April 9, 2012

Hello Everyone!
   The meals situation in Naples is not one of its positives. I have eaten with members only three times in the past six weeks and was very depressed at the prospect of Top Ramen or Mac and Cheese for Easter dinner. Luckily God heard the silent prayers my stomach was offering and President Thompson (counselor in the mission presidency) and his wife took pity on us. Yesterday I ate the most delicious AMERICAN Easter dinner I have had in years. (I know I sound pathetic right now, but you don't realize how much you miss real food until you get it again.) It was the most beautiful spread of ham, sweet potatoes, and rolls (funnily enough, my Dad and younger brother Erik had the EXACT same thing in Utah!). I ate at least five rolls and almost cried as I held the first buttered and jammed delicious morsel of heaven in my hands (Sister Thompson couldn't decide between laughing and taking a picture of me or crying because she felt so bad for me!). I had an amazing Easter. Sister Thompson even made us little Easter Baskets with our names on them...I felt like a queen!
   On the spiritual side of things...Easter truly was a beautiful day. The talks at church were excellent and we spent some really good time with some struggling members at the end of the day. We even came across a part member family that wasn't on the records and that we are going to begin teaching (my specialty!). Transfers were on Saturday and both my companion (Sister Furse) and I are staying here in Naples. I will almost certainly finish my mission here in Naples, which is a good thing since there is so much work to be done. The truly exciting news from transfers is that Elder Boud is coming down here from St. Pete! He is the most obedient and hardest working elder I have served around, and I am VERY excited to be serving with him again. Look out Naples, things are going to start moving.
   I hope you are taking the opportunity to enjoy God's creations as spring comes again. I am truly in a paradise and love seeing the hundreds of colors of green that are all around me. I have enjoyed the time I have spent in Naples so far, and look forward to at least six more great weeks. I know the Lord has many miracles planned for this area and am grateful to be a part of the work here. We have a lot of work to do, somehow we have to find a way to replace the eight strong families that are moving out of the ward in the next three months. I know we can do it, but we have an uphill battle ahead of us!
I love you all!,
   Hermana Levanger