Weekly Email September 18th, 2013 with pictures of the Vatican

Lynda and I have noticed that of late, Nathan's emails have been shorter and he has shared he is too busy.  So we made an adjustment via the promptings of the Spirit of sending just one combined email to Nathan, and then only having him send one email back to us.  Here is his reply.


Hi Mom & Dad,

So this weekly combined email thing is going to be the best. I would try to do two separate emails, but I don't know if I'll have time for that anymore.

So Herriman High flooded? That's pretty awesome. Mom really does know her stuff. I just wished it had happened in winter so that the floor would've frozen over. Ice skating to class would've been fun, or dangerous...one of the two.

SEATTLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Sorry Dad, but HA! We won, we won, we won! Don't worry, I still love you and I hope you  can still love me too. (But we still won!!!!).

So Marcus may be moving in huh? I thinks that's probably for the best and will be a very positive experience for him.  I wish I could help Mason in person, but I'll make sure to keep him in my prayers. Kendra will probably have that placed spotless. As for Zack and Amber, yeah, they are way to young to get married.

I will remind everyone that I know a BYU Cougarette, that her Dad is the Assistant Athletic Director of UVU, a wrestling coach who is protective and so thank you for the gift. I'll be sure to use it with the  other missionaries.

Okay Mom, good luck with the new job. I'm pretty sure you're going to love it, just from what you've told me. And Dad, I know things are going to be busy, but don't worry, I'm sure things will calm down. I wish that for you.

The Vatican visit was cool. Saw a lots of cool stuff, and some other things that I don't necessarily agree with, but still cool all the same. It was really fun in the Sistine Chapel. No pictures of that though, not allowed.

Foggia is a great city. We have three investigators with Baptismal Dates, with another two to have them really soon, and I know that they'll make it. Anziano Curzola is a really great guy. He's a bit of a tough guy on the outside, but inside he's really a nice guy. He's dying next transfer, and I'll probably kill him. (meaning I'm the companion he goes home with when he finishes his mission next transfer).

Well, that's it for me. I'll send you those Vatican pics. Next week, the members of Sassari.

MUCH Love,
NaNa


Well, Nathan did deliver on his promises of sending pictures so here they are. They are of his trip to the Vatican.

Weekly Email September 11th, 2013

Hey Mom,

Frick you are so busy! I really hope I never get that busy. Being serious.

Happy Birthday by the way, I sang to you in my head on Sunday, so hopefully you heard it.

Wish I had been there in person, but I love it, out here in the field. Yup. The food sounds like it was really good. I really do miss your cooking. Nothing beats Mom's home cooking.

Foggia is nice. It's a bigger city than Sassari, so there's that. The Vatican was interesting, but cool. Saw the Sistine Chapel, but that was super cool. I really wanted to see the table that shows the line of authority for the Pope's. I didn't but oh well.

I'm basically speaking solo italiano adesso, but I don't mind. It's nice. I'm back in a ward, but I miss my branch. Oh well, whatever. The apartment is so much bigger than Sassari, which is nice. I'm probably going to learn how my Italian is, and how to really love the people.

Pictures will come next week. My camera is charging.

Love you,

NaNa



Hey Dad,

Sorry Mom's a little busy, but I am as well, so short email this time around...again.

I like Foggia so far, it's not to bad. I've only met the people in the city, since we're our own district, so yeah. Anziano Curzola is a great guy and we get along really well. He's been here for a transfer. I'll definitely get better at the Italian, so I'm not too worried about it. Will I be fluent, probably, but we'll see. I'm at a 6-7 in my opinion right now, so yeah.

From what I've seen of the bishop he is very awesome, so we'll see. Haven't talked with him a whole lot, but I plan on it. Most people said I'll love Foggia, so yeah, I believe it.

I'm just serving everyone I can, even the other missionaries. I guess that's what the Lord needs me to do. So, yup, that's what I'm doing.

Okay well, that's it for me, talk to you next week.

Nathan,

Weekly Letter and Transfer, September 4th, 2013

Anziano Eads is no longer in Sassari, Sardegna. He is now moving to serve in Foggia on the mainland.  Here is a map of his new location.

Here is his combined and short email since he is traveling:

Hey you guys!

Sorry, I don't really have time to do two seperate emails, since it's transfer week. So, I got transfered to Foggia, on the eastern end of the mainland. I'm waiting to go there, so I'm chilling in Rome right now. We've got a plan to go and see the Vatican, so I'm going to be a little short on the email this week. I'll have pictures from my visit to you then.

