Weekly Email December 16th 2013

"Have yourself, a Merry little Christmas!"

Yup, you can count down the days for our Skype, because I have no idea as of yet. We're working on it, and we'll talk about it at the next DDM. Either way, I'll let you know ASAP. (We have permission to email to set up the calls so I'll let you know.) Hopefully we can get things figured out.

Does not sound like GMA is doing so well. Well, what happens will happen. Ain't nothing we can do to stop it. I'm sure she'll find that in the Spirit World she is free of all pain and can bless and help others like she loves to do.

Yes, I got the PIN code, and I deleted the email right after. That was a hard thing to do, since I like to keep the emails, but meh. Life goes on. Card works, that's what's important. I'm probably going to go buy my new shirts today, and an electric razor. I'll explain that in a bit.

YEAH SEATTLE!!!!!!! (I really only add these because I know it annoys Dad).

YOU WENT TO THE WARD CHRISTMAS PARTY?!?!?!?!??! Wow, miracles do happen. That's amazing. Glad you went.

Tell Kendra that I hope it all works out for her.

So, as for the electric razor: I've been getting really bad razor burn lately, and I want to try and see if that helps. If not, then I'm screwed. I'll talk to President about it if it gets bad, but as for right now, I've adopted a wait and see approach.

My week was good. We had the daughter of one of our investigating family's come to church, so that is a miracle in and of itself. I was really content.

We've made progress with our less-actives. We're going to be teaching one of them from the very beginning, lesson one and up, and the other, the same thing.

Yup, things are great. As for the bad day comment: I never view any day as bad, just an experience to grow. I don't view things negatively (at least too much) anymore. The only time I feel depressed is when I look in the mirror and see all the grey hairs!

Love all of you,

NaNa

PS: I'm only slightly kidding about the grey hairs!

Weekly Email December 9th, 2013

"Happy Holidays!!!!! Happy Holidays!!!!! May the merry bells keep bringing, happy holidays, to you!"

Or something like that I can't remember the lyrics anymore. In fact, I can't remember anything anymore! Who are you people again?

Okay, so I'm going to get this out of the way right now: things haven't changed too much since last week. This week we just could not seem to get schedules with our investigators lined up with ours, and we hardly saw any of them. It's saddening, but this week, we're going to be pushing a little bit harder to meet them. It's Christmas. I want them to feel the love of our Savior.

I'm going to be doing some family home evenings this season with them, with desserts and the like. Also, for English Course, on the 19th, we're probably going to be having a Christmas Party, and for that...I think "Santa" (or Bobbo Natale in Italy) will be making a visit (I'm glad I still have a bit of a gut, and I've had tons of practice from watching Dad).

So to buisness: Seattle is going all the way this year baby! It sucks they lost to the Niners, but I'm glad Dad is a little happy (THE CURSE!!!!), so whatever. SEATTLE!!!

I'm glad that the house is now all Christmasy, and I'm rather pleased that Dad put up my ornaments, although he should've let you help out. Still, I thank him for the pictures that he sent. I miss that house. The new french doors look amazing! SNOW!!! I miss snow!!!!

You all will have a white christmas, I'm still thinking that I'll get a green Christmas. I hope not. A white christmas will be nice . . .

Glad to know that things are good at home. As for me and things;

I'm probably going to buy new shirts for sure, socks are actually lasting. That lifetime guarentee is holding for now. I was planning on getting my pants tailored, since they are all in a good condition, maybe the summer pants are a little sweaty still, but I think they're okay (KIDDING!).

I'm glad I need new clothes as well. I'm still dropping in weight, and I'm changing my diet to some healthier items, so I'll probably keep dropping. I'm just hoping I don't start the bounce back soon (when you lose a lot of weight too quickly, it can come back).

Anyways, yes, I've learned to make Italian food.

I don't have bad days anymore.

Love you all,

NaNa

Weekly Email December 2nd 2013

First thing's first:

THANK YOU MUM!!!!!!!!!!!! I LOVE YOU, I LOVE YOU, I LOVE YOU, I LOVE YOU!!!!!!!! Seriously, where would I be without you to save me!

I'm glad to know that you were super busy on Thanksgiving. It makes me happy to know that nothing has changed overtly much than when I was there last year. I will admit, it was rather strange not having a Thanksgiving celebration. Oh well, no big deal.

