While I'm Training

with Anziano Gomez in Ancona

in Florence!

This week was nuts, and it's only going to get crazier.  It's transfers already.  Can you believe how fast it goes?  I sure can't.  So let's catch you up as fast as I can:  This weekend we went to Firenze (Florence).  I was in heaven.  We got on a train Saturday Morning, arrived in the afternoon, spent the afternoon in the city buying ties (missionaries love a little stand in the market that sells 4 ties for €10) and leather bags (I'm gonna look so cool at BYU), ate lunch, saw the amazing Duomo I've dreamt of for years, and then went to a Saturday evening session of the conference.

We slept in one of the Firenze Anziani's apartments, cramming 8 missionaries into whatever space we could find.  The next morning we went to the Sunday Morning session in the enormous "Palazzo dei Congressi", where the Florence Stake was formed and leaders were called for two hours.  It was a marvelous experience with many great talks, testimonies, and trainings, and I enjoyed every second.

We talked with lots of people from all over Europe and the United States on the train rides to and from.  It's hard to make friends for such a short amount of time and then leave.  It's even harder when transfers roll around and a friend you've treasured for weeks suddenly vanishes.  Anziano Horrocks has been assigned as the Zone Leader in Muggiò, a city close to Milano.  Anziano Taylor, my district leader who serves in Pesaro, is assigned to serve in Cimiano, one of the wards inside Milano (we tease him that President is pulling him into Milano to prepare him to be the next assistant.  It's probably true, Anziano Taylor is amazing).  I will miss them both sorely.

Anziano Horrocks was the first counselor in the Branch Presidency here in Ancona.  Anziano Taylor was our District Leader.  And yesterday I found out that both of those assignments are now falling upon me.  I've been asked to lead the District and serve as First Couselor.  While I'm training.

Well, I'm a bit overwhelmed and super nervous, but I've been praying for opportunities to receive more spiritual experiences and personal revelation, and this seems like the answer.  Be careful what you pray for.  Ha!  Just kidding, I am a bit nervous, but also very excited and happy to serve in a way I've never experienced before.  And it's all about experience, isn't it?

I hope you all had a great Mother's Day.  I got to see my mom and siblings, which was wonderful.  Families are so important.  I hope we can find and reactivate some here in Ancona.

I love you, pray for you, and hope you enjoy the second half of May with me!
Anziano Burton

sights from Ancona & Firenze