about anything (MTC life, missionary life) or questions about the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ, I would love to answer them!! Don't hesitate to send me an email or respond to this one :) and you can always check out mormon.org !

Thank you all for your continued support! Love you and hope you have the best week ever!

XOXO,
Carley

Auditioned to play a musical number and we
were selected to perform.  My comp playing
the flute and me on the piano.

Bedtime stories

The picture on the left is put out by the Church.  We thought
they should have used sister missionaries.  So we created
our own.  

Sorella Carley Neuberger
NOV15 ITA-ROM
2005 N 900 E Unit 127
Provo, UT 84602

Happy as a seagull with a french fry :)

That subject was for you, Claire ;)  (and mom)

Hey family & friends!!

It's been another crazy busy week here at the MTC! I've always heard that time is warped on the mission but now I'm beginning to understand that! I can never seem to remember what day of the week it is and the days just fly by.

I'm now officially the only Sister Neuberger in the MTC, Mayson left on Monday for Nebraska!! Best of luck to her.

Something that I learned this week is that we can experience celestial happiness and joy in this life! Joy isn't something just for heaven, we are able to experience it from everlasting to everlasting. I am so thankful every single day for the opportunity I have to be overflowing with the happiness that comes only through the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. We have all been blessed with so much, so what's there to be sad about?!

All of the missionaries going to the Italy Rome Mission

Field trip to the Italian Consulate in SLC

On Friday, I got to go with several missionaries from our zone to the Italian Consulate in Salt Lake City! We took the frontrunner downtown and got to walk around Salt Lake. It was awesome to get away from the MTC for a bit and see familiar sights! This was my first time being out in the "real world" as a missionary with a nametag and as a literal representative of Jesus Christ. This experience made me that much more excited to be in Italy and talk to/smile at everyone in sight! After we finished at the consulate, I went to lunch at a café with 5 other missionaries in my district. We were enjoying every minute of doing normal things as friends, when the waitress comes to our table and tells us that our bill has already been taken care of. Wow. We were all speechless for several minutes and then we decided that that single meal was the best we have ever had as missionaries.

Vai Sikahema was the speaker in devotional on Sunday night. Most of you probably know him as a football legend, but he's also a really great speaker! He talked about the power of your personal influence and that by living a higher standard we are setting an example to those around us, whether we are aware we are doing so or not.

I was reading in Preach My Gospel this week and something that stuck out to me was "your attitude toward your mission reflects your attitude toward Jesus Christ". That really made me stop and think about my purpose as a missionary and why I'm here. I want to learn all that I can now, so that I will be better able to teach others and to share a message of pure happiness. In a way, this quote applies to each of us. We are all here on earth with a mission or a purpose. Does our attitude toward that purpose accurately reflect our attitude toward our Savior?

Our district (class) experienced a major plot twist this week: our "investigator" became our teacher hahaha. So now we have 2 teachers! Her name is Sorella Francom and she's a student at BYU who served in Rome with our other teacher, Fratello Hatch. She's an awesome teacher and definitely pushes me way far out of my comfort zone- it's the best and has increased my knowledge of Italian exponentially. Apparently Amanda (Sorella Huntzinger) was in Sorella Francom's class back in June! Small world.

Oh what a feeling, the temple!

We go to the temple on Thursdays (p-days) it's definitely one of the highlights of my week! It's awesome to leave behind the stresses of the MTC for a few hours and enjoy the peace that resides in the house of the Lord. Our district usually goes to the 12:30 or 1 pm session....if you happen to live in Provo and happen to be in the same session that sure would be crazy!;)

Every Wednesday afternoon we have something called TRC (Teaching Resource Center) and it's so much fun. Probably one of my favorite things we do. My companion and I get to teach two 20 minute lessons to member volunteers-- in Italian. We taught 2 guys yesterday, they both served missions in Italy. They told us our language was coming along well, so that was of course a huge confidence boost. We shared with them a message of service and charity and showed them the Mormon Message "Dayton's Legs". Go watch it on YouTube or the MormonChannel. Right now. I promise you won't regret it!

