Critter, who are you?! Dad thank you for the pictures, I really did get a kick out of them, the only problem is that I did not get to see a picture of mom. Don't worry mom, its not that I have forgotten what you look like or anything, and I am sure you are just as gorgeous as always.
Well welcome back to school everyone. I really wish that everyone here was going back to school, but thats okay, in the meantime it is fun coming up with activities to do and ways to find people.
Friday was actually the big day off, its called feragosto, and we spent it cleaning! We listened to some Christmas songs and got to hear alot about the life of my companion Sorella Wendorf and I really enjoyed it. It definetly was a little bit of an adjustment in the beginning learning to always be with someone else, but I really do love it. And it is so fun to know that everything you experience there is someone else there with you who you can talk about it later with.
I wish I could tell you that I was kidding when I say that Bari is a ghost town in these days, but you can honestly walk a good while without seeing a single person. However, the park is as lively as it has ever been, as is by far my favorite place here in Bari. There is a bench of old ladies there everyday that are so funny and tell us to go get married, there is a little old man named vito who speaks english from back in the old days and listens to his english radio, and then there are lots of other families there, many of whom we have taught in the fast, or we teach everytime we find them.
On Sunday there was a suprise visit from an older sister in the ward who happens to be a friend with one of our investigaters and so yesterday we were able to have a lesson all together, and it was amazing how she was able to reach him on a whole different level of understanding and help him understand the reality and then we were able to teach and testify using the scriptures. Our Heavenly father loves us, and I am so grateful that he gave us the scriptures as a reminder.
As far as other things go, my Italian is getting better, but my English is getting worse. It is getting to the point where I cant speak a whole sentence in English without using some sort of Italian word. Also, we are finally perfecting our focaccia. The people here might not be that excited to talk about how hot it is, but they love it when you love their culture, and they love to help you understand. Not only has this opened our eyes to making a much better focaccia, but it has also allowed for some great opportunities to share the gospel oddly enough.
Anyways I am sorry this email was not very eventful, but this room is extremely warm and the computer is not working. Sam I love love your faces! Critter you must have been standing on stilts or something, because I do not believe that you are that tall. Dad I hate to say it but you look pretty tired. Johnny I am proud of you working on school, you can do it, make it happen. Mom even if you do no think you life is that exciting or eventful I absolutely love it, thanks for sharing it with me. Emma I love you! Ciao tutti, have a great week! Love ya'll oodles!!!!
Sorella Robb
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Como andiamo!
Wow, can you believe we are looking already at mid august?! I did not really believe it until we found ourselves on the streets of Bari and there was absolutely no one outside, and we are talking about there not even being crickets. Everyone told me about feragosto, that everyone takes vacation, but I did not realize that the whole entire city really just shuts down, the stores do not open.
Sorella Wendorf has been a huge blessing and I am learning so much from her. She walks around like she is familiar with the streets even though she has absolutely no idea, and then we end up finding people who are anxious to learn from us! The language has been so fun. Of course there are a few words we don't recognize, but the people are so very patient. Yesterday in fact we had an amazing lesson with Antonio, a man we have been working with for a good couple months, and it was so exciting to watch as things started to make sense to him. Even if the language was not perfectly there, the spirit was, and he mentioned it and said is willing to work so that he can feel that good all the time. Experiences like that just send you away with a hage smile.
Other exciting news is that I know how to make eggplant Parmagian! Not only do I have the recipe, but our mission president has been encouraging us to really apply ourselves to learn the culture and learn how to make the food, so Sorella Wendorf and I attempted and totally succeeded, so hopefully I will be able to share some of the goodness of Italy with you all in future years.
Sunday was also so fun because we were able to teach leo, a boy from the ward one of the lessons to prepare for his baptism, and we had a good time, but he also was excited to start reading. Afterwards, his mom was so thrilled that she could offer us Hidden Valley Ranch dressing that someone else had sent her, becuase that just do not exist here.
