Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Ravenna and other fun


Date: Wed, Jan 4, 2012 at 2:59 AM


So today I'm emailing from the old capital of the Western Roman Empire, the city of Ravenna, on the Adriatic sea. We're going to look at some of the famous mosaics here, which should be fun and interesting. It's been an interesting week under all aspects. A lot of disappointments on Sunday when none of our investigators came, and then a lot of miracles in getting back in contact with them and finding out why they didn't come. So... Thursday, my companion got sick, and he didn't get better until Sunday. so... there wasn't much going on there. I cleaned the house.. really well. I was INCREDIBLY bored. we went out once or twice to teach some planned lessons. Like on Saturday we went out and taught Roger, who still feels very catholic, and was asking us if we wanted him to come to our church and stop being catholic. We responded by saying that what we want doesn't matter and he should ask God. Then my inspired companion asked him an important question. "How do you think your answers to prayers will come?" "Boh (I don't know)" So we explained that concept and invited him to pray some more.
 
Sunday, like I said, no investigators showed up. Ciro, Manjola, Yvette, no one. That's a depressing sunday. So we go out after church and drop a note in Ciro's box since he's also not answering the phone. then we went out and worked. I've never been so happy to work in my life. I was smiling super big. Nothing in particular came out of our finding work, but going out and working for the first time in 3 days felt REALLY good.
 
Monday, we had a good district meeting with our zone leaders. We talked about commitment invitations. Afterwards, Anziano Nelson and I went and taught Yvette a pretty good lesson about the gospel, faith repentance etc. Those children are awesome. and it was super good because our WML was there too. Then we went and did some casa, and got in on the third door to a very nice family. I taught probably the worst lesson of my life, where they were presenting a concern, which I understood, but I just kept going with my lesson. That was bad. They didn't give us a return appointment. I guess it just shows that I'm human. during the course of the day we also met a guy who overheard my companion say "wannabe wallabys" randomly, and thought that he had said "Wallace" which is the name of a missionary that was here about a year ago.
 
Tuesday, we headed to Bologna, and started a scambio with our capi. I came back to Forlì with Anziano Andrew Strobelt from Philadelphia. We went and taught a catholic priest who we had met on the street on Sunday and who called ME on monday. He was pretty cool. We sorta presented the restoration, once again with our WML. He said he'd read the Book of Mormon. His name is Padre Claudio. cool guy. then we went and did some casa. Later on, as we were going to centro Forlì to do some street contacting to wrap up the day, Anziano Strobelt hit a car. I rode past, and the lady opened her side door, which he ran into. His neck hit the corner of the car, and he was winded. The lady, Maria Rosa, was really concerned, and called her husband and an ambulance. The ambulance took its sweet time getting there, like 1/2 an hour, so we had the chance to talk to her and her husband about the church. We ended up getting their number and giving them a copy of the Book of Mormon. so... God works in mysterious ways.
 
This morning we just came out to Ravenna. Good week, all in all. I love you tons.



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Friday, December 30, 2011

A very nice week

December 28, 2011

Well, this week's been a pretty good one. Wednesday night, we did some finding work and knocked into a couple, Ciro and Manjola, from Italy and Albania respectively. They have two beautiful children named Giovanni and Rebecca. As I and my companion had not gotten in doing casa in nearly a month, I had no idea what to say to them. So we taught probably the worst lesson of my life. We sorta presented the Book of Mormon and invited them to read it. They said they would and we said a prayer and set up a return appointment. As I walked away, I thought "Why in the world do people like that even let us into their homes?" In fact, I remember thinking at the door approach, "Look's like they're busy. Darn, another door knocked." Then they invited us in. Shortly afterwards we taught English Class and it was good. we talked about Christmas traditions.
 
Thursday, we met with Roger, and he didn't understand the baptismal invite the first two times we gave it. When we explained better, he said "If I come to know the Book of Mormon is true, it's normal that I'd get baptized." We then invited him to church on Sunday, which he commited to. Later, we did some strada and casa, and taught a few people on the street.
 
Friday, we did a lot of finding and we ran into the girl we gave a Book of Mormon to on Sunday the "where's my Book of Mormon?" girl. We got her number and set up an appointment to teach her. We then planned.
 
