Voice Recording from Anziano Toronto to Bring in the New Year

Go to the following link to hear a voice recording from Anziano Toronto.  He looks back on the first year of his mission and looks forward to the New Year.  (Copy and paste link into your search bar.)

https://soundcloud.com/user-565039128/memo-voice-0b

Who needs stormtrooper socks when you've got a companion who gets you a Last Jedi blanket and pillowcase? (Just kidding and by the way, if there aren't stormtrooper socks waiting for me next year, imma be real salty😉)

I'll be home for Christmas... next Christmas😉

Carissimi,

First things first, rest in peace Anziano McConkie, for real. He was emergency transferred to Rome III this week to fill for an Anziano who went home. We will (and already do), miss him dearly, but we know he's where he needs to be! Our 6 months together here in Pescara seemed incredibly brief, and had some of the toughest, yet most rewarding, and most fun experiences of my mission!

We bought a zoo... well actually a park, and we didn't really buy it. We just opened it! Joined by the Vice Mayor, and other local dignitaries and media, the green, white, and red ribbon was cut by the Mayor of Pescara, officially opening the "Telegraph Hill Park." The church, in an effort to increase publicity and opportunities for service, has adopted this park, and will be volunteering their services there regularly during the the week! Anziano Parker and I had the honor of holding the ribbon. In the paraphrased words of Finn, from The Force Awakens, "I'm kinda a big deal."

All other things have little significance on life as I know it as a missionary in the Great Italy Rome Mission, and also, I'll see all of you in a week, so, you can berate me for my short letter then! 😊

Vi voglio bene, e ci vediamo fra poco!

Anziano Toronto II 🇮🇹


Assorted gems from the week, including my dropped breakfast, (saddest moment of the week),

a bird's eye view of Pescara,

Being a Light by delivering goodies,

and unconventional, yet delicious tiramisù!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas from a rather large star in the sky
proclaiming the Savior's birth.

The Best Way to Spread Christmas Cheer

The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear..."--Buddy the Elf

Cari,

Lots that happened this week, but even more excitingly for my mother, there were a lot of pictures taken along the way! Not sure what order the pictures are in, but enjoy the captions anyways!

▪Louis takes a swim - Louis was brought to church by his good friend, Kelly, (who as many of you may remember, was baptized just a month or two ago), immediately loved how he felt, and started to take the lessons. Only days after meeting Louis for the first time, we saw him on a bus and asked him about the Book of Mormon. He replied with a grin, saying, "It's my favorite book! I always keep it close to me. Man, the Book of Mormon is my breakfast!" Louis is a great example of how new converts are a prime resource for receiving referrals who are ready to accept the gospel!

▪Canto, perciò io sono (I sing, therefore I am) 🎤 - The vocal cords got some major exercise this week, as we Lit the World, one note at a time. Friday, we had the chance to visit a nursing home near Pescara, and do a mix of room to room, and large group Christmas caroling! It was incredible seeing how much joy we brought to a room full of the real "Anziani!" Sunday night, we took advantage of the 10 missionaries working in Pescara, and did a singing gesso, full of Italian, and American favorites. Can't tell yet whether I like the way Italian's sing along to "Jingle Bells," but as Simon Cowell, or even the peanut gallery in my own family might say, "They were just a bit pitchy..."😁

▪Giving the blind their sight, well... actually he settled for a Christmas tree🎄- Saturday we had the chance to #LighttheWorld by helping Carlos, (blind), surprise his wife, Valentina, (also blind), by going out a getting a Christmas Tree, setting it up in their apartment, decking it out, and lighting it up! I loved how excited he was, this being their first Christmas together as a married couple, and it was a blessing being a part of lighting someone else's visually, (but not spiritually!) dark world. 😊

▪P-day in Chieti - Had the chance to visit the church of San Giuliano.

We met a turtle friend, (unfortunately made out of bronze), who will be featured in my new Facebook profile picture.

We met some new friends, who told us they hadn't seen missionaries in Chieti in 15 years.

Last, but certainly not least, had a nice fashion photo shoot, featuring predominantly Anziano McDonald, followed by Anziani McConkie, Snyder, and Parker.

Keep lighting the World this week, and serve God by serving your fellow men!

Vi Voglio Benissimo

Anziano Toronto II 🇮🇹

Sii Felice, Oh and also una Luce!

Fam,

Long week, with highlights and lowlights, but unfortunately not enough time to record them all! Therefore, we'll stick with the highlights, abbreviated version!

Highlights:

▪Anziano Waddell came back to visit and to take care of some document issues! Had fun with him and Anziano Misa, his companion, and got to spend the night reminiscing, and laughing!

▪Dedication! This week we held an open house, and the culmination on Saturday was the dedication of Pescara's brand new chapel. (Opened a few months ago, but not dedicated until a few nights ago). Special guests included President Pickerd, the Rome East Stake Presidency, and the Mayor and Vice mayor of Pescara!

