Well, transfer news finally came in last night
after two days of having heart attacks every single time the phone rang. We're
all staying in Rimini another transfer! It's going to be a little different
though; Sorella Alley and Sorella Burkman will still be companions. I will be
opening a new coppia with Sorella Strong. I don't know her, but she was in the
MTC with Sorella Burkman. Surely Rimini has some really young missionaries with
Sorella Alley and I on our fourth transfer and Sorelle Burkman and Strong on
their third. Even though it's a little sad we won't be companions anymore, I
think we're all really excited for the change. It's hard to work in three; and
more importantly, this means Rimini has two companionships. The members are all
really excited. I do realize my next six weeks will consist of finding work. I
don't mind finding, though, and Rimini is a beautiful place to be outside
everyday.
 |
| This is our sweet family! Cristian, Valentina, and Serena! |
This does mean that I won't be teaching the
people I have grown to love. That's probably the hardest thing about this
change. It's going to be really hard to not teach Cristian and Valentina
anymore. I just love this family so much. Sunday they came to church as a
family! Cristian wasn't going to be able to make it, but he told his work he
cannot work on Sundays anymore because he has to be at church. I've said it
before, and I will continue to say it through the eternities - this family is
elect. Valentina was welcomed by the branch just as Cristian was last week.
They love this family just like we knew they would. They both participated in
Gospel Principles. I definitely appreciated this because five minutes before
class started, the teacher asked me to teach the lesson. Having Cristian and
Valentina there and participating was such a blessing. Between them and Emilio
and Ilaria, we had a really great discussion about charity.
There is a little bit of sad news with Cristian
and Valentina. They're moving at the end of this month. They'll get baptized
before they move, though, and they're going to a place with a really strong
ward. They're actually there this week and we talked to the missionaries
serving there. They're going to help Cristian and Valentina find the church and
maybe have a lesson with them. Mostly they're just going to give them a
beautiful welcome, which we really appreciate.
Ok, this week I received some of the most welcome
news of my life. One of our new converts is going to Milano for a month, so I
called Anziano Garner to ask if he would help her figure out which ward to go
to and just help her out a little. We talked a few times throughout the day and
at one point he was helping set up for a baptism . . . for KEVIN! Anziano
Garner actually baptized him and Alberto was a witness. I was just so happy.
Anziano Garner told me he had a surprise for me and a few seconds later I heard
the familiar "Ciao Sister." It was my sweet Alberto! I didn't get to
talk to him for very long, but it did my heart so much good. He passed the
phone to Kevin's mom, Monica and we both cried a little bit. She thanked me for
helping prepare Kevin for baptism and reminded me of my promise to come back in
a year at the end of my mission. I don't think I could ever forget that.
 |
| Look! Sorella Stewart just sent me this beautiful picture of one of my favorite families. I've never been so happy! |
Then I
was able to talk to my very dear Sorella Stewart. Here's where the news gets
almost unbelievable. Anabella's brother, Alessandro, had just had his baptismal
interview. At the end of the interview, Eleazer pulled the district leader back
inside and had his own interview. If everything went as planned, they both got
baptized yesterday. I don't know if I have ever cried so hard. I'm crying now!
I'm just so happy for this family. Norelys has been praying for this for ten
years! In one year, they will be able to go to the temple! I want to thank you
all for the prayers you have said on behalf of this family. I can't properly
express my gratitude. Of course, I'm sad because I wish I could have been in
Milano for these three baptisms. But, what's important is that these three people
I love with all of my heart have made a beautiful covenant with the Lord. I could
not be happier at this moment. I don't think I've ever been happier in my
life.
Sometimes as missionaries we teach people for
so long we refer to them as eternal investigators. I beg of all of you out
there don't think of them like this. The moment you put it into your head that
they will never get baptized, you put one more block in front of them.
Sometimes it takes longer then others. Eleazer has met with missionaries for
ten years on and off. All we can do as missionaries is keep loving them. Miracles
happen, especially when you least expect it.
I love you all. I'm so excited for the next six
weeks. I know we'll have a lot of challenges. Opening is difficult, but I
already know and love the branch. They want to be the best missionaries they
can. Our job is to help them do that. Thank you for everything!
 |
| Sometimes Sorella Burkman bites her fingernails. Sorella Alley keeps threatening her we're going to soak them in vinegar. I guess she bit them one time too many. |
 |
| You know you're going to have a good time when you walk into a member's house and see this . . . Gotta love pizza time with Emilio and Ilaria. |
No comments:
Post a Comment