My new companion will be Anziano Curtzla (or something like that), and he's a native, so I'll be speaking Italian close to full time. It'll be a great chance for my language ability to grow. Am I sad that I'm out of Sassari, and Sardegna, yes, but I'll go where the Lord needs me to go.

As a missionary, I'm good. Tired, tanner, and definitely skinnier, but I'm good. Still loving this experience and doing all I can to learn and grow from it. It's hard, but still good.

Sorry you people have been very tired, just try you're best to get some sleep. That's about all I can say regarding that.

I'm trying to be as nice as I can and keep this email long, but I really don't have anything else to say. Sorry.

Well, love you guys, talk to you more next week.

NaNa for mom, and Nathan for Dad

Here is the wiki link for Foggia.  Of course many other missionaries have served there and of course they have pictures. Anziano Nathan Turner at his Blog located at this link shows some of the pictures he took while serving in Foggia. We are excited that Anziano Eads is serving with a native Italian though I am not thrilled that Foggia is the wheat capital of southern Italy since I suffer severely from Celiac Disease. We know Nathan will continue to grow and develop as both a missionary and as the wonderful human being and son of God that he is.

Anziano Eads Letter August 28th 2013, Pictures Again!

Some pictures of Anziano Eads (Nathan) street meeting with people.  Here are the letters for this week which are back to his happy, positive self. 

Dearest Mum,

Yes, it did have top secret birthday information in it. I know exactly what's going to happen, and what he's going to be giving you as a gift. I love being this far away from home, so I don't get pressure to tell you what it is!  MWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!

Sorry about the dinner and cake. I would totally make you something, but it might mold in the time it gets to you back in Utah. Also, I can basically only make pasta. Sorry. Here's some advice for when I get home: Don't make pasta when I'm around. I'll be sick of it by the end of the mission.

HA! You as primary choirster. Oh boy that'd be cool. You'd do a good job, though. But, yeah, you love to play the piano and you are amazing at it. I really do miss hearing you play sometimes. Maybe when I get home, you can lure me to sleep with a piano song. PLEASE!

I'm glad you love the pictures, I got a few more from me coming this week. Thank you for the weight lost complement. I have tried to get myself in shape, and I think it's working. I just really want this to become a habit, so I can keep it up when I get home. And since I realized I can live off of 12£, it should be pretty easy when I get home.

Yup, I'm playing the piano again. Everyone loved my own personal arrangement of Come Thou Font of Every Blessing, and I worked hard on that. See? You still are influencing me! I really am trying to get better at the piano. It's going to take a lot of work (and I mean a lot), but I think I can get good at it again.

One thing that made me laugh hard: We got drenched by a rain storm this Monday. Hoo boy! We were soaked to the bone! That was hilarious. 

Something that's the same: Religion plays a huge role in everything.

Nothing is hard to teach, it's just getting the words, and then helping them understand why these things are important. Restoration's the easiest, but it just depends on the person. Everyone's different.

Music Names: Zelda's Lullaby, Midna's Lament, Dearly Beloved. That's really all I got. I would appreciate it if you could email them to me, so I can print them off here, as well. That just makes it easier. 

Well, you have a good week as well. Work hard, poke Dad for me, and tell Kendra that she needs to get better at emailing me.

NaNa

Hey Dad,

I'm glad you're loving the new school! It really is a good thing when change happens. Look at me! I'm experiencing a great change, and it's been so good for me.

About the blog comment: Whatever. I don't mind knowing my father inspired my Mission Mom. That's just something that makes me a little proud. My Dad is still influencing people to get to me. You really do care!

Going to the _______ again  eh? Well that's cool. Should be fun! Tell Mom I'll be singing happy birthday to her on the 8th! As for transfers, well, I'm probably going to be going else where. I've been in Sassari for three transfers, for 4 plus months. I'm old, and it's time to get out of this place. I love it, but I think I've grown complacent. I need a change.

Well, now you just need to encounter a bear, and I will consider you're animal experiences while doing your astronomy observing complete. However, don't do anything stupid if you do encounter one. I don't want to open my email and see pictures of you mauled (although, granted, that'd be kinda cool).

Yup, I'm down to 218 lbs. It's feels awesome! I feel like I'm floating on air, and I have so much more energy. Thank you less food!

Let's see, what do I want to share with you this week...hmm. Well, the only thing I can really say about this last week is that I've hit the scriptures really hard in study session. I'm getting a lot of good stuff from it, and it's nice to know that the Spirit is guiding me. I get some good stuff for our investigators, and for myself as well. 

