By the way.....my companion made me a sandwhich that is
called "Ramen Sandwhich". You boil the water, throw in the
Ramen for literally 2 sec. then take it out, split it open and then put an egg in the middle with ham and fry it on both sides then put it between two pieces of bread. It's actually not too bad. I wont eat it all the time, but it was pretty good.
The other Counselor in the Presidency is President Michael Haight. Also, Clayton Christensen has a book out about member
missionary work which is really good that is only 10 bucks because he
wants it to be affordable. I cant remember the title, but I'll let you know. So,
the library thing. Today it was suppose to be closed because it is a
holiday, but the one we come to is actually open. Also we are very low on miles
because of all the leadership training meetings we have been going to. So, it is
just a maybe thing that I won't be able to email you on some Mondays.
This last week we didn't get to go do service because we
had a leadership training and also interviews with the Mission President. We work at the zoo from 11-1 and the thrift store, "Penny Lane," from 11-1 as well. The
thrift store also has a section that is used for disabled kids. It's really nice. We have a washer/dryer in our apartment, so that is
really nice and I will send pics today of the apartment.
Last P-Day we went to the beach and lighthouse. We hit tennis
balls with a mini bat we found and played soccer and football. I will send pics
of the light house as well.
I just want to make clear everything is going just fine
out here, and I didn't mean to scare anyone, if I did. It was just very interesting to me about the circumstances going on out here. There is a
lot to write about.
Before
General Conference we met with this lady named Alma who has been what we call an
"eternagator" meaning she has been taught all she can and still isn't baptized.
She has been attending church for 9 years, 6 off and on and the past 3 every
week. We have been praying mightily striving to find out what she needs and to
get her to open up to us. We have been making progress. Anyway, before
Conference her son invited us in (1st time meeting him). He is huge! A very
big man. probably like 6'4" and just huge. Anyway, his story is he had a 9 lb. tumor
in his stomach and got it removed, so he has been recovering at his parents
house and can't lift anything over 5 lbs. He speaks english and something else I thought
was cool, as he lived in Japan for a few years. Anyway, we had him sit in on our visit
with his mom and he participated a lot. The main thing we came to this visit for
was to prepare Alma for Conference and receiving that confirmation she felt she
still needed that the Church is true (she believes the BofM is true and everything
else, she just wanted a confirmation from God). So we taught both of them. I was
filled with such a love for them, and the spirit was so strong. We watched "General Conference Has Something For You" video by Jeffrey R.
Holland and then shared further how wonderful Conference is and how we then can
receive answers to any question we have if we prepare for it. I had no idea
what was going on, but I know that it was all the Spirit. I can't take credit
for it at all. I bore testimony, I invited, I promised and told them exactly
what they needed to hear. Camillo (the son) accepted the invite to watch, so
did the mom. We taught them the purpose of prayer and how to pray and
found out the mom's personal prayers were in bed laying down and she would fall
asleep. Anyway, it was an amazing experience. The spanish rolled off my tongue.
I had to ask my companion sometimes exactly what they were saying and ask for
some words, but that didn't matter. It was remarkable! Alma watched it and
Camillo watched one (since he is still recovering) and it was the one on faith and
flipping the light switch on and off by Pres. Uchtdarf. He liked it a
lot and it has been getting him to ponder things. We haven't been able to
meet with him after that because when we stopped by he was at the doctors. Alma, when we met with her the other day, said she wants to get baptized! We
tried setting a date with her but she isn't sure when and wants to talk with
her sister who is also a member. I remember leaving that house so filled with
love and grattitude for all that the Lord had done for me and his help during
that time.
Another cool experience was this last week when I went out
on an exchange with an english elder in my disrtict. We contacted referrals all
day and it went really well. His name is Elder Broadhead ( the one in the hat
pic with me). He is a country boy from Utah. Also sometimes looks like Justin
Bieber haha, but is really cool. There was this girl who was probably
24 who loves learning about religions and believes in the morals of them, but
wants nothing to do with religion. She was very nice and it was a porch visit
and we 1st talked to her about it really quick and gave her two B of M's and
pamphlets of the restoration because she wanted one for her cousin in another
state. She loves the church's geneaology program and actually would
defend our church from people saying things they didn't even know anything
about, which was cool. We left and started driving away when I got the
prompting we should have gotten the information about her cousin, and so we went
back because I felt strongly we needed to. It turned out in the end that wasn't the reason
we went back. I know now that the reason we went back was to bear our
testimonies. I remember looking her in the eyes and bearing my testimony to her
about the Book of Mormon. I shared a little of my experience and as I bore
testimony of it the spirit was so strong and her eyes started getting a little
watery. I then left her an invitation and challenge to put the book to the
test. To do what it said and promised her that she could come to know what we and
many others have come to know. Now I do not know what will come of this, maybe
nothing, but I sealed our visit with my testimony and looking back it wasn't to
get infromation on her cousin, but rather to testify that it was just not some other
book, and that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is not just
another religion, but it is the Church of Jesus Christ that has been restored
on the earth today. It was so amazing! I love this work so much that I can't
even come close to express the true feelings of my heart.
I would like to leave you all with my testimony, that I know
this church is indeed the Church Christ himself established on the earth and it
has been restored again today in its fullness. Time after time of sharing this
with others and seeing and feeling God's spirit solidifies that truth deeper
and deeper within my soul. I know that all who take the challenge, as I
did, to put it to the test and do as it invites us to do which is,
to read it, ponder it, and to ask God with real intent having a desire to know.
I promise you that you will receive an answer of it's truthfulness by the
Spirit of God otherwise known as the Holy Ghost. What greater witness can you
have than from God? I am not here to convince you of its truthfulness, but
rather invite you to find out for yourself. I know God loves each and every one
of us perfectly for I have felt that love even in the hardest of times. I know
that he knows each and every one of us perfectly for he is our Father in
Heaven. I know that Jesus Christ is the only Begotten Son of God and that he
suffered more pain and anguish for us than we can ever come close to fully
comprehending - "For I God have suffered these things for all that they might
not suffer if they would repent. But if they would not repent they must suffer
even as I, which suffering caused myself even God the greatest of all, to
tremble because of pain, to bleed at every pore and would that I might not
drink the bitter cup and shrink. Nevertheless I partook and glory be to the
Father" D&C 16-19. I know with all my heart, all my soul that Christ
lives and he is always calling us to come unto him with his arms open. I beg
of you, please do not turn away from him. Accept his invitation and you will
come to know what I know, that he lives and how wonderful that is. I leave this
with you in the sacred name of our Savior and Redeemer, even Jesus Christ,
amen.
Elder Salerno
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