Rome 5 | week 12

 Saying goodbye to Elder Pizza! 

 Regan with Elder Pizza (his first companion in Brindisi)

  

6.23.2014

So last Monday right after we finished writing home, something incredible happened. We know the lady who works here at the Internet Point pretty well cause we come here every week to write home. Last Monday she showed us her glasses that she just bought for 365 euro and how they already had some scratches on the frames that were hurting her nose and the place she bought them from said they wouldnt replace them. She asked if we could do anything about it, and we were totally blank on ideas. Then I remembered that there was a guy who came to English Course 2 times when I first got here who worked at a glasses store here in Monterotondo. We went to his place to tell him what was up and then they met the next day and she got her frames replaced for free! That was the first time I had helped anyone with a practical problem my entire mission. I literally have no idea how I remember about that guy, and the cooler thing was that we found is store in about 15 minutes and we werent even sure where it was. Cool experience. 

This was the last week of the transfer, and we will be getting some new missionaries in the district. Anziano Blair and I will be staying together for another which is what we expected and we are both happy about. Sad news was that it was Anziano Pizzas last District Meeting ever. He is flying home tomorrow! It was like yesterday when we met and he was going into his 9th transfer and I was a greenie, now Im going into my 9th transfer. The mission goes by super fast. Before we left we got some family photos: grandfather, father, son (Pizza, Smith, Blair). They are pretty epic. I have really come to love all the other missionaries who I have served with and that has been one of the greatest blessings of my mission. Everyone here is strong in the gospel and loves the Lord, but everyone has a different story, personality, interests, etc. It has showed me that this gospel really is for everyone. 

We had a lesson again with Lorenzo on Saturday and he told us the reason he invites us over is because we are exactly the opposite of all the other kids in the world-the way we dress, how we spend our time, our values, etc. He straight up told us that he wasnt very interested in the Book of Mormon or our living day prophets, but he was just happy to know young kids who serve God. His words seriously touched both of us, then he taught us how to make a really good pasta that Im going to start making all the time. Anyways, his words towards us were super geniune and respectful, and helped me learn about the Italian culture in general. I realized that although not all Italians are as open as Lorenzo, they are genuine and loving people. They are also very logical, and I really respect that. Today for pday Anziano Blair and I took a guided tour of the Coliseum in English, and the tour guide was really getting the point across that the construction/purposes of the Coliseum reflected a lot about the Italian culture. He said a lot of stuff I dont have time to write right now, but he was basically saying that Italians were the most logical people on earth who put all the Greeks ideas into practice. The principle of logic and reasoning is still the same today, which makes it hard when we are contacting people on the street telling them about angels appearing to a 14 year old boy in America 200 years ago. Nonetheless, I have seen how they are some of the most loving and genuine people towards their families, and the members here who have come to the knowledge of the Restoration of the gospel are the strongest saints on the earth. Im so glad they are getting a temple next year, which I know will open up the curiosity and interst of many Italians. Serving here has definitely been the best experience of my life, and helped me learn so many things I could have never learned at home. 

Anziano Smith

Rome 5 | week 11

6.16.2014

Last Monday night after pday Anziano Blair and I got calls from a couple people we were teaching who told us they dont want to see us anymore, and it destroyed us. We were both really down, and decided to just go get some pizza. In the next 10 minutes, 3 people stopped us to talk. It was such a tender mercy. The first guy was 89, and he fought in WW2. We visited him twice last week. So cool, he literally knows every person who has ever lived in Passo Corese. He has lived here his entire life. Guy number 2 was the young priest from the Catholic Church in the middle of the city who we are tight with. He stopped us and asked us if we discipled anyone that day. It was pday, so I told him we did nothing all day, and he cracked up. Third lady was the Ethopian lady who invited us to that party thing I wrote about 2 weeks ago or so. She is seriously like our best friend. I thought it was a miracle that God put 3 people in our path right when we were really discouraged. It really let me know that he is always watching over us. 

Other cool stuff about this week - I had a record breaking 2 service opportunities this week! The first was with Sorella Vaccorono putting up a bunch of water games that we set up the week before for the kids getting out of school party. We put all the games up with her and a man named Asim from Albania. Afterwards, she invited all 3 of us to her house for dinner last night. Sorella Vaccorono made us a great dinner, and then we had a spiritual thought on the Book of Mormon. We found out that he has a son that died a few years ago, and we left him with some chapters about the plan of salvation to read this week. Overall, it was a really good night, and a good spiritual experience. 

