The Reason We Are Here

Anziano Garrett and I are called as Member Leadership Support Missionaries. What does that mean? That means you do whatever assignment you are given by your Mission President. Some are asked to be proselytizing missionaries, some are asked to serve in leadership positions in the church unit, some are asked to help teach and find less active members in their church unit, and so much more. Anziano Garrett and I were asked to serve where the Palermo Stake President wanted us to and that was specifically with the Young Adults of Palermo.

GANS and Missionaries at our first day of Institute and Anziano Garrett's birthday

The Young Adults of Palermo are some of the most valiant people you will ever meet. Many are the only member of the gospel in their family. Many were baptized only in the last year or so. A few have served a mission, a few are attending the University, a few are working to support their family, some have attended the temple, currently we have one with a mission call and waiting, and others praying about a mission or not. All have dreams to be married and serve our Heavenly Father in the best way they can. All have dreams to be the best they can be.

In this post I want to introduce you to a few of them and how wonderful they are.

Let's begin -

Adeji - he has lived in Italy for about 10 years. He is attending the University of Palermo pursuing a degree in Engineering. I believe he joined the church about 2 years ago after seeing the missionaries on the streets and knew he needed to met them. Adeji works every summer in San Vito working 12 hour shifts at a restaurant to earn money for his schooling and for his family. He wants to go on a mission next summer and Adeji is the only member of the church in his family. Currently he serves as 2nd Counselor in the Palermo 3rd Branch Presidency.

Antonio - is perhaps the most dependable young person I know. He is always where he says he will be and doing what he says he will do. Antonio along with his brother and uncle are very active members of the church.  He joined the church as a young man. Also Antonio does not speak English, nor does he want to learn but somehow he and I are usually able to understand each other. Mostly he understands me. Ha!

Bernardo - is the best missionary around.  He was baptized about 2 months ago and tells people it is all about trusting God and having faith to follow Him.  He has the cutest little boy. He brings him to church whenever he can.

Carolina - is studying law at the University of Palermo, she plans on being a judge someday. She speaks English with me all the time and doesn't believe me when I tell her that her English is wonderful. We can talk for hours. Carolina loves the history of words and calls herself a "nerd." She was baptized 1 year ago and is a primary teacher in her ward. Carolina along with her sister Giula are the only members in their family.

Clara - has been a member of the church 2 or 3 years. She was introduced to the church through friends. She is studying social work. Clara is very kind and sweet. She serves in the Young Women program in her ward. She likes to hike. Clara is the only member of the church in her family. She is also very dedicated to her family.

Dennis - just received his mission call to the Milan Italy Mission! He leaves in 2.5 months and is counting down the days. Dennis is from Ecuador and was baptized there along with the rest of his family. He lives here along with his mother. His brother and sister are living in Ecuador. He has studied architect at the University but it is on hold while he works to save money for his mission and prepare for his mission.

Domenico - loves studying English, the Book of Mormon - he attends our Book of Mormon Institute Class although he is not yet a baptized member of the church. He likes to learn many things and really likes the missionaries.

Gabriele - is our Young Adult President and serves in the Young Men Program in his ward. He is very diligent and very helpful.  His heart is always for serving. He works with his father in home repairs and home remodeling. His family are 3rd generation members starting with his grandfather. He is always encouraging our young adults to be part of Institute and Family Home Evening. He is kind to everyone and like a son to us.

Ginevra - is our Institute Director, she also directs the music in her ward and serves in the Primary. Ginevra served a mission to the Milan Italy Mission a few years ago. Ginevra is finishing her thesis paper for her degree in translation. She has been a translator for me numerous times, both explaining to me in English or taking my words and translating them into Italian. She brings her 2 nieces to church every Sunday morning.

Giulia - is one of our Young Adult Counselors. She also loves animals and is a professional dogwalker. I want to be like her when I grow up. She is a vegetarian and got to swim with dolphins for her birthday in Hawaii, a dream come true. Giulia was the first baptized in her family a year and a half ago. It was on my birthday and a week after we arrived in Palermo. Now she has her sister, Carolina, as a member too.

Jacqueline - is from Brazil and came to Italy to establish her Italian citizenship. Both her parents joined the church before she was born. She speaks Italian, English, Portuguese, and Spanish. She has been a great friend and a great example for many in the gospel. She has a degree in Business but will be attending LDS Business College in the winter studying Entrepreneurship. We are thrilled because we will be able to continue in close contact with her in Salt Lake City.

John - is also from Ecuador and also one of our Young Adult counselors. John is the only member in his family and learned about the church through Foosball and his friend Dennis. John is finishing his last year in high school studying art and architecture. He also worked this past summer in San Vito working in an South American Restaurant late into the night. He is a great friend and would do anything for you.

Luca - is in Maritime studies at his high school.  He comes to all our activities although he is not a member of the church yet, "yet" as he says it. Luca is 17 and is very appreciative of kindness shown him. He says to me, "sister, give me a hug."

Michol - is finishing her degree in Chinese at the University of Palermo. She was able to study in China for a semester. She lives with her brother, aunt, uncles, mom, and grandma who are all members of the church. Michol is always happy to learn new English words and is never afraid to speak with me in English. She also loves my chocolate chip cookies along with Carolina.

Papon - is from Bangladesh. He is finishing high school in technology. Papon joined the church about 1 year ago and is the only member of the church in his family. He love the gospel and is dedicated to it, he also is very dedicated to his family.  He recently was able to go to Malta because his technology team at school won a competition and it was a great experience for him.

Simone - is the Executive Secretary in his ward at church. His father and mother are also members of the church. A year ago he was willing to be put on hold from his job because he wanted to go to the temple. He has since gotten his job back. Simone is very serious and very funny. He shares wise thoughts in our lessons.

Not pictured - Susy, Salvo, Alessandra, Roberta, Martina, Giuseppe, Costenza, Joel, Emmanule, Elizabeth, Anita, Daniele, Alessia, Giorgo, Matteo, Giorgia, Dario, Marco, Alessandro, Samuele, Ricardo, Michele, Chiara, Irene, Danielo

I think you see why we love these beautiful, wonderful young people! and why we love our service here.