Funny language moment of the week was when we found out that "because" and "why" are the same word in Italian: "perché". It just reminded us of when we were little and asking mom "why?" And she says "because". "Why?" "Because." But in Italy I guess it's just "perché?" "Perche." Hahahaha I hope someone else finds that as funny as we did....

Trying to see the BYU football game.
We can hear the excitement at the stadium.

If I failed to mention it last week, my district is the best ever. After the devotional on Tuesday night, we went to our classroom to talk about it. Although we didn't spend too much time talking about the actual devotional, we did talk about how far we've come as a district in the past couple of weeks. We are so real and vulnerable with each other so let's just say there was lots of crying- happy tears! I know that my district was inspired and that Heavenly Father put me with these awesome missionaries for a reason. I have been able to learn so much from them and they have strengthened me testimony so much in such a short time. I am thankful that we have the opportunity to fellowship each other every day in the gospel!! It is by far the funnest thing I've ever been a part of.

One last thought! Isaiah 41:10&13, "Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness... For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee." I know that the Lord will continue to help me as I serve Him! Because of Him I am able to progress every day in the Italian language. I have been strengthened and helped so much in the past couple weeks in things I know I couldn't have done by myself. I love my Savior and am so thankful for His guidance at this point in my life and always.

#SiblingShoutouts
Chase: #congrats on making #allregion #XC
Cade: #wishyouwerehere to enjoy all this #chocolatemilk with me
Claire: #thankyou for the #dearelders you always keep me #laughing

Also big shoutout to my parents! They are the absolute best, and their daily emails and dear elders help me so much throughout the day. I love you guys so much and I know I would never be where I am without you and the example you set for me. Oh and thanks for the packages, the bread was delish :)

I have a testimony that this gospel changes lives-- I've seen it in my own life in just these past couple weeks! I know that if we reach out with faith, the Lord will not let us down. In fact, He will strengthen us more than we ever thought possible. I'm so thankful to be a missionary! I love this work!!

Hope you have a great week! Can't wait to hear back from you :)

XOXO,
Carley

Carley's friend from school, Sister Escarte,
going to the North Adriatic Mission

Sister Escarte's companion
who knows the San Antonio Neubergers

All of the sister missionaries going to Rome

The BYU girls were happy to be served the
Aloha Plate from the Cougareat

Best part of p-days? Cookies & Cream milk!!!!
Thank you BYU creamery

Pumpkin bread from home

Taking a break from the computer
language program to take a selfie

MTC life is the best life :)

Ciao amici e famiglia! Today marks my first preparation day in the Missionary Training Center!!

The person that declared Disney to be the happiest place on earth obviously never went to the MTC. Since the minute I set foot on campus, happiness is all I've felt. The Spirit's presence here is undeniable and so overwhelming. Throughout the past week, I've been able to feel God's love for me in more ways than I ever thought imaginable.

I've waited my whole life to be a full-time missionary and now that that time is here I could not be happier.

So here's my week in review! I'll try to be brief, but it's hard when I have already had so many awesome experiences I want to share with you all! (don't feel obligated to read this whole letter, I won't be offended if you just look at the pictures)

I'll start with the big news first. DAVID A. BEDNAR WAS THE SPEAKER AT DEVOTIONAL ON TUESDAY. Yes, yes you read that correctly. I, along with hundreds of other missionaries here at the Provo MTC, was privileged to hear Elder Bednar and his wife speak! For those of you that don't know, David A. Bednar is a modern-day apostle to our prophet, Thomas S. Monson. He talked about how living the gospel doesn't free us from adversity or challenges, it helps us endure and overcome. I love that!! So this devotional was a broadcast to the 14 other MTCs in the world, how cool is that?!? I was part of the choir number that sang "Precious Savior, Dear Redeemer" so maybe try and look it up!!

