Sorella Williams: Rachele is getting BAPTIZED!

Ciao tutti!!!

This week has been insane.

Let me start with the best news of all time. Thursday Sorella Anderson and I decided it was time to talk with Sorella Guastella and ask for permission to invite her daughter to baptism. We thought that was the right way to do it. We called her and talked about how her family is making important steps to being sealed in the temple and that for Rachele baptism is her next step in her personal progression towards God. She was completely on board and agreed 100%. The next day we went to their house and taught the gospel of Jesus Christ. Near the end we invited 11 year old Rachele (who is the most mature 11 year old of all time and cries every time she bares her testimony of Jesus Christ) to be baptized. She accepted!! The spirit was strong and everyone in the room was crying by the end. It is such an amazing thing to see how far this family has come. The baptism will be March 4 and she will be confirmed March 5 which will be the SAME day that her older brother GianLuca will receive the aaronic priesthood. We will be working with him a lot to get him ready for that. The next big step was finally getting Fernando (the less active boyfriend) to come to church. AND HE DID. I couldn't help but get tears in my eyes when their WHOLE family finally came to church all together. He was even wearing his new Boggi tie just for the occasion. Right after sacrament we ran to them and got them talking with other members. People were freaking out that he was there. They kept asking us "Where did you find him where did you find him how did you get him here????" Some even asked him "What did it? what got you back?". He pointed right at me, smiling, and told everyone around "This sorella is strong". I was not expecting that response, but honestly I know it's not that, they were being prepared to come back and I am so happy that we get to do the pushing. The spirit was so strong on Sunday and I felt so relieved that they all came. They stayed for all 3 hours. And we even got Rachele fitted in her baptism dress for the fourth.

The anziani (Elders) have a baptism this Saturday for an amazing guy named Ernesto, who is the sweetest Peruvian guy in the world. He and I have gotten to be pretty good buds and he asked me to be the one to speak at his baptism! I am so excited.

We had consiglio (leadership conference) this week which is always so good to get some instruction from President and talk about our cities successes or hardships. I love our President and Sorella Allen so much. When they speak you know they are guided by the Lord in all that they do. It also is a great bonus getting to see old friends.

We had a special zone meeting as well the next day to communicate all the things President had taught us. Sorella Anderson and I decided to pull a prank on everyone and announce all these new made up ridiculous fake rules, but everyone believed us hahaha. All the anziani were FREAKING out haha it was hilarious. We kept a poker face for 10 minutes. Don't worry we caught it all on video.

Today for Pday we climbed the Duomo with Sorella Smedley and Orr and saw the whole city from the top. Milan is fantastic. I love it here. We also got to see the Crypt and old old baptistry. An actual font where they used to baptize people by immersion.

I'm loving my time with Sorella Anderson. She's a go getter and I know this transfer is going to be great. We are starting the first of many scambi tonight so we will see what happens! Introducing Sorella Anderson to everyone Sunday was way fun because I realized...hey I actually really know these people. I love love love love love the people in Milan. They are just hilarious they make me laugh all the time and they have incredible testimonies despite hard circumstances and are so willing to help the missionaries in whatever we need.

We ended today by eating Luini's so its just been the best day of my life to say the least.

I just love the happiness the gospel of Jesus Christ brings into your life if you allow it to. Have a great week pals and happy galentines day;)

Love Sorella Williams