Transferred

Well my time here in Messina has come to a close...or a bang, depending on how you look at it. And when I say bang, I mean the sound of someone being immersed in water. That is right. We had a successful double baptism of Mariapia and Cristina last Saturday. Although leading up to the baptism was pretty stressful, it turned out really well. It started in the morning when we went to the church to go set up the font (we have one of those blue "swimming pool" type things. For pictures, refer yourselves to a picture from Castellammare.)

We let the Reggio Anziano use the font on Thursday as they also had two baptisms and their font was broken, and the new one they had ordered had not arrived yet. They did the baptism outside, and so the font was a little dirty. So we had to clean it a little. That took pretty much all morning. Then we came back after lunch and started to fill it up. As the water was flowing in, water started leaking. So we took turns standing with a mop and mopping up water as it came out and as the font filled. We prayed fervently that the font would stop leaking.

After about an hour and a half, some members showed up along with an investigator. We had scheduled an appointment with this investigator and the branch president with us. So we stationed a member on mop duty and went into the lesson. As we were teaching, we heard a loud boom! And the members outside the room were kind of freaking out. Anziano Polelli and I were kind of freaking out, and we had worried faces on. After talking about it later after the lesson, we both expressed that we felt that everything was fine and to continue the lesson. So we did. The lesson went well, and that investigator should have a baptismal date in a couple of weeks.

So after the lesson, we went out and the font, under the pressure of the water that was in it, popped into a different position. So all was fine. What was even better was that in its new position, it stopped leaking water. My how great is our Heavenly Father. Then the baptismal service began, and there were two really good talks that brought the spirit very strongly. Then the baptisms. Let's just say that although the fond had stopped leaking, there were enough tears from the people in that room that we almost needed the mop again. The spirit was really strong. As the participants changed, Anziano Polelli and I gave a presentation about the Restoration. We talked and watched parts of the movie, "The Restoration." The spirit was very strong again. Just in short, the whole things was filled with the spirit. Anb ecause of that, one of Mariapia's sons decided to continue meeting with us. And jer daughter-in-law decided to start meeting the missionaries. So a really good night.

Then on Sunday, the confirmations were again a very spiritual experience for everyone. With these two baptisms, the entire branch was involed. All knew those that were being baptized, and there was a brotherly love that filled the chapel. Saturday night though, President Kelly called us and told us that I was reeturing to Rome 2 and that Anziano Polelli was staying. That made Sunday a little hard - having to osay goodbye to the members here. There are a lot of great people here.

So the last couple of days, we have been teaching lessons and saying goodbye to people. Mariapia gave me a tie and a very nice letter last night. I will miss Messina.

As far as Logan goes, you can just tell him to write me a letter. I can't believe he is home. Sounds like you all had a great Thanksgiving. I miss having a real winter. But what can you do? Things are great.

So I will be returning to Rome where I started the mission. It is weird. Oh, and I will be in the other companionship in Rome 2, the one close to the president.

Love you all!
Anziano Hatch

Cristina

Mariapia