Choir. Holy cow choir is definitely my favorite part of the MTC. If you know me, you know that I feel the Spirit most through music and WOW. What better way to feel God's love for us than by singing praises to him (ad alta voce)? There is no way to describe how it feels to be united with hundreds of other missionaries in song. We are united in our purpose and devoted to our calling: serving God with all of our heart, might, mind and strength. I will be super proud of myself if I can make it through the hymn "Called to Serve" just once without crying. Who am I kidding, that's impossible.

My companion/district. IS THE BEST EVER. Wow I'm so blessed. My companion, Sorella Oehler, is from Las Vegas. We are the only 2 in our district of 8 that aren't from Utah hahah. Also, I believe Kristi Lee Neuberger is friends with Sorella Oehler's brother??!?! Small world! Sorella Oehler goes to BYU too! (And apparently so does her brother!) Our district is made up of 4 Anziani e 4 Sorella (4 Elders and 4 Sisters). We are such a team. The Italian word for team is "squadra" which is basically the coolest thing ever. We walk around yelling "HASHTAG SQUADRA!!!!!!" We spend most of our time laughing-- I think I'll have a 6-pack by the time I leave here, no joke. Ahhhhh it's the best.

MTC district - Anziano Hansen, Macdonald, Sorella Barnes, Demann, Oehler, (me), Anziano Hughes, Velardi

Sorrela Oehler and Carley

Fun fact- my district leader, Anziano Velardi, his dad served in the Rome mission and his mom is Italian. Anziano Velardi has duel citizenship for both the United States and Italy. Pretty crazy.

Thank you for all of the packages, letters, emails, and continued support! They mean the world to me and absolutely do not go unnoticed. There's an Elder in my zone that I've become really good friends with, Anziano Hansen, he calls me Sorella Snacks because I always have treats hahahaha.

Funny story of the week: Elder Macdonald (in our district) recounting an experience from one of their lessons, "Apparently I said 'I testify that if you pray, you will feel fish' " hahahaha. The struggle of the language barrier. He meant to say "peace" which is "pace" in Italian  (pronounced pa-che), but instead he said pesce. Like I said, always laughing!

Maryn-friend from BYU. Called to serve in Equador.

We have 1 "investigator" right now and while we were teaching her this week about prayer she says out of the blue, "can I pray? Right now?" My companion and I were like, "SI" (YES)!!!!!!!!!  It was incredible. The spirit was so strong throughout that prayer and I couldn't help but cry as I felt Heavenly Father's love for her. I can't wait to have these sort of experiences with real investigators!!

I had the opportunity this week to reflect on Alma chapter 26 (great read, highly recommend) in the Book of Mormon where Alma the Younger and the sons of Mosiah turn their lives around and become the greatest missionaries ever! It brought me to the realization that if God can take the vilest of sinners and turn them into incredible missionaries, what will he do for me?? And more importantly what will he do for YOU? I know that God has a plan for each of us and that plan is the plan of happiness!! We all deserve happiness and peace in this life and that comes through the gospel of Jesus Christ. I know this because I have learned it for myself!! If you have doubts or questions, take them to the Lord in prayer because I know he will strengthen you and provide comfort.

Sister Tanner (BYU friend) - Going to Indonesia

FAQ:
Have you been teaching at all?
Yes, we were teaching the day we got here. We taught our first lesson in Italian on day 3. We have taught 4 Italian lessons so far to our "investigator" and it's been a wonderful learning and growing experience.

How is the language coming?
Uhhhh it's only been 7 days so I'd say pretty good for that time period! I can bear testimony, pray and recite the Missionary purpose in Italian, along with a few other things! The gift of tongues is so real here, I can definitely feel my knowledge of the language being strengthened in times of need. As for right now, I'm not going to stress a ton about learning the language. I know it'll come eventually so I'm going to spend every day loving my time here at the MTC! I'll stress in 6 months if I'm not fluent.

