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| Anziano Barnes and Mimmo in Genova |
la mia settimana: l'ultima
Ciao tutti
This week was also a great one!
The picture is of Mimmo and I. I want to start out sharing two cool
miracles. A few days ago we had a ton of appointments fall through.
We were doing our back up plan and we came across a south american family
sitting on the bench. At first, the wife seemed interested. We
focused on her. Then, it became evident that she was a JW and she wasn't
very interested. Then, the husband seemed to be more interested! It
turns out that he is an inactive member! He hasn't had anything to do
with the church for more than 10 years, but, 2 nights ago, he had a dream about
the book of mormon. He didn't know what it meant. Then, we show up!
I felt the spirit really strong as we testified to him and invited him to pick
up and read his book of mormon again (which he hasn't also in a really long
time)! But, that's not the end, for then the teenage boy seemed to be
interested! He was intrigued by the book of mormon and asked if we had an
extra copy. He took it and looked at it while we continued to talk to
both him and the father. At a certain point, he jumped in and said that
we just seem so happy when we talk about these things! He wants to learn
more!
And, yesterday, we were teaching
Gloria (the one who heard that we worship joseph smith and such...). She
is so fun to teach because she has tons of questions always, she's a bit
stubborn and stuck in her ways, but, interestingly enough, she is super open to
learn and try what we tell her to do! Here's the cool part - we invited
her to prepare herself to be baptized on the 22nd of September. She
wouldn't say neither yes or no. But, after the lesson, as she was walking
out the door of the church, she turned around and asked us "What time
would it be on the 22nd?" Even if she didn't formally accept the
invite, she's definitely thinking about it and she's going to try to be ready!
I'm so grateful to have served here
in Genova with Anziano Ibba and also having served as a district leader.
Having 7 other missionaries to try to help and serve saved me this transfer -
I've had some of the roughest days ever. But, when I'd get home and start
thinking of them and then try to serve them, even in just those few minutes in the
evening, the whole day turned around and it would finish great! And,
being with Anziano Ibba was great! There's a little bit more Italian in
me! And, he also has been a huge help for me this past transfer! He
is so happy and so funny that even the hardest moments turn fun! He went
crazy too this week and was working harder than I've ever seen any missionary
work! One evening, only having a few minutes before returning home, he
led out in running streets to find the next person to talk to! It was a
blast!
This morning I was reviewing my
setting apart and the father's blessing that I got before coming out to the
field. My goal was to try to see how much the Lord has helped me in these
two years grow into the things mentioned and also to figure out what the next
level for me is. And, it was awesome! Every single thing that it
talks about has happened! I've become what it talks about! Luckily,
there is still a lot of room for improvement, so I don't have to stop working!
Anyway, the big thing that I learned today for what the next level for me needs
to be is that I need to focus everything on the savior. I've changed so
much in these two years - from being very self-centered to now desiring to
always be focused on and serving others. But, I can take that to an even
higher level by trying to serve Jesus Christ with all of my heart (desires),
mind (thoughts), and strength (actions). In this way, my desire to help
others will be aligned better with what Christ wants for them!
Anyway, I feel great! I've been
trying to give my last sprint this past week and engulf myself fully in the
work of the Lord! And, more than ever before, it happened! I still
can't believe that I'm going home in a couple days. I haven't even really
thought about it at all yet. And, I don't want to think about it until
I'm in the plane, after having talked with all the people close to me. I
want to maximize every last opportunity I have to help others come unto Christ
while I'm still set apart as one of His representatives!
Vi voglio bene!
-Anziano Barnes
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