Highs and Lows

Famiglia,

In what is one of my favorite books, "the Screwtape Letters", written by C.S. Lewis, Screwtape, a demon who might be aptly described as a trainer, teaches his protégé, Wormwood, and important lesson about peaks and troughs. In the lens of the novel, these peaks and troughs were the high and low points of one's personal faith, but as with all aspects of life, missionary work too, has its' highs and lows. I share with you a couple of each, seen in the past week!

High: Zone Conference! As each companionship, from Ragusa all the way up to Reggio Calabria gathered in the Catania chapel, there was undoubtedly a special spirit. The theme for this conference was taken from a mix between Anziano Oaks' general conference address, "Good, Better, Best," given in October 2008, and Anziano Ballard's instruction from this past conference, entitled "Return and Receive". The most impactful lesson for me was taught in the addestramento given by the APs. Their focus was on using the Book of Mormon to answer questions, instead of answering them ourselves, and then supporting our answers with scripture. Finding and teaching in this manner causes conversion to the Book of Mormon, and the truths found therein, as opposed to conversion to missionaries, who seem to have all the answers. As we put this method into practice, great success was found! As we sought to create a reliance on the Book of Mormon, our investigators and potentials found themselves with a greater desire to read it, and find the answers contained within.

Low: Sacrament attendance. For the first time since I arrived here in Catania, we did not have an investigator in church. In fact, between three companionships of missionaries, only one investigator came. Contrast that with the combined 6 we had last week, it was a pretty sharp drop off. What does it mean? We need to work even harder to help our investigators recognize the importance of church attendance and the sacrament!

High: Scambi, a.k.a exchanges! On Monday night, after Pasquetta activities, our plan was to do a giant gesso with the 20 or so missionaries that had arrived throughout the day, but this plan was changed by the APs, who decided to do a spontaneous exchange with Anziano Rodriguez and I. This meant I got to spend from 6-9 working and finding with Anziano Battaglia! What an incredible experience it was! We walked, walked, and walked some more, finding as we went. I learned so much in just a short period of time, but the most profound lesson was taught in an agreement we made as we set out. We both would respond without hesitation to any prompting we received, no matter what. This led to many, many conversations, and what turned out to be a great time! Another lesson learned was the need to be fearless in presenting the gospel to everyone, after all, we are talking about their eternal salvation here right!? Friday came with another surprise scambio with the Zone Leaders, and I had the chance to work with Anziano Berger from Friday afternoon to Saturday afternoon! We journeyed here and there, teaching, finding, and learning as we went!

Low: I woke up Sunday morning around 2:00 AM, feeling like I'd been run over by a semi... I struggled to get back to sleep, and spent the most part of the next few hours sleepless... After receiving a blessing, and taking some ibuprofen, I decided I would try to make it through church, and the meal appointment we had at the Rochira's afterward. I made it through sacrament meeting alright, but the ibuprofen wore off, and I soon found myself shivering, with a pounding headache. It was a miracle I made it through 3rd hour, and determined not to disappoint Sorella Rochira, we made the drive out to Paternò. I sat in the car, basking in the heat of the sun, and told myself I could make it, but when I left the heat I quickly realized I had overestimated my abilities.  I collapsed on their couch, and allowed Sorella Rochira to work some magic on me, while the others ate. I was the subject of many jokes, including those pointed at how someone of my stature was brought low by a virus who's size is better measured in micrometers, much like the story of David and Goliath, (however I'd like to hope the Lord was on Goliath's side in this case).  I somehow managed to make it to the end of the appointment, and even had the strength to share our spiritual thought. This however, was all I had left in me, and we headed back to the apartment so I could try to recover. I went through a couple different stages, but the worst was as I woke up later in the evening, fever broken, but absolutely drenched in sweat. Since then, I haven't improved much, and I'm still on bed rest at the command of Sorella Williams, the mission nurse, but I'll probably make it out alive!

The key to success and happiness is transforming our lows into highs, after all, the lower we are, the greater the heights we can reclaim! Joseph Smith received some of the most insightful revelation ever recorded, while at his lowest point, incarcerated in Liberty Jail. God allowed Job to be tested with the lowest of lows, so that he could then bless him with the highest of highs. Let us remember in our lowest moments, he who "hath descended below them all", even our Savior, Jesus Christ. How grateful I am for his example of strength and dignity even in the lowest of lows!

I testify he loves each and every one of us, and descended below, so that as Alma writes, "That he may know...how to succor his people according to their infirmities." He knows what each of us go through, and will be there to carry us through when we can no longer walk on our own.

Vi Voglio Benissimo,

Anziano Toronto II

A special Happy Birthday s/o to the one and only Jonathan J. Toronto. I wish I was there to eat oatmeal with you, and skip the cake and ice cream, sounds like it was a blast;) What an incredible impact you've had on my life, one that is truly ineffable. I can only express the smallest part through an email, but hoping for many more birthdays to come offers consolation for this inadequate expression of love!

General Conference Babbbyyyy!

Catania's Missionary Apartment Flag

Now featuring the signatures of Anziano Taranto
and Anziano Taranto II Giovane.

Torontos,

Anziano Toronto's Conference Invitation:

What an incredible blessing it is to hear the voice of our prophets and apostles every 6 months. How truly guided their remarks are, and how personal they seem... a testament to their calling and union with the spirit. Among my favorite discourses were those given by Anziano Sabin, Anziano Holland, Anziano Uchtdorf, and Anziano Oaks. Each answered questions and taught doctrine I came to conference seeking to understand. What a blessing personal revelation is, and how grateful I am for the spirit we feel every time these beloved leaders speak. This gospel is personal, in every way, and those talks that spoke to you, might not have struck me in the same way. I invite each of you that read this, to think on the messages you have heard, or go listen to them, if you have not. There is power in the spiritually guided lessons taught by the Apostles called by God, and despite their brevity, those taught by his living Prophet, Thomas S. Monson. Let us read or reread their words, and commit ourselves to more diligently accept their invitations. The blessings they have promised are real, therefore let us seek to attain them. In the following week as you study, email me your thoughts, and your favorite, or favorites, as you find them!

A few thoughts on the work and the Atoning Gift, given to each of us by Jesus Christ:

Alfio chose to stop smoking for the third time yesterday. He was convinced this was the time, he felt strong, and prepared, but he only made it 19 hours before his body overthrew his small amount of self-control. I was devastated, but I instantly was reminded of my own struggle to change, in many, many ways. I fell short wayyyyy more than 3 times, and in many ways, I still fall short, but the gospel isn't about being perfect, but rather becoming so. As Brad Wilcox so eloquently put it, "There are not only two options for a young piano player, Carnegie hall, and giving up..." The Atonement of Jesus Christ empowers us to make the necessary corrections, despite our falling short over and over again. Poignant and piercing, are his descriptions of those who give up, simply because they fall short.  As he says it, "They say, I just can't do this Mormon thing. It's too hard, I've tried... these people do not understand the atonement of Jesus Christ." "Never fear", as Anziano Uchtdorf reminded us yesterday, because we have a superhero on our side even stronger than Superman, even more noble than Captain America, much less snarky than Tony Stark, and who didn't get his power from a radioactive spider, but rather the Divine Creator of all, even God.  He is Jesus Christ, and he will not forsake us, rather it is us who often forsake him, for the alluring nature of our own personal Lexus Luthors, Lokis, Jokers, or Ultrons. They can seem more powerful, even impossible to overcome with our own limited strength, but we must understand our strength has no limit. As Ammon declared, in Alma 26, "Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things." I testify with absolute confidence, there is no shortcoming too trivial, nor desperation too deep, that our Savior will not be there to help us through. There is no addiction you cannot overcome, and no sin from which you cannot repent. Repentance is change, but the desire must come from within. We must simply set aside our pride and reach out to him. He awaits our hand, stretched forth in humility, and will lift us up beyond where we believe we could be.

