A (Long) (Insane) Week

Last Tuesday we went to Firenze for an exchange, Wednesday last we
went to Siena, then Thursday we were told by the mission to clean all
day to have a perfectly clean apartment then had English class (it
went well). And then Sunday rolled around; the ticket bought us
tickets to Milano (a massive train ride, may I say?) and we arrived in
the Lampugnano area chapel to hear from one of our beloved Apostles,
Elder Holland.
No, I didn't get a photo of him, but I can testify how strongly he
brought the spirit. Elder Holland shared about how strongly his
mission affected his life and gave us a lot of good counsel. I don't
have lots of time, but I will say that he advised us to be obedient so
that we might have the Spirit. The Holy Ghost is the third member of
the godhead, and sometimes we take that for granted.
He also reminded us that we missionaries are apostolic. Like him,
we are called representatives of Christ and his gospel. That is our
Full Time calling.
He finished, he shook all of the missionary's hands (actually he shook
our hands before the opening prayer), and then the meeting was over.
The office had prepared for us sack lunches. Our train left at 5, but
we missed it, and had to take the next one, which was at 6. The office
had also chosen this train for us...and it was WAY to long of a trip.
We endured another 5 hours on that train and got home after 11pm.
Yuck.
Most of our appointments have fallen through, we don't have many
lessons, and we have to spend long durations being clever in how to
contact people. Anyway, I know this mission is the best for me. It's
really hard but the 'salvation of a soul is the most important thing
any person can participate in'.(Elder Holland).
love you all!
--Anziano Benge
(Our district after a long day and hike: Freckleton, Carter, Johnson, Me)