Livorno!

New Friend

McDonald's with my Boys

This week in Livorno was pretty swell. It's been a little toasty and I've been eating more €1 milkshakes than is healthy, but life is good. It was pretty cool having a few investigators in church on Sunday (even though Carlo didn't end up coming)... Anziano Buckles and I are really trying to work with the members, but it's been really hard getting into their homes. They seem to think that we want to come over to their houses and raid their pantries... Although that would be nice, but we really just want to be in their home for 20 or 30 minutes to help them feel the spirit and get them stoked to participate in missionary work!

I definitely had a few things to share during this email, but after talking to one of our African friends last night, I really have no motivation to do so. This man told us the full story of why he was in Italy and I really couldn't believe it. This particular man has gone through so much and had no intention to leave his country to come to Italy until his life literally depended on it. His story got me thinking about my own "problems". Sometimes I feel preoccupied with feelings of self pity because I'm a little tired or hungry, but then there are people in this world like my African friend. Moral of the story: we are so, so blessed. If you're at a point this week where you think that life isn't treating you very well, give yourself a slap in the face and change your attitude.

Cool story time. Anziano Buckles and I were riding our bikes earlier this week when I spotted a black man in front of us on a bike with a head shaped exactly like Jerry's (the Nigerian member of our ward). So, I floored my bike to catch up to him. Unfortunately, to my dismay, the black man with the Jerry-shaped head wasn't Jerry at all! However, when I rode my bike side by side with the man's to pass him, the man looked over at me and said, "Hey man! How's it going!" Hahaha, you have to keep in mind that he said that in English; we're in Italy! We started talking (while we rode our bikes side by side) and I learned that his name was Franklin. The whole situation got even weirder when he gave us his phone number, so we could meet again (don't worry mom, we stopped our bikes for this part ;p)... We found out that Franklin is the roommate of Alex, our incredible investigator I told you about last week! 

On Sunday, considering it was general conference weekend and we had two really solid investigators that attend the same African church (Alex and Franklin), Anziano Buckles and I decided we would go to a different church on Sunday. It was incredible! I definitely won't be changing religions anytime soon, but it was an unforgettable experience. We were the only white guys there! It was such a cool experience getting to see how Africans worship. There was VERY loud music and lots of dancing. And my favorite part was that I could actually sing the church hymns loud and proud (no one was on pitch)! ;p I've been feeling pretty popular since Sunday because black people that saw us at church keep on coming up to us to see how their white friends are doing! ;)

Rewinding in my week a little bit, on April Fools Eve, Anziano Buckles and I got the idea for a little prank we wanted to play on the sisters in our district the next day. So, it was about 8:30 at night and we were walking to a supermarket to get some supplies to assist us in making some chocolate-dipped onion pieces for them. I can't say that our minds were completely on missionary work at this moment of time, but right before getting to the store, a man on the street stopped us rather abruptly by asking us if we were the Mormon missionaries. My initial reaction was that this man was a drunkard looking for some pocket change, but it wasn't long before we found that this man was far from drunk. He told us that his name was Carlo and that we had stopped him on Easter (while we were doing finding work) and had a conversation about the afterlife with him. He told us that later that night, his father died. He said he didn't recall everything we had told him on Easter, but he remembered that we had something in our eyes that most people in this world didn't have. It was an unbelievable spiritual experience for my companion and I! Unfortunately, while talking with him, he mentioned how much he respects the Mormons because they are a lot less pushy than other religions, so I didn't really feel like I could ask him for his contact deals... But, he does have our church's address and start time, so hopefully we'll see Carlo in our church one of these upcoming weeks. 

I must admit, I was feeling pretty shot down earlier this week when Anziano Buckles and I realized that our golden potential named Giacomo wasn't interested in the gospel anymore. I don't know what happened, but Giacomo wants NOTHING to do with the Mormon missionaries... This has been the second time in my mission where a golden potential named Giacomo has yielded no promising results.  I'm not sure if Giacomo encountered an anti-Mormon friend or read some weird stuff online, but it was really hard finding out that he didn't want to meet with us again. As for the other events that made up my week, I can't complain. After all, we celebrated the resurrection of Jesus Christ on Sunday!

The ward gospel principles teacher called us on Wednesday night and asked us to give the lesson on Sunday and we happily agreed. After the call, Anziano Buckles and I had a nice little laugh because we knew we knew something that the gospel principles teacher didn't.; it was general conference Sunday and there would be no normal lessons! ...Imagine our surprise when on Saturday night, we realized general conference was the FOLLOWING weekend! 

