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Giulo's Baptism + Arguing w/ Pres. Jensen |
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July 16, 2001 -
Well, something really cool happened yesterday. Recently I found out that Giulio (an ex-contact from Bologna) was taking the month of June to make a decision on the church through deep study, prayer, and fasting.
Well yesterday he was baptised. Church here in Padova got over at 12,00. Right afterwards Elder Ditto & I (and the 2 sisters from Padova) jumped in the Punto and we floored it to Bologna because the baptism was scheduled for 1,00. We got there right as the opening song started.
It was a great service. Elder Freston (My ex-companion) baptised him in the small font in the basement. [it was the 1st baptism that Elder Freston saw on his mission of a person he taught] It was amazing to see the anxious look on his face as he stood there in the water - then to see the absolute peace and joy that filled his eyes as he came out of the water. The spirit touched my heart as the power of the Priesthood was manifested in the ordinances thereof.
After the baptism, Giulio bore his testimony. He told of how he was met by Sis. Kingman a year ago in Bologna. How he got the BoM and wasn't interested in reading it, but one day he had the desire to read something and opened the BoM. He had finished the whole thing by that night.
He talked of the long line of missionaries that has come through Bologna and how their patient and humble influence has guided him to gain a testimony. He said that, from the 1st meeting, he felt the special spirit of the message we bring. He's going to be a rock in the church at Bologna & will bring in 100's of people.
It was a fulfilling feeling to have had the opportunity to be a part of his conversion process, although my testimony is that the most work was done between himself and God. I love that guy.
Today, for some reason I'm kind of ticked at the world. I don't know why I woke up w/ my snotty attitude. I'm trying to change it a bit. I think I'm just feeling kind of stressed and fed up with not being a "normal" missionary - but it's ok. I like my calling - it can just be frustrating sometimes.
Actually, recently I got into a small argument with Pres. Jensen. It wasn't with raised voices or anything. I just got a little offended and started into a self-defense tactic. It was about Giulio and that I never really pressed him to come to church because of his personality. (He was an all-or-nothing kind of guy). Anyway, it's usually not a good idea to argue with your mission Pres. Anyway - I felt really bad and I apologized to him after he ate lunch - he said he didn't even notice. He forgave subito. He's a really cool humble man.
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