Che fanno i missionari. . .What the missionaries are doing!

Ciao mamma!

This week went by a little slow at first, as Elder Gneiting was just healing up, however we did get back to doing some more good ol' missionary work again, and then I realized that I have a need to do it, I feel the spirit go away when I am not working to strengthen the ward here in Padova. Speaking of that, this last week while we were inside a lot, we and the other Anziani felt inspired to implement some new ideas into our work here. We felt like, yes we are working, but are we just continuing the work, or are we adding onto it and really building it here. So, our last meeting we threw out a bunch of ideas, which we are starting to work on. One idea that I really like was a board that we put up at the church, and we just finished yesterday, so I am excited to see how the ward reacts to it on Sunday. But anyways, the board is titled "Che fanno i missionari..." basically, "what the missionaries are doing..." And with this we put up our events we have planned, our times and dates for English class, family home evening nights, and the other things we do, so the members can know what we are up to on a weekly basis. That way, we are more accountable for the things we do, and the ward can feel more involved and informed about what we are doing. I thought it was a really good idea anyways, but we'll see. One thing I have learned being out here is that finding is necessary, and it is great, however, referrals from members are overall the strongest investigators we missionaries can find. So we want to start working more in that direction.

Besides that, one new investigator we found was Batti. He was on our phone list, and while my collega was sick, I was doing calls through all the prospects that were listed. So when I called Batti I knew he was going to be awesome because he asked me when he could see us. That doesn't tend to happen much. So we met with him at the place where he works, and he speaks Italian, English, and Hindi. He is a super nice guy, and we taught him the Restoration, so he wanted to know where our church was. We met him next in the church and he said that he likes it a lot more than the cathedrals, because it is a lot simpler, and more peaceful. So we knew that he was feeling the spirit that we can feel in church. He said he would come to church Sunday though and he has started reading the Book of Mormon.

Which brings me to your answer about why we need the Book of Mormon. In my personal experience of studying the Book of Mormon here in the mission, I read for 15 minutes to 30 minutes a day, and I am keeping a study journal that I have already written about 10 or so pages in about impressions I feel about things I am reading. As I study it more and more each day, my faith and confidence in it, the prophetic calling of Joseph Smith, and the truthfulness of Christ as our Savior, grow more and more. Without the Book of Mormon, there would not be so many 19 year old kids that could grow the faith that is necessary to be able to serve away from their homes for 2 years. I have only seen 2 investigators in my 4 months of serving that have received this witness so far. But I can see from their choice to read it sincerely, that they found the strength to change their lives, and before, they had not had that strength. So I know, and I am continuing to understand more, the power that is in the Book of Mormon.

Why does Jack look so different?!!!! Please tell me it is just the way the picture was taken. I have not even been gone that long. But happy birthday bro! Tanti auguri a te! I love you and hope you had a good one. It looks like you all had a blast at the sales thing. And I am completely envious of what was in those cakes. They have kit kats and some other american candies here, but they are super expensive, so I never buy them. I will get along with my pasta though. Just so dad gets jealous, I made my first pizza the other day with buffalo mozzarella. I am worried I won't be able to make the stuff I make here because they won't have the ingredients when I get back home.

We bought a slack line last pday as well. I don't know if you guys have seen that yet, but it is fun. It is kind of like tight rope walking, but you just tie this thing between two trees and do it. Italians love doing it at parks and stuff, so me and my companion want to get good so we can go and slack line with them and start talking to them that way. Anyways, I love you all! Have a good week.

Ti voglio bene,

Anziano Vaclaw