Anziano and Sorella above, returning with honor, with our Father's blessing and with bright futures ahead of them as they continue to serve.
Tuesday, March 3, 2015
The Last Supper at the Mission Home
Last pictures of Nathan at the Mission Home for their evening of dinner and testimony sharing. Nathan is in Dallas, missed with the other missionaries he is traveling home with their connection and now flying in later. All their luggage is missing so hopefully it shows up in the next week. From Sister Waddoups blog and we thank her for sharing them. We LOVE Nathan's good-bye tie!
Saturday, February 28, 2015
PIcture of Anziano Eads and Jones with Investigator; Last days of Anziano Eads in Roma, Italy.
This pictures showed up on Nathan's Facebook so I though I would post it here since it is by one of their investigators). On Facebook she posts "I'll miss you Nathan/Anziano Eads." She also posted a comment several weeks ago on how the Anziano have made such a positive impact on her life on the blog here. We're down to 2 days, 21 hours, 44 minutes and 32 seconds at the time I post this, but were not counting down nor excited for our son to come home!
Thursday, February 26, 2015
Homeward Bound
One more because it is so fitting as Nathan comes home. Dedicated to all families who set their daughters and sons free to find their callings as missionaries. To the missionaries who leave their loved ones and after eighteen months or two years, and are now or soon will be Homeward Bound. To parents who let their children find their callings in life and leave. Nothing is harder then watching them go, but that is also why we raise them so they can find their path in mortality and to provide a refuge for them to come home to. To our Savior, who provides us with the freedom to find our path, which is His path, and leads us gently, with love and patience, so we can be Homeword Bound, back to our Heavenly Home.
Ammon sums it up best, and it remains one of my top three favorite scriptures, Alma 26:16:
Therefore, let us glory, yea, we will glory in the Lord; yea, we will rejoice, for our joy is full; yea, we will praise our God forever. Behold, who can glory too much in the Lord? Yea, who can say too much of his great power, and of his mercy, and of his long-suffering towards the children of men? Behold, I say unto you, I cannot say the smallest part which I feel.
Marta Keen; arr. Wilberg:
“Homeward Bound”
• Homeward Bound Lyrics by Marta Thompson
“In the quiet misty morning
When the moon has gone to bed,
When the sparrows stop their singing
And the sky is clear and red,
When the summer’s ceased its gleaming,
When the corn is past its prime,
When adventure’s lost its meaning,
I’ll be homeward bound in time.
Bind me not to the pasture;
Chain me not to the plow.
Set me free to find my calling
And I’ll return to you somehow.
If you find it’s me you’re missing,
If you’re hoping I’ll return,
To your thoughts I’ll soon be list’ning,
In the road I’ll stop and turn.
Then the wind will set me racing
As my journey nears its end,
And the path I’ll be retracing
When I’m homeward bound again.
Bind me not to pasture;
Chain me not to the plow.
Set me free to find my calling
And I’ll return to you somehow.
In the quiet misty morning
When the moon has gone to bed,
When the sparrows stop their singing,
I’ll be homeward bound again.
Ammon sums it up best, and it remains one of my top three favorite scriptures, Alma 26:16:
Therefore, let us glory, yea, we will glory in the Lord; yea, we will rejoice, for our joy is full; yea, we will praise our God forever. Behold, who can glory too much in the Lord? Yea, who can say too much of his great power, and of his mercy, and of his long-suffering towards the children of men? Behold, I say unto you, I cannot say the smallest part which I feel.
Marta Keen; arr. Wilberg:
“Homeward Bound”
• Homeward Bound Lyrics by Marta Thompson
“In the quiet misty morning
When the moon has gone to bed,
When the sparrows stop their singing
And the sky is clear and red,
When the summer’s ceased its gleaming,
When the corn is past its prime,
When adventure’s lost its meaning,
I’ll be homeward bound in time.
Bind me not to the pasture;
Chain me not to the plow.
Set me free to find my calling
And I’ll return to you somehow.
If you find it’s me you’re missing,
If you’re hoping I’ll return,
To your thoughts I’ll soon be list’ning,
In the road I’ll stop and turn.
Then the wind will set me racing
As my journey nears its end,
And the path I’ll be retracing
When I’m homeward bound again.
Bind me not to pasture;
Chain me not to the plow.
Set me free to find my calling
And I’ll return to you somehow.
In the quiet misty morning
When the moon has gone to bed,
When the sparrows stop their singing,
I’ll be homeward bound again.
Bring Him Home
Last post by parents on a missionary blog. So much to say, so much we are feeling. The anticipation is great, so great. In a sacred experience when I blessed and released Lynda's father when he was in the hospital the veil was lifted and there I saw with spiritual eyes his parents, siblings, in-laws and so many others that eagerly awaited his arrival into the Spirit World. At the time the emotion and expression extended was as much as we await the arrival of a newborn baby, they anticipate and await with the same excitement the arrival of a loved one who leaves mortality to enter the Spirit World. I knew then that there would never be anything to be afraid of when it comes to dying, because as the Savior showed, it is not an end, simply a step or "graduation" as Lynda's mother always called it. I had a similar experience with Lynda's mother also as did Lynda who stayed with her the night before she passed. So as Nathan approaches the end of his two year mission, it is truly and simply just a graduation. Now he gets to apply all those lessons, all his spiritual growth to committing his life to serving those who are less fortunate then he; who are in need of comfort, love, service and strengthening. He will find he will have to balance things now, between a job, school, church callings, service opportunities and life in general but the key will be he has to apply and continue to serve to continue to grow. That will be the test he faces after this "graduation."
Now there is another expression. Never in my life have we so eagerly awaited a reunion. We would never have wanted Nathan to be anywhere other then where he has been for the last two years, but sending a child away for two years knowing the growth that will occur in them in so many ways confirmed to me what our Father must go through when we leave the pre-earth life and come to earth. Now our anticipation is just another parallel of what happens in the Spirit World when we leave mortality and arrive "home." Our reunion at the airport, a parallel to the reunion in the world of Spirits when we "graduate" from life here on Earth.
Now for us, Nathan's mission has flown by. It feels like he truly has only been gone for a year but it is two years. It shows to us and we hope to Nathan how quick time in mortality goes by and that we must focus ourselves on those things that truly matter, not on the sham and things that are trivial.
So though we are so grateful for Nathan's mission and the spiritual and personal growth he has experienced, and to be truthful that we have experienced at home, for he has made us grow and challenge ourselves to do more spiritually, we now look forward to having Nathan back in our world somewhat. We know he continues to move on with school, work and church, but it will be wonderful to associate in person again.
So a song to end it all, not a hymn, but one we hope conveys how we feel about Nathan. It says what we hope for, what we wish for, what we want for Nathan. It is our prayer that as Nathan returns home, our Father may
"Bring him peace, bring him joy, let him rest," most of all Father, Bring Him Home.
God on high
Hear my prayer
In my need
You have always been there
He is young
He's afraid
Let him rest
Heaven blessed.
Bring him home
Bring him home
Bring him home.
He's like the son I might have known
If God had granted me a son.
The summers die
One by one
How soon they fly
On and on
And I am old
And will be gone.
Bring him peace
Bring him joy
He is young
He is only a boy
You can take
You can give
Let him be
Let him live
If I die, let me die
Let him live
Bring him home
Bring him home
Bring him home.
Now there is another expression. Never in my life have we so eagerly awaited a reunion. We would never have wanted Nathan to be anywhere other then where he has been for the last two years, but sending a child away for two years knowing the growth that will occur in them in so many ways confirmed to me what our Father must go through when we leave the pre-earth life and come to earth. Now our anticipation is just another parallel of what happens in the Spirit World when we leave mortality and arrive "home." Our reunion at the airport, a parallel to the reunion in the world of Spirits when we "graduate" from life here on Earth.
Now for us, Nathan's mission has flown by. It feels like he truly has only been gone for a year but it is two years. It shows to us and we hope to Nathan how quick time in mortality goes by and that we must focus ourselves on those things that truly matter, not on the sham and things that are trivial.
So though we are so grateful for Nathan's mission and the spiritual and personal growth he has experienced, and to be truthful that we have experienced at home, for he has made us grow and challenge ourselves to do more spiritually, we now look forward to having Nathan back in our world somewhat. We know he continues to move on with school, work and church, but it will be wonderful to associate in person again.
So a song to end it all, not a hymn, but one we hope conveys how we feel about Nathan. It says what we hope for, what we wish for, what we want for Nathan. It is our prayer that as Nathan returns home, our Father may
"Bring him peace, bring him joy, let him rest," most of all Father, Bring Him Home.
God on high
Hear my prayer
In my need
You have always been there
He is young
He's afraid
Let him rest
Heaven blessed.
Bring him home
Bring him home
Bring him home.
He's like the son I might have known
If God had granted me a son.
The summers die
One by one
How soon they fly
On and on
And I am old
And will be gone.
