Email January 13th, 2014 with LOTS of Pictures

Well, thank you both for the email, it shows me that you care about me, and how I feel in regards to leaving that paradise city of Foggia. But, as I'll explain later, I think I'll like it here in Ragusa.

But, first, let me address what I've read from you all back at home. I have two emails to cover so, I'll start with the important one: MOM.

SEATTLE! SEATTLE! SEATTLE! SEATTLE! This is going to be a very interesting game, but I think Seattle will win,which will make the Super Bowl interesting especially if the Patriots to all the way. My new comp is a Pats fan, so it'll be very interesting.

Okay, since both of you asked me this question, I'll answer now.

The transfer was good. I left Foggia Wednesday night, got into Bari the same night, and then left from Bari the next morning, at 8:00. We were supposed to arrive in Catania at 17:00, but we were late and so we arrived half-an-hour later. It was a long travel time. We then left Catania with the Gela Anziani Friday morning and got into Ragusa at lunch time (Gela has a car).

I'm settled in, kinda (I had to leave one of my suitcases in Catania, with all the luggage the car was so heavy that we wouldn't have been able to drive it), and I'm getting involved in the work. Anziano Calchera's been showing me around, and I've met with most of the people we're working with. They all seem pretty tight, and one of them got baptized the Saturday before I got in.

I'm really glad that I have so many friends in Foggia, I honestly thought it wouldn't have been that much, but 12 is a good number.

Dad:

We have about six investigators, all in the city. Some we've been teaching for a while, others we're going to be starting teaching. We're the only pair of missionaries in the city, which is weird for me (the first time in my mission), and I'm back to a two man apartment.

From what I've seen, the ward seems pretty solid, really willing to help out with missionary work. I really can't wait to see what happens next.

My address: Via Michealangelo Buonarroti, 201 (97100).

Thanks for the updates Mom. Sounds like things are looking up for Kendra, and Marcus as well. Tell them that I hope things keep going good. I'm glad that Payson's doing well.

Dad, you really need to stop getting sick. It's not healthy for you. Get better soon, or else.

Well, as for me, as I've said, I think I'm going to like it here. Anziano Calchera's a bit of a quiet kid, but he's not bad. We're the same age and we have things in common, so things should be okay between us, but I'm not overtly worried about things. The people we're going to be working with this transfer seem super solid, and they really have an interest in the Gospel.

We're actually trying to set up and English branch here, as well. We have a good amount of Africans, as members and investigators, so that's something that's a little different for me. It's cool though, as they're all really cool people.

Well, that's it for me this week. I'll have more info next week, as we really are going to dive into the work this week. Love you guys, I pray for you all the time, and I'll talk to you real soon.

Love,

NaNa


Here are the pictures he sent.  As his Dad I find it interesting that his pictures this time are not of the landscape or scenery of Italy, which are undoubtedly beautiful, but are of the people in the area he is serving which are the most beautiful of all creations.  It tells me he has learned, well, Nathan already has the gift to love others, to love the people of Italy and connect with them. It means he's a missionary to me. I know when I served when that magical moment happen, when you learned to love the people more than self, you learned the secret not only to being a successful missionary, but of being a successful disciple.  The people in these photos are incredible and how blessed Nathan has been to have had them in his life.

Above are two daughters in a family he was teaching in Foggia.  This family is another reason Anziano Eads feels why he served in Foggia. The parents are taking the picture.  

Above: a member of the Foggia Ward that helps the missionaries. 

This is a picture of one family that Anziano Eads believes he was sent to Foggia to serve.  He is very close to them and their son. 

Above: Anziano Ferrero who lived in the same apartment as Anziano Eads. Nathan says that Anziano Ferrero has become one of his best friends. I believe Anziano Ferrero is from Italy. These were taken at the train station as Anziano Eads left Foggia for Regusa in Sicily. 

Above: Anziano McIntyre, Anziano Eads' companion in Foggia.

Anziano Rasmussen and Anziano Eads. They went through the MTC together in Provo, Utah and then were in the same apartment in Foggia. Nathan calls Anziano Rasmussen "the coolest" and "that's why I had to have my picture with him one last time, he is the coolest." 

