We taught a lot of great people this week, but the one I want to talk about is Mara. Missionaries and members have been trying to get her back to church for years. She is a less active who doesn't open the door or answer the phone for ANYONE. we have been going to her house and ringing the citofono since we first got to Brescia. One day we decided to try again and a confused neighbor buzzed us into the apartment complex. We went through each floor trying to find Mara's door, but couldn't find it so we made our way back down the stairs when we saw a woman walking up the stairs and we asked her if she knew where mara lived and she said "Well, I'm Mara". CONTACT HAS BEEN MADE PEOPLE. We made an appointment with her to come back another day and when we did she didn't answer. dang it. Then one morning we were in town and we saw her walking down the street so we ran over and walked with her over to the post office! We reminded her that we had had an appointment and she said we could come again. So we went back another day and she buzzed us in! We were so relieved. We had an incredible lesson with her. She suffers from depression and anxiety and has an extreme fear about coming back to church. We felt the spirit the entire lesson and were able to tell her exactly the things we were both prompted to say. I told her that the Lord loves her and that it's time for her to come back and not to fear or hide and that the help she so desperately wants is waiting for her if she accepts it. We then committed her to come to church with us this Sunday and she started to cry and said YES. I could not believe it. She is truly such a kind woman who has been through a lot in her life and I'm so grateful she is allowing us to help her.
We watched as much conference as we could this weekend with the Italian members. Due to the time difference it is impossible to watch it all in one weekend so to be honest I haven't yet, BUT I learned so much in the messages I was able to hear. Some of my favorites from the sessions I was able to watch were President Uchtdorf, President Nelson, Carol Mckonckie, and Elder Stevenson. I loved them! We are reminded to never take these precious truths for granted and to have joy in them as we share them with others. I love how Sister Mckonkie said "A loving God is as close as a prayer". I have felt the true love of God around me this week with so many little miracles reminding me he is so aware of all his children. I also loved how Elder Stevenson said "Do you know the Book of Mormon was written for your day?" Of course I knew this before, but it never really hit me until then. These ancient prophets were writing and carefully persevering these plates solely for our day. Sometimes we think the scriptures aren't relate-able to our lives today when in reality each piece of revelation God gave these people was specifically for us with the trials he knew we would go through in these days. How great is that? I have found such a love for my scriptures. Every time I read them I don't feel an earthquake, receive revelation, or an answer to my prayers, but I certainly feel the truthfulness of them. My faith grows as I read of these people and prophets giving all they could to what they knew to be true. Even if it's just one verse a day we must read our scriptures every single day. Just like our bodies need to eat everyday, our spirits need food too. I love conference it is like Christmas.
Everyone make sure you tell my sister happy birthday. If you don't we are not friends anymore. It's October 8 and she loves puppies, ice cream cake, pizza, grilled zucchini, and burts bees chap stick. she especially loves when people call and sing to her happy birthday rriiiigghhhttt at midnight:)
ok vi voglio bene buona settimana a doppo peeps
Love Sorella Williams
Dinner with my favorite famiglia ever DiBenedetto
Patrizia. I love her so much. She's my mission mom
My Italian boyfriend Logan
Watching conference
Gelato after a loooooong day
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