Finding Christine Marie: "First Gander of the Leaning Tower of Pisa!"

"first gander at the leaning tower."

Buona Sera famiglia mia! This week has been full of miracles and full of laughter! Let's just jump right into it! So mostly, the miracle this week comes in the form of Sorella Condie! Finally, I was able to reunite with my bestie from the MTC and flat out just bestie here! I did my first scambio as sister-whatever-you-call-it with the Condster and I was so excited! Or goal for the scambio was to share the gospel through service and singing. We arrived in her little town and started looking for service. Well not many people were out at noon in the rain, so we decided to find a couple service organizations that were basically dead ends. It's pretty hard to find service here or to do service here - everything looks at you skeptically and asks "why do you want to do service?" Hahaha So we out of change, find a convent of nuns and we look at each other, shrug shoulders and head on it. Well after asking around a bit we were ushered into an ancient dining room style room and there Suora Elisabetta (nun elizabeth) came to meet with us and talk to us a little - mostly to make sure we arent sketchbox americans. It turned into a perfect teaching experience and we left her with a restoration pamplet, knowledge of Joseph Smith and a prayer. Yes, we prayed with a nun! She then did Padre Nostro (our Father) after and gave us two umbrellas for the rain. So per forza, we have a return appointment! Of course, This would happen with Sorella Condie and we were so proud of ourselves! That was just the beginning of the miracles!

"The house of the nuns."

Fun story of the week - we got an emergency call about our pipes having some leaking problem so we were ordered to be at home all monday so the workers could fix our pipes all day. Turns out, the pipes were leaking poison gas (ecco the hives) and we then were ordered to clear out the kitchen (this including taking apart a huge shelf in a little closet) and covering everything. The workers ordered us to the balcony where we were not allowed to leave. Essentially, we were locked out of our house at our house. I literally was going nuts. When a companion is sick at hone, it blows. But it is even worse with both parties are fine and well. We did as much missionary work as we could from the balcony and about 10 blessed hours later, we were given the okay to go back in the house. At this point, to say I was a little hyper was an understatement. But we had to put our house back together and that is when i spotted wet cement.....oh man, it was just calling my name and I couldnt resist. So now there will forever be my name in the cement in Pisa :) But then we put back our shelf, and that is harder to do when it is blasted hot, and a tiny space and broad shoulders (thank you both sets of grandparents for that legacy). I realized, i dont like humidity and tight spaces.

So this probably wasnt a super inspiration email but.....it happens. However, missions are full of moments that you just cant explain unless you have lived them. For that, every RM in the world will understand what I mean when I say to sum up this week, it was okay. I laughed a lot, was frustrated often, had a sip of Dr Pepper for the first time since before the MTC, and spent the day in seaside cinque terre. I am blessed!

"Hmmmm look familiar?"
(Editor's Note: Sorella Alley's oldest brother and his fiance took engagement
pictures in this very spot. S. Alley is missing something...)