How is your teacher?
I have 1 teacher he got home from the Rome mission 1 year ago and he is incredible and so SO spiritual. He helps us learn the language but he's more focused on helping us develop strong spiritual foundations. It's awesome.

What's the food like at the MTC?
It's pretty deece. I've been pleasantly surprised because everyone always talks about how terrible the food here is (**cough *Mason McLaws* cough**) but it's actually okay. They bring in food from the outside world once a week, so far we've had Papa Johns and Taco Bell! :) oh and BYU creamery ice cream every Wednesday :))))))
Ask me this question in 6 weeks and I might have a different answer.....

#SiblingShoutouts
Chase: congrats on the #PR you little #speedygonzales
Cade: I laughed the whole time I read your #dearelder #thanksforthemail #feelinthelove
Claire: thanks for the #swagtastic package #trickortreat #youdarealMVP

Halloween package from the best sister ever!  Thanks Claire!!

Oh and mom could you please send me some earplugs? A girl in our room snores excessively and it wakes me up most nights. So I'm going to need some high quality ones. But not so high quality that I can't hear my alarm going off in the morning...... much appreciated.


I am so humbled to represent the Lord and be His servant for the next 18 months! I know the church is true and I know the Book of Mormon is true! Io so che la chiesa è vera e io so che il libro di mormon è vera! In just one week, I have developed a much stronger relationship with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. I have prayed more than ever and I know that the power of prayer is real. If prayer isn't currently part of your daily life, I challenge you to make that change, I know you will be blessed for it!

I check my email multiple times a day because I have this nifty tablet, so feel free to email whenever! I can read my emails as I get them I just can't respond until Thursdays. Or check out dearelder.com and send me letters delivered daily for free! 

Love you all and hope you have una buona settimana!!
XOXO,
Carley

Sorella Lee (also going to Rome ) and Carley - Twinners

Sorella Oehler and me.

This narrow little door makes me laugh.

Getting the daily workout in.

Another happy moment

Ciao familiari

Hey family! So we got special permission to email family from our branch president -this email is to touch base with y'all and just let you know that our pday will be on Thursday (plus all the other details). I'm writing this email Friday night but you probably won't get it until Saturday because we don't have Internet in the residence. So here's the run-down! 

First, keep the emails coming!! I check my email pretty frequently during the day and love seeing new things in my inbox! Pics too!! Just got mail for the first time today, thanks for the dear elders mom and dad! I also got dear elders, one from Lisa and one from Brian, and a letter from Austin how nice of them! I got the jelly bellys and have made lots of friends giving them out. The Cottrell family sent me a package too: lots of goldfish and reese's snack mix! Keep the mail coming too! I got the most in my district today it was awesomeeeee. 

MTC food is deece.....we got papa Johns pizza tonight for dinner so that was pretty awesome! Oh and BYU creamery ice cream on Wednesdays. But I did throw up my entire breakfast this morning within 5 minutes of eating it....luckily my comp and I were walking by a bathroom when I felt it coming hahaha. Don't worry mom, I felt fine immediately after. 

My comp, Sorella Oehler (the one in the map picture), is really great and we get along super well. Just like me, she did a year at BYU before the mission and lived at heritage building 29!!!!! Small world. But it's awesome having someone to share my love for BYU with. Our teacher, Fratello Hatch is also really awesome and he goes to BYU too! My district is made up of quattro sorelle e quattro anziani. And "team" in Italian is "sqadra" so that's basically the coolest thing ever #sqadra #SQUAD. We are all super close already and it's the best. We spend lots of time laughing at the most random and non-funny things.....I guess that's what being here and being constantly exhausted does to you! But you can definitely tell all the elders are straight out of high school, at least you can tell with the ones in our district. 

