porkchops and gratitude

Cari Miei!
 
I hope this letter finds you all well.
 
I tried making some honey garlic marinade pork chops this week...they
were a little too thick and despite all the cooking and recooking and
eating and then cooking more...I'm not sure that we should have eaten
them...I may get worms or some type of disease some time
soon....anyhow
 
How is everybody! I hope to get some letters here really soon. You can
still write to me here in Prato, I won't be going anywhere. Anziano
Frustaci goes home in about 4 weeks so there is a 99.99% chance that
I'm staying in Prato with a new comp. I feel it very safe that you
keep sending mail to the Prato address.
 
I hope that everyone is enjoying school/work. This week has been good.
We did some good work and we met some more members. I feel like I'm
finally starting to know everyone in the branch. It was a little
strange at the beginning. Because in Alessandria I learned everyone's
names really fast and got to visit them and know them faster. So I
initially just thought it was the branch. But then I realized this
week that it was August, so half of the members were on vacation, AND
we whitewashed, so neither of us knew the members. It is different
when one missionary knows all the families and members and can
introduce you. But we had to go from scratch. But I feel now things
are better. It wasn't the branch, just the circumstances.
 
Anziano Frustaci has been waking up at 6:30 to run in place in the
apartment for the last 8 weeks....I haven't done my morning exercises
since the second week in the field....but! That is about to change...I
am now waking up at 6:45 (15 minutes early) and we jog down to a park
together...that is really close and He runs around the park while I
shoot hoops. (He is still in sight and sound...don't worry about my
apostasy) So, it's a start. And I really do feel that I have more
energy in the day and I'm more awake and alert for morning studies. It
really helps the spirit. This change of heart about morning exercise
came about after reading a conference talk and then preach my gospel
about how physical discipline magnifies the spirit. So....I knew I had
to start. I'm not sure how long it will last...my next comp, might not
want to wake up early or go do morning exercise, but for the next 4
weeks....I'm doing it.
 
Things are good with me. I'm having some very spiritual moments and
I've learned a lot this last week. I'm so grateful for my journal and
everything that I record in there. I haven't missed a day since I got
to Italy and I only missed a day or two in the MTC. I really can
testify that this is divine counsel (To hold a journal of spiritual
experiences) I can see how it has increased my ability to recognize
spiritual experiences and reflect on the events in my life and the
lessons that I have learned from them. No doubt that this is something
I will do for the rest of my life. It is something I really look
forward to in fact. I love to write every night in my journal and
record something that I’ve learned from the day, or a spiritual
experience, or a cool story from the day. My journal has become one of
my most prized possessions.
 
 
Well,
 
I gotta jet, we are going to catch a train to Pisa....I'm going to get
my leaning tower pic today...I forgot to get my camera cord from
Siena, so I will send pictures next week...hopefully.
 
Love you all,
 
Miss you lots
 
Karlee, Stay away from boys,
 
Love,
 
Anziano Memmott

rain storms, love taps and optimism

Cari Miei,
 
I hope this e-mail finds you well.
 
