Chapter Six: The 17th Epistle of Anziano Stewart to the People of Italy

2 Timothy 4:6-7

Mission accomplished STOP
vi voglio bene STOP
See you soon ;) FULL STOP
Over and out.

Chapter Six: The 16th Epistle of Anziano Stewart to the People of Italy

Anxiously Engaged

I heard a quote from Anziano Holland, explaining that a missionary when he/she goes home, that they should go home having given it all, and how they should be so exhausted that when the come off the plane that they collapse into the arms of their mother.  Mom, I'm just warning you, get ready.  This week has been really busy, holy moley!

The conference in Napoli went well.  It was cool that I was able to bear my testimony where I did 2 years ago when I started.  (we also got some mozzarella di bufala!!!!)  

Then over the weekend, we had Anziano Evens of the first quorum of the seventy visit.  It was super cool to be with him and to hear what he had to say.  Especially about hastening the work because he is in the missionary department and he presented the facebook idea to Anziano Nelson.  

There really are a TON of benefits of making the changes that they are working on.  It will help a lot more with correlating with the ward/branch, it will help teach people how to use the Internet as a tool to help uplift and inspire, and so many more things.  He is so excited!  It was really cool, we had a lunch with him and we spent the whole time just asking him questions trying to learn as much as we could about the changes that are being made.  

Then we had the amazing and special opportunity to go on to the temple site, only 2 other missionaries have been able to do that.  It was really special, its incredible the spirit that is just on the site.  Even though nothing is dedicated or even completed, it is already a really special place. 

Then early Monday morning we left for Bari.  It was really great because after the Mission Leadership Council, we were able to go to Bitonto and do some short exchanges.  It was incredible!!!! We had planned to go to a Family Home Evening with a family and it somehow worked out that almost half of the ward showed up.  

It was amazing, words cannot describe the love that I feel for those people.  They are all having some rough times, whether in their own lives or in the whole branch.  I was able to give a couple of blessings and to share my testimony with them actually I was really surprised at how well they remembered me.  

When I served there I was not able to speak Italian very well, but we did work hard.  Several of them still have pictures on their refrigerators and other things from when I was serving there.  Honestly, it really surprised me.  I feel so blessed.

In sacrament meeting, Elder Evens, actually quoted some parts of a letter that Anziano Nelson wrote to him talking about the former day saints and the journeys of Paul.  He said that Paul had the right idea when he wrote to the Corinthians about how our lives should be in stark contrast to the world.  It's hard but it's so worth it.

I love you all!

VVTB!!

--

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

Anziano Stewart

Chapter Six: The 15th Epistle of Anziano Stewart to the People of Italy

This will be fast

Ok, so we have had quite the week.  But first things first, I'm doing great.  I'm not trunky, not even a little bit (even though all everyone ever talks or writes to me about is how little time I have left.) 

We have started the Zone Conferences and we haven't stopped!! The Fourth of July was good, sadly didn’t do anything in particular, we went to Sardegna for the Leadership Council and had Zone Conference the day after.  It was quite the success!  We have a small group there and they are so powerful.  I love their enthusiasm!

Then we had church, which was great!!! Our bishop here is so missionary minded!  After he watched the work of salvation broadcast he met with the Bishopric and they made some adjustments to the Ward Mission Plan and on Sunday he presented it to the Ward Council and to the missionaries and we are all really pumped!  Basically one member from every auxiliary organization every month will receive the commitment to give a Book of Mormon out and to invite them someone to Family Home Evening with the missionaries or to church.  That’s 7 solid member referrals each month.  We are really excited.  Soon they are going to have to split the ward again.

Then on Monday we went to Catania for interviews and for the Leadership Council there and yesterday we had Zone Conference and then me and President went out with the Zone Leaders and did exchanges.  I love getting to work in Catania!  It was great to be able to see the chapel where we attended as a family one last time. 

Then we arrived in Rome this morning, I never thought that I would fly so much while on a mission.  But in an hour or so we have to leave for the Napoli Zone Conference and I’m using this time to write home.

I'm sorry that I don't have any pictures... I'll see if I can send some to you when we come back. 

I'm glad that Abby is well, aside from the heat and cockroaches. Keep up the good work, Abby.  Make sure you are setting meaningful goals and that you have a way to reach them. 

You guys are the BEST! I love you so much.  You mean the world to me! Keep up the good work. And just like our new mission motto "Bee the best you can bee!!" =)

Vi voglio tanto bene!

--

Anziano Stewart

Chapter Six: The 14th Epistle of Anziano Stewart to the People of Italy

Its July!

President Waddoups is here.  President Kelly is in Utah. It's been a roller coaster week.  I found out this morning about Grandma Pinder's passing, President called around 0800.  I was hoping that I would be able to see her soon but I'll have to wait just a little bit longer. 

Abby sounds great! Keep up the good work, make sure that the lessons don't become too routine.  There was a time in Messina that we were teaching a lot and that happened to me.  We just got into too much of a rhythm and we stopped relying on the spirit.

Yesterday we had our first Zone Conference of the transfer and I had to bear my death testimony (last of time testifying of the truthfulness of the gospel while on a mission)..... AGHHHH I really wasn't ready for it at all, i was talking/translating for Sorella Waddoups and then everyone was looking at me.  While I was up there it hit me really hard.  I'm really excited to see you again, I miss you!! But I really am going going to miss the mission.  It's a really great time to be here, there is a really great energy with a new president.  He is so incredible! It's really interesting to see two different styles of leadership both great, just different.

