Che bello!

Dear Everyone,

It's a been a few weeks since I wrote a real bloggish letter, hasn't it?  I've been more focused on my mom, which I don't think anyone will complain about.  But now I have quite a few things to say, and I'd like to address it to everyone--which I did.  At the top of this email.

Three main things to type about the in the next fifteen minutes or so: first of all, and this is kind of directed to Mom but also to everyone who has children, teach the kids about our ancestors!  Maybe every FHE, choose one ancestor to tell a few stories about or look at a picture of.  I've found so much joy putting together the My Family booklet and realizing how much my life is influenced by these people I never knew.  Where I've lived, what I can do, what I like to do, even what I look like, it's all because of these people's choices.  And I'm so happy that we have the opportunity to get to know them, even just a little, and to preserve their names and actions in the theoretically eternal internet!

The Greatest

Elder Holland really is The Man.  It's popular here in the mission to have audio recordings of his best talks and listen to them often.  It really pumps us up, helps us feel the Spirit, and teaches us what's most important.  I love that man, and I hope I get to meet him... again.

That's funny and cool about Brooke.  [Our Pasco friend sent a message saying: "Hey!!! I'm in Italy and I found some elders that knew your son!! Pretty cool. I asked if they knew an elder burton and they said yea. He sings really good right and dresses nice? I said yes! That would be him. :)) thought I would let you know."] We're headed back to Firenze tomorrow for a Multi-Zone Conference.  Some missionaries have this biting fear that they're going to run into someone they know from home here in Italy.  I never even consider it possible, with how few people I know and how huge Italy is.  I'm happy to know my name has circulated around the mission, though, especially for my singing.  You always wonder what other missionaries think of you.  It doesn't really matter, but it's nice to know, I guess.

A Good Feeling

I think about our ancestors, too, and everything they did.  I've been reading "Our Heritage" and I watched "Legacy" while on a scambio in Pesaro this week.  The pioneers made such amazing sacrifices.  But not just them, even further back.  So many people made so many choices that landed me exactly where I am right now.  It's bizarre, but it's so great and it's fun to think about now and then.  Life is so huge and crazy, but God is in control, and He makes things beautiful.

It doesn't feel like much has happened this week.  It got really hot.  I cut my hair twice.  It's super, super short now.  I can't stand the heat.  I don't mind wearing short sleeves anymore, though.  I used to think these short-sleeved white shirts were so goofy and silly looking.  Now I just feel like a missionary.  It's a good feeling.

Focusing on Christ

Awww, that picture with Oma is so cute!  I look like Jed did when he was little!

Today was crazy and my head is still kinda rattled from all it's events, so forgive the short email and lack of usual enthusiasm.  We went to San Marino today as a District--the 2 companionships is Ancona and one is Pesaro.  San Marino is an ancient little country inside Italy.  It's pretty much just a city, but it's really nice and super old, and best of all the ancient part is built on top of this crazy, fantasy-esque mountain with towers of castles and walls.  And they have really cheap chocolate, cologne, guns, and crossbows.  Ha!  There are stores full of ancient-to-modern weaponry totally legal inside San Marino only.  Don't worry, it's a peaceful place, but they like their toys, I guess.