Caserta | week 1 {new city, new apartment, new companion}

Regan's new apartment! 

On pday, Regan and his companion visited Rega. He said there are 1200 rooms and it is even more legit than the botanical gardens! (one of Regan's favorite places to visit in Atlanta) 

Regan's new companion Elder Heder!

This past week has been kind of crazy with goodbyes, packing, transfers, getting into a new apartment, and getting readjusted to a new area. The night before I left Brindisi though we had an English Course party that we usually do every 12 weeks. Everyone brought in a different dessert and we played scattegories. It was way fun for the last week and a good way to say goodbye to everyone. I will miss Anziano Pizza, Jepson, and Alvey a lot. Brindisi is in good hands as long as they are there.

On Thursday I rode up from Bari with a couple of other missionaries going to Rome and I got off in Caserta. I was so excited to get here. Anziano Heder is my new companion, and he is so awesome. For example, we finished exercise Friday morning, and he asked "How do you like your eggs?" Yes he made me eggs for breakfast first day there. He is always looking for ways to serve. Our church here is about 70% Americans who live on the American Military Base and so Anziano Heder translated all 3 hours of church. I have no idea how he did it. He never complained or viewed it as a burden he just did it like a champ. Everyone in church wears headphones and Anziano Heder just goes from English to Italian and Italian to English depending on who is talking. No one slows down for him, he just goes. It is super impressive. He told me it will be my turn by the end of this transfer. Anyways, church was awesome this week. All of the members here love the missionaries, and it is definitely different to be around Americans. I really like it because everything is organized really well because these people are in the military. They make calls, they plan, they start on time. I am excited to work with them.

Ok, so a little bit about Caserta. They people here are a lot different than Brindisinos. There are a lot more youth and there is definitely a lot more going on here than in Brindisi. The people that have stopped and talked to us have been really nice and respectful. It is difficult for us to get any real work going right now because the missionary who I replaced accidentally took our phone down to Sicily and it is not suppose to get here until the end of the week. We have gotten a few numbers and have a lot of other people we need to talk to but we have no way of doing it. It is quite frustrating, but there is nothing we can do about it. We just have to do the best with what we have. Anziano Heder and I went through the Area Book yesterday for 2 hours and got the addresses of every person the missionaries of taught in the past 10 years and we are going to go stop by their houses and talk with them until we get our phone. It is a long list of people and surely enough to keep us busy this week.

There is a lot of rich culture here that will be fun to experience. This morning Anziano Heder and I went to the Rega which has 1200 rooms. It was easily the coolest place I have ever seen. I sent a couple pics, nothing to do any justice. They have miles and miles of gardens we are going to see another pday. The nopton pizza surpassed all the hype. It was straight up incredible. Tomorrow will be my first time going to Napoli. We have district meeting there every Tuesday, so I am excited to meet the rest of the district. It should be an exciting week. We are certainly anticipating the arrival of our phone. Until then, it is some good old fashioned street contacting. Sorry there is not much substance to this email. There will certainly be more to report next week. Take care everyone. Love you all.

Anziano Smith

Brindisi | week 3

In Lecce last P-day playing soccer with some other elders

This gelato looks amazing! 

Italian pizza looks so good! 

Regan's study desk in his apartment

They really love watermelon there!

First I would like to start by thanking those who wrote me. It seriously meant the world to me. As far as mail goes, I can get letters here at my apartment. However, every 6 weeks we have transfers, and I will not know until 3 days before if I am getting transferred. The next transfer date is September 6th, so if you are sending me a letter within three weeks of my next transfer, it would be safer to send mail to the mission office in Rome and the mission president will bring it down for zone conference which is towards the beginning of each transfer.

My third week in Italy followed a very similar schedule to my first two. Most people here go to the beach all day and come home at night or are on vacation. However, we did meet some incredible people this week that we hope to be able contact next week or the week after. It is easy to feel of the goodness of these people during a conversation that lasts only a few minutes. Honestly, I am very excited for summer to be over.

Last night at English course something big happened for me. So, as you all know, I am with Anziano Pizza literally all the time. It is a lot easier for me to understand him than Italians so usually can decipher what I should say based on what he is saying. Last night I was on the other side of the room, and a man who came started talking to me. I held a conversation with him for about 10 minutes with no help. This gave me a huge confidence boost. My language abilities grew a lot this week.

As far as teaching opportunities, we had our first two formal lessons this week that were great. They were both with members who have not been able to come to church the past couple months because of work. Our first was with a lady named Taurisano who is extremely kind and faithful. She invited us into her kitchen and told us she wanted to read the Book of Mormon with us, and we read Mosiah 5 to 7. She then gave us gelato and told us about her family. She is awesome. Next we met with a man named Richard who is equally as awesome. We got to know him and his friend Kwame a little better, and they told us they want to read the Book of Mormon together because sometimes they have a hard time understanding it. Desire is the first thing one needs to come closer to Christ, and I know he has a strong desire and a humble heart.

This week my testimony of the Book of Mormon has grown incredibly. Every night during our planning session we plan what we will study for personal study and companionship study. Each of these studies are meant to last 1 hour. Every night I planned to study 30 minutes in the Book of Mormon and 30 minutes in Preach My Gospel. This is what President Waddoups encouraged at Zone Conference. Every morning these week I completely failed at this plan because I could not put the Book of Mormon down. When 9 came and Anziano Pizza asked me if I was ready for companionship study I was kind of annoyed because I did not want to stop reading the Book of Mormon. There is a Spirit that will come into your heart which cannot be denied when you prayerfully and diligently study that sacred book. It is one of Gods most precious gifts to the world.

As far as other things are concerned, all is well here. As watermelon season is about to end, last night we each bought a 18 or 20kg watermelon. We have about 75kg of watermelon in our fridge. Also, we found a boss pizza place last night that is right next to the church. It is our new go to. We got out for pizza every Tuesday night after English course (Peve Pizza). That is pretty much standard throughout the whole mission. Also we have become pros this week at managing our resources. Between our 2 stovetops, washer, 2 fridges, oven, we can only have 3 on at a time or the power goes out. The only time this is a problem is during lunch. We have the system down now though. That is about it for the week. Also, last Wednesday we played Soccer in Lecce with the four missionaries there. They won 3 to 2. The series is still young though. They are coming to our field next week. Tomorrow is deep cleaning day which happens three times a year, so we will be cleaning our apartment all day tomorrow. Fun stuff. Take care at home. I hope all is well.

Love,

Anziano Smith

Regan's Mission Farewell Open House

Regan and Jacob Winters both gave their farewell talks on Sunday June 9th. They both gave amazing talks and were followed by returning missionary Nathan Harries. It was one of the best meetings I have ever been to! After church, we held an open house for Regan and Jacob. Numerous friends and family members attended and it was a special night. Afterwards, Regan was set apart as a full-time missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

Viva Italia! 

Pam Winters made a variety of desserts, including these mini-missionary cookies!

Jacob's mission call to Richmond, VA speaking Mandarin Chinese & Regan's call to Rome, Italy

Jacob Winters, Nathan Harries, Regan Smith, Matthew Harries