Rome Time
Anziano Smith, Anziano Jepsen, Anziano Alvey, Anziano Pizza
Ah! We can't wait to go visit Brindisi one day! It sure seems like a special place
Lasagna Anziano Pizza made for the elders last Friday for weekly planning. Delicious!
Regan said this was a local duomo (big Catholic church)
Sure looks beautiful there!
Anziano Pizza and Anziano Smith
Well, this was a shorter week since pday was
changed to Mondays but I still have some good stuff to report. First of all, I
dont think I have given the members here from Brindisi enough love in my emails
home. They are super legit. Prime example. Last Friday Fratello Frascaro asked
us to come to the church really quick to help him with something for his family
history and he bought 4 wheels of focaccia for the 4 of us. It was so nice of
him.
On Saturday I
went on a scambio with Anziano Jepson. That night was easily one of the best of
my whole mission. Anziano Jepson decided to go out to see someone they met on
the street earlier that week. She told them they could come back and talk. She
was about an hour walk from our apartment. I thought it was a very questionable
decision to go and see her, but he wanted to, so we did. After 40 minutes of
walking came across an older couple and a younger lady sitting on a bench and
we stopped to talk to them. It was a way neat experience for me to say the
least. Anziano Jepson talked to the younger lady (who wasnt super interested in
our message) while I talked to the older couple. We ended up talking for like
30 minutes. It boosted my confidence a ton to know that I can hold a
conversation completely on my own. Anziano Pizza is giving me control of the
phone now which is another big step. Anyways, I gave them a Book of Mormon
which they said they would read. Only problem with contacting them again is
they have no idea how to use the phone they have. Getting a hold of them might
be a problem. I had to take her phone from her and call my phone to get her
number cause she didnt even know it. We shall wait and see.
Then we finally got to
the apartment we were going to in the first place. It was a very very nice lady
who was in probably the nicest apartment I have seen since I have been here.
She showed us pics of her kids weddings which were incredible. We got to know
her better for like 20 minutes and then asked if she has met with the
missionaries before. It turns out she is the great aunt of Anziano Liccoli who
was the missionary that I came to Brindisi to replace. I was so shocked. He is
from somewhere in Northern Italy. We then taught her the lesson on the
Resoration. She said she wasnt interested in meeting with us again, but I still
felt amazing after that lesson. It is really neat to think of how much joy God
lets us feel when we do our best. I know that I am not by any means a perfect
teacher, and I have thought a lot of times that I could have given another
person a better chance to here this wonderful message. However, the only thing
that matters is that I keep trying to grow in my love for the Lord and others
and do my best and that will be enough because the Lords grace is
sufficient.
Next big moment from
the week: Transfer Calls!!! Our whole house is staying together this transfer.
I was psyched! We actually got the call while we were at Victor and Blessings
for dinner and a lesson. We had an amazing dinner of pasta and fried chicken
sandwiches. It was legit. Anyways, all the elders here truly are my brothers. This work unites us like
none other. I love them all so much and am so happy to hear that they are all
doing well.
Im out of time.
Everyone just know that the Lord lives. He loves everyone one of us no matter
what we do. We can never go so far away that we are out of his sight. We are
his children and always will be. It is the quest of a lifetime to come to know
him more intimately and serve him with all our might!
Love,
Anziano Smith
