Rome Time
Pictures of Regan at San Gregorio Armeno in Naples, Italy. He said it is the coolest street in the world and that they do this every day of the year!
Elder Heder, Salvatore, Alina, and Elder Smith at the ward xmas party
So first
of all, I never want to leave this place. Caserta is absolutely amazing, and
when I do get transfered, I never want to leave the Napoli Zone. Noptons are
the coolest people in the world! The culture of the people here is so unique
that people here dont really say they are Italian, they say that they are
Napolitano. I completely understand why now. This place is a whole different
world than Brindisi. I found out this week that Napoli is older than Rome! Last
pday we planned to go see underground Napoli, but we got so caught up in seeing
other things we never got around to it. I sent some pics of Sangregorio Armeno
(Christmas Alley) which was really cool.
Anways, last Friday we met with Salvatore and Alina and it was
an amazing lesson. Sometimes I kind of get nervous before lessons cause Im not
sure that Im going to say the right thing or whatever, but with Salvatore and
Alina I dont feel that way at all. Friday was the 3rd time we have met with
them, and I already feel like we are great friends. The lesson lasted an hour
and a half which is a lot longer than usual. Salvatore is really smart and
always has a lot of questions which makes it a lot easier as a teacher. We
ended up talking about so much different stuff I hope they didnt leave
confused. It is amazing to me that they are so willing to meet with us and
learn more given my crummy Italian and probably confusing answers. I know that
they could feel the Spirit thought when we read from the Book of Mormon
together. Everytime someone asks a question I have found out that the best
answers are found in the Book of Mormon and my testimony because these
things bring the Spirit the easiest. The next night they came to our Branch
Christmas Party which was a way awesome chance for them to meet the members.
They showed up right on time and they were only Americans there and it was
kind of awkward at first. However, it ended up being great when 3 Italian
families came and made them feel right at home. Joe and Vincenza also came and
brought their daughters which was really cool. I think I wrote about them
before. They are Italian, but lived in the states for a while so they speak
fluent english and italian. The branch needs more people like them!! Anways, it
was a really good time together just eating, talking, listening to xmas music,
and then some of the kids acted out some scripture stories. After the xmas
party all the members gave us all the left over desserts, pasta, and a bunch of
other stuff. On the way home we stopped by Adeles house to give her some
roasted chestnuts someone gave us, haha. She was so nice and gave us more cake!
Hopefully no alcohol this time. Didnt even ask. We met her 11 year old son too who
loves the NBA. We asked him if he would want to go the the base and play with
some American kids his age and he got way excited. We are going to try and
organize something before he has to go back to school.
We have an awesome xmas week planned out. Tonight is Joes bday
and his wife invited us over for his birthday dinner tonight. We cannot wait
for that. We will be spending xmas eve with the Salvitis. Christmas we have a
lunch and dinner appointment and I get to skype my family in between!!! We are allowed
to watch 2 disney movies for xmas as well which we will watch on the 26th. We
have epic plans of which I will send pics next week.
Wow! Salvatore just called me a second ago cause he wants to see
us tonight! Life rocks!!!
I hope everyone has a great Christmas back at home! At the
beginning of December when they started putting up the big tree in the center
and playing xmas music I thought Christmas would make me a little homesick, but
it has not at all. The true spirit of Christmas can be felt at any part of the
globe wherever we seek to serve our Savior.
Anziano Smith
