Enjoying the Holidays

Well, it was Christmas here in Messina. Needless to say, we tried to make the most of our 4 days of Christmas fun!

23^rd: Pday. Bowling. Testimony/District Meeting/Bonfire on the beach for friends and family... Sadly nobody came except the missionaries and Maria Pia...but it was fun building a fire and eating cake!

24^th: That morning we got a note in our mailbox saying that Anziano Cicon had a package waiting for him at this place near the outskirts of Messina. Needless to say... In Italy if your package is waiting for more than 5 hours it is probably going to get stolen. So we had to go to this place (ENDED UP BEING A 2 HOUR WALK!!!) way out in the middle of nowhere. We were practically in Taormina by the time we found the place. But we found the package and were able to salvage all the Christmas Goodies.

Afterwards we went Caroling to a few friends and neighbors. At 1 o’clock we got to stop Missionary Work. So we had a big American Feast in the Church. Once again, invited all our friends and neighbors but only our friend Mimmo showed up. But it was really fun. Listening to Christmas Music. Cooking Mashed Potatoes and Steaks. That night we Skyped, played games, and went to Midnight Mass.

Midnight Mass was incredible. I really, really enjoyed myself. We went to the Duomo. The Biggest, Baddest Cathedral in town, and they went all out for Midnight Mass. They had a huge choir, a cardinal, a nativity scene, the sacrament! It was all there! It was a super good memory. We also saw a lot of our friends and one investigator that we have named Enzo.

Midnight Mass

Didn't get home till 2:30 in the morning.

25^th: That morning we only had to do an hour of studies. So we did. Then we took a nap, and then hopped a train to Milazzo where we had a huge lunch with the Buonanotte family. They invited all their family over and the missionaries. Also 3 Catholic Priests (the family is catholic but the mom is Mormon)! Father Alessandro, Father Emeri (from the Congo--he only spoke French), and Father Mario. It was super fun and I got to sit at their table. We sang songs and danced around. Father Alessandro had a little too much wine and started singing and teaching us these little primary songs. I have got the videos. They are the best. It was a huge, 4 hour dinner and we ate a ton. It was honestly the best memory I have had so far on my mission. It WAS SOO FUN! Christmas Dinner with the Priests. I seriously can’t describe how fun it was.

That night we went to a Sri Lankan Member’s house and ate some more. But this time Sri Lankan Food. Sri Lankan food is the best food I have had on my mission. Super good. Then we watched Monster’s University (we had permission for 2 movies).

26^th: An Italian Holiday and President gave us another day off. We spent the day doing a ping pong tournament, playing games, and then we watched La Vita e Bella (Life is Beautiful). Fantastic Film. Highly recommend.

27^th and 28^th: We got sucked into painting a member’s home for them... It was fun. But this week was not a good week for missionary work here in Messina.

THANKS FOR THE PACKAGES AND LETTERS! 

I will try to write back as soon as I can!

Also this week is transfer call... And New Years Eve... President gave us another free day... But don’t send letters to this address! Because... I might move... That is to say... I need to move... I am going a little crazy here in Messina. 

Also... Skype. I am talking to Pres today about it. I will get back to you on what he says.

Ciao Ciao Ciao.