Buona mattina a tutti! What a wonderful day!
This week, like always, has flown by, but been amazing. We are seeing some serious miracles in Alessandria as well as all over in the zone. We get to do a scambio at least once a week, so we get to see the best of all the cities!
--We had the wonderful opportunity to go to do an exchange with the Elders in Imperia and San Remo this past week, and we saw some amazing miracles, including finding 5 new investigators in one day! One of them is named Alberto. He is from the Domenican Republic, here to play basketball (he is a big boy). We stopped him on the street and he immediately recounted to us a dream that he had just had. Where he saw two "angels" with tags, and how we helped him to be happy through his trials. That is what you call MONEY IN THE BANK....or a really prepared child of God. Either one. He is so awesome, though, and the Anziani in Imperia will be blessed to be able to teach him.
--While I was back in San Remo, I had the chance to meet with Manuel, a man that I was teaching over a year and a half ago, when I first arrived in Italy. At the time, he was on house arrest, recently out of prison, and had some serious anger issues. Nonetheless, he was searching, and to a great extent, finding God in his life. I called him up out of the blue (he hadn't been meeting with the missionaries for a few months), and set up an appointment to meet with him the next day. When we arrived, he recognized me, told me how surprised he was that I could now speak Italian, and recounted to us that he had just been thinking about how so many things in his life had been going wrong, and asked Heavenly Father why, when the phone rang. Needless to say, we had an amazing discussion with him about the love of God, and Helaman 5:12. Since I met him last he has turned his life around even more for the better. He now has his own little apartment, is on probation rather than house arrest, and has even settled down, engaged, and wants to start a family. It touched my heart to see a big, ripped rugged man like him turn to God, and as he told us "It has come to the point where I can't even be around the people of my old life. They are throwing their lives away. God gave me another chance, and I hope to take advantage of it." We agreed with him to start meeting with the missionaries once again, him and his fiancè. I am excited for him, and for the changes he has made and will continue to make in his life.
--I also had the opportunity to meet with Uche again! His story, and the changes that have come to his life, have touched me deeply. When we first started teaching him many months ago, he had no home, no job, no food. Nothing. And slowly, but surely, as he began to put God first in his life, things have been getting better. He now has an apartment, a job, a drivers license, and is preparing to go to the temple! We went over to his house and shared a message with him from Alma 42:27. He loved it! The Lord has been so good to me, letting me come back each month to visit those I taught over a year and a half ago.
--As far as our investigators go, Guiliermo is still doing amazingly! We went over and met with him this past Monday. There are some people that you teach, and there are some people that you just review the doctrines with. He knew basically all that we had to talk about, and has already read much of the Book of Mormon, and basically all that there is to read on lds.org. What an inspiration! Keep him in your prayers--that all may go well for his preparation for baptism on the 7th of March! We are also still meeting with Diego and Federica, who are AMAZING. They have recently been sick, but the felt the Spirit so strongly, and love to meet with us! Francesco is still doing well, but needs your prayers. All of them are going forward in their path towards Christ.
--Thought of the Week:Alma 42:27,
"Therefore, O my son, whosoever will come may come and partake of the waters of life freely; and whosoever will not come the same is not compelled to come; but in the last day it shall be restored unto him according to his deeds."
--What a powerful verse! our Heavenly Father wants all of us to return to live with Him. But He does not push. He does not force us. He loves us so much that he allows us to have our own free agency--to choose for ourselves, and thus truly grow. But he does not leave us alone. He gives us the power to make the right decisions, and to come out victorious. All are welcome to come and freely partake. The way is paved and prepared, we need only to walk it!
--Miracle: This week I had a wonderful experience and miracle. I will quote from portions of my journal entry for last Friday. " I have had a very sacred and wonderful experience today.... we were out of the street talking to everyone we could, when we began a conversation with a somewhat hostile man, Paolo. He defiantly stated that he knew that the Book of Mormon was untrue (to drastically tone-down the wordage he used), that Joseph Smith was a liar, and that it was all made up. He declared that he had studied every religious book there is to read, and that surely he knew better than a couple of 20-year-olds. I was unsure what to do or say to help him realize what he had missed. So I bore my testimony to him that I have received answers from directly from God, and that I know that what we are here to say is THE truth. The ONLY way. I testified to him that he, too, can pray directly to God to ask if it is true....after this, his whole demeanor changed. I challenged him to ask God, right then, right there, if the things we said were true. He agreed, and prayed and asked if Joseph Smith was really a prophet. As soon as he finished the prayer, the Spirit hit ME like never before. Never in my life have I felt so strongly a confirming witness of the Holy Ghost. An indescribable feeling surrounded us all, and in that moment, I knew. I knew, again, that what we had said was true....what I already knew has been yet again confirmed, directly upon my soul...the Good Shepherd will never leave us alone. He loves us and will protect us, giving us the witnesses and answers we need, at the very moment we need them. He will protect us, just as he protected me..."
It was an amazing experience. His heart was softened, but he did not accept a return appointment. But he took a pass-along card, and he will never forget that experience.
Everything is going well here in Alessandria. There is a baptism coming up this Saturday, and we are hoping to get everyone we are teaching to that sacred event. Hopefully one leads to another, just like dominoes We are focusing on keeping the investigators we have, and really making sure they are progressing, even as we seek new investigators through our efforts and the help of members. President Dibb has recently challenged all the missionaries to teach 15 lessons each week, and I will gladly accept that invitation and strive to really become a consecrated disciple of the Lord. I know the He will make it possible as I put my faith in Him. This will be the best year ever in the Italy Milan Mission!
Thank you all for your prayers and support. I remember you all in my prayers many times each day. Have a fantastic week!
Love,
Anziano Wilson
No comments:
Post a Comment