In short. I'm grateful to be here. It's fun to share a smile, it is priceless to feel the spirit, and there is plenty of time for walking in between! Christopher, I can not believe you are going to highschool, that is crazy!!! That also means you are getting old enough that you can send your favorite sister in Italy a little update from time to time. Heidi, thanks for the email, I would love to write you back, but need an address. Sam you are getting so big, and mom tells me you are a toe head, is that true? I love you all. Welcome back to school and work! Take care!
Con Amore,
Sorella Robb
Sorella Wendorf has been a huge blessing and I am learning so much from her. She walks around like she is familiar with the streets even though she has absolutely no idea, and then we end up finding people who are anxious to learn from us! The language has been so fun. Of course there are a few words we don't recognize, but the people are so very patient. Yesterday in fact we had an amazing lesson with Antonio, a man we have been working with for a good couple months, and it was so exciting to watch as things started to make sense to him. Even if the language was not perfectly there, the spirit was, and he mentioned it and said is willing to work so that he can feel that good all the time. Experiences like that just send you away with a hage smile.
Other exciting news is that I know how to make eggplant Parmagian! Not only do I have the recipe, but our mission president has been encouraging us to really apply ourselves to learn the culture and learn how to make the food, so Sorella Wendorf and I attempted and totally succeeded, so hopefully I will be able to share some of the goodness of Italy with you all in future years.
Sunday was also so fun because we were able to teach leo, a boy from the ward one of the lessons to prepare for his baptism, and we had a good time, but he also was excited to start reading. Afterwards, his mom was so thrilled that she could offer us Hidden Valley Ranch dressing that someone else had sent her, becuase that just do not exist here.
In short. I'm grateful to be here. It's fun to share a smile, it is priceless to feel the spirit, and there is plenty of time for walking in between! Christopher, I can not believe you are going to highschool, that is crazy!!! That also means you are getting old enough that you can send your favorite sister in Italy a little update from time to time. Heidi, thanks for the email, I would love to write you back, but need an address. Sam you are getting so big, and mom tells me you are a toe head, is that true? I love you all. Welcome back to school and work! Take care!
Con Amore,
Sorella Robb
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
What a Life!
Ciao Cari!
Mom I am so glad to hear you are getting some sleep! Emma dad tells me that you loved wicked the most, you need to tell me all about it. I hope that everyone is loading up on the sunscreen, because there is no need to get burned when we know how to avoid it.
Four months later, I am still here Bari and love it! Sunday night, my "mother" of the mission left me, which was strange. She was the one who knew the streets, led the way and was a pro at the language, but not to worry, I have a new companion and she is a delight! Monday I spent the day with Sorella Anderson, a missionary from a close by city and we went and visited one of our investigators Francesca. That was one of those moments I wish I could have captured and brought home with me. Italians are so animated it is amazing, and I am pretty sure you can not exaggerate (paradon my spelling) the extent of the situation. She has been really busy with her store and life this last week so we went to find her. As she was ringing people through the line, she was also telling her adventures and frustrations from the day, yelling, laughing, slamming things in a gentle way, and giving people discounts. Just watching her was an adventure in its self, but then after talking with her for just a little bit she really started to calm down, and she then she said " I understand that we are here to learn, that this experience is to help me learn patience, but why is it so hard for us to endure and to do those things that we know are right, why is it so simple and yet so complicated?" It really is so interesting, that we know what makes us happy. I know that I prefer being comfortably tan rather than sunburned but sometimes at the moment it seems so much easier to skip the time and stickness of the sunscreen. My companion and I have been thinking alot about this, and just reflecting back on my own experiences I always want to try and think that I am strong enough that I can do things overcome things myself. The whole blessing and reality of the Atonement is that we don't ever have to face anything on our own. I like in 2 nephi 9: 51 where it talks about letting our hearts delight in fatness. There are so many amazing blessings and promises that we find in the scriptures that I know are true, but getting over my pride and realing that I will get burned if I take on the Sun by myself. Its not like the sun is bad, in fact it is a huge blessing and we need it to live, and it is even more enjoyable when we accept that little bit of help so we dont get burned.