Other:

Zone P-Day was highlighted by an awesome game of Ultimate frisbee, despite intermittent rain. I am ever thankful for the gift of sports, because I don't know where I would be without them. I miss tennis pretty bad, (but more just beating my dad😉), it isn't even funny, but a few basketball and soccer games here and there are compensating.

Ultimate Frisbee on P-day

Last note and challenge for each of you. If you have not already done so, watch the Church's Easter video, Prince of Peace. Watch it again because it's awesome, and then share it on whatever social media sites you participate in. It is incredible, and inspiring, and brings the Spirit. Each time I watch it I become even more grateful for his life, and for His Infinite Atonement!

With love and gratitude for each of you,

Anziano Toronto II

A creative way to meet people on the street.

Trasloco (Move)

Carissimi,

First things first, as expected, I wasn't transferred! I get the opportunity to stay in Catania for at least another transfer, which I couldn't be more pumped about! Anziano Rodriguez and I will work together for these next 5 weeks, and then likely one of us will split, but until then, Catania, watch out! The dream team is about to hit the streets harder than ever!

A few highlights from the week:

1. Anziano Albright, a new missionary just 1 transfer ahead of me, joined Anziano Rodriguez and I this week in a tri-companionship! His trainer, Anziano Cox, is headed home Monday morning, having completed his two years, so Anziano Albright was without a companion until transfers on Friday. Anziano Albright brought a powerful spirit, testimony, and blessedly, a car! We were able to do so much thanks to this last point in just a few days, which really came in handy as Friday and Saturday were dedicated entirely to "The Move"...

2. Thursday night we received a call from Anziano Simoncini, (missionary housing supervisor), letting us know the church was no longer paying for the house we were living in, and that we had less than a week to get out. He then proceeded to ask that we drop everything, pack up, clean up, and be moved into our new apartment before Sunday. This request was magnified in difficulty because Friday was transfers! We were basically chauffeurs for all missionaries coming through Catania on their way to other destinations, and this left us with less than a day and a half to do it all. Trusting in Nephi's promise, that "The Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, (through Anziano Simoncini), save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them," the Catania trio, (without Anziano Chilvers, who was sent to train in Cagliari), spent Friday making preparations, and then on Saturday, the Catania Quartet, (completed by Anziano Bertoldo late Friday night), moved an apartment. Crucial to the process was Fratello Roy Di Mauro's van, and the supervision of our Ward Mission Leader, Angelo Longo... By Saturday night, everyone was exhausted, but no rest was given to the weary, as alarms blared, not at 6:30, but 5:30 Sunday Morning, thanks to the blessing that is daylight savings time. 

3. One investigator named Angelo, we had wanted to visit, but couldn't, because he lives just about a lifetime away, in Bronte, on the other side of Etna. Because of Anziano Albright we had a car, and the opportunity to voyage out to Bronte. We met him, discussed the restoration, and talked about how far he is in the Book of Mormon (2 Nephi 15!) He is a rockstar, and as we left he said, "aspetta un attimo". He comes back with 3 little backs filled with pistachios. Apparently he is a pistachio farmer, and boy let me tell you, those pistachios were the best I ever had! Etnas soil gives them incredible flavor, to the point where a kilo of Bronte pistachios can go for 40-50 Euro! He gave us each almost half a kilo for free! He is he coolest ever...

Impressed upon my mind this week were the words of the song, I'll go where you want me to go. I believe this has as much to do with following the spirit as anything. Will we go, where he wants us to go, and say what he wants us to say, do what he wants us to do, and be what he wants us to be? I pray the answer to that question is a resounding YES! 

Con un abbraccio e un bacio!

Anziano Toronto

Citazioni (Quotes)

As I ponder the most significant lessons I learned this week, most of them can be summed up by quotation, with a little explanation and context on the side...