This is a member in Foggia who took in Anziano Eads' pants because of his 40lbs he has lost.  How grateful we are for him.  

This is the member's (above) wife

Above: These are their two children. They are adorable and they look very happy! 

Above: This is the Elder's Quorum President in Foggia. Anziano Eads enjoyed their relationship.   

Above: This is a counselor in the Bishopric (Ward Leadership or local congregation) and Anziano Eads' great respected him calling him "a spiritual and intellectual giant." 

Above: This is the Ward Mission Leader in Foggia. Anziano Eads enjoyed working with him. 

One of the Ward members from Foggia (originally from Nigeria) who is at the train station to say good-bye to Anziano Eads. Aziano Eads calls him a "cool dude" and "spiritual." 

Another member of the Foggia Ward who "is just as cool" as the other friend above.

Another member of the Foggia Ward and a good friend of Anziano Eads. He has a desire to go on a mission and Anziano Eads hopes everything works out for him. 

These are members of the English Class that Anziano Eads taught in Foggia. 

Above: Anziano Eads near a fountain in central Foggia. 

Above: Central Foggia (I love the columns!). 

 A fountain in central Foggia. 

The same fountain at evening in central Foggia.

Anziano Eads on the ferry to Catania in Sicily. Not sure where he got on, it may have been in Bari? 

Anziano Eads on the ferry.  Yep, we can see why he needs to buy some new shirts here that fit his weight loss. 

 Mt Etna spewing forth ash.  Anziano Eads was very happy to see this. When younger, he loved volcanoes and geology. 

Ragusa, Sicily, Italy Video

I also found a couple of nice videoes of Ragusa on YouTube that I'll share. It provides a flavor I guess of what it looks like over there.

This one is a travel one and shows and tells probably the most about the city and a few other cities in Sicily. I believe.

Rather interesting I think.  

This one shows more of the city and the people. The beach is off limits for them, well the water is. 

Weekly Email January 6th, 2014 TRANSFER

First off I want to say that I am not overtly happy about this transfer, because I really wanted to stay in Foggia a little bit longer, and really help the work boom, but nope. I'm gone, and I'm leaving a city I've really come to love.

So where am I going? Well, give Dad a gold star, because I'm going to Sicillia, a little city called Raguza. Looks like Dad was right, about his transfer guess. Well, I'll submit to the will of the Lord, and go, cheerfully if at all possible so that I can head into another phase of my work.

Okay, so good news: I have photos of Foggia, but I forgot my SD card reader, and I'm packing so, I'll get them to you next week, along with photos of some of the members and my investigators as well.

Sorry your week was boring. Mine was pretty average really, except that at New Year's the Italians go crazy. It was impossible to get to sleep that night, so we saw the fireworks, and I filmed them. It was like the city was being bombed again. There was just so much noise.

Normally on P-Days we just chill around the house, or chill at the church with members. Not to much.

I'm happy that Elder Taggart (our neighbor's son)  is doing well, and that he's in a good area. It's always a nice thing when a missionary is in a good area. It makes a huge difference. Believe me.

Mom: In response to this challenge, please visit the following link. That Link will help you. as you share the Gospel.  But if it doesn't, I recommend reading through Preach my Gospel (I think I left my big copy at home) and seeing what it says in chapter 9, and trying to apply those. That would be a good family home evening activity (hint, hint).

Well, this week, we had our investigating families show up to church, the Perta family and the Razska family. It just seemed like things were perfect, and I was really happy to see them at least once before I left. I talked to them afterwards and they both said that they felt the Spirit super strongly during the testimonies that were borne.

We also met with the Perta family that night, to teach Pietro about tithing, and he accepted without a problem. Our stake had a youth activity for all the youth, and Pietro went, and he loved it. It helped out his progress a lot, and he's now praying for a baptismal date. His progress has been astounding, and I am so happy to have seen the fruits of our labor. He is so ready. It will be hard to miss his baptism.

As for Alessandra, we're seeing her family tomorrow morning, and we're going to share Elder Dube's talk from conference "Look ahead and Believe", as her situation hasn't changed much, but she is making changes now to come to church, and be able to meet with us more. This in itself is a great miracle, and I'm happy to see it.

