A really interesting week

Date: Wed, Oct 6, 2010 at 4:04 AM

Subject: A really interesting week

So far as key indicators are concerned, this has been the worst week of my mission. but, that doesn't really matter. Because it's made me think a lot about being humble. I've prayed a lot this week. Also, I finished Jesus the Christ for the first time yesterday. Also, I've been thinking about how I can feel the spirit more. Cause I think I'm kinda blocking myself from inspiration. Suggestions? Anyways...

On wednesday last, we taught Maria a lesson about the plan of Salvation, and we invited her to conference. It was a really powerful lesson. She's starting to find a lot of happiness in what we teach, and she's reading the Book of Mormon. It's pretty awesome. Then, at english class, we taught, and one of our students asked what Mormons believe. So... we started talking about it. Our english students may become investigators! (English class does serve a purpose!)

Thursday, we went to a beautiful city called Verbania, where a member family lives. The dad mostly comes to church because he loves his wife, less because he likes church. So... we're trying to help him. I'll include photos of the area. It's a city at the base of the alps, right next to Lago Maggiore. It reminded me a LOT of home. It's a long way from here, so that took us the better part of the day.

Friday, we wandered around the market asking people to listen to us, then we did our planning. That afternoon, we went to Novara, where we taught David a lesson about conference, he said he'd come. We then taught our part-member family, the Manenti's, the husband, Paolo likes everything about the church. He just wants to be VERY secure about his decision to join the church.

Saturday, we taught our friend Prince, who will come to church when he has time... in like a year. We'll be dropping him soon. We then had lunch with Candide, which cost way too much. Don't sit down in pizza places in Italy. at least not that one. and don't order water. Sitting down cost us 6 euro, and water cost 2 euro for every .75 liter. we spent 10 euro on sitting down and water. it's ridiculous. Anyways, lesson learned. Also, good news. Candide got a solid job. He's working as a saldatore (sauterer? guy who works with metals) for a family business, working really good hours. Monday to friday 8-5:30. This means we can teach him on Saturday, and he can still come to church. It's pretty great. We passed by a family with him that asked for the missionaries when they were in salt lake. They gave us their number, and we'll go over some time this week. We then watched the first session of conference, live. Which means 6 PM here for the 10 AM session. It was really good.

Sunday, we basically watched conference all day. The priesthood session was broadcast at 11 AM, then the saturday afternoon session at 2 PM, then the Sunday morning session at 6 PM. We didn't watch the last session. It went from 10-midnight. A question for all of you people. Did anyone think that Elder Christofferson's talk about the consecrated life was awesome? It reminded me of Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics, about the Excellent Life. A comparison of the two would be appreciated. Also, the "we need more missionaries" was interesting. I took a lot of notes. I liked it a lot. In President Monson's sunday morning session, he quoted one of my favorite books. Brave New World by Aldous Huxley. I was pleased.

Monday, we had district meeting, which made me feel really good about myself. We had a semicircle and a chair across, and we said things we loved about the person in the hotseat. It was interesting. It was interesting. We then went to Alessandria to get my Permesso di Soggiorno (green card). We waited for like 2 hours, and then I got it. Normally, missionaries have to renew after one year. Mine expires a week before I come home. so I don't have to renew it ever. WOOT!!!!! We came home to Vercelli, in rather a lot of rain, and no one showed up to our FHE, so we went out in the A LOT of rain, and knocked doors. I was wearing my not-waterproof shoes. They are still wet. It's rather unfortunate. no one let us in. oh well.

Tuesday, we did some market contacting, and then we went to Torino for interviews with president. He was behind, so we were there for about 5 hours. I got to know the missionaries in our zone better. Our Zone Leader, Anziano Newton, knows a lot of people from the Salt Lake area, because he used to live in the Garden Park 2nd ward. also, apparently he is suzanne stack's cousin. He tells me she's married. If someone (caroline?) could confirm that by going on facebook or something, I'd appreciate it. My interview was very interesting. He told me something I've heard many times. "you've got a lot of potential and you aren't tapping it." If I had a nickel for every time I've heard that in my life... I'd probably have about 5 dollars. but seriously. I've heard that before. oh well.

This morning, we went to the questura (police station) to get Anziano Jones fingerprinted for his renewal of his permesso di soggiorno. And now, here we are. It's been a really interesting week.

I've directly sent this to a few more people than I normally do. sorry if you get a double from my mom!
--
Vi Amo!
Anziano Benjamin Jolley

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