Ciao Famiglia!
So I new that i was getting old in the mission, but this confirmed it, my first week in the mission without a letter. Don't worry though, even if you have forgotten me, I still remember you all. John Happy Birthday, proprio Today!!!! It seems like just yesterday we were eating salmon with Omi and Papa, its crazy how the time is flying I hope you are doing amazing things with your time. This week I will hit my 6 month mark in the mission which is soo weird. We had a maxi conference this week with all of the missionaries in the Puglia, and for the first time since I have been out I met some of the missionaries that are younger than me. I also received a couple letters from friends other places in Italy, and Jessica Ogle, and they all reminded me of just how lucky I am to have this time to share my testimony with these people and love them. In light of this six month mark, it has made me reflect a bit on what I have learned, what I would still like to learn, and some of the highlights.
Language- After many strange looks and laughs, I no longer say "siamo finiti." Where its direct translation would be we are finished, the Italian's take it very literally to mean we are FINISHED (dead), rather they would say have we finished. I know better now.
Talking wise, People still will finish my sentences for me, but the other day we were talking with someone and I realized that I was not having to translate at all what they were saying, I simply understood it, it was So Beautiful! There were almost tears.
Lifestyle Change- I am perfectly content in plain colors, Lindsey sent me one of my favorite skirts from home, and could not handle those three stripes on it, it was simply way too much pattern :)
A day without pasta is pretty much a day without food, its not even so much that I love so much, but my body is convinced it needs it to feel full. Also, the sun and I are best friends, there is no such thing as too hot. Favorite activities, I really love reading scriptures, talks, the dictionary, its so fun. New "Ensigns" are just as exciting as any Birthday present I ever received.
My Testimony- Where there is a Will, He has made a way. We all have been given the opportunity to learn where and how we can find happiness, and I absolutely love sharing my testimony with others as well as getting to here their's. Those little small assurances that we receive as we do our best to align our will with his are priceless. In fact, this last week, we had about an hour before we needed to return home after English course, and we decided we needed to go out to a little near by city. As we were walking my companion stopped someone to ask for directions, and she looked at us and said, I know you all! I have talked with you on the phone and want to learn more! We then quickly realized that she was someone we had been trying to get a hold of for over a month, but the last time we tried calling a man answered the phone and said she was gone and would not return for a long while. Anyways, appararently he was an old boyfriend and she had no idea. It just amazes me to see how well the Lord knows us, and to realize how personal he really is.
I guess what I am trying to say is that I love my mission, and can not wait to learn more. I really am so so spoiled. My companion and I always laugh, because the only time I ever say "I can't handle anymore" is when we are at someones house trying to finish our plate with a pund of pasta. I can not quite remember what I was doing with all my time when I was 17 and 18, but here we have some of the most incredible young adults (gans) here who have also been great examples for me. One of my highlights every week is getting to go on spilts with them. They are really incredible and not scared of anything. Often times I will stop someone to ask how they are doing, or if we can help lend them a hand, but after hardly anytime at all we are teaching them together and I am blessed to get to hear their incredible testimonies as well.
Mom I hope all is going well with you travel. Christopher, it would truly bring tears to my eyes if you wrote me about EFY, but if not, you could atleast send me a picture. pS mom, thanks for the letter I did get it. Joe, Critter, Dada, and EMma Dear I love you all! Have a fantastic week and a great pioneer day, and a good time in California. Love yall!
Sorella Robb
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
What Excitement!
Wow, sounds like everyone has quite the eventful life right now. I could hardly keep up with the events in email form much less in real life, but I hope all is well and sane. Our week here in Bari Italy has also been eventful, and I am trying to figure out how to slow down time. July and August in Italy means vacation time. Right now many of our appointments begin "it is so good to see you!!!" and then they end "Can't wait to see you in September!" People live at the Sea, and can not grasp why we do not go.
It is always an interesting conversation when we talk to people and they will say, but why did you choose to do this, to serve this mission? You are so young, and you are beautiful, what would make you want to come give up your life?.... This is always a great introduction for us to get to share why it is that we would want to do something as crazy as wear skirts everyday with ugly shoes, and attempt to speak a foreign language. In shorts it is because pretty much this life is so amazing. Even with the stresses, the money problems, the heat, and everything that gives us a hard time, we have the ability to understand these things, and to feel the love of our Savior Jesus Christ. We would you not want to share the best recipe for happiness with the world? Not only do you get to know these things, but you get to watch as others also discover the path to a permanant smile. They then tell us nice things, and tell us to come back and marry a Barese. Romans 8 talks about how there is nothing that can separate us from the love of God, and I know it is true.
Other news, we have been teaching someone named Giovanni and he is wonderful. Dad you should be so proud, I peeled shrimp all by myself, eventhough it still had the eyes and head and everything, and I ate octupus. It has really been such a blessing getting to meet so many people, and get to know them so well. I am surrounded by people who work really hard, and do it because the love it, and it is very inspiring. Also to get to see how really we are all family is SOO cool. I know I've written about our blind friend Benito and his helper Elisa, and this last week she was just excited to see us, as she has left everything in Giorgia to work to support her family. But to see how we all come from different cultures and background, but share the same love for God is cool. We gave her a book of Mormon in Russian and she was so excited.
