Chapter Three: The 11th Epistle of Anziano Stewart to the Bitontians

Happy Leap year a tutti!!

Man, what a week! Well on Thursday we had our Zone Conf. with Anziano Texiera.  It was incredible.  Anziano Miller and I had to be there at like 0730 because he's a zone leader and there was a zone leader meeting Anziano Texiera conducted and then when we were there and the meeting was about to start Anziano Texiera called me in as well because I'm a companion with a zone leader. It really was interesting and something that has really impressed me.  It was a blessing to be in that intimate of a setting with someone in the 1st Quorum of the Seventy.  Then we had the Conference, which was really inspiring.  And we've seen results already, after 5 days.  Yesterday, I was at my desk after our great lunch (bucatini alla amatriciana) and I had an epiphany.  I can't explain it, but it honestly completely changed how I feel and see and want to work.  I'm so excited.  

At Zone Conference, Anziano Texiera told a story about his son's mission and how they would stop every single person that they saw, and that it really worked.  Up to that point I always said, "that is only for the crazy missionaries", "no one 'normal' does that" But we decided to try it.  And wow.  It’s incredible.  We’ve gotten so many numbers and great potential investigators it's incredible.  I think I've figured out how it works too.  When we do that, the Lord knows that we are going to talk to everyone that is on that street, so he is able to put prepared people in our path easily because he knows we'll talk to them. All in all this week has been incredible.

The tiramisu was pretty good.  It was cool.  And then for the spiritual thought we started a program called 21 days with the family.  It is based off of a promise that a member of the Seventy said.  That is a family prays and reads for the people in their life who don't know about the church.  And if they make a list of all the people that come to mind and pray for them, one of them will be ready to meet with the missionaries in 21 days.  We are now doing it with 3 families in the branch and I can’t wait to see the results.

We get transfer calls this week, and I hope that Anziano Miller and I stay together.  We are on fire and to break this up would be a sin.  I think that if we could be together for another transfer we could really work some miracles here in Bitonto. 

That is hilarious about Abby and her homesickness.   It's a good thing she has such great friends.  She just needs to work on communication. =)

That is great that the package made it home with only 1 stamp!! Ha-ha! I'll send another one this week. =) I buy the books at the paper stores here; they’re like 10 cents.  And they fit in the 60 cent stamp box =) I think I'm going to send them home pretty frequently. 

Have you sent that package?  

My back hasn't bugged me since the MTC.  As soon as I was able to stand and not have to sit for 12 hours a day it was great.

Well I'm glad you all are having some good weather.  Get that trampoline set up!!! Sara, how’s the piano and soccer going?  

Maren, What have you been up to lately!?

J, how’s Bunny Stew doing?

Stay safe! Oh, we're going to Bridisi tomorrow to do a split, I'm really excited!

Ciao!!

--

Vi Amo,

Anziano Stewart

Chapter Three: The 10th Epistle of Anziano Stewart to the Bitontians

Doctrine & Covenants 6:36

Well we made it through Carnivale without getting egged.  So already I'd consider this week a success. =)  It's interesting, when I think back to what I wrote the previous week and said something like, "man this week really had some highs and lows", or "the Lord really knows how to try our weaknesses".  It makes me not want to write it but it's so true that this week really brought the highs and lows.  I guess it's my testimony that just needs strengthening.  So first, 8-9 days ago I got a nice little cold.  Well this week, it turned sour.  And on top of that, I ended up getting Anziani Miller and Pedriera sick who in turn got Anziano Curzola sick.  Nice right...  So we were inside for a bit this week, which I'm going to be honest was really hard for me. But I think the reason I ended up getting so sick was because I refused to stay in in the first place and it didn’t have time to take care of itself. But lesson learned, I'm no macho man (Alma 26:12)  But we made a soup and worked in the Area Book for a bit, then we did some weekly planning.

Also, this week we had a problem with the heat and hot water... the water heater was broken for a couple days but don’t worry something like that can’t slow us down!!! It is interesting because every house that Anziano Miller has been in has had problems with hot water.... hmmmm

We didn’t get to do the tiramisù or the Serata Familiare yet, but we will tonight.  (don’t worry mom I'll take notes) =P ha ha; mom in Preach My Gospel, it says we need to embrace and accept the culture of the place were in.  Here, culture = food. So really I’m just doing what I need to, to be a good missionary. =P But seriously, it is so true when you start talking with an Italian one of the first things they ask is "what have you eaten today?" and every time we get transferred they ask 1) "how do you find yourself here?" 2) "Where did you come from?" Which is quickly followed by "Oh, you eat good there!!".  It's really affecting my taste buds... I'm ashamed to say that I don't care for spicy food much anymore... 

Anyways, what did we do for work this week you ask? We did a lot, considering we were inside for a couple days.  We did a scambio (change companions) with the Anziani from Poggiofranco.  I went with Anziano Pedriera and we were in Bari.  He really is an incredible man.  We did something pretty cool, we brought an investigator to the house if a member (instead of the other way around) and it really is a good idea because then they can see that the members are normal people with normal lives and problems.  We taught the word of wisdom and it went really well.  

Things with Michele (stop smoking student) have really slowed... but we're always trying to help him.  So we were at the church the other night and Michele had just called to cancel so we were kind of down…but then we had a lady (Anna Maria) knock on the door and ask about English course.  So we talked a bit and explained how it works and then the topic of the church came up (believe it or not!!) =P and there was a member at the church (it's something really cool here, every week night, there are people in church doing family history work) and this member explained the church, missionaries and a little bit about the English course and man, she is really golden! She was asking these questions that were perfect and she was curious. The only thing is she’s going to Indonesia next month so we won’t see her for a while but I’m really excited.

We have Zone Conference tomorrow and Anziano Texiera is coming from the Area Seventy (sadly they're coming in a plane so we won’t be getting any mail from the office) But it should be pretty exciting.  I'm sure he's going to tell this zone exactly what we need to hear. 

Transfer calls are not this Saturday but next week.  And it's really up in the air with me, I could stay or go, but I hope I stay. but either way, Sorella Weyland can send a letter to the Bitonto house that just says that it's for Sorella de Feo.  No problem.

So Abby, it sounds like you’re doing great!!! I’m glad you’re loving it.  So this Cory guy, tell me more about him, you didn’t say much... How are you’re classes going? Tutta'post? That’s really great you’re going to the temple so often, I can’t wait to be able to be close to a temple again. How's the work on the old Provo Tabernacle going?  So you’re a fan of rock climbing now? Cool, we're going to have to go sometime. 

What? Sara, you might have broken your wrist?! What were you doing? I bet I know what the problem was, you haven’t been drinking your milk lately have you? Anyways, at least it's not your femur right!  And now you'll get so much attention, problem solved right!! =P How’s your soccer training going?

Maren and J you guys be good ok, you need to set a good example to everyone else ok? Take some pictures for me! =)

I love you all and hope you’re all staying warm in Germany; lucky Abby is in 60 degree Utah.

I know Christ lives and he is our savior and redeemer.

Alla prossimo.

--

Vi Amo,

Anziano Stewart

Chapter Three: The 9th Epistle of Anziano Stewart to the Bitontians

Weeeee 'uagliò!!!!!

Man, what a week, like always. First, you all are great! Thanks so much for the pictures and the e-mails from grandma, Brother Cartagena, and from mom.  It’s great to hear from you all.  It’s crazy how things just keep on going even when you’re not there... like how Mattie is about to go do baptisms for the dead! Wow!! and that’s really cool about the Ellegoods moving to Landstuhl, kind of sucks for Richard with there not being any surfing there...but that’s way cool.  Now lets get this clear, Grandma.  I have no regrets about leaving my coat liner in the states. =) I’m great! =P, but thanks for the concern.  Oh, and thanks for the pillowcase, I’m pretty excited to get it!!

Ok, this week was really cold, which means here, everything stops.  Which makes things hard, but it adds a nice X factor that really makes things interesting.  Anziano Miller had to go to Rome for Capi Conf. on Thursday, so I was with Anziano Wright for a day or so in Bari.  He's a pretty sweet missionary, and he’s really diligent in learning the language.  We taught their English course which was nice and we did "sogndagio" (a religious survey) on the bus for a bit. It was interesting, it's something I’ve never done but I’ve heard about it.  I’m not entirely sure how effective it really is but it definitely is creative.

Hmm, what else happened this week... We had Branch conf. this Sunday and had the Stake Presidency here.  They gave a kind of interesting lesson.  They put together a video of all the big news of the year, but just like disasters, tragedies, etc. and then they had videos of the Apostles talking about how we can find peace and comfort through times like this.  It was kind of cool.  Then we went to eat with the family Panisco (Branch President), they are a great family.  They have a daughter who served a mission at Temple Square (was she there when Uncle Mike was the Mission President?).  While we were there we had tiramisu for dessert (here, there's this thing called orzo. like hot chocolate but it's from barley, way good) and I basically said I really liked it and now next week were going to go make it with Sorella Panisco and then do a Family Night with them.  Can’t wait!!

We went to Trani on Monday again.  We've almost contacted everyone and we have 3 new investigators from it! Sadly, all the members we've been able to find have had no interest in the church, not even seeing us... but when you have no contact with the church for 15 years that can surely happen.

