Thursday we got up and did studies and contacted some less actives and then traveled out to the Mauricci's house to have pronzo with them. As we were traveling out there we tried to stop by the flower lady, that we met on Christmas, but she wasn't there. We also stopped by Valentina's house to give some scarves back to her that she had let us use on Christmas evening because it was cold out, but she said that she just wanted us to keep them. Then we continued on to the Mauricci's house and got there around 1:00 just in time for pronzo with them. First we ate olives, bread and little appetizers. Then we had a whole bowl of pasta al forno, which means pasta to the oven. It is these little ring pasta and then you put in meat, peas, and eggplant-it's kind of like an Italian version of a casserole, it was really yummy. After that we were very full and we were like okay, that was a good meal. Little did we know, there was a WHOLE other course. She came out with a big plate of spinach, meat, peas, and potatoes. It was literally so much food, especially with it being the day after Christmas when we had eaten so much food at the Bishop's house. I thought I was going to die, I don't think I have ever prayed so hard to finish a meal. I did finish almost all of it, so I was pretty proud of that but I have never been more full. It seems like after every pronzo I think that there couldn't be a bigger pronzo and then there is. Afterwards we talk and I shared my family history with fratello Mauricci. It is always fun letting people know that I have heritage from Palermo and other places in Italy. Then we played some games with the kids on the floor and then we shared a spiritual thought with them. Fratella Mauricci's parents were there and they aren't members so it was nice to be able to share a thought with them. Then the kids did a little talent show. The 10 year girl was the MC and she announced that her 12 year old brother was going to come out and play the violin, it was very cute and made me feel closer to home. After that we ate dolce, this is the hard part. . .the people here feed you a HUGE pronzo and then want to still feed you dessert and fruit. I tried to eat that but I couldn't finish it, there was no way I could fit anything else in. After we left their house we came home and did our work on Facebook that we are suppose to do and did some contacting and a language study. Then I was feeling pretty sick with a bad stomach ache and a head cold so I went to bed a little early, but it was a very good day.
Friday we woke up and tried to do a work out, I tried to do my best but I felt so exhausted, tired, and sick that I went back in and took a little rest. Then we got up and got ready for the day, did weekly planning, and pronzo, and studied the language. Afterwards we headed out to Bernadette's house and spent an hour and a half with them and talked about the Book of Mormon and the blessings that come with reading from it. Then we tried to stop by some less actives but none of them worked out; they had either moved or were busy with the holidays. By that time the day was pretty much over so we went home. When we got back to our apartment there was a bag with two cartons of mango nectar hanging on our doorknob and a cute note from Arlinda. She is the lady that lives down stairs and we call her momma. She is from Cape Verde and she is just the sweetest, cutest little lady. I'm pretty sure I have mentioned her before. We had left a little Christmas gift with some dolce on her door so she returned the stuff for us, it was so sweet.
Saturday, we got up and did some exercising and I actually made a breakfast this morning because I was feeling better. We did some studies and then mapped out where we wanted to contact some less active members. We went out and one of them was a lot farther than what we thought so we literally ended up hiking up a mountain for like 30 minutes. And then found out that they didn't live at that address anymore. But the view was beautiful. Then we went and did some other contacting to try and get through the whole list of members before the end of the year. After that we came home, had pronzo, language studies, and then headed over to Angela's to help her clean. I always love cleaning and serving. I have created a good relationship with Angela and feel comfortable even though I can't understand or speak that well, it is a real blessing. We were at her house for a couple hours helping her clean and just showing our love to her. She has a hard life and is quite lonely.
Sunday we headed to correlation and then church. We sat by Arlinda at church, then during the Sacrament I was praying to Heavenly Father to please have help to be able to understand the language better because I just really love the people here and I want to be able to communicate with them. After that prayer, Arlinda leaned over a couple minutes later and asked me a few questions and I was able to understand them enough to respond. So that was just a real blessing and I know that Heavenly Father really does hear and answer our prayers. After church we came home, ate pronzo, did personal language study, and then went over to Chimi's house. We shared a lesson with her and then she made a pretty big pan of pasta al forno for us to take home. Then Catia had called us because she had just got back into town, here sister in law had just passed away. We went over to visit her, it was really good to see her. I love her so much, she has been through a lot but she is so sweet and so helpful. I have a really good relationship with her, I feel comfortable and loved around her. I love interacting with her. Then we came home and did our calls for the week and at the pasta al forno that Chimi sent home with us, which was so good!
I wanted to share just a couple last things. I read a conference talk entitled "Forget Me Not" by Dieter F. Uchtdorf and I encourage all those who read my blog to look it up and read it. It is so good! He says "There are five things we would be wise to never forget. First, forget not to be patient with yourself. God knows we are not perfect, he knows nobody is. Don't compare your weaknesses with others strengths. Many of you are endlessly compassionate and patient with the weaknesses of others and you also need to be with yourself. Be thankful for all of the small successes, God notices them and they are not small to Him. Our journey toward perfection is long but we can find wonder and delight even in the tiniest steps in that journey. Second, forget not the difference between a good and foolish sacrifice. An acceptable sacrifice is when we give up something good for something of far greater worth." And then he asked the question; "Am I committing my time and energies to the things that matter most?" That was a really good reminder for me. He goes on to say; "Our Heavenly Father is most pleased when we sacrifice something good for something far greater with an eternal perspective. Third, forget not to be happy now. If we spend our days waiting for fabulous roses we could miss the beauty and wonder of the tiny forget-me-nots all around us. Never stop striving for the best or hoping for all the righteous desires of your heart but don't close your eyes and hearts to the simple and elegant beauties of each day. Fourth, forget not the why of the gospel. We focus on what the Lord wants us to do and how we might do it but we sometimes forget the why. The eternal fire and majesty of the gospel springs from the why. When we understand why our Heavenly Father has given us this pattern for living, when we remember why we committed to making it a foundational part of our lives the gospel ceases to become a burden and instead becomes a joy and a delight. It becomes precious and sweet. The what and how of obedience marks the way and keeps us on the right path, the why of obedience sanctifies our actions transforming the mundane into majestic. Fifth, forget not that the Lord loves you, you are not forgotten. Heavenly Father has not forgotten you in fact he loves you with an infinite love. God loves you because you are His child, He loves you even though at times you may feel lonely or make mistakes. The love of God and the power of the restored gospel are redemptive and saving, if you will only allow His divine love into your life it can dress any wound, heal any hurt, and soften any sorrow. He who created and knows the stars knows you and your name, you are the daughters and sons of His kingdom." I really loved that talk, it is such a good reminder.
I am really grateful for all that I have been blessed with, especially over this Christmas season. And for the love that I have felt for the people and from the people here.
I love you all!!
Ciao Ciao
Sorella Acton
plate of food after already eating appetizers
and a huge plate of pasta.
After eating pronzo with the
Mauricci's. I thought I was
going to die!
cute Christmas gift from Arlinda
Caroling
Left to Right
Sorella Barnes, me, the Mauricci's, Sorella Castagnata,
Bishop's wife and Bishop, the Simoncini's and their grandkids
Eating pasta al forno
on the floor of our apartment
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