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First, I will start
by telling about New year’s because I failed to recount that story. It was a
crazy day- we went to Firenze and were supposed to be home early, but we missed
the train (as usual) and got home late. So We stopped by a small store, I
bought some nuts and made Pecan pie with Walnuts while we watched 17
Miracles, and drank hot chocolate. We wanted to go to bed early but instead
we just went to bed on time. It didn't go as planned, but it was nice. About
midnight all the fireworks were going off, it was crazy!!! For a good half
hour they were booming and exploding. Needless to say we did not sleep well
nor could we see them from our window. SO, they like to party here, and we
obviously could hear that. But that was our night, nothing too exciting, but
kind of sort of relaxing.
As for this week...
I will start with last week. I already told you we went to Porto Venere for
pday, and it was absolutely incredible! We woke up waaayy too early, ran for
the train, but then the time there was great. We missed three trains and so
we didn't get home until like 7 at night, but anyways it was a wonderful day.
Thursday a miracle
happened: we finally met with Sara! I think Sorella Friedbaum had only met
with her three times this Whole transfer, whereas last transfer we saw her
almost every day. Well there are still problems with her and Giovanni but I
guess now they are not together, so that's good. We are trying to get an English
class going so we went to the Commune here, but they just said there is no
space. It is really hard sometimes not having a Church building. It makes
things interesting. Then, that evening we went out with one of the Young
women, Nicol, who speaks perfect English (we don't understand how) and we got
gelato and talked all night in English. She helped us with Italian and it was
fun!
The big miracle of
Thursday was Gabriella. She called us on Wednesday and said she wanted to see
us. So, we went on Thursday and prepared a lesson for her. We sit down as
usual and start talking. She tells us that she feels like she committed the
biggest sin possible, by being so close to baptism and that she was ready,
she stopped smoking- but then she got weak and started again and couldn't get
baptized. They are about to lose their house and all sorts of stress there is
for them, but she told us she realized how much peace she had before and now
she wants to get back to that point. And she told us she wants to re-set a
bap date. Yeah, we were pretty happy! She also told her she has been praying
(she's Golden) and the other night felt this warm arm on her shoulder, like
it was heavenly father telling her it will be ok and she is forgiven.
Prayers do come
true!
So Friday, we head
out early to Arezzo and get two lessons, then head back to San Giovanni to
have lunch with another Young women, Chiarra. Their family is struggling and
the Whole situation is crazy, but we took her out to pizza and gelato and she
really enjoyed it. The miracle here is that night she went to seminary, and
she hasn't been for a while. Then on Sunday she told everyone but out date
out- I think she needed it. We also met a cool lady on the train that day
named Silvia who tried out other religions and doesn't like em, but she loves
to read and grabbed the Boom of Mormon and started reading it. Pretty cool.
Don’t know if we will see her again, though. We got her number so speriamo
bene. Then, we ended the night with my favorite- Jasmin. We had dinner with
the brava cook Muma and her. They are great, and when we come back to visit
Italia, they will give us a place to stay :)
Saturday, it
happened. We wake up and do studies. The clock read 8:34am, the phone starts
buzzing. I ignore it. Sorella looks at it and says, "It's president
Dibb." So I take a deep breath and answer the phone, knowing that when
pres. calls this early it means training. I answer, and tells me the news. He
says I am happy with your work in Montevarchi, but it is time for you to
go. He is sending me away, to a place called Reggio Emilia.
My heart sunk. That
meant Sorella Friedbaum is training.
But why? I am
Learning to love it here. Two transfers is not enough! Gabriella is going to
get baptized! I had considered hashing it out with him on the phone, telling
him I don't want to go, asking to what it would take to stay, but I couldn't
find the words to say it.
So here we are!
Sorella Friedbaum will be training (she is worried because she can't speak
very well, and, she is Young!) But she will do well. As for me, I am going to
little Africa land.
Yup. Reggio Emilia
is a ward but it is full of Africans, and they eat lots of Fufu. Yay...We
will be on bikes and my new companion is Sorella Pavich. I am bottle
breaking, she's in her 3rd transfer.
So that's exciting
I guess. I really don't want to go, and I felt more upset than sad about it.
Oh well, here we are. Saturday we then set a bap date with Gabriella! I told
her the news and she got upset too. We get affezionato to these people and then
president sends us away. It's tough. But, she now has a bap date again and
I hope she can make it. She really wants it.
