Buon giorno famiglia!! Everything is going great here in Lecco, we are
starting off pretty much "blind" because we don't know the area or any
members, but we are working hard, and it we are excited to do the Lords
work, even if it is difficult sometimes.
So you will all be interested to know that I am writing this email
from one of those "demo" computers in the computer store lol. It's called
Media World, and Anziano Francum (him and his companion Anz Guzzle are our
new roommates in Lecco) told us that he does it all the time, because there
is only one little computer at the church, haha. So this is quite the fun
time...I'm using the latest version of the Macbook or whatever it's
called...fancy schmancy! For P day today we had a little excursion to
Bergamo, and it poured rain on us all day, so we are soaked haha. "It's
all part of the experience Russ" ;)
But anyways, so about the work! We have been doing a ton of finding
work, fixing up our bikes (yes! we get bikes!), and definitely praying for
inspiration on what to do and where to go. There are 4 if us missionaries
in Lecco. It's quite the change from San Remo, but I don't mind it that
much. I'm not a huge fan of change in general, but I'm gonna get used to
it one way or another, haha :)
I read a few really inspiring quotes the other day from old general
conference talks that I wanted to share. One was from President Monson,
who said something to the effect of "Tax your talent...and the Lord will
make you equal to your challenges..." That really hit me pretty hard. Tax
your talent. I have had a lot of chances to ponder about this glorious
work and the gifts and talents that the Lord has given me, and how I can
best use them to bless the lives of others. I have been given so much; we
all have. To be a part of this glorious gospel is such a blessing, and
with that blessing comes 2 things. A responsibility to share and serve
others, and trials. God tries those that He wants to grow. We had an
investigator ask us the other day: "But why is it that the people who try
to follow God and do the right things always have such a hard life?..."
That question got me thinking about it myself...it's one of those
"questions of the soul" questions, that really comes from the heart. As I
was pondering about the answer, I came to this conclusion: that those who
manifest to God that they are willing to follow HIm, He must try, and
chasten, so that they can grow. Because He loves us, and knows that we can
overcome these things. So in a way...trials are kind of a "compliment" if
you will, from God. Saying "Well done my son (daughter), here, have this
trial and grow even more." Elder...D Todd Christopherson I think it was
said something like "those who God loves, He chastens...". I really have
seen that in my life, and in my mission. The "elect" souls, who always
desire to do the right things, always have trials and troubles that don't
seem fair. But the wonderful thing about trials is that they always make
us grow. How thankful I am for the trials that the Lord puts into my life,
to test me and help me to grow.
It's also interesting to me that President Monson said "..and the Lord
will make you equal to your challenges. Equal. We will be able to overcome
our challenges, but it won't be just given to us. One of the wonderful
things about this gospel is that it requires work. How thankful I am for
the people in my life who have shown me how to work, and have been examples
to me of diligence.
My short time as a missionary has been so wonderful, I have really
learned to "search" the scriptures and words of the prophets and apostles
here on the earth, rather than simply "read" them. I have been so humbled,
and I am thankful for the Lord putting these things in my life. We all can
be a little more humble. I truly am just so blessed, and thankful for all
of you. Your prayers in my behalf are felt, and I know with all my heart
that the Lord is strengthening me every single day. This time goes by SO
fast, I want to make the best of every minute of it. "Don't count the days,
make the days count". Thanks Uncle R'Dale (so sorry if I misspelled
that...blame it on the Italian...haha) :)
So we had a wonderful miracle here in Lecco yesterday. Like I said
before, we are basically starting from scratch, and don't have hardly
anyone to teach yet, so we have been doing a lot of strada (street
contacting). And yesterday, after about 20 "No me interessa" "Ciao"
"Grazie" and "no, no, no"s, we finally found someone receptive to our
message! We set up an appointment with her for Friday, and she is super
excited to speak with us! And so, we felt pretty awesome about that. So
we kept on walking and talking, and the next 3 people were the same way!
We spoke with each of them for 10 or 15 minutes, exchanged numbers, and we
are going to call them to set up more appointments! It makes me so happy
to go out and talk to people. Just talk about Jesus, and the blessing that
His gospel is in our lives. It's such a privilege to wear this badge. The
Lord truly does put people in our path; we find the most willing souls in
the most unsuspecting...if that's the word? haha oh no! My English is
fading! haha. unsuspecting places. It is such a marvelous thing to me.
The Lord's hand is in this work.
Well, I love you all so much, and hope everything is going well in
good ol' 'merica. I pray for you all every night!
Love,
Anziano Wilson
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