Cara Famiglia,
Well this week was Thanksgiving. It was pretty strange not having any hype for it here in Italy, but the weather was pretty Thanksgiving-ish I guess. My companion and I spent a little bit of companionship study listing off to each other things we're grateful for, and then continued throughout the day, so that was fun. We also got some Kebab to celebrate! And I am thankful for an awesome family and an awesome mission!
This week was pretty good! We are still teaching Isaac and he is awesome. We are seeing him tonight with a member, and hoping to make some real progress. We were a little worried, because last Friday we taught him the Word of Wisdom and he was a little hesitant about accepting it, but he was still super excited to come to church so we took that as a great sign. And then he came and brought Rita(his fianceè)! It was great, and the Sacrament Meeting was dedicated to the Young Women so they all spoke and sang a song together and Isaac and Rita both liked it. We are also still teaching Thomas, although he is a bit flaky. I don't blame him because he has a really difficult/complex situation, but it's tough to teach somebody when you go to there place and then find out they're in Bergamo even though you confirmed the lesson the night before! Fun stuff here on the mission. Another cool story, this lady named Martina who Anziano Webb and I found in Gallarate about a month ago finally resurfaced and scheduled a solid return appointment. So we went over to her house the other night with a member and found out she's Seventh-Day Adventist! She is one of the first members of that church I've really come in contact with before, and she is big on Saturday being the Sabbath Day still but she is great! She had even been reading out of the Book of Mormon since we had left it with her! So we're excited to help her get baptized!
In other news, the weather is getting a bit cold. Legnano is still Legnano, and everything is going well. Today we hit up Switzerland for P-day, Bellinzona and Lugano are gorgeous, and we even got some Dr. Pepper and Vanilla Coke, which for some strange, sad reason is not sold here in Italy! Other than that, we are really pushing on member and less-active work this week and things are looking up. This work is amazing.
My spiritual though this week comes from a fantastic talk on gratitude given by President Monson in the October 2010 conference called 'The Divine Gift of Gratitude.' Even the title makes me grateful for the opportunity to be grateful! Anyway, he quotes Joseph F. Smith here: “The grateful man sees so much in the world to be thankful for, and with him the good outweighs the evil. Love overpowers jealousy, and light drives darkness out of his life. Pride destroys our gratitude and sets up selfishness in its place. How much happier we are in the presence of a grateful and loving soul, and how careful we should be to cultivate, through the medium of a prayerful life, a thankful attitude toward God and man!” I know that is true! I've noticed that when I'm ever down or unhappy during the day, I can just think back to how much the Lord has blessed me every single day of my short 20 years of life up until this point, especially on my mission! And then I realize the truth of this Aldous Huxley quote (also in the talk): “Most human beings have an almost infinite capacity for taking things for granted.” So I am really grateful for my family, for my mission, for my friends, for my companion, for all the blessings the Gospel of Jesus Christ brings me, and the most amazing gift ever which is the Atonement of Jesus Christ. I love you all a lot!
-Anziano Benjamin Smith
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Church is awesome!
Cara Famiglia,
How is everything? Busto is awesome! We are having a great week and just tearing it up here. This Sunday we had seven non-members in church! Including Isaac, our awesome golden Nigerian friend, and two other Nigerian brothers who we found this week. It was awesome to see them there and be able to feel the spirit of church!
So Isaac is still going great! We taught him about baptism with a member during the first hour of church and it went great! He really wants to be baptized. And then last night we taught him again with a member and we taught the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and it went really good! So he is progressing well, reading the Book of Mormon and praying and still hoping to be baptized on the 10th of December. Although it will be a miracle if he can get married by then. But pray for him to be able to obey the Law of Chastity! The other two Nigerian brothers we brought to church are Thomas and Augustin. They are refugees from Libya! They literally ran away from war to get on a boat and make it here with just the clothes on their backs and are living in a guest house here under the custody of the UN. It is a little bit tough to teach them because they mainly speak Pidgin English, but they came to church and are reading the Book of Mormon! We are seeing them again tomorrow. They are great.
Other than that we are doing a bunch of finding work. We talked about it in District Meeting this week about how finding work isn't just finding people, it's finding your family members who need the gospel! They aren't from someone else's family either! So we are really working hard as we contact people to love them and just bear pure testimony about how the restored gospel will bless their lives!
I read through Enos the other day, and I really liked an idea that Enos put into practice:
10 And while I was thus struggling in the spirit, behold, the voice of the Lord came into my mind again, saying: I will visit thy brethren according to their diligence in keeping my commandments. I have given unto them this land, and it is a holy land; and I curse it not save it be for the cause of iniquity; wherefore, I will visit thy brethren according as I have said; and their transgressions will I bring down with sorrow upon their own heads.
11 And after I, Enos, had heard these words, my faith began to be unshaken in the Lord; and I prayed unto him with many long strugglings for my brethren, the Lamanites.
I liked the idea of 'struggling in the spirit'. It is really true sometimes that we may have to struggle to recognize, understand, and follow the spirit's promptings, but when we do that our faith begins to be unshaken! I wish all my prayers were like that, but prayer, as the Bible Dictionary says, is a form of work! I know that as we diligently work on improving our prayers, to make them more sincere, specific, and spirit-guided we will truly see miracles happen in our lives. I know Jesus Christ is our Savior, and that this is his "one true and living church". I love this work, and I love you all a lot!
-Anziano Benjamin Smith
How is everything? Busto is awesome! We are having a great week and just tearing it up here. This Sunday we had seven non-members in church! Including Isaac, our awesome golden Nigerian friend, and two other Nigerian brothers who we found this week. It was awesome to see them there and be able to feel the spirit of church!
So Isaac is still going great! We taught him about baptism with a member during the first hour of church and it went great! He really wants to be baptized. And then last night we taught him again with a member and we taught the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and it went really good! So he is progressing well, reading the Book of Mormon and praying and still hoping to be baptized on the 10th of December. Although it will be a miracle if he can get married by then. But pray for him to be able to obey the Law of Chastity! The other two Nigerian brothers we brought to church are Thomas and Augustin. They are refugees from Libya! They literally ran away from war to get on a boat and make it here with just the clothes on their backs and are living in a guest house here under the custody of the UN. It is a little bit tough to teach them because they mainly speak Pidgin English, but they came to church and are reading the Book of Mormon! We are seeing them again tomorrow. They are great.
Other than that we are doing a bunch of finding work. We talked about it in District Meeting this week about how finding work isn't just finding people, it's finding your family members who need the gospel! They aren't from someone else's family either! So we are really working hard as we contact people to love them and just bear pure testimony about how the restored gospel will bless their lives!
I read through Enos the other day, and I really liked an idea that Enos put into practice:
10 And while I was thus struggling in the spirit, behold, the voice of the Lord came into my mind again, saying: I will visit thy brethren according to their diligence in keeping my commandments. I have given unto them this land, and it is a holy land; and I curse it not save it be for the cause of iniquity; wherefore, I will visit thy brethren according as I have said; and their transgressions will I bring down with sorrow upon their own heads.
11 And after I, Enos, had heard these words, my faith began to be unshaken in the Lord; and I prayed unto him with many long strugglings for my brethren, the Lamanites.
I liked the idea of 'struggling in the spirit'. It is really true sometimes that we may have to struggle to recognize, understand, and follow the spirit's promptings, but when we do that our faith begins to be unshaken! I wish all my prayers were like that, but prayer, as the Bible Dictionary says, is a form of work! I know that as we diligently work on improving our prayers, to make them more sincere, specific, and spirit-guided we will truly see miracles happen in our lives. I know Jesus Christ is our Savior, and that this is his "one true and living church". I love this work, and I love you all a lot!
-Anziano Benjamin Smith
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Hello from Laveno!
Cara Famiglia,
I'm currently using the biblioteca in Laveno, Italy at Lago Maggiore and don't have lot's of time. We came here for P-day, it's a pretty little town! It kind of reminds me of New England a bit. I'll try and send pictures maybe next week.
The work here is going well! We are teaching Isaac still and he is rockin' a baptismal date for the 10th of December. We are teaching him the Plan of Salvation tonight with a member who speaks English (served his mission in the England Manchester Mission). He is doing well, and came to church on Sunday! He asked "Do you think the members will mind that I don't speak Italian when I get baptized?" Haha it was kind of funny, but he is doing real well. Pray for him to get a job though. We are also working with our other investigators, basically trying to find time to see them (Blandine, Saul, Roberta, Ravith). But as far as we can tell they are still doing okay.
We are starting an English class! They haven't had one the entire time I've been here so that's going to be exciting. We are doing it Saturday mornings and we spent a bit of time yesterday putting up flyers in Busto centro. We even had some people call us about it!
This week the letter may be a little short, so I hope this spiritual thought would go along with that. In the book of Jacob (which is actually a gold mine of awesome scriptures), chapter 6 verse 12 reads: "O be wise; what can I say more?" It's so simple, but so true! If everyone just did things wisely and really thought about the eternal consequences of their actions, the world would probably go much better. I know that it is wise to follow Jesus Christ, and that the Book of Mormon is the word of God. I know this work is the greatest thing I could ever do. I love you all lots!
-Anziano Benjamin Smith
I'm currently using the biblioteca in Laveno, Italy at Lago Maggiore and don't have lot's of time. We came here for P-day, it's a pretty little town! It kind of reminds me of New England a bit. I'll try and send pictures maybe next week.
The work here is going well! We are teaching Isaac still and he is rockin' a baptismal date for the 10th of December. We are teaching him the Plan of Salvation tonight with a member who speaks English (served his mission in the England Manchester Mission). He is doing well, and came to church on Sunday! He asked "Do you think the members will mind that I don't speak Italian when I get baptized?" Haha it was kind of funny, but he is doing real well. Pray for him to get a job though. We are also working with our other investigators, basically trying to find time to see them (Blandine, Saul, Roberta, Ravith). But as far as we can tell they are still doing okay.
We are starting an English class! They haven't had one the entire time I've been here so that's going to be exciting. We are doing it Saturday mornings and we spent a bit of time yesterday putting up flyers in Busto centro. We even had some people call us about it!
This week the letter may be a little short, so I hope this spiritual thought would go along with that. In the book of Jacob (which is actually a gold mine of awesome scriptures), chapter 6 verse 12 reads: "O be wise; what can I say more?" It's so simple, but so true! If everyone just did things wisely and really thought about the eternal consequences of their actions, the world would probably go much better. I know that it is wise to follow Jesus Christ, and that the Book of Mormon is the word of God. I know this work is the greatest thing I could ever do. I love you all lots!
-Anziano Benjamin Smith
Saturday, November 12, 2011
Busto Transfer #4!
Cara Famiglia,
Well I have a new companion! I would say that was the biggest difference this week here in Busto Arsizio. It was kind of strange not having Anziano Webb by my side, but Anziano Mitchell is just great! He is in his third transfer and is a stud already. He asks really good questions to people.
Anyway, the work is going good. We have had trouble seeing Saul and Blandine the past couple days, but we will see them soon and help them get back on track. The big miracle this week started on Sunday. As church was starting we got a call from some random number. So we called them back and it was this guy named Isaac who says "Hey! You are those missionaries right? You guys gave me your card a couple months ago and I want to know where your church is so I can come today!" We were speechless! Pass-along cards work! But anyway, he couldn't actually come that day because it was raining and he didn't have a car, but we saw him yesterday, and he is the man! He is from Nigeria, and has been in Italy for about three years. He met some sister missionaries in Bergamo about a year ago but was too busy to take any lessons with them. But now he's just chillin' in Gallarate with his fianceè, so he is ready and willing to learn and to be baptized the 10th of December! And his fianceè Rita is also pretty interested! Basically it was one of the coolest miracles ever heard of. We are super excited to teach him.
We went to Milano today for P-day, so that was fun. Saw a bit of the Duomo and the Galleria Vittorio Emmanuele again, which is always fun. The Duomo in Milano really is an amazing building.