We also saw this
homeless guy named Giuotono who we teach every Saturday night because he
comes to the Church and sits outside during mass to collect money. Someone
gave him food, and he tried to share it with us. He’s really sweet. He has
nothing and still he shares.
Sunday, I gave a
talk in Church. It was already planned so it worked out perfectly that I am
leaving I guess. A little ironic, because it was on the importance of
Church but all the people who didn't come are the ones who needed it...
anyways, it well, and after words I got complimented on how well my
Italian is and how much I have grown. I am glad. I feel like the gift of
tongues really is a gift for me, and it's pretty cool, though I still have a
lot to learn... then we went home but it took forever. These correlation
meetings with Italians last forever! We got home and had lunch at 5pm, but we
made a pretty darn good stroganoff.
Monday, we had
district meeting. Not much to tell. We tried to say bye to Mery and Michel
but they weren't home, so we went to Jasmins and we taught some English and
said goodbyes. I will miss her. She is 12 but she is a great girl. Then, we
had dinner with a member. She took us out to eat at a Chinese restaurant! It
was really yummy, but she made us eat so much! Sushi, A starter, then a main
dish, then fried ice cream. Oh, but it was soo yummy! Mmmm. She only kept us
out until 10pm though, no biggy. I love going to sleep with a stuffed
belly... yeah... bitter sweet times.
Finally, we arrive
at Tuesday. A busy day. Gabriella calls and says, sorellina, come over at 5.
See you then.
Um, well we already
have plans, but ok.
So we went with a
member to visit a less active- pretty much, she wants to come to Church, but
she has a small baby, and her husband doesn't want anything to do with the
Church and her heart is very closed. Let's just say it was a tough lesson and
it was very hard not to judge. After her we headed to Arezzo and had lunch
with Susan. Another miracle, as we driving down to town she pretty much
almost drove off a Cliff! Someone helped her and they towed her car out, but
man, she just needs to lose some stress. Susan is Amazing, and we had a good
lunch with her. I ate oysters for the first time-kinda squishy. I will miss
her, my Nigerian friend. She can't write very well and she wrote me a letter-
the second one she had ever written. I feel special. We said bye to crazy
lady Casucci who loves Arizona, and I said bye to Sara and Chetti, and then
Carolin and Andreina (the domenican house) and then, the hardest one...
Gabriella.
We were sitting at
the table just talking have good conversation, laughing. After a good time it
was time to go. She didn't want to stand up. So we sat a bit longer. Finally,
we had to say goodbye. Mia nonna italiana. Mom, Gabriella is as old as you.
She has taken care of me all these days. She told me it was like sending off
a daughter or niece that you will never see again. She almost cried, this
tough Sicilian Women who gave a man a black eye with her purse one time. Did I
mention because she grew up with nuns?
That was the
hardest goodbye. And Giovanni, too. I don't want to go. It's frustrating that
I can't do anything about it. I want to know what God has planned, but I know
his plan and his will is perfect and I trust that. So that's enough for me to
go.
Well, Today I will
finish packing. Then we are going to Firenze and tonight I get to crash with
the Sorelle there (they have a leather couch!) and Friesbaum goes up to
Milano. Then tomorrow, I get to travel with two Anziani to Bologna (woohoo!)
Then meet my new collega. So that's the plan. I will give you my address next
week. In the meantime, you can send mail to the mission office. I am excited
slightly, but still sad to leave.
I love you!!! So
very much. Life is crazy but it's good. It’s good stuff. I am happy Lisa
finally has a baby! I so wish I could hold her. But hey, the Italian kiddos
here are cute too. I guess I can hold out for 11 months. Well, I think that's
all I have to tell for now.
This gospel is a miracle.
Prayers come true, and I have seen so much this transfer just how miraculous
prayer can be. If you have the faith, anything can happen. Padre Celeste is
up there just waiting to give it all to us because he loves us!
Be well, have a
good week!
Ciao a tutti, a
dopo! :)
p.s. It is
carnivale season now! I still don't quite know what that means. We came home
from Church and the piazza was covered in confetti!!!
Fotos:
With Sara and her
evil dog, Milo.
Gabriella- mia
nonna Italiana.
Susan
Arezzo
Jasmin
Anziani
us
Confetti
Sorella Hastings =)
Love and Be Loved
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