10 Nov 2010
Hello!
Well, what a week. Last P-day was way cool, we rented bikes for three hours and rode around and saw a whole bunch of things--la Fontana di Trevi, the Pantheon (and unfortunately half of the facade is covered by scaffolding che triste), a couple of other fountains, piazza del Popolo, the Spanish Steps, I don't know what else, but it was a lot of fun to zip around on the bikes and ring those annoying little bells at people so they'd jump out of the way. Luckily my collega only ALMOST got hit by a taxi. Fun fun fun.
We had an appointment with Claudia in the evening, she is awesome, she understands a whole lot more than the average bear and she is interested in learning. Unfortunately she wasn't able to come to church this Sunday because she went to Padre Pio Puglia. HAHAHA. Oh dear.
Thursday Anziano and Sorella Marcucci came over for Anziano Marcucci to fix our shower so it's actually like a real shower and has a curtain and everything che incredibile! And we were going to do weekly planning while he was working and Sorella Marcucci brought her stuff to study Italian but then she started talking to us instead. She's way cool, they are both converts, went to Berkeley in the 60s, and has a lot of stories to tell. Her mom was an actress in World War II era cowboy films, Mildred Coles. Anyway, it was a fun if not productive at all morning. And then in the afternoon we took a Book of Mormon to Francis from Nigeria and he said he'd read it and look up the missionaries while he's in Nigeria for the next three months. He's great.
Then we had Correlation, our Ward mission leader is pretty in gamba--with it. And he does his job, it's amazing.
And then we went home and actually started planning.
Friday was zone conference, that was fun. We took lots of public transportation to get there. We got to Termini to take the bus up and there were three elders there--Anziano Busico had been on the bus with his companion, but he had something to give another Anziano and when he saw him he jumped off the bus to give it to him and the bus took off with his companion still inside. Oops. Haha.
Well anyway, I got to bear my going away testimony at zone conference, that was weird, especially since I still have quite a while left to go. Oh well. It was a really good conference, lots of great suggestions--there was a Europe mission presidents conference a few weeks ago and we got to hear all the updates. We need to pray better, work smarter, and have more faith which is another word for action. Among other things.
Then we went to Ladispoli to drop Sorella Williams off with Carla Squarcia for the weekend and came home and that was that.
Saturday we went to leave the Joseph Smith pamphlet with Teresa Mele because she wanted to read it, and we were going to do that, talk to a few people, and come home and plan, but instead we ran into this girl who was baptized a few years ago and after reading a lot of stuff on the internet last year has decided she wants nothing to do with anything. She is one of the most miserable people that I have ever seen, but she thinks she's happy. It was pretty sad, hopefully she'll figure things out one day.
Then we went to see Elena with Sharon in the afternoon, that was pretty cool. Sharon brought her five year old niece Yes ha, and I taught her how to play thumb wars on the bus ride back. She's cute. Anyway apparently Elena's religion is based on the National hero of the Philippines and Sharon had never even heard of that being a religion. But anyway.
In the evening we met with Teresa and Sorella Clemence and we taught Teresa the law of tithing, and then Anziano Garcia did her baptismal interview. Tutta pronta. She is seriously so incredibly amazing.
On Sunday at church everything was put into place for the baptism, Teresa was way excited, everybody congratulated her and said they're coming. Then in the afternoon we went to grab Sorella Williams from Roma 1 and then we went to Maribel's for a serata familiare with her and a few other members. She made enough food to feed about thirty people, and there were only 9. My oh my. I can't remember what it's called--something Spanish, with rice and various seafoods and chicken and everything thrown in. I didn't want to to ask what all was in it, but it tasted pretty good.
Monday we taught Teresa the ten commandments, obviously she's d'accordo with all of those. She was so excited. She said "I can't wait for Friday to come" and she introduced us to her daughter who said she'd come to the baptism because she wanted to see what it was all about, and she's happy that her mom's happy even though she said it would take a while for the other kids to feel the same way. She's 22, and the youngest, way cool girl. Teresa was a little worried about her husband, because he's been a little angry that she's always leaving to go to church and everything. She said he'll need time. Sigh.
We went to Ladispoli and that was basically it, the trains were not cooperating and so we weren't able to see Arcangelo that evening. But we did roast our chestnuts. Do they have chestnuts in America? They are really good, they should have them.
Tuesday morning we left bright and early to travel for two+ hours to see Maureen in Capranica, after we get off the train there's a 35 minute hike to her house and we made it finally and had a lesson with her and her sister who was visiting. Her sister seemed more interested than she does. It was pretty cool. One interesting thing is that she talks a TON and we kind of prayed that there would be some way that we would be able to talk and that she would listen, and she had a sore throat yesterday. And then we had to leave to hike back up the hill to the train station, and it was beautiful. It had been raining all morning and at that point it had stopped and the sun came out and there was a light breeze that blew the yellow leaves from the trees all around us in the air. It was so gorgeous.
