Weekly Email May 26th, 2014

Wow, you guys went to the Pit n Pole together. Dad I'm impressed that you got mom out there. Congratulations.

As for Kendra: I KNEW IT!

Not going to lie, this week was a hard week. It just seemed that whatever we tried to do, didn't work out.

All of our Italian investigators were busy this week, or didn't respond to our calls to try and meet up with them. We also had to pass Rosa to the sisters, because her boyfriend made it rather clear that he wanted them to teach her.

We did meet with the Marina bunch, and we did change the date of the baptism, to the 14th, to give them some more time to prepare. We also taught Tithing/Fast Offerings this week, and we retaught the Restoration. It went really well. Goodluck, probably the most prepared out of the group, bore his testimony of the Book of Mormon and how he knows it's true to us. So, at the least, things are going good there...relatively speaking.

We also met with our new converts, Issac Addo, and Issac Sarsah this week, and the lessons went rather well. We taught issac Addo about reading the scriptures, and praying always. He'll be leaving for Pordeone for the next couple weeks, so we decided to leave him with a blessing of safety in the prayer as we left.

We helped Issac Sarsah prepare for his Gospel Principles lesson, about the old church of Christ, and it went well. He left us with a really deep thought about how the word of God is free, but people "don't want. They want to pay heavy money, but the word of God is free!" It's interesting how this has reference to how people used to pay heavy money (gold, silver, copper, etc) for the word of God, but now, it's almost completely free, but people don't want it anymore, or at least they don't recognize that they want it.

But besides that, this week, work wise just went no-where. It was a rather hard week, no matter how you roll the dice, and it just drained us. Luckily, we have regrouped, reorganized, and refocused on our work, and we're praying with all our combined faith that things will work out for us this week. I have a great feeling that they will, we just need to put our faith in the Lord.

So, in total, a taxing week, rounded off with revitalization of spirits through some prayer and faith. At least we have the Marina Bunch, who are doing good.

So, now I can just focus on home, since you got my email about work. Here we go.

Mom: Back to Kendra and Marcus: I kinda had a feeling that this would happen, and I'm honestly glad that Kendra is letting Marcus make the choice for himself. However, I would like to say that there will be challenges if they stay part member family. I've seen my fair share of that in my mission.

I'm glad that my room is clean...but it looks totally different than I remember it. That was not what I was expecting. Still, I'm glad it's cleaner. Now you just have to vacuum.

Good luck with the piano recital, and yes, let me know where Sam is going! I'm guessing Spanish speaking some where. 

Nails where we drive over? Well, that landscaper was an idiot. Gravel was a much better choice mother, probably in price overall. I know nails are so much cheaper, but still...gravel looks better (I got the joke, just so you know).

Okay, there we go. I'm tired after this week, and I just need to unwind. As you can read, it's been a long week, "always, ain't that right" (I GOT MY RANDOM SONG REFERENCE IN! Matchbox 20, Long Day).

Okay, well, talk to ya'll next week..

Much love,

NaNa

Weekly Email May 17th 2014

A week late in posting.

Sorry that this week was rather boring, not including Dad's near life death experience. Dad, next time double check on those promptings! People have been decieved! So, besides that, life was normal for you guys? Not bad.

Well, after such a spectactular week, this week seemed a little less than spectactular in some ways.

We didn't get to meet with any of our Italian investigators this week, as they were out of the city on buisness, or too busy with work to see us,  and we also didn't get a lot of show in Sacrament meeting, but that'll change this week. Anyways this week was our African week, as we say all of our wonderful African investigators.

We'll start off with the three from Marina di Ragusa, Goodluck, Lucky, and Samson, who we saw twice this week.  The first time we taught them prophets, because Lucky and Samson weren't there when we taught Goodluck. We read President Monson's talk from October conference, "I will not Fail thee, nor Forsake thee." and they enjoyed it. We also taught the Word of Wisdom this week, and while it may be difficult in their sitautaion right now, they said they would try and follow it.