Our dorm room is the size of me and Amandas room at heritage but here we have 6 people living in it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Wow! 3 sets of bunk beds and the tiniest excuse for a closet you ever did see. Luckily they didn't take our suitcases so I can keep some stuff in those. So it's me and my companion, the 2 sorelle from our district, and then 2 sorelle going to Milan. Also they just opened this building back up this week, everyone had to move out of it because of bats. Hm, okay. Greaaaaaat. 

Community bathrooms aren't as bad as I was expecting and yes, I can get ready in the allotted time!!! I know you all are probably shocked by that, but hey- mtc miracle. 

I've gotten used to being freezing cold all the time, the classrooms are like -28 degrees. Oh and I think my butt is permanently bruised from these rock hard chairs hahahaha. On Wednesday we saw an elder carrying around a pillow and someone in our district commented on it and the elder said "invest in a butt pillow!" We laughed then, but we're not laughing now. 

We had our first exercise time today and it was the besttttt. My comp and I went outside to the big field and met up with our Milan roomies. I ran with one, Sorella Lewis, and she is awesome! We basically ran laps around that giant field it felt so good holy cow. We could see things other than those boring buildings, like the beautiful mountains!!!! And the weather was perfect and ahh it was just wonderful. Anyways, Sorella Lewis went to SVU this past year and played soccer and lacrosse there but she thinks she'll transfer to BYU after the Mish which would be awesome! 

They have a special exercise thing at 6am just for sisters and it's like zumba/aerobics but I have to find someone who wants to go with me. Don't know if that'll happen. 

Ummmmm let's see what else... 

We taught our first investigator today in Italian hahahaha uhhhh let's just say it was rough. But we'll get there eventually! The language is coming along pretty well and we are studying our brains out. 

I've run into Mayson Neuberger several times so that's been fun, she's so cute. I've also run into Maryn a lot, she's a friend from BYU going to Ecuador. 

I honestly don't know why everyone says "make it to sunday" because these past couple days have been so busy and so awesome! The spirit here is OVERWHELMING it's insane. I've met so many awesome people going to such cool missions ahhhhh the MTC is the greatest, basically EFY on steroids. 

My comp and I got assigned to be the branch music leaders! Pretty sure that's the only sisters assignment there is so go us!! Basically we just pick the hymns, get some musical numbers together, and then assign people to play the piano and lead the music. But still. I feel honored and so humbled to have been chosen to do that! Heavenly Father is so aware of us. 

That's all I can think of for now..... the creepy old man voice is about to come on the intercom and tell us "lights out". 

Don't worry though, more info will come through letters (if i have time to write some...) and my emails on Thursday! Which we will be able to email all day because we have tablets! #perks 

Prayers are with grandma for a speedy recovery. She is so strong and such an awesome example to me!! 

Personal study today I read Alma 30 and it's an awesome chapter of the Book of Mormon! Heavenly Father loves us so much and there are signs everywhere, we just have to open our eyes and be able to recognize them. 

I know that the power of prayer is real! I've never prayed so much before but it's awesome. I know this church is true and I love the happiness it has brought to me every single day of my life. 

You guys are awesome, thanks for all the support!! Good luck with hurricane Matthew, I'll be interested to see how that goes over. Keep me updated on your lives and the outside world! 

Chase thanks for the email, bud. I'll be sure not to ball too hard... ;) 

Love you guys lots and praying for you always! 

Xoxo,
Carley 

Sorella Carley Neuberger
NOV15 ITA-ROM
2005 N 900 E Unit 127
Provo, UT 84602

Carley's companion - Sorella Oehler

MTC District - Missionaries going to Italy

What is better than one Sister Neuberger? Two Sister Neubergers - Carley's cousin Mayson

Coming Soon

Carley entered the Missionary Training Center.  She will be here for the next six weeks receiving instruction on how to become a successful missionary and also learning the Italian language.  She was greeted by family and friends before she entered.  She would love to receive letters from you. Her first post will be coming soon.

MTC drop-off: Madeline, Kristi Lee, Carley, Lori Lee, Mitch, Dylan

Saying goodbye - One last hug

She is off to do great things