Happy P-Day

Ciao President!

This week has been weird, especially with the travel. But at Cagliari, we did what we could together there. We talked with Gaetano (if you don't remember or if I never said, he's a referral we contacted my first Saturday there), and apparently he's been talking to a Priest from some other church, and doesn't really want to meet with us unless he doesn't like this guy. Evidently, a major problem that he has with us is that we are so young. He hasn't come out and said it, but he kept saying stuff that hinted to it, and that was a surprise to him, we learned from Sorella Safina (his friend in the church) after our first meeting. So, maybe with time he'll be ok with it, hopefully.

We've also been working a lot with less actives here, and trying to see members to get them to talk to and help less active people they know. We have some ideas that we would like to try to work out, like having consistent weekly activities (sorta like mutual), or doing large scambi with the members in the branch every month. Those were some ideas we got from an ex-branch mission leader, and he said those kinds of things really helped the branch get involved with missionary work, and helped less-actives come back. I'm excited to try!

With my permesso here in Messina, it was a quick fix. But unfortunately, it looks like I'm gonna have to come back in a few weeks to pick it up and to do that course on the laws and stuff. I feel kinda bad that this is eating up so much money and time for the mission. But thanks for helping me out with that, making it run smoothly!

Thanks for everything!

Anziano Walker

Ciao Famiglia!

Ok, you're never gonna guess where I'm writing this from! Go ahead, guess!

Wrong! (Probably)

I'm back in Messina, haha! Apparently, there were some problems with my permesso (an appointment in April that no one knew about), so the office bought me plane tickets to come down here and see what I could do to figure everything out. They got return tickets for Friday (I left Monday), just to give me time in case I could just pick it up in a few days. But, it looks like I'm actually gonna have to come back near the end of this transfer, cause I have an appointment at a government building here on June 17th. AND, I need to still pick it up, which they said would probably be in about 3 weeks as well. But it's SUPER WEIRD being here in Messina again, I still remember almost exactly where everything is, and the house is just about the same, English Course was super fun, I appreciate the food a MILLION times more, and it's like I haven't left. It is so.........WEIRD. But I'm basically doing a big ol' scambio with the Anziani here, so we're in 3 everywhere. Crazy! But not as crazy as me travelling alone from Cagliari to Rome, and then Rome to Reggio Calabria, and the Anziani there taking me across on a boat to Messina. How many rules did I break? I think 5. But all with permission. :)

And it's so cool to hear about all the people I know again! Sanjay moved to France, because of some problems. Dilhani and Isuri are still super active in the church, and Sahtmi is still wanting to get baptized in October! And Dilhani has a steady job now! Maria Pia is still...... Maria Pia. There were 2 guys at English course who I taught every week in the advanced class that were super excited to see me (two brothers named Giovanni and Domenico), and we're gonna go get a pizza together tomorrow night after English Course again, I think. They're moving to Ireland in a bit, for work as nurses. Fratello Impollonia is still rockin' it as the Ward Mission Leader, .... aw, man, this is so fun!

And the Anziani here are really cool. Their names are Anziano Stewart and Hurlburt. Although, It's impossible for Italians to say Hurlburt, so he got it re written on his nametag, now to "Albart". Boh. He's a little quiet, and reserved. Plus, he's a group above me in the MTC, so we knew eachother a bit before as well. But me and Anziano Stewart (Not my trainer, this guy was in the group below me at the MTC) hit it off really quickly! We never really had a chance to get to know eachother well in the MTC, but man, this guy's awesome, and super happy! I'm kinda sad I'm going back in a few days. Anziano McIntyre is great, but quiet. I'm still trying to learn how to get along with super quiet. In time. But hopefully it comes quickly.

In Cagliari, We have been really working and thinking about that goal. But just meeting Less-actives one at a time won't work, because many of them need time and multiple visits. So like I said in my letter to President, I really would like to try some of those ideas we got from the old Branch Mission Leader. I haven't really had an opportunity to talk with Anziano McIntyre about it, though, and hopefully they come up with something in Correlation with the current Branch Mission Leader while I'm out.

Oh man, this is great! Here I don't have a time limit of an hour! I can EXPOUND and RESPOND! =D I love hearing about the gardening you guys did, and a few suggestions for herbs I use consistently (if you can find them): Rosemary (It is FANTASTIC with potatoes, especially french fries. That and olive oil can replace ketchup), Basil, Origano, and if possible, pepperoncino (little red peppers). Also onions and garlic are really good too. I really want to learn specific recipes, too. So far for that, all I've got is my Pizza cookbook and Carbonara. But I've got time! :)

That's freakin' awesome with the bear, haha! That's more exciting than any Fathers and Sons I remember! And good luck with your race in a bit, you'll do great! Have fun in Utah!

Ciao!

Anziano Walker

P.S. - I just got an email from Esli today, and she knows an Anziano that just got back that I met! His name is Anziano Lacey, and I stayed the night at his house for the Stake Conference there. Crazy!

Hey, family!

 

I almost forgot: I heard about Andrea Perdichizzi here in Messina (if you don't remember, he's that less-active that was super excited about tithing, started coming back on his own right before I left). Apparently, he's still strong, and he's gonna be getting the Melchisedec Priesthood soon! Oh my gosh, I was so psyched to hear that!

 

Ok, bye!

 

Anziano Walker