Buon estate a tutti!
Man, it is getting hot, hot, hot in these days. The other day it was 95 degrees with 80% humidity.....that means HOT! At least we live out in the middle of the hills and trees though; I don't know how the Italians do it in the big cities!
This week has just been wonderful! Every week is such a blessing!
--We had a Zone Training last Thursday (mamma mia that seems like so long ago!), and it was really good. I had the opportunity to give my "finishing testimony" in front of the Zone...even though it was a month early :P But I cherish those kinds of privileges. I talked about the importance of the Atonement of our Savior Jesus Christ in my life; how it has changed me and those closest to me--be they investigators or family members. The mission has been an incredible blessing in my life. I have gained knowledge and understanding, understood more fully the importance of diligence and obedience, and have felt the love of the Lord for each and every person that I have spoken with. The mission is special. I am thankful for all the times that I have been able to testify to and help the missionaries in the three zones I have been in as a zone leader. It is such a privilege to associate with such wise and good people.
--To be honest this week has been pretty normal. We saw most of our investigators, but there was a wedding in Prato this past weekend, and since most of our investigators knew the couple, most everyone was out of town. But we had some great experiences with people on the street, including the fact that we found a family!! We were walking down the street when we saw this young couple walking a stroller with a little baby, and so we went up to them and started talking about the importance of the family, and how it can be eternal. They were touched, and agreed to meet with us during the week! We are going to go over there tonight, so we hope for the best! They are great people.
--It was American week at the supermarket this week....so guess who has two thumbs and got a great deal on a waffle iron (which I have never seen before in Italy)....this guy! All I can think about is waffles... ;)
--We had a great experience this week going to visit one of the families that is struggling in our branch. We felt like we should go over on Tuesday morning, and so we arrived and shared a spiritual thought together about how our Heavenly Father loves us and desires that we are happy. They really enjoyed the thought, and expressed to us that they felt especially important that day because both the Relief Society President and the Branch President had come to visit them that day! All three of us ended up visiting this family, without any of us knowing that the others would be coming! And we all showed up right after another, within 10 minute intervals! The Lord works in wonderful and mysterious ways!
--One of our investigators, Emanuele had a birthday dinner at his house the other day. He invited us to come and it was an...interesting...but good experience! His uncle woke up at 4am to start cooking this seafood pasta thing...which was...different. I unthinkingly told the mom, when she said that she didn't like seafood, that I didn't like it either, and he overheard it, so the Italian in the uncle made it so that he dropped everything and made it so his one goal in life at that point was to get me to like that food. He asked me probably 10 times if I liked the risoto, and explained to me how he was an expert fish-chooser and cook and the process of making the food, and how he is so good at it, and everything. I ended up just telling him that it was delicious, "the best seafood I have ever had!" ..which is true...it is definitely the best seafood I have ever had...but it was still pretty gross. Bless his heart, he is a really good cook and I feel for him that he cooked it for over 12 hours...but it was still octupus and squid and tentacles and all kinds of sea-nasty! Well, it wasn't the worst thing in the world...but the fish in Italy is a little different, and boy did it not sit well in my stomach! (Luckily I was praying thoughout the meal that I wouldn't get sick), so the Lord blessed me to not blow chunks. I even took a second helping....you should have seen the look on this man's face. He LOVED it! "EVERYONE! LOOK AT THIS GUY!! HE DIDN'T THINK HE WOULD LIKE IT! NOW LOOK AT THE SECOND HELPING!!!" He was so happy. The upset stomach was worth it.
--Miracle: This week we had a wonderful miracle. We went to visit a less active member with the Branch President, to encourage her to receive her Patriarchal Blessing and remind her of the importance of the sacrament. It was a tender experience as we spoke together of the blessings of the Gospel and the Savior's Atonement. At the end of the lesson the Branch President asked me to give her a blessing of healing for her back and of counsel. During and after the blessing, a great feeling of peace and love filled the room. I know that the Spirit was present, and that all there were touched. I cherish those special opportunities to use the Holy Priesthood to serve my brothers and sisters here on earth. It is a miracle to me each and every time I am blessed to take part in such an experience!
--Everything here in Montevarchi is doing well. The ride issue is still a little difficult, but we are all working through it and our investigators are doing their best to maintain their commitments. This is a special place in the Lord's vineyard. Thank you all for your support and prayers. I love you all and hope you have a wonderful week!
Love,
Anziano Wilson
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