Weekly Email March 30th 2014

As you both probably know, I'm staying in Ragusa another transfer, and I'm getting a new companion. His name is Anziano Stamps, and he's coming down from Rome. Anziano Calchera is going to Brindisi, in Puglia, proving that I'm right about the Puglia Shuffle (the curse that says if you were born (started the mission) in Puglia, you go back).

Well, where to start this week about my work...BAPTISM!

The baptism of Issac went really well. He was very happy with how it went and how he felt. He said he felt good, and clean. He really has a strong faith in Christ that is going to move him into the future. He does need to grow his testimony of the Church and the Book of Mormon, but that will come with time and as he prays and serves. We'll do all we can to help him with that; that baton is not going to be dropped.

That was the highlight of the week, and the confirmation as well, but besides that, I don't know. Two of our promising investigators were really hard to meet with this week. Giacomo was sick and had to cancel on our two appointments with him. It hurt because we had a member coming to both. However he had recovered enough and he made it to the baptism, which sparked more questions in him. We plan on trying to meet him this week and teaching the plan of salvation, after answering his questions. We also plan on giving him a baptismal invite, for the 19th. 

The other investigator, Samuel, also cancelled on us this week with another member. However, when we tried to call back to set up another appointment his phone was off. It was like this the entire week. When we saw him in church yesterday, we asked him about it. Turns out his phone was broken and he can't use it. We set up an appointment for Friday at 4:00 with the member. We plan on teaching the plan of salvation as well. 

This does mean that his date will have to be set back a bit, but that's okay, as he'll still do his best to make it.

Rosa was in church, which was fantastic, and she attended the baptism which was even better. She definitely felt the spirit there. We're having lunch with her tomorrow and we're hoping to get that baptismal date with her, also for the 26th. I really think it could happen.

Well, that's been our week. I will say that it hasn't been the best one we've had, but it's definitely been a highlight with the baptism, and all. We can only go up from here.

So, yeah. Well, that's been about it lately...

Also, I'm District leader next transfer.

NaNa

Above: Anziano Calchera (Anziano Eads' companion), Fratello Appiah (brother Appiah) and Isaac their new convert. 

Anziano Eads and Anziano Kearon of the Quorum of the Seventy. Anziano Kearon was there for the Mission Conference. 

Anziano Eads and Anziano Kelley. Anziano Kelley's mom worked for our Bishop who is a principal. He has his own mission blog at this link. It's a wonderful blog and very funny also!  

Anziano Eads & Anziano Prete. Anziano Prete was from Anziano Eads' first area in Sassari in Sardegna. He is now in Palermo and so they saw each other at the mission tour. Anziano Eads likes to think of Anziano Prete as a close friend. 

Anziano Eads and Anziano Ferrero.  Anziano Ferrero is serving in Malta and this is his last transfer before going home so it is the last time Anziano Eads will see him. Anziano Eads considers him a close friend also. 

Anziano Eads & Anziano Peachy, another friend who will go home after this next transfer. He was the trainer of Anziano Eads' next companion as well. 

Anziano Eads and Anziano Woolsey, who was Anziano Eads' second companion in Sassari, Sardegna.

Anziano Eads, Anziano Woolsey and Prete, a Sardegna reunion! 

Fratello Carmelo Brunelli, one of the coolest members, his girlfriend Rosa, one of Anziano Eads' investigators. Anziano Eads said he took this picture discreetly because he is a monello (brat). 

Fratello Carmelo Brunelli, his son Matteo who was baptized Saturday as well. Anziano Calchera and Anziano Eads taught the lessons to Matteo at the request of his father, Fratello Carmelo so that Matteo could make the choice for himself. 

The Cathedrale di San Giovanni Battista. Is is the central church in Ragusa main. 

Fratello Appiah, Isaac who is an earlier convert, and Isaac their newest convert. 

Anziano Eads and a MTC friend. 

Rusty bars at a school in Ragusa. 

A leftover from WWII, an old bunker (round building). I find it very interesting that it sits across from a church. 

The Soreellea and Anziano of Regusa for this transfer. 

Weekly Email March 24th, 2014 Old Man Anziano Eads

Hey,

Well, sorry things at home are still kinda tough for all of you. I really hope things work out quickly, and for the better. I've been praying for all of you.

