Caro Famiglia!

Mia Famiglia! Come va? Voi Amo! It is now my P-day, and I have 30 minutes to send an email. I'm doing very well, enjoying the cannon center-esque food. I have eaten all sorts of strange things. One of them reminded me of Mom's chicken and rice casserole. It was essentially the same, but with broccoli, which entirely ruined the flavor. I have been in class for like the entire time I've been here. We've watched YouTube videos of the "6 billion others" project, had discussions about how to find out where investigators are spiritually, and generally had a good time. We've had italian lessons. I can now pray in Italian, and bear testimony in Italian. It may be kind of badly done, but I can. Io so che il profeta Joseph Smith e un profeta vero. I have learned that obedience here is taken extremely seriously. My room, of Anziani Jolley, Bolnick, Curtis, and Palmer, wake up at 6 am every morning so that we don't have to wait for the showers, and can have time to study before class. Mio capo distretto e Anziano Palmer. (sorry anyone who actually understands italian. I don't have accents. That translates to "My district leader is Elder Palmer.) Also in my district are Anziani Lesa, Zanni, Bona and Dunshee, and Sorelle Tressler, Johnson, Shuel, Costley, and Langham. We're a pretty tight group. When I went into the MTC on wednesday, 24 other italians came in as well. 3 of them are going to rome. That means that a LARGE portion of my mission is in the MTC with me right now. My companion, Elder Bolnick, is a convert to the church of 13 months. He is very bright, and has a love of the temple that rivals or betters mine. I'm very impressed. His family are not members, and disapprove of his being a member, let alone being on a mission. He has one sister and no brothers. He's from Herriman, UT, and went to Jordan High. I did an endowment session today. It was pretty great seeing all of my anziani in white. Some of them are very funny, and some are very quiet. Anziano Zanni is from Argentina. (Which mission did dad and Jeremy and Peter serve in?) Most of my anziani in my district are Utah boys, but there are one or two from colorado, idaho, and arizona. They're all wonderful people, and I love them. As I've been at the MTC, it's been kinda surreal, like a veil of forgetfulness of my life before has been laid down. When I get letters, though, I know I'm still alive. It's sometimes all I can do to convince myself that this is real life. It's a very strange feeling. I love you all! I hope life is going well for you! (Please send me letters to tell me about it.) Io so che Dio ci ama. With much love, Anziano Benjamin Jolley P.S. I'm sorry this is one giant paragraph. The enter key doesn't work. P.P.S. I'd appreciate a few family names being sent to me, as I can do them. P.P.P.S. Can you send me a backpack? or should I just buy one here? I can if that's needed.