It's been a good experience thus far. It's gone by a lot faster, like people have said, but I'll be the first to admit, when I think about it, it feels like it's been about 5 months. But that ìs the key, I don't really think about it, because that's when I get trunky, and start getting down. The Savior doesn't want me trunky or down so stay positive, right! 

So, yup, that's what I got this week. Sorry it's nothing miracolous(sic), but it's good. so that's it for me. 

Love you too, 

Nathan

Pictures of Nathan at his Zone Conference August 22nd, 2013

Here are some pictures of Anziano Nathan Eads from the Sardegna Zone Confernce. He is looking tired but good. His good old positive spirit came right back.

 Nathan with his companion. 

Anziano Eads and his companion Role Playing above and below. Above President Waddoups observes by them. 

Nathan in background as they get their new Teaching English Program that they do. 

Anziano Eads with his BIG mouth ready to do one of his favorite things: EAT GOOD FOOD!

Anziano Eads (Nathan) role playing with another missionary; Yes, he has lost a good deal of weight and his clothes are looking baggy! 

Anziano Eads doing one thing he loves, singing. 

Aziano Eads (Nathan) singing again. 

Anziano Eads singing (with a ring, he loves having a ring on). 

Anziano Eads singing and I have to say in this picture, he rather reminds me of my Dad when he was younger. 

Anziano Eads singing more! 

WOW!!!! Anziano Eads (Nathan) made his Mom faint when she saw this picture. He is actually playing the piano again. He did take for 8 years so he should remember how.  His Mission President, Presidente Waddoups listens in. I hope he played well!

August 21st, 2013 Hard Times

Anziano Eads' emails to his mother and father this week.

To Mom:

OH HECK YES!!!!!!!!! I'M DONE BEING TIRED!!!!! SEATTLE BABY!!!!!!

Yes, that's my team! I'm smelling a year of wins for Seattle Seahawks! Let's just hope they CREAM the Niners this year. I want to wipe Dad's smirk off his face. Okay, granted, he doesn't, but still. I want him to lose!

Good job on the yard work! I know that those pesky weeds are scared, and are saying their final prayers with you on the hunt. However, I would like to remind you that I would love for you to not have a bad back for when I get home. Just because I don't want to break it even more when I hug you for ten minutes.

I am also glad that Primary went rather well. When Dad can hear the kids in the hall, you know they are singing loud. Sorry I'm ripping one on Dad. I haven't been able to do it in a few months, so....yeah.

MORE PIANO STUDENTS!!!! See, I knew it would happen. Everyone is seeing the progression of those who take from you and want that same progression for their kids. Soon, it'll be like Clinton again. Huge amounts of piano lessons!

HEY! I miss that beagle and his annoying ways! I swear, every time I hear a dog bark, I just want to say: "Coda, mommy's home!"

IN answer to the headaches thing: They've gotten worse, and I get them a little too often for my liking. Luckily I still have ibuprofen, so that helps, and I always have a little carbonation on hand.

If I could do anything in Italy a second time, I don't know. I just started. Please ask me this question at the end of my mission please! I'll probably say I'd do it all again!

I have learned to stay optimistic about the work. Granted, it's hard, but that doesn't mean I should get down about it. I gotta stay happy!

Bo. I just read Joseph Smith--History and taught the Restoration. Does that count? We actual did make some progress with the investigator I talked to Dad about. Some stuff Dad shared came in useful, can't remember exactly what, but yup! Progress has been made!

Yup, got my sister's email. All is good. You are not boring this week. Blame technology. It's what I do.

Much love,

NaNa

To Dad: 

Hi.

It goes. I can't believe it's nearly September, but whatever. The heat isn't the issue, the actual temperature is similar to Utah, but it's that STUPID. HUMIDITY. That's what kills me. No, no yellowing yet in the armpits, but I'm expecting that next summer or so....if the weather doesn't kill me...or the mosiquitos (sic).

Things are hard right now in the field. Let's just say that when an entire country takes the month of August off for vacation, things can get a little hard for a missionary.

I'll let you know about Zone Conference next week. Ours is tomorrow, however, thank you for letting me know what may or may not be happening at this one. 

My journal is fine. Still got plenty of room. I'm not worried about it. I should be able to buy another one, if not, then it's back to writing.

Monthly allowance is 193 euros (about $258 U.S. dollars they live on). I can typically make it through the month, unless we have to do a lot of travel, like this transfer, in which case I am broke, as I am currently. I'm grateful for reimebursements though, since I can get a ton of money when I get done.

