Mothers Day Phone Call home

How wonderful is it to get a call from Italy.

Drew is having the time of his life. We found out he is in an apartment with 3 other missionaries. the food is incredible, the people are wonderful, friendly (although not too interested in hearing about the LDS church). He has already had a few tough days where it was raining and miserable and wanted just to go back to the apartment, but still had more tracting to do.

The language is coming along well. He says he is able to understand about 3/4 of what is said, speaking is a different story, but his accent is forming nicely. He spoke to us in Italian while we were on the phone. This Wednesday, we hope to have a few pictures of the town or whatever he decides to send us.

Now we understand a bit more about his first baptism. The person, Claudio, is from Cuneo. In the MTC, his instructor gave him a profile of Claudio. He(the instructor) had known him in Cuneo. Claudio had been taught for several months, but just could not commit to baptism. another person played the role of Claudio in the MTC for Drew to practice teaching. When he got to Cuneo, his companion said they had an appointment with a "Claudio". The gears started turning for Drew. After much conversation, it was discovered that Drew was right, this was "the" Claudio he had gotten to "know" in the MTC. After the baptism, pictures were taken and will be sent back to his instructor to let him know that he was baptized.

Drew could not be any happier where he is. He loves the people, the town and the work. this made it easier for him to handle the very bad news of the passing of his cousin Brady only a few days before. We were blessed to be able to tell him over the phone instead of via e-mail. It was a hard blow to take, but he is doing OK. He looked up to Brady because he was older and was experiencing life a few years ahead of Drew.

He has been fed by some of the people there, it was incredible. 5 courses: an appetizer, a pasta course, a meat course, an ice cream course and a dessert course. He started at about 165 lbs, we will see what the final weight is when he comes home!!