Buon Natale!

Hey all!!! Buon Natale!!!!

So my week has been crazy! I feel like I have just been tossed all over the place! I was at the mission home a few nights and I have been with the Rome 3 sisters as well (Hughes and Maero)!!! I was going a little crazy at the mission home. It is so hard to work around two hectic schedules (sister Acerson’s and investigators). One of the days I was away from the mission home for English class and an awesome lesson!!!! And then Arianna (ex sorella Marangoni) came into town on Saturday and I spent some time with her and Louisa so we could get her ready for her baptism! After the baptism on Sunday I went with the Rome 3 sisters and we just got finished playing an intense soccer and football (the American style) game Rome 3 vs. Rome 2 districts. It was so fun! It is a crazy hot day here. The past few days I have been wearing like 3 sweaters and my coat and socks and pretty much as many layers as possible to stay warm but today I could honestly go with short sleeves and be just fine. It is crazy! I can’t believe it is December 23rd!

Alright so I will back up a bit and explain the weekend in greater depth. It is kinda stressful trying to make sure everything is taken care of for a baptism without a companion, but the Elders were nice enough to help out, the font was filled and everything went well, although some technical difficulties with language barriers caused for extra long talks. Both of the talks were presented in English and then translated into Italian which doubled the already lengthy talks from 7 minutes to 14. Louisa went completely under the first time, but the prayer wasn’t said correctly so she had to do it a second time, but for the most part it went well! I was so excited!! I don’t have my camera card with me, but I will send a picture next week.

Friday we had the ward Christmas party. It was a little bit… different. It was set up more like a fireside, which was alright, however there was poor communication on the starting time and our building is just really small and hard to fit in especially when you add a food table. Also the whole wait in line system does not really work in Italy it is just a cram up to the table and eat what you want, sometimes they don’t even move away from the table after filling their plates. Ha ha that means timid people go hungry, don’t worry I ate.. a little.

Friday day was our weekly English class in Bochiniano. In between classes we had an amazing lesson with our new investigator Marisa. She is just awesome and really attentive and full of questions and insights. She also attended all 3 hours of church this week and Louisa’s baptism. It was pretty cool to see her there. I have high hopes for her!

Rome 3 has a really nice apartment and I am trying to get some good interior design ideas from Sorella Maero and Hughes before our biannual cleaning day (January 1st) so I can make my apartment in Rome 2 look a little more cozy and less like a clinic.

Ok… I don’t have much more to add right now, I am sure it will be another adventure of a week. I am just being tossed around from place to place, I think I prefer being with other missionaries so I think I will try to work it out that way.  I love you all so very much and I am so very grateful for all your love and support.

I know without a doubt that our saviour Jesus Christ was born into this world to save us all from our sins and the despair that is all around us. I know that through the gospel of Jesus Christ we can find true and lasting peace. I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas!