Weekly Email September 22, 2014

Hey you guys!

Man, don't have a whole lot of stuff to respond to. Mom I love your football gear set up! It's a beautiful thing!

Tell Kendra and my fake brother-in-law hi!!!!!!!!!!

Oh, and the reason I was so busy last week, as because of the image that is attached to this email: I went to the LadyHawke castle!

You're welcome.

And as for my week:

We met with Iole this week, and we talked about the Plan of Salvation, and also about the temple. Things are going really well with Iole. Her progress has been quite astounding, it's like she's a completely different person nowadays. Her reading of the Book of Mormon has improved greatly as well as her understanding of Gospel Principles. She loved the idea of being able to be sealed with her son in the temple one day, and she has said that she really wants to go at some point so that she can experience what the other members have felt.

We also met with LaVigna, the mother of Andra, the girl who was baptized in April. She was investigating for a time, and then just faded off the map, and then just barely started coming back to church and the activities, and we managed to get an appointment with her, after walking in a rainstorm and getting soaked to the bone.

But the appointment went rather well and we got to get an FHE orgainized with the member family who are friends with LaVigna. We'll be going there tonight to talk about the Plan of Salvation, as it was never taught, and we both feel that it would be the key to helping her to make huge progress.

A lot of finding and we met with a few members this week. Things are going good.

Much Love,

NaNa

Pictures

This is the castle Rocca Calascio which was a Mountainside Fortress. Here is the LINK to Wikipedia to learn about it. You can learn more of how it was in the  movie LadyHawk under the filming section at this LINK. I find it VERY cool and can't wait to see it.

Week of September 15th 2014 NO EMAIL!!!!!

This is what we got from Anziano Eads.  His mother wants to know what other things he was doing on P-Day since the rules state he is to write his family each week. Hmmmm.

So, another annoyingly busy P-Day, and  all. I'll have to email you all another time, because I really don't have time to write this week, and Presidente wants us to do P-Day things on P-Day....so, no idea if I'll be able to write till next week.

Sorry.          


Much love, and I'm sorry,

Anziano Eads

Weekly Email September 8th 2014

Okay, let's get this show on the road, I don't have a whole lot of time, as I'm going to Rocca Calascio, where they filmed LadyHawke:

Mom:.

I am perfectly fine without knowing to much about football, just let me know if they won, or lost and against who. I don't need to many details. But thanks for asking!

Well, another one has fallen for the spell of costco.

Lots of stuff happening at home. Tell Wyatt and Hayden I say congrats, and that I hope things work out well for them. The mission's fun is something that should be said to them.

Dad:

My clothes are holding out fine. I don't think I'll be buying anything else, maybe some boots when winter comes, as it snows over here in L'Aquila. I'll be needing some boots to keep my feet dry.

Both:

The fast went well. I think things will work out. The temple should start picking up soon. I think it'll be done by next year at the very least.

And as for my week:

Federica's baptism occupied a lot of our attention this week, as we had to get things organized with Terni and get things arranged there, and not to mention that we had to met with her a lot this week just to make sure she was ready, which, looking back wasn't really needed. But, the baptism went off without a hitch and she's feeling really happy, peaceful, and jus tgreat.

Iole is doing fine as well. We weren't able to go out and see her this last week, but she's doing fine. We've been leaving items to read in the Book of Mormon and in the Gospel Principles manuel that we'll be talking about. This week we have planned to talk about the Plan of Salvation, and then temple and geneology work. I think that it would be a good thing for Iole, as it'll motivate her to help out the deceased ancestors. Family is a big thing for her.

But besides that, like I said yesterday, we're going to be doing a lot of refilling of our investigator pool. We're going to try and reactivate some old investigators and see if we can really bring them back into the gospel. We're also going to be meeting with some potentials this week and seeing fi we can set up some appointments and get them to church.

So, work's going to be progressing and all. I'm rather content with the work, and I'm super pleased with the blessings that the Lord has blessed us with.

I'll send pics of the baptism here soon. Love you guys!

NaNa

Pictures:

So we were in Terni, as that would be the home ward for Federica, and we used their font again.

Then there's Federica with Alessio Di Cosimo. He's the friend who introduced her to the Gospel. I'm really happy that he was the one who baptized her. I always prefer it when a member does the work. (I did do the confirmation, but only because Anziano Tew didn't feel like he knew enough Italian to do it).