I like the working out in the morning, personal study, and the wind down time at the end of the day. Good times to just think about how things are going, and what not and plan to adjust. Now I know why you always spent time in your office reading the scriptures and in prayer and reflection. 

Haven't really had a funny moment this week, sorry to say. Two things I learned from the Spirit: 1. Trust that things will start looking up. 2. I'm awesome.

Have fun in school and all that. 

Sucks that you people get rain. I miss the rain. It's so dry here. I woke up this morning, and what luck! We had a rain storm! It was so nice.

Glad that you did good on that lesson in HIgh Priests, and that your sisters liked the Mormon Message. Those tend to do some great things for getting people's interest in the Church up.

Yes, I remember Mom's brownies, and yes I miss them. Not really a big peach guy, so good for you.

Also, yes, I eat mozarella balls all the time. You just can't get mozz in the States, because of health codes and all that. So unhealthy, but sooooooooooo gooooooooooooooooooooood!

Think that's it. Sorry this email is not up to my normal standard. I'm tired.

Love you still the same, 

Nathan, the tired one

Email from August 14th, 2013

We'll start with Pictures!!!!! They went to a museum last Wednesday, their personal day. It is the day they get to get their shopping done, errands done, clean their apartment and then they are instructed to go and see things culturally. They went to this museum and to an underground city. No pictures were allowed at the underground city though.

Lynda hates snakes but this was done via welding and thus some might find it interesting. 

Here is a spider done in iron. I think it looks like one from The Hobbit . . . 

A close up and a fear of spiders?

Okay, we know Anziano Eads (Nathan) is missing Coda, our Beagle . . . and perhaps he's missing him too much? 

Tickle, Tickle the Spider (Nathan use to actually tickle Coda our Beagle this way)  I will point out that though he is poising with permission he never touched the actual items, remaining respectful. 

Here are some others that he took that I think are cool culturally. 

An Ancient Sword. 

A view of the Basilica di San Gavino and it's grounds. Learn more at this link. 

Front view of the Basilica di San Gavino

Ancient Roman Fort, a model of it. 

From the Museum; Nathan did not offer a description but liked it since he took the picture. 

Sassari in Medieval Times with surrounding wall.  

Top view of Sassari as a Medieval City.  Look how tightly compact the buildings were. No wonder disease spread rapidly. 

Okay, now to the emails: 

To Mom: 

Dear Mum,

Firstly, I want to tell you that you can call me NaNa for the rest of my life, if you want. I didn't tell him in his email, but please let Dad know that he can, in the words of Mr. Ball: "Stick it up his kilt" about calling me that. You can call me what you want. (Lynda told him to tease him that I said that since Nathan is all grown up she can't call him NaNa which is her nickname/term of endearment for him.  She wanted a reaction and got one!).

Chef Luigi sounds fun! Made that in honor of me being in Italy, right? That's cool! Good Luck! You'll do fine, I know you will. You're my mother after all. Sad to see the Rigby's go, but it's probably for the best for them. Well, tell them I say good luck!

Perner's are moving huh? Never saw that coming. Oh well, tell them I say good luck as well. Tell the Brown's I say hi, and welcome to the neighborhood! And let them know that Dad will be willing to help them with shoveling in the winter. (Hard to believe it's nearly here!)

YAY! New doors! Can't wait to see them when I get home! It'll be fun!

Marcus is back at Texas Roadhouse huh? Well, hope it all works out for him. I need to email him this week, thanks for reminding me of that. Awesome!

Really? I left all my music on the piano. Oh well, don't worry about it. It's no issue. Also, I just searched the names on google (Nathan requested we scan some of his sheet music so we'll keep looking).

I am able to play piano because we have meetings in the Church, and the Church has a piano, and so I play it. My Zone Leader has cleared the music, that's how I'm able to play it. Yes, I do practice hymns...every once in a while.

I love you Mom. I'll try to ask you simple questions. I promise (Nathan had given us questions that a Jehovah Witness investigator had asked them and Lynda said they were too complicated for her, she needs simple questions . . . she really left it to me to answer).

Alma 32. Inspired him to have faith (see Dad's email).

Anziano Birberg is from Sweden. He quotes Bug's Life really well, (the caterpillar), and is cool. I like him.

I like to cook pasta, and experimenting with how I can change it up. I have an awesome recipe Anziano Robinson gave me: Pasta Calabrese. I don't have the measurements, but I can get it good. Eyeballing things is a key to cooking here. I really wish I could just cook up a good American style meal: Country style breaded chicken with white gravy, and corn with biscuits. I miss it.

