La mia carissima famiglia e amici

Let's start with the 4th of July. We spent the day as normal missionaries and then we went with Emanuele, his dad Paolo and his beautiful little sister Elena to American Grafiti. We walked in and immediately Sorella Burkman and I were transported back to the land of red, white and blue. We ate wonderful hamburgers, onion rings and oreo milkshakes while listening to the best of american country songs. My heart was huge with pride and it was a fantastic celebration. 

American Graffiti for the 4th of July!

Hamburgers!
Editor's Note: When I told Christine she looked radiant she responded with, "Sweat and humidity are good for the skin. Who knew!?!?"

      So Sunday was horrendous. Some days I just understand more Italian than on other days and Sunday was definitely an off day. IN relief society, I was asked to translate and couldn't keep up with the 7 Italian woman arguing....so i just instead made up my own lesson and talked to the sweet woman from Canada. God bless Canadians but America is still better :) We had a less active come who was shall we say, a bit woozy, ending up making a huge disturbance during sacrament, and being asked to leave. He has since decided he doesn't want to be Mormon because we aren't Christians....people drugs and alcohol are bad....stupid Satan. We left church feeling like utter failures and down in the dumps. Thankfully to a few members who invited us to lunch, we felt loved. I love the members here in Rimini. 

    Oh, I almost forgot! We met President Dibb and Sorella Dibb last Wednesday. I really like them already. In my interview with President Dibb, he said that my future holds a lot of training opportunities.....yikes! 

"3 generations of missionaries :) Daughter-Mother-Grandmother!"

But we have 3 miracle lessons on Monday! All were in English (no that is not the miracle, haha) but we left some super strong testimonies with them and spiritually face punched them! We came home feeling so happy and content to be missionaries. Lesson learned: After enduring sucky Sunday, we were rewarded with miracle Monday! 

But can I just tell you I have the best companion in the world. Thankfully, she was keeps me laughing at we have become such good friends. (Hi Nancy, Sorella Burkman says hi since you are probably reading this somewhere....hehehe) Let me share a few of our conversations this week....

Burkman:"Where are the famous Romans from? Like Julius Cesar"

Alley, "Uhhhh Rome, like Italy. 3 hours south of us...."

Burkman: "Oh my gosh!!! REALLLY?!?!"

Alley; "Are you being serious?"

BUrkman: "what I didnt do well in school"

.........5 minutes later........

Burkman: ''Are the greeks from Rome too?" 

I love her. 

Also, Italians are very blunt. haha they say anything and everything...

this includes fat jokes.....haha 

Pace Fouri (peace out)

Sorella Alley

"This is a Olivia, a new convert with a heart of gold and the testimony to stop a lion! "

"Sorella Burkman has a cool little talent called the inchworm. I witnessed for the first time last night and I have never been so happy...."