Despite giving the gospel principles lesson at church, Easter was a very tranquil day! After church, we had a pretty amusing lunch appointment with a South American family. For lunch, they made a seafood pasta and chicken, with a surprise at the end. The seafood pasta and chicken weren't the best food I ate during my week, but they were definitely both edible. When the mom of the family brought out the surprise at the ending to the meal, I had to take a large gulp. I have a rule that if something smells like death, I don't eat it. So, when she brought out the surprise boiled eggs, I politely told her that I was not a fan of them. The mom was totally chill with my decision and ended up giving my portion of boiled eggs to Anziano Buckles (who isn't the biggest fan of them, but was too polite to refuse). Needless to say, it felt like Christmas morning getting to see Anziano Buckles choke down his AND my portion of boiled eggs! :D

Easter afternoon didn't let me down either! We had a lesson with one of our new investigators, Alex. Alex is a man from Nigeria who LOVES us. He knows the Bible from front to back and will talk about God with you all day. It also helps that we are "two nice dressed men from America". During our first lesson with us, he insisted on buying us a meal from McDonald's. It wasn't a super expensive meal, but considering he doesn't have a job and just barely met us, it was rather humbling. During our lessonon Sunday, before getting down to missionary business, he wanted to introduce us to some of his friends in Nigeria using a video streaming app. It was a very surreal experience sitting in a park bench in Italy talking to Alex's friends that are hundreds of miles away! 

My friend, Alex

I don't fully understand what the Nigerians in this country had to do to get here. I don't fully understand why God allows so many Nigerians to die or get captured by Liberians along the voyage. But, I am not taking it for granted that I get to meet some of these God-sent men. 

Serving in Italian Pardise

Gelato Squad

MTC Buds at Conference

I didn't get to see a temple dedication this past week, but I did get to shake a hand of a general authority! This weekend there was a stake conference for Florence that I got to attend. It was in a really nice hotel, I got to see all the ward members from the Prato ward (including Solomon and Nosa!!!), and I got to hear Elder Christofferson speak. It was also pretty incredible seeing Anziano Buckles meet a woman at the conference that his dad baptized over 20 years ago while serving a mission in South America. Pretty crazy, right? Anyways, we were fortunate enough to hear from President Christofferson because he was taking care of some church business here in Italy on Saturday and stayed an extra day to attend our stake conference! :D He didn't have any mind blowing revelation for the Italian saints (which I was kind of hoping for), but I can truly testify he is a special witness of Christ. At the conference, I had the special opportunity of hearing Elder Christofferson's testimony in Italian... His wife and him both speak pretty decent Italian (they both bore Italian testimonies after their English talks). And don't tell anyone, but he gave us the inside scoop and he's speaking on fathers at general conference. ;)

In other news, I have to say that I'm loving the warm weather! I feel like a real missionary walking around in public without a jacket or sweater. And I REALLY feel like a missionary when riding my bike in church attire- and a helmet. And thanks to the sisters in my district, my sweaty, stinky feet aren't presenting an issue in the rising temperatures; they've been making me little bags of foot powder that smell like Christmas to help me battle my problem! :D

I should also let you guys know that, but this week I ate the mother of all sandwiches this week. Forget Subway's black-forest ham sandwich or Panera Bread's bacon turkey bravo, I ate a raw beef sandwich this week! At a members house on Friday she made me a sandwich with a raw beef and onion mixture on it and it was UNBELIEVABLE. I had no idea raw beef was even edible (mom always made sure I cooked out all the red when frying meat), but I learned that if it's fresh meat from a properly taken care of cow, it is more than edible... It's nothing short of being titled as a celestial sandwich. But, while we're on the subject of food, I should probably mention that I am not drinking telestial milk aka UHT milk. They don't have UHT milk in America, but it's super popular here in Italy and I am now hooked. It's milk that can sit on your shelf for a few months before going bad (pretty cool right?). Anyways, it's super sketchy and filled with a ton of preservatives, but I am now buying 5 liters a week to save money.

