November 25, 2009

Hi everyone,

Happy Thanksgiving! Tomorrow we're celebrating with a lunch together as a district, along with an older couple in the branch. This Thanksgiving I definitely have much to be thankful for as I am here in this beautiful country serving the Lord. I love every minute of it!
Wednesday night we had an amazing lesson with Ilaria and Alfredo! They ask such great questions, and give equally great responses to our questions. They understand well and truly want to learn. They are so prepared for the Gospel! They asked us if they could borrow The Restoration DVD so that they could show her brother, Maurizio. They came to Church again this week, and brought Maurizio with them! They are such good little missionaries, and they don't even know it! All three loved Church. We had an amazing talk between Sunday School and Sacrament meeting (while they were taking a smoke break. Don't worry, we're teaching the Word of Wisdom soon!) All three are coming to a baptism in the branch on Sunday, and we're then going to invite them to be baptized! They are wondeful.
Saturday we met with Carla. She invited a friend from the branch, an awesome guy named Giacomo. He's so sweet to her. We talked about Jesus, and watch Finding Faith in Christ. After the movie, we were having a great discussion with Rita (Carla's mom) and Giacomo. She apparently got bored, because in the middle of the conversation stood up and said, "Ok, we leave these things in the name of Jesus Christ, amen. Now I'll go get the food." We love Carla!
The Susans are doing well. Investigator Susan has been really sick, so we didn't meet with her last week. But she came to Church with her kids, as usual. I introduced the Susans to each other on Sunday. Apparently they already know each other and don't like each other, so it ended up turning into a bit of a cat fight. Nigerians are very vocal and passionate about their opinions. It was actually pretty funny. Less-active Susan brought a friend with her to our appointment yesterday! She always introduces us to her friends and invites them to learn more about the Gospel. She's also such a great little missionary.
Caterina, the friend that Susan brought, is now a new investigator. She's from nearby and they live together. She is really quiet and timid, but asked some good questions and seems to have interest. We have another new investigator, Isabella. She is an ex-investigator from several years ago. We stopped by her house yesterday and she immediately invited us in and started asking us questions. She's really cute. (Side note: her room is covered in pictures of Michael Jackson!) We had a really good talk about the Gospel and how it brings us answers to our questions. She mentioned that the sisters in the past said that they had their own personal testimonies of the Gospel, and she asked us if we, too, had personal testimonies. We bore our testimonies to her and she said that she wants to know for herself. We're really excited to meet with her again next week.
I've been reading in the Doctrine and Covenants lately, and a few verses have already really stuck out to me. In section 6, verses 33-37, it says:
"Fear not to do good, my sons, for whatsoever ye sow, that shall ye also reap; therefore, if ye sow good ye shall also reap good for your reward. Therefore, fear not, little flock; do good; let earth and hell combine against you, for if ye are built upon my rock, they cannot prevail. Behold, I do not condemn you; go your ways and sin no more; perform with soberness the work which I have commanded you. Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not. Behold the wounds which pierced my side, and also the prints of the nails in my hands and feet; be faithful, keep my commandments, and ye shall inherit the kingdom of heaven."
I love these verses so much. There are so many beautiful things in so many small verses. But one thing that I especially love is the end. Christ invites us all to look unto Him in every though. Then the next words he says are "Doubt not, fear not." When we are continually focused on our Savior, we have no room for doubt and fear.With Him, all things are possible. He helps us overcome our doubts and fears. He suffered and died for usso that we can return to live with Him again. He is our Savior and our Friend. I am so grateful for Him.

Vi voglio tanto bene! Buon giorno di ringraziamento!
Sorella Hawkey