Mornin' Fam!
A great week here at Brindisi. The work is flying forward and it's hard to get my head around everything that is happening here but we have a great vision and are very excited for the blessings and miracles we are seeing. Last week we had the chance to cross the Italian peninsula to see a small city on the coast called Gallipoli. It was pretty incredible, I hope the pictures come through. It was our last week together as a district as one of our Anziani has been transferred to Napoli (I couldn't be more stoked for him!). We took a small, one-cabbed train across the olive tree-scattered fields to arrive at a beautiful coast for our P-day. I'm spoiled here, I know, but I'm a big believer in work hard and play hard! As for the work this week... we surely are thrusting in our sickel. This Sunday we went with Vita and Maria Grazia by train up to Bari to see a baptism. It was pretty incredible. They both absolutely loved it and received a very strong testimony about the Church through the Spirit that they felt. Both of them are moving towards the waters of baptism every day. I'm really loving this language now. It's amazing what an Italian companion can do to effect that. I often get discouraged about the inability to share what it is I know and then I "remember, remember" that it's how I feel about what I know, and not about what it is that I know. We had a big storm come through this week that not only wiped out the Italian cheery attitude but also left us to a little bit less time to find someone to teach. We move forward, however. Yesterday I had a pretty special experience. Maybe I have spoke of Sorella Sciurti in the past. They live out in the country in small little home that is something Mom wouldn't bother putting on her listing sheet. They are without a car and Fratello Sciurti has trouble coming to Church because he doesn't have shoes. (Hope you don't mind Mom, but I am buying him a pair today) Anyway, yesterday while we were talking with her about "how to give a talk", and while our Branch President was snoring himself to sleep at her kitchen table, the Spirit came in so strong as Sorella Sciurti shared with us about her testimony of the Restored Gospel. Elder Holland's phrase came to my mind when he spoke this last conference that "us leaders hope to some day enter into the Celestial Kingdom where you followers already are" or something to that effect. Another scripture came to mind that "the meek and lowly of heart will inherit the kingdom of God". I saw in that instant what it truly means to be "true believer" of Jesus Christ. Sorella Sciurti's knowledge may not be large, her experience may not be that of fairy-tale, but I learned in that moment that the Lord looks upon the heart. That a heart so pure, so humbled, and a yoke so easy is what the Lord means when He speaks about a "broken heart and a contrite spirit". I guess I join Elder Holland in saying that I pray someday to stand at the same place where I KNOW Sorella Sciurti will be. The Gospel is so real and the love of our Heavenly Father is infinite, but yet conditional. We are seeing His hand in so many things. My companion would like to thank all of you for your prayers about his family. Not only is his grandmother doing much better, his mom has declared her date for retirement, they are both reading the Book of Mormon, his dad went to Church this last week, and both of his parents are taking the lessons from the missionaries, in which they have set a baptismal date. The blessings are endless! The Lord's love is incredible! The Church is true! There is so much this Gospel provides in our lives. Again, I'm thankful for all of you and all that you do. The work is hard and some days impossible, but the Lord's promises are certain. The winter is over, the spring is about here, but it is always harvest season here in Italy, just one thrust at a time. Love you all! Arrivederci!
con felicità, gioia, e amore,
Anziano Gatchell
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