Buon giorno tutti! Sorry, I might have to keep this a little short, we are catching a train in a half hour to go to a little town you guys may have heard of--Venice--for P day today. But yeah, just going to spend a day in Venice, no biggie. :) I'm SO excited! Italy is just so great! And don't worry Big L, I'll take pictures!
But the big news for this week is....drum rolll......I'm being transferred!..again!...On this Thursday. haha. It's called a "space transfer", because technically transfers aren't for another 3 weeks, but a few missionaries get moved around sometimes midway through the 6 weeks. So the mission president called me last night and told me that I have been called to go serve in Riminey for at least the rest of this transfer, but most likely more. So this will be my 4th city in 4 transfers....wow. A lot of people in my MTC group are still in their first city. I think that the Lord is trying to help me to love packing....because I HATE it! But I do love changing it up and meeting new members and investigators in a new city, so I am excited to go wherever the Lord needs me.
I don't know too much about Riminey, other than that the President told me it is a big party/tourist town and that I was to stay away from the beach. But he won't have to worry about that, I have already had practice staying away from the beach in San Remo. I told one of my roommates today "Yeah, I guess I just am supposed to learn to appreciate beautiful cities more...I just keep getting called to them!" He was just like "...I hate you..." haha. But I really have been in some beautiful cities. Udine is kind of plain, (And oh my goodness does it rain! It has literally been non-stop raining for a week. I just bought a new umbrella yesterday because it has been so windy and nasty! But now I am being transferred out of the rain....whoopie! ha) but the members and people here are so great. That's what the mission is all about anyway. Any place can be beautiful, and is beautiful, when you are spreading a message of happiness and joy.
But besides that, we have been having a really wonderful time here in Udine. I am really sad to leave the wonderful branch here and the investigators I have grown to love. Plus my companion has been the best companion ever! I am sad to leave him. We have been working so hard to be strictly obedient and diligent and we have just seen so many miracles, including the fact that one day I just woke up and could speak and understand 90% of Italian! Maybe it has just come so gradually that I haven't noticed, but the other day I was talking to someone the other day on the street, and realized that my companion was across the street talking to somone else, and I was actually holding the conversation! The gift of tongues is real. The Lord's hand has been in our work so much these past few weeks. But I know that the Lord has people for me to help in Riminey too, and so I will go and do. :)
We came up with a realy great strategy for doing street contacting, that I really enjoyed a lot! We made a "portable white board" by laminating a piece of computer paper, and then drew a big smiley face on it with a marker, and would go around to people and smile real big and ask "What makes you happy?". It was really great, because people just can't resist smiling when they see a big smiley face and a couple of goobers smiling real big. haha :)
My miracle this week is a little different than the typical one. I have noticed something in particular these past few days: I am so exhausted! But so happy. It is the weirdest thing. I get home every night aching and just ready to collapse on my bed, and yet I can't help but smile and think about really how many blessings I have been given. The Lord strengthens His missionaries so much. As soon as I'm out the door talking to people, or sprinting to the next bus stop to get to an appointment, I feel just fine. It's such an amazing thing.
Well, I hope everything is well with all of you. You are all in my prayers every night, and I am so thankful for your thoughts and prayers, and for your letters! I love you all, have a great week!
Love,
Anziano Wilson
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