Buon giorno a tutti! :)
Wow, it was great to be able to Skype home and see so many bright, shiny faces for Christmas! :) I am so glad that everyone is doing well! This week has been pretty crazy, since our schedule was all switched up because of Christmas, but it has been good anyway! We spent Chrismas eve in the home of a huge Peruvian family with like 7 kids (reminded me of home!) and apparently their Christmas is at 12:00 midnight rather than in the morning...but we had to be home much earlier than that anyway). But yeah, it was a little...interesting for me, since my companion and all of them mostly spoke Spanish and talked about Christmas in Peru...but it was still an experience! :) haha
Christmas day was wonderful; we got to watch Monster's University since one of our roommates had bought it (hilarious!). And then we went to the Gerachi family's house for Christmas lunch. It was delicious! They are from Sicily, so we had a typical Southern Italian dish: Some delicious lasagna, and buttered brea with raw salmon and fish eggs. It was...interesting, but actually not all that bad! The lasagna was phenomenal though. And then after we had gorged ourselves almost sick we were invited over to the Tromeur familys' home for skype and Christmas dinner! (oh mannn!) haha. We were SO full by the end of the night it wasn't even funny! They are so nice though. The mom was like "We know that Christmas is a little hard on the missionaries, so don't worry, you don't have to eat everything that we have here (which was a TON). You should have seen the relief on our faces!
Well, as far as investigators go, it is going pretty well! A lot of them are still in their home countries until after the new year, but we have been able to meet with a few families who live here. The Michaels are still doing well, they continue to struggle a little because they are out of work, but their faith is so inspiring. They told us that all their friends are so amazed that they have been able to continue to live in their apartment for a few months, even without working. They Always express so much gratitude for the Lord and His goodness in their lives.
Martha is still preparing for her baptism, which we are still thinking will be a week from Sunday. But there have been a few things come up (like they Always do when an investigator is close to their baptism), but we are working through them together, and I know that her faith will pull her through.
We had a wonderful miracle this week! We had a HUGE success of a Christmas party for the ward (even though it was quite the struggle to fit everyone in the chapel--you'll see the video!), right after the block, and we had 7 investigators and 5 less active members that we were contacting and teaching, show up to sacarament meeting, and then stay for the party! It was Amazing! They just kept coming in, we were so happy to see them! We then watched the First Presidency Christmas Devotional together. It was really a special time.
We also watched the video "O come Emmanuel" by the pianoguys as a prelude to the devotional...I would definitely reccommend that! Wow. It brought the spirit so strongly into the room! (Although I must be allergic to it because my eyes were welling up a little) hehe.
Everything else is going well, it finally stopped raining after 4 days of non-stop pouring rain! The lake is practically over-flowing! It's a good time.
Well, sorry this email is a little short, our email time got cut this week since it's nt technically P-day today. But I love you all tons, and am so thankful for your prayers. I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas and wish you a Happy New Year!
Love,
Anziano Wilson
Sunday, December 29, 2013
Wednesday, December 18, 2013
DECEMBER 18, 2013
Buon Giorno!
Well, things are going great here in Italy. It's almost Christmas!!!! I am pretty excited for it, since we get to watch a disney movie, and my companion bought me "UP" for Christmas. So we are definitley watching that! :D But in other news...it actually isn't that cold these days, it has either warmed up or I am just immune to the cold due to my superpowers. (I'm pretty sure it's the latter, though)...It's been really hard keeping my superpowers a secret from my companion, but I'm hanging in there. ;) No, but no snow STILL! Man, all I want is a white Christmas! So pray for snow in Lecco :)
Our investigators are doing really well! Last week was kind of a bummer because we couldn't meet with a lot of them, and a lot are still gone to visit family, but this week we met with a lot more, and met with two, Fanny and Hassa, that we hadn't been able to meet for over a month! So we are really excited about that, they are both really great! Hassa invited us over to his house after our lesson at the train station to come teach his family one day, so we are trying to do that; and Fanny has read all the way up to Alma in the Book of Mormon, even without us being able to meet her due to work! It is amazing!
