(Anziano Wilkinson)
Verona is a really active city it would seem. Every other
week they're doing some huge event at the exposition center here in town or
hosting some important collection of art in the art galleries. A few months back
was Vinitaly, which is a huge wine festival (the biggest in the world) where I
guess people dress up fancy and taste wine haha. Since then there has been car
shows, model replica shows, some of Van Gogh's work on display, and plenty of
other stuff. Plus in the Arena in the middle of town (it's basically an ancient
colosseum) they host concerts and plays every once in a while. I feel like
there is so much fun stuff always happening here and I think it would be a
really nice place to live (except as a missionary, when you don't really have
time to go to all these things haha). I might get transferred out though soon;
I've been here for four months now and transfer calls will be this Saturday. I
really don't want to leave, but I'm afraid I might have to.
This week we had many amazing experiences with the amazing
people in Mantova. Issac and his family are continuing to grow in understanding
of the gospel and faith in the savior. They have begun to read the Book of
Mormon and are full of questions about it, which is wonderful! Asking questions
is truly one of the best ways to learn.
Meanwhile, in Verona, we are teaching a man named Stanley. He
is a refugee from Nigeria who has fled to Italy in search of more fertile economic
soil in order to secure for himself a brighter future. Teaching him is always a
relief because he speaks and understands English better than Italian, which
means that for an hour or so we don't have to stress about speaking Italian! He
is soaking up the concepts that we teach him and is keeping commitments and
walking the path that leads to greater happiness! He has truly been prepared
for the message that we bring. As well as many other people here in these wonderful
cities!
Many of our experiences as missionaries are guided by the
spirit. This week we got to see the impact of that guidance quite evidently as
we followed its promptings. Every week I learn more about the Holy Ghost and
it's role in our lives. It truly is a powerful ally to have against the
confusion and uncertainty that we are faced with today. Many times the right
choice or simply the best one is very hard for us to discern by ourselves, but
with the assistance of the spirit, we have an expanded view of which choices
are the right ones in each fleeting moment. The spirit speaks to us quietly and
personally and always in effort to urge us toward righteous action. When we
listen, the natural result is growth, reinforced faith, and happiness. It's our
Heavenly Father's intention for us to listen to the Spirit in this life and
walk by it's light, rather than the sight of our arguably limited personal
intuition and learning. He knows the best way to happiness and we find it along
the path He outlines for us, the path of discipleship.
I'm so great full for the gift of the Holy Ghost and for the
blessing that it is to be near to it! Truly life goes better when we let our Heavenly
Father take the lead and show us where to place our steps! Let the Lord guide
you more than ever this week and watch as the blessings pour in more than
you've ever seen! I promise they will!
Have a nice week!
-Anziano Jake Wilkinson
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