Bring him peace
Bring him joy
He is young
He is only a boy
You can take
You can give
Let him be
Let him live
If I die, let me die
Let him live
Bring him home
Bring him home
Bring him home.
Monday, February 23, 2015
Open House Sunday, March 8th, 2015
Just a short post on this. It is on Nathan's and mine Facebook. We will be having an Open House at our home, 5877 W. Vogue Ct. Herriman, UT 84096 after our church meetings on Sunday, March 8th from 12:15p.m. until people stop coming by. If you want to welcome Nathan back home feel free to come by after 12:15p.m. We'll have food of course until it runs out . . . .
Again, Nathan will be reporting his mission in sacrament meeting on Sunday, March 8th at 9:00a.m. at our ward building. Here is that information for location if you wish to attend and hear his homecoming/talk.
12682 S Starlite Hills Lane
HERRIMAN, UTAH 84096
UNITED STATES
We are the Pioneer 4th Ward.
Reflections For Now . . .
This is not Anziano Nathan Eads' last post. It is his last post from Italy and his next post will come when he has returned home.
If your gone, well maybe you need to come home. There's an awful lot of breathing room, but I can hardly move . . . (Mathbox Twenty)
Okay, so here's a slighlty more serious email. Bear with me, it might be a long one.
Well, I honestly don't know what to think or feel right now. I'm kinda in the middle of a lot of emotions right now, but at the same time, my thoughts have never actually be clearer. I'm at peace, and honestly, feeling a little wise right now.
I'm sad about leaving, but I feel like it is time for me to go. I've done a really good work here and I'm content with what has happened. Overall, it's been fantastic.
I've always have seen trials in my life, but I've realized that those trials that I've had, they haven't been because I've been a bad person, or because I'm being punished, but these trials have come for one overall purpose. That purpose has been change.
I talked about that in my dying testimony. I talked about how these trials are the things that change us, and they are the things that put us through the refinier's fire and move us closer to our Savior.
The trials we encounter in this life, and the ones I've encountered in my mission have been the things that have made me more like my Savior, and what permit all of us to learn, to grow, to become better, and to become comfortable in the prescence of God.
The things that happen help us to find out who we are and who we can become. I'm more of the person I always thought I was. I'm quiet, thoughtful, wise (which is a huge surprise), and honestly, in some ways, I see that I've become the person I've always wanted to be.
The mission has been great, it's been something I would change for the world. I'm happy.
Love you guys again!
See you next week!
NaNa
If your gone, well maybe you need to come home. There's an awful lot of breathing room, but I can hardly move . . . (Mathbox Twenty)
Okay, so here's a slighlty more serious email. Bear with me, it might be a long one.
Well, I honestly don't know what to think or feel right now. I'm kinda in the middle of a lot of emotions right now, but at the same time, my thoughts have never actually be clearer. I'm at peace, and honestly, feeling a little wise right now.
I'm sad about leaving, but I feel like it is time for me to go. I've done a really good work here and I'm content with what has happened. Overall, it's been fantastic.
I've always have seen trials in my life, but I've realized that those trials that I've had, they haven't been because I've been a bad person, or because I'm being punished, but these trials have come for one overall purpose. That purpose has been change.
I talked about that in my dying testimony. I talked about how these trials are the things that change us, and they are the things that put us through the refinier's fire and move us closer to our Savior.
The trials we encounter in this life, and the ones I've encountered in my mission have been the things that have made me more like my Savior, and what permit all of us to learn, to grow, to become better, and to become comfortable in the prescence of God.
The things that happen help us to find out who we are and who we can become. I'm more of the person I always thought I was. I'm quiet, thoughtful, wise (which is a huge surprise), and honestly, in some ways, I see that I've become the person I've always wanted to be.
The mission has been great, it's been something I would change for the world. I'm happy.
Love you guys again!
See you next week!
NaNa
Weekly Email February 23rd, 2015
I've loved where I've been, yes I've loved where I've lived....by my heart's where I'm going.
So, I've decided to send two emails this week. One will be the normal weekly one, and the other will be kinda how I'm feeling at this moment in my life. However, I want it clear that I will write the final blog entry when I get home, most likely the next day. So if you want you can post the second email on the blog, but with the accompanying caption that it is not the last post.
Also because I wanna post another song, that I think Mom will love.
Secondly, Mom: STOP. TRYING. TO. DO. EVERYTHING. BY. YOURSELF!!!!! Wait until I get there so I can help, I'm gonna need stuff to do so that I can stay super busy!
Also, of course I would love your old bedroom set. It's a nice set up, so I think it would be perfect as well. I am perfectly happy with an iPhone 5s, in fact, that was the one I was planning on getting anyways. You read my mind Mom.
That's a lot of appointments....... I'm not honestly looking forward to all of that. I don't want to get looked at!!!!
Yeah, sorry about the lack of pictures. I lost some of them when Zito tried to copy some over at the internet point, so I swore I would never send pictures from an internet point again. I also thought, because I was so close to coming home, I could just show you them all when I get back.
Okay now for all the stuff that Dad wants to Know:
First: Well, that's the thing. I went to the bank to withdraw money, and it said my card wasn't qualified to international withdrawls. Could you talk to Granite about that and see? Either way, I'll be ready. I will definitely have less than 800 in customs. I don't buy a whole lot.
Second: A suit, shoes, two white shirts, my ties, and some other things.
Third: Sounds good.
Fourth: See above.
And now the "urgent questions".
1. I'd like it (open house) after the block. It'd be nice and easy, I wouldn't have to worry too much about things, and I could just relax with my friends.
2. Not really (outside of family anyone specific he wants at the airport).. I'm not super picky about whose there. I'm fine with meeting with the Stake President at that time, as long as I'm in bed by 10:30! (joke) [Nathan will meet with our Stake President to be released between 8:45pm and 9:00 pm or as soon as we get to the Stake Center after our airport reunion). But seriously, I'm gonna be super tired. Let me sleep please!
I'm down for whatever food. I'll start eating the new diet quickly, need to get adjusted after all.
I don't wanna take a lot of time in writing today, just because I want to get some stuff done this day so that I can really focus on finishing this week, and in that sense, my mission by burning out as bright as I can.
So, this week honestly was a bit of a hard week, but that doesn't really matter at this point. Just a lot of things didn't work out as we wanted them to, and it was different.
Unfortunately, N has decided to not meet with us any more. We've tried calling him and getting appointments set up, but he never responds, or rejects the calls. We're not sure what has happened, but we're still praying for him to change and meet with us. Going to invite him to church this Sunday, so that at the very least, I can see him one last time.
Also, we had to reschedule with I to this week. Hopefully we can get a family home evening with her and her family this week, and keep things going good over on that end.
R is still a boss, and is doing amazing. He actually had an interview for another job this week, and it seems like things could go really well for that one, as it could mean he could have a better chance to come to church on Sundays. We've been praying for this to happen, and, like he always does, the Lord has answered a lot of prayers.
We also have a new investigator, E, who came from Rome 5. He's a great guy, and basically gave himself a baptismal invite. We taught him the Restoration this week, and we'll be teaching him the Plan of Salvation this week.
Overall, lots of miralces. This week is another full week, plenty of people to see, plenty of things to do, and with the Lord blessing us as He has, things will go fantastically.
Okay, next email coming up!
Love ya!
NaNa
So, I've decided to send two emails this week. One will be the normal weekly one, and the other will be kinda how I'm feeling at this moment in my life. However, I want it clear that I will write the final blog entry when I get home, most likely the next day. So if you want you can post the second email on the blog, but with the accompanying caption that it is not the last post.
Also because I wanna post another song, that I think Mom will love.
Secondly, Mom: STOP. TRYING. TO. DO. EVERYTHING. BY. YOURSELF!!!!! Wait until I get there so I can help, I'm gonna need stuff to do so that I can stay super busy!
Also, of course I would love your old bedroom set. It's a nice set up, so I think it would be perfect as well. I am perfectly happy with an iPhone 5s, in fact, that was the one I was planning on getting anyways. You read my mind Mom.
That's a lot of appointments....... I'm not honestly looking forward to all of that. I don't want to get looked at!!!!
Yeah, sorry about the lack of pictures. I lost some of them when Zito tried to copy some over at the internet point, so I swore I would never send pictures from an internet point again. I also thought, because I was so close to coming home, I could just show you them all when I get back.
Okay now for all the stuff that Dad wants to Know:
First: Well, that's the thing. I went to the bank to withdraw money, and it said my card wasn't qualified to international withdrawls. Could you talk to Granite about that and see? Either way, I'll be ready. I will definitely have less than 800 in customs. I don't buy a whole lot.
Second: A suit, shoes, two white shirts, my ties, and some other things.
Third: Sounds good.
Fourth: See above.
And now the "urgent questions".
1. I'd like it (open house) after the block. It'd be nice and easy, I wouldn't have to worry too much about things, and I could just relax with my friends.
