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Zone Leaders Visit |
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Jan: 7, 2000
Last night and this morning the Zone Leaders were here. We had quite a few appointments last night so they had plenty to do with us.
For the first part of the night we were supposed to meet with Veronica (an inactive), but she bunged us. So then we went out and did street. I was split w/ Anz. Curle, who goes home next month.
It's very different to teach with a new person. It takes a bit to get used to their style and get into a good teaching swing. The streets were packed because it was the Buffana holiday.
Street went alright, we talked to a Catholic man who actually practices his religion (GASP!) w/ some of his friends, and Anz. Curle got into a little bit of a Bible bash, but I was able to help guide it back on course. I think his friends would have been receptive, but he brought them down with his influence.
Than I split w/ Anz. Allen to go to a dinner appt. at Donatella's. It went well, so it could have gone better.
Today the Zone Leaders gave an "adestrimento" about staying diligent and obedient and getting this year off to a good start. It was a good lesson and showed us a lot of things to improve on.
Anz. Perry was on splits w/ anz. Curle for the meeting w/ Allesandro and Edzio, but they bunged too. Then the Zone leaders had to "split" for Rimini this morning.
This morning Anz. Perry and I talked a bit w/ a catholic priest and gave him a Book of Mormon, he didn't seem real interested, but if he reads it, he'll feel the Spirit. Then we taught a first on the street and gave away another book, but the guy wouldn't give us his number. Then we met another girl who took the book but didn't seem REAL interested. Hopefully things will work out.
Something interesting: When we were teaching Edzio he said something great: "Y'know there IS that passage in the Bible when Jesus is talking to the apostles after his resurrection where he says he has other sheep which are not of this fold to visit, no one, not even my priests, have ever been able to explain that to me before." Then he lifted his eyebrows in the "hmm very interesting" expression. I couldn't believe he said it, and we didn't even have to point it out to him. This guy is very bravo.
I got my first letter of my mission field experience. It was from my Mom and had the collage I asked her to make for Carrie when we were at the airport. It came out very nice. I'm excited to hear what Carrie thought about it. The Zone Leaders brought some other mail down w/ them too. I got a letter from an old man in our ward that saw my name on the bulletin board, (which I still haven't read) and a letter from Anz. Peterson's family. Also a package from my mom w/ a new wallet and pictures and a Christmas card. It was cool and the pictures are neat. There's a few of Carrie from the airport - Woo Hoo! But no letter from Carrie.
I have to give a talk this Sunday at church. It will be on "What does it mean to be Christian?" If that wasn't enough, the mission President - President Curtis - is coming down for this Sunday! Argh! My first talk in Italian & the Pres. is gonnabe there and also a whole bunch of people to hear him. What pressure?
Tonight was bravissimo: We went up the hill to teach Carolina. We had her read the Joseph Smith story and ofter we talked with he about baptism. She is ready, but she doesn't feel worthy. She's keeping all the commitments. So technically she is, but there is a guy in her past who has been mean to her and she has very hard feelings toward him.
She said she has tried and tried to get rid of these, and prays, but she just can't give them up. She was very concerned and said she wants to be forgiven of these before she is baptised. We couldn't think of any way to help her besides bearing testimony, then I felt a prompting and asked anziano Perry if we could give her a blessing.
We explained it to her, that we have the authority to give blessings of comfort that come from God and work according to the person's faith. Then we gave her a blessing and she was very touched by the Spirit. Then we invited her to be baptised on the 27th of Gennaio, but she said that was too fast, the she said: The 4th of Febbraio.
So we took that. She said that date just popped in her head. And she really feels good about it. So we are veryexcited and she said she would be in church this sunday.
In the blessing she was told that God would help her to repent and forgive this guy. I'm very happy for this experience. It has brought her closer to Christ and also touched our hearts.
Then we dropped by Mara's (a contact of the other coppia) for some food at a dinner appy. We had tacos (burritos) which were excellent. Then Mara brought up her feelings about the church and said that she can really sense the truthfulness of the words we say and that she admires how we are always happy.
She said that she thinks she'll be baptised one day, but she wants a sure knowledge that what she's doing is right. We see this all the time, people know the message is right and true but won't accept it. |
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