Let us all start off with a laugh, shall we?! This week's edition of "What Ridiculous Thing did Sorella Alley Say!"
Let me set the stage.
It is Sunday morning, approximately 11:00 am and I am looking forward to a delightful, relaxing sacarament meeting. Sorella Burkman and I are seated on the front row. During the opening song, Fratello Andy, a counselor in the branch presidency, makes his way towards me. In my head begins the famous movie anthem JAWS. nahhhh nah, naaAAAHHHH NAAHHH, NAHAHAHAHA. He quickly states that I will be sharing my testimony about missionary work when he so indicates. An innocent little fish swimming along, suddenly trapped in Jaws.
Emilio (branch mission leader) and Emanuale (our third companion) gave wonderful talks about missionary work and that Sorella Burkman and I are powerful missionaries. They set the stage perfectly for my grand entrance. Fratello Andy: "Sorella Alley will now share her testimony"
Heart literally jumping up my throat, I manage to drag myself the two feet to the podium, silently pep talking myself, "Oh Sorellla, che la faccio! (I CAN DO IT!!!!) No worries, I will speak from the heart and let the Spirit testify!"
All eyes on me, silence throughout the land.
"Buon Giorno Fratelle e Sorelle! Sono molte eccitazione di essere qui! con voi"
Spoken like an angel...if only I hadn't said....
"Good morning Brothers and Sisters. I am very arroused to be here with you!"
Moral of the story for all future missionaires: learn the difference between arroused and excited....
Another week has come and gone. We were able to visit 5 member families last week and I have developed so much love and appreciation for our active members. One couple in particular, la famiglia Scarpulla. He is 87 and she is roughly 70ish (i am guessing). He is absolutely adorable and the cutest grandpa looking man ever. We visited them at their apartment Sunday evening and they told us their conversion story. He was a professor of Italian (haha, sorry I butcher your beautiful language every time i speak, sir) and a catholic priest! What?!?! Ya! in 1987, two greenie elders brought them the gospel and they have been stalwart members ever since! Greenie Power does exist! Anyways, he said something that struck my straight between the eyes and listen up to this man of wisdom.
Angelo Scarpula: "We must stop referring to it as missionary work and realize it is the works of God." BOOOOOOMMMMM. so wise. They fed us gelato, and we were on our way, but forever touched by these two beautiful souls, who i may just adopt to be my grandparents.
Another piece of wisdom comes from Joy, who was baptized mid June. The day after she was baptized she took work at a tourist hotel for the summer. She works from 7am until 11pm, for 1 euro and 33 cents. In Italy this is called Lavoro Nero (black work) because these immigrants must have work to renew their permits to live in Italy. Essentially they take anything work to stay even though it may be under horrible conditions. We were able to visit her a for a few minutes on Saturday. She asked us how our week had been and i said we had a few bad days. Joy then chastized me like a champ.
"There are no such thing as a bad day when you are in the service of the Lord." Give her a nametag people, she is preaching the gospel!!!! I was definitely chastized but took it straight to heart, from now on - no bad days!
This week, week 5, is the best week of the mission. Junior companion week! That means all responsibilty is given to Sorella Burkman. Unfortunately, yesterday she was struck with a bad case of the stomach flu and we had to stay home. Sick days are horrible on the mission!!!!!!! But She is feeling much better, the house is spotless (i was so bored I CLEANED EVERYTHING), and I force fed her saltine crackers and sprite. I am such a good mom.
Thanks for the prayers and support, I can feel them making me a better missionary. I love you all!
il mio amore sempre,
Sorella Alley
ps. transfers are next week. My guess - here for another transfer!
A PICTORIAL STORY: Two missionaries, One bike
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| Look how cute we are, a candid shot of us as Sorella Burkman kindly gives me a lift... |
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| before abandoning ship and I fall to a perilous death. |
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