Gesù & Gelato: Giuseppe's missionary moment!

Okay I'm going to get the bad news out of the way because so many good things happened this week!!!!! I'm going to try and hit all the highlights but first you must know that our investigator, Rosa, broke up with us. She called us this week and told us that she's too busy and she can't meet anymore so we are heartbroken over that, but not dwelling on it because we have seen so many miracles in the last few days!!

Grandma Castaldo

Last Monday night, right after pday was over, our phone rang. We answered. The call was from an unknown number and turned out to be Valentina, a less-active in the ward that has said repeatedly in the past that she does not want to be visited by the missionaries. Sorella Johnson and I met her at a meal appointment a couple weeks ago with her in-laws (the Castaldo's that we eat with every Thursday) and she is so cute and so fun to talk to. We found out a couple days after that meal appointment that she had asked the members for our phone number but she never called. Until Monday. We couldn't believe it. I was in shock. She said "Ciao sorelle, if you guys aren't busy right now can you come over and visit with me?" We were like hmmmm let's check our schedule.... hahah just kidding we dropped everything we were doing and went straight to her house. We visited for a little bit and got to know each other and got to meet her husband (also less-active) and their cute little baby. We shared with her the One By One music video which she really enjoyed.

The best part was on Thursday when we went to the Castaldo's house for pranzo and we got to break the news to them, it was met with immediate tears. They said that just yesterday they were talking about their son and Valentina! They couldn't believe she called us and invited us over... Valentina also said that we can come back whenever we want. Then for the spiritual thought after our pranzo with the Castaldo family, we shared again the One By One music video they started crying again and told us we should share this video with Valentina! To which we responded: this is exactly what we showed her when we went by on Monday. It was a really special, tender, and spiritual moment that we got to share with them. My heart felt so full and we all just sat around the table crying. So beautiful. The things that you get to witness as a missionary are just so incredibly special and undescribable. Mamma mia.

Our one student came to English court again on Tuesday! (he can't come on Thursdays but we're enjoying teaching English at least once a week). Since no one showed up on Thursday, we got to go to genealogy course and for the spiritual thought we showed the Grazie A Lui video on the big projector that they set up for the course-- it was amazing. Afterwards, all the students started clapping and saying "che bello" (how beautiful). I couldn't agree more.

We saw Antonella once this week read The Book of Mormon with her, helped her out with some things around her house, and just got to visit with her. We aren't really sure where to go or what to do with her because she's found work... and until it's over she probably won't be able to come to church.

We also visited Anna this week and read the Book of Mormon with her too! She didn't come to church either... that's a really tough situation and again we're not sure what to do. So if you have any suggestions please let us know! After our lesson with Anna we got to go up to the roof of her apartment building and watch the sun set over Crispiano-- it was beautiful.

Sunset over Crispiano

Okay now time for the real miracles of this week. Prepare yourself.

Remember the lady Tina I mentioned in my email last week? We met her on the street while showing the Grazie A Lui video. Well, we met up with her on Saturday night and.... you'll have to listen to the voice messages I attach to find out what happened with her!!!!!!!!! (Editors note: voice message tells how they taught Tina the restoration and how she brought a friend with her to hear the message also. Two very happy missionaries!)

Okay now for the really good stuff.

Giuseppe.

Again, if you really want to know the details, listen to the voice message, I promise it's worth it.

Giuseppe teaching Enzo about the Book of Mormon

He came to church again yesterday!!!!! We fasted together for 24 hours and he gave up cigarettes for 24 hours. He was telling all the ward members, they are great and were so happy for him. And then after church, Fratello D'apuzzo, a member from Taranto who does an anti-smoking course, came to Giuseppe's house to start the program with him. I was floored. He had Giuseppe sign a contract that he'd never smoke again, and Giuseppe has to follow these like 15 steps for the next 7 days. Fratello D'apuzzo promised him that if he does this, he will never smoke again for the rest of his life. Please keep him in your prayers!!!!! I know he can do it. Geez, I've never prayed harder in my life, but I'm ready to see God work miracles in Giuseppe's life and the lives of his family members. (Editors note: voice message explains how Giuseppe is sharing the gospel with his friends. He has a friend at the bakery he is showing/explaining the Book of Mormon and how it makes him feel so good, and sets up an appointment so the missionaries can teach his friend what "we believe". Giuseppe saying the word "we". Two very, very, happy missionaries!)

Scripture of the week: Jacob 6:3 "Blessed are they who have labored diligently in His vineyard." This scripture doesn't say blessed are they who have "hung out" or "relaxed" in His vineyard, but LABORED DILIGENTLY. Each one of us has a part to play in the vineyard of the Lord. Are you laboring diligently? I love giving cento per cento every day to this work and to these Italians. I love them with my whole heart and I love my Savior Jesus Christ.

This work is so so good! I love you all!!