Martha is still doing really well in preparing for her baptism on the 29th, Dallin expressed his excitement that both me and him are going to have a "White" Christmas. Get it? White. :) Haha, I thought that was pretty great.
The Michael Family has been so blessed this past month or so, thank you all so much for your prayers. They still need them. But the husband bore his testimony to us the other day about the Lord's hand he has seen in their lives. He told us that people that they have never met before will ring the doorbell, and say "Is this the Michael family?" and they will respond yes, and they will give them a huge basket of food, or 50 euro in a envelope to pay their light bill, or something amazing like that and say "We just felt like we would stop by and see how you are doing" And then they just leave. and they have no idea who they are. Or he said that he will be out and about looking for work, and someone will invite him into thier house to eat a nice lunch, and he realizes that he has never met them before, but they say that they had some extra food and wanted to invited someone in. Or he also related an experience where someone (who he assumed to be working for the gas company) called him out of the blue, and asked him how much his gas bill was. He told them (it was like 100 euro or something), and the next day he called the company back to see how he was going to pay it, and it had already been paid! There are so many amzing miracles going on. I just sit back awe-stricken at it all. The Lord is so wonderful!
All our other investigators are doing well, we are working with a few others to get a baptismal date set; this truly is a time when the Lord is hastening his work. As our mission president said a little while ago: " The time of the planting seeds is over, it's now time to harvest!" And we have seen such a wonderful "Harvest" of souls this past month. November was the highest baptizing month I think the Milan mission has ever seen (If I understood correctly in the conference), there were like 60 people baptized or something amazing like that. It is so wonderful to be a part of all of this, and to see the true happiness and joy that the gospel of Jesus Christ makes in the lives of these people.
Miracle: We saw a really wonderful miracle this week. We went to a less-active member's house to teach a lesson with her home teacher from the ward, and about 5 minutes into our lesson about the Plan of Salvation, her boyfriend came over to visit. She invited him to come listen to our lesson, and said "Come sit down, and become a Mormon!" haha. It was pretty funny, but an invite nonetheless! So we started the lesson again, and went over the entire Plan of Salvation. He, Ferdinando, seemed genuinely interested, and as I looked at his face while my companion was talking about the resurrection, his face was so focused, and I could tell he was really listening intently. Fratello Pelucchi from the ward bore a powerful testimony at the end of the lesson about the difference that the message of the Plan of Salvation has had in his life, and we concluded with our testimonies about it as well. The lesson went really well, and we invited them to pray about the truthfullness of it, saluted them and then went on our way.
Two days later we were walking with two investigators to the church for an activity we had planned to help them meet a few members of the ward, and we were stopped by Ferdinando, who was on h is way to do some shopping! We spoke for a few minutes, exchanged numbers, and he told us to tell him the next time we go over to Francisca (the less active member) 's house so perhaps he can come! It was such a miracle and a testimony to me that the Lord places people in our path, even when we are least expecting it!
Well, it sounds like everything is going great at home! I am so thankful for all of you; for the examples you have been to me, and for your love and prayers in my behalf. I have truly been given so much, and I kneel down in gratefulness each night to thank the Lord for all I have been given, and ask him to provide ways for me to give back to others. Everything here is going just great, I love being a missionary so much!
Love,
Anziano Wilson
Well, things are going great here in Italy. It's almost Christmas!!!! I am pretty excited for it, since we get to watch a disney movie, and my companion bought me "UP" for Christmas. So we are definitley watching that! :D But in other news...it actually isn't that cold these days, it has either warmed up or I am just immune to the cold due to my superpowers. (I'm pretty sure it's the latter, though)...It's been really hard keeping my superpowers a secret from my companion, but I'm hanging in there. ;) No, but no snow STILL! Man, all I want is a white Christmas! So pray for snow in Lecco :)
Our investigators are doing really well! Last week was kind of a bummer because we couldn't meet with a lot of them, and a lot are still gone to visit family, but this week we met with a lot more, and met with two, Fanny and Hassa, that we hadn't been able to meet for over a month! So we are really excited about that, they are both really great! Hassa invited us over to his house after our lesson at the train station to come teach his family one day, so we are trying to do that; and Fanny has read all the way up to Alma in the Book of Mormon, even without us being able to meet her due to work! It is amazing!
