Grosseto

Whenever I get back from traveling, I'm always asked "So what was your favorite thing about it?" I was wondering what I was going to say. On Monday I took the train to Grosseto and spent Monday evening and all day Tuesday with missionaries Frank and Jenny Maietta and their three kids Frankie, Nonna (it's a nickname), and KT. I had a blast. They took me to the beach and to a nearby castle on Monday.

Before I continue writing about what we did I must write about the Maietta family some more to help clarify some things. Frank is Italian; his parents immigrated and then hooked up with each other in America. When Frank was 11 they moved back to Italy. Frank went back to America for high school, and then he joined the Marines. After that he went to Ambassador and met Jenny. They've been in Italy for one year and four months. Frank's mom lives in Grosseto, and rents one of the apartments above her house to Frank and Jenny. Frank's mom, Rita, has been an amazing witness. Most of the people that go to their church go because of Rita's witnessing.

On Tuesday Jenny and I rode bikes to centro. She took me around the town and bought me coffee, but this was not just ordinary coffee. It was called "Rosa." First they put chocolate syrup in the glass like Arby's puts the syrup for their Orange shakes. Then they filled the glass with pink whipped cream. Then they poured the coffee in the glass and sprinkled cocoa on top. It was SO good! After that we went back to the Maietta's house. Rita fixed lunch, and boy was it good! We had calamari, which I liked a lot. From 3-6pm I went with Jenny to her language class. Her class is definitely better than mine! Hers is more organized.

I was helping Jenny get supper ready, and Frank started joking around about leaving me with the kids while they went on a date. I told them to go; I didn't mind babysitting. Instead Frank said Jenny and I should go out for pizza, so after dinner was all ready for them we went for pizza. I got a Calzione, which was amazingly good. Jenny and I got to talk a bunch. It was SO nice being able to talk to someone near my age.

I love their family. I hated leaving. They offered to let me stay for the rest of my time in Italy. I was tempted, but I'm pretty sure the Bloyds would have been offended.

Jenny asked me if there was only one place I could take my parents where would it be. I have to change my answer to be Grosseto. She also asked who the one person I'd want to introduce to my parents would be. I'd have to change me answer to be Rita. I would love to tell Rita's story, but it's not mine to tell.

Anyways, Grosseto and the Maiettas were an incredible blessing. I'm so thankful God allowed me to go.

The rest of this week has been interesting. I've been trying to get caught up with homework. I did get to study Roman history in Rome, which was really cool. I saw a picture of the Coliseum, and I could say "hey, that's right down the road." I got to talk to Vinny after language class last night. He asked where I was, so I told him I was visiting missionary friends. He said he kept looking at the door whenever someone came in hoping it was me. Then he added "don't think bad. think positive." lol He's so funny. Pray I can get a chance to talk to him before I leave! I only have 4 more classes before I leave.