A Party in the USA

On Sunday there was a ward lunch. To see to well known families moving
from our already small ward is tough, but one is returning to the
United States and the other family is going home to Brazil. Both of
them will be missed.
To celebrate with them we had a ward lunch that was themed for both
the counties. Italians did their best to make American foods, I had
macaroni and cheese, potato salad, and such. They also made salads and
chicken, there were heavenly deserts, and they had chili. It was
probably the biggest ward organized event that I have seen in Italy so
far.
Our investigator, Cristiano, he came to church for all three classes
and the lunch afterwards too. We haven't been able to set up a time to
meet with him, but he rather enjoyed himself and fits quite well with
the ward. He was the only nonmember there, our missionary work at the
lunch was limited to in actives and members but I got to know many of
them and I'm finally feeling comfortable. This is only my second
transfer here in Padova but the other missionaries say I'll be here
for four, which means I'm glad I'm friendly with the ward.
The most popular desert was brownies, which they don't have here for
some reason. Anziano Stoll made three pans and they were gone very
quickly, everyone took about three pieces I think.
Good job Stoll, he made Italian browny addicts now.
The bike ride home was sad, Anziano Stoll ripped his suit pants while
climbing on his bike, this was a problem...
Wednesday we must wear our suits to the Area seventy's mission
conference and this was Stoll's only suit.
All of our time yesterday was looking for a place to repair it. We
passed three closed places, riding all over town trying to get his
pants fixed, since everyone takes August off for some reason...?
Today I got a haircut... Um, sorry for jumping around...
Many of our appointments have fallen through and the work has slowed.
We have many more coming soon though!
Funny story time:
My companion's birthday was last week. While at Agnis and Fred's house
they knew he liked plantains and beans so they cooked us both some for
a birthday gift. After our lesson we began eating... Stoll does like
plantains and beans but not fish, he hates fish as much as I do- come
to find that the plates are a huge pile of beans and fried plantains
with a chopped, cooked, unflavored fish on top. It was terrible.
Everything tasted like fish, fortunately they left the room to have us
eat alone so they didn't see our faces when we bit on bone, or scraped
the fish to the sides of our plates.
They returned after I had eaten a pound of fish beans, they saw I was
eating slow and she said I was full. I agreed, Stoll said he was too.
Neither of us finished but at least I didn't eat a fish head or
whatever else was thrown on top...
That's the story... Yay. Anziano Stoll had a terrible birthday dish
and so he said he'd cook for his birthday from now on.
When my birthday rolls around I'm just not going to tell anyone, it's safer
I love this mission, I love the people, and I'm glad to serve! This
church is true!
Vi voglio tanto bene!
--Anziano Benge