Chapter Five: The 2nd Epistle of Anziano Stewart to the Sicilians

General Conference is great. =) But missionary work is even better!

Alrighty, here we are after another wonderful week of missionary work in the blessed land of Italy. =)  

So Messina, man, it's good to be back! And I'm really surprised at how much people remember me! Honestly, many of them I don't remember. =/ It's also nice to be serving with Anziano Giovita, he's a fun and dedicated missionary.  Plus the Ward Mission Leader is the most amazing member missionary that I've EVER known.  His name is Fratello Impolonia.  

He's been a member for 30 years but for most of that time he was kind a wishy-washy member, in the sense that he did everything that he should but just barely.  So now, in order to make up for lost time, (also because he's retired) anything he's asked to do he does and more.  It's such a blessing to have him!  It's hilarious every time that we call him and we ask "can we meet tomorrow at 11 for coordination?" before we can finish the sentence he's said yes and then asks if there's an appointment afterwards that he could go to with us.  There are times that he's with us for 4-5 hours at a time. He's hilarious!

How about General Conference?! We still haven't seen the Sunday afternoon session because of the time difference but what we've seen so far has been great!  I especially liked Pres. Uchtdorf's talk during the priesthood session about the difference between the 70-year-old airplane and the F-16, how the 70 year old plane at times went slower than some cars and how the F-16 was incredibly fast but notwithstanding the huge difference between the 2 planes he found great joy in both.  And then he connected it to serving in the church.  At times we may see huge changes and improvements and other times we may feel like we are more or less standing still but in both situations there is a great joy to be found.

Abby told me about how just in like 3 days 14 girls in her ward started their missionary papers to serve.  HOLY COW!!! That is crazy!  I can only imagine the effects that this change will have.  She also told me that she's going to start her papers!! That's crazy! I'm so excited for her!  What a great opportunity.  It's amazing the changes that are being made and the progress that is going on.  What an exciting time to live!

Goofing around in Catania (full armor of God)

I can't remember if I told you but I was assigned again as District Leader this transfer and for the training on Monday we talked a bit about less active members. We used Luke 15.  There are 3 parables in this chapter (lost sheep, lost piece of silver, and prodigal son) they are all similar but I really like the differences.  The first one applies to those who are lost, the second is for those who were lost due to negligence, and the 3rd is for those who willfully rebel.  In the end Jesus taught one for every situation.  

So this week we had a pretty cool miracle, Professore (an investigator) would be baptized except for 2 things that block him.  He will not pay tithing and he says that Thomas Monson isn't a prophet.  But this weekend he watched conference and then we talked with him after and he said that he was actually really surprised with how he felt, especially about President Monson, he said that he now knows now that he's a prophet!!! YEAH BOY!  Now we just need to strengthen his testimony more and work on tithing.

Well that’s about all, I wish you all a great week and hope that you are all great. I love you! =) ciao ciao brown cow.

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"Look inside yourself, you're more than what you've become.  Remember who you are."  The Lion King 

Anziano Stewart