So I started to think that it was a special Italian thing to have every other day be a Holiday, but I am realizing that is just life. Dad Happy Birthday, and Also happy Fathers Day! I am sorry I am missing your 49th, but I do what I can to send another gray hair your way, eveyone thinks you are way too young to be my dad. Omi and Papa, happy 50th! That is so neat, and you both have been such great examples to me, and I love my dad, so thank you for raising him to be so great and to teach me such amazing truths, pretty much I love my family, so thank you for this incredible blessing in my life! Also, I almost forgot this one, but happy 4th of July (i guess technically that is next week)! Had it not been for the fact we went and visited a member yesterday who grew up in Utah and was wearing a 4th of July Shirt I would have forgotten that it meant anything at all. So enjoy the fireworks, watermelon, and if you can maybe even go to a rodeo!
Just like every other week, this week was filled with excitement, suprises, and so many priceless experiences and lessons. To start there was the baptism of Maurizio, which was so neat. My companion Sorella Black and I played for an musical number and for the last verse everyone came in singing together for "I know that MY Redeemer Live," and the words, paired with the spirit, and Maurizio, was so powerful! so incredible! I get chills just thinkng about it. Sunday it rained, and what better place to be than outside, We had a an Unbrella, which kept our eyebrows dried, but didnt really slow down the river than was rushing down the street, but it did slow down people that had nowhere to go but talk with us.
This week was also tranfers, and we now have an Italian in our District, his grandmother is actually in our ward, so everyone is very excited, but this also means that now everything we do is going to be in Italian so it will be a great push for me. We are still being fed way to much pasta, and are served gelato if we are lucky just once a day, but sometimes its even twice. However, despite how much we are fed physically it never ceases to amaze me how much I am taught and fed spiritually. Yesterday, I decided I needed to be a little more Like Ether, and put more energy into my prayers. I dont know that I understand yet what it means to wrestle with the Lord, but I so badly wanted to know what I could do to help this family. Afterwards I proceeded to my personal study, and came across something in a random chapter, that was completely out of sequence with what I'd been study and yet I really felt like I needed to share it. Anyways long story short, we are talking with this person and she said, this is going to sound so silly, and I don't know why I am even asking you this, but ... andthen she proceed with the question that was answered with what I had studied that morning. It is no cooincidence that our Heavenly Father answers us so much that he answers our prayers, but it is very cool. I am so greatful for His patience and His guidance. The things that I dont understand is how everytime I try to serve Him he just blesses me, its really not fair.
Communque, Dad and Brothers of mine, I hope you all return safely. Mom thanks for being so wonderful, Emma you are too cute, and Sam you're the man. Sorry for the mushiness, but as the 40 year old Italian man said to us on the streets this morning as he answered His mother's phone call... "excuse me I am [becoming] Italian." I love y'all I always will! Thanks for tutto, the letters, emails, evening those ones that are a little fewer and far between! My Friends you are great! Tante Belle Cose! Mi Racommando!
Sorella Robb
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Happy Birthday Critter
Mother! And family and friends!
Mom I hope you have made it to Utah alright. With your driving record I must admit I am a little scared, but I also know that you are very wise and do not do stupid things. Also, I even already received your snail mail yesterday, it was super fast! Thanks, its always nice to find things in our mailbox that are not political fliers!
This week is super exciting, because there is a baptism for our ward. It is an interesting story of someone who ran into elders a good handful of years ago and told that it just was not a good time. Anyhow, towards the beginning of the year he just showed up in church and said he was ready to hear our mesage and that he wanted to learn. He is a very intellectual person and has wanted to take it slowly, but it got to the point where he said I don't want to wait anymore, I can already see so many amazing changes in my life I don't want to wait any longer. So that is his story and Saturday is his baptism and he is really excited as are we.
