Well, Christmas and New Years are kind of slowing things down a lot. It's been pretty hard to meet with our investigators and not too many people are wanting to hear about Christ during Christmas. Ironic, I know. But we have had a couple run ins with success, every once in a while we still find some pretty cool people who for a brief moment are interested in what we have to say.
We had a great Christmas though! We went to the midnight mass (as is missionary tradition here in Italy) for the cultural aspect, and it was interesting. I learned some cool things about the Catholic Church. After that we woke up 5 hrs later to go to church! Church was super fun! There was an American family visiting for the holidays, so we met with them beforehand to show them where the church was, and then in sacrament meeting we all took turns reading various christmas scriptures from both the bible and the Book of Mormon. Afterwards we hung out with Enrique all day, I made my mom's delicious Pineapple chicken (which was a big hit) and then we had mass amounts of american baked goods that Enrique got to try (courtesy again of my wonderful mother). Also, because it was Christmas we got to watch a disney movie, so we watched Despicable Me, and I had forgotten how hilarious it was!
Well, not much else to say. I reread the couple chapters in the book of Helaman and 3 Nephi right before Christ's birth, and it was very inspiring how much faith the people had. Quick background, So these people are waiting for the coming of Christ that has been prophesied, but there are many unbelievers who do not like this, and they're very angry.
8 But behold, they did watch steadfastly for that day and that night and that day which should be as one day as if there were no night, that they might know that their faith had not been vain.
9 Now it came to pass that there was a day set apart by the unbelievers, that all those who believed in those traditions should be put to death except the sign should come to pass, which had been given by Samuel the prophet.
10 Now it came to pass that when Nephi, the son of Nephi, saw this wickedness of his people, his heart was exceedingly sorrowful.
11 And it came to pass that he went out and bowed himself down upon the earth, and cried mightily to his God in behalf of his people, yea, those who were about to be destroyed because of their faith in the tradition of their fathers.
12 And it came to pass that he cried mightily unto the Lord all that day; and behold, the voice of the Lord came unto him, saying:
13 Lift up your head and be of good cheer; for behold, the time is at hand, and on this night shall the sign be given, and on the morrow come I into the world, to show unto the world that I will fulfil all that which I have caused to be spoken by the mouth of my holy prophets.
9 Now it came to pass that there was a day set apart by the unbelievers, that all those who believed in those traditions should be put to death except the sign should come to pass, which had been given by Samuel the prophet.
10 Now it came to pass that when Nephi, the son of Nephi, saw this wickedness of his people, his heart was exceedingly sorrowful.
11 And it came to pass that he went out and bowed himself down upon the earth, and cried mightily to his God in behalf of his people, yea, those who were about to be destroyed because of their faith in the tradition of their fathers.
12 And it came to pass that he cried mightily unto the Lord all that day; and behold, the voice of the Lord came unto him, saying:
13 Lift up your head and be of good cheer; for behold, the time is at hand, and on this night shall the sign be given, and on the morrow come I into the world, to show unto the world that I will fulfil all that which I have caused to be spoken by the mouth of my holy prophets.
And so that night the sign was given, and the people were saved. But it just amazes me that they had the faith to wait it out, even up until the day of their execution. The suspense must've been agonizing. But that's the kind of faith we need in the face of anything Satan wants to throw at us, we can and need to be ready with our answer. And I know that with prayer it is completely possible. Well, I'm done preaching. I love you all very much, and hope that you're all doing well, and staying happy!
-Anziano Bushman
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| A picture of the inside of the Siena Cathedral before Midnight Mass started...sorry, its a little blurry. |
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