Wow, a family reunion and I won't be there...that's going to be a little wierd, but okay. Good luck in that pit of my room!

The mission tour was fantastic! Elder Kearon was the one who came, and he is a very likable guy. I learned a lot and am enjoying trying some of the stuff out. It was really fun seeing all my old mission pals again. I have photos I'm going to be sending, so you'll see what I mean.

The new suit is nice. Again, pictures, and yes I did meet Elder Kelley. We took a picture together. He was shocked that my mom knows his mom, but that's to be expected. He's a good missionary.

Anziano Calchera is probably going to leave. He's been here for 5 transfers, and that's a long time in a city, considering this is only his second. So, he's probably leaving and I'll stay, at least for one more. and as for this week:

What a week of miracles!

Firstly, we have a baptism coming up at the end of this week. Issac has made a good amount of progress, and he has passed his interview, which means that, yup this Saturday will be the day. We have taught him the big commandments and he has accepted them. He's done a lot of good work, and I'm super happy to see him come to this point.

Next, we have a good amount of good investigators. Samuel, the African we met has been showing his desire to follow Christ. He really likes to hear the messages, and he feels the spirit. While we weren't able to meet with him this week, we were able to set up some appointments with him. He says he has some questions for us, and I'm sure that things will continue to go well with him

Next is Giacomo. Giacomo came into the church last Sunday during the last part of ward conference, and he enjoyed the meeting. We met with him afterwards and set up an appointment for him on Tuesday. We met with him and had downloaded the Book of Mormon before coming. He's been reading it and is willing to learn more about our church. He really seems that he has been prepared by the Lord to find the truth.

Giovanni we weren't able to meet with this week, but we are seeing him this week. We're going to be talking about the Restoration with him, and inviting him to be baptized when he knows the church is true. We hope all goes well with that.

With Elvis and Vittoria, we're going to be helping them make friends with one of our members, Valentina, one of the new converts. We're hoping that things are going to work out there. Elvis came to church on Sunday which was nice. We have an appointment set up with them on Wednesday, so we'll see how things go.

Rosa we've stayed in contact with. She's been having some family troubles and hasn't been able to meet with us. However she has read other chapters in the Book of Mormon other than the ones we assigned, which is awesome! I think next time we talk to her, we're going to try what Elder Kearon said about praying with them.

Okay, so there's our work lately. It's really picked up lately and we're seeing many blessings from the Lord as we have some great investigators, and all are making some form of progress. Truly Ragusa is blooming!

Well, I don't know what else to say...I'll talk to you guys next week...and then on Mother's day!

I'M OLD IN THE MISSION!

NaNa

Weekly Email and Pictures March 17th 2014

Hi Everyone,

Miracles still happen, and I'm a living witness of that. This week was just the best week we've had this entire transfer...thus far.

Let's start with the investigators. We now have two baptisaml dates. One for Issac, who has finally started to understand the message of the Restoration, and his date is for the 29th, and another called Samuel, who has his on the 12th of April. A little bit bout Samuel is that he is from Ghana, and he has tried his entire life to live as God wants him to live, and to find God and grow closer to him. So, yeah, he's been well-prepared, and we're working hard on getting him ready.

Besides that, we've met with another investigator, Giovanni, one of the referrals from the Clarks, and he accepted the message of the Plan of Salvation, and came to church, which was really nice, and he enjoyed the meeting, which was ward conference.

We met with Rosa for a spiritual thought, as she didn't have much time for a lesson, and we shared how with faith, anything is possible. We're hoping to build that growing faith of hers, and get her ready for the next lesson, and invite her to be baptized. It's kinda funny, because we both think that she's starting to find out that the message is true. I always love that moment, because the reaction is always different. Anyways, we're planning on that some time this week.

Wednesday we had a scambio with Anziani Ostler and Bryant, and that's where a lot of the work came form this week, and the two dates. They really helped us out a lot and we all learned a few things from this scambio, including how to be a little bit more bold.

So, overall, we had a really good week. I'm excited, things are really looking up, and heading in the right direction. True is the phrase that "I am a God of miracles, and do not change." We just have to wait for the Lord's timing in all things and then it will all work out.

Well, much love, INCOMING PICTURES!

