Fillo Maranci was like Moroni

Hosford Family,

Sorry its been a little over a week since I last wrote, but its probably been one of the worst weeks in my life. We weren't able to work much because of certain events.

Monday - companion was sick and last day we saw Fillo Maranci
Tuesday - zone conference and English course and last day I talked to Fillo Maranci
Wednesday - new investigator and we search for for people
Thursday - Maraci hospitalized, research/finding, English course
Friday - Fillo Maranci died at the hospital -- we didn't do anything
Saturday - funeral and we did a display of the church in Ortigia
Sunday - church then we went to Noto

That's what we did last week.  Because of the untimely death of Fillo Maranci we lost a lot of time and more importantly, the will do do this work for a couple days. It really was a horrible week.  I was fortunate enough to speak at his funeral.  I shared Alma 48:17, then talked about an experience that we had that showed that Fillo Maranci was like Moroni, then I read the verse one last time with Fillo Maranci's name in the verse instead. I really miss him. He meant a lot to me. However, we did get to inow the inactive side of his family very well.  Then this guy named Fillo Ardito told me on Sunday that he wants to be rebaptized. However, we don't know if it will be soon or in about 3 months. It makes me happy because we have worked with him since I arrived here. I hope we see changes in the ward as well with the passing of Fillo Maranci. However, despite his passing, we are finally moving on. We think that he got his mission call to the Spirit Prison West:  Italian speaking.  So we get to work with him. 

Work here:  The work is going pretty well.  We stopped the 21-Day-Promise for now, but we need to follow up better with the people whom we have done it with.

Now we are working with the girl friend of a less active. We had the restoration lesson with her today. She has come to church for two weeks and she is reading which makes us very happy. Right now in our district we are going for a baptismal date. the ward needs one we think. She is coming along.

Then there is Marysela from the Philippines who came to Church and liked it. We have another appointment with her on Thursday. We don't know if she has been reading or not, but we will know soon.

Salvatore has been dropped. He took offense when the bishop asked him why he was in church.  Really dumb? Yes, but it doesn't bother me because Salvatore was a bit crazy.

We have a good amount of contacts right now and the news about English course has gotten out because more people are starting to recognize us as the English course people. I have given out about 400 English course pass-along cards. So we are hoping for growth just haven't seen it yet.  The word is out though.

Ruth and Amy both sent me letters. Thank them both for their letters. Hopefully, I will talk with Amy tomorrow with email. Ruth asked me a question about being happy and the scriptural insight she had. My thoughts are as follows: our beliefs are central and key to every decision we make everyday. Knowing what we know about this life why be unhappy, there is too much to be happy about and after the death of Fillo Maranci we learn that life is short and precious. Then 2 Nephi 2:25 says that we are here for you ... happiness and when combined with 1 Nephi 16 we see the attitude we need to have ... a positive one. With a positive attitude we will let our beliefs dictate our decisions and we will be happy as long as we make good choices. If you could send that to her.

Well I look forward to talking to you all tomorrow.  We receive transfer calls Saturday and I really don't want to go right now.  But love everyone at home and look forward to letters that might be sent to me.  Have a great week. -- Anz. Hosford