SEPTEMBER 24, 2014

Greetings and salutations to all, and to all a buona notte!
This week has been really great; we have really been working hard and seeing so many miracles.  My new companion, Anziano Kessler, is a champion!  One of the first things I told him was that Morbegno needs two things, work and faith.  And that we were going to hit the streets and work hard with faith that the Lord will go before us and prepare the hearts of his precious children here.  He agreed to not fight me on it, so that is always a plus!  I need someone who is willing to work hard with me!  He is a good guy.  From California, and he was a gymnastics trainer!  So I will probably get him to show me how to do a backflip....or maybe I better not. (Dad, remember that day when I was in the park for like an hour trying to do a backflip off of a tree? haha.  Not the best spent hour of my life you could say.)  
      (Here's a little side note: so in a district meeting a few months ago, Anziano Burton, who was Anziano Kessler's trainer, made a comment.  We had just read in Preach My Gospel, where it says something to the effect of, "use every honorable means to find new investigators", and his comment was just classic: "I think that something important here, that it kind of implies, is that there are also many dishonorable ways to try to find new investigators.  For example. Anziano Kessler and I once tried a technique called "flip and sing".  Where if the people would listen to us I would sing for them [he is an amazing singer], and Anziano Kessler would do a backflip.  It DIDNT work!.."  It was so funny!  So don't do that!)
  But we are seeing some Amazing miracles here in this special town.  It is a little strange to be writing in English right now, because to help Anziano Kessler (and also me!) to improve a lot in Italian, we are going the entire week only speaking Italian...all the time! So that has been fun!  It is definitely a lot easier now than it was when Anziano Strang and I did it in my 4th transfer last February!
--Last week we had a whopping 7 people in Church! I was called on on the spot to give a talk...so that was fun!  It actually didn't go too bad :) But it was one of the most spiritually uplifting Church blocks I have ever attended.  Something wonderful about the fact that we are small, is that everyone feels like they are really important--and they are!--and so everyone is really missionary minded and ready to help in any way they can!
--We met an amazing 80 year-old on the street this week.  We had just finished a lesson with Ramon (he is not doing so well), and we got up and on the bench next to us was sitting this man.  We went up to give him a little hand out with a smiley face and a quote from the prophet on it (We call them  Smiles of the Day :) ), and he was just like "Oh I can't read anymore! But come here and let's talk about why it's so important to be happy!"  And we talked for about a half hour! He agrees with so much of the doctrine taught in the first lesson, The Restoration.  We talked about the Savior's earthly ministry, the Great Apostasy, and Joseph Smith.  He agreed with everything we said, giving indepth reasoning from his life experiences and religious background as to why.  He even basically outlined the Plan of Salvation right there for us! It amazed me how he knew so much without ever reading the Book of Mormon, and so I asked.  And he just said that he felt it. That when something is really true, you just feel it!  That was so powerful for me.
--Giuliano, the man that I talked about last week in the miracle, called us this week to thank us so much for being there to comfort him.  He is now in Allessandria working and living with his nephew, on his way to starting a new life for himself!  It was such a blessing to hear how thankful he was; I was thankful as well that the Lord allowed us to be in the right place at the right time. Being a missionary is so special!
--I bought another "american" pizza today!  I feel like I'm home!....in Italy.
--We had a hilarious English class this week; the place we do it at is a campus thing for Young kids, run by the government, and so they did some advertising for us.  We had around 10 new people show up! It was great!  One of the highlights is when we were going around the room saying one word each trying to make a sentence.  "The bat flew in the kitchen and tried to kill my mother and I helped my mother because I am good boy and want her alive."  Italians. It was better than "I like very a mushroom", though!
Miracle: This weeks miracle was kind of a more personal miracle, for me. I gave my first district training to my district this week, and it was just such a wonderful experience for me.  I talked about how faith is the opposite of fear, and why it is so important that we have faith as missionaries.  I asked about example of faith in the scriptures and in our lives, and heard some powerful testimonies.  One of the quotes I used was from Elder Holland, who said something like "you cannot kindle the fire of testimony in the heart of someone else if you do not already have a burning flame of testimony already ignited in your own heart."  That really touched me when it came to my mind as I was preparing. It is so true.  I am thankful for the testimony that the Lord has blessed me with, and for the privilege I have to share it with the people of Italy.
     It was a special experience to be able to bear my testimony and help to grow the faith of the wonderful missionaries in our district.  I have been touched as the Lord has helped me so much to become who he needs me to be, even just in the sense of leading a few other missionaries.  My compassion and love for the other missionaires and their investigators has grown so much, and I just feel a burning desire to help them succeed.  I still am super nervous, because I always looked up to the district leader, even if just subconciously, for an example, but  I pray that the Lord will bless me with the talents and abilities I need to magnify this calling.

