Caserta | week 15 {amalfi coast, tender mercies}

3.10.14

This week was full of miracles. It started off last Monday right after we finished writing home and we decided to go get a sandwich from somewhere. We stop at a bakery on the way back to the apartment and this guy literally only has 1 piece of bread left. So strange. So we went to the next one, and we ended up meeting the most incredible couple who runs this place. They were so nice to us, then their 11 year old son started asking us about America and stuff, so we invited him to English Course. As we were headed out the  door, the husband and wife started asking us why we were here. We ended up talking for an hour and a half about the Restoration, Plan of Salvation, and about half of the commandments we teach. It is the first time on my mission we I have taught a mother, father, and children (they have son and daughter). They invited us over to their house on Thursday and we had a really good repass on the Restoration. They have a beautiful home, and were so nice to us. We stopped by on Saturday, and all of them have been reading from the Book of Mormon. So incredible. 

Antonio and  Daniel are seriously two of my best friends in the world. We saw them like 5 times last week. They are both like brothers to Anziano Hatch and I already. We have had lessons with them, they have come to English Course, they have come to church, we have played basketball with them on their friends, last Saturday night they came to Priesthood Session of Stake Conference and then we went out to pizza together. It has been one of the biggest tender mercies of the Lord on my mission to meet such cool kids who are my age who are so cool and funny and also receptive to the gospel. Antonio could honestly be a comedian. I know that both of them can and will be such an influence for  good here in Caserta. They are serisouly special kids. 

Yesterday we went to a city called Recale to visit James Prince at his house with some of his friends. While we were waiting to meet him, my blue ben expoded on me then I proceded to wipe my face for some reason. I got blue ink all over my face. So embarrasing. Anziano Hatch was helping clean me up at this fountain right by the station in front of a bunch of people. So awkward. Fortunately, I was all cleaned up when James Prince picked us up and took us back to his house. He and all the guys he live with are from Nigeria and they make us feel like gold when we come over to visit. They are seriously the humblest people on the face of the earth which so much faith. It is difficult for foreigners in Italy, and they are just so grateful for everything they have and they treat everyone like a brother. Im sure I learn more from them than they do from me. 

Yesterday at church was one of the most spiritual moments of my mission during Gospel Principles. Sorella Sorrentino was teaching the lesson on the personal relevance for modern prophets to Antonio and Daniel, and the Spirit was so strong. Our class went about 20 minutes over, and I had to step outside and tell the Relief Society that they had to wait, cause there was no way I was stopping this lesson. It was way too good. She basically just talked about the importance of following the counself of the prophet who is litterally speaking the will of God for us in these days. Today Sister Salviti took us the the Almafi Coast for pday and asked us what the biggest thing we have learned on our missions. I said that the biggest thing I have learned is that keeping the commandments of God is wisdom because they make life easier and they make us happier. It is a win win in every way. There is never a downside. Sometimes it takes courage and faith, the the immediate and long-term blessings are always there. That is why Jesus said if you will do my will, you will know of the doctrine. Anyone who does it knows that is right, and good, and real. It is kind of hard sometimes to convince people to experiment upon our words like Alma said, but the Lord has put a lot of brave persone in our way recently. With the Fusco family and Antonio and Daniel, we have not done or said anything special, the Lord has just miraculously put them in our path. I know that he will always bless us according to our faith and desires, after which we will see and feel of his grace and love. These past couple months have been the best of my life without any doubts. That is mostly due to Anziano Hatch and the people of Caserta. There is so much love here. 

Take care. Happy March Madness.

Anziano Smith