1) "Every time we close our eyes we are in his presence, remember that..."
—Anziano Rodriguez

As we knelt in prayer following companionship study on Friday night, Anziano Rodriguez looked over at me and uttered this incredibly insightful statement. On the surface, it seems no more than a declaration of our Father's attentive nature when we pray, but as I continued to ponder the statement, the veracity therein was too powerful to ignore. When we pray to the Father, in the name of his Beloved Son, Jesus Christ, we invoke his very presence. If we truly believe he listens when we pray, does that not mean he is right there hearing the words as they leave our mouths? Let us not take this precious truth for granted. It is far too easy to give prayer a spot on our morning and evening to-do list, and treat it as little more than that, but I encourage each within the sound of my voice, (or weekly letter in this case), to offer a prayer this week. Not just any prayer, but a prayer like that of Enos, (if you don't know who Enos is, ask any one of your Mormon friends for a copy of the Book of Mormon, and find out for yourself... It will change your life, that I promise you!). Pour out the desires and gratitude of your hearts, and he will be there listening. He eagerly awaits the opportunity to bless us, but will do so, only if we ask!

2) "Just, please Anziani, don't disappear..."

—Franco Resina

Franco is just about the most awesome Italian ever. Having studied at a University in Australia for a few years, he is fluent in English, but has this Australian/Italian hybrid accent! We teach him at his coffee shop every Wednesday, and absolutely love doing so. He is extremely spiritual, having been a preacher for a number of years in Australia, but because of his work schedule, can't find time to come to church on Sunday. Things are moving in the right direction in that regard, and we know the second he manages to free us just an hour or so for sacrament meeting Sunday morning, his life will never be the same... This week we taught him about Christ's true church, and about his plan for us, known as the Plan of Salvation, or Plan of Happiness. He listened to every word, and declared it the truth. As we walked out of his shop, smiles on our faces, we turned around and saw his countenance had somewhat dimmed.  Looking up, he spoke the words above, pleading that we won't leave him. Truly he recognizes the need for the Spirit in his life. When he chooses to make time for church, the Lord will make him a powerful weapon in the fight against the Adversary, but until then, we will continue to help him recognize the truth of the restored gospel, and feel the difference it brings!

3) "@#%€, non prestavo attenzione, stavo usando il telefono!"

—Alfio Visalli

Scacchi is the Italian word for Chess, and this week I played the beautiful game for the first time in many months. Alfio, our closest investigator to conversion, challenged me as we discussed the gospel in Piazza Abramo Lincoln, (my favorite). It took a little while to shake off the rust, but it wasn't too long before I was back in Grandmaster form. The game took a rough turn for Alfio when he picked up a phone call from a recent convert named Giovanni. I asked if he would prefer that I wait till he was done, but he shook me off and made his move. I shrugged and proceeded to make the move I had been setting up in the 3 or 4 previous moves, the capture of his queen with one of my rooks, who had just been biding his time, waiting for the chance to turn the tide in my favor. When he realized the mistake, he used the only Italian swear word I know, as depicted above. We laughed, and I proceeded to finish him off. There is much to learn from the game of chess, and there are many gospel applications to make, but I'll let you go play a game and figure them out for yourself. After all, you can beat your siblings in chess once, and be satisfied with that, or you can teach them to play chess, and beat them over and over.

4) "There is no hopefully about it, you brought us the truth!"

—Sri

With transfer calls looming, we delivered our, "If this is our last time together, what is our King Benjamin sermon for you?" to Sri, Linga, and Rajish. As we taught, Anziano Rodriguez bore testimony of that which he knows to be true. I seconded that testimony, and offered my own, bearing witness of the divinity and power of the Book of Mormon. I told them that I hoped that we had left them with something that would change them, and Sri interrupted me, uttering the quotation above. I was truly moved by his faith in what we had taught him. He knows the truth, and I believe they will be baptized, and become foundational rocks for the church in India. I trust in the Lord's timing, and hope they will too!

