Another week has come and gone and it may be one the best weeks
thus far! Here are the deeeeets as to why. Agosto 15 is a huge Italian
holiday called FerroAgosto. It celebrates Saint Maria's ascension into
heaven or something stranno (strange) like that, so Italy basically
shuts down for a week.
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"Obedient Sorella Ervin and I dutifully guarding the members as they play
in the river. Listen, you can hear our souls longing to join." |
Instead, our members planned a day at the river,
invited us and Luigi (the investigator). We spent the entire day
planning in the sand, playing volleyball and soccer, before taking naps
in the shade. It was so much fun, we built stronger relationships with
the members, fellow-shipped Luigi and spent time with 3 meno attivi (less
actives)! It was a huge success. Later that night we stopped at a buger
joint, where Paolo the owner is less active but loves the missionaries
so ate free. THE BEST HAMBURGER i have ever eaten. Ghettoburger is its
name hahaha. But on the way home that night we had about an hour drive.
At one point, the sun was setting over the beautiful tuscan countryside,
Emilio and Ilaria are holding hands
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| "Italians know how to travel lightly to the beach..." |
in the front, and we are all
singing along to Andreà Bocceli at the top of our lungs. I felt so
completely happy but was overcome with love. Love for this country, love
for the members and the people, and love for being a missionary. I
tried to hide my tears but I glanced at Burkster and she had tears so
instead we just literally cried together. It was an incredible moment
where you can honestly feel a little of the selfless love of the Savior.
The ability to love unconditionally is magnified as a missionary and I
never want to let it go.
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"Just another afternoon in cuorso d'italiano with Emanuele.
My homework and my gelato sandwhich.
Yup, Italians eat this and don't gain a pound.They eat it and it goes on my butt."
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But I HAVE HUGE NEWS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Let me start
at the beginning. We received a referral about a woman name Valentina,
who lives about 5 minutes from our apartment, and is interested because
her close friend in Ravenna (within my zone) is taking lessons. We set
up an appointment and anxiously awaited. I was super nervous for some
reason but once we got to the appointment the nerves calmed and we
jumped right in. We taught Valentina and her husband, Cristian they have a 2year old daughter named Serena) the Restoration and it was the
coolest teaching experience I have ever had! The 3 of us missionaries
flowed smoothly and had complete control of the situation. I could not
take my eyes away from Cristian's eyes through the entire lesson. It was
as if I could literally see the remembrance taking place in his eyes.
He suddenly came alive and accepted the Book of Mormon completely. We
all felt prompted to challenge them to baptism and they accepted a
date!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WE HAVE A FAMILY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I could not be any more excited for this family. while we were teaching
I actually imagine Cristian blessing the sacrament and Serena singing
with the primary kids. I am calling it revelation! Pray for this sweet
family, they are elect and ready for the gospel.
Also, this week I have thought a lot about Hermana
Alley and feel very strongly that this needs to be said. Hermana Alley,
you are probably nervous about learning Spanish by yourself and behind
delayed in Seattle. The whole family is nervous for you! However, the
Lord is very mindful of your situation and He is grateful for
willingness and excitement to serve in Seattle. Hermana, I am promising
you right now that if you give all you have got to Seattle and work
diligently to learn Spanish, you will speak and understand at the end of
your first transfer in Argentina as if you had been in Argentina the
entire time and not in Seattle. I promise you that you will not be slow
in learning the language because of your sacrifices. Love the people in
Seattle, stalk Spanish people and practice and you be gifted more fully
with Spanish. Boom. the end.
This week, I made major progress with Italian and I
can now respond accurately to almost everything. I still have my
moments, as any missionary does, of utter frustration and irritation with
myself, but I can speak enough to do what I have been called to do! The
Lord magnifies those He calls, but in His own time.
L'amore da Italia!
Sorella Alley
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