Saturday, we decided to make a tiramisù for our members, thinking it would take 1/2 hour. It took us about 1.5 hours. oh well. We went over to the Garcias house for a Christmas eve lunch and ate an incredible amount of food. then we invited their daughter's boyfriend to listen to the lessons. He said "later." Afterwards, we were exhausted, so we took a short nap, and then we got a call from the Rossi's asking if we could go caroling to their neighbors with them. So we did. This took the rest of the night, and we came home.
 
Sunday was fun. We went to pick up Roger for church, and he came. In our Sacrament meeting were 4 dry members, and Roger and a mother with three sons who are Gertrude's friends. That would be 9 investigators. Wow. The Lord dropped a good one there. We got an appointment with Yvette and her sons, and went to the Rossi's for Christmas lunch. We ate some delicious food and I called home. Shortly afterwards, my companion tried to call home, but... no one answered. He was a little distraught the rest of the night. Around 9 he tried again, but no response. Then we went home, and slept.
 
In the morning, we studied, and with President's approval, he called again. This time he got a hold of them, while I washed the Rossi's dishes. I learned some really good Italian language jokes from them too. Example: Qual'è il contrario di Abbondantemente? (What is the opposite of abundantly? Answer at the bottom) After that we headed to Rimini and did a scambio. Anziano Scalese from Maryland and I went back to Forlì and did some good work. I called a member wanting to pass by and they responded "Didn't you know that you are supposed to be coming for FHE tonight?" oops! Anziano Scalese is a great missionary with a great talent for being grateful. As we walked into Piazza Saffi, the main town square, I thought "eh, the thousandth time I see this piazza." He says "WOW! this is ITALY! It's so pretty in this country!" I took a step back, and agreed with him. We talked a lot about Faith and obedience and how he can help his companion. I was amazed. Our conversations the whole scambio were about gospel topics and ideas and how to help missionaries and investigators and why we're on missions and such, as opposed to normal scambio discussions like girls and america and JW's and such. It was an awesome scambio.
 
Tuesday, we studied and went down to Rimini for district meeting. It went pretty well. We talked a lot about Finding Work, and it was pretty cool. My companion is awesome. After that, we grabbed lunch at Burger King, and then went back to Forlì. We got back and I was exhausted, as was my companion. We had appointments in about 20 minutes though, so I just got on my knees and prayed for the strength and alertness to be able to teach after little sleep. We went, and miracles happened. The first appointment was with Ciro and Manjola. We taught them the restoration, and as we brought up baptism, Manjola was fascinated. She has always wanted to be baptized, but has never had the chance. This family has been prepared by the Lord. They accepted a conditional Baptismal date for the 28th of January, if they come to know it's true before then. Afterwards, we went and taught Yvette and her 3 sons. We started out talking with Yvette, and the TV was on, and then we asked to say a prayer to start the lesson properly, and so we turned off the TV. Suddenly her sons, ages 9, 11, and 13 are fixed on us. We start to explain the restoration, and these boys understand EVERYTHING. They are full of faith and I'm amazed. "What did Jesus do while he was on the earth?" I ask. "He was baptized by John the baptist, he did miracles, he called 12 men to be specially taught by him to then teach others and he was crucified." I look at my companion in utter disbelief that this is happening. As we explain the First Vision, the 9 year old says "I would die of joy if I saw God. How did Joseph Smith not die of joy?" As we explain the Book of Mormon, the 11 year old notices a picture of Alma baptizing and says "We've been baptized Catholic. Do we need to be baptized Mormon? Yes." Will you read the Book of Mormon? Absolutely. Will you be baptized? YES! Mom says, they've already been baptized Catholic. 13 year old says, No, mom, We have to be baptized again because the LDS church is the Lord's new restored Kingdom. I have NEVER met such amazing children. They were super excited to learn more. End result of day? 6 baptismal dates for the 28th of January.
 
Investigators as of now:
Roger from Burkina Faso
Yvette, Raphael, Cesare and Jean Jacques, from Benin, Baptismal Date, 28 January
Ciro, Manjola, Giovanni and Rebecca, from Italy and Albania baptismal date 28 January
 
Answer to joke above: A Berlino Petrarca dice il vero. (In Berlin, Petrarch tells the truth). Why is this funny? Abbondantemente spoken sounds like a sentence A bonn, Dante mente. (In Bonn, Dante lies).
 
I love you. Keep praying for us. We're seeing miracles thanks to your prayers.
 