Woops... Sorry for that tangent. Anyways one of the funnest parts of this newcompanionship is that she has only been out in the field 3 months longer than me, so our speaking skills our about the same. There is no more hiding or turning with the big "help me" eyes to my companion, we are 100% in this together. Yesterday was our first day an it was a blast. There was a suprise rain storm, and we got stranded in the park us and our two huge umbrellas and a darling couple with nothing. We talked with them, gave them an umbrella and then we talked about the gospel, and Nella the wife loved it! She is one of the happiest people I have met since I have been here, with a huge smile, a countageous laugh. It was a great testimony builder for all of us, and we have another appointment with them tomorrow!
Well happy vacationing time, and back to school for some of you. Thanks for your all of your support, I have yet to figure out why I am so blessed with such a perfect life with so many amazing people, it really does not seem fair at times. I love you all!!! Alot!
Sorella Robb
Mom I am so glad to hear you are getting some sleep! Emma dad tells me that you loved wicked the most, you need to tell me all about it. I hope that everyone is loading up on the sunscreen, because there is no need to get burned when we know how to avoid it.
Four months later, I am still here Bari and love it! Sunday night, my "mother" of the mission left me, which was strange. She was the one who knew the streets, led the way and was a pro at the language, but not to worry, I have a new companion and she is a delight! Monday I spent the day with Sorella Anderson, a missionary from a close by city and we went and visited one of our investigators Francesca. That was one of those moments I wish I could have captured and brought home with me. Italians are so animated it is amazing, and I am pretty sure you can not exaggerate (paradon my spelling) the extent of the situation. She has been really busy with her store and life this last week so we went to find her. As she was ringing people through the line, she was also telling her adventures and frustrations from the day, yelling, laughing, slamming things in a gentle way, and giving people discounts. Just watching her was an adventure in its self, but then after talking with her for just a little bit she really started to calm down, and she then she said " I understand that we are here to learn, that this experience is to help me learn patience, but why is it so hard for us to endure and to do those things that we know are right, why is it so simple and yet so complicated?" It really is so interesting, that we know what makes us happy. I know that I prefer being comfortably tan rather than sunburned but sometimes at the moment it seems so much easier to skip the time and stickness of the sunscreen. My companion and I have been thinking alot about this, and just reflecting back on my own experiences I always want to try and think that I am strong enough that I can do things overcome things myself. The whole blessing and reality of the Atonement is that we don't ever have to face anything on our own. I like in 2 nephi 9: 51 where it talks about letting our hearts delight in fatness. There are so many amazing blessings and promises that we find in the scriptures that I know are true, but getting over my pride and realing that I will get burned if I take on the Sun by myself. Its not like the sun is bad, in fact it is a huge blessing and we need it to live, and it is even more enjoyable when we accept that little bit of help so we dont get burned.
Woops... Sorry for that tangent. Anyways one of the funnest parts of this newcompanionship is that she has only been out in the field 3 months longer than me, so our speaking skills our about the same. There is no more hiding or turning with the big "help me" eyes to my companion, we are 100% in this together. Yesterday was our first day an it was a blast. There was a suprise rain storm, and we got stranded in the park us and our two huge umbrellas and a darling couple with nothing. We talked with them, gave them an umbrella and then we talked about the gospel, and Nella the wife loved it! She is one of the happiest people I have met since I have been here, with a huge smile, a countageous laugh. It was a great testimony builder for all of us, and we have another appointment with them tomorrow!
Well happy vacationing time, and back to school for some of you. Thanks for your all of your support, I have yet to figure out why I am so blessed with such a perfect life with so many amazing people, it really does not seem fair at times. I love you all!!! Alot!
Sorella Robb
Grazie Tutti!
