Finding Christine Marie: Patience and Diligence

Buon giorno carissimi miei! I feel like someone is playing a really mean trick on me and stealing days right out from under me. How in the crazy world is it Wednesday?! The beautiful think about working hard is that time FLIES past. The bad thing about working hard is the TIME FLIES past. You just cant ever win can you?

Working hard is what we are doing here in Pisa. Some of my favorite moments this week include Dad's Birthday. To celebrate, I did a scambio in Pisa with a verdina and we taught 5 lessons and literally ran from appointment to appointment. It feels so good to work hard and to be able to say at the end of the day, "Lord, I did you proud today!"

"Dont have a poncho? That has never stopped an Alley.
Garbage bag and scarf. Mission accomplished."

"Apparently something about this says "please drive past me at a close distance so I can be even more wet".
Soaked to the bone."

Another wonderful aspect of the work is the language. I finally convinced Sorella Bennett to speak only in Italian so it has been wonderful to full immerse ourselves in the language. It has already allowed us to be more sensitive to the spirit and we have been in the right places at the right times, comforting those that need comfort in their own language. I speak italian. Cosa. I am so grateful for this experience of learning this language, although it is still often very frustrating and very challenging, I love this language and I love communicating with people in this language. Dammine!

"Thanks to Italy, I am obsessed with stained glass."

We taught a lesson this week to a woman and she is very confused. She is so used to the "spirit" being a manifestation of the "gift of tongues" or other crazy things. She feels a spirit, but it is not the spirit of the Lord. After trying to control a lesson and maintain the right spirit, I couldnt take it anymore. Perhaps our spirits are more sensitive as missionaries but everything inside of me was yelling "NO MORE!" so, I let it go. This has probably been one of the strongest moments of my mission in which I felt the power and authority of my calling. The spirit testified of the truth and I provide soltanto the mouthpiece. I opened the mouth and the words came home. When we left the lesson, Sorella Bennett said that it was like my entire countenance and voice changed. She said that I literally called repentance and invite this woman to come to Christ as His called and authorized representative. I am grateful that I was intune with the Spirit and humble enough just to yield all control over. I am grateful that I have learned to be bold even through my fears. Be more bold people!

Sorella Bennett and I have learned a lot about patience and diligence this week. Our sweet city of Pisa is hurting and needs help but we feel the weight of world on our shoulders. We literally have felt alone in our combat this week and have often wondered is it worth it... through the ups, the downs, the tears, anger, pain and frustration - YES, it is infinitely worth it. Maybe we won't be able to help this city or the members as much as we think we should, but we are becoming more converted, better disciples of Jesus Christ. Yes, it is worth it.