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Wednesday, December 7, 2011

A scambio and some work


From: Benjamin Jolley
Date: Wed, Dec 7, 2011 at 3:18 AM

Well, another week gone. Thursday was an interesting day. All of our appointments fell through, but we still had an opportunity to speak with someone and place a Book of Mormon. I love the feeling of a bag that has been carrying a Book of Mormon all day that is now empty. Another person has the opportunity to find truth. I hate the feeling of having a full bag at the end of the day. It feels so heavy on my shoulder, even though it's like 1/2 pound. It feels SO heavy. Otherwise, we taught Moreno and Laila about the Temple and Family History work, and they were pretty excited to get started.
 
Friday, we planned. My companion is senior companion this week. So far he's doing a WONDERFUL job. I feel like a huge burden is off of my back. And that frees me to just work super crazy hard. We went and taught our African friends, and gave an Urdu Book of Mormon to a man from Pakistan, and then we were able to teach several other people, including an adorable old man that looks like the grandpa from Up! who was an ex investigator and is now an investigator again. His name is Sandor.
 
Saturday, we were able to teach a father in a park about the restoration, he has wondered what we believe since he was a little boy, because he's seen the missionaries before but never talked to them. He wasn't particularly interested in learning more, but he was grateful that we satisfied his curiosity. We taught lots of people on the street. Then we went to our less active's house and talked about Temple work, and they got pretty excited about doing their family history and preparing a name to go get baptized for is the future months. We then taught Daniel one of the best lessons we've ever had with him. He was awake, active, and interested. He commited to church this coming Sunday.
 
Sunday, we didn't have any investigators in church. In fact, it was a rough day. But we worked anyways. We found our new investigator Raffaele, who tried to give us back the Book of Mormon, but he still has it, and he commited to English class, even if he dropped us as an investigator. Then we taught a few other people on the street. It was good. By the end I was REALLY wanting to go home, but my great senior companion kept us outside till it was time to properly go home.
 
Monday, we had a scambio with Rimini. I went down with Anziano Portellano, from Marseilles, France. It was an interesting scambio. I learned a ton about what I need to do better as a missionary and a district leader. We taught a wonderful member family about scripture study.
 
Tuesday, we had district meeting, and we talked about consecrating our missions. I realized how not perfect I am, but I'm trying. and especially I feel like I've made a lot of progress this week itself. That afternoon we did some contacting, and then we taught a member who has been coming back to church and is starting to understand things now as she reads her scriptures. It's super good to hear.
 
This morning we've come to email our dear families. I love you all.



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Thursday, December 1, 2011

Some miracles




Well, it's another week gone. This week was interesting. Thursday, we went and did some casa after P day and found a family to teach, and then we went and taught a member family. We'll hope that that family turns out well.
 
Friday, we put up some english class publicity, around the city. It was pretty cool to see how in 4 days practically all of the little tickets we'd put up were taken. It was one of those ads that you see with the little things to pull off on the bottom. In theory, each of those went to a different person. If so, and they all come to english tonight, we should have an english class that is about 45 people, as opposed to our usual 5-8. That'd be cool. That evening, we taught Sorella Veronica about repentance.
 
Saturday, we were looking at having taught 7 lessons all week. We really wanted to get our 20 for the week. On Saturday, we taught our africans, then a cool guy named Davide, who we gave a Book of Mormon to and who wants to come to church, and then we talked to some ragazzi on the street who were decently interested.
 
Sunday, we were at 10 lessons. I was convinced that reaching 20 lessons for the week was impossible, especially given that we had zero appointments set up. Somehow, we did it. We talked to people on the streets and in houses, and we taught 11 lessons in one day. Some highlights: First person we stop is an ex investigator named Diana who has read nearly the entire Book of Mormon but hasn't prayed about it yet. We invited her to pray about it. We'll see her this evening. Raffaele is an engineer who really liked the analogy between a line with two dots and the bible and Book of Mormon. Several atheists started to doubt their atheism. It was a sweet day.
 
Monday, we did a scambio with Rimini, and Anziano Snedaker and I did some good work in Rimini. It was a good scambio. I learned some good stuff, and got to know him better than I think I know my own companion. We taught their investigator Aniko about the Plan of Salvation and baptism. She was excited, but doesn't think that she can possibly keep all of the commandments.
 
