First Letter From Italy!

What up, FAM!!!!

Okay, so much has happend since I've arrived in Italy! It's crazy! (I know I say that a lot and I have a feeling I'll always be saying that but, seriously, it's crazy). So, let me begin my adventrue story-telling...

We arrived in Italy after a very long journey of flying around noon Italian time. Met President Dibb (amazing man) and his wife (also an amazing woman). Very nice people. So ya, we went to a church somewhere in downtown Milano. Now, I'm not a big fan of Milano. It just looks super weird. Well, Italy looks super weird. Period. You should see the bathrooms. Some parts remind me of California and other parts, apparently, remind people of Florida. It's also very hot. Because of the humidity. Which means during the winter it'll be super cold. Anyway, I then had an interview with President Dibb and, funny story, he knows Latin. So when we started he told me a phrase and asked me what it meant. I don't remember how to say it but I passed with flying colors. The phrase was "The die is cast" which was said from Ceaser when he crossed the Rubicon River to invade Rome. President then explained that this mission was a "Preach My Gospel" Mission and that there is now no turning back. The die is cast. Crazy, right?

Afterwards, since our group was so big, we were split into four smaller groups and then went at different times to go to the Duomo. Now, the Duomo looks pretty cool in pictures, but let me assure you, your mouth would be hanging open if you saw it in real life. It is literally exotic, beautiful, and...big. I couldn't take any pictures but I wouldn't mind showing it to guys sometime in the long run. We then did some street contacting (with Collega), and street-contacting is an art I realized. Anyway, we ran into a guy who was a Greek Orthodox (crazy!) and when I started bearing my testimony about the Book of Mormon he shook his head and said something about us having the misunderstanding and that God will bless us since we believe in Him and then he walked away. All I can say is that it was interesting.

After that we had dinner with President on a balcony and then we were shipped to a hotel. I was completely out was I hit the sack. Now fast forward to the morning (I had breakfast, no worries) and we went back to the church somewhere in downtown Milano. I have a funny story to share about us recieving our trainers. It's a great story. So all the newbies were on one side of the the room and all the trainers on the other side. The APs stood in the front and called up a trainer, whicht the trainer introduced him/herself, a miracle that happened the past week (most of them were baptisms! A lot of baptisms happen out here!) and then they read off of a piece of paper to see who's the trainee and the area. So everyone gets called up front and I'm just sitting there, seriously hoping and praying that I'll get an amazing trainer and not a stinge, just minding my own business. It soon became apparent that the number of trainers present did not equal the number of trainees. I was the last person to be called up and...there was no trainer. The APs were smiling and handed me the piece of paper. I read their names as my trainer. I'm going to be trained by the APs! I was so confused. President then stood up and explained the situation (thankfully). So, my trainer was down in Firenze (Florence) and he decided to eat a delicacy of the area (raw sausage sandwhich. Apparently, it's good) which caused him to have to go to the hospital, since the meat wasn't fresh. So I got to spend two days with the Office Elders and the APs! It was super fun! They even told me that I'm getting groomed to be an Office Elder or an AP since a trainee never sees the office on their first day. They're funny guys. On Friday, my trainer got out of the hospital and got on a train to Milano, which then I met him, and we got a train to Vicenza. That was the adventure of the week.

Cool thing about my trainer, since he's amazing. When President explained my situation to everyone, he said that I was getting the best missionary in the mission (he told that to everyone! The trainers and trainees!), and he's been a Zone leader down in Firenze during the summer. He actually told me that twice. My new Collega has two transfers left in his mission. Overall, he's going to be spending his last twelve weeks with me. Again, it's crazy. His name is Anziano Collins and he is from Virgina. A sprite 21 year old.

My first area is in Vicenza!!! It's a wierd little city. I like it a lot better than Milano. We're somewhat next to the mountians (hills) and the nature is really beautiful. Super green. We have to take care of two branches. The Italian and the English because there's a military base here. When I went to church on Sunday I didn't understand a word during the Italian branch. Not a word. And the Italians want the new missionaries to bear their testimony (there's two of us being trained. We're staying with another copia.) and my testimony was really short. The English branch I liked a lot better because I could understand it. Collega was freaking out because he never had church in English while in Italy. Actually, this really scares me. I was taking out my American money and putting it somewhere safe, and when Collega saw it, he goes, "whoa...this is really weird...American money." We had dinner with a senior english couple, and they had syrup out, and collega stopped in his tracks and starts muttering, "That's syrup. That's actually syrup..." He's looking at it like he's never seen it before!!!

One thing I've learned while I've been here is organization. Organization is important. I forgot to tell you but we didn't know we were opening up a new area. Collega also didn't know he was District Leader. So we spent a few days collecting things for the Apartment and stuff like that because we had absolutley nothing. Absolutely nothing. We also had to split up the area between three copia because the Sorelle are here too. It's taken a while to everything settled. Also, it's super important to work the members so we met with the Italians to figure out in-actives and stuff and we met with the English branch. The English branch is SUPER organized like none-other. Military, obviously, but we sat down for branch council and they STAYED on topic. They have a LASER-LIKE FOCUS when they discuss missionary work. It's amazing. Collega was almost jumping out of his seat because he has said that he has never seen anything like this before. I would even say that they're more focused than any Utah ward. They already have plans set out for us and families to visit. It's crazy. Collega leaned over to me and said that I'll never see this in an Italian branch. If they were organized then they wouldn't be branches. They would be wards. The image I get from the Italians is that they're more like little children when it comes to the gospel. They're still trying to figure it out.