This week has been a fun one. We've laughed and the sky has cried as the weather has gotten, in fact, a bit chilly. For the first time since my arrival in Prato I slept without a fan going on me all night.
It's been a long time since that has happened... It has rained about 3 days this week, and it has been very nice. This week I had the chance to do a Scambio with Anziano John Calvin Gibbons. He is really fantastic. We were here in Prato and we worked really hard. He just gave me back something I was missing. Since leaving the MTC I had lost a piece of myself that was very happy and energetic and more of the old Anziano Memmott. During our scambio I realized that things were a bit different. I have been reflecting a great sum on my lack of the old me. And while I was with Anziano Gibbons, he helped me feel that way I did in the MTC, That "Fight the whole world" "Nothing can stop us” attitude. That bit of Eternal Optimism that I had at one time. Now I'm much much more of a pessimist, these days at least. But I felt that Optimism again and caught a hold of it. And I’m feeling very much that old Optimism that I had been thirsting for.
 We (My beloved comp, Anz. Frustaci.) went and Blitzed Siena. That is when both of us go down and go with both of the Siena missionaries and do work in Siena. So we did that Tuesday and slept over and we did P-Day in Siena today. I went inside the Duomo and say some great views. (Every view in Siena is a great view really.) But I really would deem it as one of the Top 3 most beautiful places I've ever been. Sadly I left my camera charger (Which is also my Camera/Computer cord) in Siena, so they will bring it to me this next week at District Meeting...but no pictures this week...sorry. :(
 This week we also went to see Giuseppe, a member who lives in a rest home.  
Also during one rainy day this week, we were traveling across town, back to our apartment for lunch actually. For those who are unaware, Bikes don't like to stop in the rain. The brakes effectiveness are greatly reduced....Now, I don't want to toot my own horn but...TOOT TOOT...oh look at that, Anziano Memmott is pretty bravo on a bike. So as I tell you this, I don't want anyone...cough cough, Mother...to think that I am in danger as I ride my bike. But, as we were going home, a car didn't look both ways and started to go and I couldn't stop...So I got a little "Love Tap" as I once heard Nate refer to it. Just a little tap to let me know they were thinking about me you might say. They were stopped. So they were just started to accelerate so they bumped me at maybe 3 or 4 miles an hour. but Still pretty exciting anytime that you take a hit from a large piece of machinery that could kill you....I was a bit shaken... but nothing happened to me, I'm 100 Fine. Not even a bruise. I didn't even tip over; I just wobbled pretty bad and had to try not to fall over. So you can relax Mom....Anyhow, Things are really good and I'm doing very good.  I love you all so much and miss you. I hope that you are all as optimistic and hopeful about the future as I am.
 I love you all and hope you have a good day.
 Hope to hear from you all soon
 
Love,
 Anziano Memmott

I wanna know...have you ever seen the rain?

Cari Miei!
 
I hope this letter finds you all well.
 
It's been a good week here in Prato. Sunday...what a glorious day. It rained here in Prato for the first
time in 4 months. And when it rains, it pours. It really came down and there was even a thunderstorm...but it only lasted from about 7:30 to 11:30 and then the sky was cloudless. But...It cleared out the air...of everything. IT took all the heat out of the air, it took out most ALL of the humidity, also all of the gunky air that is here in Prato (The garbage here stinks really badly in some places) So it was just a miraculous day, and ever since then, It has been very nice weather. It feels like a cool fall day at times....SOOOOO nice. I don't have to shower 3 times a day now... This was probably the best thing that has happened (Temporarily) in a LONG LONG LONG time.
 
This week has been really good. We set a Baptismal Date and it is exciting. Also there is an Investigator here in Prato.  She has been meeting with the missionaries for months now, she really really wants to get baptized and comes in church every single week and is basically a member, so things should work well.  Anziano Frustaci and I planned out some P-days for his last transfer, this week we are staying in Prato and taking care of some business. For week 2 of the transfer we are going to Sienna, week 3 we are going to Firenze again to see the last of some things he wants to see, and then we might go to Cinque Terre with Anziani Sanders and Gibbons in Pistoia. They want to go and they want us to come with them. So I might head back for round 2....but, we will see. Also we are going to go to Pisa for one P-Day, It is a required Pic to take....OH, also, this week I discovered a really good Gelato place on the other side of our apartment building. Also we have a pizzeria that I really like across the street from us, and they are finally back from vacation. So....it will be a good week. I bought a USB and am collecting a lot of music from other missionaries, and Also I obtained 17 Miracles and The Emma Smith Movie...I'm also going to try a few new cooking things and I agreed to try and go running in the morning with Anziano Frustaci...I told him I would try it for a week and then we would see....
 
This transfer we are going to SYL (Speak Your Language) for the first, third, and fifth week. So we are currently in the thick of things here. We speak all Italian all the time. It is actually really fun.
I'm learning a lot of new words and also, thankfully, at the level where we can just chat about things, so it's not super boring. I finished the Book of Mormon out loud in Italian about a month ago actually, and so now I'm chewing through other materials in Italian and trying to eat up every bit of Italian that I can. I am not really sure why I want to learn the language so well. One of the benefits of being sent exactly where you wanted to go on your mission and learning the one language that you wanted to learn more than any other I guess...I still can't believe I got called here. I am so lucky....
 
Miss you all,
 Hope to hear from you soon
 And In case I don't see ya, Good afternoon and Good night!
 
Love,
 Anziano Memmott

Catching up

Ok, the post will contain 3 seperate parts of his letters. I have dated them according to the date I recieved them. sorry again for getting so behind.

