May 13, 2009

Ciao tutti!
Another great week in Prato! We had to give 3 of our investigators to the elders this week because we don't have time to meet with everyone! One set of elders just got blown in, which means neither of them had served here before, and the other set of elders stole the investigators of both elders, so the new ones don't have a lot of work right now. It was kind of sad to not be teaching them anymore, but at least they're still taking the lessons from the elders.
Thursday we met with Ghita. She's still really defensive and likes to bash a lot. It's really hard to feel the spirit in that environment. We try bearing our testimony a lot, but then she just tells us that we're being deceived by Satan. I don't really know what else to do with her. We're going to try meeting her one more time to see if we can get anywhere. We're praying a lot that her heart will be softened.
Dielle on the other hand is an angel! She's so incredibly sweet! I feel like she's part of my family. She came to church again on Sunday and is pretty much part of the branch. Everyone loves her! The sisters in the branch invite her over during the week for lunch at their houses, they give her rides and they help out with her girls. The members have been a huge help! The members here are absolutely amazing. When someone needs help, they all step in and help, even though it's inconvenient. I've learned so much from them. They always invite investigators over for family home evening or dinner with their families, they give people rides, they ask us if they can come to lessons. They're amazing.
Friday nights we have branch night, with a spiritual thought and dinner and some games. It's a lot of fun! We had 3 investigators there this week. Neytil came, and loved it! He's also more or less part of the branch already. Everyone loves him, and is so excited for him to be taking the lessons! They're going to be so excited once we set a baptismal date!!!!
Saturday night we took Neytil to a baptism in Florence. It was so beautiful! He told us that he feels like he's found the right church. He also told us how important it is to read the scriptures every day to feel the Spirit. He has such amazing insights. He knows the Bible front and back, and is quickly learning the Book of Mormon. He was walking around the church building looking at the pictures, and his face just lit up talking about Jesus Christ! He saw a picture of the Salt Lake Temple, and pointed to angel Moroni and asked us who it was. We said his name is Moroni, and before we got the chance to explain any more, he said, "Oh, the son of Mormon, right? And the one who appeared to Joseph Smith?" He is amazing! Sister Millis and I are convinced he's going to be an apostle someday. At church Sunday they made an announcement for institute and the CES fireside by Elder Bednar. Before we even had the chance to invite him, he told us he was coming because he loves studying the scriptures and wants to hear an apostle speak! We also overheard him tell the institute teacher that he wants to go on a mission someday because he thinks it's so wonderful that we go around and help people find the true church.
Monday we had interviews with President. He is so wonderful! His son, Scott, just got his mission call to the Catania mission! He's really excited! They will have 3 kids on a mission, and someone from their family in every mission in Italy. Me and my companion were last for interviews, and we took a bus from the church to a members house. President was on his way to the train station and took the same bus as us. We were talking to some people on the bus, and the whole time President was standing right above us looking over our shoulder! It was probably the most intimidating bus ride ever!
I've been studying a lot lately about grace and the power of our Heavenly Father. I love the scripture in Jacob 4:6-7 (I think) that talks about how Jacob is able to work miracles only through the grace of God. Nephi tells us in 2 Nephi 25:23 that it is by the grace of God that we are saved, after all we can do. I love the definition True to the Faith gives of grace. We not only need grace to eventually be saved and have eternal life, but we need the grace of God every single day of our lives. It is only through his power and strength that we have power and strength.
I also love the story in 1 Nephi 18 that talks about Nephi building the boat. Heavenly Father could easily have built the boat himself. He doesn't need Nephi to build it. But he allowed Nephi the opportunity to build a ship so that Nephi could learn to trust in the Lord. It's the same with missionary work. He doesn't need us. He has all power, and he could easily do this work without our help. But He allows us to be here to learn to trust Him, to help us learn to turn our lives over to our Heavenly Father. He makes so much more of us than we could ever make on our own. An elder I worked with took the story in 1 Nephi 18, and applied it to missionary work. Nephi talks about how he didn't build the ship after the manner of men, but of God. In the same way, God builds His missionaries and His children everywhere after His manner, not the manner of the world. There's a scripture in Psalms that talks about us as clay and Heavenly Father as the potter. I am striving to turn my life over to Him, to let him mold me and build me into what He needs to be. I am trying to let go of myself and be what He would have me be.
Buona settimana! Vi voglio tantissimo bene!!!
Sorella Hawkey