However, only Goodluck was at church this week, which means we're having to move the baptism back to the 14th, as the 7th we have Stake Conference. I feel a little guilty about moving things back two weeks, but if it helps them get more prepared, then I'll do it.

We also met with Elvis and Victoria this week, and taught them the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We taught them from the Book of Mormon and the Bible, as they both enjoy reading from the scriptures, and they really enjoyed the lesson. We still need to ask how their marriage is coming along, but I think that they will be baptized some time soon.

We also met with both of our new converts, Issac Addo, and Issac Sarsah this week, and it was really good. We taught Issac Addo about prophets as well, and we shared the talk "Consider the Blessings" from Monson, and shared how we can show our gratitude for the blessings in our life, even in the hard moments. He enjoyed it, and told us he will continue to pray to know the truth for himself.

Issac Sarsah we shared another scriptural thought about how faith leads to miracles, and through his faith he will see miracles happen, and he did. His work situation has been keeping him from coming to church, but this Sunday, we were talking to some members in the hall, and up the steps to the Church comes Issac! It was a true miracle to see him come back!

We've also given some good service to the members as well, as we helped one give a blessing to his mother who went and had an operation this weekend, and also helped two others with their home teaching. We're following up on the 21 day promise, and two of them are currently following it. As I've learned to never give a commitment you yourself wouldn't follow, I'm also doing the promise, to see if any of our friends in our Corso D'inglese would be open to our message.

And that's how our week has been. So, overall, it was a good week, just didn't really make any of our expectations. But that just means we have to continue to do our best, and put tour faith in the Lord. Things will work out.

The district is doing okay as well. Sorella Pancheri and Nagliati made it back to Ragusa perfectly fine, and are getting along perfectly well, and from what I've heard last night, Garner and Woolsey are as well. THings are really good down here.

Well, next week then. Love you guys!

NaNa

Weekly Email May 12th, 2014

Well, not much to say, except that things are good. I slept a good amount last night, but I'm still tired. Tell Wyatt that I say Congratulations!

Okay, well, this week was really fast, and really good. I'll start from the top.

Monday we met with Elvis and Victoria, and we haven't met with them in a transfer, so that was really a miracle for us. We talked about Mosiah 18 with them, and invited them to come to church. Elvis said he couldn't make it, because he was out fo the city helping people with their documents. Maybe this week.

On Tuesday we had another miracle, in that we met with Andrea, another investigator who we haven't been able to meet with because of his work situation. We shared the talk "Mountains to climb" with him from President Eyring, and he really liked it. He even said, after explaining that the trials are to make us stronger "Where was this talk when I needed it in October!?"

After that we had a lesson in the prescence with Marcello and Gianna, two students from english course. We taught them the Restoration, and they really liked it. Gianna agreed with it without any problems, and Marcello wants to believe in it. They both committed to pray and read to know if the Book of Mormon is true. It really helped that our member was there and that he explained how he knew the Book of Mormon was true.

On Wednesday we met with our new convert Issac Addo, and shared Finding Faith in Christ with him. We've talked a lot about the Priesthood and the temple, so we thought a good relaxing video about Christ would be a good thing to show him. He enjoyed the film, and we grew our friendship with him.

We also met with our investigators in the Marina di Ragusa, and we taught them the Law of Chastity, and the Ten Commandments. They said that it would be a hard commandment to live (the Law of Chastity), but they said that with God's help they will live it. One of them also came to the baptism on Saturday, and all three were in church! We're going to try and meet with them twice this week to make sure they're ready for their date.

Then we met with Issac Sarsah, our other new convert. His work has been keeping him from church, and he has decided that as soon as they pay him, he is leaving. We shared how the strength of God will help him to bear up his burdens with ease, and that God will help him out with angels on his left and his right.

