Ciao Tutti!

There were two baptisms on Saturday! One was at our ward, for an 8 year old girl, the other for the other ward, a woman who had lost all faith in Christ until she met the missionaries with the gospel message a couple months ago. The baptisms happened at the same time, so we went to the one at our ward and then rushed over to see Marianna to congratulate her. She looked sooooo happy, it was incredible to see.

On Sunday evening we visited a member named Tina. She told us her life story. About how she met her husband, so cute and dramatic. They met when she was twelve and he was fourteen. He would always walk her to school and they were friends. When she turned fifteen they eloped, crazy! They lived for about a year with out their family, but she just couldn't handle it, for he did not work and wasn't really trying to find a job. Well, she left him, but he wrote her almost every day for about four years, still in love with her and realizing what he lost, so he grew up and found a work and saved so that she could see how much he loved her and how sorry he was. After four years they were able to reunite and start their life together again. Then after years of happiness together and raising the family they found the church. At first their daughter joined and they did not agree with her changing religions. After several years of prayers on their behalf both knew that this was the church of God. One sunday when tina was getting ready for church her husband was not, he said that he did not want to go because the people there did not behave themselves like they should. And he just stopped coming after that day. Then many months later Tina was suprised on Sunday morning that her husband was getting ready for church. She asked what changed. He told her that he had a dream. His dream was of a classroom and the teacher asking him why he does not want to come to class anymore. He told the teacher that he can just as well learn that same material at home and there is not a need to come to class. The teacher than talked to him about the importance of being a friend to people, being a part of the society to better it and to share knowledge, to edify one another. After that dream he knew he had to go to church, so he did and it was such a blessing he did, for after they went to the temple and were sealed together. Tina's husband died last year. She spends a lot of her time reading those sweet love letters he wrote her when they were a part, so many years ago, but she isn't sad, for she knows that she will see him again and that this time a part is just another stage in their love together. I just thought that it was a nice story, so I thought I would tell you:) 

We have been noticing a trend in our working with members. I think since they are used to the missionaries doing a ton of their work so they have the mentality that we are to do certain assignments, that are not exactly in line with the work we are called to do. I will give a specific example. I feel that the Reilef Society considers the sister missionaries as purpetual and full time visiting teachers. I know that a part of our work is to support members and help less actives, which I love to do. However, I feel that the extent at which they want us to do it is actually crippling the system of visiting teaching for the members. For it makes it so that the members are not fellowshipping as much as they should. In order to transfer this mentality we are working on talking with the visiting teaching coordinator so we can know who are the women that should be visiting these woman and inviting them along or just saying that it would be better if we did not go and they just went to visit the sisters without us.

Giovanni had an interview with the bishop. The bishop suggested that he wait to get baptized... I am feeling a little torn. I know that the bishop has seen many of the missionaries investigators come and get baptized and then fall away shortly after, so I respect the care he is taking in making sure that Giovanni is secure in his decision and his testimony of the gospel. However, at the same time I see that making the covenant of baptism and recieving the gift of the Holy Ghost will help Giovanni that much more in having his testimony, which I know he has, become a lasting conversion. Giovanni is incredible. He already understands that the members of the church are not perfect, but knows that taking offense at what they say to the point where it wounds faith is pointless, for the church is true and his relationship with God is all that matters. I guess I just feel he is ready and just do not understand why there is need to wait.

Happy Thanksgiving! I really am so grateful for this opportunity to serve the Lord's children here in Bari. I am learning so much! I have been studying the D and C and it talks a lot about how the field is ready to harvest. I kind of got down a little, thinking, I have just "planted seeds" my whole mission, I have not done much "harvesting". That is totally wrong though and not true. If the Lord says that field is white ready to harvest that means it is. The seeds have already been planted, I would say in the pre earth life because all of us on the earth were born after the restoration, we saw the gospel come forth, that seed has been internalized before we even got here. All of us are yes sayers! And there is a lot more to harvesting than just reaping! There is pruning and watering and up rooting and re planting and the list goes on. So, in other words I have been harvesting this whole time, nurishing those seeds that God already planted in us, all of course with his help. I love this work! I want you all to know that I know that this is the Lord's work! and if you do not know it or maybe if you have forgotten it pray! Pray with all your heart and soul to know and I know you will receive your very own personal answers and revelation. It is incredible, the supernal creator of all wants us to talk to him! So we should do it!

I love you all with all my heart and soul!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I miss you lots too!

Have a happy thanksgiving, one of the best holidays, no stress, just eat and be grateful:)

Love you!!!!!

Love,
Sorella Comollo