Rome Time
Elder Hatch, Daniel, and Elder Smith
Casertavechia
View from Casertavecchia
Dinner with the Cloves
3.31.14
Unfortunately this was my last full week here
in Caserta, as I will be transfered to Rome 5 this upcoming Thursday. It
will certainly be bitter sweet to head out, as I have had experiences here that
have certainly changed me, and I have made friends here that will last a
lifetime. It is kind of ironic that we come on missions to help change the
lives of other people, when in fact they change ours. Antonio and Daniel have
seriously become brothers to Anziano Hatch and I. They were both planning on
getting baptized this Saturday, but unfortunately Antonio is not able to
be baptized at this moment because of his current situation. However, I will
say two things. The first is that I have never witnessed anyone with more faith
in Jesus Christ than Antonio. His faith and desire to do what is right is
unbelievable. The second is that I know that the Lord always prepares a way
that is wiser than our own when things dont go according to our wish. People
become more spiritually refined and more people end up being blessed. Anyways,
Antonio told Daniel to go ahead and get baptized instead of postponing the date
for both of them. It was a really special experience. We went to Pozzuoli where
they have a nice baptismal font and the beautiful view of the ocean. There were
about 12 other missionaries there and they all invited their investigators and
we had a great turn out from our ward as well. Everyone in our ward loves
Antonio and Daniel because they are awesome, and we need more youth here.
Antonio shared his testimony in church on Sunday, it it was such a
powerful moment that it was difficult for Anziano Hatch and I to hold back
tears. He has been the most incredible example to me of someone who was
completely put his faith and trust in the Lord. I could talk for days about
both of those kids.
This week was also
great as I got to see pretty much everyone who I have come close to since I
have been here in Caserta. Marco, Anziano Hatch, and I went over to one of our investigators house last week before she went to work. She is an incredible example to me of
someone who works so hard to bless other peoples lives without expecting
anything in return. She works all day 6 days a week to help support her family that lives in another country and she always has a smile on her face. It always brightens my day when
we teach her. Tonight we will teach her at the church for my last time and then
we are going out for a gelato. It will definitely be memorable.
Last week we had a
missionary open house for all of our English Course students, investigators,
members, and ther friends last Thursday night. It was a huge success as about
70 people showed up with good food, and our members were total champs. English
Course students talked with a bunch of Americans and they also felt the love of
the people in our ward here. 1 family even set a dinner appointment/lesson with
3 girls from EC. That is what I am talking about. Strangers seem to trust
normal families than teenagers in suits. Actually they dont seem to, they
totally do. All of the best lessons I have had on my mission have been with
members who share personal experiences and conversion stories. Marco and the
Salvitti family especially have helped us in our work and did things we never could
have done. So, my people back in Peachtree Corners, help the missionaries out!
Missionary work is the best.
I have heard all good
things about Rome 5. My new companion will be Anziano Gemmel. He is from New
Zealand and has been out on his mission a little over a year. I met him at the
mission conference a couple weeks ago and he is hilarious. I already know we are
going to be like brothers. Probably going to love him so much, I am going to
have to go back and visit him at his place after the mission. I know there are
amazing members in Rome too and we will have a car. I am excited to head up Thursday afternoon,
but I will certainly soak up these last few days with Anziano Hatch and Tingey.
I love them like brothers and same with our friends here. Anziano Heder headed
out for America this afternoon at 2. So weird. He was an awesome missionary and
had a big influence on all of us. We will see him on the other side next
summer.
Anziano Smith