As for Livorno life, it's been a week full of picnics and prayers. Anziano Buckles and I have been having frequent picnics in the backyard of our church due to its close proximity. And let me tell you, language study doesn't get much better than doing it in the Livorno sun. B-) As for the prayers, Anziano Buckles and I have been trying to say constant prayers when out finding to be guided by the spirit! We've already had quite a few miracles as we've included God in HIS work (mind-blowing stuff ;p). For example, not more than 5 seconds after saying a prayer a few nights ago, we ran into a Nigerian man named Steven who is a very God loving man. THEN, as we were talking to Steven, Jerry (the Nigerian man from our ward) was "coincidentally" walking down the street and came up to talk to us. Now, Jerry and Steven have a connection and Steven is excited to meet with the Mormon missionaries again! :D

Then, about 5 minutes after having this experience, we were walking down the street and I see a guy talking to his friend leaned up against the building. Normally, I don't like interrupting people's conversations unless it's a family having a conversation or I feel prompted to do so. HOWEVER, the man leaned up against the wall was wearing overalls. I always start a gospel conversation if I see someone in overalls (that's just my thing). So, I went up and started talking to him and found out his name was Giacomo and he is a young father. After our conversation, we were able to set up an appointment with Giacomo. This might not sound like a big deal, but it was! Giacomo was so... Well, not weird (like the majority of the people that will give the Mormon missionaries some of their time). As we talked about how Jesus Christ's restored church is on the Earth again, tears were streaming down his eyes. I am SO excited to teach him!

I have fury (common Italian phrase translated directly into English)! I hope the Easter Bunny brings you all a little something. ;) But, most importantly, enjoy hearing the words from our prophets next weekend and remembering our Savior's resurrection. Our general authorities have a faith in Christ that is greater than I think most of us can even imagine. They know Jesus Christ and they have all become the powerful men they are today through accessing the atonement in their lives. Let's find something we can take and apply to our lives this weekend!

As for my first week in Livorno, I feel like I'm living the dream right now. Awesome people, sunny days, a constant sea breeze... 

This city is incredible. I have high hopes for what Anziano Buckles and I can accomplish here this transfer! And can I just say, I love being senior companion?! I was a little freaked out during my first 24 hours with Anziano Buckles because I've never felt more looked up to from a peer... It was a weird transition going from sidekick to superhero (junior to senior companion)! ;p

Anziano Buckles is from Indiana (despite his Utahish last name) and will never be seen with anything less than a SpongeBob sized grin on his face. To sum up his character in one sentence: He worked on oil rigs before his mission and was able to save up enough money to cover the cost of his whole mission by himself. He's a really upstanding guy. He has a little bit of a southern twang in his voice and wants 12 kids (no, that is not a joke). Want to hear the coolest thing about Anziano Buckles? He played Runescape before his mission. I don't mean he played Runescape in 5th grade and quit in 6th; I mean he played  Runescape in 5th grade and didn't quit until leaving on his mission! It was a big moment in my life having a sophisticated conversation about Runescape with someone who actually knew what they were talking about.

My companion made me feel like a million bucks earlier this week when he said something like, "I'm not used to this, Anziano Anderson." I had no idea what he was talking about until he said, "My last companion and me never did finding work. Thank you for going at it!" I'm still not exactly sure how his trainer and him never did finding work during their 12 weeks together, but it made me feel so good when he said it because I knew I was doing the right thing.

I've literally had zero fear to stop people on the street since being in Livorno. I've never been prouder to wear the name of Jesus Christ on my lapel. My Italian has improved leaps and yards since arriving in this city. Sometimes I even surprise myself with how well words come to my mouth. I don't say these things to boast in myself. I say these things because the Lord's hand is undeniably in my life right now. I can't even describe what a tender mercy it was when I was asked to teach the Gospel Principles class on Sunday with only a few minutes notice and feel completely confident. I don't remember one instance during the lesson where the Italian language acted as a barrier for me being able to get my point across.

Highlights of the week: seeing the ocean for the first time since flying over it five months ago, having an appointment with an awesome old Italian man named Volerio after getting his contact details from street finding, singing a traditional African song in a busy town square with Anziano Buckles and our new investigator Abraham, and accidentally stopping a man talking on his phone while street contacting and then getting to have a gospel conversation with his girlfriend who ended up being the person on the other end of the line.

Livorno is an interesting place because we have HUGE ward boundaries and a really nice church building to meet in, but not a ton of members. There are only about 50 active members right now. It was really weird  on Sunday because I had two ward members by my side during the three hour church block: Jerry and Michele (25 and 20 years old). Jerry and Michele are the only active members of the ward between the ages of 15 and 30 (pretty sad, right?). Jerry is African and doesn't speak Italian, so he hung around me because I'm an English speaker. Michele hung around me because he doesn't really have a lot of other logical friend options in the ward right now. It made me realize that Anziano Buckles and I need to baptize some youth this transfer to fellowship these awesome young men! ;p Right now, we are teaching three of Jerry's friends named Osas, Odia, and Avis... Alloraaaaa..... Speriamo bene... Dai!