Oh, man, yesterday, there was a branch party for the day of Santo Valentino.  It was so great! I laughed so much! One of the many beautiful things about the Italians is they love to dance.  It really was great.  The members here in Bitonto are really the best members I’ve seen in all of Italy.  they really are the elect. 

oh, also about "Marianna Scatone" I’m not 100% sure but I’m almost positive that’s Sorella De Feo.  She it the Sister who comes every week with her 10 and 8 year old kids but her husband (Nicolo) is inactive.  The other week she gave us that huge bag of all kinds of food.  She is doing great!

I'm so glad the package got there this week I’ll try it with just a 60 cent stamp... speriamo bene no?! and about the ties, dad can wear them, no problem, but when I get home I want to wear them too. =) I really hope this package goes with only 1 stamp, if it does I’ll be sending them a lot more often. =)

Well I need to go, I love you all and pray for you all.  I'm doing great, Anziano Miller is doing great, and Italy is great!

A DOPO.

--

Vi Amo,

Anziano Stewart

Chapter Three: The 8th Epistle of Anziano Stewart to the Bitontians

"Tu sei la gomma, Io la matita. Ti prego di non cancelar mi dalla tua vita" 

(You are the eraser of a pencil.  Please don't erase me from your life)

Sometimes, graffiti is just too great to pass it by! =P

Ok, this week was my first week proselyting in the snow!! Exciting... kind of. Yesterday was the coldest day in southern Italy in the past 40 years. The humidity makes it so much worse!! It’s freezing but don’t worry we stay warm.  This week we made another trip to Trani, only this time we went for the entire day (like 12 hours). We got so much work done it was great. Sadly the records we have are so old there are only a handful of old investigators/members who still live in the same house. But we’re going back this next Monday because there is still a lot to go through; I’m really looking forward to it.  It’s such a beautiful city!

Anziano Miller got a pretty sweet package this week. There were homemade caramels! Pretty sweet huh?! 

This week I broke a record: most lunch appointments in a week.  We ate so much food, we have so much food, and I’m still full!! I really feel like the member’s think, "well I normally don’t make this much food but the Anziani are coming over and they eat a lot." This is great, if you haven't eaten with a member for a while... but I think they look at it like a game with us...but after a while, the game isn't fun anymore.  We passed by the family De Feo on Sunday because the kids were sick and only Sorella De Feo came. 

Now it is literally impossible to meet with Fratello De Feo just because he works like 18 hours every day, every day of the week.  But we went and saw the family and said hi and she ended up making us orzo (a drink from barley, like hot chocolate that’s really good!) and croissants and then she gave us Pepsi, cake, milk, bread, and more croissants. She’s really a great sister and Michele and Raphael are always through the roof.

I got a nice letter from Angie this week; it's so great to hear from family!

Being District leader isn't too much of a change from normal missionary life.  Only now I need to prepare training for every Monday and collect numbers on Sunday nights.  Other than that just to make sure everyone in the district is doing well and doing work.  But I couldn’t be in a better district they are all great missionaries.  The problem with Anziano Pedreira's eye was really strange.  He had a problem where basically the perfect circle of the eye wasn’t perfect anymore. They said it's something that takes like 20 years to happen but for him it happened in 5 days.  All he needs to do is wear a contact lens in the eye.  Pretty simple.

That’s sweet your growing wheat grass and sprouts and tomatoes. I'm growing basil (a MUST!), onions, and I’m trying to grow garlic.  Something that a lot of Americans do that really hurts the flavor of tomatoes is they put them in the fridge. Just a tip maybe it will help you.

The smokers and Maria are doing all right.  I don’t know why but here it is really hard to see people more than once a week.  So their progress is pretty slow but there is progress.

Sara, how’s the soccer practice going? Soccer season is about to start right? How’s your ball handling?

Mattie, mom said you’re going to do a volleyball camp that’s sweet!

You guys need to take more pictures and send them to me!!!

I love you all and I wish everyone a happy valentine’s day. I pray for you all the time.

Vi Amo,

Anziano Stewart

"Tu sei la gomma, Io la mattita. Ti prego di non cancelarmi dalla tua vita"

Sometimes, graffiti is just too great to pass it by! =P

Ok, this week was my first week proselyting in the snow!! Exciting... kind of. Yesterday was the coldest day in southern Italy in the past 40 years. The humidity makes it so much worse!! It’s freezing but don’t worry we stay warm.  This week we made another trip to Trani, only this time we went for the entire day (like 12 hours). We got so much work done it was great. Sadly the records we have are so old there are only a handful of old investigators/members who still live in the same house. But we’re going back this next Monday because there is still a lot to go through; I’m really looking forward to it.  It’s such a beautiful city!

Anziano Miller got a pretty sweet package this week. There were homemade caramels! Pretty sweet huh?! 

