Tuesday, December 31: I met my best friends this week

Tuesday, December 31: I met my best friends this week

You know when things happen that you know will change the rest of your life? Yeah that happened to me this week. I'd like to tell the story of one of my best friends, Monica.

30 years ago Monica was running to her car from a grocery store in the pouring rain when 2 nice looking young men (bravi anziani!) offered her their umbrella. She took it and drove away but for a week after couldn't stop thinking about how bad she felt leaving them in the rain. She found the anziani, gave them back the umbrella and started meeting with them. They gifted her a book but after a few weeks she moved cities, stopped contacting the anziani, and lost the book.

 

Fast forward 10 years, Monica is in a terrible car accident that should have taken her life. She said they literally pulled her out of the flames under her car. It was a miracle that she survived. As a result of the accident Monica lost a large part of her memory. Monica married Danilo, and started working for a company owned by a man named Marco Petrollini. (A member who lives in Terni.) She is always impressed by Marco's ability to connect with the people who work for him, how much he cares for the individual, and his family. She told us, "I always knew there was something different about Marco's family, but I had no idea just how big it would be." Marco's daughter, Sara, is serving as a missionary at Temple Square in Salt Lake City. One day she posts a picture on Facebook with The Book of Mormon and a man. Monica recognizes him as the SAME elder who gave her the umbrella and book 30 years ago. Memories start to come back about this experience and about this book. Monica knows it's important. She tells the Petrollini's and they invite her and Danilo on a trip to Rome to visit the temple here and gift them their own Books of Mormon. 

 

Last Sunday Sorella Briscoe and I walked into sacrament meeting and noticed a couple sitting by themselves we didn't recognize. We went over, introduced ourselves and another member, and sat by them. Monica briefly explains her story and says "How can I make an appointment? I know this book is important." MIRACLE! We sent up an appointment for Saturday. That lesson was probably the most spiritual lesson of my life. We taught about covenants, the Plan of Salvation, the Book of Mormon, and more. It was incredible to hear Monica's testimony of Jesus Christ and her story. As I was preparing for the lesson that day and praying for direction I received two very distinct promptings: Helaman 5:12 and February 1st. When we checked the calendar and saw Feb 1st is a Saturday, we knew it was the right day. We extended the invite of baptism and Danilo and Monica happily accepted. Since then we have had an equally powerful Restoration lesson and they have met so many ward members who have welcomed them in so warmly. 

 

One cool thing the past week has been seeing the impact of the Spirit on Danilo. At first we weren't sure if he was just there for Monica or if he was interested too. He was a little more closed off at the beginning but as the Spirit has worked in him and he began to read the Book of Mormon, share his thoughts and beautiful testimony, and pray in our lessons. Also he is hilarious and cracks jokes in the lessons which makes it so fun. After we invited them to pray about the experience of Joseph Smith yesterday Danilo said "I have a question, can I ask a question?" We said yes, yes of course! He said "When are they going to teach me how to sing?" Hahaha. ah THEY ARE SO COOL! I want to be their best friend forever. 

I can't even tell you guys- I have never felt this joy in my whole life. God's hand is in every part of their story and I will be eternally grateful to God for making me an instrument in His hands to have a part in their story. I feel so honored to teach these good, good people these simple and pure truths of the gospel.

 

Sorella Briscoe and I feel that we understand a little bit more how Ammon felt when he said : 

"I do not boast in my own strength, nor in my own wisdom; but behold, my joy is full, yea, my heart is brim with joy, and I will rejoice in my God. Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things; yea, behold, many mighty miracles we have wrought in this land, for which we will praise his name forever."

Sorella McCune