We also had a pranzo appointment with Carmelo and Rosa. This week, we felt that we should share the story of the Brother of Jared and the stones that the Lord touched. We talked about how we all have our great deeps, the problems that we can't overcome without the Lord's help. We have the talents, or as the Brother of Jared says "these small things" that we can take before the Lord, and we ask him to, metaphorically, touch them, that "they may have light". We taught that as we do so, the challenges of life will get easier to bear, and things will work out for our good. Rosa really seemed to enjoy it. going to try and meet with them again this week.

On Saturday, we met with Goodluck, one of the Marina Bunch, and taught him about prophets, and we watched the talk from President Monson, "Love----the essence of the Gospel". He enjoyed it, and the baptism.

And that's been our week. I will say, that I'm really looking forward to the opportunity that we have to continue the work in Ragusa, and see these people come closer to Christ.

Pictures will come soon!

NaNa

This image (above) is a year of my life. Those are my planners from my first transfer to my eighth. Yup! 

Baptism day! We had to use buckets again!

This is Lolanda. Her mother is LDS, her father isn't. Her father wanted her to wait until she was 18 to et baptize.  So she waited 10 years and today she got baptized. She as super happy!

This is our Bishop, his wife and daughter. 

 This is Carmelo. We taught his son who got baptized last month. 

This is Rosa, one of our investigators and girl friend of Carmelo. She is always making funny faces. 

Fratello Guastella and his family. That's our ward mission leader! He is incredible! He's been a member two years and was called to be the Ward Mission Leader. He knew nothing of what he was to do so he read about his position, then more importantly he prayed and followed the Holy Ghost that led him to do his calling. He is a man of tremendous faith! 

This is Anziano Stamps, my companion (he rocks) and and Salvo, a member of the branch in Gela, but he live closer to Ragusa. He helps us out a lot and goes with us when we teach when he can. He is a spiritual giant. 

Salvo found the WWII German helmet in the field where he works. I had to try it on. Notice the hole in the upper left side of the helmet? Yep, we think it might be a bullet hole. 

 This is a group shot of a party we went to with Valentina (a member of the ward)  and her friends on a festa day. We had a great time and hope to teach some of them. 

A scenic picture of Ragusa . . . envious? 

Weekly Email April 28th 2014

 Okay so, let's start with what's going on at home:

Dad: I tend to do a lot of cooking, but it's just super simple pastas, that's all I really know how to make, but besides that, yeah. Sometimes I make banana bread, but that's a rare thing.

Anziano Stamps and I get along rather well. We're both easy going guys, and we share a lot of the same interests, and were both smart so that makes for some fun conversations. Anyways, we're good and I am glad he's my companion.

Mom: Thanks for the updates. I'm glad that you had another good weekend in the house. I don't think I'll recognize it when I get home, that's going to be fun.

Four of us are going to be skyping in Ragusa, so we'll see what happens. I did send Grandma Eads the postcards, I just hope they make it in time. We shall see. I'm not overtly missing you guys, just a little tired. Okay, since I'm honest, I'm really tired. I fall asleep during my nightly prayers a lot, but I always wake up and finish them. That's really about the only difference in my life right now. I'm beat! But I frickin' love it! Love serving the Lord and the people.

 It's okay to be blunt Mom. Kendra needs that bluntness to help her out. We'll see if things go the way they should for her.

Both: For Mother's Day, I'll let you know hopefully soon. I just talked to the others and they said that they'll get things figured out. I'm pretty good for whenever works for you guys, although I probably won't make you all get up so early in the morning. I'll talk with them soon and see what happens. You may hear from me again soon about time and date.

Well, this week was rather enjoyable in that we saw some miracles, and yet at the same time it was a bit of a disappointment in that things just didn't seem to work out in some regards.

We managed to get our deep cleaning done, and we were very proud that the house was clean. We then had a pranzo appointment with Valentina and some of her friends, who asked questions about the Gospel, mainly about what the differences were between our church and their church (catholic). We answered and talked a little about the Restoration. We then had DDM.