8/8/2012

We had interviews this week with President; He answered a few questions I had so that was really good. He is a really wise man. Anziano Frustaci is a really good companion and keeps me working hard. There have been several times this week where I didn't know what to say and he came in and saved me.

Time is going to fast and I'm really really happy to be here in Prato
and just serving a mission in General. President Wolfgramm asked me in
my interview how I felt my mission was going. I responded with many
answers, but the sum of it being that my Mission means everything to
me. And it really does. So glad to be here, learning and growing and
helping others.

Today we woke up at 5 in the morning to catch a 3 hour train to Cinque Terre. (Pictures will be sent) It is hands down the prettiest place I’ve ever been. I really don't think there is anything in the world that will be cooler to see or more beautiful. So here’s the 411 on how it works. there are 5 little villages, terraces...or terre...they are about 5 minutes apart from each other in train. But there is a really really cool and beautiful hike that you can take that takes you from 1 to the next...it takes you about 5 hours to do the hikes/see a bit of each terre/stop and breathe it in.
I had no idea that the hike would be that difficult though...from the 3rd city to the 4th city and the 4th to the 5th....those are some demanding hikes...you basically climb huge steps for about 15 minutes straight...but you get the most ridiculous view I've ever seen in my life....absolutely unequivocal to anything I can describe....I have the pictures but they don't do it justice, not even a bit. And the whole time, you are on the cost. The sea there is just SOOO blue. Just
really really really pretty.

8/15/2012

Cari Miei,
 
I live on the sun...fact. It is SSSSSSSSSSSSOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
hot.....I cannot find words adequate enough to describe how hot it is right
now in Prato....Yesterday was probably the hottest day I’ve ever lived
through in my life. I had a free sweat going on while I slept and woke
up with my sheets all nasty and they even had salt stains on
them....And I had a fan directly on me the whole night at the highest
setting...SOOOOOOOOOOOOO hot....at least for this Utah boy who hasn’t
know such a hot humid climate in all his life.
Also it’s August and that makes things really slow. Because all of Italy shuts down in August.
Everyone goes on a month long vacation and nobody is around...This
makes it hard to work...because nobody is home, the ward is about
twice as small for a month and just the mentality of August in Italy
gets to you and makes things hard. BUT! We are keeping busy, and at
least we usually don’t have to do TOO much finding work outside in the
heat. We mostly have appointments with our investigators in the Church
which we keep nice and cool. (It also has a water cooler) and or in
their houses or at the houses of Less actives, new converts, or
members. We are finally starting to get to know a few of the members
here in Prato a little better and I can see some good relationships
beginning to develop. To be honest we haven’t really met half the ward
because they have been in vacation since we got here. The Branch
President was here the first Sunday we got here then left for Vacation
and gets back this Sunday....So we have done the whole transfer
without him....and half the ward. So we hope things will get more
lively (and a bit cooler) as we head into September.
Well, I hope that everyone has enjoyed the last bit of summer...I
begin to see like Jacob of old °° that the time passed away with us,
and also our lives passed away like as it were unto us a dream°°  Time
is going so quickly, one day comes and then it’s gone so fast. I hope
that you all never let a day pass away without prayer and scripture
study... Please take the time to pray as a family, each of you as
able... I love you all and hope that you are all doing well.
 
8/22/2012

Cari Miei!
 
Hope that this E-Mail finds you all well, Also! I hope you got my postcards!
 
This week has been kind of a slow week...
 
We have been making progress with our investigators.  
 

Beautiful Italy

This Picture is of Dustin in an extremely beautiful place. He is currently serving in Prato which is in the Florence area of Italy. He has been to Florence and Siena on splits and has seen some amazing sites. He has sent several postcards lately of the places he visits and I am working on scanning them in so I can post them. I miss him so much. Sorry to all for the large gap in posting. Life happens and it has been a bit crazy lately. I wanted to get this picture on, but I am posting later tonight with a large post that sums up the last three weeks of his letters.