Next, we got to help Marco donate some of his old stuff. He is someone the missionaries have known for several years, and we have recently started seeing him again. He lives in Poggio Mirteto where the Anziani use to live. It hast he most beautiful view ever. I got a picture with him after from a castle that was near the place we dropped the stuff off. At the end of the night we asked him if he knew anyone he thinks is searching for a stronger relationship with God, and then we rang his neighbors doorbell. She was busy, but I respected him so much for that. He is the man. 

Friday night, Anziano Blair and I got our feelings hurt. We have a neighbor who is 11 years old, and he is a really cool kid. We run into him about every other day, and we always talk and joke together. Friday night we were walking around Passo and we saw him with a group of about 10 friends. We tried to say hi to him, and he pretended like he didnt know us. Our next encounter outside the house will be really awkward. 

One of the coolest things I have seen my entire mission happened on Saturday night. We took Nem out to a mall right by his house where we met one of his friends who works their and invited her to church, and then we bought a massive tub of gelato to go back to eat at his house. When we got back, there were 3 guys chilling there waiting for the World Cup to start. One of them was 51 year old man who was worked with Nems dad for several years and considers Nem his son. He told us that he and the rest of Nems family was against his baptism, but he did it anyways. He said Nem has become a completely different person in the last year since he has been "praying with the Mormons." He invited us to come over to his house next Sunday to teach him, his wife, and his kids how we are different from other Christian churches. Nem is seriously an inspiration to me. His example has blessed so many people. 

Last week we figured out how to hack the wifi at the Hotel and downloaded all the Bible Videos on our phone. This week Anziano Blair and I have been watching them during lunch and before bed. Those videos are so inspiring. There is one in particular that I have watched every day this week: "My Kingdom is not of This World." They are such a good way to brighten someones day and really easy to send to people. I would definitely recommend it. Have an awesome week!

Anziano Smith

Rome 5 | week 10

6.9.2014

This week Anziano Blair and I did a lot of traveling again. Rome 5 is a unique area because we dont have one big city, but about 25 little small cities just in the mountains and different parts of the country. One of these little cities is Poggio Mirteto, and that is actually where the Anziani use to live a couple months ago. This week we went there for the first time together and a lot of awesome stuff happened. 

First I have to give a little background. At the end of our first week together, Anziano Blair and I decided that if college and the whole America thing doesnt work out for us, we are going to move to Rieti and open up a suit shop called Fratelli Belli (beautiful brothers). It has been a topic of conversation most days. As we were roaming the streets of Poggio, we walked past a bakery called Fratelli Belli. We were in shock. We walked in and bought a super good cake and told some of the workers they stole our idea. It was pretty awesome. 

We also have a member family that lives in Poggio. Sorella Vacorrono called us up and asked us to help her set up some inflatable water games at a park in the city for the kids (school just got out this week for them). We thought it was no biggy until we saw these rolled up inflatable obstacle course things that weighed as much as a small elephant. There was a man who worked at the park who ended helping us for a couple hours set this stuff up, and it was actually really fun. This guys name was Asim and we got super tight with him. Fratello Vacorrono was able to share a good bit of the plan of salvation with him after he shared with us some things from his life that have been difficult. We changed information and hope to see him this week. It definitely strengthened my testimony of service in softening the hearts of people. 

On Saturday we had Stake Conference at Rome 2 and then we got to spend the night with the assistants there. It was a great conference. The assistance did a training for an hour in which was all about members and missionaries coming together to spread the gospel. It was a good night, because we got to be around some really strong Anziani which made me want to improve. 

The highlight of the week was Sunday morning being able to listen the a broadcoast from Germany. It was a broadcast for 31 stakes in Europe in which Elder Texiera (70), Elder Anderson of the 12, Sister Uchtdorf, and President Uchtdorf talked to us. It was 2 hours, and they gave President Uchtdorf the last hour to talk. It was one of the most tender and sincere talks I have ever heard. President Uchtdorf was addressing and praising his fellow Europeans who he knows face a lot of difficulty since the church isnt very big here. He started by sharing the story of dear friend from Switzerland (I think) who had the choice to settle down and start his family in America or Switzerland, but he chose his homeland, because he wanted to establish the church and bring the gospel to the people of his homeland. He thanked everyone there for making the harder choice and relying on the Lord for strength rather than taking the easy road. His words touched everyones heart. He encouraged all the people here to remember the saints in Kirtland who suffered terrible financial problems and persecution and reminded them that 65 sections of D&C were recieved in Kirtland which included some of the most miraculous miracles/revelations of this dispensation. The part that touched me the most was the finish. He talked about President Monson for about 5 minutes. He told them about his prayers for them, how he loves them and thinks about them often. Then he said, "President Monson is the prophet of God in our day. I am with him on a daily basis. I know this." 

