Hey guys!

I'm glad everyone is doing well. I am so excited for the Skype call here in a few days! It will be so great to see you all and to talk to you all! I can't wait!

We have had a great week so far and we are working our way towards Christmas! I am so excited! We have a surprising amount of invites but we want to spend most of the time with non-members and those in particular who do not have a family or someone to spend Christmas with. We'll talk more about when we'll do the call, but it will be Christmas Eve for sure.

This week has been somewhat peculiar in Siracusa because since Thursday and ending today there has been the 'Festa di Santa Lucia': St. Lucy is the patron saint here in Siracusa so there has been a lot of festivities, processions, concerts, etc. It was neat though because nearly everyone (or it seemed like everyone) in Siracusa all gathered at the city center where they carried a gigantic beautiful silver statue of this saint through the city from the cathedral to another church that shares her name. 

We said goodbye to Stefania on Friday and she is really excited to be going to America. She wants to stop by in Apple Valley and say 'hey' to you guys when she goes from L.A. to Vegas! I was jealous that she might hug you guys before I do!!! We had a really nice last visit with her and I'm thankful for the friendship that we have made and that will continue. After our visit with her we were invited to a presentation of a book relating to the problems and history of Tibet. 

Our investigator Giuseppe is doing well and making a lot of progress! We have almost got him to church... But it is really hard for him! Pazienza! 

On Sunday we had a miracle happen! A lady named Ida from English course showed up to church! We had invited her awhile ago and then she had never came, but then she randomly showed up and it went very well! She loved church so much and was very interested in everything. Sunday night at five o'clock we were waiting in church for an appointment with a contact that wasn't coming, and then all of a sudden Ida showed up, asking questions about the Book of Mormon I gave her in church a few hours before! We had a great lesson with her (she even brought 2 friends) and I actually just heard from her and we'll have a lesson with her tomorrow! Things look very positive with her and I'm very excited!

Yesterday was a bit sad because we went to the funeral of a less active'.s wife who passed away. He was very happy to see us there, and it makes me feel content that we have already been seeing him often so we have a great friendship that will be nurtured especially during this difficult time for him. He is 87 years old so this loss will be very tough on him but he seems to handling it well.

We sung carols at a convalescent home with the youth and it was a great experience. I made it a goal to speak to and salute every resident in that home and I'm glad I did because I talked to some very beautiful people. One man that will celebrate his 100th birthday tomorrow! One lady that reminded me of an Italian version of Grandma Lacey said that I reminded her of one of her sons and she began crying and clung unto my hand. It was such a beautiful little moment and I'm so glad for little acts of service we have and to do things that the Savior would do.

We have a few other appointments and I have to go! We are really busy but I'll get back to you soon and let you know for the Skype call! I love you all so much! I love you Dad, I love you Mom, I love you Morgan, I love you Brooke, I love you Heather, and I love you Greg! Have a great week! I'll talk to you on Monday!!!

Con affetto, 

Anziano Clay Lacey