little red corvette

Cari Miei,
 
Good News! I got a new bike! It is very nice. It's very sturdy, nice tires, nice brake, even has a functioning light (Tail-light and Headlight) And the best part about it, (as said the Bike salesman) ...it’s red. Ha-ha I admit it is a very stylin bike. But he told me that the best part about it is that it is red, because if someone is stealing my bike, I will be able to "See it from a distance, and know that they are stealing my bike. “Everyone Else's bike is black and grey but yours will stick out, you will know when someone is taking your bike." He didn't mention however that it being red would stop it from being stolen, only alert me to when they were stealing it...ha-ha Italians.
 Anyhow, the week has been good; I did 2 scambi with Anziano Sanders who goes home in 9 weeks and Anziano Reusch who goes home in 3. Anziano Frustaci also goes home in 9 weeks, so as you can see I'm surrounded by dying missionaries....It can be hard to focus myself sometimes. However, the work is going really well here in Prato, we have a couple baptismal dates and hopefully they will come through.  Not too much to say, things are really good here in Toscana, I ate the best pizza I’ve had since coming here yesterday in Firenze. It's still REALLY hot...I'm very tan; I will probably never be this tan in my
life...ever again...ever. And yeah. I'm healthy and happy and missing you all still. Today we are going to run some chores in Prato and then see what there is to see here at Prato. Hopefully, if I’m not too
tempted to sleep, I can write some letters to people.
 Love you all and I really loved getting the pictures from everyone, really loved hearing from you all and hope this letter finds you all well.
 Love,
 Anziano Memmott.

Some days are like that... even in Australia

Cari Miei!
 
I hope this letter finds you well.
 
This week has been a week with lots of fun. When I got here to Prato the bike that I inherited was...in interesting condition and I knew that soon it would die. So when it finally went the way of all the earth this week, I wasn't surprised. So after some minor inconvenience, we made it to a bike shop close to our house. I found a bike that I thought was decent, but I didn't want to buy it until I had checked out another place or two. So we walked about an hour to another place that was a warehouse type store for sporting goods and found some bikes there. They are really nice though, and the lowest one cost about 130 Euros...Keep in mind that this is the first bike I have to buy in the mission, and so I have to purchase it with my own money. So after sleeping on the decision for a night. I decided to buy the first one I saw for 60 Euros, It was pretty decent and for 60 Euros I was content with the purchase. That is until I started riding away.... The tires were wobbling from side to side and the back tire made the bike thump up and down.... but we were already late for an appointment so we kept on going; we had to go back Monday to get the receipt anyhow. So we continued throughout the day and as we were traveling to do some casa near the Church, the bike chain broke...like the chain didn't fall off...it broke. Snapped, severed. And the tire got shifted so that it was pressing against the rim... This was when the store had already been closed on Saturday night...I would have to wait till Monday to do anything about it. So we walked it back to the house and the next day we borrowed a Members bike to get to all our appointments. (His bike was also a...fun bike...You had to put in about 1000 percent of the effort to travel 1/10 of the distance of a normal bike...anyhow, different story that there.) So Monday we took the bike back to these guys they got it fixed, replace the chain and straightened the wheel. They did it for free so I had no complaints. Then after riding 100 Meters...the tire started rubbing against the back frame again. The tire was popping out of the metal frame of the bike. So we took what I now so affectionately call "The Lemon" (It even has a yellow accent painting) back to the bike shop. They put on a new tire...still a little wobbly buy the bumping had stopped...the chain was fixed... and they did it all for free as I thought was just...now...after that the bike was just fine. Minor wobbling but I couldn't complain. Until...last night when I was riding it, the back tire started again to pop out of place...and then after much much prayer and traveling. (My bike was upheld by the Grace of God at that point.) it was about 8;00 the bike had been deteriorating all day. And it started clicking really bad...don’t know what was clicking and also the tire was making this puffing noise...so It sounded like I was riding some contraption that ran on steam and coal from a scientist movie from the 1860's...It was worth a good laugh...So now I find myself in a pickle...I don't care much for that bike. Tomorrow we are going to take it to see if they will give me something back for it...highly doubt it. Then we are going to buy a new bike...for 130 Euro...My fault for not inspecting it well enough, not taking it for a test drive, and not being smart at all in buying it. Sometimes you have to burn your hand on the oven before you learn it's hot...
 
My catchphrase for all this (Whenever my bike broke down) has been, "I bet they don't have days like this in Australia." no one gets the reference to a favorite childhood book.  Other than all that fun stuff, the week has been normal, we are finding people and teaching people and having fun. Anziano Frustaci and I are getting along really well and I'm liking the Branch here.
 
Love you all so much and hope that you are doing well; I have to go because I'm running out of internet time and only have a little cash on me. Love you all so much!
 
Anziano Memmott