Sorella Rachel Riley: 18 months in northern Italy: Week 15

Hello again!

First off, this no-make up, messy bun at all times look is something I will greatly miss when I'm back in the real world.

Last P-day we went to Cesena and got sushi at the coolest place ever (see pic). You sit by a conveyer belt and just grab off of it whatever you want to eat. It was awesome! My belly grew two sizes that day.

We committed D to baptism and of course he said yes because he is golden. He came to English Class a few hours later, where I was told by our old Catholic friend, A: "your Italian has gotten a lot better since I first met you. It was terrible!" Thanks A.

Our miracle investigator who moved will be moved to the Rimini missionaries. He still lives in our area but the Rimini chapel is a lot closer for him. I loved teaching him everything starting from the very beginning, setting a baptismal date, praying for a way to church, and being answered. Not in the way we wanted or expected, but he can now get to church every week. I feel like I lost a child, but he will be in good hands. It is so sad to think that we won't be teaching him anymore or seeing him in our branch, but he will always have a special place in my heart as an amazing, super prepared investigator. We can't wait to go to his baptism in Rimini!

C came to the baptism in Ravenna! The first thing he said to me was "wow there's actually other blacks in this church!" When he met the guy getting baptized, B, they discovered they both came from the same tribe in Nigeria, and became buddies in their tribal language. Him being at the baptismal service and seeing what he will get to do in 2 weeks was a good experience for all of us.

Both of our soon-to-be-baptized members came to church. C came early to pass out hymn books. It made my heart happy. When we asked if he had any questions, he told us that he didn't have a question but just wanted to say something. He told us that since he started meeting with us he's had a feeling of peace and he knows our message is right. The spirit came so strong. Hearing C bear his testimony did a lot for all of us.

Wednesday was my 2nd zone conference. I was struggling to stay awake and while President Allen was in the middle of talking to everyone, he turned to me and whispered "you can do this". He was right. I somehow managed to stay awake through the whole 5 hours.

Well, that's all I feel like typing out for this week. Great things are happening and people are so amazingly changed for the better through the "good word of God" aka gospel of Jesus Christ. I love teaching people everyday!

Me to Sorella O: "Its a good thing I don't have any problems with you because doing comp inventory on hour 23 of our fast could go real bad, real quick".

Sorella O made super delicious brownies. Then she sprinkled baking powder on top of them instead of powdered sugar.

I hope everyone is having better luck with baked goods than we are, and I love y'all sooooo much!

Love,

Sorella Riley

Bday party! This is most of the branch and a few other friends. See those 2 adorable babies? Somehow my desire to be obedient helps me refrain from holding them...its super hard, though.