Tuesday, we riscambioed, and got many a bidone. It was a less than effective day. I think my companion and I were tired from Sunday and that scambio.
 
Today, we cleaned our apartment. and set up a Christmas Tree. Yay! Christmas! I have a advent calendar too. Anyway, I love you!



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Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Transfers!





Well, I'm leaving Reggio Emilia. Surprise Surprise. I'm headed back to the Rimini District, to the city of Forlì. I'll be companions with Anziano Nelson from Wales, and I'll finishing his training. Explanation: Training now is a 12 week process. He's been in the mission 6 weeks, so I'll be finishing his training. I'll also be district leader over Rimini and Forlì, with Anziani Snediker and Portellano in my district. In my place here in Reggio will come Anziano Jeter as district leader. Exciting!
 
My address will be:
 
Anziano Jolley
Via Francesco Greca, 67
47123 Forlì
Italia
 
So, Wednesday, we taught Stefano about the law of chastity. He said he'd keep it. That was good. He's interesting. Believes everything we tell him, accepts all the commandments, but doesn't have a super strong testimony of God and Jesus Christ. Then we went and taught Samuel and we set up his baptismal program. He's a stud. Then we went and talked with Ella, who wants to get baptized, but is super sketchy about the commitment to come to church. We'll see what we can do.
 
Thursday, we taught Pacomeo, who was back for the weekend to get his stuff before he permantently moves to Nice, France. Then we went and taught Fratello Rene, who still doesn't want to come to church. bummer. oh well. Then we got on the train, got on our bikes and made the half hour ride to the church in 12 minutes, just as ward council started. It was pretty funny. We come in, all sweaty and out of breath and the bishop says "you can catch your breath Anziani." It went well.
 
Friday, we taught Samuel in the morning, who handed us a bag with all of his worldly possessions, and we sorted out his baptismal clothes. Then we headed to Modena, filled up the font, and showed Stefano and one of Modena's investigators how to start on their genealogy. Then we baptized Samuel. Anziano Wilkey baptised him, and I confirmed him. As the bishop welcomed him to the ward, he looked straight at me and told us his conversion story, which he's shared all of about 3 times in his life. It was interesting. Then we headed home.
 
Saturday, we taught Godfrey, who looks like he's 30 but is 20, about the restoration and invited him to baptism. He said yes. 26th it should be.  We then went to Gioel's, where we met a super cool guy named Tiziano who was super interested in our message and commited to read the entire Book of Mormon. sweet. Then we went over to Salome and Giovanna's, and taught them about scripture study.
 
Sunday, we went to Stake Conference, and Stefano came, along with several less actives. It was sweet. In the morning, the hours changed, so now the sun sets at like 5:30. that's annoying. We got a bunch of bidoni, so we did some casa and found a couple potential investigators.
 
Monday, we moved all of our stuff to our new apartment by the station. That took basically the whole day. We did a little finding work and got a few more potentials. Also President called to tell me about transfers.
 
Tuesday, we helped Ivan, a member from Milano get started painting the apartment on Via Jodi, where we were. Then we taught Victor the restoration. He still wants to get baptized, and he comes here every day, so hopefully we can get him there. Then we had coordination meeting with Fratello Pianegonda, where he bid me farewell, thanking me for my work and my professional attitude (professionalità... not sure how to translate it.) He gave me a huge hug and said "Anziano Jolley, non è un Anziano per me. è un amico." (Anziano Jolley, you're not just an Anziano for me, you're a friend.) That was sweet. I'm glad my work was appreciated. After that we went to Parma and found Fratello Peralta, a sweet Peruvian member who doesn't come to church because he's upset that Parma got closed. But he's willing to help us teach in Parma, drive us around Parma, and generally help out. We'll take advantage of that, and hopefully he'll return to activity. He's super cool. He did a scambio with the missionaries during transfers when he was six years old (weird, but ok. in Peru.)
 
Today we helped Ivan a little more, and then started doing email. I love you all.
 