2. Not really (outside of family anyone specific he wants at the airport).. I'm not super picky about whose there. I'm fine with meeting with the Stake President at that time, as long as I'm in bed by 10:30! (joke) [Nathan will meet with our Stake President to be released between 8:45pm and 9:00 pm or as soon as we get to the Stake Center after our airport reunion). But seriously, I'm gonna be super tired. Let me sleep please!
I'm down for whatever food. I'll start eating the new diet quickly, need to get adjusted after all.
I don't wanna take a lot of time in writing today, just because I want to get some stuff done this day so that I can really focus on finishing this week, and in that sense, my mission by burning out as bright as I can.
So, this week honestly was a bit of a hard week, but that doesn't really matter at this point. Just a lot of things didn't work out as we wanted them to, and it was different.
Unfortunately, N has decided to not meet with us any more. We've tried calling him and getting appointments set up, but he never responds, or rejects the calls. We're not sure what has happened, but we're still praying for him to change and meet with us. Going to invite him to church this Sunday, so that at the very least, I can see him one last time.
Also, we had to reschedule with I to this week. Hopefully we can get a family home evening with her and her family this week, and keep things going good over on that end.
R is still a boss, and is doing amazing. He actually had an interview for another job this week, and it seems like things could go really well for that one, as it could mean he could have a better chance to come to church on Sundays. We've been praying for this to happen, and, like he always does, the Lord has answered a lot of prayers.
We also have a new investigator, E, who came from Rome 5. He's a great guy, and basically gave himself a baptismal invite. We taught him the Restoration this week, and we'll be teaching him the Plan of Salvation this week.
Overall, lots of miralces. This week is another full week, plenty of people to see, plenty of things to do, and with the Lord blessing us as He has, things will go fantastically.
Okay, next email coming up!
Love ya!
NaNa
Sunday, February 22, 2015
Anziano Nathan Eads Homecoming
We confirmed that Anziano Nathan Eads will be giving his homecoming talk on Sunday, March 8th, 2015 at 9:00a.m. at our building. Our building's address is:
12682 S Starlite Hills Lane
HERRIMAN, UTAH 84096
UNITED STATES
We are the Pioneer 4th Ward.
12682 S Starlite Hills Lane
HERRIMAN, UTAH 84096
UNITED STATES
We are the Pioneer 4th Ward.
Monday, February 16, 2015
Anziano Eads' 2 years in the Rome, Italy Mission
I made a video from some of the pictures that Nathan has sent us over his mission. Unfortunately not everyone is in it nor are all of his baptisms as those are on my other computer and not on the new one that I am now using. I hope that after Nathan gets home he can edit this one or make his own with all of the pictures that he has. I cannot embed it in the blog so I'll post the YouTube link. The hymn is Be Still My Soul because as an individual, and as part of our family, we testify that life is all about change, that change is the nature of both mortality and life and as such, we must place our hope, our faith, our love in our Father and in our Savior who provide an anchor, a rock as we navigate through life.
The challenge is not the changes that come, it is that we are still, and know in those times of change, that our Father is aware of us, knows us, knows our joys, our happiness, knows our afflictions, our trials, our sins and as such, prepared a way for us to overcome them, to endure them, and if nothing else, find meaning in that change. He will lift our burdens from our hearts if we let Him; key is IF we let Him. In the end, we are here, together, to lift each other, to comfort each other, to mourn when called upon to mourn together, to ease the burdens of each other, and to show what it means through our efforts to bless each others and be an example of the love of our Master. The world is in need of love, less hate, less division, and more unconditional love. In the end, it is our relationships with others that we truly believe matter, starting with our spouse, then our children, then family and from there, all of our Father's children. A mission shows that, teaches that, hammers that lesson home and gives a foundation in which one can build upon for the rest of their lives. We know Nathan will do that, use that part of his life as a foundation to continue to build upon so he may bless the lives of others.
We thank President and Sister Waddoups for all that they have done for Anziano Eads, and for the wonderful pictures from both zone conferences and of Italy and the customs of the people of Italy. We give thanks to each of Nathan's companions for all that they have taught him, and hopefully for what he has shared with them. We are deeply appreciative to the LDS members of Italy, for their faith, love and support of Anziano Eads and for the people of Italy who have in anyway expressed their kindness and love towards him. We know you have had a life long, no, eternal impact on our son and for that we are eternally grateful. We will continue to pray for you and the growth of the Church there long after Anziano Eads comes home. Thank you!
Nathan Video 2 Years in Rome, Italy Mission
Email February 16th 2015 2nd to Last
What's up you guys?
So like always stuff from home right off the bat!
Believe me when I say I will probably make the adjustment back to normal life perfectly fine. I'm not super concerned, I can adapt really easily. Dad nailed it when he said I've grown and matured, spiritually, and in every way. I've had to change and adapt to change for two years and a missionary learns to do that well. Coming home means the area has changed, not all the lessons I've learned and how to apply them to life now. That will be the next challenge after the mission, to apply the spiritual lessons of two years to continue to grow for the rest of life through while navigating mortality. A mission and a mission in the Rome, Italy Mission is one of the best starts though!
Dang it! You got my song reference! I was hoping that it would be a new song. Poop!
Thanks for the info about the financial stuff. Yes, I'm buying a suit and some new shoes. So don't worry too much about it; I may buy some other things as well.
I'm super happy you guys enjoyed California! I can't believe I missed it by just two weeks, though! I'm a little sad about that, but hey there is always next year, so it should be okay. I've got plenty of time.
I'm glad the Valorie liked the car. It should be a great thing for her.That was really charitable to help her out by giving her the 2009 Altima. Hopefully things get better for her. I'll keep her and Aiden in my thoughts and prayers. Thanks for taking care of the car I'll drive; I can't wait to start driving again.
I'm almost thinking about taking my original plan and go to SLCC and then transfer after I get my associate's. We'll see.
I was really thinking about going back to Iceberg, just because it seems like I can get my old job back easily enough, so it'd be a safe option. But I'll talk to Sister Fausett as well, just to see what I may need to do to get in.
This week was a great week for us. We were able to teach plenty of lessons to our investigators, and things went great!
We met with N this week, and we started reteaching him the lessons, as we both felt that would be a great idea. So we talked about the Restoration with him and we brought a surprise member with us. Anziano Zito came back for a day and he wanted to help with the work, so we brought him to the lesson with us. It was really good, and the spirit was fantastic! Great to see my former companion!
We also met with R this week, and we're rounding out the commandments with him. We talked about obedience this week, and he was d'accordo with all of that. We also talked about how the Lord always prepares a way to overcome our trials.
We also had a really good lesson with I, a friend of ADC's. She's (ADC) been an investigator for a while, and she been on and off. We talked about the differences that come into our lives when we accept the Gospel. We taught the lesson with our ward mission leader, and it was another super, powerful, spiritual lesson.
And that was all our appointments this week. This week is another full week, we have plenty of things to do, so it's gonna be fun!
Okay you guys, I love all of you! Talk to you for the potentially last time next week via email, then in person!
NaNa
Picture of Anziano Eads, Anziano Craig Jones (Nathan's companion) in the background with members eating Gelato.
So like always stuff from home right off the bat!
Believe me when I say I will probably make the adjustment back to normal life perfectly fine. I'm not super concerned, I can adapt really easily. Dad nailed it when he said I've grown and matured, spiritually, and in every way. I've had to change and adapt to change for two years and a missionary learns to do that well. Coming home means the area has changed, not all the lessons I've learned and how to apply them to life now. That will be the next challenge after the mission, to apply the spiritual lessons of two years to continue to grow for the rest of life through while navigating mortality. A mission and a mission in the Rome, Italy Mission is one of the best starts though!
Dang it! You got my song reference! I was hoping that it would be a new song. Poop!
Thanks for the info about the financial stuff. Yes, I'm buying a suit and some new shoes. So don't worry too much about it; I may buy some other things as well.
I'm super happy you guys enjoyed California! I can't believe I missed it by just two weeks, though! I'm a little sad about that, but hey there is always next year, so it should be okay. I've got plenty of time.
I'm glad the Valorie liked the car. It should be a great thing for her.That was really charitable to help her out by giving her the 2009 Altima. Hopefully things get better for her. I'll keep her and Aiden in my thoughts and prayers. Thanks for taking care of the car I'll drive; I can't wait to start driving again.
I'm almost thinking about taking my original plan and go to SLCC and then transfer after I get my associate's. We'll see.
I was really thinking about going back to Iceberg, just because it seems like I can get my old job back easily enough, so it'd be a safe option. But I'll talk to Sister Fausett as well, just to see what I may need to do to get in.
This week was a great week for us. We were able to teach plenty of lessons to our investigators, and things went great!
We met with N this week, and we started reteaching him the lessons, as we both felt that would be a great idea. So we talked about the Restoration with him and we brought a surprise member with us. Anziano Zito came back for a day and he wanted to help with the work, so we brought him to the lesson with us. It was really good, and the spirit was fantastic! Great to see my former companion!
We also met with R this week, and we're rounding out the commandments with him. We talked about obedience this week, and he was d'accordo with all of that. We also talked about how the Lord always prepares a way to overcome our trials.