Martha is still doing really well in preparing for her baptism on the 29th, Dallin expressed his excitement that both me and him are going to have a "White" Christmas. Get it? White. :) Haha, I thought that was pretty great.
The Michael Family has been so blessed this past month or so, thank you all so much for your prayers. They still need them. But the husband bore his testimony to us the other day about the Lord's hand he has seen in their lives. He told us that people that they have never met before will ring the doorbell, and say "Is this the Michael family?" and they will respond yes, and they will give them a huge basket of food, or 50 euro in a envelope to pay their light bill, or something amazing like that and say "We just felt like we would stop by and see how you are doing" And then they just leave. and they have no idea who they are. Or he said that he will be out and about looking for work, and someone will invite him into thier house to eat a nice lunch, and he realizes that he has never met them before, but they say that they had some extra food and wanted to invited someone in. Or he also related an experience where someone (who he assumed to be working for the gas company) called him out of the blue, and asked him how much his gas bill was. He told them (it was like 100 euro or something), and the next day he called the company back to see how he was going to pay it, and it had already been paid! There are so many amzing miracles going on. I just sit back awe-stricken at it all. The Lord is so wonderful!
All our other investigators are doing well, we are working with a few others to get a baptismal date set; this truly is a time when the Lord is hastening his work. As our mission president said a little while ago: " The time of the planting seeds is over, it's now time to harvest!" And we have seen such a wonderful "Harvest" of souls this past month. November was the highest baptizing month I think the Milan mission has ever seen (If I understood correctly in the conference), there were like 60 people baptized or something amazing like that. It is so wonderful to be a part of all of this, and to see the true happiness and joy that the gospel of Jesus Christ makes in the lives of these people.
Miracle: We saw a really wonderful miracle this week. We went to a less-active member's house to teach a lesson with her home teacher from the ward, and about 5 minutes into our lesson about the Plan of Salvation, her boyfriend came over to visit. She invited him to come listen to our lesson, and said "Come sit down, and become a Mormon!" haha. It was pretty funny, but an invite nonetheless! So we started the lesson again, and went over the entire Plan of Salvation. He, Ferdinando, seemed genuinely interested, and as I looked at his face while my companion was talking about the resurrection, his face was so focused, and I could tell he was really listening intently. Fratello Pelucchi from the ward bore a powerful testimony at the end of the lesson about the difference that the message of the Plan of Salvation has had in his life, and we concluded with our testimonies about it as well. The lesson went really well, and we invited them to pray about the truthfullness of it, saluted them and then went on our way.
Two days later we were walking with two investigators to the church for an activity we had planned to help them meet a few members of the ward, and we were stopped by Ferdinando, who was on h is way to do some shopping! We spoke for a few minutes, exchanged numbers, and he told us to tell him the next time we go over to Francisca (the less active member) 's house so perhaps he can come! It was such a miracle and a testimony to me that the Lord places people in our path, even when we are least expecting it!
Well, it sounds like everything is going great at home! I am so thankful for all of you; for the examples you have been to me, and for your love and prayers in my behalf. I have truly been given so much, and I kneel down in gratefulness each night to thank the Lord for all I have been given, and ask him to provide ways for me to give back to others. Everything here is going just great, I love being a missionary so much!
Love,
Anziano Wilson
Wednesday, December 11, 2013
DECEMBER 11, 2013
Buona sera a tutti!
It is actually a really wonderful day outside today (comparatively). It isn't hardly cold at all. Still no snow; I'm starting to think that it's just a myth....like salamanders... Haha just kidding! But it is going great! This P-day has been really relaxing, and I also made a scripture case for my triple out of a cardboard box, some pictures, and a BUNCH of tape! It looks pretty dang good if you ask me! :)
The work is going alright. We have kinda had a little harder week this past week, but we are pushing through it and still working hard. The mission, just like life, is like a big roller coaster, with lots of ups and some downs too. "What goes up must come down!" (Remember that B?) haha. But our investigators are doing pretty well. Martha is still progressing to her baptism on the 29th, so we are all excited about that! And we have a wonderful new investigator, Angela, who invited us and Fratello Pelucchi into her home to talk about the Plan of Salvation. It was a great lesson!