5) "Eduardo/Fabio, having been commissioned of Jesus Christ, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, Amen."

—Anziani Chilvers and Berger

Two more souls joined the Catania Centocinquanta on Friday, as Eduardo and Fabio were baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints! Anziani Chilvers and Berger worked with these two for quite some time before they became ready, but truly they were worth the wait! The words above were pronounced just before they were immersed, just as our Savior was. Just a few short days later, the Gift of the Holy Ghost was given to them, and they were confirmed members of the Church! A beautiful ceremony, and even more beautiful was the powerful spirit that accompanied it.

6) "When opportunity knocks you don't send anyone to get it, YOU open the door, YOU let it in, welcome it, or regret it..."

—Anziano Toronto feat Hamilton Mixtape feat. BUSTA RHYMES

During an individual lesson Saturday night with Linga, I dropped some lyrical fire, hotter than the lava that was spitting out of Etna this morning at 4:30 when we dropped Anziano Cox off at the Airport, having faithfully served for 2 years. The sage wisdom of Busta Rhymes never fails to disapoint, and this only seemed appropriate as we discussed Linga's progression towards baptism. I can't say enough about this disciple of Jesus Christ. Despite his doubts or concerns, or even arranged marriage, he has declared he will be baptized the second he receives an answer to his prayers! What faith!

Whew! What a week! I'm so grateful for the opportunity I have every single day to serve my Savior, and to labor with him in his vineyard. Jacob 5:62, declares, "Pertanto andiamo, e lavoriamo con forza per quest’ultima volta, poiché, ecco, la fine si avvicina, e questa è l’ultima volta ch’io poterò la mia vigna." Notice the use of andiamo, (Let US go), and lavoriamo, (Let US labor)... We are called to the work, every one of us, but we have his promise that we do not do so alone. Of this I testify, in his sacred name, even Jesus Christ, Amen.

Vi voglio benissimo, con tutto il mio cuore!

Anziano Toronto

Zone Conference, Calcio, and Cannoli

Anziano Toronto in front of the Old Vatican

Carissimi,

This week was a week of learning, as is every week in the mission. We continue to teach lessons and meet people at a feverish rate, but with this comes a recognition of the Lord's hand in all things. My favorite chapter in the Book of Mormon right now is without a doubt Alma 26. I know I am nothing. My strength, as one called by the Lord to serve the Italian people, is not my own, and neither do I boast in my strength, but rather I boast in the Lord. For who can glory too much in the Lord, asks Ammon, and I echo the same question!

You are probably all cursing my name, since no one received mail yesterday, but that isn't because I don't love you.  Rather, it is because we had Zone Conference! Missionaries from all across the eastern half of Sicily gathered here in Catania yesterday to learn from President and Sorella Pickerd.

Sicily Zone Conference

Throughout the day, we watched trainings, learned doctrine, and ate lots of panini and cannoli! My favorite analogy, by far, was related by Anziano Chilvers and Anziano Berger, our two Zone Leaders. During a training discussing the importance of teaching to the invite, or in other words centering our lessons on the actions that would bring our investigators closer to Christ, Anziano Berger began to relate this kind of lesson to EDM music. This type of music, for those as unfamiliar as I was, begins subtly. The music grows, swells, and eventually reaches a high, undulating peak.  Then comes "the Drop"... this drop is what the song builds up to, and without it, the song leaves the listener feeling unsatisfied! This drop is crucial, but is also rendered meaningless without the build. If there is no build, and the song remains constant for a minute and a half, then out of nowhere drops, the listener again, is confused! We must find that middle zone, that song that blows you away, and leaves you wanting more! These songs that we teach every day don't have common EDM titles, but I'm sure "the Restoration," or "the Gospel of Jesus Christ," could catch on real quick if the people of Italy got a hold of it. We teach them the doctrine, bearing testimony as we go, and promising blessings on condition of obedience, but these things are rendered meaningless without inviting our investigators to act, and thereby gaining their own testimony. The drop, or the invite, is absolutely critical.

