Nothing Like Catania

Dear Family and Friends,

Where do I begin? My perception has accelerated by at least tenfold being here in the bustling city of Catania. It really has made me reflect on all that has happened already during my mission and that really there is an end to all this. I got to make everyday count if I will ever reach my goals and enjoy every glorious minute as a missionary for the Lord.

First off, it's weird to have an older companion. I feel like I am being trained again because Anziano Perfili is showing me some many things that I didn't even know or think about (small things like language because he's a master at that, big things like end mission goals, how to be a zone leader). To be honest, it has been a really difficult thing to adjust to, but I am working on being really humble and letting God lead me to what I need to know. I know once I get back into the rhythm of things after all these big changes, things are going to be great!

I mean things already are great. There is nothing like Catania. Where else can you wake up and have the view of an active volcano from your balcony? Catania is such a big city and without the car right now, we are constantly on the streets right now trying to talk to everyone. It's a nice problem to have too many people to talk to rather than not enough and so I'm grateful for that. The only downsidd is traveling to appointments and such, especially when the bus you planned on taking ends up being late by 45 minutes, totally changing your game plan (reminds me of Pozzuoli haha). Luckily, we have very nice sister missionaries who offer us rides (don't worry, I made them a cheesecake to make up for it)

I'm sorry there's nothing too funny to report other than the fact that every 5 minutes while we are on the streets, Anziano Perfili attempts to kick a smashed cigarette box between my legs (old missionary tradition), and 3 out of 10 times, he gets me. We have just been really focused/tired from the work we are putting in (although Anziani Perfili insists we finish the day with a game of chess before bed and I can't deny that!). We did have some fun member appointments this week, mostly thanks to Anziano Perfili's profound knowledge of Italian, Napolitano, and Siciliano which causes everyone to just laugh and ask how he knows their dialect so well.

The one investigator we are teaching right now, Giuseppe Paternò, already shows great signs of progress. He loves talking to us about the gospel and even went to church while we were out of town.He certainly has built my faith that they're people really here who want to hear the gospel message.

Also cool story. One day we were walking in the main square with the Duomo and there was a library on wheels sort of thing, where you trade a book to get a book. So obviously I couldn't deny the opportunity to give the library a Book of Mormon and in exchange get this pretty cool language study book for Italian. I hope someone will actually take the Book of Mormon eventually.

All I can say is that I am ready to love this transfer. I definitely need to give it my all if I will be any close to succeeding. I am ready to love these members, I am ready to love my companion, I am ready to love the work and get to work. It's time to finally clean this house (you know 4 man houses), it's time to really talk to everyone, to help my fellow zone missionaries, to lead, and quit judging and self doubting. After evaluating how I wanted to end my mission this week, I said to myself that I wanted to say that I had served each day with love. That if I couldn't do anything else, I could just live like Christ. This mission has shown me how much I can really be, and especially what I don't know how to do. But at least I can love and just keep growing. I know that's all Christ wants me to do. I'm just happy he wanted me to do it here in Catania as His missionary.

Vi voglio bene!

Anziano Price