We also had a really good lesson with I, a friend of ADC's. She's (ADC) been an investigator for a while, and she been on and off. We talked about the differences that come into our lives when we accept the Gospel. We taught the lesson with our ward mission leader, and it was another super, powerful, spiritual lesson.
And that was all our appointments this week. This week is another full week, we have plenty of things to do, so it's gonna be fun!
Okay you guys, I love all of you! Talk to you for the potentially last time next week via email, then in person!
NaNa
Picture of Anziano Eads, Anziano Craig Jones (Nathan's companion) in the background with members eating Gelato.
Monday, February 9, 2015
Weekly Email for February 9th, 2015 (Only 2 more to go!!!!)
Another winter day has come and gone away in Paris and Rome, but I wanna go home...
What's up you guys. You may not recognize the song, but that's okay. I found it in the mission anyways.
So, stuff from home like always. And Mum first like always.
Thanks for the pic of my kilt. Let's say it right, it's a kilt, not a dress. And yes, I did show it to my friends thank you very much!!!! Nathan's sister is getting married in May and the wedding party is doing a Scottish theme with the men wearing their family kilt/tarton
Well, I just checked my card and you were right, it expires at the end of the month. (HUGE. We got Nathan's replacement debit/visa card in the mail this week and so his expires on 2/28/15. So if you have a missionary out plan for an alternative way in case their card expires to get cash or or travelers checks for their trip home to pay luggage fees and custom dues). So, I am going to do my best to get things figured out and email you guys the next week about the amount of cash I should potentially need. I will for sure let you know. But on the side, I did find a good Italian suit for cheap, no more than 120. So I could buy that as well.
Nice, I love hearing about baptisms!!! That's cool. 2 missionary reports huh? Yeah, I remember Conor. He's a pretty cool guy, glad that he had a good mission. OKay, since Dad talked about this too, I'll address it more later in combined stuff. Like the car as well....and the food.....Man lot of combined comments.
Sounds like Kendra's wedding is coming along fantastically. Glad I'll be home to see all that hard work pay off, and not having done a single thing myself! Oh boy, I'm gonna get it when I get home.
Valentine's Day in California! That's romantic. Sounds like things are gonna be good. Tell Dad's family I say hi and that I can't wait to see them in the future!
Okay for Dad:
1. Man, that's hard. I think it would probably have to be when I had my first baptism that I actually did the ordinance. (Favorite spiritual experience so far)
2. Funny memory is easy: when I did a trust fall, and no one caught me. Taught me to never trust missionaries again! (funniest thing happen on the mission)
3. Still is Alma 29, but I've really grown to like the one that says "I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me." I think it's in Ephesians or something. (Favorite Scripture)
4. I'm starting to rethink about Pathway and BYU-I. Just not getting that confirmation that I know should come. We'll see. (What he is going to do with school and work)
5. I talked about change. Something about how the purpose of trials is to change us to become like Christ, and that everything we go through is part of the refiner's fire. (What his departing testimony at his last zone conference was on).
6. SO 9 of us are heading home, but 5 of us are heading to SLC. A lot of them are my friends so it should be a fun ride. (How many missionaries are coming home. For those that may not know, the last group in January coming to Salt Lake had same itinerary as Nathan and somehow they missed the connection in Dallas and ended up spending the night there in motels. They got home Wednesday instead of Tuesday. THAT better not happen!).
7. That is a really good question. I'm not quite sure yet. Still debating. (first thing he wants to purchase after coming home).
Okay now for the combined things:
The new car looks and sounds amazing! Can you actually come pick me up in that instead of the Outback, because I would really love to drive it home once we hit Bangater.
So the talks sounded like they were good talks. I promise I will share mission experiences that will apply to the subject of my talk. I've had and seen plenty of experiences in my mission, so it should be fairly easy.
The food sounds good. I don't have a preference for the food. Just know, that I will be cooking a lot more when I get home. Get ready to eat gluten free pasta, Italian Style!!!!!!!!!
Well as for my week:
No interview this week either. R our investigator can't come to church because of hjs work situation, and he told us that he doesn't feel that he should be baptized if he can't come to church to take the sacrament and renew that coveant. He is looking for another job so that he can come to church as often as he can.
N our investigator is doing good. He attended the recovery course, and is doing some things to begin to overcome his addiction, like putting pictures of Jesus where the temptations are strongest. We encouraged him to put pictures of the Savior as his background on the computer. Hopefully it helps, just because this addiction is hard to break. Unfortunately he didn't come to church this Sunday. Speriamo bene!
We did meet with a new investigator. Her name is J and she is from Nigeria, and has lived in Italy for 20 years, so she speaks the language really well. We taught her the Restoration last night and it went really well. We're excited to have a new simp and we're for sure gonna see some awesome miracles!
Well, in all honesty, that's been about my week. Got some good member appointments lined up for this week. Our new ward mission leader is asking us to train all the members on how to use Preach my Gospel, so we're starting that tonight.
THings are going good, and I can't believe I only have 3 weeks left!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Love you guys!
NaNa
What's up you guys. You may not recognize the song, but that's okay. I found it in the mission anyways.
So, stuff from home like always. And Mum first like always.
Thanks for the pic of my kilt. Let's say it right, it's a kilt, not a dress. And yes, I did show it to my friends thank you very much!!!! Nathan's sister is getting married in May and the wedding party is doing a Scottish theme with the men wearing their family kilt/tarton
Well, I just checked my card and you were right, it expires at the end of the month. (HUGE. We got Nathan's replacement debit/visa card in the mail this week and so his expires on 2/28/15. So if you have a missionary out plan for an alternative way in case their card expires to get cash or or travelers checks for their trip home to pay luggage fees and custom dues). So, I am going to do my best to get things figured out and email you guys the next week about the amount of cash I should potentially need. I will for sure let you know. But on the side, I did find a good Italian suit for cheap, no more than 120. So I could buy that as well.
Nice, I love hearing about baptisms!!! That's cool. 2 missionary reports huh? Yeah, I remember Conor. He's a pretty cool guy, glad that he had a good mission. OKay, since Dad talked about this too, I'll address it more later in combined stuff. Like the car as well....and the food.....Man lot of combined comments.
Sounds like Kendra's wedding is coming along fantastically. Glad I'll be home to see all that hard work pay off, and not having done a single thing myself! Oh boy, I'm gonna get it when I get home.
Valentine's Day in California! That's romantic. Sounds like things are gonna be good. Tell Dad's family I say hi and that I can't wait to see them in the future!
Okay for Dad:
1. Man, that's hard. I think it would probably have to be when I had my first baptism that I actually did the ordinance. (Favorite spiritual experience so far)
2. Funny memory is easy: when I did a trust fall, and no one caught me. Taught me to never trust missionaries again! (funniest thing happen on the mission)
3. Still is Alma 29, but I've really grown to like the one that says "I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me." I think it's in Ephesians or something. (Favorite Scripture)
4. I'm starting to rethink about Pathway and BYU-I. Just not getting that confirmation that I know should come. We'll see. (What he is going to do with school and work)
5. I talked about change. Something about how the purpose of trials is to change us to become like Christ, and that everything we go through is part of the refiner's fire. (What his departing testimony at his last zone conference was on).
6. SO 9 of us are heading home, but 5 of us are heading to SLC. A lot of them are my friends so it should be a fun ride. (How many missionaries are coming home. For those that may not know, the last group in January coming to Salt Lake had same itinerary as Nathan and somehow they missed the connection in Dallas and ended up spending the night there in motels. They got home Wednesday instead of Tuesday. THAT better not happen!).
7. That is a really good question. I'm not quite sure yet. Still debating. (first thing he wants to purchase after coming home).
Okay now for the combined things:
The new car looks and sounds amazing! Can you actually come pick me up in that instead of the Outback, because I would really love to drive it home once we hit Bangater.
So the talks sounded like they were good talks. I promise I will share mission experiences that will apply to the subject of my talk. I've had and seen plenty of experiences in my mission, so it should be fairly easy.
The food sounds good. I don't have a preference for the food. Just know, that I will be cooking a lot more when I get home. Get ready to eat gluten free pasta, Italian Style!!!!!!!!!
Well as for my week:
No interview this week either. R our investigator can't come to church because of hjs work situation, and he told us that he doesn't feel that he should be baptized if he can't come to church to take the sacrament and renew that coveant. He is looking for another job so that he can come to church as often as he can.
N our investigator is doing good. He attended the recovery course, and is doing some things to begin to overcome his addiction, like putting pictures of Jesus where the temptations are strongest. We encouraged him to put pictures of the Savior as his background on the computer. Hopefully it helps, just because this addiction is hard to break. Unfortunately he didn't come to church this Sunday. Speriamo bene!
We did meet with a new investigator. Her name is J and she is from Nigeria, and has lived in Italy for 20 years, so she speaks the language really well. We taught her the Restoration last night and it went really well. We're excited to have a new simp and we're for sure gonna see some awesome miracles!