   I love you all a lot, and thank you for your prayers and the great people you are and the great things you are doing!  I remember you Always in my prayers!  Have a wonderful week!

-Anziano Wilson

SEPTEMBER 17, 2014

What a wonderful week!  I just love being a missionary so much.  I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world.
--First big news is that transfers are this next week.  The time is just flying by these days.  My companion is getting transferred, so I will be in Morbegno with Anziano Kessler. Luckily Morbegno is small so I know my way around enough, since I have only been here for 6 weeks!  But I am really excited for the next transfer, I am planning on making some big changes to how the work is done here; with the arrival of a new missionary it is a perfect time. "If we always do what we have always done, we will always get what we have always gotten". I just feel like Morbegno needs more than finding and friendshipping in the bars around town, and talking about English class. I am planning on really relying on the Lord, even if "noone accepts the gospel here", as I have heard many times from...certain people (person).  I don't believe that! I know there are people ready, it just depends on our faith and willingness to sacrifice for the Lord's will and be exactly obedient. The Lord will place them in our path. I have faith in that promise. So we are going to hit the streets!  I am excited! I have been called to serve as the district leader in this area of missionaries, and am humbled to think that the Lord sees me worthy to do so.  I hope to have his spirit always with me to know what this area needs, and what his precious children need here to find the gospel and joy in the blessings therein.
--We found another bike tire!  So my companion will be arriving with a functioning bike afer all!  We got it from Lecco, since the missionaries there had an extra one.  Bikes cost around 50 euro, and a new tire is like 35 euro...so luckily they had one!  Italy.
--I had a chance this week to look up some stories of my ancestors...it was inspiring.  I am so blessed to be in a family line with so many inspiring examples of selfless sacrifice.  There is a Doctrine and Covenants clip on one of our missionary DVDs with the story of John Tanner.  It is called...something like "Treasures in Heaven".  It brought me to tears...the allergies I mean.  But it was so inspiring to know that I am related to him and so many others of faith.  It makes me want to work harder and sacrifice more so that those who come after me can use it an inspiration as I have.
--In english class this week we were showing Italians how to throw a football (you would be amazed at how many times I had to say "you don't kick a football!...no, not a futbol...football americano!".

Miracle:  Our miracle this week was so wonderful.  A little long, but I will quote the last part from my journal so It's easier. Last Saturday we were returning from Sondrio; arriving at the station in Morbegno, and so we walked past the bar across from the station, when someone yelled at us "Hey! Mormons! Why did Joseph Smith go to jail?!" and commenced trying to argue with us.  I went over there and gladly bore testimony of Joseph Smith and his life, and then about what we do as missionaries (clarify things about church history, answer questions, etc.), and why, for about 30 minutes.  Nothing else really happened that night, other than that we invited them to English class and then to church the next day.
  Midway through church the next week, right after Gospel Principles, two of them showed up in church!  Their names are Rigo and Riguerdo, one from Bolivia and one from Honduras.  Rigo, who has been inactive in the church for 16 years, told us about how his heart was touched by pure testimony and felt that he was missing something in his life.  Riguerdo admitted that he was almost in tears as well.  They were fellowshipped by all (7) of the members and us two missionaries had the opportunity to bear testimony during the meeting.  The spirit was so strong, and it was a humbling experience for me to know that even at the times when you don't expect it, the Spirit can touch hearts. What a blessing!
 " Sunday Sep. 14 2014-We experienced a marvelous miracle tonight. It starts at the beginning of the day. We went to visit an investigator for lunch, and she didnt want the totolloni we brought, so we ate something else, and we later brought it to the bar to put in the fridge while we went to Sondrio to teach Benjamin. We arrived at Sondrio, and taught a fast ten minute lesson, because we felt impressed to talke the very next train back.  On the train ride home I sat across from a young man, Alessandro, started a conversation with him by asking how long it took to get to Morbegno (which I already knew :) ) ...and we began a gospel conversation about the Book of Mormon. I explained to him how two witnesses  confirm the truth of all things, wrote him a breif dedica, and he accepted the book eagerly! He was so excited about it, and lives in nearby Tirano.  We exchanged phone numbers and are planning on visiting him soon!
  The greatest part of this miracle happened at 8:30pm while we were hurrying to an appintment with Ramon.  We walked by this 60 year old man, said good evening, and then I noticed after we walked past, he had tears in his eyes.  Immediately, I turned around to see him walking away, turned back forward to see my companion walking ahead...and then it's almost as if I was physically turned back toward the man again, with the clear impression, "talk with that man." ringing in my ears. I told my companion we needed to talk with him, and we hurried back to him, finding him in uncontrollable tears.  We told him we were there to listen to anything he had to say, and finally he broke-down, telling us through tears that his wife had recently left him for a rich man from Switzerland, and that they wont allow him to see his children.  It has been two years since he has seen them; the youngest is eight years old.  He told us that he had lost everything--his job, his house, and now his children.  That he had come to wait in Morbegno for hours in hopes of catching a glimpse of his children walking home from school, but the he wasn't able to see them at all. He told us that he had lost hope; that his mother and sister had both died within six months, and that he wondered how God could leave him alone like this.  I testified to him that God hadn't left him alone.  God loved him, and that sometimes the Lord brings us low, so that He can lift us higher.  That we had met for a reason.  We spoke for thirty minutes about the plan that God has for us, and the true meaning of life.  We left him with a prayer for his family, and gave him the kilo of tortolloni we had with us--kept fresh in the refrigerator at the bar (it is amazing how things like that work out.), and exchanged phone numbers.  We will keep in touch very soon.
  I marvel at the great work of the Almighty God.  Of his mysterious and wonderful ways.  How grateful I am for the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ, and for the faith, peace, and comfort that he has always provided me with.  The Almighty God loves us. He knows us. He hears his chidrens' prayers.  How blessed I am.  In the sacred name of Jesus Christ, Amen."
What a blessing it is to be a missionary.  I love you all very much, and I am thankful for your prayers and support in all that I do.  All is well here, I remember you all in my prayers each night!  Have a wonderful week!
 -Anziano Wilson

