Charissa's mission 20091202

Subject: So this is it...the last email from Slla Black!
Date: Wed, 02 Dec 2009 13:15:36 +0100
From: Charissa Black

Buon giorno!

I can't believe it, but it's here--the last email I'll send you all as Sorella Black. It has been an amazing week full of what else but running around an island, meeting wonderful people, eating well, speaking with amazing people... Highlights include:
-random train trip to Augusta, including a castle, feeding the fish, and many old churches
-yummy kebab and veggie couscous (called shawadrah in Arabic)
-hat shopping in the market
-a free hat from the LaGioia family
-thanksgiving with english course and everyone wondering what Pilgrim meant or why stuffing looks weird
-Paola already smokes less
-finding Natalia, Doro and kid who are reading Cartea Lui Mormon (romanian)
-<> (fried sweet garbanzo bean honey things) from Inoka who is still praying for a job that will let her off on Sundays
-paper flowers with the Grasso family for a presentation sudnay
-helping Martina with spanish
-ironing and then lasagna at the Gibilisco house
-Hanaan (8) from morocco who taught me a bunch of arabic this morning
-Lorenzo and Andrea (both 11) excited to tell us all that they read and watching them encourage their parents to read too

***But before you skip to the flight plans and everything, I'd like to take a second to thank you for reading this. Some days I like to pretend that I have a life in the US too :) Obviously I'm a religious person, otherwise I wouldn't have done this mission, and especially not with my own money. I think highly of you and know you fairly well, and just am here as another person like you (for the last time as Sorella). I hope to always be a better person and I really want to thank you for all you have done to help me.

[back to the questions list from previous emails]

How can my family be happier and more united?
How can I balance my family and career?
How can I avoid the evils that threaten my family?
How can I avoid sin?

I really believe that the answers to all our questions are accessible straight from God if we take the leap of faith to pray and ask him himself if he exists. I really believe that I have found a piece of real happiness, and that the best things in life take work. I really just want to try and express my love for each and every one of you even though this is coming across in a email form. Thanks for virtually travelling with me for these last 18 months, and let me know if I can ever do something for you (cooking, translations, tour guide of italy, etc.) Really, I'd love to share anything I have that can be helpful. Because in the end, we're all brothers and sisters and well, I'm trying to just do my best.

But anyway, I know you all just really want this:
https://www.checkmytrip.com/CMTSERVLET?R=34IQQC&L=US&N=BLACK See you soon, and from now on I'll be reachable at charissablack@gmail.com or on facebook or skype or msn messenger, ecc.

Con tanto affetto, and best wishes for well, everything!
Sorella Black

Last week's word: strattonare [strah-toh-nah-ray] to wrench/tug
Italian word of the week: Ciao! Arrivederci!