Pssssssssst!

This week has been a whirlwind. We have done and seen a lot and evrything is going wonderfully! It's been intersting re adjusting  to being in two instead of three. 

Lets see, on Thursday, we blessed Osas ans John's new house. Which was amazing! It was definitely a huge step up from the refugee camp. They love it and they are so happy to be there. They are now looking for work to sustain themselves better which is awesome!

On Friday, We had scambio in Reggio Emilia again which was really fun but had a weird twist at the end. Anziano D, with whom I was doing the scambio, woke up the following morning with his face red, itchy and swollen. We called the mission president's wife who told us to go to the hospital. So we spent most of that next morning in the emergency room and had a rescambi in the hospital. Shortly after we left, we recieved a call that Anziano D had passed out and hit his head. He's doing okay now, but the Anziani in Reggio can't go outside because of Anziano D's injury.

On Sunday, we had a bunch of investigators at church as well as a lot of stake leaders form Verona. That was really awesome because 2 of them hadn't ever been before. One was a member's friend and another was from English class. We also had lessons with Sorella Libè and Yvonne. That was really nice.

We went to Verona on Monday and that pretty much took all day especially after I got off the train in the wrong city because the city was printed on my ticket by some weird mistake. We ended up getting home at 730 just in time for a lesson with one of our youth who is 14 but wanted to know what to do to get ready for a mission! That was awesome!  He is really cool! 

We had a lunch on Tuesay with the Lombardelli family and I learned about how to make a cake with pears and chocolate that was also really good. We talked to Michele a bit about committing himself to be baptized and to live the gospel more. It went okay, but the lesson got way side tracked when he said that he still wanted to drink and not pay tithe and then Sorella Lombardelli tried to show him a million different scriptures which he didn't really respond to.

Yesterday, My back tire on my bike shattered. Literally crumbled. We were on our way to an early lesson and I hear Pssssssssssssssssssssssss. Anziano I stoped asking what that sound was an I said "the air in my tire" We then walked it towards the shop when he got the idea to ride it there saying "I don't think the tire could get any worse" as he said that, the tire broke in at least 7 different places. That was pretty crazy. The bike shop owner looked really bewildered. He fixed it for 60€. We have no Idea what could have caused something like that, but we thinkl that it could have something to do with the uneven streets and all of the bumps we go over. It was weird. Also, when we got to the church to do internet, one of the computers was gone and the other didn't work anymore. so we just got ready for English class. Which was pretty okay for me, my class likes me but I think they need a slower pace. Which I am pleased to give them. Anziano I's class, Conversational played Taboo they had a total blast!. It was awesome to hear that they had a good time.

Which brings me to today where we searched all over creation to find an internet point and now here we are...

I love you all so much and I hope that all of your daily lives are wonderful and that you are all surrounded by the Love of God and your Family and Friends!

Piacenza is a Whirlwind!

Dear Family and Friends back home in Washington and abroad,

Piacenza has been a whirlwind lately. The transfer drama continues as Anziano Thompson, my trainer has been space transfered to Verona. He called us a couple of hours ago, so we know he is safely arrived. We didn't travel with him because Verona is 3 hours away and it would have turned into an all day ordeal. Now Anziano Iacovelli and I are going to brave Piacenza in 2 like normal (even though for right now 2 feels like something is missing). Rumor has it however that Piacenza is going to have a second companionship soon. And we will all be in the same apartment! It occurs to me that it will go from three seeming perfect, to two seeming a tad empty to four seeming like too much. It will be a grand adventure for sure.

I get the sense that the mission has ancora di più surprises in store. I am loving every minute of it. 

Last week, I was senior companion as part of the 12 week training program that we have to do when we get into the field. It was fun but stressful. It gave me a lot of respect for Anziano Thompson and Iacovelli because it isn't easy to do missionary work and it's even less easy to organize it all by yourself. 

On Thursday and Friday, We had a lot of lessons and Finding work to do, like normal. One of those days, I can't quite remember which, A guy came walking right towards us while we were waiting to meet one of our investigators in an almost empty Piazza and we tried to move out of his way but he continued walking towards us and realizing that it was his intention to talk to us, we met him half way. He told us how he had seen us drawing on the street (the Plan of Salvation that was mentioned in last weeks e-mail) and he wanted to know what it was all about. He seemed kind of sort of half interested and we talked for a little while and offered to come by and give him a Book of Mormon which he thought would be a really cool thing if we were to also bring a Bhagivad Gita in Italian. After explaining to him that we weren't Hindu, and had no idea where to get a Bhagivad Gita in Italian, he lost interest. It was kind of bizzare. Or maybe a lot bizzare. He said Namasté to us upon his parting. I had to explain everything to my other two companions who had no idea what was happening in the latter part of the conversation and had probably never heard the word Namasté in their lives (which is a greeting in Sanskrit that in effect means "the good/light in me salutes the good/light within you")

On Saturday, two Ecuadorian families in our Branch invited us to come over for food. Ecuadorians are amazing cooks! So for lunch we were over at the Lombardelli house which is a farm with cows and chickens and goats. It was really cool. We offered to come over one day and help with the farm and they said that it would be awesome, but they want us to come in the spring when there is more to do. Actually Michele, Sorella Lombardelli's husband, who isn't a member, but comes to church with his wife, said that he has been thinking really hard about God latley and he wants to start taking it a bit more seriously and start doing what is right in his life. He wants to fix up some things in his life and he wants to seriously consider finally comitting to being baptized. It is a cool thing to see! After our meeting with them, we had some appointment and the dinner with the Stephanoni family. Who cooked... drumroll please... an delicacy that I like to call tripe... That's right cow stomach! It was actually something that was okay. I just couldn't shut my brain off enough to really completely enjoy it. Anziano Thompson couldn't shut his brain off at all and didn't finish his whole plate.