That's everything right now. I'm still trying to get used to living here but I'm sure not in Kansas anymore.

Love you all and I miss you!!!

Anziano West

Anziano West has arrived in Italy!

This morning, Shauna received a phone call from Italy with news that Anziano West had arrived safely, had eaten his first Italian pizza, would spend the night in a hotel and meet his new companion tomorrow.  His first area in Italy will be Vicenza.  (map included below).  His P-Days are on Wednesday so we'll have a new update next week.

Now the real work begins!



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Almost time to leave the MTC

What up, Fam?!

So, this past week went by super fast. It was insane. Mom, I haven't got your DearElder but I hope I do because I wanna hear from you. I'll keep my eye out for the letter. Tell Laura thanks for her letter. And did Ben really quit Papa Murphy's? Because Aubrey's letter said that he was still working but I got a letter from him saying he quit (he only gave Andrew a 10 min. notice...typical) and that he now works at Wal-Mart. But I don't really know...

A lot of things have happened and I'm going to put in the important things obviously. So, here it goes...

I'll start out with the fun stuff. I realized I haven't been doing that lately but some recent events finally convinced me to let you know how we spend our nights. So, we do a lot of different things for entertainment but last night, I have to say, was one of the best. A rap battle (don't worry, it was clean) was staged between Anziano Larson and Anziano Wilson. Now, the reason why we got to a rap battle was because last week we had the Mexican missionaries move onto our floor. It used to be empty for about four weeks and it was nice because it was just us Italians and there were more showers to use, but for some reason, some of the Italians aren't gettin' along with the Mexicans...so this is what happened. Anziano Skinner, who is from Treemont, Utah (he is a total cowboy. His cowboy talk is amazing!) dressed up like a G and strutted down the hallway in our Residence Halls and did four pull-ups with the Mexican missionaries watching. He totally acted like he owned the place and strutted back to our hallway. All of us were laughing so hard because he looked like an idiot with aviators, a bandanna wrapped around his arm, and dog-tags hanging from his neck. So funny! We then sent down two more Anziani dressed like G's and they did pull-ups, acting like they're all tough and everything, and all the Mexican missionaries just watched. It was so funny because the Mexican missionaries didn't say a word! Anyway, two of our Anziani decided to have a rap battle and this is how they set it up last night. Anziano Skinner grabbed his suit jacket and stuck up the collars to look like an officiator, Anziano Driggs was something like an announcer. You know how in boxing matches and stuff you have the announcer go, "Round Twooo!"? Anziano Driggs was the announcer for each verse. Anziano Dean, Anziano Warnick, and some other Anziani would lay down the beat. Ya, it was pretty cool. We then had the audience we consisted of the other Anziani (including me) and we just all acted like we were G's watching a rap battle. And the rap was terrible (it actually made the whole thing hilarious because the rhymes were horrible. Just smack talk) but it was the funniest thing that has happened here among us Italians. Loved it.   

Last night we had Elder Anderson come talk to us. Ya, I know right! Another apostle! And he talked about Love and Sacrifice. He said a phrase that he wanted all of us missionaries to remember. I'm going to paraphrase it: "You sacrifice for the things you love and you love the things you sacrifice". Perplexing, right? Anyway, his talk was thought provoking, but he promised us that we would have blessings if he stick out the trials and the afflictions. He connected that with Love and Sacrifice and what Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father did for us. It was top notch. One thing I noticed about Apostles lately, and I thought that it was interesting, is that they know how to take control of the situation and direct it anyway they want. They'll cut people off, or insert a comment, something. But it isn't impolite how they do it...they're just assertive. If they want something to go the way they want they assert themselves and get the job done. They know how to lead the situation. Just an observation.  

I got my travel itinerary!! We're supposed to gather at the travel office at 5:30 in the morning on Tues. Sep 3. We leave SLC around 10:45 and head to Chicago, which we then leave later in the afternoon on a direct flight to London and then we end up in Milan around noon Italian time. I think. But ya, exciting!!! And I got a letter from my Mission President and, I thought this was weird, but he promised me that I would confront a variety of challenges. He promised me that. Not really comforting but, you know, I'm a missionary. He also wants me to write down my goals as a missionary. And that got me thinking about working to be outward. I still freeze up when I'm trying to decide to talk to a stranger or not! I just don't know what to do! So I might put down the goal of reaching the point of casually talking to people. To anyone. I really want to do that.

Teaching this past week has been tough!! Collega and I have been a little rocky ever since I got the musical number. One of our teachers, Sorella 'Momma' Urban, because she really is a mother to all of us, made Collega and I sit in a room to figure things out because our lessons haven't been the best lately. I finally decided that I like doing missionary work but I don't necessarily like being THE missionary. It's hard to work with someone, especially when they share some personality characteristics, but they don't share the things you think is important that can reach the same end goal. I don't like it. And if it's also how marriage is like...I'm not looking forward to being married either. I might buy a dog instead. Anyway, we finally got things figured out and we're doing better on our lesson plans and stuff. Things are looking up. 

