Dear Elder Toronto...

Colosseum squad feat. Anziani Ridd, Waddell, and McConkie

We've done it again! We've reached the weekly email that discusses Zone Conference, and this time around was full of takeaways. So buckle up, enjoy the pictures, and the stories that go along with them!  (I figure months of photographic neglect can be solved by one email full of photos... that's how it works right?)

Well we'll begin with the theme for this conference, which was a focus on finding, and the power and authority contained in our missionary calls.

Finding has been one of my own personal journeys here in Italy, as I have chosen to optimistically view the hours of finding we do on a daily basis. By teaching as we find, Anziano Waddell and I enjoy ourselves when we are asked by the Lord to search for his prepared sons and daughters. Anziano Waddell is an incredible example for me in terms of desire, and willingness to do all things required of him! I simply love this stud of a missionary!

As we were invited to reflect on our missionary calls, I thought back to the weekend where mine sat on my desk in Heritage Halls 3202, unopened. That weekend possibly required the most patience I have ever had to have. The wait, however, was well worth it, as I read the words contained in the subject line, followed by, "You are hereby called to serve as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. You are assigned to labor in the Italy Rome Mission." I remembered and felt again many of those same feelings I experienced as I read those words for the first time. I can't put into words the joy and excitement that coursed through me as I ate Graham Canyon ice cream from the BYU Creamery, and pondered the two exciting years that laid before me, while Nana and Anne Katherine peppered me with a million questions. That call came with a purpose, "Invitare le persone a venire a Cristo aiutandole ad accettare il vangelo restaurato mediante la fede in Gesù Cristo e la Sua espiazione, il pentimento, il battesimo, il conferimento del dono dello Spirito Santo e perseverando sino alla fine." Every day of these two years has been dedicated to this pursuit, and every day until I take the tag off will be the same.

Besides this, Zone Conference was fantastic!

Rome East Zone Pics

Other highlights include...

▪Sunday night, the Pescara sQUADron got to do some finding in Rome centro, and where more awesome to go than the Colosseum?!

▪Anziano McConkie and I got to sing "Homeward Bound," as a duet, while Anziano Silver accompanied us on the piano.

Anziano McConkie and I during our musical number

▪I met up again with Anziani Osmond, Dickey, and Maytham, all core members of the original MTC Squad, which was a dream come true!

MTC Squad feat. Anziano Osmond, Maytham, and Dickey

▪Post ZC fashion photo shoot also produced some absolute gems, to be saved, and shared with posterity!

"Trying to get 19 and 20 year old boys to take serious pictures..."

▪4 Man Sacrament Meeting Sunday night, after missing it that morning due to bus scheduling.

▪A fun bus ride home, in which cinnamon sugar pecans were shared, along with pre-mission stories, and a whole lot of laughs!

Knowing that you'll hear from me shortly, I'll leave off there, just know that I'm grateful for your support and love from a distance!

We pray for you every night!

Vi Voglio un Mondo di Bene,

Anziano Toronto II 🇮🇹

Cinnamon roll progression and chaos…