As you all hopefully know, on Christmas day, missionaries are all allowed to Skype or Facetime or whatever (or call) home. This was, of course, the highlight of the week. I will now describe the WHOLE week, very briefly with lots of parenthesis---
The week, starting today and running backwards:
Today we tried to find a way into a castle, the door had construction blocking it, and there was no other way in, so that didn't work. But we DID see the Galileo Galilei Museum here on the River Arno. It wasn't as cool as the Uffizi Gallery, but any scientist would enjoy it.
Yesterday: We recieved two cancellations of our appointments (we were 'Bedoned' (trashed)) we had a fun lunch with Mauro (talked about the Plan of Salvation over Pizza). At night, we met with the new convert Iyke, who we love and he is totally awesome in every way.
Monday: a few other Bedones, and we had a good lesson with a few people (Lo Priore family, and John Bravo (who always makes us Ecuadorian snacks or meals))
The week, starting today and running backwards:
Today we tried to find a way into a castle, the door had construction blocking it, and there was no other way in, so that didn't work. But we DID see the Galileo Galilei Museum here on the River Arno. It wasn't as cool as the Uffizi Gallery, but any scientist would enjoy it.
Yesterday: We recieved two cancellations of our appointments (we were 'Bedoned' (trashed)) we had a fun lunch with Mauro (talked about the Plan of Salvation over Pizza). At night, we met with the new convert Iyke, who we love and he is totally awesome in every way.
Monday: a few other Bedones, and we had a good lesson with a few people (Lo Priore family, and John Bravo (who always makes us Ecuadorian snacks or meals))
Sunday: We were supposed to all have talks as missionaries. The bishop scheduled us all to give 5 minute talks about missionary work with members, christlike attributes, etc. He told me that I would fill in whatever time there was remaining. I figured Anziano Hansen and Castronovo would just give 2 minute talks (they don't speak italian because they are new), I was afraid I would have to give a 15 minute talk or something. Instead, the Sorelle talked over 5 minutes each, and I gave a 2 minute talk at the end instead. Yeah!
Saturday: hmmm, don't remember really. We do Correlation at out Ward Mission Leader's house every saturday (His name is Cristian and his house is along a beautiful ride near Arno), we speak of our goals, investigators, lessons, families, etc. We did a few pass bys and had success with one who wants to meet us later this week. We worked on one street in the Fog... it would have been more beautiful but we couldn't see much. Check it out on street view? Viadi Santa Margherita a Montici.
Saturday: hmmm, don't remember really. We do Correlation at out Ward Mission Leader's house every saturday (His name is Cristian and his house is along a beautiful ride near Arno), we speak of our goals, investigators, lessons, families, etc. We did a few pass bys and had success with one who wants to meet us later this week. We worked on one street in the Fog... it would have been more beautiful but we couldn't see much. Check it out on street view? Viadi Santa Margherita a Montici.
Friday: Christmas, we had a luscious Peruvian lunch with the Cabezas family (another breathtaking ride), we watched Big Hero 6, then went to the church to talk with our families. They are doing well... So am I
Thursday: We had a dinner with some great people (an American guy from Livorno dating a Sister Boschi here in Firenze) the food was great, the hospitality was amazing, we are grateful to the fullest degree. I am happy.
Sorry, no photos again. I am a little lame at that, but sometimes it is hard to send them.
Love all of you, gotta go!
Thursday: We had a dinner with some great people (an American guy from Livorno dating a Sister Boschi here in Firenze) the food was great, the hospitality was amazing, we are grateful to the fullest degree. I am happy.
Sorry, no photos again. I am a little lame at that, but sometimes it is hard to send them.
Love all of you, gotta go!
Anziano Isaac Benge
Wednesday, December 23, 2015
Buon Natale Tutti e Tanti Auguri
Happy Holidays everyone, This week is very very busy with Christmas and we've been trying to hand out so many 'E Nato un Salvatore' cards. We go caroling all the time, we give the cards out to members, and yet we still have thousands to give in just a few short days... Not. Christmas lasts here until January 6th and they celebrate it the whole way. (Not really Christ's birth, just celebrating in general.)
A main part of this week, yesterday, was Zone Training Christmas. It was a normal zone training, and then at the end we had some wonderful homemade eggnog from the Sorelle missionaries and chocolate mousse. There was also a gift exchange (secret santa) and I got Dutch waffles, and gave a famous Firenze tie and some Top Ramen. Yeah! And yes, I got my mail.. yay!
It's been overcast, but I love the weather. The people aren't really friendly, but I love being a missionary!!! I hope I don't forget to write about Christmas, that would be awkward, but I am really excited because we have awesomeness planned.
Another weird thing. We went to the Istituto Prosperius to set an appointment for an MRI on my companions back, but they couldn't schedule one except the day of... so we worked out the insurance (in Italian) and then scheduled an MRI for 2 hours later (in italian). Let's just say that I grew my vocabulary a lot on Monday. We did the MRI and we get the results tomorrow.
I am very grateful to be here in Firenze this Christmas, (although I also have to give a talk next sunday, darn). I love the mission, I love the people. I love Austin and Iyke, I love Mauro (who got the priesthood last sunday!). I love Italy.
