There to Messina and Back and Again

Dear Family and Friends,

What's up everyone? Today was an especially good day, perfectly sunny and warm which brought a change from the colder week. I probably shouldn't push my luck too much because it might get too hot soon here.

Well, I probably should mention that we actually left Siracusa for a couple days. First, there was a small meeting for all the district leaders on how we can achieve success this transfer and then instead of normally turning around, we headed all the way up to Messina for Anziano Moscon's permesso (so he can be legal). In order to live in the country of Italy, you of course need a visa but you also need a permesso basically saying this is where you live and why you are here. The problem that happens usually is that there is a long process to it so once it is finally ready, the missionary has usually moved to a different city and has to return back to pick it up. Confused yet? There's a lot more to it but hopefully this summary helped.

Anyway, we went and helped the Anziani there while we waited for our appointment and even got to do some fun stuff. There was the Duomo, the tram, Nino who is this awesome new convert that builds model pirate ships, used to work in a pasticceria, and has a pet pidgeon, and other great members. It was a good time but I realized how grateful I am to be in such a great city like Siracusa. Yes, Messina is cool too, but I honestly feel like Siracusa is my home in a way now. Or at least my 2nd home. There are so many families I love here like the Corso's, Zombra's, etc. and there's so much amazing cibo (cannoli, arancini, blood oranges, gelato, etc.!)  This week, we even had a foosball tournament with all the young adults which was super fun. Daniele came too which was perfect because he's been a little out of contact due to his college exams coming up in a week. Don't worry, he's still progressing and we actually were able to discover more of his concerns keeping him from being baptized.

We did our best to make the best of the remaining time we had left but I'll be honest, this week was hard. But to me it all depends on how you look at it. Yes, we had bidones, we had gaps in the day where I didn't have an answer of what to do, and yes we were even home a little late some nights (I'm really working on improving this part). But God doesn't expect me to perfect in life so he for sure doesn't expect perfection in the mission. Yes, I need to try my hardest, but don't expect things to go according to plan, especially out here at the bottom of the world in Sicily.

One thing I noticed starting to happen is that my faith and hope was beginning to diminish because of the discouragement Anziano Moscon and I were facing in the work. The mission is just like life, and throughout our lives, our testimonies needed to constantly nourished or else trials and troubles will destroy it. I'd say the scriptures put it better than I can. God is a God of miracles still and will grant us our wishes if we have faith in Christ, doubting nothing. For me, doubting nothing still seems impossible, but I am holding on to the hope that it is possible and I will see it happen in the mission. I just need to press forward right now and continue to try my best. That's the beauty of the gospel, we all get second chances to become our best. I'm grateful for my time here and wouldn't trade it for anything else.

Ti voglio bene!

Anziano Price


Mormon 9

19 And if there were miracles wrought then, why has God ceased to be a God of miracles and yet be an unchangeable Being? And behold, I say unto you he changeth not; if so he would cease to be God; and he ceaseth not to be God, and is a God of miracles.
20 And the reason why he ceaseth to do miracles among the children of men is because that they dwindle in unbelief, and depart from the right way, and know not the God in whom they should trust.
21 Behold, I say unto you that whoso believeth in Christ, doubting nothing, whatsoever he shall ask the Father in the name of Christ it shall be granted him; and this promise is unto all, even unto the ends of the earth.
22 For behold, thus said Jesus Christ, the Son of God, unto his disciples who should tarry, yea, and also to all his disciples, in the hearing of the multitude: Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature;