Murano, Burano, vetro, e merletto

Oh dear friends, I have so much to report and so very little time. This was a week a bit difficult for us with the work being kind of slow and then having both a zone conference and a blitz at Verona but we have learned a lot and enjoyed a lot. Thursday's training was terrific and I was really glad to get to spend some time with other wonderful missionaries and learn together. Friday we were able to teach Ana about the temple and she is so excited to be there this week for the first time. I am so happy for her, I can't describe it. She is crazy, but so special. Saturday night we had a party for the close of English class. We helped Sorella Durazzani prepare the food, I made cakes to take, and we all ate far too much, but the indoor grill made everything delicious. We had a great time and I tasted panna cotta for the first time as well, which is quite good. Sunday church was great and afterward they had the film activity for couples and Fratello Lotito who is a psychologist did an introduction that was enlightening even for us as missionaries. I learned a lot and at the end everyone was touched. Sorella Canfild called us with a referral of a young girl who came to church on Sunday and her parents and we are excited to teach them. She says they are so ready for the gospel. We blitzed Verona and I got to go on a bike ride on the highway and into the countryside to teach an adorable lady named Silvana who was listening to Mamma Mia when we got there. She grew up at or near Firenze and was so sweet, even trying to feed us alcoholic cake. We reminded her about the word of wisdom and how we don't drink alcohol and she said, "That's okay. Next time I will make it with coffee." I love Italians. On the way home we had to wait to switch trains for an hour so we got Chinese food. Won ton soup and steamed things whose name I can't remember were delicious. For P-day we went to Venezia and then I was able to ride for the first time in a boat (more of a bus that floats on water in this case) to go to Murano and Burano two lovely islands by Venice. Murano is famous for glass and we were able to watch a group of men glassblowing, making a chandelier of sorts. It was  so beautiful. They almost never spoke to each other, but moved in sync to help each other complete each piece. It was like a dance with glowing bits of glass and fire. I was mesmerized. Unforgettable. Burano is adorable. The buildings are very colorful and the whole place is very small, but it is famous for lace and we went in so many stores just looking and touching and admiring the beautiful wonders they had there. It was a day I will never forget. I feel so blessed and lucky. To top off everything last night, we were able to teach Fratello Dall'Antonia's aunt, Lietta, and she was so sweet and open. I am happy to help give her some peace. Saturday Vincenza will get baptized and we are so happy. She is so ready and excited. Pray for her and for us. Sorella Modugno has to speak and I have to do the musical number. Just pray the spirit will be there and that everything will go well. I love you all so much and send you tanti bacioni da Italia!  Sorella Lloyd