Is It Always This Loud Here?

Friday morning we left early to go order the Thanksgiving turkey from Gino, the wonderful butcher we used last year. They don't have whole turkeys available here like in the US, so it takes some lead time to get one. The butcher offered to remove all the bones from the turkey. That's how they like to do it here. I declined, opting for the American style. Isn't it amazing that they do that? Next we went to the mall so Dee could get a bunch of stuff at Ikea, including comforters to replace what we gave to the Roma 3 sisters, as well as duvet covers and some kitchen stuff. It was great to have an hour to myself in Ikea, and a relief to finally pick up these things that we need. I rested in the car while she shopped. My cold is slowly getting better, with low energy being my main symptom now, but even that is improving. The weather is lovely, with a slight chill in the morning but just pleasant during the afternoon. Most Italians in such weather dress very warm, with medium jackets at least, while I wear at most a light jacket or sweater, although it would also be comfortable without any kind of coat.

Rhenald, one of our Roma 3 GANS from Nigeria, had his story included in a book just published on refugees entitled Let Me Tell You My Story. We will have to get a copy and read it when we get home.

 

When we got to the Institute, Jenna Perego was already there with a few more ladies. She had asked permission to be there, which was fine. Turns out they were video-recording some kind of interview in the library, so she had to come out and ask us to keep it down outside. Mariela, the stake president's wife, dropped by to bring a birthday cake and snacks/drinks for her daughter Valentina after Seminary class. We had a nice visit. They are great folks, and Dee has become a good friend. Sammy also came by for a while before going over to the Friendship Center. He is soooo skinny and always hungry, so we often offer him something to eat, which he reluctantly accepts and then enjoys. He is a very sharp guy, home from his mission six months and still looking for work, which happens here a lot.

I invited Sammy to family home evening. He said it wasn't his thing, so I asked him about it. He said he doesn't have a family. His family situation is complicated. I reminded him that this FHE is specifically for GANS who don't have a family FHE. I told him I know that his family situation is much more serious than mine, but I'm not sealed to my parents, either. He seemed to feel more welcome and suited to it, and will probably start coming.

Matteo, one of my Seminary students, came by early also. His high school is nearby, while he lives outside Rome, so it is easier for him to come study while waiting for Seminary. What a nice kid! He asked for some help with an assignment. They are studying the history of England, including some old poetry and prose, and he has to give a talk on some of it in English. Having already memorized at least ten minutes' worth, he needed somebody to listen to him and correct his pronunciation and grammar, which I was happy to do. It was fun, though it reminds me how difficult English pronunciation can be, particularly compared to Italian. In Italy, they have no concept of a spelling bee, because everything is phonetic, so everyone knows how to spell and pronounce everything. I really needed the time to finalize my lessons, but it was worth it to help him, as that is what we are here for.

We had seven kids in my Seminary class, a good-sized group. I gave a lesson on the Godhead, using several of the scriptures they are studying. Then we did some memorization games, followed by Bingo (their favorite), which also helps them learn since they have to figure out which scripture fits the clue I give. After somebody gets one bingo, we then continue to play for "dos bingos" and "tres bingos", which is Spanish, but they love it. By the end, we have gone through most of the 25 scriptures. They are doing well learning these scriptures, and we have a lot of fun together. Meanwhile, several of Valentina's school friends had arrived for the surprise party, and the group was able to achieve complete surprise. She is very shy and was overcome by it all for a minute (tearing up and running into the bathroom), but then everyone had a great time, enjoying chocolate cake with whipped cream, chips, pizza, and soda. Her friends are really nice girls. I was truly amazed that they were able to keep quiet for half an hour before Valentina came in. This was all from Mariela, so Dee didn't have to prepare anything for the class this time. Mariela is a great woman and mother, and has brought down miracles into her kids lives. I was really inspired by her stories of selecting Valentina's high school and the people who have gathered around her son Daniele and helped him through a rough patch. 

Seminary class, plus Ivan

Yum

Valentina (sitting, next to chair) with friends

Our Institute class was a little smaller than usual, mostly because a group of about a dozen of our kids were in Bulgaria on a trip together. Daniele, Valentina's older brother, had apparently organized the trip. His mission call just arrived, and the family will open it Sunday night. I think this was kind of a "farewell" trip for him. He is a sharp kid who has had some tough times recently, but he is now really excited to go serve the Lord. 

In our class we covered D&C 37,39,41, and 42, including a bunch of discussion on commandments and consecrating everything to the Lord. For the first time in a while, there was no translation going on, which made the lesson easier but perhaps not as fun. Anyway, I always love hearing from the kids and sharing my witness with them.

After class, Dee's crack chicken was a huge hit. She had been preparing chicken and bacon for several days. The dish was new to several of the kids, including Riccardo, who went gaga over it! If you're interested, you can find the recipe on Pinterest. He said I had outdone myself and his face showed how much he liked it. She also had a hot apple pie coming out of the oven just as class ended. Dario loves apple pie and jumped up and down. With slightly lower attendance, everyone had all they could eat and then some.

Crack chicken, ready to be put onto buns

 

We got home about 10pm, twelve hours after leaving home. The kids were still having a great time playing games in the library. It was a tiring day for both of us, but we love the energy from these great kids. David Perego, age 14, who was there all evening after Seminary waiting to go home with his brother Joshua, at one point during the dinner asked Dee "is it always this loud here?" The answer was "on Friday nights, yes!"