From: Benjamin Jolley <benjamin.jolley@myldsmail.net>
Date: Thu, Jan 19, 2012 at 3:34 AM
42. That my friends is a scary number. It has a lot of meanings. It is the number of days in six weeks. Which happens to be the time I have left as a missionary. That is a crazy thought. thinking about it, it feels like a LONG time still, but also very short. I'm coming to realize that this time will soon come to an end. I love my mission. There is nothing better I or anyone can do but serve the LORD full-time. I know that. I love it. It is so fun and rewarding. I had an experience yesterday that made me think. As I rode the train home from a Zone Conference in Verona, three of the most worldly and materialistic girls I've ever seen in my life sat down next to me and my companion. One of them got a text message and went out of the carriage to cry for a bit. She came back, and started playing solitaire. She has not found happiness in material things. These girls had EVERYTHING the world says makes you happy. They had jewelry, a lot of it. Dolce and Gabbana watches. Brand name clothing. designer glasses. a smart phone. they obviously had money, and plenty of it. I started to talk to Liam, and asked her what makes her happy in life. She responded, "not a whole lot right now." then silence for a bit, and then smiled and said, "being with my family and my friends." I told her we have a message that will help her to have lasting happiness. then we had to go. So I handed her a pass-along card that says on the front, "Faith brings Hope." I know that that is true. The only thing that will bring her lasting happiness is personal righteousness and a resulting happy family. As I walked past the train 30 seconds later, her friend was looking at the pass-along card. I don't know if that will end up causing her to actually be happy or will result in a baptism, but I felt the spirit testify that I had done right. I love the gospel. It will solve all the problems that we face, indivually and collectively. Designer clothes and watches and smartphones and all of the toys and things that the world offers don't bring true happiness.
I've had a lot of other interesting experiences this week. some happy, some sad, some ridiculous. On thursday, we went and taught our new converts shortly, and then had a rather LONG ward council meeting. then we passed by Ciro and Manjola's to give their son Giovanni a birthday present.
Friday, we planned and then immediately afterward I got a phone call. Manjola called, saying that she and Ciro feel too rushed, and want to take some time to think about baptism and what we've taught them. I think "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" but I respect their choice and will continue to pray for them. Later that day, we taught Yvette and her children the plan of Salvation, and it went quite well. unfortunately, they cannot see us more than once a week, and we have not taught them nearly all they need to know to receive baptism. So it was a rough day. six baptisms at the end of the month sorta just disappeared. oh well. We keep on going.
Saturday, we went and did some casa and found a man wearing a muslim worship robe, and said "Hey we're talking about Jesus Christ, can we come in?" "sure." so now we're teaching Inouss. he agreed to read the Book of Mormon and we'll be back this coming Saturday. Later on we taught Roger, who still can't come to church because he feels Catholic and doesn't seem to have enough time. darn.
Sunday, Yvette and one of her sons came, along with several dry members. It was a pretty good Sunday, but pretty disappointing compared to last week. Then we went out and did some strada and found a few potentials.
Monday, we taught Sorella Gutu and her son a lesson about family. Her son was rather distracted and started playing his PSP halfway through the lesson. his prayer at the end was very very short too. oh well. We'll keep trying. Then we went and found Jimmy, an inactive member who was drinking Vodka as we walked in. It was... interesting. Then we went directly to Padre Claudio's church on the top of a mountain and more or less bashed with him. He is an interesting man. and refuses to read the Book of Mormon cover to cover, thinking that the index in the back is more important. oh well.
Tuesday, we went to a park, and my companion was bit by a terrible horrible beast as he tried to pet it. The beast is called a "Coniglio" in Italian, or for you English speakers, a bunny rabbit. Yes, a bunny rabbit. We called Sorella Wolfgramm, and since we have no normal family doctor, we went to the ER. for a bunny rabbit bite. and since they use triage, we waited. eight hours. It was a fun day. Then we went home with a prescription for antibiotics. Moral of the story: avoid rabbits. other moral: have a family doctor.
Wednesday, we went to Verona where we were trained by Elder Caussé of the Seventy. It was a great conference. And then we went home. and now we are here, writing emails. I love you. a lot.
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