So, I love you and I miss you guys! In fact, you're the only people I write. No one else writes me, expect Ben did once. Shows who your friends are. I saw Spencer a few times here and he seems excited to be going to Iowa. One of the very first things he told me was that he has been getting two page DearElder's from his girlfriend every day. I started laughing because that's not going to last long. I even told him that but he seemed too high in the clouds. One thing I'm grateful for is not having a girlfriend. I honestly don't know how elders do it when they have one. The environment doesn't allow something like that. But I don't have to worry about it.

Love ya!!!

Ethan and part of his MTC district on a "temple walk."

Ethan and his companion, Elder Pinnock

Ethan and all of his buddies from American Fork High School....so far....

Ethan - MTC Letter Week 3 -- Spelling intact :-)

First thing first. I have Laura's charger but I can't find mine. Are you sure you put the gray one in the backpack? Because I can't find it... And yes, I did get the letter from Grandpa. I actually keep it close to me because I love the experience of the piano player. It helps me to stay focused. Tell Grandpa thank you!! Also, the snackage is amazing!!!!! That granola saved my life on Sunday because the cafeteria for breakfast is just sugar cereal. And those almonds are so good!! Where did you get them? Tell Cari thank you for the cookies. Those are a life-saver too. You would not believe the weight problems here. 

I know! Three more weeks! The days are somewhat long but the weeks do go by fast. I'm somewhat excited and also nervous. I mean, I'm going to be living in Italy for the next 22 months...and speaking Italian. Hopefully. Also, we got a new district leader! And guess who it is? Collega! I'm so proud of him!  

The language is coming along. We can actually have a conversation with everything we've learned within the past three weeks. Even better, to teach a lesson. Pretty good, right? Collega and I actually got to talk to an Italian native from Genova! He spoke so fast that both of us just stared blankly at him but then he realized we've only had three weeks to learn the language so he slowed down. A lot. Still had trouble understanding him but it was a good experience.

Last night we had Elder Scott talk at the Tuesday Night Devotional! It was so cool! And I've been singing in the choir so that was a cool experience too. But here's the best part. Elder Scott gave the missionaries at all the MTCs around the world an apostolic blessing. Twice. And both blessings were for the gift of tongues. Flippin' sweet!! It was such a spiritual experience! He also added a cool thing about sisters serving missions. He promised the sisters that for their service they would have eternal families and the right husbands. It's a big promise. A side note for the lil' sis.

So, today, we got to go to the temple!! And the new temple video is amazing! You'll like it. You need to go if you haven't yet. After going through the temple, I've felt so much comfort and peace, and I'll explain what's been happening this past week. So remember when I bore my testimony about serving a mission when Austin told me that our song was going on the radio? Well, one of the Branch Presidency members was present at that meeting and I guess my name went to the top. Now, they want me to do a special musical number this Sunday! And I haven't really played these past few weeks! All I've really been doing today was practicing an easy arrangement of "Nearer My God To Thee". Okay, it's not easy but more intermediate. I don't have that much time to learn a good arrangement so...I even changed up the ending so it sounded better. More professional. Collega isn't really happy sitting with me while I'm playing the piano. Actually, he's fine with it. He just reads the scriptures and stuff. Anyway, I've been nervous since last Sunday because these public performances don't go very well for me. But going through the temple helped me a lot. I just learned I needed to have faith and God will bless my piano playing. It's like the piano player Grandpa wrote to me about. 

Thank you for the letter you sent me earlier this week! I knew you would agree with me about Elder Bednar's talk. I'm still trying to shift my whole perspective where I can be outward. I guess I need to talk to more people. At least get comfortable with it. As a missionary I'll have to talk to more people. I love your thoughts, mom.

There's something that's really satisfying I want to talk about. Everyone in my district has been experiencing some kind of trial that really backs them up to the wall of faith. I had one a few weeks earlier but some other fellow anziani have been experiencing hard things too. When I first got here I didn't know my collega or anyone else. In fact, only two anziani knew each other before the mission in the district. One of our teachers told us one day that she sincerely believes that our district was formed in the pre-earth life. Now here gets the interesting part. Several of the anziani in the district said that everyone looked familiar when we first met each other but none of us but two have ever known or seen each other!!! We've only known each other for three weeks and within those three weeks every single one of us have experienced all kind of emotions on the spectrum! Not only that but we've also given blessings of the afflicted and comfort (according to the situation) to each other simply because we feel the bond of friendship and love! It's such a crazy way to live!! I'm not even sure who I'm going to be when I get home or if I'm going to be emotionally wrecked. There's only so much a man can take...

Tell dad that I'll try write him if I have time. I've still got to do laundry so I'll shoot him an e-mail. And I'll still send the charger. Also tell him that I'll try to send some pics. My money situation is fine. 

Tell the fam I love them and I miss them!!

Love,

Anziano West