March 16, 2010

Hi everyone,

What a great week! I know I say that every week, but we saw SO many miracles this week, I still can't even believe all that's happened! It started out last P-Day. Actually, the very beginning of the story starts about 3 months ago. Ever since I've been in Cagliari, Sister Nelson and I have been working on contacting ex-investigators. Several months ago we stopped by a certain house. No one was home, but we felt like we should leave a pamphlet with a little note on the back. So, fast forward to Wednesday. We were having a delightful P-Day activity in the city of Nora with the Elders and we got a phone call from a girl named Francesca. She said that her dad gave her a pamphlet and that she has a Book of Mormon and she wants to take the lessons and stop smoking. We were blown away! Lately we've been trying to get people to meet with us with little success, and now someone is calling us to ask when is the soonest time we can meet!

So Saturday we went over to meet Francesca. It turns out that the house where we left the pamphlet is her parents' house. She is now married and doesn't live there anymore. She took the lessons about 5 years ago and knew the Book of Mormon is true. She smoked heavily and wanted help stopping. As soon as they opened the door to their apartment, an overwhelming scent of smoke came flowing into the hallway. Her and her husband Giorgio were both depressed and down. We started the stop smoking program with her and right then and there she destroyed all of her cigarettes! We taught her how to pray and we taught her the hymn "I am a Child of God" so that when she feels like she wants to smoke, she can sing, pray and read the scriptures instead.

Sunday they came to church, all dressed up in their Sunday best! They were so excited for church that they were the first ones to arrive! They loved it! After church, Francesca asked us if Giorgio can also take the lessons with us. Of course, we happily agreed. Last night we had a beautiful appointment with them about the Restoration! Last night was so much different than Saturday, though. Their home didn't smell like smoke. It was bright and happy. Both Francesca and Giorgio were smiling and peaceful. I can't even describe the transformation that took place over 48 hours. They had been praying together and reading the Book of Mormon together as a family. They have testimonies of the Book of Mormon and want to work towards and eternal family. The Spirit has already blessed their lives so much, and they are excited to seeing what else is in store for them through the Gospel.

Another beautiful miracle: This one also starts a few months ago. Before Christmas even, we met a lady named Dolores on the bus and gave her a Book of Mormon. She said she wasn't ready to give us her phone number, so we gave her ours. About a week later, we ran into her again. We asked her if she had read any of the Book of Mormon. She said yes, and we asked which part. She said that she had read all of it! Unfortunately, she had to get off the bus right as she said that. We asked if we could meet sometime, and as the bus doors were closing she told us what street she lived on. We didn't hear the name of the street, but we heard which neighborhood. Ever since then we've been doing house in that neighborhood, always hoping to find Dolores. Yesterday we had an appointment with Susan. She asked if we could meet at a different place than we normally meet, and she was late, which never happens. So we're standing at this random bus stop waiting for Susan, who is never late, and Dolores walks by! She immediately recognized us and stopped to talk with us. She said that she has been thinking a lot lately and is ready to meet with us now. We finally got her phone number and have plans to see her later this week!

Next huge miracle of the week: Ilaria is doing so well! Normally she's really nervous and is always anxious and always has to be moving. She is never at peace. But ever since she got pregnant, things are going so well. She's having a few complications with the pregnancy which leave her on bed rest. The good part about that is that during the day while Alfredo is working, she has been praying a lot and reading the scriptures! Saturday we had a beautiful lesson with her. She looked so peaceful. She wasn't jittery or anxious. She was finally at peace. It was so beautiful!

Final huge miracle: Roberta! The whole time I've been here, and even way before I was here, she has been so scared of baptism and committing herself in the Gospel. Sunday night we were able to have a lesson with her. We read about Lehi's vision together and invited her to get baptized April 11th. Instead of freaking out at us like she usually does when we bring up baptism, she calmly said, "I'll pray about it. But I think that sounds good." Later that evening, all 3 of us met up with the Elders and she even talked to them about it! Then she turned to me and said, "You won't be here for my baptism. I'll email you pictures." Yay!

The work is going so well right now. I love every minute of it. I love how Joseph Smith shares his excitement about this work:

"Shall we not go on in so great a cause? Go forward and not backward. Courage brethren; and on, on to the victory! Let your hearts rejoice, and be exceedingly glad....How glorious is the voice we hear from heaven, proclaiming in our ears, glory, and salvation, and honor, and immortality and eternal life; kingdoms, principalities, and powers!" (D&C 128:22-23)

Life is hard and we encounter many challenges, but we need to always move forward with courage. God is in charge and is in control. The Gospel is true. And whatever we are called to bear in this life, we have the opportunity for eternal life and salvation in the next life. Everything will work out in the end.

Buona settimana. Vi voglio bene!

Sorella Hawkey