Today i was thinking it would share some of my favorite things about summer here in Italy. #1- our vetran members. There are a number of amazing women who because of health are not able to come to church and we get to visit them for service. This week we visited Sorella Leone who I believe is in her 80s if not 90s. Anyways this week we went to see her and asked her what day it was, and with tears in her eyes she said "40 years ago, today, I was baptised with my daughter." She then shared some of her experiences and testified of the blessings she has seen in her life. Sometimes I fail to aknowledge just how blessed I have been my whole life. Eveything I was brought up to be as normal family values, activities and even feelings I felt are a luxury that so many people do not have. #2. Talking with the people on the streets, sometimes I love it and sometimes it breaks my heart. For example last week we took and stoll in the park just before going home and met an amazing couple. She was telling us about what it means to put into practice your beliefs. we were able to teach and testify about the love of our Savior and how we can apply it and use it to help strengthen our families. We walked away with goosebumps, it was amazing. On the other hand yesterday I was talking with someone else who was telling me about some of his weeknesses but how thats just life and he cant help it and its too late to change, or there are people who don't believe that they are worthy enough to pray to our Heavenly Father, and this to me is sooooo Sad!!! 3. The Fruit, it is amazing! Papa you know how you love cherries, well here they are less than 50 cents a pounds and they are fresh off the tree. Also peaches, appricots, soon figs... it is quick the treat after returning home from hours on foot in this hot heat.
Communque, I hope every is having a good summer, and taking time to realize just how blessed we are. Critter! I know you are at your special camp, but I hope you have an amazing birthday! Also James I believe it might also be your birthday, Auguri! Emma thanks for your picture it was gorgeous and made my day. Really, I show off my family everyday, you all mean so much to me. Joe congrats with a good experience, now if you wouldnt mind doing me a favor and sharing some of the wealth (aka efy music) I would love you for the eternities :) Hope everyone has a great week and remembers to open up the scripture and partake of some of the Good News. A favorite scripture for the week DC 29:4-5 . Happy Travels, and Hilary Harris- Congrats. Love you Much!
Sorella Robb
Mom I hope you have made it to Utah alright. With your driving record I must admit I am a little scared, but I also know that you are very wise and do not do stupid things. Also, I even already received your snail mail yesterday, it was super fast! Thanks, its always nice to find things in our mailbox that are not political fliers!
This week is super exciting, because there is a baptism for our ward. It is an interesting story of someone who ran into elders a good handful of years ago and told that it just was not a good time. Anyhow, towards the beginning of the year he just showed up in church and said he was ready to hear our mesage and that he wanted to learn. He is a very intellectual person and has wanted to take it slowly, but it got to the point where he said I don't want to wait anymore, I can already see so many amazing changes in my life I don't want to wait any longer. So that is his story and Saturday is his baptism and he is really excited as are we.
Today i was thinking it would share some of my favorite things about summer here in Italy. #1- our vetran members. There are a number of amazing women who because of health are not able to come to church and we get to visit them for service. This week we visited Sorella Leone who I believe is in her 80s if not 90s. Anyways this week we went to see her and asked her what day it was, and with tears in her eyes she said "40 years ago, today, I was baptised with my daughter." She then shared some of her experiences and testified of the blessings she has seen in her life. Sometimes I fail to aknowledge just how blessed I have been my whole life. Eveything I was brought up to be as normal family values, activities and even feelings I felt are a luxury that so many people do not have. #2. Talking with the people on the streets, sometimes I love it and sometimes it breaks my heart. For example last week we took and stoll in the park just before going home and met an amazing couple. She was telling us about what it means to put into practice your beliefs. we were able to teach and testify about the love of our Savior and how we can apply it and use it to help strengthen our families. We walked away with goosebumps, it was amazing. On the other hand yesterday I was talking with someone else who was telling me about some of his weeknesses but how thats just life and he cant help it and its too late to change, or there are people who don't believe that they are worthy enough to pray to our Heavenly Father, and this to me is sooooo Sad!!! 3. The Fruit, it is amazing! Papa you know how you love cherries, well here they are less than 50 cents a pounds and they are fresh off the tree. Also peaches, appricots, soon figs... it is quick the treat after returning home from hours on foot in this hot heat.
