A train a bus and a hike

 Coming a day late because I did not have a computer.

This week must be feeling fly like a G6 because it went by so fast! It's hard to think of everything because it doesn't feel like it's been long enough to have things to write about. I'll start with where I left of last week. After writing my email we headed off on our p-day adventure up to Faenza and Brisighella to go on an amazing hike up to an old bell tower (pics). 

I got to finally see the ward this Sunday! There were actually more people than I thought but I think my expectations were reallllllllly low. But I really do love all the members, and the bits of their testimony that I understood. I'm also counting my blessing with having general conference and then testimony meeting that I haven't been called to speak yet (check again next week). And in typical fashion we ate at the church again; this time a pretty typical spaghetti with red sauce. After eating we went for my first in person teaching lesson. Sadly all of our appointments have been over videocall (if they don't cancel, which is 85% of the time) but this one was a true in person lesson with Raavi and his friend. It went pretty well and they're very interesting. In the good way not in the nice way of saying they're weird. Raavi graduated from university with a fashion or design degree (honestly don't know if its like interior design or what he wasn't very clear). And his friend got his masters in Hospitality and Tourism. I felt like I connect well to both of them. 

Also this first week I took my first big leap and started a conversation companion-less. My companions had both found separate people to talk to in the square to I sat next to an old lady having her gelato and talked with her a bit. She isn't religious but she let me practice Italian with her. I haven't done it sense but maybe next time it will be 2 people in the same day. 

For personal study today I read out of Saints. A book about the restoration. I read chapter 2 which talks about the first vision. But one line in particular stood out to me. "His tongue was loosened, and he pleaded for deliverance". It reminded me of the BYU devotional by Michael S. Drake that I listened to last week called Deliverance. I don't fully remember everything that was said in this devotional but here are some of my thoughts. He begins by saying how we start of life needing constant deliverance. Not only are we "delivered" into this world, but when we are young we rely on parents and family for everything. The best selling movies of all time are all stories of deliverance. I think that many may look down on those waiting for deliverance. At least in terms that we think about it. Many pride themselves on not needing help from anyone. In many ways this is a positive thing! We should be as self reliant as we can. And how good does it feel when we accomplish something on our own? 

But, when Christ was on Earth who did he seek out? Who did he minister to and visit? "Have ye any that are sick among you? Bring them hither. Have ye any that are lame, or blind, or halt, or maimed, or leprous, or that are withered, or that our deaf, or that are afflicted in any manner? Brink them hither and I will heal them, for I have compassion upon you; my bowels are filled with mercy" (3 Nephi 17:7 although I recommend reading all of 7-12).

At some point we will all go through periods where we are in need of deliverance. Some blessings come soon, some come late, and some don't come until heaven. So when we are waiting what can we be doing? We can think: What lessons can I be learning that I couldn't learn otherwise? What can I take from this experience to grow and improve?

More importantly we must remember that we are deliverers. This may be starting to sound like my last spiritual message but it's still true! People all around us need help. We can pray to know when, who, and how to help. And when the Lord commands we must follow that prompting and actually do it. I liked one of the last things that Drake shared. He reminded us that "help may not always be a gospel discussion". Simply being a friend and being there for others may just be the answer to someone's prayer. 

Hopefully next week I'm able to have a differing spiritual thought than the last few messages but it's always important to remember that it's okay if we need help from someone else and that we should also be seeking to help others often. 

Love you all! Ciao.

P.s. Also I will be saying this in the text few emails but my old Eternal Families professor is going to give a BYU devotional in a few weeks and everyone should listen. Jenet Erickson.