Lights Along the Shore: So, I'm still in love with Italy!

I love my dear companion!

I can't even handle how much I love this country. Seriously. It's perfect. Except . . . did you know they don't tip? Blew my mind . . . more on that later.

We started out this week helping Alberto translate his resume for a job interview that has to be done in English. Sorella Stewart and Anziano Malzone prepped him for the interview and helped him right a cover letter. Anziano Garner and I translated the resume into English. Let's be clear here, by this I mean he translated and I occasionally looked up words for him. This was made so much better by his constant "Assistant to the President" everytime Malzone said "Assistant President." Was my day made? Yes, yes it was.

Anabella is still the greatest ever! We taught her a lesson on service. She just completely accepted it with an "if God tells me to, I'll do it" attitude. I love her!

The size diffrence.

I WENT TO GENOVA! So in the morning it was raining like crazy in Milano, so we assumed it would be the same in Genova. FALSE! It was beautiful. I loved it! First, I bought myself a baby bible. This might not seem like a big deal, but believe me, it is. The thing is tiny! Most importantly, it's a King James Italian Bible. So the translation is so much better than in the bibles they gave us at the MTC AND all the verses are there. Yay! We went to pick up what we thought was my comps permesso. No, we received a paper with an appointment time for us to pick it up, in three weeks. So we each spent 40 euro and a total of 4 hours on a train to receive an appointment time. I'm not complaining though, it means I get to go to Genova again!

In Genova, we met this super nice man who just wanted to tell us how great it is that we serve missions. He said that he is so proud of us and how much we sacrifice. Basically he's the sweetest! Later that day, when we were back in Milano, we had English course and FHE. Only one lady came to the English Course, but she's awesome! She sings and teaches opera! So of course we're now best friends.

Sorella Stewart finally made me call Sorella Wolfgramm about the headache I've had since LAST Monday. I wasn't really worried about it, because I know it's stressed mixed with never understanding anything anyone is saying. She agreed with me, but it was still nice to talk to her. I did promise her I'd get a blessing on Sunday. I cannot believe how much I've grown to love this sweet woman since I've been here. She truly is like a second mom to me. I'm so blessed to have gotten to know her and to be near her in Milano.

I finally found a pizza with potatoes on it!
Life is perfect!

Later that night we ordered pizza. My comp has been wanting to order pizza forever! Also we found a place with a potato pizza. Score! My comp can eat a whole pizza in one sitting, pretty much everyone here can. Me? I can barely eat a fourth of it. So that's fun. Before we ordered the pizza, I asked Sorella Stewart how much she tipped. She doesn't! Apparently that's not a thing in Italy! My mind was blown. I actually didn't believe her, so I had to call Anziano Payne, to see if she was lying to me. She wasn't. This is crazy!

Sunday, Anziani Young and Scalese gave me a blessing. I instantly felt better! The headache didn't go away, it still hasn't. But it was lessened, and I felt an incredible amount of comfort. During the third hour of church, I was asked to translate in Young Women. TERRIFYING. It's ok though, because it was for the sweet girl in Norway. She maybe got about 60% of the lesson. But I'm calling that a win!

I had another opportunity to witness the priesthood power, because of a less-active member who wanted a blessing for her son. We had to be there for Garner and Malzone to come over. It just amazes me how lucky we are to have been chosen to live in this time, with the authority from God on the earth. Day by day, I grow more and more appreciative of this power.

On Monday, we had a sweet family home evening with some of the members and Alberto. At the end, Alberto asked to accompany us home. At first we told him it wasn't necessary, but it was late so he insisted. THANK GOODNESS! Do you remember the guy on the bus last Sunday who followed us until the Anziani came to meet us? Well, he was on the bus. SKETCH. He would have tried to follow us again, but Alberto was there. I'm so grateful for the protection sister missionaries have, because I definitely felt protected that night.

Don't judge my terrible art skills,
but this is a map of where I serve!
Find a map of Milano, and compare them!

Yesterday was crazy! This whole week will be crazy! We have so many appointments we're actually have difficulties scheduling more. This is the best! I also got to talk to Sorella Wolfgramm again. She gave me the greatest compliment someone could give me. She told me that she greatly appreciates that I am always happy. Those of you who know me well, know this is not always the case. It has been my mission goal to change this. I am so grateful that it's beginning to pay off, and I truly feel like a happier person every single day.

We're starting to eliminate our finding time, and spend that time meeting with members. Both to get to know them and to offer help for the month of inviting - which we are so excited for! Yesterday we met with a sweet family. We taught a brief lesson on how happiness is the purpose of life and how everyday we make the choice to be happy or not. This family is the greatest! I know I say that about everyone, but it's because I love them all so much!

This next week will be fantastic. We have zone conference, and we're combined, so I'll see both Holloway and Bollwinkel. This will be the greatest day ever! Also I was asked to sing for it. Unfortunately I have a terrible voice because I haven't practiced in three months. Oh well, that's why God blesses us right?

I love you all, and I can't wait to hear about all the wonderful things happening in your lives!

Vi Voglio Bene!

Sorella Ellen Rose Ervin