Anyways, mom hang in there, sorry about all those stresses. Dad, I can't imagine how much fun you are having, but I am sure you are doing great things, and how cool that will be to get to watch the ward grow. Jonathan, HAPPY birthday!!!! I hope it is a fun day to you, and you are able to find lots of new beginnings and adventures in this next 21st year of life. Lindsey thanks for the email, it was perfect. Tell Elle and the gang and Keelie hello! Love you all!
Ciao Ciao!
Sorella Robb
It is always an interesting conversation when we talk to people and they will say, but why did you choose to do this, to serve this mission? You are so young, and you are beautiful, what would make you want to come give up your life?.... This is always a great introduction for us to get to share why it is that we would want to do something as crazy as wear skirts everyday with ugly shoes, and attempt to speak a foreign language. In shorts it is because pretty much this life is so amazing. Even with the stresses, the money problems, the heat, and everything that gives us a hard time, we have the ability to understand these things, and to feel the love of our Savior Jesus Christ. We would you not want to share the best recipe for happiness with the world? Not only do you get to know these things, but you get to watch as others also discover the path to a permanant smile. They then tell us nice things, and tell us to come back and marry a Barese. Romans 8 talks about how there is nothing that can separate us from the love of God, and I know it is true.
Other news, we have been teaching someone named Giovanni and he is wonderful. Dad you should be so proud, I peeled shrimp all by myself, eventhough it still had the eyes and head and everything, and I ate octupus. It has really been such a blessing getting to meet so many people, and get to know them so well. I am surrounded by people who work really hard, and do it because the love it, and it is very inspiring. Also to get to see how really we are all family is SOO cool. I know I've written about our blind friend Benito and his helper Elisa, and this last week she was just excited to see us, as she has left everything in Giorgia to work to support her family. But to see how we all come from different cultures and background, but share the same love for God is cool. We gave her a book of Mormon in Russian and she was so excited.
Anyways, mom hang in there, sorry about all those stresses. Dad, I can't imagine how much fun you are having, but I am sure you are doing great things, and how cool that will be to get to watch the ward grow. Jonathan, HAPPY birthday!!!! I hope it is a fun day to you, and you are able to find lots of new beginnings and adventures in this next 21st year of life. Lindsey thanks for the email, it was perfect. Tell Elle and the gang and Keelie hello! Love you all!
Ciao Ciao!
Sorella Robb
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Back in Bari!
Ciao Cari!
So after many hours of bus and train, and even a little fairy ride inbetween we made it back to Bari. I am amazed how different the people and the cities are. In the end we never dd get the permesso di sogiorno, but we were able to teach some amazing lessons, and meet people who we otherwise never would have met. One story that was pretty incredible was the man we ended up being assigned next to on the train. I have come to learn and love, how nothing happens because of chance, but that really everything happens for a reason.
Oh goodness, bad news, we just found out that the internet place needs to close. Mom, the weather has been very humid and even a little rainy which i guess is not normal. With everyone out of town we have been walking a ton! Just an example, monday night we left the house on foot at 4 came home at 9.30 and did not sit hown at all inbetween. My leggs were dead, but it was a good pain. Well got to run! Love you. Happy EFYing brothers, I am excited to hear all about it :)
Love,
Sorella Robb
So after many hours of bus and train, and even a little fairy ride inbetween we made it back to Bari. I am amazed how different the people and the cities are. In the end we never dd get the permesso di sogiorno, but we were able to teach some amazing lessons, and meet people who we otherwise never would have met. One story that was pretty incredible was the man we ended up being assigned next to on the train. I have come to learn and love, how nothing happens because of chance, but that really everything happens for a reason.
Oh goodness, bad news, we just found out that the internet place needs to close. Mom, the weather has been very humid and even a little rainy which i guess is not normal. With everyone out of town we have been walking a ton! Just an example, monday night we left the house on foot at 4 came home at 9.30 and did not sit hown at all inbetween. My leggs were dead, but it was a good pain. Well got to run! Love you. Happy EFYing brothers, I am excited to hear all about it :)
Love,
Sorella Robb
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Oh What fun it is to here from my family on PDAy...Hey!
Dearest Favorite Family and Friends of Mine-
It is always a treat to hear from you all, and please know that I sat that with all seriousness and a smile on my face. Dad Hope you had a fantastic birthday, I loved the pictures even if they were a little morbid. Joe, congradulations on being the most accident proned child of the family, in the future maybe try a little harder to not let your goofyness get you down. Christopher, who are you? There was a picture with dad, joe, and this tall stranger with a weird grown up looking face. P.s. Love the beard! And mother, I always knew that you had it in you to make those long trips on your own, auguri!