This week I read one of my favorite chapters in the Book of Mormon: 2 Nephi 29! It is just laying down the law about more scripture. I really like how strong the language is and how it reminds us that we don't tell God when his work is finished. I'm really grateful that we have the Book of Mormon to be proof of that, that God loves all his children. I know that it's true, and that this work is directed by our Heavenly Father! I know Jesus is the Christ, the redeemer and savior of the world, and I know that through him comes true happiness. I love you all tons and tons!
-Anziano Benjamin Smith
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Miracles!
Cara Famiglia,
Well like always, miracles are happening in Busto Arsizio. There are also good investigators here. I swear, every day we find people that are super elect and so clearly need the Gospel, it's ridiculous. We are working still with Saul. He is having trouble reading, but he is still praying and is super awesome. Not too many 16 year olds I know would be spending their time meeting with missionaries and trying to fight the right path in their life to follow God. So he is still the man. Also Blandine is progressing very well. She reads and understands everything great! We taught her part two of the Plan of Salvation last night with a member and it went very well. We also had a good lesson with Ravith and Elisabeth yesterday, even though it's tough for them to understand it was great for them to realize for themselves that if they want to resolve their confusion they have to read the Book of Mormon and pray about it.
Other than that we had some good miracles. We went to Somma Lombardo(this little town where Rafael, one of our new converts lives), where I don't think missionaries have ever done finding work before. But we had a cool experience. Right as we walked out of the train station we were happy because there are some tall palazzi there that we were excited to knock. But first we stopped and talked to this lady walking her dog on the street. Her name was Chiara, and we talked with her about Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon. And it turns out she has been searching through religions for the truth for a long time! After we explained the Book of Mormon she was like "Oh I really want a copy of this book, where can I get it?" And she said a prayer for us right there on the street (after asking us how she can pray correctly to communicate with God), and said "I don't think it's by chance that I met you guys here today!" So she is awesome. We also had an awesome Sunday where we taught five lessons! It was great, and we got a couple good new investigators out of it. More to come on them.
Oh and the big transfer news is that Anziano Webb is going to Verona! Yeah, the beautiful city of Romeo e Giulietta! My new companion will be a certain Anziano Mitchell, who has been in Italy about three months and is coming from Collegno (a suburb of Torino). It should be fun!
Another funny random side note: I don't know if I've ever mentioned this before, but Anziano Webb falls down a lot. I hope as I describe this I don't sound like I'm making fun of him because we both laugh at it and he truly is coordinated, but he trips over things alllllll the time! The other day he tripped over a thing on the ground that was maybe a 1/2 cm incline. I will miss him as a companion!
This week's spiritual thought is from the doctrinal powerhouse chapter of 2 Nephi 9. I really like verses 50-52:
50 Come, my brethren, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters; and he that hath no money, come buy and eat; yea, come buy wine and milk without money and without price.
51 Wherefore, do not spend money for that which is of no worth, nor your labor for that which cannot satisfy. Hearken diligently unto me, and remember the words which I have spoken; and come unto the Holy One of Israel, and feast upon that which perisheth not, neither can be corrupted, and let your soul delight in fatness.
52 Behold, my beloved brethren, remember the words of your God; pray unto him continually by day, and give thanks unto his holy name by night. Let your hearts rejoice.
51 Wherefore, do not spend money for that which is of no worth, nor your labor for that which cannot satisfy. Hearken diligently unto me, and remember the words which I have spoken; and come unto the Holy One of Israel, and feast upon that which perisheth not, neither can be corrupted, and let your soul delight in fatness.
52 Behold, my beloved brethren, remember the words of your God; pray unto him continually by day, and give thanks unto his holy name by night. Let your hearts rejoice.
It's like a spiritual buffet! When we come unto Christ our spirits are filled and there is no price except the "heart and a willing mind." I love the Gospel! I'm grateful for the opportunities every day to share this message with people who need it and see the impact it has in their lives. I know the Book of Mormon is the word of God, and that Joseph Smith was a true prophet of God!
I love you all lots!
-Anziano Benjamin Smith
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)