Miracles in Verona

The mission time wrap is crazy - pretty sure twas yesterday I giggled through your emails and yet here I am again...still giggling. But what a celebration it is to feast on the words of loved ones.

So Miracles is a good way to describe Verona. Sorella Quinton has stuck with me through the hours of being lost in the rain and having angry non active members slam doors in our faces. She has shown Coach that she is ready to play and set 6 BAPTISMAL DATES THIS WEEK! We had 6 referrals from street contacts and she set 6 dates with each of them. So in the last week - 6 baptismal dates and 6 new investigators. Essentially, we completed the monthly goal of the previous companionship and then some in a week of being in Verona. MIRACLES! 

This week we had an incredible lesson about the apostasy and how churches all have parts of the truth. It is always interesting to tell someone that their church is a direct fruit of the apostasy....and you just hold your breath to make sure they dont immediately kick you out of their house. But during this lesson I felt the Spirit testifying about the truthfullnes of the restored gospel. I am so grateful to have the truth in my life and know the source of All Truth. 

Yesterday, we ran off to Milano for the new missionary training - my 3rd. hahaha It gets drier each time. But at the end they always show a video about the Atonement of Christ and missionary work. Powerful. I just closed my eyes and listened and thought about the things I have learned within the last (almost) year. This work is not easy, it never has been easy, nor will it ever be easy. But I am fighting everyday to prove to my Savior that I am willing and ready to stand shoulder to shoulder with Him and defend my God. This work is not easy but salvation never was easy. Every door slammed in my face, every cow pie Hermana Alley steps in and every minute we are both not at home to witness Leah's first smile is not easy - but neither was the Atonement. Even Christ asked if there wasn't an easier way. The answer. No. So we fight, we pick ourselves back up, we hit the streets harder and we grown ourselves. 

Then I realized the purpose of life. 

This life is role play for eternity. 

Anciently Gladiators fought in the streets of Verona to prove themselves. Today, I am fighting in the streets of Verona to prove myself. 

Herman Alley is doing the same. 

You have all done the same.

All for one purpose - to be numbered among the Gladiators of our King. 

We came, we saw, we conquered. 

We will be rewarded eternally.

Over and out! Vi amo tutti! 

Sorella Alley 

This email is filled with so much italian history, it's beautiful.