Ciao Famiglia!
I'm doing alright so far. I'll admit, it looks a little overwhelming, this being the 2nd day and all, but I'm sure it will all work out. It's just getting used to the schedule here, which luckily is planned out pretty dang full.
What's really been fun is seeing some people I know, although sometimes I don't remember their names (oops). But I've seen a lot of people I know already, and my companion commented on it. Apparently BYU is good for something else right there!
By the way, my companionn is awesome. His name is Anziano (the "Elder" in Italian, it literally means "Ancient") Baggaley, from around Salt Lake City. Fresh out of high school and recently turned 19. I think he feels a little out of place here. Come to think of it, I kindof do too. All the people that have been here even 3 weeks seem "anziano". So he is kind of quiet, and very observant. It seems to me as if we're a lot a like, which is awesome in a 1st companion. But what I really like about him is how insightful he can be. We had a "teaching experience" last night where some "investigators" would come in and allow 2 sisters (sorelli) into their "home". Meanwhile, a group of 50 or more newbies were watching, after being told to avoid watching teaching technique and see what we can learn about the investigators. I finally understood why they said that when they opened up the discussion to the 50 plus people. Some of the guys that repeatedly raised their hand didn't seem to relate what they wanted to teach to the person at all. So while they would go off on randem tangents, Anziano Baggaley and I would discuss what we saw and where we would take the conversation. He is awesome at seeing what the person's question were really asking, and how to connect it to other things they already knew. Boy, was I blessed!
But they are really stressing that here, the people we teach are real people, and that we should really care about them and understand them as much as possible. Definitely different than memorizing different discussions! I like it a lot better.
Dang, I'm really busy right now, and can barely find time to write this. Anyway, just got back from meeting our District Presidency the first time. Nice huys. But guess what? Anziano Baggaley is our first District Leader. Not a bad choice in my opinion, but he seemed pretty dang overwhelmed when he first got the call. he'll get it down though, he's great. But this left me the job of senior companion, so let's see how this goes for the weeks.
The language is already coming along a teeny bit, and I'm understanding a little bit of what's being said in class. But tomorrow (Friday) we're already teaching our first lesson, in Italian. Basically, we're gonna be giving something around a lesson a day here. kinda nerve-wracking. But hey, it'll all work out fine.
Anyway, feeling a little overwhelmed, but it's gone down a little bit. Everybody just keeps saying ito make it to Sunday. Although I can understand why some people want to get out the first few days, there's just SO MUCH, and you want to get it down INSTANTLY. One heck of a ride so far.
So that's my first 2 day's in a nutshell. Basically just writing to let you know I'm fine and doing well, learning A LOT, and really like my companion, so it's all good. Oh, and I love ou all a lot.
See ya in a few years!
Anziano Walker
Ps. Ther's a guy in my room and class whose last name is Faggioli, which means "beans" in Italian. So "Anziano Fagioli"...well, let's just say we're lucky he's such a good sport!
PPS-The first lesson went well, now there's one Saturday. We feel a little more prepared for this one.
PPPS-I left my laundry bag at home. Do you think you coould send that up?
Thanks!
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