A main part of this week, yesterday, was Zone Training Christmas. It was a normal zone training, and then at the end we had some wonderful homemade eggnog from the Sorelle missionaries and chocolate mousse. There was also a gift exchange (secret santa) and I got Dutch waffles, and gave a famous Firenze tie and some Top Ramen. Yeah! And yes, I got my mail.. yay!
It's been overcast, but I love the weather. The people aren't really friendly, but I love being a missionary!!! I hope I don't forget to write about Christmas, that would be awkward, but I am really excited because we have awesomeness planned.
Another weird thing. We went to the Istituto Prosperius to set an appointment for an MRI on my companions back, but they couldn't schedule one except the day of... so we worked out the insurance (in Italian) and then scheduled an MRI for 2 hours later (in italian). Let's just say that I grew my vocabulary a lot on Monday. We did the MRI and we get the results tomorrow.
I am very grateful to be here in Firenze this Christmas, (although I also have to give a talk next sunday, darn). I love the mission, I love the people. I love Austin and Iyke, I love Mauro (who got the priesthood last sunday!). I love Italy.
Questions, comments, ideas, I'm always here:
-- isaac.benge@myldsmail.netAnziano Isaac Benge
Wednesday, December 9, 2015
Florentino Fun
I definately sent an email last week; where it went, I know not.
Anyway, the good news for this week is that I am in Florence, (Firenze) and that we got transfer calls, and Anziano Hansen and I will be both staying here. Joyous news!
Other really goodnessess: Mauro is being baptized this Saturday by Anz. Hansen because he's been interviewed (surprise) and everything was just thrown together, but here we are! That will be great to see.
Good news: Tomorrow I should have my Permesso di Soggiorno again, I'll be heading up to Padova really early in the morning to get my replacement. It will be so nice not to worry about that! Friday we have a doctor appointment for Hansen's knee, and hopefully that will happen and we can figure that all out too.
The work is really steaming down the track, we get wrapped up tight and do work in the cold and it's so fun and happy. truly
We meet with Fratello Bravo, he's from Ecuador and we made him American Bacon Jalepeno Burgers with Scamorza Affumciata as the cheese. That was super good! I miss burgers sometimes. I bore my testimony in church. Pdays we visit museums (like: The Uffizi and Piazza Vecchia and Galleria Accademia), I couldn't be happier.
Tuscany is amazing, the people are amazing. The mission is amazing.
This week the Sorrelle Missionarie had a really good idea, they decided to wrap our Christmas Bigliettini (pass along cards) in gold wrapping paper, tied with a silver bow. The message is of Christ: christmas.mormon.org
or here: natale.mormon.org
and we took the Gift of Christmas to Piazza Sant'Ambroggio and did some caroling in Italian! We handed out so many of those gold wrapped cards! It was amazing and spiritual, the best part was that 2 random men jumped in and sang with us on one of the Italian hymns. We are definitely doing that every Sunday night now! Very effective and heart-warming.
Shout out to Anz. Hansen's mom who gave us 25 small gifts for Christmas, we open one every day as directed and it makes our mornings!
I love you all, I hope I explained enough because I gotta go! Any questions, ire, comments, or rhetorics?
--
Anyway, the good news for this week is that I am in Florence, (Firenze) and that we got transfer calls, and Anziano Hansen and I will be both staying here. Joyous news!
Other really goodnessess: Mauro is being baptized this Saturday by Anz. Hansen because he's been interviewed (surprise) and everything was just thrown together, but here we are! That will be great to see.
Good news: Tomorrow I should have my Permesso di Soggiorno again, I'll be heading up to Padova really early in the morning to get my replacement. It will be so nice not to worry about that! Friday we have a doctor appointment for Hansen's knee, and hopefully that will happen and we can figure that all out too.
The work is really steaming down the track, we get wrapped up tight and do work in the cold and it's so fun and happy. truly
We meet with Fratello Bravo, he's from Ecuador and we made him American Bacon Jalepeno Burgers with Scamorza Affumciata as the cheese. That was super good! I miss burgers sometimes. I bore my testimony in church. Pdays we visit museums (like: The Uffizi and Piazza Vecchia and Galleria Accademia), I couldn't be happier.
Tuscany is amazing, the people are amazing. The mission is amazing.
This week the Sorrelle Missionarie had a really good idea, they decided to wrap our Christmas Bigliettini (pass along cards) in gold wrapping paper, tied with a silver bow. The message is of Christ: christmas.mormon.org
or here: natale.mormon.org
and we took the Gift of Christmas to Piazza Sant'Ambroggio and did some caroling in Italian! We handed out so many of those gold wrapped cards! It was amazing and spiritual, the best part was that 2 random men jumped in and sang with us on one of the Italian hymns. We are definitely doing that every Sunday night now! Very effective and heart-warming.
Shout out to Anz. Hansen's mom who gave us 25 small gifts for Christmas, we open one every day as directed and it makes our mornings!
I love you all, I hope I explained enough because I gotta go! Any questions, ire, comments, or rhetorics?
Anziano Isaac Benge
The Uffizi museum
other casual famousness at the Galleria Accademia
the Cathedral from vantage of the tallest tower at the 'Town Hall'
The Uffizi museum
other casual famousness at the Galleria Accademia
the Cathedral from vantage of the tallest tower at the 'Town Hall'
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