Sicily Zone Conference

Anziano Toronto and his companion Anziano Rodriguez

While many BYU fans this week enjoyed watching the cougars topple #1 Gonzaga in basketball, the only slightly less significant Catania Zone Calcio February 2017 Championship was underway. Pitted against each other were the districts of Catania and Messina/Reggio Calabria, while Siracusa was split in half to maintain even teams. Despite falling behind 1-5, much like our Cougars, the Catania district marched back into contention, tying the game at 6-6. Again, their defense faltered, and they fell back in a deep hole, down 6-9. With the game on the line, the defense held fast, and the offense began to click. 9-9, and the classic and fateful words, "next goal wins" were uttered. Like a lightning strike in a Summer storm, as Elder Holland would say, Catania snatched victory from the jaws of defeat. Yours truly did much more damage on the defensive end, but he finished the day with a hat trick, thanks in a large part to unselfish play by his teammates. If only ESPN had been there to televise this historical comeback...

Tune in next week to follow up on our friends Alfio, Sri, Linga, and Rajish, and many More!

Love all of you,

Anziano Toronto II

Pictures from last week:

Anziano Christensen, Osmond, and I at the Colosseum

La Mano di Dio

Famiglia Diletta,

What a week! Every night as I looked back on the day, I marveled at how precisely the Lord had used us as instruments in his hands. For this reason we must finely tune ourselves to the voice and promptings of his Holy Spirit, for without this, we lack the ability to carry out the Lord's work. Can an Italian cook pasta with water, a bowl, and a microwave? Almost certainly, but they are far more effective with a pot, stove, salt, and other herbs and spices. Thus the Lord asks us to be his personal spices, accomplishing HIS work, in the ways that HE sees fit. Let us not be unwieldy microwaves in his hands...

This week my faith was put to the test on many occasions, and each time the Lord helped me be there to answer the call. The first, occurred Wednesday. While the Zone Leaders, Anziani Berger and Chilvers held Zone Leadership Conference with Anziano Rodriguez and the rest of the Catania district leaders, I led a group of effectively new missionaries to Piazza Stesicoro to gesso. Brief explanation: lay down a dark colored sheet on the ground, place un Libro di Mormon on all the corners, and begin to draw with chalk. The other three Anziani I was with, Vance, Moscon, and Albright, each professed no skill with the quill, or chalk, in this case, and so I began to think what would draw attention that I could render effectively. We decided on the slowly, yet surely progressing Rome temple. I began to draw, and the others began to answer questions.

Drawn by Yours Truly :)

As I drew, I picked out bits of conversations occurring around me, and to my surprise, I understood much of what was being said. I concluded drawing, passed the chalk off, and began finding. Truly the Lord blesses those who open their mouths proclaiming his word, because I proceeded to have discussion after discussion, each improving upon the last. Dozens of bigliettini were dispersed and I even had the opportunity to hand out a few books of Mormon, with the conditional promise that they would read and pray to determine it's veracity. I had an absolute Blast!

The work in Catania moves with the speed of the BRT1 bus Anziano Rodriguez and I take almost everyday—sometimes seemingly unmoving in dense traffic, and others pedal to the medal, throwing caution to the wind. After a slightly frustrating start to the week, the BRT1 began to fly down a hill with no end in sight. We had lessons in which our investigators professed sincere desire to be baptized, despite professed impossibility just a few days earlier. We had investigators cancel lessons, only to be replaced with the opportunity to meet with part-member, but less active families. We had 5 investigators in church on Sunday, and that is paltry compared to the number I believe we will have 2 or 3 weeks from now. Anziano Rodriguez and I continue to have faith, trusting that the Lord will consecrate our efforts, and continually bless us for our obedience. Twice this week, we have hopped off the bus and immediately began a sprint for home, making it just inside the 9:30 commandment. We strive in everything we do to qualify for the presence of the Spirit, and the Lord's guiding hand.

