ITALIA!

Ciao, tutti!  Unfortunately I don't have that wonderful of a letter to write this first week in Italy.  Remember when Elder Roundy's companion was sick?  Well guess what... I'M the sick companion.  I've been down with a virus since day 2.  I felt awful, my head was heavy and dizzy, I still cough up nastiness all the time, and I've been running a fever for the last week.  We haven't done much missionary work, unfortunately.  I feel really bad for my companion, but he just laughs at me and tells me he'd rather me survive my first week than die trying to run faster than I have strength.  But I'll tell you as much as has happened... which, now that I think about it, is still quite a lot.

Mio Figlio

Anziano Burton is where he belongs!  He called yesterday from the airport en route to Milan. He sounds great, ready and sweet, and we recorded some fine Italian as he described the First Vision.  This morning the kind mission office called to say he arrived safely and after training, he will be making street contacts in the centre of Milan! We are so happy!  He has been called to serve first in Padova with Elder Burr.  He must be thrilled! He can email Wednesdays, starting next week.

I Will Never Forget

Something happened one whole week ago that you will not believe.  I would consider it my first "miracle" on the mission if I didn't believe that being called to Italy in the first place is a miracle.  

Think about it! Literally!

I told him I was reading his favorite book, Dante's Inferno, and watching Italian movies with English subtitles.  He was excited!

Reading Dante!?  That's the best news of my life!!  As long as you read Dante's Inferno and the Scriptures, you're pretty much set.