So suprise, I am writing from Ragusa today, it is a little city on Sicily. And no, I did not get transfered, but rather my companion needed to come back up here to pick up her permit for proselyting so we have spent the last few days here. Anyways this has made for quite the eventful week and new adventures. Last week was a blast, we actually had a couple lessons with members and investigaters together and it was very neat, with a great spirit. There was also one of those miracle moments where we were in the park and I felt I needed to go and talk with a women sitting down, and as it turns out she is the mother of a guy who we talked to over a month ago one time, but she was talking about this son of hers, and I said "is his name Joseph(giuseppe)" and she was like yes, anyways he was going through a really hard time as well as the family and we were able to teach about the plan of Salvation. The Lord works in such marvelous ways, and I LOVE getting to see these miracles everyday!
Other exciting news, I had my very first door opened yesterday! And lots of people opened and talked to us. It is crazy how different of a world a mission it is down here in Sicily. Right now we here in Ragusa with my MtC companion, Sorella White, my Companion right now Sorella Black, and her MTC companion. After talking with Sorella White it has been so interesting to learn how different our work is. Here if you talk to someone they talk back, if you knock on their door they open their door, or walk out on their Balcony, or open their their window and talk, it is in every way a little quaint old Italian City. However, our church experiences are very different, as my ward in Bari is filled with amazing active members who love to serve and do missionary work, and down here they spend a lot of time trying to strengthen and unitri (only 12 hours away on a bus) and get to work again in our area slightly sleep deprived but reenergized with hope for people of Bari!
Kalli Hakes, that is so very super super exciting, and if I am not mistaken you are going to get to spend 12 weeks in the MTC? you will love it! Well I hope that everyone has a fantastic fourth of July and will enjoy the fireworks for me. Also I found another scripture that I love about being of good cheer, but I forgot to write down the verse, but maybe it is in 86? Ummm.. who knows, but I promise you that if you read the scriptures you will find some favorite scriptures of your own that will boost your day and slay your worries. Hooray for Missionary work, and for the power and help we all have to overcome our trials and find joy in the simple things. Love ye the people. It has been a treat though, and I am so excited to get to go back to Baou all!
Sorella Robb
(ps if you ever come to Sicilia, or rather when you come, the Ricotta is incredible, and you can eat it fresh and warm and it is soo good!)
It is always a treat to hear from you all, and please know that I sat that with all seriousness and a smile on my face. Dad Hope you had a fantastic birthday, I loved the pictures even if they were a little morbid. Joe, congradulations on being the most accident proned child of the family, in the future maybe try a little harder to not let your goofyness get you down. Christopher, who are you? There was a picture with dad, joe, and this tall stranger with a weird grown up looking face. P.s. Love the beard! And mother, I always knew that you had it in you to make those long trips on your own, auguri!
So suprise, I am writing from Ragusa today, it is a little city on Sicily. And no, I did not get transfered, but rather my companion needed to come back up here to pick up her permit for proselyting so we have spent the last few days here. Anyways this has made for quite the eventful week and new adventures. Last week was a blast, we actually had a couple lessons with members and investigaters together and it was very neat, with a great spirit. There was also one of those miracle moments where we were in the park and I felt I needed to go and talk with a women sitting down, and as it turns out she is the mother of a guy who we talked to over a month ago one time, but she was talking about this son of hers, and I said "is his name Joseph(giuseppe)" and she was like yes, anyways he was going through a really hard time as well as the family and we were able to teach about the plan of Salvation. The Lord works in such marvelous ways, and I LOVE getting to see these miracles everyday!
Other exciting news, I had my very first door opened yesterday! And lots of people opened and talked to us. It is crazy how different of a world a mission it is down here in Sicily. Right now we here in Ragusa with my MtC companion, Sorella White, my Companion right now Sorella Black, and her MTC companion. After talking with Sorella White it has been so interesting to learn how different our work is. Here if you talk to someone they talk back, if you knock on their door they open their door, or walk out on their Balcony, or open their their window and talk, it is in every way a little quaint old Italian City. However, our church experiences are very different, as my ward in Bari is filled with amazing active members who love to serve and do missionary work, and down here they spend a lot of time trying to strengthen and unitri (only 12 hours away on a bus) and get to work again in our area slightly sleep deprived but reenergized with hope for people of Bari!
Kalli Hakes, that is so very super super exciting, and if I am not mistaken you are going to get to spend 12 weeks in the MTC? you will love it! Well I hope that everyone has a fantastic fourth of July and will enjoy the fireworks for me. Also I found another scripture that I love about being of good cheer, but I forgot to write down the verse, but maybe it is in 86? Ummm.. who knows, but I promise you that if you read the scriptures you will find some favorite scriptures of your own that will boost your day and slay your worries. Hooray for Missionary work, and for the power and help we all have to overcome our trials and find joy in the simple things. Love ye the people. It has been a treat though, and I am so excited to get to go back to Baou all!
Sorella Robb
(ps if you ever come to Sicilia, or rather when you come, the Ricotta is incredible, and you can eat it fresh and warm and it is soo good!)
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