Communque, I hope every is having a good summer, and taking time to realize just how blessed we are. Critter! I know you are at your special camp, but I hope you have an amazing birthday! Also James I believe it might also be your birthday, Auguri! Emma thanks for your picture it was gorgeous and made my day. Really, I show off my family everyday, you all mean so much to me. Joe congrats with a good experience, now if you wouldnt mind doing me a favor and sharing some of the wealth (aka efy music) I would love you for the eternities :) Hope everyone has a great week and remembers to open up the scripture and partake of some of the Good News. A favorite scripture for the week DC 29:4-5 . Happy Travels, and Hilary Harris- Congrats. Love you Much!
Sorella Robb
Count Your Blessings
Cari Miei!
I am not even sure if that is correct, but I am trying to experiment with new things. I have to apologize, because today we are a little short in time. Lessons I have learned this week is how It is amazing how we learn things, and how everything we learn about wisdom and faith in the scriptures are 100% true and the promesses are true.
At one of our last conferences we talked about Alma 32 and the importance for us and for our investigators also to experiment upon the word. It is interesting to see that we really can see the results if we try, but so many times it is hard to start and do our part. Everyday I have an anxiety to open my mouth for the first time, but there are amazing blessings and I also feel so much better. There are also times when there continue to be struggles but we put the experiment to the test again, and sempre it works out for our good.
As for as neat stories, I mentioned the funeral of Luca Carnivale, his family is amazing, and going so strong, and the coolest thing is that the fruits of Luca's life and mission are continuing. His mom came up to us this last Sunday and told us how there are people who had a very special experience with the funeral and want to learn more. How cool that we are able to live with our families forever! I love that there are always new things to learn, and that we get to put to test the promises we find in the scriptures, that as we put into practice our faith we get to find hope, and build our very own testimonies. Family I hope everyone is doing well. Mom thanks for making sure I got an email. Eventhough it is always fun to hear from you, it was also a treat to get to hear from Jonny!
Love you all!
Sorella Robbch better. There are also times when there continue to be struggles but we put the experiment to the test again, and sempre it works out for our good.
As for as neat stories, I mentioned the funeral of Luca Carnivale, his family is amazing, and g
I am not even sure if that is correct, but I am trying to experiment with new things. I have to apologize, because today we are a little short in time. Lessons I have learned this week is how It is amazing how we learn things, and how everything we learn about wisdom and faith in the scriptures are 100% true and the promesses are true.
At one of our last conferences we talked about Alma 32 and the importance for us and for our investigators also to experiment upon the word. It is interesting to see that we really can see the results if we try, but so many times it is hard to start and do our part. Everyday I have an anxiety to open my mouth for the first time, but there are amazing blessings and I also feel so much better. There are also times when there continue to be struggles but we put the experiment to the test again, and sempre it works out for our good.
As for as neat stories, I mentioned the funeral of Luca Carnivale, his family is amazing, and going so strong, and the coolest thing is that the fruits of Luca's life and mission are continuing. His mom came up to us this last Sunday and told us how there are people who had a very special experience with the funeral and want to learn more. How cool that we are able to live with our families forever! I love that there are always new things to learn, and that we get to put to test the promises we find in the scriptures, that as we put into practice our faith we get to find hope, and build our very own testimonies. Family I hope everyone is doing well. Mom thanks for making sure I got an email. Eventhough it is always fun to hear from you, it was also a treat to get to hear from Jonny!
Love you all!
Sorella Robbch better. There are also times when there continue to be struggles but we put the experiment to the test again, and sempre it works out for our good.
As for as neat stories, I mentioned the funeral of Luca Carnivale, his family is amazing, and g
Hello June
Ciao Tutti,
Seems like summer has hit the ground running for alot of you! Over hear in Italy, it seems as though everyone is taking a break, including the hot weather. We have been hit with a little bit of June Gloom, with cloudy skies and a cool breeze.
