Okay, then, well...

Thank you all for the Happy Birthday! That was rather sweet of you, and it's wonderful. I'm going to have some fun, you can be sure of that. As for the money, thank you very much. I don't know what I'm going to use it for just yet, but I'll think of something.

So, I've got all your questions, and I'll answer them all. Since he wants to know it all, I'll start with Dad:

I'm more worried about giving addrestramenti, and how to best help out the district than I am of anything else. It's not hard to gather numbers (Dad asked him how being a District Leader has changed him and how it is to gather stats).

I don't konw what's up with the verdini situation. I think now that things are levelling off with the increase of missionaries, they're going to start refilling the mission when a group goes home. We'll be getting a large Anziani group in August probably. (Dad asked him why his mission was getting low numbers of new missionaries in).

Yeah, I like Stamps. He's cool. We share an interest in all things nerdy, and we're both quiet people. Which is nice. (Both parents asked like they always do how he likes his new companion).

Yes, same sisters (Dad asked if his district in Ragusa was the same).

If the Lord is willing, and the people are doing their part (because I'll be doing mine), then yes, hopefully we see a few baptisms this transfer (Dad asked if he thought they would have more baptisms this month).

Transferred next: I'd like to go back to Sardegna, or even Malta. I'd think that would be really cool (Dad asked where he thought he might get transferred to in the future).

I hope I have a lot more than just 2 or 3 transfers before I go home. I'm only in transfer 9! (Dad asked if he only had 2 to 3 physical transfers yet but that did not get communicated so well).

Yes, I've realized that this is my last year in the mission, thank you. I'm trying to focus on work so that I don't have to get trunky!

Mom:

The added resposibility will not detract, as it will help me to stay closer to my Father in Heaven. I'm cool!

Am I staying in Ragusa for a while? Boh. The lord knows, and if there's one thing I'ìm sure on, it's that the President gets revelation on the transfers. SO, we'll see what the Lord wants me to do.

Well, things were rather interesting last week, but also very enjoyable.

I got Anziano Stamps to Ragusa without any problems, and we started right into the work the next day. I had an appointment set up with Samuel, but he didn't show up, and I showed Anziano Stamps around the city, doing some finding. We rescheduled the appointment with Samuel before Conference Saturday, but he didn't show again, and he didn't come Sunday. We set up an appointment for today, so here's hoping that all things work out. We are going to have to move the baptismal date back to the 26th, with the option to move it to the 19th, if we feel he's ready.

Rosa and Giacomo both came for a session of conference, as that's all they had time for. They both really enjoyed it. I'm planning on meeting with both of them this week, and getting them a baptismal date, also for the 26th. We have a good feeling that things will work out, and we'll see two great examples of progression in the Gospel path.

Speaking of conference, I thought it went really well. I got some good items out of it and added some of the things that were said into my action plan. Part of that action plan is to become the message, and to remain optimistic, like our prophets, and have that attitude of "Oh, things will work out!"

I've felt really overwhelmed with the assignment to be district leader, and I've felt a great need of the help of my Father in Heaven. I've felt myself grow closer to him as I've prayed for his guiding hand to help strengthen me and help me to know what to do to help out my fellow missionaries, and our investigators. He's definitely answered my prayers, and that relationship, which is probably the most important relationship that we could ever have with anyone, is becoming even stronger.

Yup, things are going well. I'm rather pleased with the work in Ragusa, and I really think that things are going to continue to grow. I'm excited for this next transfer period and my new companion.

Much love,

NaNa