Then Sorella Zeller picked Cachi from a Cachi tree. Cool.
We were supposed to have a couple of other lessons in the afternoon but one canceled on us and the other wasn't home so in effect she canceled on us as well. We did do English course and that went well, there are always nice people at those things. And a cute little 11 year old Moldovian girl has started coming. It was fun. Well, on the train ride back we were trying to set up the program for Teresa Perez's baptism, and then we got a call from her around 9,15 telling us that her husband is really upset and thinks she's rushing and thinks she's wanting to leave him and was just really really angry and she doesn't think she'll be able to be baptized. I didn't know what I was supposed to say to that. I just told her that she knows it's right and to pray and ask Heavenly Father to help her and to help her husband to understand, because God is a God of miracles. And we prayed really hard last night. She was still upset this morning, her husband is still upset, unfortunately he works all the time, or at least he doesn't return home from work often because it's far away. But he doesn't want to meet us or anything. I know that she will get baptized, she knows it's true, and she herself has no doubts. She paid tithing on Sunday! She is so faithful and so ready and I hope that her husband's heart will be softened and that he will allow her to be baptized. I wish that we could meet him. Mamma mia.
So that's basically that. I'm so sad for her. We're still hoping for a miracle but I don't think it will happen this Friday. It would be FANTASTIC if her husband came to church on Sunday and met the members, and so many South Americans to speak Spanish with him that I know he'd enjoy it.
Well, a few things for when I get home...I need to go to a dentist. But we knew that a year ago. My tooth still isn't sensitive but anyway I think there are other fillings that have come out (like in the very back molars on the bottom) and it might take a while. :/ I have brushed and flossed and used listerine every day, I don't know what else I can do for these things! Managgia.
And I don't think anything else, I need a new computer, I need new jeans, and new shoes and I think that's going to be all.
Also, I do have a debit card but there is a block on my account for UCCU and there has been for months, I told you about it a while ago, I can't get onto the website or do anything, I think that I have to call them to be able to access that money, which is why I've taken money out of the California account. But if I want to buy anything before I go home or anything, I have no idea how much money is in there. I know there's enough in my account in Utah but it doesn't help if they won't let me use it.
I love you!
The work is good and the church is true. All the opposition proves it to be so. We just have to keep going and keep working and keep being faithful even if we never see anything. That's what servants of the Lord do--we try to do His will no matter what.
Have a wonderful week,
Eliza
Well, what a week. Last P-day was way cool, we rented bikes for three hours and rode around and saw a whole bunch of things--la Fontana di Trevi, the Pantheon (and unfortunately half of the facade is covered by scaffolding che triste), a couple of other fountains, piazza del Popolo, the Spanish Steps, I don't know what else, but it was a lot of fun to zip around on the bikes and ring those annoying little bells at people so they'd jump out of the way. Luckily my collega only ALMOST got hit by a taxi. Fun fun fun.
We had an appointment with Claudia in the evening, she is awesome, she understands a whole lot more than the average bear and she is interested in learning. Unfortunately she wasn't able to come to church this Sunday because she went to Padre Pio Puglia. HAHAHA. Oh dear.
Thursday Anziano and Sorella Marcucci came over for Anziano Marcucci to fix our shower so it's actually like a real shower and has a curtain and everything che incredibile! And we were going to do weekly planning while he was working and Sorella Marcucci brought her stuff to study Italian but then she started talking to us instead. She's way cool, they are both converts, went to Berkeley in the 60s, and has a lot of stories to tell. Her mom was an actress in World War II era cowboy films, Mildred Coles. Anyway, it was a fun if not productive at all morning. And then in the afternoon we took a Book of Mormon to Francis from Nigeria and he said he'd read it and look up the missionaries while he's in Nigeria for the next three months. He's great.
Then we had Correlation, our Ward mission leader is pretty in gamba--with it. And he does his job, it's amazing.
And then we went home and actually started planning.
Friday was zone conference, that was fun. We took lots of public transportation to get there. We got to Termini to take the bus up and there were three elders there--Anziano Busico had been on the bus with his companion, but he had something to give another Anziano and when he saw him he jumped off the bus to give it to him and the bus took off with his companion still inside. Oops. Haha.
Well anyway, I got to bear my going away testimony at zone conference, that was weird, especially since I still have quite a while left to go. Oh well. It was a really good conference, lots of great suggestions--there was a Europe mission presidents conference a few weeks ago and we got to hear all the updates. We need to pray better, work smarter, and have more faith which is another word for action. Among other things.
Then we went to Ladispoli to drop Sorella Williams off with Carla Squarcia for the weekend and came home and that was that.
