It was a good week this week! First, let me tell you all something. I LOVE RIMINI. \u00a0The people in this branch are some of the most amazing people that I have ever met in my entire life. I want to just write a list of the little tender mercies that I have seen all week long.<\/div>\n
In no particular order:<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
1. We have been finding a ton of investigators through the area book. \u00a0We found a family who had studied with the missionaries for years, but had just kind of slipped under the radar. \u00a0We went to their lesson, and we brought two of our members. \u00a0These members are from Ecuador, and when we arrived at the door, we discover the people we are about to teach are from Peru. It was such a miracle! \u00a0They connected so well, were such wonderful missionaries, and it inspired them to want to do more missionary work. The beautiful part about it was that the members had been praying that day to have nire missionary experiences. \u00a0The sister told us as soon as she had finished praying, we called and invited her to come to the lesson with us. \u00a0We have another appointment this week. (Oh, and the lesson was in Spanish… THE GIFT OF TONGUES IS REAL. Because I understood somehow. We spoke in Italian, they spoke in Spanish, there was the universal language of the Spirit, it all just worked out :))<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
2. We went to see a member family. \u00a0Their inactive son was there. \u00a0He listened. Miracle.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
3. We got gelato twice this week. \u00a0Yeah, that’s a miracle for me.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
4. Sunday, all the missionaries gave talks about missionary work. \u00a0I used the subjunctive in my talk, a lot! (The nerd in me is still here, don’t you worry. \u00a0I love my language study time.) \u00a0The members think I can speak Italian. \u00a0This is a miracle, in so many ways. \u00a0My Italian is improving here in Rimini. \u00a0I am obsessed with this beautiful langauge. Still have a long ways to go, but for the first time, I kind of saw how far I’ve come from four and a half months ago.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
5. Sorella Ervin sang and I accompanied her. The members almost started clapping, one woman said very loudly — “Oh, brava. \u00a0Bellissima voce. Bravissima!” (Let me tell you, my companion CAN SING. Not worthy to accompany her voice.) \u00a0Her singing is seriously opening the doors to talking to members that maybe don’t trust the missionaries all that much. Music has such a power. \u00a0We’re going to use her voice to get into doors, that’s the next step \ud83d\ude42 The members are getting exctied. \u00a0They are searching for people. \u00a0One family said, we’ll find somene, but only so you can come eat dinner with us \ud83d\ude42<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
6. We have planted some seeds. \u00a0Some beautiful seeds. \u00a0We met this bellissima woman on a bench near a park overlooking a lake. \u00a0She has been to Salt Lake and knows about Mormons. \u00a0She didn’t want to give us any information, but she felt the spirit, she was kind, and she listened. She listened!<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
7. A less-active family the branch president really wants us to see answered the phone. That never happens..<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
8. Our branch-mission leader, Emilio. \u00a0This man, this man is a gift from God. Words cannot express how much we love him. \u00a0He gives his life for us, and helps us with things every day. \u00a0There aren’t any elders in this city (yet… rumor has it they’ll be coming… yay!), and our branch will sacrfice anything to help us sorelle. \u00a0Emilio has the kindest eyes I have ever met in my entire life.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
9. My dear companion, Sorella Ervin. \u00a0This girl is always a miracle for me. \u00a0She feels things deeper than anyone I’ve ever met. \u00a0She’s patient, and forgiving, and kind, and HILARIOUS. \u00a0She makes me laugh all of the time. I couldn’t do this without her.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
There have been so many more tender mercies this week I just don’t want to stop. \u00a0But this is getting long and I need to respond to the rest of my inbox \ud83d\ude42<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Thank you so much for your prayers back home. \u00a0I know that we are seeing miracles because of those prayers. \u00a0I pray for you all every day. I pray for all of my roommates on missions and not on missions, I pray for all of my family and random people I remember from BYU and all of the people here. \u00a0I love this place. \u00a0I am so happy. \u00a0I don’t sleep, I cry, and I get frustrated easily, but I am so happy. \u00a0This is the Lord’s work, and that is always enough.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Hebrews 6:10.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Vi voglio bene,<\/div>\n
![\"IMG_0752\"](\"https:\/\/emmaletters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/IMG_0752.jpg\")
<\/a>