Then there's Federica and her family, who were kinda against the baptism, but only because it was in Terni.

Then there's us and Federica.

Sunday in Aquila

I had to steal these pictures from Sorella Waddoups as her and President Waddoups went to Aquila and attended church there. Today Iole and Friderika got confirmed and Sister Waddoups has a wonderful post about it on her blog at this LINK.  I encourage you go and look at it and see some of the old sites around Aquila. The fencing around the ruins is to keep people out I assume due to damage from the Earthquake that devastated the region in 2009.

Left to Right: Anziano Eads, Presidente Waddoups, Sorella Waddoups, Anziano Tew (this picture reminds of how broad shoulder Anziano Eads is; he should have been a linebacker!). 

Anziano Tew and Anziano Eads

September 3rd, 2014 Rome East Specialized Training

These are pictures of Anziano Eads, the other Anziano and of Anziano Eads and his companion, Anziano Tew.

 Anziano Eads with other Anziano at Training

Anziano Eads and other Anziano singing Mission Song at Training (he's up to something). 

Anziano Eads and his companion, Anziano Tew

Anziano Eads in Training

Weekly Email September 4th 2014

Wow, this is different this week, a longer email from Mom and a short one from Dad. I'm impressed.

Glad to hear you guys made it to Washington alright, and that things worked out. I'm glad that you were able to meet with the family, and that, once again, comments were made on weight lost. Still planning on joining in that fast.

I'm fine with every second sunday as dinner day I like that idea a whole lot (as the kids get married and move on with their lives Lynda wants the second Sunday to be family dinner with everyone at our home). Good luck choosing a family vacation spot. I'm assuming it's going to be near the ocean (we are looking at locations for a retirement home and a place to gather the family).

Dad: Good luck with school my father! Don't worry too much, just relax do your best and don't stress and you'll do fine. AND DO GET TOO TIRED!!!!!!!!

Back to Mom: I'm defintley going to try that idea out. I think it might be good. I'll be spending some more money on food, but I think that'll work out great.

I'll write you an email no Monday that is just for you Mom (Lynda's birthday is Monday the 8th).

I'll send baptism pics in a bit. And as for my week:

So, after a last minute change from the Terni Anziani, and moving the baptism to L'Aquila we nearly had to wait another week to baptize Iole. There was some confusion due to some things that were told her by some members, and she thought the baptism was taking place at Terni still. However, after some counsel and help from the spirit we got the baptism reshceduled for yesterday.

So, after church we had the baptism, and it went off without a whole lot of problems. We had to repeat the ordinance 4 times, but that's just cause something always came out of the water, but that lat time, we got it! Iole was content and she said she felt really happy and clean. So next week it's going to be just as good when she gets the Holy Ghost. Man, that took a lot of work, but it went done. The Lord's hand was definitely in that baptism.

Also, Federica's doing great as well, and she was there for the baptism.She said that she would come to church until she left. We've got a date for her for the 6th of September, or this Friday, and she's going to make it, she even chose it herself! I just know it! She's already made huge amounts of pogress and just keeps getting better everyday. She is quite literally glowing in these days. It's going to be hard to let her go to Vertabo, but at the very least, I know her life has been touched by the Gospel and by Christ.

Anziano Tew is doing great as well. His Italian is getting better everyday, and he's starting to come out of his shell with other people and is talking to them now. He's going to be a fantastic missionary and is doing some great things and will continue to do them. He really has helped out a lot with Federica and Iole. We're getting along dandily. It's never been a problem with me.

And yeah, that was our week. This week, we're going to try and get some old investigators revived and brought back to the lessons. We're also going to be going for referrals from the members, so things will be going good.

Okay then, there's my week! Love you guys, next week!

NaNa

Branch members, Anziano Eads and Anziono Tew in the back left

Anziano Tew, Eads and Iole. 

This is the font they use in the branches in Italy. 

Weekly Email August 25th 2014

The beginning of this email may sound cutoff and it is. Anziano Eads and his mother and I were discussing some matters that we all feel are best left to the three of us; spiritual stuff, just deeply personal.

