Buon giorno famiglia!!
Well.. I'm staying here!! I'm very excited for it too.. At times it's difficult because I'm still in my "Greenie city", but I don't let it get to me.. Coolest city, in the coolest zone, in the coolest mission, in the world! Not trying to brag... Just sayin'! I'm staying with my companion, Anziano Mikesell.. We're going to try and be a lot better this next transfer, I'm looking forward to the challenge! Everything seems to be rolling along at home just nicely.. I'm so thankful for the e'mails and the love that I feel all the time.. I miss all of you and pray for you.. This past week has been incredible.. From Capri last Thursday, the confermation of Antonella Sunday, the announcement of the Rome Temple Ground-breaking!!!!, Zone Conference at Pozzouli Monday, and here I am now.. The weeks just fly by!! I don't know what to do about it! But all is well.. Just about a month ago Elder Ballard and a couple other General Authorities made a stop at Rome to make some last remarks regarding the Rome Temple.. They left a message with us and Elder Ballard said something that really stuck with me.. All the time we are exhorted to come unto Christ, to learn of Him, to walk in His ways, and to literally know Him better.. Elder Ballard took it from the other perspective.. As we do these things, we are allowing our Savior to know us.. We are showing Him how much He can trust us with His precious things on the earth.. We show to Him that we are dedicated servants, that we will keep His commandments, and will be an example of the believers in all things.. I loved what Elder Ballard said and it really was just what I needed.. The work continues to go forth here.. There's so much to do and so little time.. The Lord needs more missionaries and not only that, but He needs more stud missionaries.. The ones that won't come home because it's still a little early, the one's that talk to the person sitting next to them even though they're tired, the one's that take obedience and look at it more as a challenge, rather than a burden.. I promise I'm trying to be this type of missionary.. Today I restarted reading the Book of Mormon.. Chapter two, verse three.. Obedience... The Prophet Joseph Smith also said, "I made a rule for myself, when the Lord commands... do it!".. How happy we would be if we would take this at face value and do the things that He asks of us.. Namely, tithing, scripture study, FHE, prayer... All the things are necessary for our own well-being! President Monson even said it this past week, "It's easier to be 100% obedient than it is to be 98%." I'm learning a lot out here.. I would be crazy to say I don't miss you all, but I can't believe I'm rounding my 5 month mark and it seems like I just hit the MTC.. Oh well!! So the Temple Announcement.. So incredible!! They will break ground in two weeks and President Kelly is trying to get approved that all missionaries can attend.. President Monson and I think the entire First Presidency will be there.. That would be incredible if I could go.. We'll see what happens.. On another temple note.. Hartford, CT!!! Do Nana and Grandad know that if they won't come back to Utah that we'll just come to them!!?? That's so awesome though, I was smiling from Italy when I heard that.. Today for P-Day we are going to try and see all that Napoli has to offer.. There are so many castles and museums that we walk by daily during our work that we never have time to stop and see, so we are trying to deal with all of that today.. I'm loving the work here, I'm trying my absolute hardest.. Days take weeks and weeks seem like a day.. I'm adjusting just fine to this culture, the Italian people are the most wonderful people in the world... hands down.. I miss you all and I love you.. Although, I don't miss you that much because you're going to be on a houseboat next week listening to Toby Keith and Fleetwod Mac.. Buon viaggio!!
Con amore,
No comments:
Post a Comment