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