Week #104 – Please Desire It

Hello Everyone,

I would say this week we are back in the swing of things. President Pickerd has returned and it is great to have him back because now we can look ahead and move forward with the upcoming week. I will dearly miss President Euvrard and all he was willing to sacrifice to come here on such short notice and preside over the mission while President Pickerd was away.

So last P-Day we went to the Sistine Chapel. It is pretty incredible but if I could add in my two cents I would say to skip everything and just go to the Sistine chapel and spend all your time there because it’s huge and extensive and it’s really the only thing worth seeing in all honesty. There’s your Anziano Friedman travel tip for the week.

Tuesday we moved the Rome 5 Sorelle to their new apartment. They moved from one nice apartment to an even nicer one! Those spoiled Sorelle.

In the midst of the move I learned that in the August heat of a southern Italian summer I can sweat to the point that it cascades off of me like the Trevi Fountain. Oh well. I personally don’t mind it but sometimes it affects others, in which case it makes for a funny story.

This week as I was going about the process of writing dedica letters (I don’t know how you would say that in English, I tried). I realized how important it is to truly observe people and get to know them. I understand life is busy. Trust me, the mission is busy in its own way but there’s not much excuse for us as people to not take moments to truly watch and learn from others on a daily basis. Every day is a lesson and that lesson usually comes from those around us. Christ was the perfect example of this. We must do the same. I can say that one of the greatest lessons I have learned has been developing authentic genuine love for others through seeing them for who they are. I feel unfairly blessed to have been able to have served with so many incredible people that have taught me such unique things that I will forever carry with me.

Wednesday we had an extensive planning session with President Pickerd discussing all of things that would be necessary in preparation for MLC and zone conferences. It’s incredible to see the vision President Pickerd has for the mission. The potential he sees is so inspiring.

Even though this MLC was over videochat it worked super well for once because we used something other than Skype and it gave us virtually no problems. It’s the little victories in life. We had a great meeting discussing and deciding tons of different things that we believe will help the mission progress. After all that is the point of these meetings, to set plans in place for growth as an entire mission.

This upcoming week we will be doing 4 zone conferences from Monday to Saturday. I’m looking forward to seeing all of these missionaries again and work alongside them if time permits.

I want to testify of my Savior. Representing Him is the most beautiful experience I can describe. There have been periods of anguish and confusion, but they have been wholly overshadowed by the immense grace, love, peace, and strength I have felt from learning to be as Jesus Christ is. I know that I am weak, my limitations are great, but I have seen those limitations be lifted from me in the moments it was most necessary so that I could be what Heavenly Father needed me to be. I know this can be true for each of us and it starts with a pure heart. We must desire it. So please desire it. Strive to be better.

Recognize that you can’t do it by yourself and ask for help from the only source that can give you what you need to overcome.

I love you all,

Anziano Friedman