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Top Secret Docs + The FEDE Dream |
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AKTOBEAR 23, 2000 -
O.K. - The other day Anz. Perry sent us an envelope from the office. Inside was a packet of Papers with a cover sheet that said "TOP SECRET DOCUMENTS- for my buddies Anz. Pasto and Anz. Guilder." These "documents" were a talk from Anziano Gene R. Cook on Faith. (In italian) - Well, as I was reading it Sunday (after a great and spiritual church meeting) I started to feel the Spirit rushing through my body. What I was reading was really touching my heart - It explained faith as a principle of commitment and action - It starts w/ firm commitments in our minds and then as we put our trust in the Lord and do our part (cio'e' WORK) miracles happen.
In that moment I felt like something came (finally) to a head and burst inside me. Throughout my mission I've recognized the importance of giving your heart over to the work COMPLETELY. But I could never bring myself to do it all the way. (I'd always hold something back - or my fear prevented me from doing my all) But in that moment I decided to really commit myself. I felt really powerful and full of energy. I felt like I needed to commit myself in that moment to exercise my faith. So I set a goal. 5 baptisms in the month of November. It's going to happen. I've committed myself to give my all so that it can happen.
In District Meeting that same day I shared my feeling w/ my companion and invited him to commit to the same goal and level of personal commitment. He accepted because the Spirit was strong and he's a good guy. Things have been building toward this moment: when I start to apply my full potential. I'm sure there will be moments of weakness - but my commitment is to give it all I've got.
One of the contributing factors to this change is an experience I had in Ancona - I don't think I wrote it in my journal - but it was something special that I need to write now: One of the nights during my first weeks in Ancona I had a dream: In the dream I had just woken up. I was laying in my normal bed at night w/ my eyes open. Usually beside my bed in real life was a blank white wall. In the dream, instead there was a poster. This poster depicted an Italian landscape scene of the rolling grassy hills of Toscana - Little old buildings and castles peaked out of the hilly profiles. Written in large white capital letters across the top of this scene was a single word: "FEDE" - faith. Also written across the bottom was a short phrase - but to this day I don't remember what it said. I awoke to my alarm clock. I practically sprinted out of bed as I was filled w/ an amazing energy. My companion still groggy later told me he thought that I had woken up early 'cause he never saw me in the room (I ran out so fast) -
I reflect on that dream often, and am now finally beginning to understand its significance. Ever since I came to Trento, I've felt something about this city. God is going to bless it - w/ all my faith, hope, and prayers, I'm doing my part.
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