Well, it was a very interesting week this week. It was definitely a little crazy moving our entire apartment to another one in just 2 days. Friday morning we had district meeting and then as soon as we got back from Milano we just starting packing everything. We packed our own stuff, all the kitchen supplies, food, Book of Mormons(we have them in over 20 languages), 10 years worth of Ensigns and Liahonas, pamphlets and everything else....haha it was...interesting. Saturday morning we then got up super early and we had members come and help us move everything to the new apartment. Doing that took about three and half hours, then we had to clean because the paint job was terrible and they dripped all over the new floors and running boards. We (me and my comp) then cleaned and got everything in order the rest of the day. It was like two days of doing nothing and I was kinda glad for it to be over. Oh yeah...we haven't had electricity since we moved in. So we don't have a fridge or stove that works haha..it kinda sucks but we have eaten with members a lot this week, so we haven't had to make anything anyway.
Sunday we had a fun experience though. The Virzo family set up a little picnic after church at this park that was close by. They brought some non-member friends to come as well. The daughter, Francesca, has been to church with the members quite a few times while the mom has come once. They have been looking to really improve their lives and basically just find happiness. The lunch went really well and the food was just awesome. I ate way too much but ya gotta to what ya gotta do(plus it pleases the members when we eat. We had planned to talk about the Restoration but the way the conversation was going you could tell they weren't going to be interested in talking about it. We were kinda thinking about how we wanted to initiate talking about the church and what not.
Somehow we just started talking about us as missionaries, some of the sacrifices we make to come and serve but also about how much we are blessed. By the end of the luncheon, she was just amazed at what we do. Later that night we called to thank the Virzo family for the food and Sorella Virzo told us that Benedetta had texted her and said that she really felt good inside while we had been talking. She felt something "new" and that she wants to know more about our message. We then set up another appointment for Tuesday which was crazy but such a cool experience.
On Tuesday we went with the Virzos and their kids(they have 4 girls and a baby boy) to see Benedetta(don't know their last name yet, but she is the mom), Paolo(husband who was kinda standoffish during the luncheon on Sunday, Francesca and their two other kids(Georgia 8 yrs, Riccardo 4 yrs and is the biggest cry baby ever!!!!! ). So we got there and we sat down all together. We planned to teach the Restoration and just try to have a really really spiritual experience. Right off the bat I knew we were in for a struggle. It was so loud and the kids were just running around, screaming, crying, dog barking. We started off teaching and kinda asking the Paolo and Benedetta why they want to meet with us. They had some awesome answers and we bore testimony. It was super loud though and was difficult for everyone to pay attention. The Virzo parents were going back and forth from us to their kids. Sorella Virzo started bearing testimony about the Trinity, Plan of Salvation, Fast Sunday, missions and everything else we didn't want to talk about haha. I was thinking inside,"Alright Tucker, how am I going to transition from Fast Sunday to the Restoration." I waited to see where her testimony was going, I was looking at my companion to see what he was going to say. We finally just continued to listen. After a little bit, I again said to myself, "Alright Tuck(I didn't actually think, "Alright Tuck", the Restoration is out the window, how can we turn this into a spiritual experience?".
So after overcoming our own plans we gave heed to the spirit. Something important I have known all along, but never really contemplated is how we teach through the spirit. We need to teach what the Holy Ghost wants us to teach. Without the Holy Ghost we can do nothing. Yes, we have been called and given the authority to teach the gospel to others, but without the POWER to teach we cannot do anything.
We listened and listened to the Virzos bear awesome sincere testimonies and to Paolo's (who actually amazed us with his interest in finding the truth) responses. We then went on to teach the main part of the Restoration, we skipped the first 3 principles of the lesson and started right with the Joseph Smith story. The spirit we felt when I recited the First Vision was awesome. We went on to answer their question about the Book of Mormon and prayer. The concern that they raised is that to this point they don't feel God has really showed his love for them in their lives, and they don't know if he will answer their prayers. We went on to promise them the blessings of praying to know and reading the Book of Mormon.
Towards the end of the lesson, Benedetta paused and said, "whoa...there is silence". For about the last 15 to 20 minutes, there had been hardly any noise. The situation I saw at the beginning where I thought..."oh boy, this is gonna be a struggle", and now there was peace and calm. It was awesome! We had talked about so, so many things, most of which we hadn't planned to talk about and didn't want to at the beginning but by the end it was such a cool spiritual experience. They expressed their desire to learn more and how they want the happiness and joy in their own family that they see in the Virzo family.
On the ride home Sorella Virzo was just so excited and kept asking us, So how do you think it went?!. It was funny and cool at the same time. Member work is so great, especially when the people we are teaching are close friends of members. It brings joy to us, the members, and the people we teach. It gets members excited to do this great work. PMG says that the" ideal situation" is when members are the ones finding people to teach. We are super excited for this family and I would ask that you keep them in your prayers!
It was awesome to hear all of you are excited for the wedding. I was disappointed that there wont be a cardboard cut out of me(very disappointed). haha. Well, I'm in Italy right now....that tops anything. I have not received the package yet, but I will let you know when I get it.
I actually don't have to go back to Torino for my Permesso di Soggiorno (Visa). Mine lasts for two years so lucky me. I guess it is different in different cities though. Some last for 1 year and some last for 2.
We were able to get back in contact with Daniel this week and we reset his baptismal date. I think he has overcome his period of stress, with the baby and work. I hope that he will be able to continue going forward and progressing.
Quick question...where are Andy and Clara going on their honeymoon (if they are even going anywhere)?
Is there any sorta of food you want that I can send you all? I was thinking I could get a few things and send a little package sometime.
Well I love you all...Mom, Dad, Andy, Hillary, and (r)Ashely....and Clara starting Saturday
I was thinking the other day....you could be grandparents by the time I get back....haha
Anyways....Love you all
Ciao
And Clara on Saturday...too funny!
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