Missionary work is physically, mentally, and spiritually exhausting. But, do you know what? It's going to be so worth it realizing the magnitude of what I did here in Italy when I see the fruits of my work in the eternities. Keep laying up your treasures in heaven; it's worth every ounce of effort you put into it. Jesus Christ payed the price that no other man could. Now, it's our turn to show our appreciation for that payment based on what we are doing, thinking, and becoming every day.

This road reminded me of Washington because of the trees

I feel like I haven't been nearly as out-going as I should've been on Sunday's with the members. I realized that I've always just kind of tagged along with my companion and joined the conversations he starts with members. But, last Sunday, I broke off from my companion and I had some awesome conversations with people! As for eating with the members, an average meal goes like this: ragù/pesto pasta or lasagna, meat (and lots of it), and then cheese and salad (followed by dessert of course). I have grown to really like pesto and cheese. There is nothing like a big hunk of nice cheese that's smothered in marmalade! I can also eat tomatoes and any type of meat without a problem (I still wouldn't say I "enjoy" them though).

Before I can recount any exciting events from my week, I have to let it be known that we got our transfer calls earlier this week. To say I have mixed emotions right now is an understatement. Before we got our transfer news, I was POSITIVE I would remain here in Bergamo considering Anziano Stahali has been here for four transfers and I've only been here for one. But, Heavenly Father had different plans for me. Oddly enough, Anziano Stahali is staying in Bergamo and I'm leaving! I've been called to serve in Livorno, a city on the coast in Tuscany. I am really bummed to be leaving Bergamo because everything about this city is a missionary's dream (apartment, companion, investigators, ward members, and city beauty). 

Bergamo District

However, I don't think Livorno will be so bad. My new companion, Anziano Buckles, will be starting his third transfer... Meaning I'll be senior companion! I'm definitely nervous, but it's time to put my Italian to the test. ;) Also, since I'll be in a double date district (one set of elders and one set of sisters), I'll have the added responsibility of being a district leader! And random fun fact: Sorella Weidman (the Swiss sister from my MTC group) will be in my district! 

As for my week here in Bergamo, this week was definitely a fantastic way to end my stay here. Feimaa was baptized on Saturday night and it was awesome getting to be a part of it all. You could tell she was on cloud nine having the whole night dedicated to her and her baptism (she's a VERY shy girl). Between *witnessing* Feimaa's baptism (did you catch that Mormon joke?) and seeing her dad in his traditional Ghana gown, it was definitely a Saturday night for the books.

And while we're on days for the books, I'll have to add the following Sunday to the books too. Anziano Stahali and I spent over 10 hours in the church building on Sunday, but that's not even the noteworthy Sabbath event... The highlight of my Sunday was getting to see the Garcia family at church! The Garcia family have been less active for a few years and Anziano Stahali and I have been visiting them every week since they got here. Last Sunday was their first Sunday back in church for a few years! The parents have two young boys (ages 9 and 1) and I'm excited for what this gospel is going to do for their lives. 

Want to hear about another incredible person I got the chance to meet here in Bergamo? His name is Victor, he comes to church every week, and has a testimony of Joseph Smith that will bring you to tears. Interesting thing about Victor: he was baptized when he was six! I don't know how it happened, but he was baptized before eight years-old while he was living in Africa. Because of that, his baptism is seen as invalid as far as the church is concerned and he needs to get baptized again. Victor fell away from the church as a young man, but has been active for about a year now. Since then, he has anxiously been awaiting his baptismal date. Unfortunately, even though Victor is ready to be baptized spiritually and testimony wise, he can't. He started a family after falling away from the church and lives with a woman named Happy and his newborn son, Alex. As a result of this, Victor needs to be married to Happy before he can enter the waters of baptism. Victor know this and is diligently saving money and has been going through a difficult legal process in the Italian spousal system for the past year. In about a month, Victor will finally be able to marry Happy! Although, I won't be able to witness Victor's baptism, he's definitely one of the unforgettable people I've met here. 

