Sorella Rachel Riley: 18 months in northern Italy: Week 58

Bressanone, week 52 (one year in ITALY!)

Living in Bressanone, I have discovered my love for wildflowers and mountains. Bright, brave flowers that grow on their own along the road, and breathtaking mountains everywhere you look. It is proof that there truly is a God.

Our buddy Marcel invited us over to make dinner together. He assured us there would be other people there too, so we were good to go. He lives in a refugee camp. He showed us around and introduced us to a bunch of his friends. It was so cool to be inside. I felt like I stepped out of Italy and into Africa. The people were so nice and friendly and welcoming, not hostile at all like I had kind of expected. Marcel made us some spicy scrambled eggs that we ate on slices of bread, food from Camarun! Someone came over and offered us some food he had made, patties of some sort with curry powder and french fries inside. We were so touched that these people who have next to nothing were sharing the little they did have with us. The generosity and goodness we found there was amazing.
(Okay okay we realized after when the Anziani freaked out that that was a potentially dangerous situation and we could have been kidnapped or robbed or something but I felt so safe and uplifted around those people. We only got stared at for being white, not because we were two weak, vulnerable girls. We didn't break any rules and learned a lot.)
Unfortunately, we probably won't keep meeting with Marcel for much longer, because he seems to think he is the one teaching us.

The JWs have now stolen another investigator by their slimy lies and tricks. If I were not a representative of Jesus Christ, I would declare war. But we don't want weak converts with weak testimonies who will leave or go inactive after baptism, so it is better that they be decieved before making a life-changing covenant with God. Its not our job to convince them of anything. Sorella Merl will just keep teaching repentance and baptizing converts.

We did an FHE with the Morel fam, who are headed to the temple to get sealed next week. They're a party! They fed us a meal traditional of the Dominican Republic, where they are from. What was it? French fries covered in sliced hot dogs and sauce and cheese. Fun!

Zone Conference was amazing! It was very inspiring and uplifting. I was motivated to do better, make finding a priority, integrate members into the work, and set higher expectations for myself. The mission is a really great place to realize weaknesses. One thing President said that really stuck with me was: "reading the Book of Mormon everyday is like getting on the Ark in Noah's day". Prophets and modern revelation are so essential. Commandments from the prophet are no less valid now than in the Old Testament.

I love you all so much!

Sorella Rachel Riley