The work here has been a great and exciting challenge these past couple of weeks. I am learning what it means to be physically exhausted, and love not having problems trying to fall asleep, but it has also been really neat to see that even when your body tires your spirit does not. It is also election time here right now, on top of exams, so people are not always incredibly excited to see other people to talk to. It was interesting though, because there was a mother in the park the other day told us her purse had already been filled with flyers and she was busy, but as we talked about families and bore testimony about simple truths, she thanked us for our refreshing message.
Yesterday also was quite the adventure, I went to my first Italian Wedding and it was quite the P day. It was the wedding of one of our investigaters, and a member from our ward was in charge of the ceremony, and we missionaries were the music. It was fun, and filled with lots of Primary Songs with simple tunes but powerful messages. Afterwards, I witnessed how all the spectacular things I had heard and seen in peoples wedding albums were no exaggeration. Her dress was incredible, and of course made by her. The food was by no means you average meal, and consisted of I kid you not, 20 different courses. Fortunately, we had to leave early, but we were there long enough to eat lobster, oyster, clam, squid, octupus, cheese, proscuitto rice and so many other things, it was really insane. As for the other parts of the ceremony\reception it was interesting to see that really alot of it was the same, but one thing that was a little different was the receiving line, it was so fast! Everyone just was in one big line and kissed everyone. The member family that we were there with however looked at us, smiled and suggested that maybe this would be a better thing to just watch.
Anyways, If there is any lesson I have learned this last week it is that I never want to be too busy to find time to remember the things that bring true joy. I am ao greatful for you all, and so greatful for so many experiences here in the mission where I am able to learn humility and find real joy, even when it is not easy.
Hope you have a fantastic week! Love y'all!
Sorella Robb
Seems like summer has hit the ground running for alot of you! Over hear in Italy, it seems as though everyone is taking a break, including the hot weather. We have been hit with a little bit of June Gloom, with cloudy skies and a cool breeze.
The work here has been a great and exciting challenge these past couple of weeks. I am learning what it means to be physically exhausted, and love not having problems trying to fall asleep, but it has also been really neat to see that even when your body tires your spirit does not. It is also election time here right now, on top of exams, so people are not always incredibly excited to see other people to talk to. It was interesting though, because there was a mother in the park the other day told us her purse had already been filled with flyers and she was busy, but as we talked about families and bore testimony about simple truths, she thanked us for our refreshing message.
Yesterday also was quite the adventure, I went to my first Italian Wedding and it was quite the P day. It was the wedding of one of our investigaters, and a member from our ward was in charge of the ceremony, and we missionaries were the music. It was fun, and filled with lots of Primary Songs with simple tunes but powerful messages. Afterwards, I witnessed how all the spectacular things I had heard and seen in peoples wedding albums were no exaggeration. Her dress was incredible, and of course made by her. The food was by no means you average meal, and consisted of I kid you not, 20 different courses. Fortunately, we had to leave early, but we were there long enough to eat lobster, oyster, clam, squid, octupus, cheese, proscuitto rice and so many other things, it was really insane. As for the other parts of the ceremony\reception it was interesting to see that really alot of it was the same, but one thing that was a little different was the receiving line, it was so fast! Everyone just was in one big line and kissed everyone. The member family that we were there with however looked at us, smiled and suggested that maybe this would be a better thing to just watch.
Anyways, If there is any lesson I have learned this last week it is that I never want to be too busy to find time to remember the things that bring true joy. I am ao greatful for you all, and so greatful for so many experiences here in the mission where I am able to learn humility and find real joy, even when it is not easy.
Hope you have a fantastic week! Love y'all!
Sorella Robb
Here Comes the Sun
Salve tutti!