We shop at Lidl. It's just a food store. They really don't have anything like Wal-Mart, or Target or Smith's here. We kinda have to shop around for things. Depends on what we need. We tend to just hit LiDL, and we're done.

Church is the same in that we head to a church building, we learn, teach, and talk, and enjoy time with members. It's different in that Sacrament is last in the bloc, and it's in Italian. Also, less technology is used. Totally different. Also, everyone jokes around with each other.

Sweet! Nice job on the comp hours! Can't wait to bring you guys here. I don't know what we'll do when you come, but it'll be awesome none the less.

Well, that's it. I'll get those pictures to you!

Love,

NaNa

To Dad

Hey,

Thanks for asking, my last week went well thank you. Glad to hear that everything is going good, and you've had some good observing. Very nice. Congratulations on the up-turn with the teaching! I'm sure you are up for the challenges, since you are always looking forward to the unexpected right?

Yay for service! That's my old man! Sorry that you hurt, but blessings! (Am I right?). Don't worry, the Lord will make up for the pain (Yep, that and ibuprofen.)

School sucks, doesn't it. Oh well, don't worry about it too much. I'm sure you're going to get all A's again. Just don't try to hard, you may get higher up than you think. I have that road to travel when I get home but that's not for a long time.

Answers:

1. (Questions: What scripture has had an influence on you this week?) Hoo boy! Let's see, I read recently in 1 Nephi 19:9 and cross referenced to Isaiah 50:5-6, about how some will judge Christ to be a thing of naught. That struck me as truth, and I'll let you think about why. It just made me remember to keep the Savior in my life always, and remember that it is because of what He did for me that I am who I am today.

2. (How goes it with the investigators?) It's been hard to meet with investigators. Everyone goes on vacation is August, and so, it's been hard to meet with them. However, we had a lesson yesterday on the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and I shared Alma 32 with this investigator. I think it mad a good impact on him. He was definitely thinking about it.

3. (List two traits you admire in your companion please.) He's diligence, and his optimism.

4. (What is your favorite lesson to teach and why?) I love the Restoration. Enough said. Okay no, I love the Restoration because it just makes so much sense of things. So many people here admit that "Yeah, the Catholic Church is corrupt." And here we are presenting this message about the true church being restored. I love it, gets me hyped spiritually. The only thing that tops that is sharing our view of Jesus Christ as our Savior. The Catholics view of Christ is much different than ours and its nice to let them know that He truly paid the price for our sins, and wants us to have joy in this life. He has born our pains, our sufferings, our afflictions, our loss, and our sins. He stands ready to comfort us when we need to be comforted, and He is ready to apply the atonement to our lives as we repent so we can be clean from our sins.

5. (What service projects have you done?) Service has been hard to come by, but we love helping out at the Church and stuff. It's good, and it makes sure that we build relationships with members.

6. (How often do you do service projects?) Weekly...or so...depends on what we can find.

7. (How is your testimony of the Savior helping you in your daily life as a missionary?) I don't know. I just know that every time I focus on the Savior, things get easier. Maybe it's the fact that I know that He suffered so much for me and others, that I can alway turn to Him for strength and help. Dunno. I just can keep going even when I'm exhausted. He lifts me up, renews my body and allows me to do the work.

8. (What toothpaste do they have in Italy that you use?) THEY HAVE COLGATE!!!

9. (How are your shoes holding up?) Shoes are still fine. Have not even run down a little bit. Which is saying something because we walk....a lot. And yes, the insoles help.

10. (In what ways have you seen Heavenly Father answer your prayers this week?) He's helped me to not get discouraged. 2. He's given us teaching opportunities, and helped us to find people to teach.

(Nathan asked us some questions a Jehovah Witness investigator(?) asked which were, perhaps not sincere. I provided answers since Nathan requested some insight.)  Thanks for the answers. I really appreciate them. Honestly, I don't think he is sincere, but I dunno. We're still writing our response letter, but we are using Preach my Gospel, and Bible, and BOM, nothing else. "Cast not your pearls to the swines."  He's not ready for D&C or POGP.

(I like to share scriptures with Nathan and from the D&C I felt prompted to have Nathan read D&C 79:1-3 and to place his name in the place of Jared Carter, and then D&C 80:1-5 and to place his name in the place of Stephen Burnett and his companion's name for Eden Smith.) Thanks Dad, I will read that scripture! Love ya

Nathan