Sorella Williams: PALIO!!

Ciao!

Well this week has been all about America and not just because of the fourth! It seemed like every person I talked to this week was an American tourist! But I had many cool experiences because of it.

It's weird going back and forth talking about the gospel in Italian and then in English. When I talk about the gospel in Italian I feel like Sorella Williams. When I talk about it in English I feel like Lindsay. It's super strange for me, but it's cool feeling like I can help those who are only in Italy for a little while and maybe when they go home something good will come from it.

There is a study abroad girl here who is our friend named Emily. She invited us to do a Q&A in front of her study abroad class. They are studying anthropology and wanted to learn about Siena from a missionary's point of view. I had no idea what to expect, but we agreed! Most all of the students were from Notre Dame and had a lot of great questions for us. I had to be on my A game. I had a feeling before we got there that the conversation would quickly go from "Siena" to "what the heck is a missionary and what do you do here all day" haha. Well that's exactly what happened. I had the chance to explain our church, our purpose here, share some of our basic principles, explain common ground with other religions, and then even bore testimony. I was really grateful for Emily giving us that opportunity.

The REAL big event of this week though was the PALIO!!!!!!!! Holy smokes I've never seen a city more alive in my life. It's especially been cool for me since I have lived here for 6 months. I have seen how they carefully prepare all year long for a 90 second horse race. Our friends Emily and Rose saved us spots in the Piazza starting at 9 in the morning. We did some work that morning and then headed over by noon. The entire city was shut down. We had a front row space at the gate right next to the starting line. At the Palio you can either pay thousands for a seat on the side or scram in the middle of the piazza with thousands of sweaty Italians for free. It was the coolest thing I have ever seen. We waited all day in the hot sun until the big parade started at about 5 where all the contradas come out and present their flags, horses, and jockeys. It felt like you had stepped back in time because everyone was wearing medieval clothing with big suits of armor and swords just like how they would have done it centuries ago. Already the people were going crazy. Then they announced what order the horses were in for the line up. The jockeys were so savage!!! They would hit each other, whip each other with the horse whips, try to pull each other off the horse, all before the race even started!! It's so strategic and they were also speaking with one another and trying to make bets and bribes to lose or win. crazy stuff. Then it finally started and in the first lap 3 jockeys were thrown from their horses and one was trampled. In the end my contrada the LUPA WON. I couldn't believe it!! They haven't won in 17 years. When it ended we grabbed our bags and ran for the middle to get away from the people stampeding the track. In the middle I saw members of Istrice (porcupine) absolutely bawling over the loss. People were either crying of happiness or crying of sadness it seemed there was no in between. Such a crazy experience!! I was so glad I got to be there. The partying has not stopped since Saturday for Lupa.

Monday was the fourth of July and we had to wake up at 5 am to take an early train to make it to Florence in time to meet our new mission president, President Allen. I am excited to serve with him and his wife! They were so funny, kind, and smart. I felt the spirit strong as they spoke and you could really feel these two were called of God for this mission at this time. That night before I got into bed I started hearing all these fireworks going off! I thought IT'S A FOURTH OF JULY MIRACLE and ran to the window. The Lupa contrada was having a late party, but I pretended it was for America and our incredible independence day haha! I felt sad to be away from my country on the fourth, and it was especially weird for me to spend it with a British girl haha, but I am so beyond grateful to be an American. It's a great country and I love it with my whole heart.

I had great lessons this week with lots of different people. One being Michele. He is the boyfriend of a branch member. I taught him in gospel principles class while Barlow translated for gospel doctrines class. A member of the stake presidency Fratello Ianni joined me in the lesson. I absolutely love Fratello Ianni, he is brilliant and teaches so simply. One of the many things I love about the Italian people is their giving nature. This man is the definition of someone who gives their all for the gospel. He has not had an easy life. His wife is currently fighting cancer. And he still drives two hours down from Prato just to make sure the Siena people know he cares about them. The spirit was strong while him and I taught this man the restoration. You could feel Gods love for Michele. I'm excited to see him again.

Saturday is transfer calls and I'm excited and nervous. There is a huge possibility that I will be leaving Siena since I have been here for so long. This is all I know so it will feel like a whole new mission when I go to a different city. I have had so many wonderful experiences and met amazing people here. Siena will forever have a HUGE part of my heart!

Have a great week!

Love Sorella Williams