I'm glad that Grandma was happy with the blog print-outs. Sorry she was in pain and wasn't enjoying herself, but hey, life.

CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That is all.

So Bro. Christensen is the new primary director huh? That's cool. I know he'll do a good job. Yeah, sounds like Sunday was busy. I'm glad you told Bishop that I am a full tithe payer, because I am!

Tell my sister I say congratulations on her new job!

I will let you know once we have things figured out about Skyping on Christmas. I promise, but with six of us in the city, and only having the church computers (two) it'll be difficult.

Movies: We'll talk as a group and we'll figure something out (they can watch two movies or one movie twice from an approved list).

Here's how the weeks been: Really good.

Alessandra: She's been reading, praying, and working....a lot. She wants to come to church, but with her work schedule, it makes it difficult, but we've had inspiration hit, and we've come up with a plan and a lesson to help with this. We're going to share Elder Dube's talk from this last conference, and let her know that even though things may seem difficult, and you can't see the road ahead, you need to keep moving forward.

Really that's about the only investigator we've seen this week, as the family of one of our investigators wasn't well physically, and had to change the appointment, and so he couldn't meet with us. But here's his situation:

Pietro: Same as last week, but I had a revelation this morning once again. We're really going to ask him what kind of an answer he's looking for, and then we're going to share some scriptures with him relating to how the Lord answers our questions. Some thing I've done with him that I've seen work, is I pray to know what he needs to hear, and then open a copy of the Book of Mormon I keep on my desk. I open it to a random page, and read it. It's helped me out in the past, and I've seen it work with Pietro, so I'm going to keep doing it.

Now, his family is less active, but here's how it's going with them:

Famiglia Perta: They have made leaps and bounds of progress, and I am super happy about it. They really want to come to Church, and they are going to do their best. The problem is they live far away, and the wife works in the mornings, but I know that if they can pray, and with enough faith, they can make it.

Let's see, with our other less-active, Luigi, we have him reading in the Book of Mormon, and we read it with him this last time. We kinda drilled how important it was to read and pray to God to get the answer, and to find the answers to his doubts through the Book. He said he would, and I have faith he will. From what I understand, he used to not let the missionaries in, so things can change.

When all is said and done, things are going pretty well here in Foggia. A good amount of finding, but we're going to be checking up on the members we talked to for the referrals, and then changing some things regarding our finding methods. I'm also going to be talking to some of our English course students, and seeing if they would have interest.

Well, there we go. Tell Marcus to get an iPad. It's better in the long run.

I love you all, keep doing your thing.

NaNa


Well, I had to stay home today to go to the dentist for a tooth that is a problem so I had the opportunity to do an IM/email thing that most parents of missionaries know about. It's only the third time or so we've done it because of the time difference. Here is the conversation:

Dad: Hey, if we buy you a hair cutting shaver from AmazonUK will it have the right power? Then you and your companion could cut each other's hair and save money.  Where would we send it? The Mission Home or your address? Let me know what you think of that idea.

Anziano Eads: We had to get some stuff done in the morning that took our time. We've been helping a member move to a new house, and things worked out this way. Don't worry, I've got it handled.

And as for the idea of the hair things: NO!!!!

Dad: 5 to 8 inches of snow tomorrow. I miss my human snow plow.  Now I am going to buy a new snow blower this week.  Oh, we are going to skype you at Christmas on our new XBox1.  Mom's enjoying playing a couple of video games among other things with it.

Anziano Eads: I'm sorry I'm not there to be your slave anymore, and I've been saying that you need a snow blower for the last few years...granted it's because I'm lazy, but still. As for the Xbox One thing:

HAHHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHHAHAGHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!!!

Sempre...

Oh and in response to your email questions:

As for why I need the money. It's not for anything emergency. The problem is that card readers are rare in Italy, and it's actually recommended that we only use cash. Also, there's mercatos (markets), and they have really good stuff for cheap. Also, I need to buy some clothes and stuff, because mine are too big. I'm down 40, count em, 40 POUNDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am jealous that you will be watching a Hobbit movie without me, and that it seems awesome. It's okay though, you are forgiven. Go, and sin no more. I am probably not going to upgrade. I haven't decided yet. A PS4 is in the future, but only for the next Kingdom Hearts. Video games don't seem so important anymore. 

