The last week of the transfer... the start of a new

Another transfer has come and gone, and I have completed 1/3 of my mission! How? I have no idea. Well folks, I know you are all anxiously awaiting transfer news. Monday night we received the news that we needed to prepare to have another Sorella join us in Rimini. We took down the bunk bed and moved into the next room (which can I say, Sorella Burkman and I are fantastic with this stuff. We literally fix everything in the house that needs fixing and we built our own bunk bed in an hour. took the elders for hours....) Tuesday night rolled around and we finally received our transfer assignments. Sorella Ervin will be splitting off and welcoming a new companion (Sorella Strong, trained by Sorella Acerson so my mission "sister") and ....drum roll.....Sorella Burkman and I are staying together in Rimini! This will place me at 4 transfers and 7 1/2 months in Rimini, which is bittersweet. Sorella Burkman and I have made some new goals to keep the excitement up and push ourselves to grow. Keep the letters coming the Rimini Address :) 

"Our new studyroom-converted-bedroom. I once had a huge apartment to myself. Now we live in a closet. :)"

"The Bazzocchi family! Cristian, Valentina and Serena!"

Alrightly, shall we take a refreshing walk down Miracle Lane together? Cristian had said he was not going to be able to attend church on Sunday because of work but he surprised us and came! He had his entire work schedule changed so that he could bring his family. The Bazzocchi family is incredible and they participated fully in all 3 hours. They are already a huge part of the branch and so loved. It is incredible to truly find people who are READY to accept and live the gospel. Keep them in your prayers because this family deserves eternity together. 

So this week has been tough emotionally for Sorella Burkman. Her father is not doing well and doctors said they give him a month to live. We've really leaned a lot on each other during this past week and grew even closer. Although, we both have missed the presence of the priesthood. Emilio gave Sorella Burkman an incredible blessing of comfort in which i understood everything and shared with her later. She did not understand most of it, so my testimony has grown of when I HAVE To understand for other people, i understand. She is an incredible girl and keeps her head up and still thinks of others more than herself. I am so proud of her!!! Keep the Burkman's in your prayers! 

Classic Christine moment coming your way right now. Before the mission Sorella Burkman spend a lot of time with her makeup. We are talking like hour and half people. Well we were looking at pictures and she has changed so much, and so much better! We both have noticed that she is truly happy now and has a light in her eyes and she was shocked to see her "old self".So naturally I suggested it burn the picture and let "old sorella burkman" die. So we grabbed the matches and lit it on fire, thinking THE SITUATION IS UNDERCONTROL. wrong. As I am holding the picture, the flame slowly creeps to my hand and so Burkster blows on it with a gust of wind, just feeding the flame! Panic! So I drop the picture in the garbage, which had about 40 other papers in it. We both squeal, i grab the garbage and sprint towards the bathroom, while Burkster has meanwhile panic danced her way to the shower and turned it out. We quickly extinguished the flame and then died laughing for a solid 10 minutes. Now confession time, uh Dad, you might want to check the fire alarms in becca's old room. I took the battery out years ago.....When i'd light my math tests on fire before running them in the garbage can to the bathroom. Wow, I have wanted to admit that for so long. Glad that is off my chest. 

"Preview of our transfers together according to a comic book. This is the fire spoken of earlier."

So yes, you can all still count on the fact that I may be getting more spiritually mature but.....

at the end of the day, I am still Christine. 

Vi voglio un sacco di bene la famiglia mia! 

Sorella Alley 

PS- hey mom and dad congrats on the big 34 years of marriage!!! I think you should celebrate by adopting a black baby brother for me....please 

 

""Dagnabit Sorella Burkman YOU WILL STOP BITING YOUR NAILS!"

 Editor's Note: Sorella Alley dedicated the previous image to her little sister Becca, who weights roughly 80 pounds soaking wet and can take any of her older siblings at any time, "Becca, this letter is dedicated to you - since I used all these old tricks on you shorty."

"Everyday during personal study, Queen Burkman reigns from her desk. Grazie al Burker King. "

"Emanuele the baby whisper. Nicolas is 1 year old and adorable. Alan Bazan is chaperoning in the back."

"This is Isabel. She has enough spunk to burn the chapel down."

"Ricardo and Anna Canuti. They feed us every Sunday after church. Ricardo is a convert of a year and is on FIRE with the gospel. Anna is one of my favorite people in the world and has made these transfers very special. "

"Ilaria Zufolini-hands down one of the most beautiful women in the world"

"Emilio Zufolini-hands down one of the most beautiful women in the world also..."

"I was commanded to leave my hair down at this house this sunday. Little did I know it was because he wanted to have long hair also."

"They thought this would be the last mission picture with me, suckers are stuck with me for another 6 weeks! "

"Found this gem while cleaning. Words of Wisdom errrybody. The Asians know whats up. Shoulda known, they brought us Nintendo."

"Found this gem while cleaning. Words of Wisdom errrybody. The asians know whats up. Shoulda known, they brought us Nintendo. "

(Editor's note: You can take the girl outta the Alley house but you can't take the Alley outta the girl!)

"Our bedroom door. hahahahah who knew Ensigns were so useful!?"

"How very Italian. Fruit, pizza dough and olive oil. The 3 staples to every Italians diet. "

"Alan, truly a hipster Italian, rode with us on the Train to Ancona for a baptism. He was kind enough to play his American music loud enough I could hear...."

"Luigi and his girls...i mean missionaries haha at least he came to church! "

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Note from the editor: That is Christine's "I am in so much trouble for hugging this man awkward face"