Saturday we went to leave the Joseph Smith pamphlet with Teresa Mele because she wanted to read it, and we were going to do that, talk to a few people, and come home and plan, but instead we ran into this girl who was baptized a few years ago and after reading a lot of stuff on the internet last year has decided she wants nothing to do with anything. She is one of the most miserable people that I have ever seen, but she thinks she's happy. It was pretty sad, hopefully she'll figure things out one day.
Then we went to see Elena with Sharon in the afternoon, that was pretty cool. Sharon brought her five year old niece Yes ha, and I taught her how to play thumb wars on the bus ride back. She's cute. Anyway apparently Elena's religion is based on the National hero of the Philippines and Sharon had never even heard of that being a religion. But anyway.
In the evening we met with Teresa and Sorella Clemence and we taught Teresa the law of tithing, and then Anziano Garcia did her baptismal interview. Tutta pronta. She is seriously so incredibly amazing.
On Sunday at church everything was put into place for the baptism, Teresa was way excited, everybody congratulated her and said they're coming. Then in the afternoon we went to grab Sorella Williams from Roma 1 and then we went to Maribel's for a serata familiare with her and a few other members. She made enough food to feed about thirty people, and there were only 9. My oh my. I can't remember what it's called--something Spanish, with rice and various seafoods and chicken and everything thrown in. I didn't want to to ask what all was in it, but it tasted pretty good.
Monday we taught Teresa the ten commandments, obviously she's d'accordo with all of those. She was so excited. She said "I can't wait for Friday to come" and she introduced us to her daughter who said she'd come to the baptism because she wanted to see what it was all about, and she's happy that her mom's happy even though she said it would take a while for the other kids to feel the same way. She's 22, and the youngest, way cool girl. Teresa was a little worried about her husband, because he's been a little angry that she's always leaving to go to church and everything. She said he'll need time. Sigh.
We went to Ladispoli and that was basically it, the trains were not cooperating and so we weren't able to see Arcangelo that evening. But we did roast our chestnuts. Do they have chestnuts in America? They are really good, they should have them.
Tuesday morning we left bright and early to travel for two+ hours to see Maureen in Capranica, after we get off the train there's a 35 minute hike to her house and we made it finally and had a lesson with her and her sister who was visiting. Her sister seemed more interested than she does. It was pretty cool. One interesting thing is that she talks a TON and we kind of prayed that there would be some way that we would be able to talk and that she would listen, and she had a sore throat yesterday. And then we had to leave to hike back up the hill to the train station, and it was beautiful. It had been raining all morning and at that point it had stopped and the sun came out and there was a light breeze that blew the yellow leaves from the trees all around us in the air. It was so gorgeous.
Then Sorella Zeller picked Cachi from a Cachi tree. Cool.
We were supposed to have a couple of other lessons in the afternoon but one canceled on us and the other wasn't home so in effect she canceled on us as well. We did do English course and that went well, there are always nice people at those things. And a cute little 11 year old Moldovian girl has started coming. It was fun. Well, on the train ride back we were trying to set up the program for Teresa Perez's baptism, and then we got a call from her around 9,15 telling us that her husband is really upset and thinks she's rushing and thinks she's wanting to leave him and was just really really angry and she doesn't think she'll be able to be baptized. I didn't know what I was supposed to say to that. I just told her that she knows it's right and to pray and ask Heavenly Father to help her and to help her husband to understand, because God is a God of miracles. And we prayed really hard last night. She was still upset this morning, her husband is still upset, unfortunately he works all the time, or at least he doesn't return home from work often because it's far away. But he doesn't want to meet us or anything. I know that she will get baptized, she knows it's true, and she herself has no doubts. She paid tithing on Sunday! She is so faithful and so ready and I hope that her husband's heart will be softened and that he will allow her to be baptized. I wish that we could meet him. Mamma mia.
So that's basically that. I'm so sad for her. We're still hoping for a miracle but I don't think it will happen this Friday. It would be FANTASTIC if her husband came to church on Sunday and met the members, and so many South Americans to speak Spanish with him that I know he'd enjoy it.
Well, a few things for when I get home...I need to go to a dentist. But we knew that a year ago. My tooth still isn't sensitive but anyway I think there are other fillings that have come out (like in the very back molars on the bottom) and it might take a while. :/ I have brushed and flossed and used listerine every day, I don't know what else I can do for these things! Managgia.
And I don't think anything else, I need a new computer, I need new jeans, and new shoes and I think that's going to be all.
Also, I do have a debit card but there is a block on my account for UCCU and there has been for months, I told you about it a while ago, I can't get onto the website or do anything, I think that I have to call them to be able to access that money, which is why I've taken money out of the California account. But if I want to buy anything before I go home or anything, I have no idea how much money is in there. I know there's enough in my account in Utah but it doesn't help if they won't let me use it.
I love you!
The work is good and the church is true. All the opposition proves it to be so. We just have to keep going and keep working and keep being faithful even if we never see anything. That's what servants of the Lord do--we try to do His will no matter what.
Have a wonderful week,
Eliza
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