Anziano Justin Barnes, Italy Milan Mission: La Mia Grande Sentimana

Anziano Barnes, Valentin, Anz. Wilkinson

This week was absolutely full of miracles! Miracle number 1 - Valentin is back!!! We made contact with him the couple times after he didn't come to church and it seemed like all was lost. However, on Thursday we felt like we should call him again to share a quick scripture from the book of mormon and invite him to read it. Then, saturday morning we got a call from him, saying that he really needed some help (his money was completely exhausted, and he couldn't pay to stay in his house)- he was, in a sense, "compelled to be humble." We told him that if he would pray and if he would read the Book of Mormon, he could have a sense of peace, and that although we couldn't help him, God could. That night, after conference, we happened to run into the Bishop (he was supposed to be there early, but due to a bunch of reasons - peoples' needs and poor traffic situations - was unable to arrive to the church on time, but he arrived right as we were leaving the church). We talked to him about what we had just learned about Valentin's situation (and that it seemed like he might be in a state to return back to the church), and we sugeested that he talk with Valentin - and he did, right there on his phone! That phone call was a complete miracle. Anyway, to make a long story short, Valentin said he would come to the church the next afternoon at 5:30 (there would be people there all day because of general conference) and he would meet with the bishop in person then. And, come Sunday, just like the old Valentin we knew, he showed up early - 12:00! He got to watch a bit of priesthood session and then talked with the bishop. The bishop is doing a ton for Valentin. The cool thing was to see the light that was returning to Valentin. On Sunday, we could tell he had changed (for the better) and was returning to the spiritual state in which he used to be in. He told us on sunday that he wanted to be confirmed. He said he's not interested any more in his old friends (who really have been jerks to him ever since they found out what he did) and wants new friends - members. He wants all of the pictures that we took with him at his baptism (he had probably 50 or so with the members that came). ANyway, he's happy again. He feels the peace that comes from living the gospel. And, last night he got a call from someone offering him a place to stay for really cheap (he still needs money though...). However, we have faith that everything will continue to work out for him, for the Lord "shall prepare a way" for Valentin to "accomplish" His will. Yeah, we got him back!

Another cool miracle was that one of the guys who comes to our English class came to conference (we didn't even remember inviting him)! He seems interested in the gospel, so we think now is the time that we jump on the opportunity and begin to teach him!

Last night we got the phone call about what's happening with transfers - we're staying the same! Finally I get to stay with someone longer than 6 weeks! We're really excited, and we're ready to continue to change the city and continue to turn the work around, helping to spark the work in the whole mission!

Oh yeah, I almost forgot about the other huge highlight of the week - conference! I learned a lot. Two of the sessions (Saturday Morning and Priesthood) we watched in English (we had to watch them online because the television that was supposed to be used for showing it in English wasn't working for some reason). We watched Saturday afternoon and Sunday mornning in Italian (we weren't able to see Sunday afternoon due to the time it was played - 10:00 to midnight...) - that was a cool experience.

Anyway, that pretty much sums of the cool things that happened this week - this work really is in the hands of the Lord!

-Anziano Barnes