Okay, next up, Gma. Glad that she's starting to let go. Dad's blessing was spot on. Gma needs to turn it all over to the Savior, ALL of her concerns and worries and realize she will do more good on the other side then just hurting and worrying in her bed.  I'll definitely join you all in that fast, since, y'know, I can do that. Don't worry I've got things covered in prayers, and I'm ready for whatever happens. Teaching the Plan of Salvation really helps and as Dad knows, the veil is thin and this life is not the end. We do continue on our journey without a doubt, with our loved ones.

Answers to questions:

Dad: Yup, still have that letter. Read every once in a while, but I prefer your conversion story. NOTHING compares to a convert's conversion, especially when it's your own Dad.

Mom: Anziano Tew is great. He's easily frstrated with not being able to speak the language, which I find to be rather entertaining, if only because I see a lot of myself in my first transfer in him. But he's willing to try, and just needs to build up his confidence. He will end up being a great missionary.

I'm having him teach me the Restoration to help him with that. A good message that he needs to know really well.

Well, it was a  rough week, but a good one as well.

Not sure, but we're back into the August grind, aka, lots of finding. However, it must be the greenie magic that Anziano Tew brought with him, because we've met quite a few people who seem interested in learning more about he Gospel. We met a women named Valentina on a park bench, that taught us both the importance of listening to the spirit and following promptings.

Basically, Valentina's been here for 10 years, and was missing her family. We felt inspired to share a little about the plan of salvation, and leave her with the pamplet. Unfortunately she is busy with her job, (a bidonte) and only has Thursday off, but we're going back to meet with her this Thursday. So, it's going to be cool. The Spirit was strong in our contact meeting.

We also had a rather interesting phone call from someone named Giuseppe. He said he had met with the missionaries in the past, and wanted to talk to us about spiritual things. He said he was busy that weekend, but that he knew where the church was and he would come on the 31st. I did set up an appointment with him for Saturday, but he didn't show, even after we tried to call him. Going to try again and see what happens.

Let's see, we had the interview with Iole, and it went all okay. I talked with Anziano Morgan afterwards and he said that she was perfectly fine, and everything was good for gold. She is unfortunately out of the area for a while, until Friday, so we can't meet with her, but we are planning on keeping in contact over the phone this week just to keep on eye on her.

And for her baptism, we're going to be going over to Terni, as they are also having a baptism this week, and our branch president thinks it'll be a good idea for all involved if she goes. I would agree, as it lets her see that other people like her are getting baptized as well. We're getting things organized so that we can get rides arranged and get her over there by 17:00. But if we have to move earth and sky, she'll get there and she'll get baptized since she wants to.

Then there's Federica. So, after a week of her being with her famliy she came back, and she made an announcement, that honestly, I already knew was coming. Listening to the Spirit is always critical.  Because she's part of the military, she's been trying to go to this one military school in Vertabo. Well, she got her wish...only now, it's going to be really hard for her to try and find a way to get out of the place where she'll be and get to church.

But, on the bright side of life, she has expressed that she would like to be baptized. However, she would like to be baptized before she goes to Vertabo, because she fears that going would hurt her a lot if she wasn't baptized before she goes. Anziano Tew and I have prayed hard about this and we both feel, after our prayers, that she should be baptized, under the condition that she comes to church every Sunday before she goes. That leaves us with the 31st and the 7th, and the latter date would theoretically be the day after her baptism.

We've counseled with the Zone Leaders and Anziano Bermudes and they both feel the same as us, that it would be a good thing, but she would have to come to church all three times Still waiting on some counsel from PW. My fear is that if she goes to Vertabo, Satan will work hard on making her regress form her progress, and that, without the Holy Ghost helping, she will fall. If you could pray her for, that'd be very nice.

But we're open to whatever. We're meeting with her tomorrow to explain what's going to go down, and once again talk about the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and the importance of baptism and recieving the gift of the Holy Ghost. I think we'll be okay though. As President Eyring said in the last conference quoting two of our prophets: "Things will work out."

Okay, that's all I've got for this week, I'm tired, in case you all are wondering. But it's a good kinda tired, one that comes from working hard.

I'M NOT DYING THOUGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (however, if you and anyone who prays for me could pray that I have extra energy during the rest of my mission, that would be much appreciated. )

Much love,

NaNa