Anziano Jolley



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Thursday, October 20, 2011

Africa






Dear Family,
 
I love Africa. It is a wonderful place. I've never been to the actual continent, but I live in an extension of it. And an extension of many other places. Like China, South America, and the Middle East. Also, I live in Italy. The people I meet come from every imaginable background. This week I met a Chinese, some Italians, a few Alabamians, some Ghanans, Nigerians, Moroccans, a Brit, Iranian, Bosnian, from every religion and social class I can imagine. Italy is a very different place than Utah, and also very different than the way I imagined it a few years ago. When you think of Italy, what's the first thing that comes to mind? Probably Mafia and Pasta, right? Then catholicism, old buildings, European people that speak one of the most beautiful languages in existence. The truth is that it's at least as much of a melting pot as the United States of America, if not more so. And all these people need the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is the only way to find peace and happiness in this life. It has the solutions to all the problems and concerns of each and every one of these people, individually and collectively. I know that to be true. I invite every person who reads this to learn more about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which I believe is the last beacon of hope in this dark world. People are realizing that, and are flocking to it. This will continue to happen.
 
For those that are more interested in my travelog than my random thoughts, I will return to that. This week started with a somewhat effective ward council meeting, that was much improved by the fact that instead of just saying what was happening, we invited our Council to act in very specific ways. Like a ride to church, or presence at a specific lesson.
 
Thursday, we taught Samuel about the law of chastity, and he was fine with it. He did tell us that he's been in prison, though. That afternoon, we went to Parma, where we met brother Rene, and invited him to read the Book of Mormon once again from the beginning. He accepted, and has decided to pray once again to know it is true. It's sad to see that a High Priest seems to have lost his testimony. But we'll rekindle that flame and bring him back. We need him. In fact, we need everyone. 14 million people trying to save 6 billion need all 14 million. Then we went to Katya and Tonia's, and talked about tithing. It was good. Then we went and saw Uyi again. He and his wife liked most of what we said, especially about baptism. They're a wonderful family.
 
Friday, we did our planning and worked. Then we taught Stefano and tried to build him up emotionally. He cried. I love that man. Then we went to Gioel's, and talked with him and his friend about their relationship with God, and whether they wanted to know more.
 
Saturday, we found Victor at the station, and talked with him shortly. He's moved to 60 km away. annoying. Then we went to Ciano, where we taught Brother Menca, who commited to come to church next Sunday. Then we went and did some casa, and knocked on the door of an inactive member, Sorella Giron. It was her Birthday. She was crying. She said to come on in. So we did. and we spoke about her and invited her to come back to church the next day. She said she would, along with her husband and her friend. Yay! Then we went to Uyi's and talked about the gospel of Jesus Christ, and when we mentioned baptism again, they both said they'd thought about our words and both desired to be baptized as soon as possible. They seem to want to stay in their own church, though, so we'll have to keep working with them.
 
Sunday, we went to Ward Conference, and Sorella Giron came, with her husband. It was awesome! It was a very good sunday, and I was very happy. Then we went out and taught Abraham and his wife Agatha again. We discussed their beliefs about the Book of Mormon, and the Prophet Joseph Smith. They believe it is true. So my bravo companion told them, "well, you know what you need to do then." He wants to leave his current church in a nice way. So he'll be in church with his wife in 3 weeks time. and will continue from then on. Then we went to Hope's, and taught he and his wife and friend about Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon. I'm quite pleased to have so many Families to teach.
 
Monday, we had district meeting, and then I went with Anziano Wilkins to Piacenza, where we met a very interesting englishman named Keith, who has some very interesting theories. Then we met a Bosnian named Adis, who doesn't believe in God, but wants to. That was super cool.
 
Tuesday, we taught English to Paola, one of Piacenza's students, and gave her a Book of Mormon as well. Then we came back to Reggio, and had Correlation meeting, followed by a little strada and then we attended Uyi's bible study class, at the Treasures of Grace International Ministry. We found out that not only is it Uyi's church, but Abraham and Agatha's as well. It was quite the experience. I'm very happy I'm a member of the true church. It was loud and nothing like I expected. We then went with Uyi to his house where we spoke with him and his Pastor, Frank, who showed a lot of interest in our church. At Correlation, I found out that Brother Panico paid his tithing for the first time ever this week! yay!
 
Wednesday, we had interviews in Verona, where we discussed bringing the spiritual side into everything we do, even managing money and the food we eat. After that we went to Uyi's again, where Pastor Frank and his wife Sussex were. Pastor Frank had read the restoration pamphlet we gave him very well, and understood all the doctrines we taught quite perfectly. He commited to reading and praying about the Book of Mormon without me having to explain how to do so. It was amazing. This work that we do is of God. I'm constantly amazed by the work he does for us.



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Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Downs and ups.





