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
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