We had such a great zone conference this past Monday. We all went to Milan and had a big Christmas-themed conference (we also learned a lot too though, of course!) But we had a delicious ham and funeral potato (not as good as Idaho potatoes) lunch....mmmm! Also, we had that green marshmallow, whipped cream, desert salad thing with the meal, and the 3 Australians (one of which is in my district) were freaking out because they had no idea what this American food was. It was pretty funny.
As far as skype goes, I'm not 100% sure still on how it works. But we get (I believe) 30 or 40 minutes to skype home, and we will probably just try to find a member's house that we can go to to use it on Christmas. But I am excited to see you guys! :)
We also got a really sweet Christmas card from the 1st presidency! It was thanking the missionaries for their work and stuff, and had their signatures and everything. It was really thoughtful! I am still waiting for your cards, but the postage takes a little bit so I'm sure they are almost here....right? ;) haha.
Let's see...Christmas time! I just love Christmas time so much! Not only is it just a great time of year, but we can finally hand out the hundreds of pass-along cards we have with a picture of the manger that say Joy to the World on them! haha.
I was reading in Doctrine and Covenants chapter 35 this morning, in verses 13 and 14 which say "Wherefore, I call upon the weak things of the world, those who are unlearned and despised, to thresh the nations by the power of my Spirit; And their arm shall be my arm, and I will be their shield and their buckler; and I will gird up their loins, and they shall fight manfully for me; and their enemies shall be under their feet; and I will let fall the sword in their behalf, and by the fire of mine indignation will I preserve them." How poweful is that! I just love that so much; it reminds me who is on my team :) It's like playing a middle school basketball game and having Michael Jordan in the fourth quarter step in and make up the slack that we need. (I don't know why that just popped into my mind, but it did!) But really, it is just such a reminder to me that this work truly is the Lord's, and those that follow Him and seek to do good will be upholded by Him, and shall not fall. For the Lord will "Fight our battles", I know that is true. How thankful I am to be a missionary, and to have the privilege to declare the truth to those who need to hear it; and to be able to witness first-hand the difference that the Gospel of Jesus Christ makes in their lives. The Atonement of our Savior "makes bad men good, and good men better!" I know that is true.
Miracle: This week we have been working hard, and have seen a really wonderful miracle. We met with a man named Luca last transfer. He had already been familiar with the missionaries for years, and has a Book of Mormon, which he has been reading. The last time we met with him ( About 3 weeks ago) he told us that he wanted to read the entire book of Alma, and then he would call us back, and we could meet with him again. We were kind of a little doubting I guess you could say, since that is kind of a large task that not many investigators would undertake, especially it being their own idea. But surely enough, we received a text message from him this last week saying that he had almost finished Alma, and wanted to meet with us the next evening to discuss it! We met with him, and had a wonderful experience as we shared some of our favorite scriptures from Alma, and discussed the real comfort and help that the scriptures provide for us, especially as we liken them unto us, and apply the principles contained in them in our lives. He told us last meeting that he wants to finish reading the entire Book of Mormon before the end of January! So we are excited for him! This truly is the Lord's work.
Everything else is going well! I am working my very hardest, and am pushing through and trying my best to be a good missionary, even when it's hard; and even when I have to stand alone in being exactly obedient. I know that obedience brings blessings, but exact obedience brings miracles. I am thankful for your prayers on my behalf. I can feel your strength every day as I sink to my knees and pray for strength, and then get up with a renewed strength to take on the day. We are so very blessed. I love you all and always pray for you!
