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! 

Best Email of Anziano Eads' Mission: Email of November 4th, 2013

Anziano Eads with Raffaella, the investigator getting baptized. 

Anziano Eads' two missionary roommates (they share the apartment), Raffaella the investigator, Anziano Eads and his companion Anziano McIntyre (on Nathan's left). 

Well, first off: HEY GUYS!!!!!!!!!!

I'm going to be a little more detailed this week than I have been before, but with everything that's been going on, I think you'll enjoy that. I'll talk about the baptism last, save the best for then, am I right?

Well, let's start with the home front/questions. Tell Brother Pinnock and Dax I say hi, that I'm doing amazing, and all is well. Go Seattle. I'm telling you, they'll make it this year, I'm pretty dang sure! If they do, YES!!!!!!!

Christmas songs before Thanksgiving....tsk tsk tsk. The missionaries out here try to do that, and it's not working. I'm not letting them get away with it, neither is my district leader. We get along really well.

Yes, I will buy a Christmas ornament, believe you me.

Glad that Dad's been having fun with observing. I'm sorry for all the health problems you both have.  Things will work out, that I promise you.

Sorry that you've been waking up so much lately Mom. I hope everything is going okay. But what's this about Netflix? I thought we got rid of that...

Anyways, as for Grandma: just email me when her time comes and let me know. I'll write a little eulogy and send it home at the next P-Day, or whenever I can. When you see her, tell her I love her.

Here is how my week went:

Anziano McIntyre and I have really gone out for the referrals, as both of us feel there is something to be had in that part of the work here in Foggia, and we visited two of our families here, and shared the story of Alma and Amulek when Alma first goes to Ammonihah. I really like sharing this story with the members, as it applies to missionary work perfectly.

At first, Alma is rejected because he is a stranger and only one man, one testimony. Like Alma, we, the missionaries, are strangers to these people, we are only one voice, and they, not recalling how important our message is for them, reject us, turn us away. But, persistent beings that we are, we return, to try again.

But this time, we have some help. Like Alma, who found a friend in Amulek, we too have friends who can help us out. The ward members have lived out here for a long time, they have a reputation, like Amulek, and they know the people who are willing and ready for our help, for the message of the Lord. And, as in the story, with another voice, another witness, "the people began to be astonished" and they are more willing to listen to our message.

Anyways, it's worked out really well. Our families are praying and trying to find others to help out, that we can go and visit. I really like that. We also did splits with the ward missionaries, which was enjoyable. It was good member-missionary work this week.

As for the work with our investigators, we have had some problem meeting with two of them, and they were the two with a baptismal date, so we've decided to hold off on that for a bit, until they start keeping appointments. We also feel that they need to have a stronger testimony of the BOM, and Joseph Smith.

We had a really good lesson with one of our investigators and her family on the Plan of Salvation. She's has been taking the lessons since January, and we have decided to reteach her and the family the lessons. The only problem is that, while she speaks and understands Italian, she still reads better in her native Polish. We've ordered the opuscoli in Polish to help with that, as she already has a BOM in Polish.

We've also have been trying to get an appointment with a referral, but that's been hard. It was actually a miracle, because he showed up to church yesterday. That was a blessing, it really was, and after teaching the Restoration, we have a return appointment. I have a really good feeling about this.

As for Sunday, normal stuff. Church, pranzo, correlation, appointment, home, bed. Typical Sunday.

As for celebrating the holidays, no, we don't celebrate them, not really. There's a bunch of holidays that are coming up that are going to make the work a little bit harder, if I understand correctly, but I'm okay with that. Not an issue for me. Of course I'll miss you come the holidays.

Can't wait to see you guys on Christmas either. I'm really hoping I can stay here in Foggia for Christmas. I like this city a lot, and I have a lot of hope for it and the church here.

Continue to pray for the investigators I told you about last week, and add Brother Mario Perta onto the list. He's the father of one of our investigators, and he has asked for the prayers to have discernment regarding the scriptures, and to help him know more about the scriptures, and to be determined to read them.

Okay, now for the creme-della-creme: the baptism.

What a way to end the week, with such a powerful experience, and such a beautiful event. It has gotten me pumped up for the rest of the transfer, and into the future. The Spirit was super strong, and all went perfectly well. This has truly been a change for everyone involved.

I really enjoyed doing the baptizing, but I felt the Spirit so much more at the confirmation. That's probably because I was paying more attention at that moment than at the baptism, but whatever. It was still awesome.

I don't know what to say. This has gotten me pumped up for the rest of the transfer, and the rest of my mission. I can say that I've finally hit my stride as a missionary, after 5 long transfers, and I know exactly what the Lord can have me do. I testify no one can fail when doing the work of the Lord.

I've had a lot of experiences lately in personal study, prayer and teaching, that have really opened up my eyes. I truly understand that charity is a gift that lasts forever, and I am seeing it become stronger in me, and in others. Obedience brings the Spirit, the Spirit bestows the gift of charity and with that, when we love others we cannot fail.

I wouldn't trade this experience for the world and everything in it right now. I don't know what's in store for my future in life in general, but with the things I'm learning out here in the field right now, I'll be able to handle them.

I love you guys, so much! Take care, and see you on Christmas!

NaNa

WOW!!!! It is SO AWESOME being the parents of a missionary in the field.  He teaches us so much every week of the simple truths of the Gospel that move the Lord's work forward.  Nathan's email this week moved us to tears and reminds us that our Heavenly Father hears and answers prayers, just in his time.

Weekly Email October 28th 2013 with Pictures

Sup!