How do we all work in the same city/area? We just go to work, and see what happens. If we run into each other, one pair of us just moves to a different part. So it's pretty easy.

Well, that's all for me this week. I hope you all enjoy it. Talk to you next week from Raguza. Oh, My comp is Anziano Calchera, from Brigham City, UT. He reported to the MTC in May I believe.

NaNa

Pictures on what Raguza, Italy (in Sicily) looks like:

Location of Raguza Italy: 

December 30th, 2013 Weekly Email

So, I have a lot of stuff to say, and I want to address it all, so, this may be a bit of a long email. Let's begin.

It was really fun to see you guys on Tuesday. It was probably the best Christmas present I've gotten, wait...it was the only Christmas present I've gotten...for now.

Speaking of which: Mom, next Monday I'm going shopping for some new shirts, heads up! I don't think I'll need anything else, but if I think of something I'll let you know.

The lunch appointments were really good. The food is nice, super healthy. So, yeah, they went good. Had a lot of good food, and good conversation, so yeah.

One of our investigators and his family came to the baptism that we held on Wednesday, which made me super happy. We met with them on Thursday, and had a great lesson on the Word of Wisdom, and figured out what we needed to do to help him really start thinking about baptism, and we fixed one tiny thing with his prayers. He would just say "Amen." Fixed that so he says and understands why we say "In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen."

What was really awesome is that in that meeting, we asked them to share some of their talents and abilities with us. When we got to the Dad, he said he didn't have any talents, but his son, literally told us all the talents that his Dad has. That was super inspiring to see a son helping to build his father's confidence.

Then, probably my highlight of the week, was the fact that all of them came to Church! I was so happy and excited for them. It's been something we've been pushing for for a long time now, and to see them do so was such an amazing thing for me.

Things are going good in general as well. I'm really happy about things, and I'm excited about what the future brings.

I HATE THESE ITALIAN COMPUTERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sorry, I wanted to express my frustration with how these computers never run the way I need them to. So, where was I...oh yes...The Hobbit.

Seems like it was really fun. I can't wait to get home and watch them all. It seems that all things are going to be really awesome. Can't wait to see what happens next (keep me up to date).

GO SEATTLE!!!!!!!!!!!! WE ARE GOING ALL THE WAY, BELIEVE IT!

Okay, well, that's really all I had left to say. You already have the information on my investigators, so yeah. There you go.

 (Jay asked the question in our email to Anziano Eads that he has been asked by several ward members and local leaders on if Anziano Eads and his mission have been working with technology as was outlined by the Church. This is Nathan's reply):

Dad: We'll be getting the iPads and Facebook sometime in spring or next summer at maximum. We don't have the exact dates yet, so I'll let you know. Right now, I'm just as in the dark as you are.

Okay, well, have a good week. See you all in 2014 (well, my next email at least), and I hope you make and keep some good New Year's resolutions!

Much love,

NaNa

Merry Christmas 2013

We talked with Nathan this morning on Christmas Eve.  What a wonderful day! He is great, working, studying, serving and enjoying his experience.  In his apartment is one of his MTC companions which he enjoys.  Overall, he is still Nathan, just older, wiser and far more confident in himself.  We'll post the video so those in the family can watch it.  He told us that he has had so many spiritual experiences that confirm to him that he is exactly where he needs to be at this time in his life.  So why does he serve? Why do we give him willingly to 2 years where we only have actual contact with him on Christmas and Mother's Day, so his focus is on his work?  These two video's share why Anziano Eads is doing what he is doing.

For me, this video, reflects the Spirit of what Anziano Eads is doing and learning in Italy. These Saints truly understand the meaning of service and love that reflects the true Spirit of Christmas.  Merry Christmas everyone.

The Other Wise Man

"Who seeks for Heaven alone, to save his soul,

May keep the path, but will not reach the goal;

While he who walks in love may wander far:

Yet God will bring him where the blessed are."

