Hardest Week of My Life

Se Dio ti guidasse avanti un ostacolo, ti guiderà di superare quel ostacolo.

Because I do not trust google translate to actually translate this sentence correctly, I will render my service. 

If God brings you to an obstacle, He will guide you through it. 

And that is what this week was, full of obstacles and trails. This week was definitely the most difficult and trying week of my mission and in the same sense, probably my life. The evening of the last pday we met with Cristian and Valentina again to prepare them for their baptisimal interviews that were to be conducted the next morning. Everything was golden and in controll. At the end of the lesson Valentina did a complete 180 in the opposite direction. Everything spiraled downhill and they were speaking to Emilio in rapid italian. Thus making it extremely difficult for Sorella Burkman and I to understand but it was apparent that it was good. To make the story short, we ended with cancelling the baptism and saying our goodbyes for perhaps, forever. I have never felt so much heartache and disappointment. We rode our bikes to the church and prayed, asking Heavenly Father to help us understand why. We hugged each other and just cried. I believe this week we experience just a smidge of what Heavenly Father feels like when His children choose to reject Him and His divine Son. On the other hand, Satana is a jerkface and knows exactly how to kicked the downed missionaries. However, we don't give up without fighting back and we refused to dwell in the darkness. We have rededicated ourselves to being 100% obedient and we are expecting Heavenly Father to gives us miracles. We need a win right now. 

On a happier note, Emilio took us to get some Gelato. Turns out that the very flavor of Gelato that is the favorite of Sorella Burkman's, the very flavor she gets everything, is alcoholic! hahahahahah Emilio hit the ground laughing when she ordered it. No wonder Sorella Burkman is always fun, she's been a bit tipsy for the past 3 months. :) 

This Sunday, Luisa came to church! We rode over to her house to wait for her while a member came and picked her up. She got in the car and I felt like such a proud parent, sending my little Luisa off to preschool for the first time! She loved church and especially sacrament. After, many members were thrilled to see her and greeted her smiles and hugs. Again proud parent, my Luisa was even playing nice on the playground. 

Also, another highlight of the week included FHE with the Bazan and Tartaglia families! Sorella Burkman and Shared a message about the light of Christ and hope. After we had a wonderful meal of meat and piada's (very italian and central to Rimini). Mostly, Sorella Burkman and I laughed as they spoke very rapidly and very loud in Italian and we made up our interpretations. It felt wonderful to be with these families and reminded me of our own crazy family. We fit right in with the families here, only we are heck of a lot whiter. But these two families are my favorite and I loved being with them! 

Well to close, I have a special surprise for you. At lunch on Sunday, the topic turned to President Obama. We all know my blood boils when even hearing his name so I was ready to fight. However, Emanuele told a beautiful joke that I will now translate for you...

Previous to the election, there was a special phone call made between Obama and my homeboy Mitt. 

Obama: "I have some good news and some bad news."

Mitt; "Well get on with it"

Obama: "I think it is time we had a Mormon President!"

Mitt: "That is fantastic news, what could be the bad news?"

Obama: "My baptism is on Saturday!"

hahahahahahaha Even the Italians don't like him.

God Bless America and Mitt. 

Love you all and happy Settembre!

Sorella Alley 

Happy Birthday Caleb!!! I am here in Italy but I couldn't forget about my favorite little man. I hope you have the best 5th birthday in the entire world and remember that Tinnie loves you THIS MUCH!!!! (HUG HIM HUGELY!!!)

love, Tinnie!