Love,
Anziano Wilson
It is actually a really wonderful day outside today (comparatively). It isn't hardly cold at all. Still no snow; I'm starting to think that it's just a myth....like salamanders... Haha just kidding! But it is going great! This P-day has been really relaxing, and I also made a scripture case for my triple out of a cardboard box, some pictures, and a BUNCH of tape! It looks pretty dang good if you ask me! :)
The work is going alright. We have kinda had a little harder week this past week, but we are pushing through it and still working hard. The mission, just like life, is like a big roller coaster, with lots of ups and some downs too. "What goes up must come down!" (Remember that B?) haha. But our investigators are doing pretty well. Martha is still progressing to her baptism on the 29th, so we are all excited about that! And we have a wonderful new investigator, Angela, who invited us and Fratello Pelucchi into her home to talk about the Plan of Salvation. It was a great lesson!
We had such a great zone conference this past Monday. We all went to Milan and had a big Christmas-themed conference (we also learned a lot too though, of course!) But we had a delicious ham and funeral potato (not as good as Idaho potatoes) lunch....mmmm! Also, we had that green marshmallow, whipped cream, desert salad thing with the meal, and the 3 Australians (one of which is in my district) were freaking out because they had no idea what this American food was. It was pretty funny.
As far as skype goes, I'm not 100% sure still on how it works. But we get (I believe) 30 or 40 minutes to skype home, and we will probably just try to find a member's house that we can go to to use it on Christmas. But I am excited to see you guys! :)
We also got a really sweet Christmas card from the 1st presidency! It was thanking the missionaries for their work and stuff, and had their signatures and everything. It was really thoughtful! I am still waiting for your cards, but the postage takes a little bit so I'm sure they are almost here....right? ;) haha.
Let's see...Christmas time! I just love Christmas time so much! Not only is it just a great time of year, but we can finally hand out the hundreds of pass-along cards we have with a picture of the manger that say Joy to the World on them! haha.
I was reading in Doctrine and Covenants chapter 35 this morning, in verses 13 and 14 which say "Wherefore, I call upon the weak things of the world, those who are unlearned and despised, to thresh the nations by the power of my Spirit; And their arm shall be my arm, and I will be their shield and their buckler; and I will gird up their loins, and they shall fight manfully for me; and their enemies shall be under their feet; and I will let fall the sword in their behalf, and by the fire of mine indignation will I preserve them." How poweful is that! I just love that so much; it reminds me who is on my team :) It's like playing a middle school basketball game and having Michael Jordan in the fourth quarter step in and make up the slack that we need. (I don't know why that just popped into my mind, but it did!) But really, it is just such a reminder to me that this work truly is the Lord's, and those that follow Him and seek to do good will be upholded by Him, and shall not fall. For the Lord will "Fight our battles", I know that is true. How thankful I am to be a missionary, and to have the privilege to declare the truth to those who need to hear it; and to be able to witness first-hand the difference that the Gospel of Jesus Christ makes in their lives. The Atonement of our Savior "makes bad men good, and good men better!" I know that is true.
Miracle: This week we have been working hard, and have seen a really wonderful miracle. We met with a man named Luca last transfer. He had already been familiar with the missionaries for years, and has a Book of Mormon, which he has been reading. The last time we met with him ( About 3 weeks ago) he told us that he wanted to read the entire book of Alma, and then he would call us back, and we could meet with him again. We were kind of a little doubting I guess you could say, since that is kind of a large task that not many investigators would undertake, especially it being their own idea. But surely enough, we received a text message from him this last week saying that he had almost finished Alma, and wanted to meet with us the next evening to discuss it! We met with him, and had a wonderful experience as we shared some of our favorite scriptures from Alma, and discussed the real comfort and help that the scriptures provide for us, especially as we liken them unto us, and apply the principles contained in them in our lives. He told us last meeting that he wants to finish reading the entire Book of Mormon before the end of January! So we are excited for him! This truly is the Lord's work.
Everything else is going well! I am working my very hardest, and am pushing through and trying my best to be a good missionary, even when it's hard; and even when I have to stand alone in being exactly obedient. I know that obedience brings blessings, but exact obedience brings miracles. I am thankful for your prayers on my behalf. I can feel your strength every day as I sink to my knees and pray for strength, and then get up with a renewed strength to take on the day. We are so very blessed. I love you all and always pray for you!
