November 11, 2009

Ciao!

I hope you're all doing well. Last week I celebrated my one year in Italy anniversary! We celebrated Italian-style by playing soccer and eating gelato with a bunch of our investigators and contacts. My team won, by the way. I, of course, was the lone American girl on a team of all Italian men, but still. We had a lot of fun.
Thursday we were trying to meet a member, but there was a ton of confusion as to where we were meeting. (Mostly due to the Catholic's worship of the Madonna. You may be wondering how that relates to us getting lost, but trust me, it does. Long story) Anyways, as we were lost, we ended up missing a bus that would take us to our correct destination. It was frustrating because we were already late. But we got on the next bus that came, and there was Ilaria! She was having a really bad day and was so happy to see us! She seemed to realize that it wasn't coincidence that we ran into each other. It seems like every time I either miss a bus or the bus just doesn't come, I end up running into someone who really needs to see us. So then we got to what we thought was the correct desination, but once again, we got lost. So waiting at the bus stop to get on a different bus, we met an amazing woman named Lidia! She's from Romania and is so cute! She came to english class last night and wants to meet with us sometime to talk more! I love how the Lord is always in charge and always knows what He's doing, even when we don't.
Saturday we met with Carla again. She's so cute! We had a lesson on families and made friendship bracelets with her. Well, we made bracelets while she watched us. She gets cranky if there's not food, and her mom said we couldn't eat until the bracelets were done, so she sat there and glared at us for awhile. But then she forgave us as soon as food was on the table and we were all friends again, complete with matching bracelets!
Both Susans came to church on Sunday! Investigator Susan even wore a skirt for the first time! He kids get better behaved every time they come to Church. They are learning a lot in Primary and love it. We are trying to get her "husband" interested, but it's a work in progress. They are doing all the paperwork to get married soon! We're so excited! We want to plan her wedding for her. So as soon as she gets married, she will get baptized!
Less active Susan is also doing great. She asks such great questions during the lessons and truly wants to start living the Gospel again. She has such a beautiful smile that just brightens up everything around her. We love her!
Yesterday we went over to help Sister Espis, the branch president's wife. They are such an amazing family! The poor thing just had surgery last week and can hardly get out of bed. So we went over for a few hours to clean her house, do laundry and make lunch. We also made her a birthdya cake, since it was also her birthday. It was so fun! She sat in bed and told us stories from her mission for awhile.
Well, those are the week's highlights. Today we're going with the elders to a member family's house out in the country for lunch. They're cooking Mexican food. I'm very intrigued as to the Italian version of Mexican food, so we'll see how it goes.
A couple scriptures that I read this week: Isaiah 41:10 says "Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness."
Isaiah 43:1 "Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine."
When we are on the Lord's side, we have no reason to fear. He gives us the strength that we need to face whatever life brings. He is with us always, right by our side. He knows us by name, for we are His children. He loves us with a perfect love. With Him, we will always succeed.

Vi voglio tanto bene!
Sorella Hawkey