I am aware of the disasters in Italy Dad, but thanks for caring. 

So, life's going well?

Dad:  Yeah, life is going good.  No major compliants. Mom's hurting (back and stuff) and its more difficult for her.  Kendra is okay. Coda is great though! Had to take him to the Vet for a ear infection and the Vet said he is not 56 as it normally seems, small dogs age more slowing about 5 years to a human year so he's only 35 going on 40 in March.  School is done this semester, yeah! So ready to be done by the time you get home, maybe before.  I will miss you at The Hobbit movie but we'll have the DVD for you when you get home. 40 lbs! 40 lbs! That is tremendous!!!!!!! Go buy some new clothes and soon!!!!! They look like they don't fit in your pictures.  Bishop Fausett asked about you at Tithing settlement.  Anyway, yeah, life is good and keeps going forward.  Always does, always will, even when the time comes to leave mortality. 

Anziano Eads: Thanks for the confidence regarding the PS4. Like I said, I'm not sure yet. the Wii U is a yes, but as for the others...who knows. I just don't see the need to upgrade. I've actually become tired in my mind of video games a little bit. They just take up so much time and the mission makes you realize there are more important things to do with ones life. 

Dad:  Often in life if we are content with what we have and it satisfies us, we don't have to use our hard earned money to upgrade to the latest and greatest. It's why we drive our cars until they die or are about to and then put a good chunk of money down on a new car (small payments).  Learned the hard way on that one over time. 

Anziano Eads: That's funny to hear you say that. You've changed a lot in life.  Guess I have too. 

Dad:  Did you like the SLC Temple Christmas Light pictures? 

Anziano Eads:  Yes, I did. Very much so. Thanks for those. I'll show them in my picture book.  As for Christmas: I'll probably call early in the morning if at all possible.

Dad: Anyway, I'll stop. Good to talk with you. Be safe, keep working hard but work and follow the Spirit as you do.  Love the people, and remember,::: HUG, HUG, HUG :::

Anziano Eads: I love you too Dad.  Talk to you again soon. Luv, Nathan.

I don't miss em that bad anymore, there are just times I would love to talk on the phone or Skype. What I miss the most about Nathan is how he always greeted me with a hug. Well, March 5th, 2015 there will be A LOT of hugging at the airport! His emails have sure changed form focusing on what he's done generally to now being very specific about his investigators and helping others.  It's a sign to me that he has changed from an inner focus to an outward focus on others and serving them and sharing ith them.  That for us, his parents, is the greatest Christmas present, and his subtle reminders for us to reach outward. 

November 25th 2013 Email Staying in Foggia for 6 More Weeks

Please note. We don't include EVERYTHING from Nathan's email as some are personal and made for communication between us, his parents and him or vice versa.

Well, here's my update on my week:

If I'm being honest, it was a bit of a week where things just did not seem to work out at first. We had a few appointments cancel, one investigator not answer the phone all week, and that got me a little bit frustrated. Anyways, on Monday, we went to the hospital to help out a friend of one of our members. He's been struggling with a recovery process from surgery, and we gave him a blessing. Guiseppe (the member) has told us that he's doing better. Nothing too special happened the next three days, minus cancelled appointments, and some recerca.

Things picked up on Friday, when we did a scambi with Anziano Peachy, and Anziano Carr. We had a few lessons, and we picked up some good potentials to meet with later as well. Saturday was good as well, as we taught a good lesson, and then provided some service to one of the members. He's moving into a new house, and we helped him tidy up a little bit.

So overall, not a bad week. Here' s a current update on our investigators:

Alessandra: Things are still rough for her, and she missed church again this week. I think the next lesson, which is tomorrow, I'm going to figure out if there's a way that she can make it, and if not, if there's a way we can get her daughters to the church. Right now that's my main focus, getting them to Church.

Pietro: Things are going well with Pietro, but he's not coming to church either. I think with him, we need to call his mother to make sure that they come. We called the father this week, and they didn't show, but when we call the mother, they happened to show up. I think I'll start doing that.