Love,
Anziano Wilson
Wednesday, December 4, 2013
DECEMBER 4, 2013
Buon quasi Natale! ...di nuovo. haha
I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving! I'm sure that was a lot of fun! :)
The work here in Lecco is going SO well, I am really loving it! This time of year is so great; everyone is in just the best mood! Christmas time truly brings everyones' hearts to the Savior....plus I just love Christmas music. It really brings the spirit!
The snow STILL hasn't come! I can't believe it! It even rained again last week! haha. And unfortunately, I got a little sick a few days ago...the "colpa d'aria" or "the air's fault" got me sick. haha. But don't worry, I bought some soup and oranges and got a good day's rest and am feeling great now!
Oh so fun fact for ya!: Italians think any illness that isn't explained by other causes is automatically the cold air's fault. For example, last transfer one of the missionaries I was sharing a room with had an ear infection...and so he went to the doctor to diagnose it, and the doctor diagnosed it as "colpa d'aria", and said "try not to sleep with the fan on anymore". He then asked him how to say colpa d'aria sickness in English, and Anziano Walden just said "well...we..don't have a word." haha. It was pretty funny.
But our investigators are doing really well! We have had two move back to their countries (Bolivia and Peru) for Christmas, so that was a little rough...but besides that it is really going well! We are working hard out here, and I have really noticed a direct correlation between the amount of work we put in, and the amount of success we find. Missionary work really is work! I have seen the hand of the Lord so much in my life; for example when during a lesson a scripture or something to say will come to mind, and we will look back and realize that it was the exact thing that they needed to hear.
I also bought a scarf because it is so cold....Italians always wear scarfs (even the men), and I must admit, it's lookin prettyy good! haha. Just thought I'd throw that out there.
I was listening to a talk the other day from Jeffery R. Holland (man, that guy can give a talk!) about the parable of the house builder and the workers. I must admit, I need to read about it still, so I don't know all the details, but what I got from the talk was this: The "boss" hired workers at 5 different times in the day to help him complete his work, At the beginning of the day, 9, 12, 3, and finally one hour before the work day was completed. At the end of the work day, when the work was completed, the boss payed every worker wages to equal work for the entire day. Elder Holland talks about that those who worked all the day long were initially a little frustrated, and felt "short-changed". But he goes on to explain that the workers who worked all day were still payed in full; there was no injustice being done. But rather, the owner of the house, in an act of kindness, chose to pay all the workers for a full day. He then goes on to add many wonderful things throughout his talk, but the line that stuck with me is this: "We are not diminished when others are added upon. Life is not a race, to see who is the most favored, or wealthy, or even the most blessed..." That really stuck with me, and was a reminder to me to be kind, and happy when others are blessed, even if we are working hard and maybe not seeing the same results. I really enjoyed that :)
Miracle: We have seen many miracles this week, it is hard to single out just one. But I would have to say that our miracle this week was with one of our investigators, Martha. We had a really wonderful lesson with her the other day about the gospel of Jesus Christ, and specifically, baptism. We have been working with her for over a transfer trying to prepare her for baptism, and have asked her to be baptized multipule times. The answer is always that she needs more time to think and ponder whether it is the right decision, followed by our invitation to pray about it, and a promise that the Lord will always answer the prayer of a sincere searcher of truth. But as we talked about it this time, we talked about the importance of setting goals, and her baptismal date is like a goal to be reached, that will help her to fulfill her true potential. She accepted the invitation to be baptized on the 29th of December! Merry Christmas to us! :) This past Sunday she also went up to the pulpit and bore her testimony about how grateful she was and is to have found this church. She talked about her strong catholic background, and the difference that she has seen in the members of this ward--the true friendship that she has found here in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Her testimony was so sincere, and just so touching. I am amazed at the differences the Lord's word can make in peoples' lives. What a blessing it is to be a missionary!
Well, I love you all very much, and am so thankful for your prayers in my behalf. I can feel your strength, I really can. I am so thankful for you, and for the examples you are, and for the sacrifices you have made to allow me the privilege of being out on this mission. The work is hard, there is no doubt about that. But I wouldn't trade the experiences I am having, and the peace and comfort, and happiness I feel at the end of the day for anything in the world.
