Ciao!!
We didn’t have a ton happen this week and I don’t have a ton of time to respond today so I will try my hardest to just give a recap of the week and what all happened and share something I learned this week in studying.
We had a second lesson with someone from our English course and he ended up dropping us after the lesson. He has different beliefs and just doesn’t want to continue, but that is ok. It reinforced the fact that we aren’t here to force people to do anything at all. We are here to invite and for people to ask God themselves if the things we teach and if the Book of Mormon is the word of God. We are unable to convince people. We have to allow the Holy Ghost to touch their hearts and do what we can do to create the best spiritual environment.
We met with Silvestro and Claudia again and we just seem to continue to run into the problem that they will not commit to the things we ask. It’s hard when they tell us they will and they just continue to fall short, but I am trying to remember that everyone has their moral agency and they have the right to choose for themselves what they want to do. That seems to be a main struggle is getting to meet with our investigators and getting commitments.
So the family that I had talked about that is here from Nigeria? We haven’t heard from them and whenever we call it goes straight to voicemail, so we went to visit and see what was up and we ended up finding out the dad went back to Africa for work related purposes (we think) but one of the sons was there. He had a priest over from the Catholic church and they said it would be fine to be able to share a message with them. We did a quick lesson on the restoration and then left.
It was really nice and they both said they would like a copy of the Book of Mormon and we have a return appointment for John, the oldest son of the family. He is awesome. He is going to be studying in Canada next fall and he speaks perfect English and not any Italian at all. He likes soccer as well. We ran into him on the way to a ward activity Saturday and he was with his younger brother, John, and he said that he had told his brother about us and everything which was super sweet! We are excited to see him tonight.
We met with Riccardo this past week and had another long lesson, and it went well. He is just still having trouble committing fully.
We are really hoping that our investigators will just start to read and pray to build their testimonies. I love the scripture in Alma 37:6-7:
6 Now ye may suppose that this is foolishness in me; but behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise.
7 And the Lord God doth work by means to bring about his great and eternal purposes; and by very small means the Lord doth confound the wise and bringeth about the salvation of many souls.
These things don’t come all at once. We have to start somewhere though. I couldn’t walk out onto a track right now and run my best 800 meter race of all time. Not a chance. But if I started to run and build up a base I could surely get there as I push myself and try to work towards that. Surely it wouldnt be easy, but this is the great thing about the grace of God. He helps make up our shortcomings. If we give all we can do and try our hardest to do what is right and strive to follow Christ and his teachings we will be blessed.
I just know that people that read the Book of Mormon with an open heart and mind, desiring to know if it is true, and ask Heavenly Father with real intent (meaning we will act on the answer that we receive) that he will respond. Interestingly, though, He doesn’t respond in the ways that we always think or expect. He does it in different ways and it’s never the same way for each of us. I have seen it answered in a feeling we get, thoughts, other people, the scriptures, church talks, words of the living prophets and apostles. He works in different ways and sometimes we have to make sure that we are the ones listening to the answer that He is offering us, and sometimes that isn’t an easy thing to do. I know, though, that as we strive to listen that we can see that He does answer our prayers. Press forward with faith and continue to do what is right and He will bless you.
I read an article in April’s Liahona that I really liked, there were two actually. One is The Power of Faith and the other was Go Forth in Faith. They explain some really good insights that I really enjoyed.
I finished reading the Book of Mormon again yesterday and excitedly started again this morning. I love the Book of Mormon so much and am so thankful that I have had it in my life. It has helped me know what I need to do in my life and I continue to learn from it. In the final chapter of the Book of Mormon, in Moroni chapter 10, it talks about the gifts of the spirit. It says in verse 19 that these gifts will never cease and then continues on to talk about how we must have faith, hope, charity. I love verse 19, though, because He is the same and I am thankful that He once again called prophets on the earth and he called Joseph Smith to restore Christ’s church on the Earth.
We met some good people this week and, even though some didn’t give us phone numbers, we are really hoping that they will call us back. This work is tough, but Anziano Calvagna and I are pressing forward. We help each other out and we keep things fun.
The weather is getting hot, but with the lack of dryers here none of my short sleeves ever get the wrinkles out when I hang them up to dry, so that’s awesome.
I made a pizza last night and the dough didn’t cook all the way through so that was cool. But I am having fun. My district is awesome and they are all super funny, encouraging and nice.
Well, I have to get going so I will talk to you guys next week and will hopefully be able to share a little more with you all. Everyone take care and have an amazing week. I am off to go into Rome for the day and visit some more of the same stuff I’ve already seen, since Sister Arnold (in our district) is headed home at the end of this transfer. Love you all and hope the best for you.
Love,
Anziano Garrett
Sweets
Sweet castle!
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