Well, in all honesty, that's been about my week. Got some good member appointments lined up for this week. Our new ward mission leader is asking us to train all the members on how to use Preach my Gospel, so we're starting that tonight.
THings are going good, and I can't believe I only have 3 weeks left!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Love you guys!
NaNa
Monday, February 2, 2015
Weekly Email February 2nd, 2015 ( Only 3 More Emails Left!)
Well here is this week's email. Only 3 LEFT!!!!
Sorry if my capitlization is gonna be off, it's cold and my hands are a little cold as well. It snowed here in Rome yesterday, and last night. My exema's kinda come back, but it's under control (Thank you Gold Bond lotion!).
So, let's start off with things from home. Mom first like always:
Man, you are super busy this week! I am so sorry for you, but it should be okay, things will calm down soon. You got a new car! That's awesome! And as for you being the new chaufeur, yeah right. Dad will never be able to stop driving. Like you said, Dad is a driver, not a passenger, he can't change that aspect of his personality!
I should see Anziano Kenney this weekend for a Bapt interview scambio, so I'll be sure to tell him that Bishop B says hi, and how my mom knows about that.
You like my tie? In truth, I only wear that tie to special events, like baptisms, confirmations, and the like. I thought, since this was my last zone conference I should wear that tie to show that I came into the field with that tie, and I'm going out with it. Also, because you gave it to me, I have to show that I still love it, and you!
Man, honestly it was a really good zone conference, I learned a lot about now having fear and being bold and having faith to expect a miracle. If you saw the pictures, I had to do another trust fall. Luckily, someone caught me this time, but it took a leap of faith this time.
Oh about Kendra's wedding. My waist size, not my pants size, is are you ready: (drumroll please)
39 INCHES! Man have I lost weight, so whatever size that is, you could make the kilt in that size. Well, I'm glad things are going good with all of that. Hopefully things aren't too bad, but yeah, I'm glad I'm in Italy so I don't have to deal with all of this. (Sending this to Kendra and Marcus as well, so that they can share in the joy of hearing from me. They are family after all)
Okay responses to Dad's questions:
1. I'm coming home with the three I came out with, that way we can use them after I get home. They are still in really good condition. (Dad asked if he is coming home with all the luggage he went with or leaving one item as he had talked about doing that as some missionaries leave one of their bags).
2. I am perfectly fine with waiting to come back to Italy, as long as we can come back! (We may have to postpone our trip until 2016 since Anziano Eads' sister is getting married and that is a lot of expense).
3. Cool, already addressed the new car. (Told him about his Mom's new car since we are driving her old car to my older sister so she can have it).
4. The car will stay clean. My old car was really clean, and it would've been better, if you had given me more of a warning about the sale. (We had the car Nathan will use detailed and it is super clean now and I informed him I want it to stay that way; in the past neither kid has a great reputation regardless of what Anziano Eads thinks he remembers of keeping their car clean; well at least to Dad's standard of keeping a car clean).
5. Cool. (Dad got a Fiio X3 super hi fi stereo player that puts any iPod to shame for the clarity of the sound. Dad is on an anti Apple crusade right now).
6. I think I'll be okay. (Dad asked if Anziano Eads will adjust to sleeping by himself and not with a companion).
7. Will do Dad! (Some real cool connections with other Anziano in the area Nathan is serving. His companion Anziano Jones was trained by Anziano Burton and Anziano Burton who came home last transfer, his mom works at the school where I work and of course we have shared some observations and thoughts. Then Anziano Kenny who is the Zone Leader with Anziano Kelly is best friends with Tyler, who is Anziano Eads' Mom's boss/owner son. So lots of connections. That isn't clear: Anziano Kenny is best friends with Tyler who is the son of Todd who owns the company where Lynda (Anziano Eads' Mom) is the Controller.
Well, what to say about this week. Some nice miracles happened, and then some things kinda brought it down.
Time to start with the bad news I guess I could say: Nabil didn't past his interview. He has some problems with the law of chastity, kinda like we suspected, but he opened up about everything now, and we can really start helping him out with everything, and overcoming his addiction.
We're gonna be doing all we can to help him out. We are going to see if he would let us install blocks on his computer to help him out, and we are also going to try and get him to attend the recovery corse that our ward holds every Tuesday at 8. I think that would help him out a whole lot. But man has he made some changes, and I have no doubt that he'll make more.
So we did have a miracle with Nabil this week. For a while, he hasn't been taking super good care of himself, wearing the same clothes and the like, but yesterday when he came to church, he had showered, shaved, and was in a nice button up shirt and suit! I couldn't even recognize him! It was nice to see some one who is really trying to come closer to Christ, and is willing to make changes for that.
Okay, bad news over, good stuff.
So we met with Robinson, whose another investigator, and he is awesome! He has expressed a strong desire to be baptized, and he is definitely working on that. He has accepted everything that the Roma 2 Anziani have taught before us, and he is willing to live the commandments. He should be having his baptismal interview on Saturday, but that is liable to change depending on the Capis. The only problem would be his work, as he helps an old sick man, and he can't always come to church. But he has told us when he can come, he will.
We also have a lot of referrals to contact, and we're working on getting them to be investigators. We set up appointments with two of them for this week, so by the end of it, we should most definitely have at least 2 new simps, but I feel inspired to say we'll have more.
Okay, well, that was our week in all honesty. Kinda rough at the end, but overall, on my point of view, things can only go up from here.
Next week, love you guys!
NaNa
Sorry if my capitlization is gonna be off, it's cold and my hands are a little cold as well. It snowed here in Rome yesterday, and last night. My exema's kinda come back, but it's under control (Thank you Gold Bond lotion!).
So, let's start off with things from home. Mom first like always:
Man, you are super busy this week! I am so sorry for you, but it should be okay, things will calm down soon. You got a new car! That's awesome! And as for you being the new chaufeur, yeah right. Dad will never be able to stop driving. Like you said, Dad is a driver, not a passenger, he can't change that aspect of his personality!
I should see Anziano Kenney this weekend for a Bapt interview scambio, so I'll be sure to tell him that Bishop B says hi, and how my mom knows about that.
You like my tie? In truth, I only wear that tie to special events, like baptisms, confirmations, and the like. I thought, since this was my last zone conference I should wear that tie to show that I came into the field with that tie, and I'm going out with it. Also, because you gave it to me, I have to show that I still love it, and you!
Man, honestly it was a really good zone conference, I learned a lot about now having fear and being bold and having faith to expect a miracle. If you saw the pictures, I had to do another trust fall. Luckily, someone caught me this time, but it took a leap of faith this time.
Oh about Kendra's wedding. My waist size, not my pants size, is are you ready: (drumroll please)
39 INCHES! Man have I lost weight, so whatever size that is, you could make the kilt in that size. Well, I'm glad things are going good with all of that. Hopefully things aren't too bad, but yeah, I'm glad I'm in Italy so I don't have to deal with all of this. (Sending this to Kendra and Marcus as well, so that they can share in the joy of hearing from me. They are family after all)
Okay responses to Dad's questions:
1. I'm coming home with the three I came out with, that way we can use them after I get home. They are still in really good condition. (Dad asked if he is coming home with all the luggage he went with or leaving one item as he had talked about doing that as some missionaries leave one of their bags).
2. I am perfectly fine with waiting to come back to Italy, as long as we can come back! (We may have to postpone our trip until 2016 since Anziano Eads' sister is getting married and that is a lot of expense).
3. Cool, already addressed the new car. (Told him about his Mom's new car since we are driving her old car to my older sister so she can have it).
4. The car will stay clean. My old car was really clean, and it would've been better, if you had given me more of a warning about the sale. (We had the car Nathan will use detailed and it is super clean now and I informed him I want it to stay that way; in the past neither kid has a great reputation regardless of what Anziano Eads thinks he remembers of keeping their car clean; well at least to Dad's standard of keeping a car clean).
5. Cool. (Dad got a Fiio X3 super hi fi stereo player that puts any iPod to shame for the clarity of the sound. Dad is on an anti Apple crusade right now).
6. I think I'll be okay. (Dad asked if Anziano Eads will adjust to sleeping by himself and not with a companion).
7. Will do Dad! (Some real cool connections with other Anziano in the area Nathan is serving. His companion Anziano Jones was trained by Anziano Burton and Anziano Burton who came home last transfer, his mom works at the school where I work and of course we have shared some observations and thoughts. Then Anziano Kenny who is the Zone Leader with Anziano Kelly is best friends with Tyler, who is Anziano Eads' Mom's boss/owner son. So lots of connections. That isn't clear: Anziano Kenny is best friends with Tyler who is the son of Todd who owns the company where Lynda (Anziano Eads' Mom) is the Controller.
Well, what to say about this week. Some nice miracles happened, and then some things kinda brought it down.
Time to start with the bad news I guess I could say: Nabil didn't past his interview. He has some problems with the law of chastity, kinda like we suspected, but he opened up about everything now, and we can really start helping him out with everything, and overcoming his addiction.
We're gonna be doing all we can to help him out. We are going to see if he would let us install blocks on his computer to help him out, and we are also going to try and get him to attend the recovery corse that our ward holds every Tuesday at 8. I think that would help him out a whole lot. But man has he made some changes, and I have no doubt that he'll make more.
So we did have a miracle with Nabil this week. For a while, he hasn't been taking super good care of himself, wearing the same clothes and the like, but yesterday when he came to church, he had showered, shaved, and was in a nice button up shirt and suit! I couldn't even recognize him! It was nice to see some one who is really trying to come closer to Christ, and is willing to make changes for that.
Okay, bad news over, good stuff.
So we met with Robinson, whose another investigator, and he is awesome! He has expressed a strong desire to be baptized, and he is definitely working on that. He has accepted everything that the Roma 2 Anziani have taught before us, and he is willing to live the commandments. He should be having his baptismal interview on Saturday, but that is liable to change depending on the Capis. The only problem would be his work, as he helps an old sick man, and he can't always come to church. But he has told us when he can come, he will.
We also have a lot of referrals to contact, and we're working on getting them to be investigators. We set up appointments with two of them for this week, so by the end of it, we should most definitely have at least 2 new simps, but I feel inspired to say we'll have more.
Okay, well, that was our week in all honesty. Kinda rough at the end, but overall, on my point of view, things can only go up from here.
Next week, love you guys!
NaNa
Saturday, January 31, 2015
Anziano Eads Last Zone Conference, Rome West
A HUGE thanks to Sister Waddoups for providing these shots of Anziano Eads at his last zone conference in the Rome West Zone. He and Anziano Rasmussen came out together in the MTC and have served in the same area before.
Anziano Eads and Rasmussen (they were in the MTC together)
Anziano Eads and Rasmussen (they were in the MTC together)
Anziano Eads and Rasmussen with Sorella singing the Hymn of Rome The tie he is wearing is significant. It is the tie his Mom got him and to me (his Dad) shows his love for his mother. Anziano Eads has ALWAYS worn a teal tie to zone conferences in the past, but this one was for his Mom as it should be.
Anziano Eads being Nathan!
Anziano Eads eating (soon no gluten for him at home!).
Anziano Eads bearing his departing Testimony at the Zone Conference. At their first and then their final zone conference they bear their testimony (beliefs). These show some emotion on Nathan's part if you really know him and his mannerisms and Mom and Dad do.
Anziano Eads bearing his departing testimony as he gets emotional .
Anziano Eads departing testimony (looks to be intense for Nathan).
Anziano Eads departing testimony
Anziano Craig Jones who is Anziano Eads' companion and Anziano Eads role playing. How grateful we are that Anziano Eads has such a great departing companion who works hard, loves the work and loves being a missionary (as you can tell from his letters on his blog at this LINK I really encourage you to read his blog, it's really wonderful and as with missionaries, you can see the growth over time).
Anziano Eads role playing with the Sorella leaders.
Anziano Eads role playing with a Sorella that was hurt. Last transfer Anziano Eads mentioned how he and Anziano Zito helped this Sorella and her companion out as she adjusted to being in the boot.
Anziano Eads and the back of Anziano Jones' head as they role play or discuss.
Tuesday, January 27, 2015
Coming Home
As Nathan's father, I have mix feelings to be honest about him coming home. I fear that I won't be as sensitive to daily miracles that occur in all of our lives if we have the faith to exercise, do the work to bring them about, and listen to the Spirit to know we are where we should be. What a blessing it is to have a missionary out as it rises one's own spiritual growth. I do not think I can share ALL the many, many blessings that Nathan's service has brought to him, to his mother, to me, and to his sister. I testify that Nathan is closer to our Father in Heaven, having left a spiritual youth and is coming home a spiritual son of of God.
I am not sure if I have shared this YouTube clips on here, but man, this video sure brings back memories. I remember driving down to the MTC a 30 minute drive, and then walking around and taking pictures with Elder Nathan Eads. I remember driving over, pulling over, opening the back of the Pathfinder and a missionary taking out the bags as Nathan said good-bye. I got in one kiss on his forehead and a love you before Nathan was walking forward, never looking back, anticipating the journey that was coming. I will never forget the grief and loss I felt for the next two weeks until I prayed with all my heart to my Father and He answered me, reminding me that Nathan was His son long before Nathan became my son. That our Father loved Nathan and as with me, almost 30 years ago, our Father had taken care of me, protected me, blessed me, taught me, and transformed my life. Would I deny my son that opportunity? The opportunity that solidified my own conversion to the Gospel and provided the foundation that ensures I cannot walk away or deny what I have learned? There was more but the point was made, and suddenly as I gave Nathan, my only son and one of only two children that were miracles that came into our lives, to my Father, the burden was lifted, my heart was comforted and I knew then that I had to trust in my Father. I had to exercise faith in Him as I have done in the past.
I remember shoes with holes and have a picture or two of Nathan with shoes with holes in them. I remember working in them in the winter and again in the summer in North Carolina with water seeping in and soaking my socks. It was a great feeling.
Finally, I hope we can provide to Nathan the joy of coming home to a family. I hope and I know and testify that the home coming that happens at the airport is a micro experience of what it is like to go home and be greeted by our family and loved ones in the Spirit World. In the end it is family that is the cornerstone of our faith. I cannot wait to give Nathan a huge hug. Coming home in 5 weeks and yes, I admit it, I am SO looking forward to it!
I modified a couple of words to fit for serving in Italy:
Coming Home
I said good-bye to my old life,
Followed my heart, for more than five thousand miles,
I lived the joy, I've known the pain,
I felt the hand of God, out on those frozen streets,
I walk today, on blistered feet,
And now the echo of these canyon walls
Make me want to sing,
I've never seen beautiful, like a journey's end,
When nameless faces become my best friends
I've never seen wonderful, like walkin on,
Into this mountain fortress that God made of stone,
I've never seen trouble rolling underneath my feet
I'm coming home,
I prayed so hard, my faith would last,
Buried my past on those ancient streets,
We all had nights, we'd lie awake,
Prayin we'd wouldn't ever be the ones, who never got to say,
I've never seen beautiful, like a journey's end,
When nameless faces become my best friends
I've never seen wonderful, like walkin on,
Into this mountain fortress that God made of stone,
I've never seen trouble rolling underneath my feet
I'm coming home,
I thank my God, on aching knees,
I raise my prayers, and He hears me,
I've never seen beautiful, like a journey's end,
When nameless faces become my best friends
I've never seen wonderful, like walkin on,
Into this mountain fortress that God made of stone,
I've never seen trouble rolling underneath my feet,
Oh, I never seen anything that feels,
Like coming home,
Like coming home,
I've never seen beautiful
and I'm coming home
Monday, January 26, 2015
Weekly Email January 26th 2015 "Oo I wanna be there in my city . . . "
Tell me if you guys get the song reference! (Anziano Eads is putting a song reference in his email titles from now until he comes home).
Well, the hectic week of transfers is over, and I had a really different experience. I had to help organize and then move people around for transfers. Not a whole lot, but only a little bit. Just had to have some people come and stay over and then get them where they needed to be. I guess it comes with being one of the oldest missionaries whose staying in Rome.
But things are going good cumunque. Anziano Jones is a great dude. He likes to work hard, and I'm glad, because I want to keep the work growing here in Roma 6 and he's definitely gonna do that. I'm happy I got some one like him as my last comp (KILLER) (Killer is the companion that sends you home. The missionaries call it dying when you leave the mission and your last companion is your "killer." Weird reference in our opinion). It's gonna be a fun transfer.
All right things from home.
Wow that be some car deals going down (My older sister's car gave up the ghost and we are getting a new car for Lynda and proving my sister with Lynda's older car). Thanks for getting the car already to go, I really appreciate it (We got the car Nathan is going to drive/have all tuned up and worked on, and it will be totally detailed this week).
Sounds like you guys are keeping Kendra busy and that things should be going okay. The room won't be too bad, So in answer to your questions, yes it is the same color as at the one house and I don't really care about my bedding color. Whatever you want. I was thinking a cool brown or something to go with the color of the room.
Okay now answers to Dad's questions. This is gonna be long :
1. Yes Dad I still have my iPod shuffle. I have iTunes installed on my hard-drive, and I use that to change music on the computers, whichever one I need to use.
2. Camera is starting to frick out a little, the screen goes inverted colors, but it's holding out fine. I just have to smack it.
3. Yes (Dad asked if he had kept a journal on his mission).
4. That is hard. Depends. I really loved Napoli, but I also really loved Ragusa as well. It's a tie. I have learned from all of them though and enjoy each in its own unique way (Question was favorite area so far).
5. A. Sleep.
B. Relax
C. Eat American Food. (What 3 things is he looking forward to doing when he gets home).
6. I'll need new ones.
7. I wanna see all of you. But as for Coda in particular, false. I really wanna see my Xbox. (Asked if he wanted to see our beagle Coda more than anyone/joke).
