Art Linkletter was right . . .

Kids say the darn'est things!

Here is a picture of Derek & Valerie’s family. David is the oldest, he turned 6 last week; Cheyenne is next, she will be 5 in early January; and Emily was born 4 days before we went to the MTC to start our mission, she just turned 1 late August. Not that I’m prejudice, but, what a cute family!

Valerie was talking to us today and telling stories about the children.

It seems, Cheyenne is quite the little housekeeper.

Valerie was lying on the couch and Cheyenne brought Emily to her, and in the "I think I am quite grown-up" voice said, "Here, watch your baby! I'm trying to do the laundry!!!!"

I am thankful for my experience in Italy.

The weather this fall has been absolutely WONDERFUL! It has only rained a few times; but, when it rains it POURS! Last year, after, Halloween, it was rainy and cold and rainy and cold. Luckily this year it has been very warm, for fall that is, during the day and relatively cool at night. We are grateful because it has been very helpful with our utility bill. We only run our heaters at night and in the morning when we take a shower. During the day we open the windows because it is warmer outside than it is inside.

Since everyone lives in such close proximity to each other, their houses are made to be as fire resistant as possible. They do not use wood in the construction of their homes; instead they use clay or concrete blocks. They do not use insulation or sheet rock either; they plaster the inside walls and put a skim coat of mortar on the outside. Even the paint is a white-wash which makes wiping the walls impossible without taking the paint off. They do not use carpeting, but all the floors have tile everywhere. Our window casings and sills as well as the door jams are marble. This gives the home a lot of character but it really keeps the outside temperature, whether hot or cold, transmitted to the inside of the house.

Our central heat is furnished by radiators on the walls. These are fed by a gas boiler (hot water heater). My mom and aunt will understand the advantages and disadvantages, but for those of us who have grown up with central heat/air conditioning, we are at a loss. In our apartment, thanks to the previous missionaries, we also have heat/air conditioning units in the living room and our bedroom. We also use small space heaters in the two bathrooms.

We have a built in control that helps us reserve our electricity; our electric meter. We can only run two appliances at a time. If we run a third, it flips our meter and the electricity to the apartment is shut off. When that happens we have to go downstairs and flip the switch to turn it back on. What a pain! (I can see the Drapers laughing right now.) But, I'm glad since electricity is very expensive and this helps us keep our costs down. So it turns out to be a blessing in disguise.

I can see why older people are usually wiser than younger people, at least that is how it was for me when I was younger. I'm finding that I become wiser as my experiences increase. I am so grateful for the experiences I have had here on my mission. My eyes have been opened to a way of life that has changed me. I am open to learn not only the way other people do what they do, but also to ask myself why and how does this knowledge help me become a better person.

I see that I have grown spiritually while on my mission. I think a lot of this growth is because I have been totally focused on the gospel of Jesus Christ and the Plan of Salvation. As I study to learn the truth of the gospel in such depth as I have not done so before and as I teach others, the Lord also is teaching me. He is opening up my mind to the things of eternity. I have always said to my children, "it doesn't have eternal consequences". I am learning a deeper meaning to that phrase. Some of the things I thought were essential to have or to do don't seem as important as before. I am learning to do with less and I am perfectly happy and content.

And I'm still alive!

Another part of Italy that has penetrated our lives is the cost and availability of some foods. Milk, cheese and meat are extremely expensive so they are used as condiments or sparingly used to flavor the food. The bulk of their meal is pasta and rice and lots and lots of fruits and vegetables.

Where have I heard this before????

. . . The order and will of God in the temporal salvation of all saints in the last days . . . a principle with a promise . . . all wholesome herbs God hath ordained for the constitution, nature and use of man - . . . every fruit in the season thereof . . . flesh of the beast and of the fowls of the air, I, the Lord, have ordained for the use of man with thanksgiving; nevertheless they are to be used sparingly . . . All grain is ordained for the use of man . . . to be the staff of life . . . that which yieldeth fruit, whether in the ground or above the ground . . . And all saints who remember to keep and do these sayings, walk in obedience to the commandments, shall receive health . . .

I hope to come back a wiser and healthier person.

I LOVE being on a mission! Words cannot describe the joy of missionary work. How great it is for the youth of our church to have this experience at the beginning of their adult life where they now have such spiritual strength and a lot more wisdom as to the importance of decisions that will affect their eternal life.

We too have grown tremendously in the last year. A year! A year? We can't believe it's been a whole year since we have left our loved ones at home, yet at the same time it feels like we have been here our entire lives and will grow old and die here (don't worry kids, the Church is sending us our return ticket).

It has been very fascinating to view others and their relationship with God and their observance in their religion. Granted this is a highly populated area of Catholicism where the religion has been a major force for centuries, but as I look at others I reflect on my relationship with God and my observance of my religion. Do I go to church just to go to church or for appearances to others; is my worship truly worship where I am focused on my Father in Heaven and my Savior Jesus Christ, to show gratitude for the blessings in my life, to renew my covenants with the partaking of the sacrament with real intent, to learn what I should learn, to serve as He would serve? I think this is a constant concept we must ponder on and continually work at if we are to become the people of God, a Zion people.

This is what I am learning as a missionary. To be a truly righteous daughter of God, and show my gratitude by doing the things He would have me do; to take upon me his name and do his will:

• To love God with all my heart, might, mind and soul;
• To love my neighbor as myself.

This is what I am learning to do to a greater degree than ever before and I love the feeling of joy and peace I receive by doing this.