This week I broke a record: most lunch appointments in a week.  We ate so much food, we have so much food, and I’m still full!! I really feel like the member’s think, "well I normally don’t make this much food but the Anziani are coming over and they eat a lot." This is great, if you haven't eaten with a member for a while... but I think they look at it like a game with us...but after a while, the game isn't fun anymore.  We passed by the family De Feo on Sunday because the kids were sick and only Sorella De Feo came. 

Now it is literally impossible to meet with Fratello De Feo just because he works like 18 hours every day, every day of the week.  But we went and saw the family and said hi and she ended up making us orzo (a drink from barley, like hot chocolate that’s really good!) and croissants and then she gave us Pepsi, cake, milk, bread, and more croissants. She’s really a great sister and Michele and Raphael are always through the roof.

I got a nice letter from Angie this week; it's so great to hear from family!

Being District leader isn't too much of a change from normal missionary life.  Only now I need to prepare training for every Monday and collect numbers on Sunday nights.  Other than that just to make sure everyone in the district is doing well and doing work.  But I couldn’t be in a better district they are all great missionaries.  The problem with Anziano Pedreira's eye was really strange.  He had a problem where basically the perfect circle of the eye wasn’t perfect anymore. They said it's something that takes like 20 years to happen but for him it happened in 5 days.  All he needs to do is wear a contact lens in the eye.  Pretty simple.

That’s sweet your growing wheat grass and sprouts and tomatoes. I'm growing basil (a MUST!), onions, and I’m trying to grow garlic.  Something that a lot of Americans do that really hurts the flavor of tomatoes is they put them in the fridge. Just a tip maybe it will help you.

The smokers and Maria are doing all right.  I don’t know why but here it is really hard to see people more than once a week.  So their progress is pretty slow but there is progress.

Sara, how’s the soccer practice going? Soccer season is about to start right? How’s your ball handling?

Mattie, mom said you’re going to do a volleyball camp that’s sweet!

You guys need to take more pictures and send them to me!!!

I love you all and I wish everyone a happy valentine’s day. I pray for you all the time.

Vi Amo,

Anziano Stewart

Chapter Three: The 7th Epistle of Anziano Stewart to the Bitontians

Gennaio is over, Happy Groundhog Day!!!

okay, first something I meant to send last week but forgot... It's a poem that Gordon B. Hinckley wrote.

What is this thing that men call death

This quiet passing in the night?

’Tis not the end but genesis

Of better worlds and greater light.

O God, touch Thou my aching heart

And calm my troubled, haunting fears.

Let hope and faith, transcendent, pure,

Give strength and peace beyond my tears.

There is no death, but only change,

With recompense for vict’ry won.

The gift of Him who loved all men,

The Son of God, the Holy One.

I'm glad you all were able to get to Utah and see the funeral and be with family and such.  I'm sad I couldn’t be there.  The pictures look great; everyone looks so unified.  Isn’t uncle Craig the greatest? =)  I look forward to that cd, or just the mp3 would work as well, whatever floats your boat. 

Sara, that sounds great about your goal to play soccer at BYU, But to get there you have to practice everyday!!  I'm glad Mattie’s heart is still chugging along. How's Maren's New Years Resolution going? And what about Abby's new schedule? Is it still going strong?

All right, this week was pretty sweet.  We met with a lady (Maria Costanza) who has known the church for 20 years, and was ready to be baptized when she was 17 but her dad said no and now she's seeking signs... =/ She also has schizophrenia.  Kind of different but she is really sweet.  Also, we did a mostra Sunday night and were able to hand out some publicità.  We’re hoping to get a permesso for the other cities in our area and do mostras there as well.  It's been so long since the missionaries have been there that it will be something new and hopefully successful.  Also, Michele is still smoking.   He insists that he can’t stop cold turkey, that he has to slowly diminish the amount that he smokes until it is zero.  So we try to help with that... Also, Thursday night we took a surprise permesso trip to Lecce.  Its kind of a long story but we pretty much just left on the fly.  It’s a way pretty city, but a total tourist trap.

I got a letter from the Deckers, it was great to hear from them.  Did you know they bought an airplane?! I totally want a ride when I get home =P

So being a district leader is nice.  Our district is pretty sweet, which makes my job a lot easier =)  We missed Anziano Pedriera and Curzola (the elders at Poggio Franco) because Anziano Pederira was having problems with his eye (he pretty much went blind in one eye in a day) so he was in the hospital here in Bari for a couple days and went up to Rome but it's all resolved now and they are coming back today. It’ll be nice to have them back. 

Well it's time for me to get off. It was good to hear from you all this week, gosh!! =P But really, I love you and I’m glad everything is back to normal. Hopefully everything settles back into place soon.  Happy Groundhog Day!!!

--

Vi Amo Bene,

Anziano Stewart