NaNa

These are of the Cathedral of Ilba 

Anziano Eads with American Flag somewhere in Ragusa

Anziano Eads (being bossy he says) and his companion, Anziano Calcherra (just being himeself according to Nathan).

Anziano Eads, Anziano Calcherra and the other two Anziano laying in ancient tomb; (Nathan says they left it exactly as they found it)

Anziano Eads looking heroic (he thinks he accomplished it)

Anziano Eads calls this Purity

Dear Elder or Sister Leaving on a Mission

This is a copy of a letter given to me by a very close friend when a I left, Scott. I still have the original. I then modified when Nathan, Anziano Eads left and he has since modified it some.  So it is offered as a letter to any Anziano or Sorella leaving to any mission in the world.  As it says, happiness. Active service in the lives of others does bring so much happiness.

Dears Elder or Sister,

     Welcome to another month, but this month is unlike any other month in your life, for it is the month in which you labor as an ambassador for our Savior Jesus Christ.  Never will you feel so important than in sincere service to our fellow man, to bring them into the fold, so share the happiness that come from the love of our Heavenly Father.  The Spirit will be with you always, like you have never experienced before.  Therein lays the gift of tongues.  You will say things that you never knew, as you teach by the Spirit, and your testimony will grow as does those of the families and individuals you teach.

     Times will become difficult, companions may not always be what they should; the harvest, although ripe, may often appear as a drought, and Satan works harder on you than he has ever done before. However, the Lord is very close to you.  As you serve diligently, the Lord provides many blessings, even more than you thought possible.  Companions and personal weaknesses are changed through prayer, and the Lord will send rains in His season to liven the harvest after you have proven you are worthy of those rains.  Above all beloved missionary, you will grow from all these things.

     Now because the Lord is nearby, when you resist temptations, Satan cannot touch you! You will feel so clean, so worthy, and that to brings happiness.  The mission you are embarked on will please you Elder or Sister, and give you enough joy to last the eternities if you let it.  If your desires are righteous and pure, the Lord will bless you to fulfill your righteous desires.
 THIS is the time of YOUR life! Work hard, be obedient, follow the Spirit, forget yourself and look to others and their needs and you will find out the purpose of life, for each of us to live in such a way that we become as the Savior is (3Nephi 27:27).

     So, is your mission a sacrifice?  Each missionary has to decide this for himself/herself, but in my case I will tell you my answer.  I have received so many blessings, have overcome so many personal weaknesses, have learned to love everyone, and I do not mean this as a cliche, but I truly learned to love everyone, and I went home so much happier than I ever imagined I could be.  See, I learned where such happiness lies and it is in service to others. That is what it means to be Christlike, to place the needs of others above your own. So again was this a sacrifice? NO WAY! Is it a sacrifice to be blessed, to become closer to our Savior, to become more like Him, and to bring my fellow brothers and sisters to the Gospel and Church?  To find the eternal joy of service and love toward others; no, this was/is not a sacrifice though others may view it as such.

     All that you learn will come one day at a time, so look for those spiritual experiences, sometimes they can go by unnoticed.  So you will need to recognize the Spirit as He works, and as you do so, you will see the marvelous works and wonders of our Lord.  Stay close to the Savior through scripture study, companion study, training's and listening to the counsel of your mission president.

     So Elder/Sister, go forth each day to teach, love, endure, sacrifice, obey, overcome, baptize, cry, and love some more. Happiness Elder or Sister,  I'm telling you it brings so much happiness.  One last thing, ALWAYS, in ALL conditions, good or difficult, ALWAYS remember that our Savior loves you and watches over you at all times. Your are His servant and He is ever so mindful of His missionaries. They have a very close place in His heart. Your blessings from this mission will continue the rest of your life, growing, increasing, as your capacity for love and service increases.  Happiness, this will bring you so much eternal happiness.

   

Weekly Email March 10th, 2014

Welp, there are plenty of stuff to address, and we'll take care of the things at home first.

Sorry, I forgot the card reader again! I've just started getting use to carrying the camera around, and I just have to arry the card reader too, from now on. Next week for sure there will be pictures!

I am glad that I am loved back home. Please tell the ward that I miss them, and that things are good, as always. Yes, I remember Mandy, but I wasn't good friends with her, so meh.

HAPPY BIRHTDAY TO MY SISTER! Tell her I'm going to be writing her an email.

