Dear family and friends:
This week, we truly had miracles abounding here in Catania. I am
completely amazed and humbled by the 8 new investigators we have. I
never imagined that we could find 8 in one week.. But Heavenly Father
can do anything if we have faith.
You all heard about the new mission president coming soon in July.
Both him and his wife served missions in Italy, so it will be fun for
both of them to be fluent in the language. I hope I am in Rome when
they come in.
Last Monday for p-day... Sorella Davison and I hit up the stores for
saldi season. Italy has two times a year when everything goes on sale.
July and January. We were just going to go window shopping, but I
ended up doing a really naughty thing. I bought something for a really
good deal that I could not pass up. I saw a coat. Originally 90€ but
70% off. You do the math and tell me if it was worth it. It is super
classy, and it makes me really happy. :) For after the mission too.. I
need to stop doing that.
Monday night, we went to get a hot chocolate for the last bit of
p-day. We sat down at a cafe and these two men start to talk to us. It
goes from ,"oh you speak English" to what are you doing here, to a
short gospel conversation, to maybe we could go out to eat sometime,
to I have a really beautiful house in Taormina and you should come
some time. Uh... That escalated quickly. They are 40 + year old
doctors. Sorry, but we are already both fidanzate (taken) and you
could be my dad.
There was a festa on Wednesday. January 6th. There is a witch who
comes and does what Santa does with stockings. Coal for disobedience
and candy for obedience. Maybe my future family will save stockings
for January 6. We'll see. :) That day we went to the elderly
Battezato's house for lunch. It was really great. Homemade real
Italian lasagna is one of my favorite things. :) I also ate a real
fresh Sicilian orange and it was like heaven exploded in my mouth. Try
not to be jealous of my everyday diet.
This week, we began teaching a family who is a referral from a ward
member. We learned that they believe in the Old Testament but not in
Jesus Christ after we taught them the Restoration. The father is a bit
dramatic and he was saying how he doesn't trust in any man. But we
were able to break it down to the fact that they need to ask God about
their questions. We could have talked about all the proof that we have
that Jesus is the Christ, but they will only know if they ask God
themselves. We felt kind of silly because we didn't ask about their
religious background before we jumped in. I think we assumed that they
were Catholic and believed in Christ. But I am glad that we didn't in
the long run. I was reading in Chapter 10 of PMG and at the end it
talks about teaching people who don't believe in Christ. It says that
as they read the Book of Mormon, pray and come to church, they will be
taught by the spirit. Those actions build more faith in God than
talking about his character.
The day we went to teach that family, we went with the Bruno's. I was
forever grateful that they were there. Members are so great during
lessons. It also helped them gain more respect for us as missionaries
since they were able to see us in a teaching situation. But Fratello
Bruno drove us out to the little paesino where they live. (Country
town) And they live on a pretty steep hill, and we had to turn around
a few times, and we were in a manual car. I will never cease to fear
for my life when Italians are driving a car. However, even though they
are crazy drivers, they also have some of the quickest reflexes.
This week, a lightbulb switched on in my head. I learned something
that I probably should have learned a long time ago. But, I learned
that there is a difference between a sin and a weakness. It is
important that we don't mix them up, but I think I always put them in
the same category. A sin is a willful disobedience to one of God's
commandments. But a weakness is a sin without the willful part.
Sometimes we make mistakes even when we are trying our hardest not to.
And our weaknesses are covered by the grace of Jesus Christ. This was
an enlightening thought for me, and it changed the way I see the
atonement.
This week, we met as missionaries to discuss how we are going to split
up and organize the less active work here. 700 people to search down
and find. Also, the ward list is really out of date with people who
have moved or died. Someday, the missionaries will finally get it all
organized. This transfer I am definitely learning that as missionaries
who serve in the same ward, we need to be on the same team. Each
companionship doesn't have their own work. It is okay to help each
other and to give advice and work together. Because it isn't our work,
it is the Lord's.
January 9 was my 6 month mark in the beautiful city of Catania. I
arrived on July 9, and I have changed a lot. I've become a better
missionary, and I've learned so much about myself. I've learned how to
love others, and how to change and I'm not the same person who left
home 7.5 months ago. Man! Sap city! I'm so ready for the next 10
months.
Today for p-day, we went to a castle that hangs off a cliff in a
neighboring town to the north, Acicastello. It was beautiful, a real
nautical dream, great photograph opportunities, and district fun. I
love p-days in Italy. :)
Con amore,
Sorella Flansberg
No comments:
Post a Comment