With this success, however, comes the struggle with which all new missionaries face, that of the language. Siciliani speak with a slurred, seemingly inebriated dialect that even for a fluent Italian is difficult to decipher at times, let alone a fresh outta the MTC Minnesota ragazzo. Take heart in knowing I'm trying every single day. I speak with everyone, and already, I can see a difference in my comprehension and comfortability. My expectations were far higher than they should have been, but I know, thanks to the gift of tongues, and divine intervention, I am already taking strides far beyond the typical new missionary. I will continue to grow in confidence, sometimes unto arrogance, and the Lord will humble me, and I will continue to learn. Already, I love this language, and I'm willing to put in the work to communicate the significance of my message! Trust me when I say, I'm grateful for the struggle!

Every single day, when I wake up to the sound of Catania in the early morning, and my all too cheerful alarm clock, I'm grateful to be in the place God has called me. He knows me specifically, and he knows each of you specifically. Of that I testify. Linga, Sri, and Rajish were guided to the missionaries despite growing up Hindu, Buddhist, and Non-denominational Christian. Each are preparing to be baptized on March 11th, with Alfio Visalli, a former investigator who came back to the missionaries searching again for the answers he was given years ago by two other missionaries. The Lord loves his sons and daughters and provides for them the means of success. Like Psalms directs, place your trust in his will, and then will your confidence wax strong in him!

I love each of you, and hearing from you is the highlight of my Monday. (Except for 6:00 when I get to start missionary work again!)

Vi Voglio Bene,

Anziano Toronto II

Some awesome graffiti made just for me (CYT), like, how cool is that?!

Opening the Golden Envelope

After arriving in Rome, President Pickard gave Anziano Toronto a golden envelope
containing the geographic area where he will serve first.

Famiglia Diletta,

As many or all of you have already heard, I have been sent to the beautiful island of Sicily, in the city of Catania. Words can't describe how joyful I am to be in the incredible land of my ancestors, and to be teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ to my beloved Italian brothers and sisters.

A few notes before I talk about Catania and the work:

The flight was a nightmare, simply because I couldn't sleep. I took far more than the suggested dose of Benadryl, and closed my eyes, but for the better part of 9 hours, sleep evaded me. All was forgotten however, when I stepped out of the plane onto Italian soil. It truly felt like I was returning home, despite never visiting. We arrived to find Presidente Pickerd waiting for us, along with Sorella Pickerd, Fratello Guercio, and Anziani Rosenburg and Battaglia. The latter are true rockstars... Anziano Rosenburg in many ways reminds me of Simeon, a true testament to his character. Anziano Battaglia defines quiet dignity and humility. Together they provide a powerful 1, 2 AP punch. That day was quite the blur. We toured the temple site, and much of Rome, but the highlight was finding. We were given pass along cards, and a Book of Mormon, and told to talk. Much easier said than done, but it was a blast.

Wednesday passed in the same way, with training and the like, and in the evening we each received our assignments.

Thursday, was travel, and that was about it... The late evening I arrived, met my trainer, Anziano Rodriguez, and had english course, what a blessing that was!

Friday, Saturday and Sunday were true missionary work days, filled with the joy of teaching, finding, and learning.

Investigator highlight of the week:

We are teaching three Indian friends, Sri, Linga, and Rajish, and love doing so. The each speak English, which is much easier for me, and yesterday evening, we invited each of them to pray to know if they should be baptized on March 11th. Each of their faith in Jesus Christ is incredible, and they are building my testimony in leaps and bounds.

The language is tough, and that is putting it mildly. I struggle to follow basic conversations, but know that will come with time! I love trying, and will always continue to do so.

I have no time, and must run to email the president, but I love each of you!

Anziano Toronto