Love,
Anziano Wilson
I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving! I'm sure that was a lot of fun! :)
The work here in Lecco is going SO well, I am really loving it! This time of year is so great; everyone is in just the best mood! Christmas time truly brings everyones' hearts to the Savior....plus I just love Christmas music. It really brings the spirit!
The snow STILL hasn't come! I can't believe it! It even rained again last week! haha. And unfortunately, I got a little sick a few days ago...the "colpa d'aria" or "the air's fault" got me sick. haha. But don't worry, I bought some soup and oranges and got a good day's rest and am feeling great now!
Oh so fun fact for ya!: Italians think any illness that isn't explained by other causes is automatically the cold air's fault. For example, last transfer one of the missionaries I was sharing a room with had an ear infection...and so he went to the doctor to diagnose it, and the doctor diagnosed it as "colpa d'aria", and said "try not to sleep with the fan on anymore". He then asked him how to say colpa d'aria sickness in English, and Anziano Walden just said "well...we..don't have a word." haha. It was pretty funny.
But our investigators are doing really well! We have had two move back to their countries (Bolivia and Peru) for Christmas, so that was a little rough...but besides that it is really going well! We are working hard out here, and I have really noticed a direct correlation between the amount of work we put in, and the amount of success we find. Missionary work really is work! I have seen the hand of the Lord so much in my life; for example when during a lesson a scripture or something to say will come to mind, and we will look back and realize that it was the exact thing that they needed to hear.
I also bought a scarf because it is so cold....Italians always wear scarfs (even the men), and I must admit, it's lookin prettyy good! haha. Just thought I'd throw that out there.
I was listening to a talk the other day from Jeffery R. Holland (man, that guy can give a talk!) about the parable of the house builder and the workers. I must admit, I need to read about it still, so I don't know all the details, but what I got from the talk was this: The "boss" hired workers at 5 different times in the day to help him complete his work, At the beginning of the day, 9, 12, 3, and finally one hour before the work day was completed. At the end of the work day, when the work was completed, the boss payed every worker wages to equal work for the entire day. Elder Holland talks about that those who worked all the day long were initially a little frustrated, and felt "short-changed". But he goes on to explain that the workers who worked all day were still payed in full; there was no injustice being done. But rather, the owner of the house, in an act of kindness, chose to pay all the workers for a full day. He then goes on to add many wonderful things throughout his talk, but the line that stuck with me is this: "We are not diminished when others are added upon. Life is not a race, to see who is the most favored, or wealthy, or even the most blessed..." That really stuck with me, and was a reminder to me to be kind, and happy when others are blessed, even if we are working hard and maybe not seeing the same results. I really enjoyed that :)
Miracle: We have seen many miracles this week, it is hard to single out just one. But I would have to say that our miracle this week was with one of our investigators, Martha. We had a really wonderful lesson with her the other day about the gospel of Jesus Christ, and specifically, baptism. We have been working with her for over a transfer trying to prepare her for baptism, and have asked her to be baptized multipule times. The answer is always that she needs more time to think and ponder whether it is the right decision, followed by our invitation to pray about it, and a promise that the Lord will always answer the prayer of a sincere searcher of truth. But as we talked about it this time, we talked about the importance of setting goals, and her baptismal date is like a goal to be reached, that will help her to fulfill her true potential. She accepted the invitation to be baptized on the 29th of December! Merry Christmas to us! :) This past Sunday she also went up to the pulpit and bore her testimony about how grateful she was and is to have found this church. She talked about her strong catholic background, and the difference that she has seen in the members of this ward--the true friendship that she has found here in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Her testimony was so sincere, and just so touching. I am amazed at the differences the Lord's word can make in peoples' lives. What a blessing it is to be a missionary!
Well, I love you all very much, and am so thankful for your prayers in my behalf. I can feel your strength, I really can. I am so thankful for you, and for the examples you are, and for the sacrifices you have made to allow me the privilege of being out on this mission. The work is hard, there is no doubt about that. But I wouldn't trade the experiences I am having, and the peace and comfort, and happiness I feel at the end of the day for anything in the world.
Love,
Anziano Wilson
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