Henry Van Dyke

We offer to those who follow Nathan's blog a gift of a story this year for Christmas. It's a story that we feel that Nathan is on, we are on, and most of us are on. If you have never read or if it's been awhile, our family favorite Christmas story is The Other Wise Man by Henry Van Dyke.  Here is a link to the story in Classic Reader as it tells the story, travels and search of the fourth wise man, Artaban as he goes to search for the Savior with his gifts of three stones, a sapphire, a ruby, and a marvelous pearl.  These were his gifts to the Savior but instead, he finds  that in his search for Savior, well, he finds its not the physical gifts that lead him to the Savior, its how he lived his life and uses the skills and gifts he has in behalf of others that lead him to the Savior. Please read the story.  It is wonderful.  Merry Christmas.

Anziano Eads becomes the "Star" Bari Specialized Training Pictures Dec 2013

Missionaries in the LDS Church do a variety of things on their missions. They spend their time sharing our beliefs with others and inviting them to come unto Christ and be baptized. They also provide service and attend trainings. Sister Waddoups on her blog at this link shares that missionaries also receive specialized training on a on-going basis to help them. You also need to know that a LDS Mission is a geographic area, divided into zones and each zone has a missionary called to be a leader over that zone. There are also Sister Training Leaders also in the zone that work in that capacity with the female missionaries. The Zone Leader's job is to still be a missionary but to also help those missionaries in their zones and provide training through a variety of ways.  Sister Waddoups explains it better than I can so I'll quote her here:

"The approved agenda is to hold a Zone Conference in each zone once a quarter or every other transfer and then to hold Specialized Training every other transfer or once a quarter.  This transfer we are doing Specialized Training.  It's the first time we have used the current format and were anxious to see how it turns out, but we were pleased.  Instead of meeting 5 or 6 hours like we do at Zone Conference, the meeting is only two hours long.  The goal is to not have any missionary travel more than 2 hours each way.  Because of the vast area our mission covers, it isn't always possible to do that, but we try whenever possible to accomplish the goal.

The agenda for Specialized Training is decided by the Zone Leaders and Sister Training Leaders in each zone.  They are the ones who are really in tune with the needs of the missionaries in their zones.  We are there to help them in anyway we can.  The Zone Leaders do most of the teaching with the assistance of Sister Training Leaders and District Leaders.  Sometimes we are asked to teach a certain section or answer questions.  This time around we asked for 30 minutes to do a special presentation.

President Waddoups and I centered our adestramento (teaching) on the importance of teaching how simple the gospel is.  Most investigators are very childlike in their knowledge of religious teachings.

3 Nephi 9:22

"Therefore, whoso repenteth and cometh unto me as a little child, him will I receive, for of such is the kingdom of God.  Behold, for such I have laid down my life, and have taken it up again; therefore repent, and come unto me ye ends of the earth, and be saved."

We dressed the missionaries up in simple costumes and re-enacted the story of the birth of Christ just like they do in primary so we could help them understand how they can teach simply and still have the spirit with them in abundance.

Anziano Eads attended the Bari Specialized Training. To see all the pictures please go to the Waddoups Blog at this link. It is here that we assume Anziano Eads finally became the "star" he always wanted to be! Hmm, at least I didn't need one of my telescopes to see this "star."

Anziano Eads, Presidente Waddoups and two Anziano Singing at the end of the Training. The Anziano in the gray suit is Elder Rasmussen who was with Anziano Eads in the Missionary Training Center. That means they are most likely in the same apartment as Anziano Eads (Nathan) and they will eventually, in March 2015, come home when their mission ends. 

Anziano Eads with other missionaries singing at the end of the training. 

Group Shot of Missionaries with Presidente Waddoups

Group Shot with just the missionaries. 

Another Group Shot. 

Anziano Eads with Anziano Rasmussen and a roommate. 

Anziano Eads with other missionaries.

Anziano Eads FINALLY becoming a Star! Per Sister Waddoups post reliving the Nativity. 

Reading the narration with the background star. 

Nice to see that Anziano Eads still can "ham" up his star. 

The beginning of the Nativity Story

Narrators, Star and Mary and Joseph

Wide shot of the narrators, Mary, Joseph, the "Star"

Now the animals join in, a donkey on the left, sheep on the right. . . 

Donkey having a problem with the ear, the star is taking a break. 

Angels appearing to the shepherds. 

More of the nativity

Fun and learning.

Attaching the donkey ear again.

Finishing up!