22 Jan 14

This week flew again. Last week was pretty slow, but now that im used to Verona its starting to fly again.

I did a scambio with Anziano Christensen, one of the AP's, and it was a blast. Then zone training and interviews went well the next day, and work is really picking up here. We were doing really really well, and then 12 of our last 14 appointments fell through last second, so that was a bummer. Were back on track now though! 

There are tons of Nigerians in our area, so like half of our lessons now are in English. That kind of through me off a lot, but im getting the hang of it now. It was the hardest thing in the world to pray in english, because Italian kept jumpin out of my mouth.

So ive had some questions about my apartment. ITS AWESOME! Our bedroom is bigger than the whole Muggio apartment, our heating works, and we have an elevator!!!! I would not be sad at all to finish my mission here. 

Like I said, our area has tons of stranieri. Tons and tons of Shri Lankens also. Im not complaining though, because Verona is supposed to have the "coldest" people in Italy. One of our members said that Verona and Napoli are big big rivals because Napolitano's are so laid back. This area has been struggling a little, but we got our numbers up over the mission average this past week and should be pushing 20 lessons this week. 

For Christmas from Grandma and Grandpa, I got a Hellas Verona soccer jersey. They have some pretty jerseys, so im really happy with it. Thanks grandma and grandpa!

CONGRATS KATE ON BEING THE BEST SINGER EVER! That camp sounds like a lot of fun, im really proud of you! Im proud to say that I gave you all the musical talent that I had before I was born, so I feel like I played a major part in this as well :). 

Questions about the food, I havent eaten at a members house yet so I couldnt tell ya if its different. We always just cook or order "Pizza Love." If you get 20 pizzas, you get a free tee shirt, and I am determined to get it. The guys I live with are a big fan of pasta with red/pink/green sauce so ive been trying to eat lots of fruit and vegetables so I dont, like, die.

Things are going super well here! The weather today feels a lot like spring so im really excited about that! Thanks for all the prayers and love and support! Have a great week! I love you!!!

Anziano Christian Fife McKinnon

PS my bed is the far one :)

 

Verona apartment

Verona, Italy

08 Jan 14

Well, transfer results are in!  And theyre pretty shocking. So here is what happened. On Sunday, President calls the Assistants and Office elders, then Monday he calls the other leaders. So were expecting a call on Monday because Anziano Fiorentino is finishing the mission. So the Assistens call, and tell Anziano Benson who his new companion is. Then he hangs up. I was super bummed because I wanted to know what was happening with us super bad!

Then, five seconds later, President calls our phone. Anziano Atwood is getting transferred! He is going to Pistoia, which is down is Toscana, by Firenze. So here's the shocking part.

I am also leaving! Were getting white washed, and the missionaries who are replacing us are Anziano Davis, my trainer! Hes training again. I was nervous, because we didnt know who was coming in, but he will be awesome.

So im going to Verona! Its the city where Romeo and Juliet "took place." Here is the real shocking part. I got called as a Zone Leader. So I will be serving with Anziano Garner, and we'll be the Zone Leaders of the Verona Zone. How crazy is that?

Other transfer news you might care about: Sorella McCann is going to Genova to be a sister training leader, Anziano Simcox is going to Bergamo to be a Zone Leader also, Anziano Matau and Anziano Burton are both in Verona, so ill see them alot. Ill be living with Anziano Matau. Anziano Miller is staying in Morbegno, which is just north of Lecco. Any other questions about anyone, let me know. I may have aquired a master list of where everyone is.

Soooo I dont exactly know how I feel about being a Zone Leader. Im nervous, but Ill do my best and see how it goes. Im most nervous because we'll have a car and I really dont want to drive here in Italy. So we'll see how that goes.

I dont really know what to say. The last few days weve been writing down all the information about everything from our area so the new guys arent lost. Its crazy this next transfer ill hit my year mark. Time is goin waaaay to fast.

 We taught a professor of Catholic History last night. She did not agree with the apostasy, and says Moroni 10:4-5 means we need to live inside the history and traditions of the church. Some people just arent all the way ready.

Thats all ive got for this week! Im glad Florida State won the National Championship! And thats cool Amanda is going to UVU. We could be neighbors or somethin. Sorry I put football before my sister. I love her more, I promise. Have a good week everyone! Choose the right, and send some extra prayers this way! I love you!

Anziano Christian Fife McKinnon

01 Jan 14

Hey everyone, happy new years!

Ill start with the bad news first. For the 5th year in a row, I got deoderant for Christmas. Kate has gotten it for me the past four, and we went to see a member family this past week. The wife came up and handed us both a stick of deoderant. I dont know which part is more sad, the 5 year streak, or the fact that I got deoderant from someone who has lived in Europe for the past two years. (Shes Peruvian, so that kind of adds to it to). So maybe I should take a hint.

So last night we had a new years party in the church (it wasnt as fun as the Poulos'.) It was really cool though, because one of the Capi's investigators got engaged! I filmed it so dont eve worry. Then at midnight we were out on the balcony watching fireworks and stuff (President Dibb said its ok, im still an obedient missionary) and one of the fireworks that shoot in the air hit someone's house. I also got that on camera, so I finally have interesting pictures/videos of my mission now!

The rest of the night it just sounded like World War 2 because of all the fireworks and firecrackers so I didnt sleep very well. So if this email has mistakes, that is why.

Pretty normal week this week. Its crazy that transfers are next week and im starting number 8! That blows my mind. I think the mission is making me go crazy though, Anziano Atwood said that not only do I talk in my sleep, I laugh in my sleep. So, I guess im a crazy person now. 

Im glad my second package got home! You should all be proud of the shirt that was 85% off, because im extremelly proud of it. We have an addidas outlet pretty close to our house, so I was able to grab that.

As you can see, im just rambling. I really have nothin to report for this week. Were going to be super busy this upcoming week, and itll be weird because Anziano Fiorentino is finishing the mission at the end of the transfer. But yeah!

I love you all so much! I hope you all have a great year! It seems like 2013 just started, and now were in 2014. Just think, one year from now im basically almost home! Have a great week everyone!!!

Anziano Christian Fife McKinnon