so I accidentally sent that last email, but this is a continuation haha. I'm not super technologically savy apparently. But just really quick, if you could send me some stamps and a pair of jeans that fit me (I accidentally have Brandon's haha, and a copy of my patriarchal blessing sometime that would be so great! Whenever you have time though, no rush!
So anyways, MTC life is so wonderful! The spirit of the Lord is so present, it is just amazing. Every single day I come home, kneel down, and thank my Heavenly Father for the most wonderful day so far. My branch president down here is a great guy! He told us one of the first days that there are three thirds of a mission: 1) the first four days in the MTC 2) the rest of the MTC 3)your mission in Italy....so apparently I'm over a third of the way done already! He was excited when he interviewed us on Sunday that noone had "jumped the fence" yet, haha.
My companion is such a champion! He reminds me exactly of Uncle Ryan! When you see pictures of him you will know what I mean. (and I have plenty of room,like over 2000 pictures left on my camera so no worries there) He looks, acts, and even laughs like Ronald, it's the funnest thing ever! He is a great Elder; we laugh a ton, but we also know when it is time to study and time to feel the spirit and teach. Which reminds me! We are teaching our first "investigator"! His name is Nico Gallini. What a wonderful guy! I can truly say that even though he isn't "real", I really do love him as a brother, for we all are truly children of our Heavenly Father. Meeting with him is the best part of the day! We had to teach him a lesson, completely in Italian by the way, the second day! We have taught him three times so far! The very first lesson was hilarious...We literally had noooo idea what he was saying, and so we would just "deer in the headlights" stare at him, and say b"molto bene! (very good), and keep reading off in broken Italian what we had written down. We had a zone leader tell us in our tour thing, that when in doubt, just say "Dio lei ama." (God loves you), and it's allll good. It was funny. Good times. But actually, we are getting to where we can talk a lot better in Italian. The spirit is so present in the lessons, it truly is amazing. The gift of tongues is so real. We had a really really good lesson the other day about why we are learning the language. We learned that we aren't learning the language for us. We are learning it for the investigators. For those real people out there who deserve this happiness, and this closeness with their Heavenly Father. They deserve to hear this glorious message of the gospel in their own tongue, and they are searching for this truth that we have the privilege to bring to them. What a wonderful privilege.
Sorry i am jumping all over the place, I just have so much to say and not a ton of time to say it! But MTC life is hard. it is really, really hard. We study in the classroom for like 14 hours a day. But it is SO worth it. One of my favorite things to say at the end of the day when we get into bed is "Sono stanco, ma feliche." I am tired, but happy. The joy that comes from being immersed in the Lord's work is so amazing. There truly is nothing else like this in the world. I am so tired a lot of the time, but it really doesn't bother me, because the Lord had strengthened me so much. I have learned that when we truly give all we have to Him, and realize that we are so weak by ourselves, He will strengthen us so far beyond our own ability.
As far as the learning Italian goes, it is complete immersion. Our teacher, who by the way has such a tender heart and testimony, speaks only in Italian, and only when we are learning principles of the gospel and things does she say it in Enlgish, but even then only after she says it in italian first. We are encouraged to talk as much as we can in Italian, and say all our prayers in Italian. I, with the help of the Spirit, have come so far. I think I know more Italian already than the Spanish I learned in two years of school. When you are exactly obediant, and try your best to always be humble, the Lord will bless you with so much. Obedience is such an important thing here. There are a lot of rules...and some are hard to understand. But I know that every single rule is for a reason, and that as we are perfectly obedient, the Lord will bless us so much more. Obedience brings blessings; perfect obedience brings miracles.
I love you all so so much. Your birthday card was wonderful, and yes don't worry I was sung to in our class. What better way to spend a birthday is there than in the service of the Lord! and don't worry mom,
the food here is really good! :) Also, fun fact for you...there is a tree here, that we call the "smelling tree", that smells exactly like orange creme bars! Crazy right! But anyways, I would like to end with my brief testimony in Italian. Big L's homework is to translate is for you all :) (and i dont know how to put accent marks, so some of the "e"s mean is and some mean and)
Io so che Gesu Cristo e il filgio di Dio, e Io so che la Chiesa di Gesu Cristo dei santi degli ultimi giorni e vero. Completemente vero. Con tutto mi coure Io so questo. Sono molto grato per l'opportunita essere un missionario. lo Spirito Santo e qui, e aiutarmi con Italiano. Io so la donna della lingua e reale. Io so che il libro di mormon e un libro da Dio, e e un libro con scritture da profeti di Dio. Sono molto grato per mi familglia, e per l'opportunita stare qui. Io so per che ho pregato a Dio, e si po anche. Nel nome di Gesu Cristo, Amen.
I love you all so much. I am where the Lord needs me to be.
Love, Anziano Wilson
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