I Literally Feel at Home Here!

Caro Tutti!

Ciao! Come state? I hope everyone is doing well. My second week in Italy was pretty great! It's crazy how so much happens everyday! Some days are super slow in the afternoon and then we see miracles at night!

Thursday we had an amazing zone training about inviting others to baptism. It was so great because we were planning on inviting a few people to baptism at our next lesson! Thursday was also the first time we got lost in Italy!! Well not Sorella Nedelkov's first time, but mine! It was pretty fun being lost in the streets of Italy ;) Italy is beautiful! But it wasn't really bad because we saw a bus, and then Sorella Nedelkov somehow magically figured out where we were. So It's all good.   (Mom's note--this girl....)

Friday was a pretty slow day. We'll blame it on Friday the 13th. A bunch of appointments fell through. But It turned out better when we were able to talk to quite a few people on the metro. We have decided to split up and go in completely different doors when we're on the metro so we can talk to more people. That helps so much! One time I was talking to a girl and got off at our stop, but when I looked for Sorella Nedelkov she wasn't there! She was still on the metro looking for me! Thinking that I was still talking to someone! I tried to get her attention and she didn't look out the window until it started moving! So she left me for a little bit.... Had to go to the next stop and come back! It was pretty weird being without a companion! (Mom's note---this girl...)

Saturday night we visited the Marzanno family and they are just Bravissimi! They're actually just an older couple because all their kids have moved out and are married with kids. Fratello Marzanno is so nice and LOVES missionaries. He was converted and just loved his missionaries. He's like a grandpa here! He even took the bus with us and walked us all the way home to make sure we got home safely when we were done visiting them.

Sunday we had a miracle! We got a baptismal date with Marlene! She is this older lady from Peru who has been meeting with the missionaries for awhile. She wants to be baptized but has always been hesitant in setting a baptismal date. We fasted and prayed for her this week. On Sunday we called to set up an appointment at 11:30. Then about an hour earlier we called to see if a member could come. His name is Henry and he speaks Spanish. He said he could! When he got to Marlene's house he said that he woken up early this morning and thought about getting in the shower but then decided not to because it was Sunday and he could sleep in, but then he just decided he was going to. Right after he got out, we called! It was so great because he really explained the importance of having a baptismal date and Marlene could completely understand him because he speaks Spanish. Her date is April 25. We are really excited and happy for her!

Monday we had an awesome lesson with a member family set up, and guess what? They brought a nonmember friend! Yay! Referral and member present lesson! Their friend's name is Francesca. She is so great. We are planning on continuing to teach her. They are all from Ecuador. That was probably the best lesson for me, talking wise. I was actually able to talk to them a ton because I had some sort of connection! I was even able to show them pictures of when I was in Ecuador! It was so great! And then they fed us Ecuadorian food! Yay! so good :)

Then after we left their house we were waiting for a tram for ever... Sorella Nedelkov decided that we weren't going to take it, then at the last minute decided we could wait a little longer. Well, then after the tram we got on a bus and I was like, "let's sit across from that guy over there!" So, we did and started talking to him. He asked US if we were part of some Church thing and asked US to know more. We got off at the same bus stop, got his number, and he said he would call us to meet with him. well.... then Tuesday guess what? He actually called! You know you have someone special when they call YOU. He's from Peru and is living with a friend and her husband and child. So he set up a time when we can come talk to all of them! His name is Romolo. We also invited him to English class because he once he found out we were American he asked if we could help him with his English, and we said we actually have a class every Thursday night! So we're really excited to start teaching him and his friends.

Life in Milan is great. It's full of really tall apartment buildings, buses, metros, trams, and people! All sorts of people from all over the world! I've talked to lots of people from Peru, Egypt, Africa, some from Romania, England, and of course Italy. I am slooowly, but surely learning the language. That has probably been the hardest thing for me. But that's really all right now. I love the work and the things I'm learning. Milan is pretty much like a normal city. Drivers are crazy, but they always stop for us when we want to cross the street, so that's nice. Most people keep to themselves. No one greets other people here, so when we talk to someone they will ask if we know them. And then we say we don't we're just asking how they're doing, then they'll be friendly to us and talk our ears off! haha The kids are super cute! They'll even do the bacci (little kisses on the cheek) to us! Everyone does that here! Its so cute!

I know this is where I'm supposed to be. I literally feel at home here! I love it! I love the people, the places, even the little things like the plants hanging on all the balconies and the clothes drying out windows. Its amazing to see how our message changes people, even after a short lesson with them. I'm excited to see the gospel bless so many lives while I'm here!

Vi voglio un sacco di bene! 

Sorella Dixo

 "A pic of some restaurant. It was just so Italian looking. I loved it! 

With the vines and the part of the restaurant that comes out. :)"

"A cute little church!"

Sorella Dixon's big apartment

Looks pretty homey!

The hands on the wall are a "Group Hug" we sent to her before she left!!

Looks like she has a great kitchen to cook in! :)

"This is a wall with advertisements. I thought it was pretty cool. 

This is a guy putting them up, just over the other ones."

Last email I asked Sorella Dixon a bunch of questions that a Mom JUST has to know.

 Well, maybe others would like to know, too!! :)

 Here are the questions--here are the answers:

1. How was the flight? Did you sleep? How was the layover in Germany? hm.... not really.... the layover was super short. nothing too exciting. But german planes are NICE! 

2. Who is your companion? What part of Utah is she from?  (When the office elder called and left a message--I wasn't home--SNAP!!, he said her name, but we couldn't understand, and he couldn't remember what part of Utah she was from. :) Sister Nedelkov from Clinton :)

3. What were you first impressions of Italy? I don't even know! it is just like a city! ok, lots of SMALL cars! and the apartments sometimes look like they're stuck in the 70s haha. Some buildings remind me of Doctor Suess! colorful, sometimes weird shapes! It's great :)

4. How is the food? :) well, I haven't really had real Italian food yet. But sorella nedelkov and I make delicious food for lunch!

5. How is your apartment/flat? so big! Ill send pics! Its so nice!!

6. How is the language? hard. But I LOVE it!

7. How are the people? they love to talk. after you start talking to them. before that they don't say a THING! if you say hi they'll ask if we know each other! Some people will just ignore us.  But once you actually start talking they just go on forever!

8. How is your ward? so great! there are AMAZING members here!

9. How is the weather? good! last week it was so nice! this week there was a little rain. But I like rain. and everything is so pretty in the rain!

10. Did we prepare you with the right clothes? yep siree!

11. Are you riding a bike? nope

12. What have been the highlights? when the lessons we set up actually work out! eating gelato. the sun. little miracles.

13. What have been the stresses? communicating with people. getting over my fear of talking to people

14. What is your mission president like? Super Amazing! I can tell he will be really good!

15. Will your p-day always be on Wednesday? yep

16. Where do you email? What time? an internet point. Probably around this time mostly

17. Do you know how much we love and pray for you? :) I can only imagine :)