After that we had P-Day. We tired to schedule an appointment with Giacomo, but his situation in regards to paying for his house has become very difficult, and he has become very busy. Unfortunately, that translates as to a we don't know when we'll be able to see him again. We plan on staying in contact, and helping him out as much as we can. He did make it to church though, so that is a good sign.

We also met up with Rosa again this week with Carmelo (her member boyfriend) and his son. We decided to take Elder Kearon's advice and teach the children, and it seemed to work out really well. She opened up and told us that she was getting answers to her prayers. That was pretty dang cool. We finally figured out the way to teach her without her flipping out. We're going to do this again some other time this week with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and see what happens.

We met with Issac Addo, our new convert as well, and talked to him about the Priesthood, as he is preparing to receive the Aaronic Priesthood. He understood it, and promised that he would prepare himself to recieve this gift. We also talked about the Priesthood in church on Sunday in Gospel principles, and he really showed how much he understood. He was very detailed in answering questions.

We taught the Marina Bunch ( our group of Africans in the Marina di Ragusa) and we read the scriptures with them so that they would start understanding a little. They, unfortunately had something to do at the camp on Sunday and were not able to come to church. We did have to move their date to the 31st of May, but they accepted that, and said they would have no problem coming to church after this Sunday. I really hope so.

We also taught a less active family, the More family this week about Patriarchal blessings, as the wife attended the Gospel principles lesson and wanted to know more about patriarchs. They were interested and really wanted to come to church and start getting ready for that blessings.

Well, that's how our work has been. This week we feel that if we can meet with Giacomo or Rosa, we'll be giving a baptismal date to them soon. At the very least we want to help them start thinking a little more about baptism and what it means to be a member of the Church of Christ.

We're also going to be talking to some Corso students who wanted to learn about the Church and asked for a free copy of the Book of Mormon. Hopefully things work out there.

Well, that's how things are going here in the area. Next week, love you guys!

NaNa

April 22nd, 2014 Weekly Email Ragusa

Anziano Eads' email was one day late as Monday was a major holiday in Italy and not a P-Day for the missionaries. They spent the day deep cleaning and then doing work. Thus the email came on Tuesday. Rough week it seems.

Firstly, to Dad: HAPPY BIRTHDAY Older Man!!!!!

Sorry, I have to keep making that joke. Anyways, congratulations! You're now 49. Imagine that next year, I'll be home to celebrate the 50th! The big 50! You're in the silver age buddy!

Anyways, that was one crazy experience that you had (Anziano Eads' dad witness a SUV roll three to four times, and watched the driver be ejected with two toddlers in the back seat without car seats). I hope that the family is okay. I'm glad that there were two priesthood holders there to help out. At least there was that miracle for that family.

Mom: Sounds like you guys had a busy weekend. I hope that everything is looking good now, and that things are calming down. I'm glad that there are new families coming to church, and that the neighbors are seeming to be okay.

I'm glad that you got my room a little tidier, and that the garage is clean...er. I don't know what you mean when you say that I'll take over the payments for the car...does that mean I'm going to be getting the hybrid after I come home?


Well, what to say about this week. Things were different, interesting, but good, they are always good.

Monday we finally got to see Issac S. one of our new converts, who we hadn't seen in a long time. He's been super busy with his job, but the problem is that it makes him work every day for very little pay. He's been struggling to come to church because of that, and we finally got to meet with him. We shared the story of Nephi, and Alma, and their willingness to go and do the things the Lord commanded them to do. He resolved at the end of the month to quit the job, and come back to church.

We unfortunately didn't get to see Giacomo at all this week, because he has been super busy with his work, and trying to get enough money to pay for his house;  it looks like things might not be able to work for him. We're hoping to meet him this week, and hopefully share our message to help him out. Speriamo Bene.

