Week #35 – Miracles
Hello Everyone,
So many things to say about this week but don’t worry I won’t overload you guys with every little detail! Best one word summary: MIRACLES.
Started off Monday with having to spend half of pday in a super ghetto school for my companion to do a cultural course for his permesso. Despite that awful environment we came away with two solid contacts that we will actually be seeing this week!! Moving on, Wednesday and Thursday I was in Pescara to do a scambio. I got to be with Anziano Maxwell (awesome) again since the last time we really were only together for about an hour and a half and then other stuff came up so this time we did a full scambio. We were teaching a lesson in the church and out of nowhere this guy and girl walk in asking for more information about the church. This does not happen people. Anziano Maxwell asked if they would be willing to wait a few minutes for us to finish the lesson and he got their name and number. So we go back to teaching and finish the lesson (25 minutes later, this investigator can talk!) and then call them immediately. Turns out they had waited the whole time!
They come in and we sit down and hear their story. They are both 19 years old, MARRIED, living in Italy for about a month, the uncle of the husband is a bishop in the church back in Venezuela, and they know nothing about the church. We have one of the most spirit packed lessons I’ve ever experienced. They were just so humble and so willing to learn. We talked to them briefly about the gospel and the basic principles we believe then gave them a tour of the church and invited them to come on Sunday! Afterwards Anziano Maxwell and I were in such shock we couldn’t even explain what had just happened. It takes weeks here in Italy to find people to teach. These people just walked up and asked for it. It was amazing. I spoke with Anziano Maxwell yesterday and they did in fact come to church on Sunday.
Later in the week back in Ascoli, I setup a lesson with a contact I had met by the bus stop the previous week and we went to go teach her. Her name is Bruna. She is amazing. She is from Albania but lived in Greece for ten years and now has lived in Italy for ten years. She also is extremely humble. She has no Christian background and identifies as Muslim but also has no knowledge of Islamic beliefs either. Needless to say we have had to change our teaching approach completely. It’s been incredible. We get to teach the simplest of simple truths and she loves it. We actually saw her twice and she even came to church!
So after a week like this what can I say? I can testify to every single person reading this letter that God is real. That He knows us. That He is preparing people all over the world from every nation to hear the gospel and it is completely in His wisdom where and when they find it. That prayer is something so sacred and so precious. When we sincerely open up our hearts to Heavenly Father, first and foremost thank Him for each and every little thing He has blessed us with, and then ask Him with all our hearts for help, for guidance, and for direction He will not leave us questioning. We will be filled with peace and hope.
Lastly, I can say that trials are absolutely necessary for us to be able to become anything great. When it seems that you’re not getting anywhere just remember these inspiring words said by Elder Richard G. Scott, “Our Heavenly Father did not put us on earth to fail but to succeed gloriously.”
Have incredible weeks everyone, and don’t forget Passover this weekend!!
Love you all,
Anziano Friedman
