7-28-14

Ciao Tutti,

How is everyone doing this week?? We are doing really great. We are completely exhausted this week but we are still moving I guess haha:)

Well it has really been a week full of blessing and miracles from our Savior. We have really been blessed this week and both Anziano G and I are very grateful. Last Monday evening we received a call from a member who used to be in our branch here in Catanzaro but has since moved to England. They asked us to give blessings and little lessons to some of their family members (the grandparents of the family) that still live here. We felt an amazing spirit as we were able to give blessings to and meet with these wonderful people. Then we also found out that the parents on the side of the Mother were less-active members who hadn't come to church in over 25 years. They were on our ward list but had the wrong address and phone number. Now we have the correct address and phone number and we can help them become welcome again into the arms of their Savior Jesus Christ. The parable of the Pastor and His lost sheep really fits here. The Savior never gives up on any of His lost sheep even if they have been lost for more than 25 years, He loves each and every person on this earth and uses us as means to communicate with and show love towards His lost children.

We found out that M*****'s  dog this week had been bitten by a tick and so she has been in and out of the hospital all week with that but luckily we were able to pass by on Thursday and give her some brownies. Then Saturday we went to her house again with Alessio, our member, and visited with her again. This time even her husband listened to us and was curious after not showing much interest in the past. It was really good and the spirit was very strong.

Then Yesterday (and every day in between) we saw the hand of the Lord present in our lives but more importantly in the lives of others. Last Thursday Anziano G extended invites to come to church to a few of our students in English Course and we didn't think much of it. Then yesterday one of them showed up to church at exactly 10:00 ready to learn. We took him into a room apart with Alessio (a member of our Branch Presidency and convert of 3 years) and we were able to teach him all about the restoration and the story of how it came to be. Then he stayed for Sacrament Meeting and really enjoyed it. After we took him around and introduced him to the rest of the Branch and while doing so our Branch Presidents wife invited him over for Pranzo. We all went over there and we were able to have lunch together and then we watched the Restoration film and explained a little more about it and the Ranieri Family bore their personal testimonies. It was such a miracle and he really enjoyed the entire day. We all felt the spirit and he is very interested in knowing more about the church.

The Lord is really guiding this work. I know I say that every week but I really feel like it is true. Anziano Gardenhire and I are really trying to get this work here in Catanzaro going again after quite the drought over the last little while. With the help we are getting form above the work is going forward. We won't stop persisting though as this Branch needs some real help. Thanks for all the prayers that you are all giving to me. I seriously feel the help and have seen the results of them!! I love you all so much!!

Love

Anziano Passantino