SEPTEMBER 10, 2014

This week has sure been a week! And a missionary week is
always a good week! Well, we have been working hard and
working hard! This place is a special place, but it sure needs
some work! But, to quote the hockey-pokey, "That's what it's
all about!":) *ba dum ching* ... this Italy place is killing my
humor.
--We had an AMAZING zone conference in Milano just
yesterday..that was a wonderful experience. One of the
greatest things that I
took away from it was a quote by Elder Bednar, "if we always
do what we've always done, we will always get what we have
always gotten." This, coupled with "The Lord's hastening of
his work requires us continuously to learn, to change, and to
press forward with faith in the Savior", two quotes from the
recent mission president's training meeting, were some of
President Dibb's most direct messages. He is a great
mission president; I always leave inspired and charged to do
the work of the Lord.
--I am doing email at an investigator's house (again, since
there is no internet point in Morbegno it is so small), and their
cat is crawling all over the place. Just a side note. Also their
dog's name is "Dog" (in english). haha!
--I was also impressed yesterday by a verse that was
mentioned in zone conference--one of my favorites that I had
forgotten over these past months. It is in Mosiah 4:19, and
reads, "Behold, are we not all beggars?..." Ever since the first
time I read that, it has touched me. We all depend on God for
all that we have, and all that we do. Especially as
missionaries. It reminds me of my missionary scripture in
alma 26:12, for I remember that without the Lord, I truly am
nothing. Many days I have begged the Lord for help or
strength, and i have felt his strength and love come, so many
times. And it is the same thing for all of our Heavenly Father's
children that he loves so dearly. If we ask, he will give it to
us. I have seen that so many times. Being a missionary is
just the greatest thing!
--Before i forget, happy birthday to Mels!

are already turning 9! ;) (sorry for always forgetting about
everyone elses...)
--We have been having some great experiences with English
class. There is a 15-year-old boy that comes, Gabriele, that is
really making some awesome steps. A few weeks ago he
wasn't interested at all, like nothing at all. But these past few
weeks we have been friendshipping him, and showing him
that we are just normal kids that like to have fun, too! Once
he found out that we aren't just robots here to dunk people in
the water, but that we share this things with others because
they change lives for the better, and because we want the
best for all of our Heavenly Father's children....he opened up!
He told us the other day that he prayed for 30 minutes the
other day...for one of the only times in his life! It was
wonderful! :)
-Miracle: This week we experienced a wonderful miracle as
we went to Lecco for fast and testimony meeting. One of our
investigators, Ramon, came with us on the train (a 2 hour
journey), and had a wonderful experience! We brought him
one of Anziano Smith's old white shirts and a tie to wear, and
he was very grateful! We showed him how to tie a tie, and he
was very proud of it, you could tell (epecially when I told him
it was American...)! The fast and testimony meeting was a
great meeting, and he really had a great experience. All of
the members were really wonderful and accepting, and at
least three asked him when he was going to be baptized...
(you've got to love the Italians. :P) We are taking things really
slow with him, but he is progressing really well...this is his
third week in a row in church!
Everything else is going really well, we are working our
hardest to get three investigators each week! I have been
recently really trying to mesh my will with God's will, and am
trying to do the things that he would want me to do, rather
than what I would prefer to do.. I really enjoyed that quote
from Elder Bednar, "If we always do what we have always
done, we will always get what we have always gotten." i
appreciated it, and am trying to apply it in my mission when
things hit a stand-still.
I love you all very much and am grateful for your prayers
and love. I feel the strength and health that comes from a
righteous and wonderful family each day. I remember you all
in my prayers.
Love,
-Anziano Wilson

