We have appointments!

Another classic week in Messina. So close to Italy...yet soo far away! I like Sicily a lot though, and I wouldn't mind spending more time on this here Island.

This week we had a guy call named Francesco. He is 23 years old Italian who found a card on the ground with the Church’s info on it and he "felt impressed to call it." So he did and met with us and the next lesson later he has a BAPTISM DATE! Two days ago (the second time to we tried to meet with him) he said he had a headache and couldn't meet but we offered to come to his house and give him a blessing. So we went there and ended up giving a lesson about the spirit to his whole family. It went very well and his family was very accepting, so much so we felt impressed to give Francesco a baptism date. He came to church and loved it and he said his mom is reading the BOM and is feeling the spirit. Cool eh?

This week we have done a lot of walking! For some reason we have had appointments on opposite ends of the city every day this week. Which is a good thing because... WE HAVE APPOINTMENTS! Things are picking up slowly here and we are having more stuff to do! It is still pretty hot here and we don’t have to wear jackets yet—thank goodness.

Anziano Cicon is a good man. Very serious. But a good man. He doesn't really talk much and in the apartment he reads this old, like 1960 copy of the Book of Mormon in his bed every night and keeps to himself in the mornings, but he is nice. I actually find myself trying to lighten up the mood when we are with people but he is very serious about things. He is from California, went to BYUI for a year and plays water polo. So that is Anziano Jacob Cicon (pronounced Sison but the Italians say Chicken. Hehe… He hates that.)

Last week we went fishin’. We didn't really catch much but we learned how to fish in the sea and how to fish for Octopus. The people we went with said in the summer the Octopus are everywhere and super easy to catch. We BBQ’d and played beach games. It was a fun time actually. The sea is super tempting to jump in though! The water is super blue and lots of people where snorkeling.

This week we have a ward activity...CAKE NIGHT! Everybody is making a cake and bringing it to be judged. I myself think I will make Pumpkin Chocolate chip Bread or Zucchini Bread. I think it will be a big success! This week I perfected my Banana Bread recipe as well. I have made it a few times but this time was especially good. Also learned how to make some good Arancini and Lasagna from a member.

I conducted a good week long study of Charity during personal study this week and the bulk of what I learned is in Corinthians 13. Essentially, we can have all the spiritual gifts in the world and bring millions unto Christ. And that is great and you are building up the kingdom. But unless you have it in your heart and are doing those things out of free will you are not profiting anything. I also have gained a huge appreciation for the Bible here on the mission.

Everybody here knows the Bible like the back of their hand!

Language is still struggling but I am always trying. 

Thanks for all you do.

Ciao Ciao Ciao.