Dearest mia famiglia è amici,

Just some things for voi (ya'll) to know: San Siri stadium is right here in Milan, not too far from our apartment. Kinda cool. The cemeteries here are all fancy and cool, too.

 I want toget life savers and attatch them to the pass along cards :) think about it... good plan?

Yes, there are lots of mosquitoes. My legs look like they got attacked! such is life. Sorella Carter hates bugs, and so it's really funny when there is a bug because she screams and freaks out! She's a handful, my madre. She is from San Diego and writes poems, like I do. She eats chick peas (she loves them) it's so weird. She is crazy, but it's fun. I am learning a lot from her.

Last week I went to Como. Cool place, though it's a tourist town. I didn't talk much at all and I hope that Sorella Pond doesn't hate me. I am trying to be bold, and I can carry on conversations in Italian for the most part now. I can understand the gist of everything. I love Milano. Yesterday, we had lunch way out in the middle of nowhere (so pretty) with Olivia, from Africa. She fed us food though it was mild. Rice and beef on the bone and sauce. It was yummy. 

Story of the week: Yesterday we visited with a less active lady who we hasn't met before. We taught her about Heleman 5:12. Good scripture. Well, I knew that she couldn't see well because I could tell from her eyes, but when we left I asked my companion, so, can she not see well? Then she burst up laughing because, as it turns out, Laura was blind.

So we taught the whole lesson and I got most of it, except I missed the beginning when she said that... she was blind. Language barriers are fun! 

Second story: This week we met a lady on the metro who invited us to go to church with her. We also invited her to come with us. So, we went to her church, The Church of Christ, for an hour. She was Filipino and so were most of the people there, with a few exceptions. The church originated from the Philippines and we believe most of all the same teachings, but there were a few things I noticed were missing while we were there: The gift of the Holy Ghost and the pastor taught by fact, not by the spirit; the doctrine of repentance and resurrection and also of the plan of salvation and Il Libro di Mormon. It was an interesting opportunity and it was a miracle because we walked away with a firm confirmation that this church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day saints is true! And there are so many people out there in the world so close to the fulness of the truth, so close to Christ, but they don't know of the fulness. And that's why we are here. Without that fulness, we can't fully come unto Christ. well, they tried to convert us to their church (i don't think they knew much about missionaries) but we invited them to ours, I don't think they will come though.

Third thing: I ate an Italian meal this week. fratello Lauriola, the ward misison leader, invited us sorelle over for lunch. We had bread, delicious rice stuff (olives, tomatoes, peppers, tuna, etc.)- because they eat cold foods in the summer, then pork chop meat deliciousness, I ate a fig- it was yummy!  and of course, gelato :) Success. They live in an actual, custom build casa outside of Milano. It was a great experience. A good family.

This is week of consecration. We hope to see more success. Our bap date is sept 13, and she is looking good. Mercedes is awesome and so sweet. SO many miracles happen every day. It's the little things. sometimes God's plan is our backup plan, according to my collega, but it's true. It has been super rainy here and the weather is getting cooler. we had to pull out the coats/jackets yesterday. It's beautiful, though. Pretty sunsets, pretty skies. 

I think that's about it. I love you all! I read everyone's emails this week, but if I did not respond thank you, I'm sorry, I will next week! be aweomse! Smile! be happy!

Life is good :)

3 Nefi 5:13 is our mission scripture. we changed I to us. It's a good one.

Also, if you have small quotes, or pictures, or things I can decorate my planner with, feel free to mail them. Feel free to ask questions, too.

Oh! One more thing.

Tell me, how do you endure to the end? what does it mean to endure to the end? why is that important in life? what scriptures can back that up? How did Christ endure to the end?

That is your homework.

Ciao!