Wow. I don't know what happened this week, but I've certainly learned something. Work hard, and the Lord puts people in your path. Don't work hard, it doesn't happen. "Inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments, ye shall prosper in the land."
 
So Wednesday night, we went to a ward genealogy activity, at the request of our ward leaders. It was well... not very exciting. But we went anyway. Thursday, I don't really remember what happened. We got a lot of bidoni, and we went to Parma and saw brother chagua. Friday, we planned, went and found Roberto the gun man again, and then we went to our WML's house for dinner with Stefano. That was good. Our WML is a little green in missionary work, but that's ok. He was shooting off every different aspect of the gospel, and especially the temple and marriage. At that point we were intending to explain the Joseph Smith story, but didn't get the chance. But they formed a strong relationship of trust, so that's in the end more important.
 
Saturday, we got many a bidone, and we taught Saverio, who had supposedly read the entire Book of Mormon. But as we talked with him it became apparent that he either didn't read it or didn't understand a word of it. That was really frustrating. Anyway, then we went out to Brother Laratro's house, and taught him and his girlfriend about the restoration of the gospel. She was fascinated. It's sad that he is keeping the commandments, because I'm certain that if he was setting a good example for her, she'd get baptized, among a lot of other amazing things. One of my great desires is to see Parma reopen, because it is a beautiful city for missionary work. We just don't have enough worthy priesthood holders there. If just one or two of them got their act together, Parma would be open. It's sad, because there are like 15 Melchizedek Priesthood holders there, and only 2 come to church regularly. We're doing what we can to reactivate many, if not all of them.
 
Sunday, we went to church, to which Stefano and Samuel came. That was good, but super disappointing. We were expecting all of our baptismal dates and our regulars. In the end, we've decided to move the dates of a few of them, and drop a few more, because we haven't seen them since the first appointment.
 
Our current investigators:
Stefano, Italy, 29th October
Samuel, Nigeria, 29th October
Spencer, Nigeria, 29th October
Gioel, Santo Domingo, 5th November
Raymond, Nigeria and Sarfo, Ghana, have both travelled, but should be for the 22nd October
 
Monday, we decided to actually work hard for the first time in a week, and things started to happen again, in spite of some disappointments. We got the keys to our new apartment, at the following address
 
Via Quattro Novembre, 8
42121 Reggio Emilia (RE)
Italia
 
Don't send mail there till next week, though. We haven't moved in yet, and you'll just confuse the postman. Please continue to send mail to the mission office. Anyway, after that we went and found our investigator Samuel on the street, and we taught him about the restoration. He was much calmer about the Book of Mormon. Then we went and did some park and found Quemal, who doesn't really believe in God, but was willing to meet with us again. Then we went to the Nuredini family, who live a ways away, and we taught them about the gospel of Jesus Christ, (the first principles and ordinances of the gospel are...). They commited to coming to church in two weeks time, which will be huge, because they haven't come in over a year. I'm very excited to see them in church. Then we went and taught Spencer about the Restoration, and commited him to reading the Book of Mormon again.
 
Tuesday, we went out and worked again. We went and taught Samuel with a less active member named Danny. They made a strong friendship, and I could just feel the spirit poured out on us as Danny shared his conversion story. I think that that experience will help Danny to return to full activity in the church, and help Samuel to be baptized. Then we walked through a park and talked with a man who asked us for a book to read. He was very very muslim, and was super excited to share his beliefs with us. He was speaking half arabic half italian, and it was pretty funny. Then we went and found Stefano biking down the street, so we walked with him and told him the Joseph Smith story finally, and he was pretty touched. Then we found Kobe at the bus stop, and taught him and his friend Didian about who God is and that he loves us, and then we prayed with them. That was sweet. After lunch, we went and taught Benson, a contact from 2 transfers ago, who asked us many a question. As we responded, his attitude changed. He had been under the impression that the LDS are an occultic group, but as we spoke, he was amazed by our doctrine, and accepted a soft baptismal invite. Then we went and did some casa in Gioel's palazzo, and knocked the nicest doors of my mission. We got in once, to a nice old man, and then we knocked on Gioel's door, and discussed the plan of salvation and the concept of fogiveness with him. Then we went to Salome's house and talked with them about President Uchtdorf's talk about the great dilemna of mankind.
 
This morning, we studied and came to do email. yay.
I love you!



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