Rome 5 | week 10

6.9.2014

This week Anziano Blair and I did a lot of traveling again. Rome 5 is a unique area because we dont have one big city, but about 25 little small cities just in the mountains and different parts of the country. One of these little cities is Poggio Mirteto, and that is actually where the Anziani use to live a couple months ago. This week we went there for the first time together and a lot of awesome stuff happened. 

First I have to give a little background. At the end of our first week together, Anziano Blair and I decided that if college and the whole America thing doesnt work out for us, we are going to move to Rieti and open up a suit shop called Fratelli Belli (beautiful brothers). It has been a topic of conversation most days. As we were roaming the streets of Poggio, we walked past a bakery called Fratelli Belli. We were in shock. We walked in and bought a super good cake and told some of the workers they stole our idea. It was pretty awesome. 

We also have a member family that lives in Poggio. Sorella Vacorrono called us up and asked us to help her set up some inflatable water games at a park in the city for the kids (school just got out this week for them). We thought it was no biggy until we saw these rolled up inflatable obstacle course things that weighed as much as a small elephant. There was a man who worked at the park who ended helping us for a couple hours set this stuff up, and it was actually really fun. This guys name was Asim and we got super tight with him. Fratello Vacorrono was able to share a good bit of the plan of salvation with him after he shared with us some things from his life that have been difficult. We changed information and hope to see him this week. It definitely strengthened my testimony of service in softening the hearts of people. 

On Saturday we had Stake Conference at Rome 2 and then we got to spend the night with the assistants there. It was a great conference. The assistance did a training for an hour in which was all about members and missionaries coming together to spread the gospel. It was a good night, because we got to be around some really strong Anziani which made me want to improve. 

The highlight of the week was Sunday morning being able to listen the a broadcoast from Germany. It was a broadcast for 31 stakes in Europe in which Elder Texiera (70), Elder Anderson of the 12, Sister Uchtdorf, and President Uchtdorf talked to us. It was 2 hours, and they gave President Uchtdorf the last hour to talk. It was one of the most tender and sincere talks I have ever heard. President Uchtdorf was addressing and praising his fellow Europeans who he knows face a lot of difficulty since the church isnt very big here. He started by sharing the story of dear friend from Switzerland (I think) who had the choice to settle down and start his family in America or Switzerland, but he chose his homeland, because he wanted to establish the church and bring the gospel to the people of his homeland. He thanked everyone there for making the harder choice and relying on the Lord for strength rather than taking the easy road. His words touched everyones heart. He encouraged all the people here to remember the saints in Kirtland who suffered terrible financial problems and persecution and reminded them that 65 sections of D&C were recieved in Kirtland which included some of the most miraculous miracles/revelations of this dispensation. The part that touched me the most was the finish. He talked about President Monson for about 5 minutes. He told them about his prayers for them, how he loves them and thinks about them often. Then he said, "President Monson is the prophet of God in our day. I am with him on a daily basis. I know this." 

We got to teach 3 new people this week which got us really excited. My love for this gospel has really grown as I have learned to share it with others. Even if they dont choose to act on it, I feel good inside cause I know that Im doing my best. The Lord is so patient and loving with us. We are not perfect missionaries by any means, but Anziano Blair and I really trying our best and we are wiped out every night. It is truly a blessing to have this time and learn from these people. Striving to serve them has blessed my life in great ways.

Anziano Smith