So I did the driving test last week but I cleverly did it on a public holiday so that the traffic was light. And my parallel park wouldn't win any awards but it was good enough for Elder Sears who gives the permissions to drive mission vehicles. But quite frankly, I only want to be a backup driver in case of emergency. Hermes says that driving here is like playing a game of chicken all the time. He's constantly having to figure out who's going to blink first, him or the other driver. Honestly, if people drove like this in Calgary, I can't imagine the incidents of road rage. But there really isn't road rage here. There's lots of honking, sure, but people don't get enraged like they would at home. Italians are artists and they're very artistic in their interpretation of lane definition and crossing roundabouts and... well, traffic laws in general. I think I'm almost getting used to it. Almost, I said.
Well, our office trainers, the Stevens, went home so now we are on our own in our roles in the mission office. Hermes has been very worried about keeping up on things and remembering procedures but I think it won't be long before he gets it down pat. Here he is at his desk:
Now this is not to say that I have my role down pat, but I think I'm keeping up so far. Hermes and I share an office but not work and I think that's good for us. We learned early on in our marriage that we couldn't get along cooking in the same kitchen, but it works fine if we are sharing space doing our own thing. Actually it's rather enjoyable this way. You know, if we each had our own kitchens at home side by side, that would be our ideal. Ha ha, as if.
Now this is not to say that I have my role down pat, but I think I'm keeping up so far. Hermes and I share an office but not work and I think that's good for us. We learned early on in our marriage that we couldn't get along cooking in the same kitchen, but it works fine if we are sharing space doing our own thing. Actually it's rather enjoyable this way. You know, if we each had our own kitchens at home side by side, that would be our ideal. Ha ha, as if.
In the Mission Office there is also the office manager, Brother Calabrese, who has been volunteering there for 16 years. Here's a picture of him:
He is such a good man. He retired from the navy at 48 and his wife eventually told him he needed to get out of the house and do something so he began working in the mission office. He deals largely with the missionary apartments, contracts, etc. He is also the Stake Patriarch. One day we will have to ask him his story about how he came into the church.
He is such a good man. He retired from the navy at 48 and his wife eventually told him he needed to get out of the house and do something so he began working in the mission office. He deals largely with the missionary apartments, contracts, etc. He is also the Stake Patriarch. One day we will have to ask him his story about how he came into the church.
There are also two office elders, both from northern Italy, Anziani (Elders) Calvagna and Gavez. They are great fun to work with as you can see from the picture of Anziano Gavez:
And Anziano Calvagna is always smiling and laughing. We'll miss them when they get transferred out of the office and/or go home.
In addition, there is another senior couple, the Sears. He is in charge of computers and technology, and she is the health liaison for the young missionaries. In other words, when health problems arise, they call her and she makes sure they get appropriate medical attention. That such a person exists in the mission field now really blew my mind. When I was a young missionary, I can't recall us doing much of anything when we got sick. We stayed home. We put up with things. Maybe we had to phone the mission president though I don't remember much. But if we did, it meant going out on the street and finding a phone box (we would say booth in Canada). All the missionaries have cell phones now. Now I probably sound like one of those people who say, "When I was your age, we had to walk to school up hill, barefoot in the snow both ways." Okay, okay. It's true. I do think these young whipper snappers have it easier than we did back in the 80s. Maybe I'm just jealous.
And Anziano Calvagna is always smiling and laughing. We'll miss them when they get transferred out of the office and/or go home.
In addition, there is another senior couple, the Sears. He is in charge of computers and technology, and she is the health liaison for the young missionaries. In other words, when health problems arise, they call her and she makes sure they get appropriate medical attention. That such a person exists in the mission field now really blew my mind. When I was a young missionary, I can't recall us doing much of anything when we got sick. We stayed home. We put up with things. Maybe we had to phone the mission president though I don't remember much. But if we did, it meant going out on the street and finding a phone box (we would say booth in Canada). All the missionaries have cell phones now. Now I probably sound like one of those people who say, "When I was your age, we had to walk to school up hill, barefoot in the snow both ways." Okay, okay. It's true. I do think these young whipper snappers have it easier than we did back in the 80s. Maybe I'm just jealous.
Anyway, there's also an office for the Mission President and his wife (the Waddoups) but they're hardly ever there. They are constantly travelling all over southern Italy. It must be exhausting! When I was a brand new convert to the church of 18, I thought it would be so cool to be a mission president's wife. Then I went on a mission and realized that it's the last thing one should ever aspire to. What a tough job! But I have to say that they seem to handle it with grace and positivity, as did the McKays back in the England Coventry days.
The mission home where the Waddoups live is a beautiful old Villa that was apparently originally built by Mussolini for his "niece"(nudge-nudge, wink-wink). I understand the mission has had it now about 40 years. We got to have dinner there last week with five new missionaries that arrived. Yup, I forgot my camera. No pictures this time.
The mission home where the Waddoups live is a beautiful old Villa that was apparently originally built by Mussolini for his "niece"(nudge-nudge, wink-wink). I understand the mission has had it now about 40 years. We got to have dinner there last week with five new missionaries that arrived. Yup, I forgot my camera. No pictures this time.
This past week was our first zone conference which involved two districts. The first part was run by the Zone Leaders and the Sister Training Leaders. They asked all the young missionaries to write down a moment when they felt really good and accomplished. Hermes turned to me and said, "When I paid the garbage bill yesterday." It made me laugh.
In the second part, the Waddoups had us all re-enact the Nativity story. And I was... you guessed it... a sheep! Baaaa! Hermes was a shepherd. Here's a picture of us.
In the second part, the Waddoups had us all re-enact the Nativity story. And I was... you guessed it... a sheep! Baaaa! Hermes was a shepherd. Here's a picture of us.
And here is the cow and the donkey. I have to say, this one you could probably have figured out on your own.
And of course you have to see Mary and Joseph with the Star.
Okay and I have to show you the picture of the four sisters who had matching sweaters. I thought they were pretty cute.
So that's our life right now. To end, I hope many of you have seen the following video that the church just released on social media, but if you haven't, here it is. Merry Christmas, everyone!
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