We met with Rosa this week, and we figured out that she has a bit more of a way to go. We were teaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and when Anziano Stamps mentioned the Holy Ghost, and how we need to keep the commandments that God has given us to keep the Spirit with us; Rosa had a bit of a freak out. She said that she didn't believe that the Word of Wisdom, or the Law of Chastity come from God, and they are the commandments of men. So, we're going to need to teach her a little bit more about the role of prophets, and the commandments, and why God gives us these things.

We also met with our group of Africans in the Marina. We taught them the Plan of Salvation, and they accepted a baptismal date for the 17th of May! They also made progress in coming to church this week! We were rather happy about that, and really happy that they said that they were going to come back.

Easter was definitely different. It was like any other Italian holiday, in that the streets were dead, there was nobody, and we still were out doing missionary work. I don't really know what else to say. I went to the giant mass on Sunday at the duomo, just to see what it was like. Just like the other mass I went to...but with more chanting.

Just pray for my investigators, that we'll be able to meet with them, that they will progress and receive answers to their questions, and that's really all we can do. Thanks for everything.

I'll let you know about Mother's Day next P-Day, when we talk about it a little bit more.

NaNa

So things are going good here in Ragusa. The Lord is definitely blessing our efforts down here, and we are seeing miracles.

Weekly Email April 14, 2014

Ciao Mia famiglia! Come stai?

I hope that everything is going well for all of you, and that things are looking up, because I know that with time, all things become better!

Sorry Mom that you've been super busy this weekend, but that's definitely not the worst thing in the world. I'm glad that it was a really good program and that message about Christ was awesome! It's cool that people follow my blog, but it's not overtly important. I'm glad that people enjoy it however.

Cool! I'm glad that Sam is going to be serving a mission, but it's a little weird that she's going out super soon. I forget some times how close she is in age to me and Kendra...boh!

OH and Dad, congratulations! Hope thigns work out for you!

As for Easter: I'll be deep cleaning most likely, cleaning the entire house for about eight hours...yup...SAVE ME!!!!!!

No, peeps do not exist in Italy, but they do have giant eggs of chocolate! I'll be sending pictures hopefully next week. I don't have a whole lot of new pictures yet...so...yeah.

I'm pretty good with the things you've told me. I do just have two question: How's my katana doing? And more importantly: How are things going with being member-misssionaries?

Now as for my work:

So, I realize just what was meant when I had the Spirit tell me to plan realistically for the week, when I saw how we had down. I probably should've been more realistic, but overall, we had a good week, with one major down note.

Samuel, our investigator with the baptismal date had given us three bidones in a row, and unfortunately, he keeps saying that he will come and talk to us. I hate to say it, but we unfortunately had to let him go. We did tell him that if he ever wanted to meet with us again, we would always be open and willing to meet. I'm hoping that he responds soon, and we can get him back on track.

Besides that sad note, we had a really good couple of lessons with Giacomo. He was feeling a lot better, and was able to meet with us twice this week, and we taught him the plan of salvation. I really liked teaching him this lesson in two parts, because we definitely left him on a high spiritual note, after talking about the Atonement on the first lesson.

The second lesson was good as well, but he was a little distracted. He was going through some problems at home. I probably should helped him out a little bit more with that, I admit that mistake, but if we are able to meet with him this week, we're going to be focusing on how with faith in Christ, all things can be made right in the end.

We also found four new investigators this week. We were out finding, and we ran into some Africans who were looking for a phone store, so that one of them could buy a new SIM card. WE helped them out, and afterwards asked if we could teach them a little. They accepted, and on Wednesday, we taught them the Restoration. They live out of Ragusa, unfortunately, and they missed the bus to bring them to the church on Sunday, but from the information we had, they were waiting for the bus on time. They are showing signs of progress!

We also met with Issac Addo twice this week, and taught him the Restoration and the Plan of Salvation as part of his after-baptism strengthening lessons. It was interesting helping him recall things. He understands, but he had forgotten quite a bit. I feel we need to hold the baton a little more with him before we do anything else.

