May 10, 2013
Well I can’t believe that I have made it to
this point. I guess this is goodbye to Italy. This week has been quite the
week. We cranked out 11 lessons in the office! That is quite the accomplishment
for us here! The office has been a good learning experience and has taught me
so many things. People always say have no regrets. Well to be honest I have a
few regrets, but that does not mean that I didn’t do my best. I think that as
missionary it is hard because I always wanted to be perfect and it was never
that way. So I mean of course I have a few regrets of things I wish I had done better.
Like working more with members and so forth. But I have no regrets about the
decision I made to come on a mission. I know I blessed so many other people,
but the person who I think received the most blessings is myself.
Here in the Milan Mission it is a tradition
to give your testimony at the last zone meeting before you go home. I gave my
testimony to the Milano Ovest zone and there were many familiar faces there.
Allison Astel, Austin Jensen, Anziano Ramey my old comp from Lecco. I gave my
testimony of a few things and I wanted to share some of the things I talked
about.
When I first got to Siena I was thrown into
a crazy world of Italians and I was very inexperienced. It was tough, no one listened to what we had
to say and if they did they were not willing to meet with us. I was blessed to
have the best trainer in Italy, Anziano Smith. We taught a few people but none
ever went anywhere as far as living the gospel principles. It was very hard to
not be discouraged because the members were so few. Just 15 or so Active
members. I love Siena so much though, and it taught me how to work hard!
Busto was no easy walk in the park either.
The ward was bigger and I loved the members.
Even though Busto was one big trial, I learned that God has a plan for the elect
and that he prepares them. We found a few of them and baptized them. I learned
that obedience and faith brings blessings.
In Lecco I felt like I got the opportunity
to see some baptisms. Although I was not primarily involved in all of the
finding and teaching process of some of the people I was there for the baptism
and I felt like it was the Lord saying don’t worry you can be rewarded for your
hard work. I had some great companions and Anziano Ramey really helped me to be
positive and just be a boss! You have to have confidence and just work hard!
Muggiò I loved to death and I learned
leadership skills. I learned that when you set the example everyone else can achieve
what you achieve! I was always busy in Muggio and didn’t have time to relax. We
worked worked worked. I don’t think I have ever seen so much rain in my life
though! Not even in Seattle! At times in the rain on my bike it was hard, but
somehow, I don’t know how, I didn’t give up. At times I wanted to give up, not
because I didn’t like teaching but because the things I was asked to do where
far outside my limits. My miracles were able to meet the demands of so many
lessons.
The office was the curve ball section of my
mission. I had finally figured out everything. Learned how to be fruitful and
just really work a city and find a lot of success. And then I got thrown in the
office where we don’t really have personal and comp study, or much time to
plan. The spirituality took a hit and it was hard because I couldn't find the
guidance of the spirit as easily. I had to learn many new things and relearn
some things I thought I already knew. I
got the hang of things and found small ways to invite the spirit. I think that
the small things made the bid difference here. The church has grown and I
strengthened my testimony. Especially to see that as of tomorrow there will be
a stake in Firenze. I never thought I would see the day. But it’s here!
I love my mission. I wouldn’t trade it for
anything in the world. I love the people. And most of all I love the
Lord.
So che La Chiesa Di Gesù Cristo Dei Santi
Degli Ultimi Giorni è il regno del Signore stabilito sulla terra. Ho avuto
tanti dubbi nella missione riguardo la verità di quello che insegnamo. Ho
pensato anche che forse sono pazzo e che sto sprecando il mio tempo qui perché
nessuno ci ascolta comunque. Ma alla fine ho capito che non sono qui per me
stesso. Ma che sono qui per tutti gli altri. La missione è la cosa più
altruista che ci sia! Ci vuole sacrificio e dedicazione. Alla fine la cosa che
so che, è che Dio c'è e che questa è la sua chiesa. Nessuno può togliere nè
aggingere a quello. Amo il popolo d'Italia! Vi volgio bene!
Anziano Benson
Love you! Vi Amo!