Yes, I bought my hardrive. I also bought a new suit! Pictures next week!

As for me, I don't know how I feel about this last week. Things just did not seem to work out for us.

The first half of the week went good. Tuesday we met with an investigator and talked about many things, including church organization, and things went well, and he did pray for us at the end. English was good, as we invited all of the course to pray to know if God loved them as part of the spiritual thought.

Wednesday we taught Issac the Gospel of Jesus Christ again, and he actually understood it. He did ask us this one question about a prophet being baptized without water, and he said it was in the Old Testament. I couldn't find it and neither could Anziano Calchera, so we're not sure if it exists, and we both have a pretty good grsp on the scriptures.

Thursday we met with Andreà, an investigator from English Course that we both felt was ready to start the lessons. We realized, however, that he is quite a way out from the truths of the gospel, and doesn't really have a Christian background. However, we are going to continue to meet with him and try our absolute best to get him going. He's a really cool person, and we both feel that he would be a strong member.

After that, however, things just did not seem to work out. When we got back from Specialized Training, things did not come together. We tried to schedule an appointment with Rosa, but she was occupied with the day of the women festa, and her son was in the city as well, which unfortunately meant that she was occupied. She didn't come to Church either, which was strange.

Anyways, we have decided that our lack of planning was the cause of the lack of work, and this week, we're definitely planning a lot more to get some more items done. We have appointments scheduled for today, Tuesday, and Wednesday, and we're working on getting a lunch appointment with Rosa as well. We have three investigators that we are going to be getting baptismal dates for this week. We're jumping into getting those 40 baptisms as well!

Well, new week, new start. Things can only go up from here! Can't wait to see what's going to be happening in regards to the mission tour thingy. Let you know what's up! Love you all!

NaNa

Anziano Eads at Catania Specialized Training Friday March 7th, 2014

Here are some pictures of Anziano Eads from his specialized training that he was at on Friday, March 7th, 2014.  So here we go.

Anziano Eads with the other missionary and his Mission President leading the group in the Standard of Truth as they recite it. 

Not sure what he is doing here. 

Anziano Eads in the background practicing and listening. 

Anziano Eads practicing 

Anziano Eads sining or smiling; you decide. 

Weekly Email March 3, 2014

Sorry this week was so boring for everyone at home. I'm sorry to hear about Kim, and I'll begin praying for her as well, hoping the tumors can be healed or her passing can be eased, and continue to pray to Grandma as well. I'm working on buying the stamps I need to send the letter, but I'll get that taken care of today.

Pics: Next week for sure! I forgot again this week....sorry!

So, let's see, what's happened this week. Just a brief rundown:

The Tuesday we got back we had English course and that went really well actually. We talked to one of the people we wanted to start working with, and we got to meet with him on Friday. He's been having some personal problems, and we felt inspired to share with him the talk from President Uchtdorf, "Of Regrets and Resolutions", and he enjoyed the talk. We're going to be scheduling an appointment with him soon and share with him the Plan of Salvation, as he expressed interest in this.

On Wednesday, we met with Issac and explained the Restoration again, and he understood it this time, and promised us that he would pray to know the truthfulness of our message. After that, we learned that the Sorelle (Sister Missionaries) were coming and then we did some unplanned service with Fratello Chines getting their house a little ready.

On Thursday the sorelle came into the city, and like always, the ward loved them. The sorelle here are pretty cool, and I think we'll work together all right. I haven't had problems working with any sister yet, so I'm not worried about it.

On Saturday we had a full day. In the morning we met with Barbera, an investigator and talked a little about the Plan of Salvation, and recommitted him to coming to church. We've been meeting with him for a while now, and he still hasn't come. We're wondering if something is holding him back. We're going to try and build his faith in another aspect of the Gospel and hope that works.

We taught Valentina about families, and committed her to asking her mother to come to church. She didn't, but the mom did say that if she had time to prepare she would, which is a good sign.

Then we taught Rosa, and we talked about the Book of Mormon and praying to know if it's true. It was a fantastic lesson! Rosa read the Book of Mormon and came to church this week. Her progress is astoudning. We'll be teaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ this week, and I feel that she could easily have a baptismal date.

Okay, so that's been my week. We have specialized training on Friday, so I'll let you know how that goes. Hopefully all works well.

Next week, with a longer email!

NaNa