Okay, now as for the district: The district is well. The sister's are doing fine, their work, from what I can see, is growing steadily and surely, and in time they will be doing a lot of good. They do have some referrals that they need to get going on, but overall they are doing fine.

The Gela Anziani are doing fine as well, from what I gather from Ostler. Anziano Garner had a major tooth ache this week, but he is doing much better now. Their work is going really well, with investigators really progressing. I think one may have a baptismal date soon.

Well, that's all the news from our front. Talk to you next week. Love you guys!

NaNa

Okay, then, well...

Thank you all for the Happy Birthday! That was rather sweet of you, and it's wonderful. I'm going to have some fun, you can be sure of that. As for the money, thank you very much. I don't know what I'm going to use it for just yet, but I'll think of something.

So, I've got all your questions, and I'll answer them all. Since he wants to know it all, I'll start with Dad:

I'm more worried about giving addrestramenti, and how to best help out the district than I am of anything else. It's not hard to gather numbers (Dad asked him how being a District Leader has changed him and how it is to gather stats).

I don't konw what's up with the verdini situation. I think now that things are levelling off with the increase of missionaries, they're going to start refilling the mission when a group goes home. We'll be getting a large Anziani group in August probably. (Dad asked him why his mission was getting low numbers of new missionaries in).

Yeah, I like Stamps. He's cool. We share an interest in all things nerdy, and we're both quiet people. Which is nice. (Both parents asked like they always do how he likes his new companion).

Yes, same sisters (Dad asked if his district in Ragusa was the same).

If the Lord is willing, and the people are doing their part (because I'll be doing mine), then yes, hopefully we see a few baptisms this transfer (Dad asked if he thought they would have more baptisms this month).

Transferred next: I'd like to go back to Sardegna, or even Malta. I'd think that would be really cool (Dad asked where he thought he might get transferred to in the future).

I hope I have a lot more than just 2 or 3 transfers before I go home. I'm only in transfer 9! (Dad asked if he only had 2 to 3 physical transfers yet but that did not get communicated so well).

Yes, I've realized that this is my last year in the mission, thank you. I'm trying to focus on work so that I don't have to get trunky!

Mom:

The added resposibility will not detract, as it will help me to stay closer to my Father in Heaven. I'm cool!

Am I staying in Ragusa for a while? Boh. The lord knows, and if there's one thing I'ìm sure on, it's that the President gets revelation on the transfers. SO, we'll see what the Lord wants me to do.

Well, things were rather interesting last week, but also very enjoyable.

I got Anziano Stamps to Ragusa without any problems, and we started right into the work the next day. I had an appointment set up with Samuel, but he didn't show up, and I showed Anziano Stamps around the city, doing some finding. We rescheduled the appointment with Samuel before Conference Saturday, but he didn't show again, and he didn't come Sunday. We set up an appointment for today, so here's hoping that all things work out. We are going to have to move the baptismal date back to the 26th, with the option to move it to the 19th, if we feel he's ready.

Rosa and Giacomo both came for a session of conference, as that's all they had time for. They both really enjoyed it. I'm planning on meeting with both of them this week, and getting them a baptismal date, also for the 26th. We have a good feeling that things will work out, and we'll see two great examples of progression in the Gospel path.

Speaking of conference, I thought it went really well. I got some good items out of it and added some of the things that were said into my action plan. Part of that action plan is to become the message, and to remain optimistic, like our prophets, and have that attitude of "Oh, things will work out!"

I've felt really overwhelmed with the assignment to be district leader, and I've felt a great need of the help of my Father in Heaven. I've felt myself grow closer to him as I've prayed for his guiding hand to help strengthen me and help me to know what to do to help out my fellow missionaries, and our investigators. He's definitely answered my prayers, and that relationship, which is probably the most important relationship that we could ever have with anyone, is becoming even stronger.

Yup, things are going well. I'm rather pleased with the work in Ragusa, and I really think that things are going to continue to grow. I'm excited for this next transfer period and my new companion.

Much love,

NaNa