What were you grateful for this week?I was grateful for the opportunity to go to church this Sunday. The bishop and the ward were amazing and treated me like family. 

What was the most difficult or challenging part of this week?The most difficult part of this week was still being sick. I went to the hospital and I have an ear infection that’s not getting better.

Tell us about a “wow” moment you had this week. A WOW moment I had was they love when you come to do things with the family and feel like you are apart of the family and so I went to lunch with their whole family-grandparents and all and they were so happy. 

Tell us about your week! After my crazy weekend last weekend I decided to take it easy this week. I went to the hospital with my host mom to get my sickness checked. They told me I have an ear infection so I got a bunch of medicine that I hope helps clear it out soon. It’s been miserable because I can’t hear out of my right ear. But it hasn’t kept me from my adventures. 

This week on Saturday I met some other au pairs that are living here in the south. I met them through connections with my host family and Facebook. We all met in Bari at a place called Polignano a Mare. It was absolutely beautiful! It’s this cute little beach town and a rocky beach below. We had a fun time walking around this cute town and hanging out on the beach. We all were swimming in the ocean at one point and all just said to each other “is this even real?” Sometimes I don’t believe where I am. That I was swimming in the Adriatic Sea in Italy! It all just feels like a dream! 

Southern Italy has some beautiful places and I am so lucky to be living here. This Sunday I was also able to go to the ward closest to me. I got in contact with the bishop and he arranged a ride for me to come to church. It was one of the best sundays. This Italian ward was nothing but loving to me. They welcomed me with open arms! The bishop asked if I would bear my testimony and it felt like I was a sister missionary again. I loved it! Moments like these I will cherish forever!