The Fourth Quarter

Wow, we are seeing miracle after miracle here in Milan!  For example, on saturday we were knocking doors and found Eugenia.  She is about 28, from Romania, and let us in.  She was smoking and drinking coffee, and to be honest I didn't think anything was going to come out of it.  She ended up being super open, though, talking about how she believes in God but has lost faith in the priests.  She said, ''They're not like they once were.  Before you went to confess and you had to do at least a few 'Hail Marys' and actually repent.  Now you go and they say, 'Don't worry, you're forgiven.'  That's just not right!''  She also has a view that most of the people here have adopted - I like to call it the ''all roads lead to Rome'' point of view - where it's good enough just to believe because there's only one God anyway. We talked a little about the restoration and left her a Book of Mormon.

Yesterday, we went to see her again.  One of our members came with her 4 year-old daughter.  I was thinking ''Oh no, poor little Selena (the daughter) is going to comment on the cigarettes, this is going to be a disaster, Sorella Astudillo is going to hate us for introducing her daughter to this kind of environment'' etc.  But, the opposite happened.  Selena sat right next to Eugenia on the couch and asked her questions.  I don't know how, but it just opened Eugenia right up.  Her heart was somehow softened.  We read 3 Nefi 11 together, emphasizing the doctrine of Christ.  Plus, she had actually read before the appointment!  She accepted to keep reading and praying, is going with the Astudillo family to church, and when I invited her to baptism, she said, ''Va bene!'' or ''Sounds good!''  My companion and I were looking at each other like, did we just hear that right?  It was the cutest thing when she then gave Selena a few stuffed animals and Selena said, ''Ciao Uuugenia.''  It showed me that God is preparing ALL of His children, not just those we think are prepared.

Another miracle is Ann, whom we met with Sunday.  Two weeks ago I was talking with a mother and daughter on the bus, when Ann comes out of the blue, interrupts, and starts asking me all of these questions.  She then says, ''I have to get off here, but can I give you my number?''  The absolute reverse of what usually happens.  We set up an appt, but she didn't show so I was almost ready to write her off.  However, on Sunday we had an appt cancel, so I decided to give her a call.  She answered and said, ''Sorella JACOBSON!  (No one ever remembers my name.)  Allora, when can we meet?''  We met with her and asked her expections, established our purpose, and she also accepted to be baptized.  I had chills when she said to my companion, pointing to me, ''When I saw here on the bus, I just knew that I needed to talk with her.  I don't think it's a coincidence that the elderly man I usually am home with was in the hospital that day at that time, so that we could meet.''  I have never seen the spirit work so strongly with someone like that before, and see someone act on His promptings, without having received the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Remeber that one family that I told you about recently?  Full of new converts, less actives, and investigators who gave me birthday presents?  The mom has officially left cigarettes behind, and is going through the challenge of overcoming her addiction so she can be rebaptized with Dylan, our 14 year-old investigator.  It's amazing how in a few short weeks, they've already become like a second, or third, or fourth family to me.  Noemi, the 9 year-old new convert got up to share her testimony in church.  She talked about how reading the Book of Mormon every night as a family has helped them grow closer together and prepare to go to the temple to be sealed.  She related that her mom is quitting smoking, and how they are fasting and praying together to help her.  It was a tender moment.  It reminded me again of the true reason we're here...not just to bring people the blessings of baptism, but help everyone become eternal families.  That is the greatest goal, the true fruit of the tree, which is desirable above all that is desirable to make one happy.

As you know, I love you all.  Thank you for your prayers, letters, pictures, and emails.  I've received so many letters from family and friends that I know I will have support and angels surrounding me until the end.  It's the fourth quarter, and you can bet your money I'm leaving it all on the court.  I didn't come out here to play a good three quarters and then give up the game at the end.  I've been conditioning my whole life, and thank you to all my fans cheering me on from the sidelines.  Without you, I wouldn't be here.

Love,

Sorella Jacobson