Hey Everyone, thanks for the emails, they all gave me a good laugh and it was nice. Joe you have got to be one of the biggest nerds I know, but thank you for the email. Mom, I believe you that you wrote me, who knows maybe it was even a little trial/humbling experience that I needed in my life. As we were on the bus coming over here to do internet I realized that two weeks is the longest period of time I have even been without talking to my family in my whole entire life which equals I am way spoiled!
New news from the mission, this is the last week of the transfer which means next week I will have a new companion, only my second one since I have been in Italy. This Saturday, there are three people getting baptised(!), a young married couple from Africa, and a 19 italian from a small city here near Bari. Oh and the weather, you are going to be jealous of this, last week we hit 46°! Dont worry that is not in F but in C which means it was around 115°F. It is beautiful, we spend all of our time outside in the nice humid heat, with a nice little pile of sweat rolling down our foreheads, sometimes a fan it hand, and life is great!
This last week I have actually spent quite a bit of time thinking, which I know can be dangerous, but I have been trying to discover what my exact purpose and calling is here in Bari. I have been able to teach and talk with some amazing people and sometimes am even their first introduction to the church. We also spend a lot of time visiting the older ladies her who are not able to leave their houses anymore, and together we share and laugh, and cry, and share our lives experiences and testimonies. The other part is our work with the members, and more particularly the youth/ young adults. I am pretty sure I mentioned how we do splits with them often, and they are fantastic missionaries. Infact, Andrea who is getting baptised on Saturday is one of their friends that they introduced to the missionaries. However, they need and I need your help. Unfortunately amoung them they have kind of formed two different social groups which is keeping them from progressing and really helping them be a support for eachother. Quindi, if any of you have ideas of activities, or service projects, or anything that we can do to help unite them and help them get over their differences and learn to really love eachother that would be amazing and very much appreciated!
Family of Mine, have fun in California and know that every inhabitant here in Italy is jealous of you. I can not tell you how many times they say Beautiful the California, no? Then I try to remind them that they live in Italy, and are blessed in many ways and are loved children of a heavenly father. Anyways, I love you all, I love the emails. Have a fabulous week and safe travels and if you have a chance to brainstorm some ideas you will be blessed :) Ciao Belli!
Sorella Robb
New news from the mission, this is the last week of the transfer which means next week I will have a new companion, only my second one since I have been in Italy. This Saturday, there are three people getting baptised(!), a young married couple from Africa, and a 19 italian from a small city here near Bari. Oh and the weather, you are going to be jealous of this, last week we hit 46°! Dont worry that is not in F but in C which means it was around 115°F. It is beautiful, we spend all of our time outside in the nice humid heat, with a nice little pile of sweat rolling down our foreheads, sometimes a fan it hand, and life is great!
This last week I have actually spent quite a bit of time thinking, which I know can be dangerous, but I have been trying to discover what my exact purpose and calling is here in Bari. I have been able to teach and talk with some amazing people and sometimes am even their first introduction to the church. We also spend a lot of time visiting the older ladies her who are not able to leave their houses anymore, and together we share and laugh, and cry, and share our lives experiences and testimonies. The other part is our work with the members, and more particularly the youth/ young adults. I am pretty sure I mentioned how we do splits with them often, and they are fantastic missionaries. Infact, Andrea who is getting baptised on Saturday is one of their friends that they introduced to the missionaries. However, they need and I need your help. Unfortunately amoung them they have kind of formed two different social groups which is keeping them from progressing and really helping them be a support for eachother. Quindi, if any of you have ideas of activities, or service projects, or anything that we can do to help unite them and help them get over their differences and learn to really love eachother that would be amazing and very much appreciated!
Family of Mine, have fun in California and know that every inhabitant here in Italy is jealous of you. I can not tell you how many times they say Beautiful the California, no? Then I try to remind them that they live in Italy, and are blessed in many ways and are loved children of a heavenly father. Anyways, I love you all, I love the emails. Have a fabulous week and safe travels and if you have a chance to brainstorm some ideas you will be blessed :) Ciao Belli!
Sorella Robb
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