On Sunday, we had a really good time a church. Our new members, Osas John and Fred brought some friends to church with them and one of them, Nancy, Osas' sister, bore her testimony. It was really cool. Actually, we also ran out of translating devices which made me really happy. After church, we went to the Noda's house for lunch and learned how to play an Italian card game that is pretty similar to one I have played in the states, but I cant remember any of the rules. Sorella Noda told us some funny stories about coordinating all of the travel paperwork for missionaries coming in and out of Italy and also riding trains. It was really awesome. After that we went to a concert that Fratello Noda was going to be in. He's an opera singer. That was cool.

On Monday, we had a district meeting and that is where we found out about Anziano Thompson's space transfer and at first I told him "Stop joking around, Anziano Thompson, It's time to be serious" and then he said "I am being serious. That was just President Wolfgramm on the phone." And then I didn't have anything to say after that.

Yesterday, we were in Milan for an in-training missionary conference. Which was fun. It was great to see all of the people that I was in the MTC with. We came back around night time where we met with our branch President so that he could say goodbye to Anziano Thompson after that we came to see Osas, John and Fred who talked about how grateful they were to be members and introduced us to their friend Andrew who had been in Church on Sunday. Andrew wants to learn more too! We also found out that they found housing nearby in Piacenza. All around Italy, the refugee camps have been closing and it has been really hard for people but our prayers have been answered for Osas John and Fred! After English class, we are going to come by to bless their house and dedicate it to the Lord at their request!

Today was P-day so we cleaned and helped Anziano Thompson pack, and saw him off in the rain, and cooked quiche which I am getting better at, but I still can't get it as good as mom's cooking. Then Anziano Iacovelli and I went shopping and between the two of us pulled a 19€ speza. I don't know how, but it ws cool.

That's been my week! I love you all and hope that you are doing well! I am so hapy to be here and have this opportunity to serve the Lord and the people of Italy! I hope that you all kow that the Lord loves you and that he has a plan for you and I have felt this as I have labored here in Piacenza. I am growing here daily and I have seen blessings for doing the right things. The Lord works in mysterious but wonderful ways and I have been so grateful to be a part of that even though I don't see the whole plan.

Love,

Anziano Cook

Bi-Polar Crazy Weather!

Hello Everyone!

Greetings from lovely bi-polar crazy weather Piacenza! This week we have had rain and snow and glorious sunshine within days of each other. I thought Washington had crazy weather and then I came to Italy. 

After 23 days, my hair is starting to look like I did not have a gross cosmetic accident. Like maybe, I just wanted short hair. Seconda me, it doesn't look half bad. 

We have had a really amazing week! We have been really busy and doing as much of the Lords work as we possibly can! I am so glad to be here and do this work!

We have been really busy with lessons and finding lately and we have seen success and also some let downs. The French investigator that we had randomly moved to Milan one day, but that is alright since there are missionaries there too (as far as French speaking ones, I can't be sure). Also Cinzia told us that she didn't want to meet and that she just wants to go to church so we are giving each other a break. We have also had a lot of referrals that we have been working with. It rocks!

On Saturday, We had a baptism! Three friends from Nigeria that we originally thought were brothers... I had the privelage of baptising two of them. It was really cool and Sasha, an investigator from Ukraine, came to the service with us and apparently leaned over to Anziano Iacovelli and said "How long does it take a person to to prepare for baptism?" and Anziano Iacovelli said "Cioè, A person like you?" and Sasha said "Exactly". So we gave Him a baptismal date and we will be working with him some more. His comprehension isn't the best I've seen and he has a really thick Ukranian accent. So Piano Piano.  

On Sunday, We went to Church and pretty much all around creation. We saw Sorella Libè like we normally do. It was a brief visit and a bit awkward because Valerio, (the one who has a long hair and beard and dresses in all white) was there and he is super mad at us because we asked him to be more respectful and less distracting when he comes to church (In his behavior, speech, and dress)

On Monday, we planned to have a lesson with Sasha and a member who is a pointedly punctual person and Sasha called us, telling us that he would be and hour late. So we decided to have a practise lesson with the member who gave us a lot of teaching tips and I feel like I am a better missionary because of that lesson.

Yesterday, We had a pretty full day of finding. We dicided to draw the Plan of Salvation out in chalk on the street in Centro. We didn't really take notce of the fact that it was right infront of a shop. The owner got mad and called the Police and on the phone she said "These people have drawn some strange things on the sidewalk! Suns and Moons and Stars and the words Resurection and Judgement!!" We tried to offer to help clean it up, but she told us to leave. We walked by later and somebody had cleaned it off. Anziano Thompson got a kick out of the melodrama and I thought that we should be more careful about where we plan our finding activities. 

Today, I had to go to the Immigration office to sign a form stating that I would do what was required oif me as a foreign immigrant to assimilate into Italian culture and take a 6 hour required class and then we had our apartment inspected and maintennance checked by a senior couple that is serving on the Military Base in Vicenza (they brought peanut butter and Oreos!) Now I am here!

I hope that everyone back home is doing fine! Happy birthday to Uncle Mike, Aunt Brenda and Dad! I hope everything is doing well for you! Dad, keep your eyes peeled for a little something that may or may not have anything to do with your birthday. 

Love you all!

Anziano John Colin Cook