Rome 5 | week 8

5.26.2014

This week has been full of awesome miracles. It totally all because of Anziano Blairs incredible faith too. He is so incredible and has taught me so much this last week. Even though doesnt speak very well yet (as no greenies do) he has touched the hearts of so many people doing the best he can with what he has got. Example number one: we were walking to the ATM to get some money, and we saw these two African guys selling some drums. I noticed Anziano Blair wasnt next to me anymore, and I looked back and saw him on the ground jamming out with these two African guys. It was so cool. We ended up talking to them for like 45 minutes and giving them a Book of Mormon in French (their native language). Unfortunately they live in Ladispoli so we referred them the next day. Then we went to get a sandwich and the guy had a ukulele. Anziano Blair asked for it and played it for like 10 minutes while the guy was making our sandwiches, now he wants to meet up with us next week. It has been so awesome to see how he has already been able to show his love for these people even if his language isnt great yet. That is seriously all God asks us to do-to do our best with what we have. Speaking of Anziano Blairs epic first full week in the mission, Jenny (the first girl he stopped who was Philipino), turns out to be a member of the church. She was baptized 19 years ago and then moved to Qatar and then Saudi Arabia where it was against the law to have a Book of Mormon and there was obviously no church. She just recently moved here to Italy, and unfortunately has a stomach ulcer which never allows her to leave the house. Last week she left her house to walk around for the first time in a couple months and we were the first people she saw. Last night the Sisters went over to visit her and it turns out that she and Sister Matthews are from the same place. They talked for like 2 hours and also started teaching her friends. Anziano Blair and I were in shock when we found out about all of this. It was incredible. 

On Wednesday we had to go to the post office to do some stuff for Anziano Blairs permesso in Rieti which is easily the prettiest city/drive to get their I have seen here in Rome 5. We were there all morning and no one in that city has ever seen missionaries. Everyone was really curious about who we are and stuff which was a first. When we were at the post, one of the manager ladies walked up to us and just asked if she could learn more about who we are. That has not happened my entire mission. On Saturday night we drove to her house which was like 15 minutes past Rieti. The city where she lives is stuff that you see paintings of. It was absolutely unreal. They lived on a mountain looking over a super green valley with a river running down the middle of it. Im so mad I did not have my camera. Anyways, we got to her house and she had a cake ready for us and her son and husband were all waiting for us when we got there. That never happens. Never. Being able to share the message of the Restoration with them gave me a lot of joy. I honestly felt true joy and happiness being able to teach a family who was so kind to us and respectful of who we are. We invited them to come to church with us one week and found out they live 30 minutes closer to the Terni church. It broke my heart, but in the end it is all the same because I know the church up in Terni is just as amazing as Rome 5. Unfortunately we might have to give them to the Terni Anziani to teach from now on. This week we worked really hard and found a lot of awesome people. Everyone we found was referred to Terni, Ladispoli, the Sisters, and Rome 2. It made me think of Alma who had more joy in the success of his brothers. I still havent gotten to that point, but I have another year to do so. 

Saturday morning I fell into my old ways of forgetfulness. I left the keys in Fratello Arenas office (keys to the car and house) which was closed for the day and Anziano Blair left his keys at the house. I also left the phone in the car which was locked at the time. Since we couldnt call anyone or get anywhere, we had to take the train to Rome to the office to get the spare keys. That was totally inspired because we met Gaisa who was on the train going to Rome as well. She is a woman we met from Nigeria last week but didnt give us a number or address to reach her again. She is honestly just as humble and curious as Calra (post lady) and we cant wait to meet with her and her husband sometime soon. It was funny because I make a lot of mistakes (like locking up our phone and losing all the keys) but Anziano Blair always says, "Dont worry, its all in the journey." Its so true. That is like my new life motto. Seriously though, talking to Gaisa for 45 minutes was so humbling. She was telling me about how she has been searching for work here for 2 years and cannot find anything. She said, "America is my dream. I hear that people there can get 2 jobs if they want." Every time I have heard of someone working two jobs it has been with a complaining attitude. I have never heard anyone say it is their dream. Im learning so many lessons from everyone I meet. It is incredible. Gaisa made me want to be more grateful, Carla made me want to be more respectful and loving towards other people, and the guys from Senegal just made me want to make everyone have a good time. So awesome. Have a good week!

Anziano Smith