Antonio: We had a lesson with Antonio this week to discuss some things. He's been a bit of a hard one to handle, as he has some weird ideas, and his personality is very, very, very rough, but we've figured things out and we have realized that he just needs some time, as he wants to change. We're going to be moving forward with teaching him, and praying earnestly that things work out.

Besides that, everything is fine. I'm glad that I get to stay in Foggia another transfer. I feel that miracles are going to happen this transfer, and that we're going to see some amazing things come out of this city. I don't know exactly what's going to happen, and I don't think I ever will, but I just have a feeling that this time, things are going to be really good. We're really going to see some mighty miracles this time around.

Weekly Email for November 17th 2013

Boun Giorno! Or, at least it will be when you wake up and read this email.

Mom first (sorry Dad, she's way more important than you....JK):

Yeah, we both know that I'm a bit of a slow learner at times, or I forget the lessons I was taught, and have to experience it again just to be safe. But, my hair is growing back, I went from a level one buzz, to a level 2 buzz. It's fantastic, because it's been cold, and rainy this entire week!

GOOOOOOOOOO SEATTLE!!!! That's all I've got to say on that front.

As for the Christmas thing: It wasn't a defeat...it was a strategic retreat for the benefit of the army. I'm happy that everything is going good for you guys, that you've got your Christmas items and that.....GASP! MOM, YOU WENT TO HOBBY LOBBY?????? No, that's not true...THAT'S IMPOSSIBLE!

COOKIES!

I'm sorry the dessert didn't turn out exactly right, but I'm sure it was good. Of that I have no doubt. As for piano: YOU CAN DO IT! If there's anyone I know who can it's you.

I would've loved that (the JFK thing). GO HISTORY!!!!

Dad:

As I mentioned to Mom about the Christmas thing: you can go and read it.

The guys hassled you that you didn't go on the Turkey Shoot? Good on them, you should've gone. I wanted to go, but it was always work, work, work for me. Now its paper, paper, paper for you. Next year  after I get home, we'll go if I'm not busy with school or something.

Sorry you've been busy this week. Next semester with only one class will be better for you. That way you can relax more, and enjoy the limited time you have until I come home and make your life busy again! (We both know it's going to happen)

Tell Kim that I will never buzz again! LONGISH HAIR FOREVER!!!!! and that I say hi. And he's awesome.

I won the Grumpy Award? No, you still beat me out on that one. Hair's growing back fine. In another week or two it'll be normal again.

Okay combined answers to questions:

This week was good. We had four investigators at church, which was a personal record this transfer, but our mother and her family missed out. They had a funeral, so I'm not upset, next week.

Honestly, I was a little sick with a cold this week, but I made sure to get out there and do the work as best as I could. I took ibuprofen, and vitamin C, and that helped a lot. I am also grateful for the priesthood. Blessings rock!

We ressurected an ex-investigator from the Area Book. He is extremely into his beliefs, but I'm not worried about it. If nothing else, we can bless his life by teaching him a little more about Christ, and what he's done for us.

Our current investigators are good. The mother and her family, and a male investigator are doing great, they're my biggest hope right now. Our two other investigators, two men, the two who had baptismal dates, came to church, and we have an appointment with them on Friday. Hopefully they make it, I'm praying for it.

The other two investigators were hard to meet with last week. We're going to try and do so this week.

Besides that, it's been a normal week.

Thanks for everything you guys do. Keep praying, reading the scriptures, and doing everything in your lives to bring blessings to you and every one you come in contact with! I love all of you, and pray for you every night...if I remember.

Love,
NaNa

Weekly Email November 11th 2013; A Penny Saved is a Penny Buzzed

This one is going to Kendra too, because I've got a story and a picture that describes what has happened. So, this is a family email, and I hope you all get a laugh out of it (yes, it can go on the blog).

Well, this goes along with Dad's comment about my hair (Jay mentioned in his Zone Conference pictures that it was getting long for a missionary).  Yes it was rather long, so I decided to cut it. But, since I wanted to be frugal, and save 8 or 12 euro (getting a haircut is expensive here!), I decided to cut it myself. Well, it was going well, and then I accidentally buzzed a part of my hair. I missed the comb I was using, and it went to the crapper.

