Auguri

Well I'm currently sitting in Ravenna where we're spending P-day with the Sorelle here. It's been quite fun. We toured a whole bunch of churches this morning, including some I remeber studying in school. We made homemade pizza, and Sorella Lemos cut our hair. 

Last night we tried something new with the Rimini English Class. We have three different classes that we teach- the anziani take the conversation, Sorella Bucco teaches intermediate, and I have the beginner class. So we decided to have a party, combine the classes for the night, eat treats, and play scattegories. It went really well. We paired them up on teams, putting more advanced english speakers with my very basic class. Everyone seemed to have a lot of fun, so we think we'll have an activity once a month. 

We had several people who where there for the first or second time. One of those leaned over and started asking questions about what else we do in the church. I mentioned church on Sunday mornings, and she wanted to come, but has work at that time. 

Afterwords, two of the other ladies asked if we could meet up another evening during the week to practice more english. Of course we said yes. I love teaching english. You're able to develop really good relationships with people, and they naturally become interesting in the gospel, and then there are people like S. in Pordenone who got baptized last Thursday!!!!!!!!!

Last Friday the Anziani called up with a refferal of a lady they had met on the street.We called her and invited her to church, but much to our surprise on Sunday, she came! The members were so welcoming to her. She had a ton of questions, and loved testimony meeting. She told us to call her that night to set up an appointment for the week, but before we could call her, she called us. We'll be seeing her on Friday! It always amazes me how the Lord prepares people and places them in our path. This truly is His work. 

I love you all and hope you have a marvelous week. Auguri to all those who ran the Marathon last week. 

Sorella Pace


Side Note from Julie
We talked to Karen this Sunday for Mother's Day. She is doing well and looks beautiful! She sends all her love!

Rain is pouring all around...

As I sit here in the church typing this letter, there is a crazy thunderstorm going on around us. Luckily we're safe and dry, but we're slightly worried about when we'll need to leave the church, and I think our appointment outside in centro tonight is cancelled. 

Such is life, especially as a missionary. 

This week's been pretty exciting.

I had a scambio in Reggio Emilia, we had interviews with Presidente Dibb, and most importantly, 

We set a baptismal date!!!! With our wonderful miracle investigator, C. 

She spent a week reading the Book of Mormon, and then came to church. It was The Best sacrament meeting that day with some really powerful talks. Afterwords we went into a classroom for a lesson. She really wants to know if this is God's true church, and she's working to recieve an answer. We were able to set a bap date for 6 June. She's going to England to visit her daughter for a couple of weeks, and asked us for the address of the church there. We're super excited for her. 

I love you all! Have the best week ever!
Sorella Pace

Life long dream accomplished! I was a Helping Hand! We had a district activity where we cleaned up a park here in Rimini. It was pretty awesome!

Buona Pasqua!

Buona Pasqua! And Happy Anniversary Steve and Melanie! 

Easter was absolutely amazing. It also happened to be fast and testimony meeting as well. The Spirit was so powerful. One of the youth had brought her mom to church for the first time. I guess the mom has been pretty against the church which makes it hard on the daughter, but she cried throughout all the testimonies and had a wonderful experience. 

That morning the nonmember mom of member family called us up as we were walking to church and invited us over for Easter pranzo (lunch). We've eaten with her once before, and she perfectly matched the idea of an Italian cook feeding you until you're ready to burst, and then adding five more courses. For Easter we were a little more prepared- mentally if not physically. What we were unprepared for was that it all would be fish. Which I'm fine with, but Sorella Bucco hates fish. So as our host was busy in the kitchen, we snuck food to my plate and the empty seashells to Sorella Bucco's plate. 

That evening we went to the Branch President's house for a dinner of homemade pizza and homemade gelato. It was delicious. By the time we arrived home that night we were stuffed to the brim and still couldn't eat breakfast the next morning.

My favorite part of missionary work is teaching. When you're in a lesson with someone who really is searching for the truth, there is a powerful and sweet spirit that completely guides the lesson. After a lesson we'll talk about what happened, and half the time I'll have no idea what exactly I said, only that it was what they needed to hear. Last week we taught a restoration lesson to an ex-investigator from the Area Book, and it was a powerful lesson. It was actually the first time Sorella Bucco and I had taught the restoration together, but it went beautifully. We were able to adapt completely to her needs and help her really understand the importance of the Book of Mormon. She was so committed to read the Book of Mormon and pray about it. She asked for three chapters and a week to read, and then next Sunday we'll meet again to discuss about it. Sorella Bucco and I left that lesson completely amazed and grateful for the help of the Lord.

The sad part is that my bike broke right after that, so we had to walk the bikes home. We got lost, and had forgotten the map at home so the walk took two and a half hours. Our feet are sore, but it was worth the lesson.

Vi voglio tanto bene!

Sorella Pace

Easter Pranzo (lunch)