I also can't forget to tell you about the Amarzit family for Ezra's sake (they are from India). They have two little boys and haven't been in Italy very long. Also, as of recently, they have converted to Christianity from their previous Hindu beliefs. The lessons we've had with the family have been really special because they don't speak English and they speak very little Italian. The Spirit plays a huge roll during every lesson! They have a Book of Mormon and a few gospel pamphlets in their native language and have a gained a testimony of the church as a result of reading and praying about them. They want to be baptized, but they are in a really hard situation... They don't fully understand some key gospel concept (between the language barrier and the fact they aren't coming from a Christian base). As of right now, I really don't know how in the world the family could be baptized. But, Anziano Stahali and I have talked to a member and starting next week, they'll have a ride to church. I know going to church won't help their understanding of the gospel, but I'm glad they'll get to feel the spirit that the Lord's house has to offer.

I could go on and on telling you guys about all the incredible people I got the opportunity to meet here in Bergamo, but I was thinking... You guys can come meet these people for yourselves! There's a hostel here in Bergamo and I think of our hostel experience in San Francisco every time I pass it. ;) And do you guys want to hear a miracle that happened this week? My phone slipped out of my pocket while riding the bus this week (a potential $100 expense) and the guy that found my phone turned out to be awesome! I got my phone back and the guy said we could meet up for a café sometime, so maybe something will come of that. 

That's about all for me, family! I had one of the best nights of my mission last night with the Ghillardi family and know I'm leaving a really special city. I don't think I'll ever stop praying for Brother Ghillardi's heart to be softened to the gospel. I love that family so much!! Nonetheless, I'm stoked to find out what awaits me in Livorno and know there's people I need to meet there (for mine and their benefit). 

As for my week here in Bergamo, I feel like I don't have much news to share... The time between each p-day feels like it's getting shorter and shorter every week! I felt like a million bucks last Saturday night because Anziano Stahali gave me, what I thought, was a pretty great haircut. Anziano Stahali didn't know how to cut hair before his mission, but has cut quite a few Elders' hair since being here. I was feeling like a million bucks after he cut my hair in a manner that made it so that I could "swoop" my bangs (instead of my normal spiked bangs). Unfortunately, that million buck feel quickly turned into a dollar store feel upon arriving at church the next day. A girl in my ward came up to me and told me that I looked a lot better before I got the haircut... Gotta love the Italian culture bluntness! ;p Although, that being said, the bluntness of this culture did work out to my advantage earlier this week when a lady that attends our English class gave me a big bottle of delicious smelling lotion because she said my hands were gross (they were a LITTLE dry). ;)

Yesterday was a pretty cool day because I was doing missionary work in Bergamo, yet, not with Anziano Stahali. Since Anziano Stahali is the district leader, we do scambios with the other Anziani in our district AND the zone leaders during each transfer. So, yesterday, I got to be Anziano Simmons' companion for the day. He's from California and is a forever-smiler. My mouth was literally hurting by the end of the scambio trying to match his happy demeanor! ;p Nonetheless, I learned a lot from him. For starters, I learned that you can get some INCREDIBLE sleep popping a melatonin pill before bed. And regarding missionary work, I learned some "missionary hacks" to better work with the members in my ward. I need to tell you guys about a man named Kenny I met on the scambio. It was hilarious because we had a lesson with him and before going into it, Anziano Simmons warned me that I was about to get really tired. I was a little confused, but I soon realized what he meant. I have never been closer to falling asleep during the middle of the day here in Italy than during that lesson with Kenny. I really hope Kenny's wife is an insomniac because his voice KNOCKS YOU OUT (don't forget to add the emphasis on those three words when you read them)!

As for missionary work with my real companion, Anziano Stahali, we are getting excited! Alessandro's desire to be baptized is making "his" missionaries pretty dang happy too. Whenever he prays during a lesson, he always blesses HIS missionaries and it's literally the best feeling in the world. Right now, Alessandro still is waiting to set an official date for his baptism because he wants to have a better foundation of the doctrine. But, the baptism in his mind isn't an if at this point, it's just a when. We won't be able to help him increase his foundation of the gospel doctrine for a couple weeks because he's going on vacation. Fortunately, with his testimony of daily scripture study, that shouldn't be a problem. :D

Jesus Christ's church is on the earth today. We have a Heavenly Father who we can communicate with and receive answers from through prayer. Remember to never stop changing the little things in your lives' that will bring you closer in line with Jesus Christ and his perfect Gospel (even when the changes may seem insignificant).