And I still feel like I'm a new missionary. I have no idea how a year has passed already. This week I had to hide our calendar because I got so stressed seeing it in our study room. But, more on those reflections later.
Here in Caserta we rely heavily on trains and member's cars to get us around to various appointments. Which is great, because it means we have members present at many of our lessons, but is the pits when you can't find anyone to give you a ride. It happened this week that we had to figure out a way to get to an appointment with Julianne, and all of our ride options fell through. So we had the great idea to call up the Elders and borrow their bikes. And it. Was. Amazing. We pinned our skirts, through our purses behind our backs, and got going. It was the first time I've ridden a bike in a year and I loved it. We made it to the lesson, and just as the cherry on top, Julianne had an incredible mock baptismal interview. We're so excited for her and it's been amazing to watch not only her progression and excitement, but also the progression and excitement of her family. It was so good, we decided to take a victory loop around La Reggia di Caserta on our bikes before English course while it was all lit up. Probably my favorite mission memory thus far.
We miraculously ran into the cute couple that we're teaching while they were stopped in a traffic jam. They just yelled out their window for us, and we had a great conversation that ended in them inviting us over for lunch on Tuesday. First time I've ever been thankful for Italian traffic jams.
Other than that, our week was filled with some finding, member work, potential appointments, planning, and for me in particular, a lot of reflecting. Specifically on the question: How in the world has it already been a year? I swear I was just barely getting dressed up to "go downtown" even though the only stop was cheesecake factory. And wasn't I just barely talking with my grandma about how red suitcases would ward off anyone trying to steal my luggage? Didn't I just barely graduate??
But then the more I think about it, the more I realize how much this year has changed me, though it's been the fastest of my life. I've realized how much growth has taken place.
I can hold a conversation comfortably in Italian, when last year I knew how to say "bungiorno", "dov'รจ il bagno", and "dammi un baccio" (thanks mom for teaching me such valuable missionary phrases)
I've gained an embarrassing amount of weight in just pizza and gelato, when last year I was telling myself "I'll be walking all day, I can't gain THAT much"
I've learned how to be disciplined and commit myself to a schedule, when last year waking up any earlier than 8.50 was a huge burden.
I read from the scriptures daily and I see the effect they have on how I perceive the world and myself, when last year I just knew in theory the effect it could have.
I understand the importance of the restoration of the Church of Jesus Christ and what that means for us today, when last year I could hardly explain what a restoration was.
I know my Savior, Jesus Christ, and feel closer to Him than I ever have in my life. I know He lives. I know that he suffered for my sins, my pains, my shortcomings, just as He did for all of you. I know that He has a such a perfect empathy for us that we will never be able to fully comprehend just how much He can support us through our difficulties.
And I know all this because I've spent the last year trying my hardest to put His Atonement into effect in my life. And I'm completely convinced that that is why it has been the most rewarding, the most satisfying, the most uplifting year of my life.
I love this gospel and I love our Redeemer, Jesus Christ.
Vi voglio tantissimo bene
Sorella Maxfield
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