Salve Tutti!

Happy Summer eveyrone! I hope the end end of school brought some fun adventures for everyone. Here there is still school for another month so people are still stressed with classes and exams.
This week was very humbling in many ways, and there were some experiences I had that I am very greatful for, but would not like to experience again.
The first happened on an afternoon. We were outside talking with two store owners who are having a hard time with their buisness right now, and we were talking about where we can find true joy that does not waver. Next thing we new we watching two motorcycles collide. It was like in a movie except that it was real and right in front of us. The bikes went flying and so did the two men, neither of whom were wearing helmets. With tires spining and both of them lying on the grounds moaning there was not a whole lot we could do. It was really aweful! I wont go into any more detail, but I just could not understand why neither of them had helmets. Why when we know that a hemet could save our life and keep us from pain dont we wear them?
It really bothered me for a couple of days, but I realized that this is just like the gospel, and why I am out here. If you think about the helmet, it is not always them most convenient to find, or to put on. Sometimes it is not even the coolest thing to do, especially when we think we are just fine without it. I mean how many times have you worn a helmet and not fallen? However it is not like a helmet just magically appears in those time when another bike hits us unexpectatedly, or we miss a turn and hit a curb.
The gospel is an amazing protection that we have kind of like a helmets, sometimes we need little reminders to remember how lucky we are and to really understand just how fortunate we are. we have been equipped with a priecless knowlege that does not abandon us and can keep us safe and bring us joy as long as we remember to use it and really make it a part of our lives. We dont have need to fear things unexpected, because we understand the bigger picture, and the Gospel brings a joy that does not have to take a hit even if the market crashes or we take a spill. I mean how cool is that?! I dont know if that makes anysense at all, but it really made me realize the importance of what I am teaching.
The other major experience was a funeral yesterday for Luca Carnivale. He was a young man from here in Bari who returned home mid mission a couple months ago because he was sick with what ended up being cancer. It was an incredibley spiritual experience though, and there were so many people that some were even standing outside. Because the last few months of his life were spent as a missionary, they had all of us missionaries and everyone who had served a mission sing called to serve, it was incredible. They then had one of his friends who was in the MTC with him bear his testimony. He shared spoke about Luca's dilligence and hard work as a missionary, but then bore an amazing testimony of the Atonement and how the scriptures have brought him so much comfort. How lucky we are to know what we do, to understand the love of our Savior, Jesus Christ, and to know that we can live with out families forever!
Sorry, I really this email probably sounds a little on the heavy side, but I promise there are lots of wonderful thing happening here in Italy and the sun is shinning brighter than ever! I just hope that I can do my best to help others find the same joy that I have been blessed with!
Love you all,
Sorella Robb