Wednesday, July 30, 2014

Working hard in Siena

Ciao da Siena! This week I am writing to you from the beautiful city of Siena. I have lost my heart here in la toscana, there is no beauty that can compare to it. However, I still can't figure out why people choose to farm on the rollings hills.....but I did offer to help a man squish his grapes for wine so maybe when we provide that service, I will receive my answer. Vi faccio sapere.
It seems like I havent really been in Pisa this week as I have had done two scambios and only been in Pisa for Part of Friday, Saturday and Sunday but the few days were jammed backed and rocking. On saturday, Sorella Bennett and I decided we wanted to serve our GANS, so we planned a classic alley favorite, "Breakfast for Dinner". We made scrambled eggs, hashbrowns, and pancakes. It was a hit and my pancakes speak for themselves. We did a spiritual thought about the Motto della Libertà and acted out the title of liberty. I absolutely love all our GANS members and think the world of them. I also feel like they are the future of the church in Italy so that is where our focus should be! 

To celebrate the 24th of July, my companion thought I had forgotten but I am just sly, I made a fort and set up a "park the wagon in" movie. We watched Legacy in our "tent" and even rocked the bonnets. Sorella Bennett thinks I am nuts but she doesnt grasp that Alley's dont do anything slight or little. But in my personal studies I focused on the one thing that changed the lives of so many: The Book of Mormon. I literally cannot imagine the humility of the pioneers to accept the BoM and the Prophet Joseph Smith and then put everything up for sacrifice to follow into an unknown future. That is power, that is the power of the Spirit. Having ancestors from both sides been some of the originals who left EVERYTHING for the gospel I feel so grateful. So little. So much less than these spiritual giants. They are among the very elect and I hope that I am doing them proud in my little spot in Italy.

This week has involved more finding and tracting. Even in the blazing heat and in the rain I can honestly say I think I will miss it. Stopping every person in my way on the street and immediately talking about our beliefs JUST FEELS GOOD. It just feels good to have an excuse to stop everyone and remind them that they have a Heavenly Father who loves them. Are they always pleased? di solito, no. But at least, I did my part. I am going to miss those rare moments when it rings true to someone and they listen intently. I am going to miss those moments when they thank me and then go on their way again. I am even going to miss being said no to. Weird. 

Miracle: I stopped a man on the street who was walking with his son. I immediately started talking about my family and how we can be eternal. I asked him if it would be important to him to KNOW with certainty that his family will last longer than death. He said yes. Than I asked for his number so we could teach him. He said yes. Then I just stared at him. What? Did you just say yes? ((We spend a lot of time at zone trainings learning about how to approach someone and get a number and little time on what happens when they actually do.......)) HUGE MIRACLE. Bad part, this happened on a scambio in another area so I probably wont ever see him again but huge miracle to be reminded that HEARTS ARE PREPARED!!!

Vi amo tutti and just know that I am not coming home until I am dead tired or have died trying. 

Sorella Alley


quote of the week: In a fit of frustration Sorella Bennet yells "F-E- Double hockey sticks!" She is just really confused on how to speak, or curse in any language nowadays. 

No comments:

Post a Comment