Well, one heck of a week later, and the work is going good.
It was for sure a different experience having to really help out a lot with transfers, that was something I've never done before. But I enjoyed it, helping others out and making sure they got where they needed to be. Anziano Jones arrived perfectly fine, and we started working right away.
So, we've met with Nabil a few times this week, and we answered some of the questions he had about a lot of things. The nature of God, more about the Holy Ghost, and then the temple. He's actually asking some good questions and he really wants to know more about the Gospel, but it's the profound doctrines. We've tended to focus on the basics, so he's doing okay. We did move his date to the 7th to give us a little leeway to get him an interview. This Saturday the interview should go down.
Oh, we have another new investigator. Robinson was an investigator for Rome 2 but he lives in our area so they passed him to us this week. We met with him on Wednesday and taught him the Law of Chasity, and that was an amazing experience. Robinson accepted the commandment without any problems, and now he's been taught everything. He also has a date for the 7th and he is on track for the interview this Saturday as well.
Besides that, it's been finding and trying to contact people. It's kinda interesting every time we call and no one picks up their phone. But we're not giving up hope, still trying our best to keep the work growing, and the Lord is definitely blessing us for doing so.
All right you guys, next week!
Love ya!
NaNa
Well, the hectic week of transfers is over, and I had a really different experience. I had to help organize and then move people around for transfers. Not a whole lot, but only a little bit. Just had to have some people come and stay over and then get them where they needed to be. I guess it comes with being one of the oldest missionaries whose staying in Rome.
But things are going good cumunque. Anziano Jones is a great dude. He likes to work hard, and I'm glad, because I want to keep the work growing here in Roma 6 and he's definitely gonna do that. I'm happy I got some one like him as my last comp (KILLER) (Killer is the companion that sends you home. The missionaries call it dying when you leave the mission and your last companion is your "killer." Weird reference in our opinion). It's gonna be a fun transfer.
All right things from home.
Wow that be some car deals going down (My older sister's car gave up the ghost and we are getting a new car for Lynda and proving my sister with Lynda's older car). Thanks for getting the car already to go, I really appreciate it (We got the car Nathan is going to drive/have all tuned up and worked on, and it will be totally detailed this week).
Sounds like you guys are keeping Kendra busy and that things should be going okay. The room won't be too bad, So in answer to your questions, yes it is the same color as at the one house and I don't really care about my bedding color. Whatever you want. I was thinking a cool brown or something to go with the color of the room.
Okay now answers to Dad's questions. This is gonna be long :
1. Yes Dad I still have my iPod shuffle. I have iTunes installed on my hard-drive, and I use that to change music on the computers, whichever one I need to use.
2. Camera is starting to frick out a little, the screen goes inverted colors, but it's holding out fine. I just have to smack it.
3. Yes (Dad asked if he had kept a journal on his mission).
4. That is hard. Depends. I really loved Napoli, but I also really loved Ragusa as well. It's a tie. I have learned from all of them though and enjoy each in its own unique way (Question was favorite area so far).
5. A. Sleep.
B. Relax
C. Eat American Food. (What 3 things is he looking forward to doing when he gets home).
6. I'll need new ones.
7. I wanna see all of you. But as for Coda in particular, false. I really wanna see my Xbox. (Asked if he wanted to see our beagle Coda more than anyone/joke).
Well, one heck of a week later, and the work is going good.
It was for sure a different experience having to really help out a lot with transfers, that was something I've never done before. But I enjoyed it, helping others out and making sure they got where they needed to be. Anziano Jones arrived perfectly fine, and we started working right away.
So, we've met with Nabil a few times this week, and we answered some of the questions he had about a lot of things. The nature of God, more about the Holy Ghost, and then the temple. He's actually asking some good questions and he really wants to know more about the Gospel, but it's the profound doctrines. We've tended to focus on the basics, so he's doing okay. We did move his date to the 7th to give us a little leeway to get him an interview. This Saturday the interview should go down.
Oh, we have another new investigator. Robinson was an investigator for Rome 2 but he lives in our area so they passed him to us this week. We met with him on Wednesday and taught him the Law of Chasity, and that was an amazing experience. Robinson accepted the commandment without any problems, and now he's been taught everything. He also has a date for the 7th and he is on track for the interview this Saturday as well.
Besides that, it's been finding and trying to contact people. It's kinda interesting every time we call and no one picks up their phone. But we're not giving up hope, still trying our best to keep the work growing, and the Lord is definitely blessing us for doing so.
All right you guys, next week!
Love ya!
NaNa
Monday, January 19, 2015
Weekly Email January 19th, 2015 (Only 6 More to Go!)
Short emails this week. I'm sorry you have a headache mom, But thanks for the info! (Our ward was completely reorganized into a new ward two weeks ago and our Stake was organized into a new stake this weekend).
I'm super happy about the fact that Seattle is going to the Super Bowl, and it's kinda funny honestly. The Patriots are going as well, and Anziano Calchera is a fan of them, so it's gonna be a rivalry.
Or at least it would be, if he wasn't transferred. Oh yeah, calls came in. As we all probably expected, I'm staying and dying in Rome 6, and I'm getting a new companion. His name is Anziano Craig Jones, (I only know that because there's a lot of Joneses in the mission), and he's coming up from Brindisi. I hear he's a pretty cool guy, great missionary so I think I'll be okay (Anziano Craig Jones has a blog on his mission also and that is located at this link or at https://eldercraigjones.wordpress.com/) It will be fun to read Nathan's email and Anziano Jones email each week for the next six week. Craig's blog, with Anziano Kelly and Turner are/were blogs that we read each week).
Congrats to Dad! I'm glad he will have the chance to use his talent of teaching with everyone, to teach and learn with them, and help them and himself all become better (Nathan's Dad was called to be one of the two Gospel Doctrine Teachers in the Ward). Don't worry about Stake Conference, just get me the information when you can and we'll be okay.
Sounds like things are coming together for Kendra's wedding. Sorry Mom, I didn't get a chance to measure my waist this week, been really busy, running around and the like, but I can get that to you this next week. It's been an interesting week.
Well, Dad, honestly I won't have that hard of a time adjusting back (Nathan's Dad asked if Nathan thought he would have a hard time adjusting to speaking English full time after he comes home). The time we spend with an Italian companion who actually speaks the language is so limited that we hardly ever get the chance to really immerse ourselves in it and forget our English. We're with other English speakers a lot.
Okay so this week we ran around a lot. Anziano Zito has been finishing his mission strong, and we've been running around a lot trying to get all done that we possibly can. We met with Nabil a lot this week, and have been teaching him a good amount. He didn't pass the baptismal interview unfortunately, but we're getting him ready for another shot later this week. We're hoping to have his baptism on the 31st, but we'll see. He's not feeling so ready right now.
We actually have a new investigator this week. Marco has been someone that we've been trying to work with for a while, and we've finally been able to get an appointment with him. We talked about how to build our foundation on Christ, and if we do this, things will work out. He seemed interested, and we've setting up an appointment for this week, to teach him about the Plan of Salvation, as he had some questions about that.
We've also been visiting members, and strengthening them, not that they actually need it here. Rome 6 is a pretty strong ward, so I'm happy about that.
Anziano Zito was a great comp, he really showed me what to do to finish the mission strong, and has been a great friend. He doesn't even realize that he's going home yet, but he'll be okay. So, yeah. Next week family!!!
Love you guys!!!!!
NaNa
Monday, January 12, 2015
Weekly Email January 11th 2015
Well, hey you guys!
Firstly, I would like to say that thanks for Bishop Lindsay's email. That's gonna make the office happy, so that things can go really well and all information can get transmitted correctly. If not, I would not be super happy....
Okay then, here we go: Mom first like always.
Glad that the ward knows each other. That should make the transition easier for every one. At the very least, it will keep the ward unified, which is super important.
The peram-calling stays active!!!!! I don't think that you will ever get moved out of that calling of Primary Pianist Mom. You do to good of a job to ever move out of that.
Ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooh stake changes! This is kinda exciting!!!!
Sounds like the downstairs is making progress. Just don't forget that I'll still need to paint that room when I get home! Of course, there's time to think about it, but just reminding you.
Mom, you can take as many days off of work as you like. Granted, I'll probably be sleeping a lot of the time so you probably won't see me too often. As the kids these days put it: #RMproblems.
Honestly, not too sad not to be maid of honor, or the best man. Less problems, and I won't have stress to deal with either. So, yeah I'm content. I'm also happy about just having a nice small reception. Nothing too big. I don't recommend Italian sodas. Their extremely bitter and not that good. Unless she wants what we call U.S. Italian sodas, which are actually more like our sodas but with cream, then that's fine.
I'll let you know about my measurements when I get some time. Probably next week. It will be cool to own a Kilt! (Nathan's sister is getting married and is having the men in the wedding party wear their family tarton kilts).
Dad: Thanks for the Zelda update, and the Star Wars pic and speculation. Can't wait to get home and really start to figure things out. It's gonna be interesting.