Welcome to summer time! I know I have mentioned alot about the Italian people and culture, but they never cease to amaze me. It just makes me laugh because most of the time they are so direct it is great, and sometimes they just say things that make me laugh. They will say wow you are beautiful, ask, have you gained weight?, or even tell the drama of their life just within the first few minutes of talking with them. So summer has definetly arrived and it is a little on the hotside, and the Italians know it. Like most missionaries we try doing all sorts of different activities to find ways to talk to people, and one of those is doing house. We always receive all sorts of fun responses but this week we were told "sorry, I can not do anything right now, it is just too hot." Another things that is different about the culture here is that if you ask a question there is always a "right answer." Because we are always all over the place we often need to ask for directions to a street or something, and they always tell us where to go. Very rarely are these instructions correct, but many times it has led us to people we needed to talk to (sorry if I have already shared this before, but is a part of out everyday life). It really is just so neat to see how the Lord works.
Yesterday we had Zone conference which is why I am writing a day later today, but as always it was a great way to refuel and refill excitement for the work. We talked alot about the spirit. Where we find it, how we recognize it, and the blessings of obeying it. I was thinking alot about it, and how big of a role it plays in my life right now. I remember in the MTC my teachers said that the spirit would be there and guide all aspects of your work if you try to listen. I have to admit, I thought that seemed a little extreem and over the top, but I am learning that I had never made myself familiar enough to recognize it. This is why I love the scriptures, because we get to learn from them, be edified, but we also get to have that time to feel the spirit, and then we can recognize those same feelings later. Just like we recognize our closest friends voices better than someone we met once.
How is everyone doing? Joe I hope you have an amazing time at EFY, don't be ashamed of your New Mexicaness, the girls will dig it! :) i will try and eat enough gelato for you all, its kind of a rough life ;). We actually spent some time with an investigater who taught us how to make focaccia, and that hopefully I will be able to share with you all someday.
This life really does have so much joy to offer. I hope that everyone has a fantasic week, wearing sunscreen, drinking lots of water, and helping out your local missionaries! They will love you for it, I promise.
P.s. Critter, Emma, and Sam, Mom tells me you have lots of time maybe even too much. . . you are always welcome to write me!
Love you all!
Sorella Robb
Welcome to summer time! I know I have mentioned alot about the Italian people and culture, but they never cease to amaze me. It just makes me laugh because most of the time they are so direct it is great, and sometimes they just say things that make me laugh. They will say wow you are beautiful, ask, have you gained weight?, or even tell the drama of their life just within the first few minutes of talking with them. So summer has definetly arrived and it is a little on the hotside, and the Italians know it. Like most missionaries we try doing all sorts of different activities to find ways to talk to people, and one of those is doing house. We always receive all sorts of fun responses but this week we were told "sorry, I can not do anything right now, it is just too hot." Another things that is different about the culture here is that if you ask a question there is always a "right answer." Because we are always all over the place we often need to ask for directions to a street or something, and they always tell us where to go. Very rarely are these instructions correct, but many times it has led us to people we needed to talk to (sorry if I have already shared this before, but is a part of out everyday life). It really is just so neat to see how the Lord works.
Yesterday we had Zone conference which is why I am writing a day later today, but as always it was a great way to refuel and refill excitement for the work. We talked alot about the spirit. Where we find it, how we recognize it, and the blessings of obeying it. I was thinking alot about it, and how big of a role it plays in my life right now. I remember in the MTC my teachers said that the spirit would be there and guide all aspects of your work if you try to listen. I have to admit, I thought that seemed a little extreem and over the top, but I am learning that I had never made myself familiar enough to recognize it. This is why I love the scriptures, because we get to learn from them, be edified, but we also get to have that time to feel the spirit, and then we can recognize those same feelings later. Just like we recognize our closest friends voices better than someone we met once.
How is everyone doing? Joe I hope you have an amazing time at EFY, don't be ashamed of your New Mexicaness, the girls will dig it! :) i will try and eat enough gelato for you all, its kind of a rough life ;). We actually spent some time with an investigater who taught us how to make focaccia, and that hopefully I will be able to share with you all someday.
This life really does have so much joy to offer. I hope that everyone has a fantasic week, wearing sunscreen, drinking lots of water, and helping out your local missionaries! They will love you for it, I promise.
P.s. Critter, Emma, and Sam, Mom tells me you have lots of time maybe even too much. . . you are always welcome to write me!
Love you all!
Sorella Robb
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