Here's a few pictures to tide you over until next week!

▪Cereal parties, ft. My 70s themed jacket

 

▪Our apartment isn't entirely devoid of Christmas Spirit, nor church proselyting materials!

▪Merry Christmas from your very own Pescara Cinque #MissionaryChristmasCard

Spiritual thought, taken from the Book of 4th Nephi: 

15 And it came to pass that there was no contention in the land, because of the love of God which did dwell in the hearts of the people.

...and surely there could not be a happier people among all the people who had been created by the hand of God.

There could not be a happier people among, how marvelous a thought. This Christmas season, as we lose ourselves in selfless service, we'll count ourselves among those who have the love of God, dwelling in our hearts, and among those happy, happy disciples of Jesus Christ! Participate in lighting the world, and make a difference, no matter how big or small! 

Vi voglio bene!

Anziano Toronto II 🇮🇹

Thanksgiving Turkey Aftermath

Fam bam,

Sounds like you had an incredible week, and that all is well on the homefront! Not a whole lot to say da parte mia, but it was another awesome week out here in the GIRM.

News: Transfer call came early this week, and I'll be staying a 5th, count 'em, 5th, transfer in Pescara! 3 turns out to be a magic number, and Anziano McConkie and I will be joined by Anziano Parker, from Stockton, CA, who has been up in Ascoli for the past few transfers. #Trio We'll be here until the middle of January, so I'm getting nice and comfortable. As to be expected, 7 months is a loooong while to be in a city, and there's undeniably a little bit of "area burnout" right now, but I "will go where [he] wants me to go," that includes another 6 weeks in Pescara! There's clearly something more I need to accomplish here, and many more lessons to learn from the Members, people, and other missionaries!

Highlights of the week:

▪Adamo accepted a baptismal date. He is working towards the 23rd of December, and we have so much hope for this good, good man. He has so much to gain, most of all, an eternal family. He may have been taking the missionary lessons since Giuseppe Taranto was a missionary in Italy, but this is his time!

▪Louis will be preparing for baptism next Saturday, so prayers up for him in his conversion process! His faith is incredible, and he accepted the commandments as God's will without batting an eye!

▪Thanksgiving was awesome, even if we couldn't quite cook like an Allison/Amy/Sim/Dad and others dream team... #DadOnTheMashedPotatoesLikeIt'sHisJob

Praying for each of you, and love you so much!

Anziano Toronto II 🇮🇹

Thinking to Thank

Carissimi,

This letter is dedicated to you, as an attempt, inadequate, yet attempt nonetheless, to thank each of you for the impact you have had on my life. While Thanksgiving shouldn't be the only time we "think to thank," it is certainly a great reminder to reflect on, and thank, those who have shaped and changed your life for the better. Each of you without exception fall under that category, so consider yourselves properly thanked! 

I am thankful this week that Luca was baptized. Ironically, the 300 or so lb. man chose the skinniest missionary to baptize him, so I was chosen as backup, to help lift him out of the water! What an honor it was to take part in this man's conversion, and to confirm him a member of the church the day after. The Holy Ghost will bless him, and all those who interact with him for the remainder of his life.

I am thankful for the chance to have played tennis 3 times this week, smashing the previous record of 1. Besides two P-day tennis excursions, Giorgio warmed up the Ascolian Open court, (which by this point should be named after me😉), and we had the chance to play for an hour or so, early, early in the morning. Other p-day highlights included a "Turkey Bowl" of sorts, cut short by the local calcio squad, who needed the field to practice, and a few hours of tennis in the morning, first doubles, then singles with Anziano McConkie. #RustIsReal

I am thankful for the Book of Mormon, for the truths it contains, and the witnesses, both living and dead, who have given their lives for the Gospel it sustains!

I am thankful for a living Prophet, Thomas S. Monson, who guides the church through revelation!

I am thankful for the chance to have spent nearly a year in the service of my Heavenly Father, and his son Jesus Christ!

I am thankful for "Goodly Parents," who love the lord. Daily I learned from them, (even if progress was slow😁) until I was called, to preach the gospel to all the world! 

I'm thankful for missionary examples! Heroes such as Alma, Amulek, Ammon, and Aaron, Giuseppe Taranto, Wallace Toronto, Ronald Walker, Chris and Judy Toronto, countless aunts and uncles, Jonathan, Anne Katherine, and Simeon Toronto, and so so many more! (Not to mention many of you reading this!)

I am thankful for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. 

I am thankful most of all for my Savior, Jesus Christ, for his infinite atonement, patience, and love! 

Vi voglio un universo di bene! Buon Thanksgiving!

Anziano Toronto II 🇮🇹

Luca's Baptism

Testing out baptismal clothes for Luca👻

Ascoli Scambio feat. Beautiful Trees and Views