Such a Treat!

My bellissima family and friends!
I can not tell you how fun it is to hear from you each week. Everyday I get to brag about you, and watch the amusing expressions on peoples faces when they here that there are seven kids in my family, or that I am not from Utah. Mrs. Reeves, I finally got your address, and please tell the kids CONGRATS, I must admit I am not suprised that you all received "Superior with Distinction" but I am so proud of you all, and to be able to say that I learned from you all, THe Best! Kalli congrats on Boston, you will love it! And Lindsey, you look amazing, and I'm sure your music matched it. I am proud of you no matter what you say!
Dad I hate to tell you that I am no where close to having the language mastered, but in many ways this is a blessing in itself. Apparently I also speak with a Spanish Accent, so no one knows where I am from.
I absolutely love the people here though. Buses are always fun, because first of all, you start talking to someone, and then they look at you and are like, "why in the world are you talking to me?" And before you know it everyone surrounding me is trying to help me talk, and understand why I am here, and then they are like don't you know that everyone is Catholic here? But then I take them up on their invitation to tell them why I am here, and what I believe, and it has been a really fun, challenging, but rewarding experience.
And Grandpa, you and everyone else have been right! For the first time this last week, instead of hoping that Sorella Black would open her mouth and share our message, I tried it, and sure there are people not interested, but always there was a smile by the end, and then would come the blessings. There was one day when we worked really hard so talk with everyone, and at the end of the day I was on the bus, and talking with a lady, and she asked me for my number, and made sure I wrote down hers! That is totally backwards, I'm supposed to be the one doing that, but I think Heavenly Father knew me too well and that I needed extra help. Then, the next day we decided to walk instead of take the bus, which is usually harder to talk with people not in a hurry, but for whatever reason we decided to walk, and someone called us over to him, and we got to teach. If these signs, lessons, and reminders weren't enough, we were teaching in English class last night, and one of the members of the Bishopric came and called me out and asked, "would you be willing to speak in church this sunday, about DC 18, the worth of Souls is great, and the importance of bearing testimony, and the blessing it brings?" I could not help but chuckle, I realize this is important, and I am greatful I get to realize this so early on :) The real trick is giong to see how well I do speaking infront of everyone for not just five minutes, but 15 in Italian! When I told my English students why they called me out, a couple said, I want to come to church just to hear you talk in Italain, but I guess we will see how that goes.
Italy is beautiful, and full of history. Everything is so rich. The taste of the fruits and vegetables, the smell of the air with the rain, and especially the hearts of the members. I LOVE talking with them! They are so incredible with the sweetest testimonys, and I feel so blessed to get to learn from them!
Yesterday was like Christmas, again. Elder Kopeschke, who is German and from the Q. of the 70 came and spent the day with 40ish of us missionaries, and I learned so much! And even got to play a musical number with my viola. He opened it up for questions and answers, and our mission president ask what he has learned from working so closely with the Prophet and the Apostles and he said, " I have learned that they love the one, that they really love the one." Even though they are over the church and how it runs, all of their concerns, stories, efforts are for the individual. President Monson does not just tell stories, but he is the story, that there are names of individuals because he cares about individuals. How cool is that? Of all the things that you could learn, what it really comes down to is Charity.
In Conclusion, Heavenly Father is amazing, and I don't think we could ever really imagine how much he loves us, but we have to give him the opportunity. If nothing else we need to atleast experiment upon his words and his teachings, and we get to learn FOR OURSELVES that they are true. I realize I sound like a nerd, but I LOVE reading the scriptures, not because it makes me a better person than everyone else, but because I get learn, and get answers to my questions. Try it. I promise it will work for you to, the hardest part I know is just finding time, but it is worth it.
Well as always, I love you all! I loved the pictures, if you can do me a favor and just spread a few smiles, that would make my day. Good luck with work, and weather and health, tests and all the other fun challenges of life. I LovE you!
Sorella Robb