Facciamo Così

It's hard to believe that I've been in Italy for a week already. It all started last monday when we left the MTC at 4:30 in the morning. We flew from Utah to ATL and then straight to Milan. I enjoyed my layover in Atlanta and being able to say goodbye to GA before leaving American soil for 2 years. I had waves of the realness of everything setting in. I remember during the flight I was able to look over NYC and think of how weird it will be to live in another country. 

We arrived in Milan (a group of 20 from the MTC) all very tired but excited to begin our journey. Walking out of customs we were greeted by Presidante and Sorella Wood who said that their only goal was to keep us awake that day (I think I'm the only one who succeeded at that goal). So we left from the airport straight to the Train station and took the Metro to the Duomo. We had our first Italian pizza and just looked around the city for a bit. Then we had to go back to the mission office where we had some meetings and interviews (pretty boring). Then at the mission presidents home we had some amazing lasagna and went out for gelato. 

And then the real world set in a little bit. The next day we had a meeting where we would learn where our first area would be and who our companions would be. I was assigned to Rimini which is a small coastal city with a lot of character. I've not been here long but I love it so much. Our daily walk (or bike) to the central piazza is straight out of a travel magazine. To get to Rimini we navigated through the Milan metro lines (very hard with all my luggage) and took the train from Milano Centrale to our station here in Rimini. The world can feel very similar even across the Atlantic. The Milano station had massive ads with Kim Kardasian on them and I felt like she was saying "you can run but you can't hide". Even in Rimini the first place outside the train station is a Burger King. But there are still PLENTY of differences. Some fun, like all the little cars and vespas. Others are more strange, but I just embrace the differences while I can. 

I'm a trio for this first transfer so I get to be trained by 2 missionaries. At first I was not sure how excited I was about this but I quickly began to like my companions and I feel like I'm getting trained by the best. Anziano Cox & Palmer are hard workers, and very dedicated to missionary work. Starting the first day we just went out to the street and started talking to people (well I mean I mostly am still only able to watch and listen). Most everyone doesn't really want to talk to us but at this point it doesn't really bother me because I just like listening to them talk. 

Our church building is what I think is an old house, and I've not been able to meet all the ward yet but I have met some members and they're amazing. We've had a few meals at the church and we all just eat like a family. Sometimes it's hard to know who is related to who just because everyone is so close. 

Okay this email is long enough so I'll try to throw in my spiritual message. We had the opportunity to listen to general conference this past weekend. There were so many amazing talks it's hard to even find one that stands out. I think one important message was given by Elder Lund. When talking with a departing missionary worried about leaving the field and returning home he said "you don't need the badge to bear his name". I know I have not been here long but I already have no doubt that being a missionary does not start or end in the field. All you members at home are more influential and positioned better to bring others unto Christ than a missionary in any country, city, or continent. You have what is very hard to create during a two year mission, connection. You have deep roots and friendships with people that allow them to be more receptive to your message and understand that you truly care about them. I know that I should have talked more about the gospel and church with my friends at home, but I'm having the mission act as a training for the rest of my life in how to talk about and share my beliefs and help others. Don't be afraid to love, share, and invite. The world needs to hear what you know. Merrill J. Bateman gave a devotional on September 11th, 2001 and addressing the BYU students said "The world's peace is on your shoulders because you have the only message that gives hope for eternal peace". That is as true today as it was then, and it is just as true to all of you as it was to all those students 20+ years ago. 

Sorry for the lengthy email, they are sure to condense as life becomes more repetitive and 'normal'. Oh also to explain the title 'Così' is my favorite Italian word meaning "like this" or when it's "così così" it means so so. But an old Italian hippie said "Facciamo così" (eng: let's do it like this) and I don't know why it made my day that day.

Pictures: I want to attach more but this is all it will let me put. Mostly self explanatory the pink building is our church.
  
Anziano Puzey

Jackson landed in Milan on the morning of September 27, 2022. He was able to video chat with Madi and I to tell us he had arrived safely. The rest of the family was already at work and school. The following day, after spending the night in a hotel, Jackson received his assignment for his first area. He would be serving in the coastal city of Rimini, on the shores of the Adriatic Sea. He spent most of the afternoon getting to his new area and took his first ride on a fast train. Later in his first week in the field, he was able to go help with mucking out efforts, as part of his area had succumb to flooding and members as well as citizens needed help cleaning up (look close in the second picture, he's there over the shoulder of the guy in front). On his first pday in the field, October 5, he was able to video chat us again. It was early morning there and he was out on a bike ride/walk with his companions along the seashore. He watched the sunrise as we talked (it was late  Tuesday night back at home) and took pictures of it and sent to us as we talked. Later in the day, his district traveled (again by fast train!) to two towns, Brisighella and Faenza, where he was able to hike to a castle and a bell tower. The local meeting house is the pink building. Rimini, Italy, views from the shoreline and in the streets.




























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