We got to teach 3 new people this week which got us really excited. My love for this gospel has really grown as I have learned to share it with others. Even if they dont choose to act on it, I feel good inside cause I know that Im doing my best. The Lord is so patient and loving with us. We are not perfect missionaries by any means, but Anziano Blair and I really trying our best and we are wiped out every night. It is truly a blessing to have this time and learn from these people. Striving to serve them has blessed my life in great ways.

Anziano Smith

Rome 5 | week 9

6.2.2014

This past week was full of interesting experiences. That is partly because the week started of with a 3 day exchange in Terni because the Zone Leaders needed to borrow our car. For the first night of the exchange I wanted to stay here in Passo to work with Anziano Morgan. However, he convinced me to go to Terni in the evening to spend the night. It ended up being one of the best decisions anyone has ever made. We show up to the end of their english course and one of their students invited the 4 of us out to dinner with her at her friends restraunt. At first we thought it was just going to be like a random pizzeria or something. It ended up being the nicest place I have ever eaten in my entire life and easily one of the most memorable nights of my mission. No joke, the dinner was 10 courses. We were a little late getting home, but it was totally a one time thing that will never happen again. It was Anziano Blairs first time eating out at an Italian Restaraunt, and this place set the bar pretty high. I dont think either of us will eat better than that the rest of our missions...maybe lives. 

2 days later I had a cool experience with Anziano Morgan again. His grandmas cousin lives in a city really close to Terni, and we went over to her house to have lunch and just talk about the family. She told us straight up when we got there that she wasnt interested in our church, and on the way out she made sure none of her neighbors were out cause she didnt want them to know the Mormon missionaries were at her house, haha. President has been emphasized that we use family history to find people to teach and that lunch appointment really helped me understand why. This lady and her husband were great and they loved their family a lot, but they didnt want anything to do with our message. 

Given that, we decided to shake things up a little bit this weekend. We met a lady on the street last week from Ethiopia, and she invited us to some sort of intergation festival where they would celebrate all the different nationalities of Passo and Sunday at the Catholic Church in the middle of town. We showed up right before it was about to start and some people were looking at us really wierd. Anziano Blair and I were kind of hesitating on the choice to go, and then I was just like Why not? It ended up being so awesome. There were kids from about 8 countries who dances and sang songs that represented their country. It was kind of cool just being with the community in a normal atmosphere. We saw quite few people there who we have talked to on the street. Anyways, we met up with this woman from Ethiopia right afterwards and she said we had to come to the Mass and afterwards we would all eat dinner with food from every country. It was really awesome to have someone of another faith be so welcoming to us and invite us to their stuff. At the same time it was a bit awkward standing in the back of Mass with our white shirts, ties, and missionary tags, and everyone in there knew who we were. It was a really neat experience nonetheless. Afterwards, the priest came up and talked to us for a minute thanking us for coming, and then on our way out we got to talk to two more guys who were studying to become priests. We told them about the church we would get in Passo in about 5 months, and they told us they would come visit when it opened. Cool stuff. I wish our church was tighter with the community here like it is an America. We are totally trying to make that happen from now on.

So Anziano Blair and I have been talking the past 2 weeks about how we want to go on a hike one pday, but we knew nothing about trails nearby. We were about to take a bus and tell it to stop and a random mountain and just hike it. On Friday we ran into a nature reserve park out of nowhere with like 7 different hiking trails. We went today and it was the sweetest hike of my life. We decided we will do that for pday at least every other week for the rest of our time together cause we saw some sweet stuff. This country is seriously beautiful and the people rock if I can just show them that they are important to me and I compliment their food. The trick is just figuring out how to do these two things.

I cant believe it is already summer again. Watermelon and cherry season just started, and I am going hard because this is officially my last season of everything. Im doing my best to make the most of everyday cause I know that the mission is short and this time is really special. I decided that everytime a door opens, Im just going to take it and hope things work out, just like yesterday with that festival thing. It helped me realize that the Lord opens doors, I just have to realize it and have courage to walk into them. 

Anziano Smith