Don't worry too much about the Facebook thing. I honestly kinda expected that. I've always been a bit of a loner, so I'm not too surprised with this development (that not anyone looks at his Facebook page). Well, I'm shocked that it took this long to get my plaque up, in fact, I'm super offended. Okay, really, whatever on that one (Nathan is NOT offended).  Thanks for the update, I like that it looks really good. It has a picture of me, so it should.

Glad that people are staying up to date on my mission and how I'm doing. That's fantastic! Yes, yes, I am aware that it is the dog of my sister and Marcus, but seriously, we always have dogs or pets in the house.

The secret is out huh (Nathan and Kendra have always teased Lynda that she is the Wicked Witch of the West)? Well, there goes keeping that skeleton in the closet. But seriously, you should dress up like a witch for Halloween and hand out the candy. I'm sure the kids in the neighborhood would love that. Snow on Halloween? Only in Utah.

I miss your dolce (sweets).

Yeah...that may help a little bit (Lynda had the Spirit whisper to her to tell Nathan to begin thinking in Italian since when Lynda and I learned another language that is when we made are major gains). I do think of certain words in Italian now, and I can't remember them in english, but I still think, at least the majority of the time, in english. However, I will say that the Italian is slowly taking over my grammar.

Well, we have one baptism on Saturday, but the investigator was handed to the Sisters. And I'm doing the baptism (as in I'm dunking her in the water). Besides that, we had to move two to the 9th of next month, but I think they'll make it.

My favorite thing in the week is, I don't know, I really like English Course. It's fun to teach Italians English like we do in the MTC, so just conversation, and they really enjoy it. My class and I get along really well. Here's a story about that: MY bag from Mark is a little destroyed, and I've been keeping it up with tape and my bad sewing skills. Well some of my students decided to buy me a new bag. Wait until you see it. I got pictures.

Speaking of which, the pictures this week are from last transfer, so it's my last companion.

Well, that's really all I got this week. Talk to you soon, and I love you all.

NaNa

Anziano Eads and Anziano Curzo(? not sure on the spelling). 

 "Mozzarella di bufala, and it is the fruit of the tree of life. It's super good!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" 

The new bag that Anziano Eads' English Class bought him as his old bag didn't make it 7 months. 

Anziano Eads, his companion, other missionaries on friends on transfer day (his companion is transferring to a new city). 

Weekly Email October 21st 2013

Hey guys!

First part of this letter is to Dad: WILL YOU STOP GETTING SICK?!?!?!?!

I have enough to worry about, and then my Dad tells me he's been getting sick. I leave and everything goes to pot! Really, I worry about you because I'm not around. Also, you don't have to worry about me. I'm fine. I'm still Nathan, still a lose cannon (kidding), and I'm still losing weight. It's definitely more controlled now though. One or two kili a week.

Okay, back to both, since I can just answer the questions together.

YEAH SEATTLE!


I'm glad that the Outback works out very well, and I'm glad that you want to go live near Bear Lake (?). It's a beautiful place, and I would love to visit you there. As for the ghost issue. No worries, weird stuff happens all the time with computers. It's probably nothing. If it happens again, call the GhostBusters. I'm sure they can help.

Okay so, my new companion is Anziano McIntrye. He is a really chill guy from Canada. Yup, I got a Canadian companion, which is pretty sweet. He's been out for a year now, same group as my trainer, so yeah. Like I said he's pretty chill. We'll get along great from what I can see.

Yes, I am happy and I am enjoying my life as a missionary. Sometimes it's hard, but there are moments when it's all worth it. I really love it when I can help people, even if I don't know what to say.

IF you want to help me, please pray for the following: Alessandra, Kingsley, Temple, Pietro, Rafaella, but especially Alessandra. She's been having hard times lately, and she reallly needs the strength of some prayers.

Also, Dad: I would say my langauge ability is a 6-7, some where in there. It's definitely improved. And as for my rating of myself as a missionary, I would say I'm a 8. Not quite to 100% obedience just yet, but I'm getting there.

Well, that's it for me this week, love you all, and I'm wishing you the best,

NaNa

I usually don't post our letters to Nathan but I think his mother's this week was very insightful and shows the love and devotion of a mother to her missionary son and how she feels about the gospel. It also explains some things in his letter.  

Dad and I went on a long drive yesterday to test out the new Outback.   It went very well.  Dad wants to be a principal in a wilderness area (well, he'll take a job anywhere but he'd love that for observing!).   I told him I was ok with bear lake.  Then the grand kids would say "let's go to grandmas, they live at bear lake and we could swim and boat and have super fun."   I don't want to live in Randolph.  Our bishop would be like my dad, old farmer John. This was all tongue and cheek in a way.   We saw a few hunters with dead deer in their trucks.   We also saw a ton of sheep.   Dads office has a ghost.  I was putting away towels and I heard a man talking in the office.  I ran to our room and got dad.  When he got there it had stopped.   Really freaky!!! Dad thinks it was his computer.  It sounded like a mans radio voice, so it could have been his computer.
So i have one request.  when you tell us about your baptisms, dont just say they were fine or great.  please give us a little detail.  Tell us about the program and who did what, even some of your feeling about the experience.   Tell us about your new companion and what he is like.   Are you happy?   Do you enjoy being a missionary?  Dad worries about you.   What can we do to help you?  In conference they asked members to pay for specific people.  Who would you like us to pray for?

I always feel like I should have more to say, but don't know what to tell you.  I don't want to bore you with things you don't want to know.   We really are just trying to go about our boring day-to-day life.   I think about you every day.   I hope you are doing your best to serve the people of Italy and give them the gift of the gospel.   It will bring such joy and peace to their life.   I know that it brings me great peace especially right now.   Pray, study and serve The Lord.   Love Mom :)