SEPTEMBER 3, 2010

Caro famiglia,
This week we have been working really hard, and just having
a great time! The people here in Morbegno are so great; they
have so much potential. The hardest thing is to just get them
to realize that we are just regular people--not robots-- with
true and strong testimonies of how our Savior can bless our
lives with the peace and happiness that all of us desire every
day of our lives.
I feel like this past little time I have had to spend with the
Italians in their own country has helped me to develop a real
love for their lifestyle and thoughts and dreams, and I just
know that the best way that I can help them to accomplish
their dreams and realize their true potential and happiness is
by sharing the greatest gift I have ever received--a testimony
of our Savior and His love for us.
--I FINALLY met an Italian who likes to play basketball more
than soccer!! Miracle!! ...But his ankle is sprained right now,
so I will have to wait a few more weeks to play! Get excited!
--We had some super good pizza today--bacon and eggs
and onions. Italians and their pizza.
--So here in Morbegno we received permission to purchase
abbonamentos for the trains...so for the whole month we get
to ride for "free", ( at the beginning of the month we pay
£103) without having to buy tickets every time. That shows
how much we travel!...yikes.
--This past week I was reading out of a book one of the
missionaries in Lecco has, called The Power of Everyday
Missionaries. What an amazing book! It talks about the
importance, power, and easiness of doing missionary work in
our everyday lives. It shows that it doesn't have to be
something planned out for weeks, or all fancy. One of the
things that I remember it saying struck me. He said
something about how our success in missionary work comes
from the inviting, not the results of who we invite. And that
really got me thinking: Too many times we think that success
in missionary work comes from the results--from people
coming to church, or being baptized, or accepting to read the
Book of Mormon, or whatever it may be--when in reality the
true purpose of missionary work is to "Invite others to come
unto Christ, by helping them receive the restored gospel
through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and His atonement,
repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and
enduring to the end..." To invite. That is our purpose. The
success comes from the invitation, not from the result. And
that really meant a lot to me. Sometimes it is hard to bear
testimony to someone from your heart and then invite them
to learn more, only to have them throw it back in your face.
But this helped me realize, that my purpose as a full-time
missionary, and every members' purpose as a member of the
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints--the Lord's
kingdom established on the earth--is to invite. Invite
everyone. And when we invite, the Lord smiles upon us,
because he loves us and loves the people we are inviting. He
is glad we gave them at least an opportunity. That was a bit
of a game-changer for me.
--A gave a talk this week in church on prophets. What a great
topic! I found so many great insights. One that I particularly
appreciated, was the last point: Prophets are called to bear
witness of, and call others to come unto, Christ. I quoted
from the last chapter of Moroni in the Book of Mormon, this
"a dying man's testimony of the only true way" as Elder
Holland once put it, is what it says: "Yea, come unto Christ,
and be perfected in Him, and deny yourselves of all
ungodliness; and if ye shall deny yourselves of all
ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind, and
strength, then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace
ye may be perfect in Christ; and if by the grace of God ye are
perfect in Christ, ye can in nowise deny the power of God."
What a powerful witness of Christ, and the perfect example
of an invitation to come unto Him, and be perfected in Him. I
love that. Be perfected in Him. It is true, and it is the only
way!
Miracle: This week we had another wonderful miracle in
church! Sorella Nympha, one of the members in our group,
brought her friend, Vilma, again in church! This is the third
week in a row! And because our group leader is still in Spain,
we were teaching the gospel principles lesson again, on the
Restoration, and it went really well! Halfway through the
lesson, Vilma just out-of-the-blue asked some really good
questions about prophets and the origin of our church, and
brought up all of these concerns that her husband had told
her before, such as "Oh yeah, go and join the Mormon church,
that way I can have a few more wives!". So the lesson turned
from gospel principles, to all 4 of the members helping us to
answer her concerns. We gave her a Book of Mormon to
read, and she was very interested in it! During my talk, on
prophets and revelation, all the members were helping her to
find the scriptures used, so that she could read them right
then. She seemed to really just be in awe of the clarity and
power that is contained therein, especially in the final chapter
of Moroni, when he invites all to come unto Christ. It was a
wonderful experience to see her faith and understanding
grow so much in such a short period of time. We are
planning on working closely with Sorella Nympha to organize
a way to meet with Vilma during the week.
Things in Morbegno are looking pretty good. There are so
many people here with so much potential, but just not a
whole lot of will to change their lifestyle. We are working on
that, and with the help of the Lord I know we will see
miracles! I love you all and thank you for all you do and are.
I remember you in my prayers! Love,
-Anziano Wilson