So, I had no choice. I have now buzzed my hair for the first time since I was 12. I have a picture to prove it. The bright side is that my hair grows fast, so in three to four weeks, I'll be back to a normal missionary cut.

Well, that's my funny story this week. Hope you all get a laugh.

Jay's noticed that Anziano Eads is the third missionary with a blog in the Rome, Italy Mission to try to be frugal and cut his own hair. The result is the same. A buzz cut.


Now to Anziano Eads' email. Per his request I have omitted the names of his investigators.

Okay, so here's the real weekly email. Like Always, I'll address the home front first.

GO SEATTLE!!!!!!!!!! Sorry about the Niners Dad, but the curse, THE CURSE!!!!!!!!! Maybe they'll make it back next year, who knows?

Would've been nice to have known that Grandpa Eads' birthday was yesterday. Oh well, that was okay. I had a pretty good day yesterday.

80 missionaries unaccounted for (in the Philippines from the Typhoon)? Frick I hope that everything is okay with them, hopefully nothing too bad happens. Time to add them to my prayer list as well. Here's hoping.

I'm glad you enjoyed that email. No promises that I'll always be that detailed, but I'll try my best. I think things might go a little better if I do, and you may enjoy my emails a little more.

Okay, individual responses:

Dad: Sorry that you're going to be very busy the next few weeks, but don't worry, I'm sure you'll do fine. I mean, you are you after all...wait...no yeah, you'll do fine.

HA! Don't worry you're not too old yet, but I'm sorry your memory's going. It could be worse though, always remember that. It could always be worse. I could be back home taunting you in person!

Thank you for editing the blog. I'm happy about that.

No. DON'T TOUCH MY GAMES!!!!!!!!!! (I offered to sell them at Gamestop for Nathan).  I'll still play them, but not as much. I'll cut down on gaming time to an hour or two a week. Hopefully.

Mom:  I'm still playing the piano, BTW, and I want you to know, I've gotten better than when I left.

Hope you have fun at Festival of Trees, and I'm glad that you are enjoying work. It always makes things so much more enjoyable. I know that for a fact, believe me.

DON'T BREAK DOWN ON THANKSGIVING!!!!!! (in other words don't let Dad listen to Christmas music before Thanksgiving!).

Okay, I'm sure things will go over well for that. I'll miss your food.

Combined: Keep reading those scriptures!

Okay as for me:

This week, compared to last was a little harder. With Zone Conference, and some other things as well, it just seemed to be a little hard to meet with people. So honestly, teaching wise, things weren't the best.

We had a really good lesson with our investigator and her family the other night, and let's just say that it was a night for miracles. We learned that he son has some problems with his throat, and that he can't hear too well, and that it just collided with her other problems, and she was feeling down.

We shared Mosiah 24 with the family, and they all loved it. Talking about how it applied to their situation, and then asking them to have the faith to move forward with faith in Christ and to continue to strengthen that faith was our challenge that night, and they accepted it. We then, by the inspiration of the Spirit, offered the son, a blessing. The Spirit was intense in that room, and frankly, it was so amazing.

The story ends like this: When we went back Friday, we asked how everything was going. While we couldn't stay for long, as the mother wasn't home, the daughter told us that ever since we gave the blessing, it was like the son was a new person, or a new son!

Through their faith, and their willingness to come closer to Christ, they saw a miracle, and it reinforced my own testimony, and I know that due to my listening and following the Spirit, that it was able to happen.(Please remove the names of these people before posting on the blog!).

Besides, that nothing new. I'm meeting with one of our other families who are investigating tonight, so I'll see how things are going with them. Besides that, I really don't have anything else to say. Things are going to be much better next week.

Well, that's it for me this week. Talk to you all again soon.

NaNa

A Few Pictures from the Bari Zone Conference of Anziano Eads

Okay, not as exciting as seeing Nathan doing a baptism, but here are some pictures of him at his Zone Conference where they receiving training and practice on being a LDS missionary.

 Above: Anziano Eads, his companion is to his right and the two missionaries on the right are they roommates. 

Above: Anziano Eads role-playing and practicing teaching. Still playing with the ring on his hand. 

Above: Anziano Eads in the background practicing with his companion. 

Above: Anziano Eads in the backgroud practicing.  He needs a haircut!