Things are going really well. Seeing plenty of more miracles, and things always get better.
Well, I guess I should start with how Nabil is. Nabil is doing good. We've taught him literally everything, and he has his date for the 17th. He unfortunately didn't make it to the interview we had scheduled for Saturday with Anziano Kelly, but he has agreed for another interview on Wednesday with Anziano Hatch. We are confident that he will make it, and make that step closer to changing his life.
Ilenia is doing well. We visited their family and shared the spiritual thought on the Mormon Message: On the road to Damascus, and talked about how conversion comes through tiny steps, and not through something grand and a one event thing. They enjoyed it, and talked about if for a long time.
Besides that, we have a lot of potentials who we are working on contacting, come sempre, but they have responded to our phone calls, and we are going to be meeting with a few of them this week. We have one appointment for Tuesday at 4:30, and another one who is coming to the Family Home Evening tonight that we'll talk with and get another appointment set up for later this week.
Miracles are always happening, and it's all because of faith. That's something I've truly seen as of late. The more faith you put into something, the more miracles come, and the more often they happen. I really think that we should just put more faith not only in ourselves, but in the Lord, and those miracles that we are all expecting as missionaries, will come.
Next week, love you guys!
NaNa
Firstly, I would like to say that thanks for Bishop Lindsay's email. That's gonna make the office happy, so that things can go really well and all information can get transmitted correctly. If not, I would not be super happy....
Okay then, here we go: Mom first like always.
Glad that the ward knows each other. That should make the transition easier for every one. At the very least, it will keep the ward unified, which is super important.
The peram-calling stays active!!!!! I don't think that you will ever get moved out of that calling of Primary Pianist Mom. You do to good of a job to ever move out of that.
Ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooh stake changes! This is kinda exciting!!!!
Sounds like the downstairs is making progress. Just don't forget that I'll still need to paint that room when I get home! Of course, there's time to think about it, but just reminding you.
Mom, you can take as many days off of work as you like. Granted, I'll probably be sleeping a lot of the time so you probably won't see me too often. As the kids these days put it: #RMproblems.
Honestly, not too sad not to be maid of honor, or the best man. Less problems, and I won't have stress to deal with either. So, yeah I'm content. I'm also happy about just having a nice small reception. Nothing too big. I don't recommend Italian sodas. Their extremely bitter and not that good. Unless she wants what we call U.S. Italian sodas, which are actually more like our sodas but with cream, then that's fine.
I'll let you know about my measurements when I get some time. Probably next week. It will be cool to own a Kilt! (Nathan's sister is getting married and is having the men in the wedding party wear their family tarton kilts).
Dad: Thanks for the Zelda update, and the Star Wars pic and speculation. Can't wait to get home and really start to figure things out. It's gonna be interesting.
Things are going really well. Seeing plenty of more miracles, and things always get better.
Well, I guess I should start with how Nabil is. Nabil is doing good. We've taught him literally everything, and he has his date for the 17th. He unfortunately didn't make it to the interview we had scheduled for Saturday with Anziano Kelly, but he has agreed for another interview on Wednesday with Anziano Hatch. We are confident that he will make it, and make that step closer to changing his life.
Ilenia is doing well. We visited their family and shared the spiritual thought on the Mormon Message: On the road to Damascus, and talked about how conversion comes through tiny steps, and not through something grand and a one event thing. They enjoyed it, and talked about if for a long time.
Besides that, we have a lot of potentials who we are working on contacting, come sempre, but they have responded to our phone calls, and we are going to be meeting with a few of them this week. We have one appointment for Tuesday at 4:30, and another one who is coming to the Family Home Evening tonight that we'll talk with and get another appointment set up for later this week.
Miracles are always happening, and it's all because of faith. That's something I've truly seen as of late. The more faith you put into something, the more miracles come, and the more often they happen. I really think that we should just put more faith not only in ourselves, but in the Lord, and those miracles that we are all expecting as missionaries, will come.
Next week, love you guys!
NaNa
Monday, January 5, 2015
January 5th 2014 Weekly Email
Hey guys!!!! How are things going?
Well, honestly, from the emails I can see that things are going to be changing there really quickly. New Stake, new Ward, it's going to be interesting.
Actually, are we a new stake? Do we have a new stake president? Or are we just a new ward? ANd where's the new boundaries? Sorry, lots of questions. Answer them really quickly, because Sorella Stevens in the office needs to know so that she can send the new bishop travel information. So, if you can get me Bishop Lindsey's email, that'd be nice.
...let's not talk about my travel plans....I also got my two month departing packet...aka the death packet... don't want to think about that until it's here.
Christmas is done, whow! Well, it was about time. Things seem to be going good.
The wedding seems to be coming along great. Hopefully you can get things all sorted out and everything can be ready for the big day. Hopefully I won't prove to be a pain in the butt....at least in Kendra's.....
Piano time begins again! It's going to be so much fun to be home and hear the beautiful sound of piano music flowing through the air! I think I've found my passion for piano again....still like singing a little more though.
I find it interesting, sorry quick digress, that Dad only wrote me something tiny this week. Does this mean the epistles are gone?
So, Mom, 20 minutes on the eliptical isn't bad. If you do at least 20 minutes of excersize on that everyday, you will see some good results. It's what I've done.
Well, another good week! I love seeing how many miracles come at the end of the mission, it just seems double than normal.
So the miracle this week is that we have a new investigator that just fell into our laps. On Sunday, we were sitting in priesthood, when one of the members comes in and is accompanied by a young man, Giuliano, who just wanted information on English Course, but he ended up staying for the full three hours, loved it, asked lots of questions, We've set up an appointment with him on Wednesday to answer them. He's awesome and is really ready for the gospel.
Then, we met with two investigators, Nabil and Ilenia. Ilenia we shared the Mormon Message about the blind piano player, and talked about our talents. Didn't get much out of her, but she seemed to like it.
Nabil we met with quite a bit this week. We taught him about faith on Wednesday with Jomar, a member who is close to his age. Then yesterday we showed him Finding Faith in Christ, and man was that one of the most powerful lessons I've ever had on my mission! The Spirit was so strong and it touched all of us! Awesome!!! Nabil truly felt the love of Christ, and truly understands the he has a friend who knows his pain!
Personally, I believe that it was a turning point in Nabil's progress. I think we're going to see him truly skyrocket now!
Besides that, we did finding, and a scambio. So, it was a good week. I'm happy with how things are going, and that the Lord is continually blessing us.
Okay then, I think that's it for me. Next week you guys!
NaNa
Well, honestly, from the emails I can see that things are going to be changing there really quickly. New Stake, new Ward, it's going to be interesting.
Actually, are we a new stake? Do we have a new stake president? Or are we just a new ward? ANd where's the new boundaries? Sorry, lots of questions. Answer them really quickly, because Sorella Stevens in the office needs to know so that she can send the new bishop travel information. So, if you can get me Bishop Lindsey's email, that'd be nice.
...let's not talk about my travel plans....I also got my two month departing packet...aka the death packet... don't want to think about that until it's here.
Christmas is done, whow! Well, it was about time. Things seem to be going good.
The wedding seems to be coming along great. Hopefully you can get things all sorted out and everything can be ready for the big day. Hopefully I won't prove to be a pain in the butt....at least in Kendra's.....
Piano time begins again! It's going to be so much fun to be home and hear the beautiful sound of piano music flowing through the air! I think I've found my passion for piano again....still like singing a little more though.
I find it interesting, sorry quick digress, that Dad only wrote me something tiny this week. Does this mean the epistles are gone?
So, Mom, 20 minutes on the eliptical isn't bad. If you do at least 20 minutes of excersize on that everyday, you will see some good results. It's what I've done.
Well, another good week! I love seeing how many miracles come at the end of the mission, it just seems double than normal.
So the miracle this week is that we have a new investigator that just fell into our laps. On Sunday, we were sitting in priesthood, when one of the members comes in and is accompanied by a young man, Giuliano, who just wanted information on English Course, but he ended up staying for the full three hours, loved it, asked lots of questions, We've set up an appointment with him on Wednesday to answer them. He's awesome and is really ready for the gospel.
Then, we met with two investigators, Nabil and Ilenia. Ilenia we shared the Mormon Message about the blind piano player, and talked about our talents. Didn't get much out of her, but she seemed to like it.
Nabil we met with quite a bit this week. We taught him about faith on Wednesday with Jomar, a member who is close to his age. Then yesterday we showed him Finding Faith in Christ, and man was that one of the most powerful lessons I've ever had on my mission! The Spirit was so strong and it touched all of us! Awesome!!! Nabil truly felt the love of Christ, and truly understands the he has a friend who knows his pain!
Personally, I believe that it was a turning point in Nabil's progress. I think we're going to see him truly skyrocket now!
Besides that, we did finding, and a scambio. So, it was a good week. I'm happy with how things are going, and that the Lord is continually blessing us.
Okay then, I think that's it for me. Next week you guys!
NaNa
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