It's been a week of miracles.  We found two new investigators, the first Moses.  He's from Ghana.  We found him outside of a store begging for money.  He's super prepared, we invited him to come to a  baptism that we had that night and he came and loved it! He said that he felt the spirit the strongest ever in his life.  Then he came to church the next day and we found out that he lives outside of our zone, in the Rome 3rd ward.  So we did a "transfer investigator lesson" with the Rome 3 Anziani.

Maren, I'm sorry about the iPod touch.  You are still pretty young to have your own.  I don't think that it's a good idea that you have one just yet.  Don't worry, your day will come

I love you all, and can't wait to see you! Ciao!

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

We're sad to see him go, he's an amazing man with a ton of faith.  The second is a man that just came to church because he felt like he should come.  He is a little strange but he is really great. 

. 

Chapter Six: The 13th Epistle of Anziano Stewart to the People of Italy

Addio Presidente Kelly, Benvenuto Presidente Waddoups

Quindi, eccoci qua ancora un altra volta.  Non mi stanco mai a scrivervi.  How exciting that Maren is now 10! Crazy! The picture of her with all the money was a little worrying though... her smile was just a little too big.  Maren, that's not where happiness is!  But I'm glad that you had a good day, and don't worry, in a month or so, we can go to Cascades together. =)

So I was thinking about what I can do to keep me busy when I get home, and there was a class that I wasn't able to sign up for that I can take online.... what do you think?  I hope that you're in agreement. =) If so, could you sign me up for it and order the book(s) so that I can start as soon as I get there? Thanks!  The class is: "PDBIO 120: Offered by BYU Independent Study; enroll anytime throughout year; one year to complete; additional tuition required; register at elearn.byu.edu"

And is there any news about the commissary job? Or the temple trip?

This week has been nice.  We still have Anziano Visintin at home because he's still contagious but other than that things have been rather calm.  On Saturday, we had an amazing ward activity.  It was a little presentation on the church and mainly on the temple.  We got a total of 15 numbers all of which were member referrals!! The ward here is awesome! They are so missionary minded.  The bishop always is bringing friends to church and giving us referrals.  On Sunday, we also had an amazing sacrament meeting.  The microphone was broken so there was an added emphasis on reverence, it was really a blessing in disguise, the spirit was so strong. 

So now there are 70,000 missionaries!!! Pretty awesome huh? How exciting!  I can't believe that there has been an explosion so big of missionaries.  I think that either this year or next we'll get to a total of 1 million baptisms as a church.  Speaking of baptisms, this week we are having 4 this week.  There's a nine year old and a family that are taking the plunge.  It's pretty exciting!!  Well, I have to go, but I love you all and can't wait to see you in just a month!

Thank you for all that you do for me, you really are the best! Vi voglio un sacco di bene! Ciao!
--
"Look inside yourself, you're more than what you've become.  Remember who you are."  The Lion King
Anziano Stewart

Chapter Six: The 12th Epistle of Anziano Stewart to the People of Italy

Sorry it's late

Okay first of all, sorry that I'm sending this super late.  We had to rearrange and paint the office and we just barely got it back up and working.  And on top of that we have someone at home who has the chicken pox!! So he can't leave the house and someone always has to stay with him, poor guy! But basically things have been crazy.  On top of everything we're trying to prep for President Waddoups.  Time is flying!  I can't believe it!  Did you get my travel plans? Is it official.  I just can't think about it.  I keep telling myself that while I'm at home with Anziano Visintin (Anziano with chicken pox) I can get a head start on packing because as you can see on the calander attached, my last month is going to be pretty busy. Ha-ha, it's better that way!

Abby only has 1 more week?! Wow, how do you feel? Are you ready?  I'm sure you are.  I'm so excited for you! Go get em!! You're a trained "hunter" now (Jeramiah 16:16  Behold, I will send for many fishers, saith the Lord, and they shall fish them; and after will I send for many hunters, and they shall hunt them from every mountain, and from every hill, and out of the holes of the rocks.) Remember to look for them EVERYWHERE, even in the holes in the rocks.

Mom, if I can still choose, a window seat would be nice.

About the influx of new missionaries, we have a REALLY young mission, more than 70% of our mission is in the field less than 6 months.  We have quite a few non native Italian speakers who are training only after 12 weeks in the field. And 2 of the 3 assistants are in the field less than a year!!! There are some crazy things that are happening in our mission.  So needless to say, our training this round of Zone Conferences is going to be on "Faith in Ourselves" and that the Lord qualifies he whom he calls.  We're pretty excited. 

I read a talk from Henry B. Eyring this week about the "Law of INCREASING Returns".  It was really  well written. I loved how he talked about how we just need to wait for the returns, they will come, and we can be sure of that, we just need to have faith in him and keep on keepin' on.

I love you all and can't wait to talk to you next week.
Ciao!!

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

Chapter Six: The 11th Epistle of Anziano Stewart to the People of Italy

Hey, I love you all!

Ok, So our week was great! it was a long trip and it's nice to be home but we were able to do a lot and we had a lot of fun.  It was such a blessing to be able to go back to Sicilia.  President Kelly actually said a lot of really great things that really hit me.  He just kind of unloaded all of the wisdom that he has acquired on the last conference.   The thing that I liked the most was "Love is what you've been through together" Life really is about the little things.  We have to love the journey, and not just wait to get to the destination to be happy, the journey is what's fun!

He also said something about leadership that I really liked, he said, "Leadership is all about relationships".  I read a talk a week ago or so about the difference between leadership and management, and the difference is exactly this sentence, Leaders don't direct, they experience things together and in doing so, give the example that all look to.

The third and last thing that he said that I really liked was something that C.S. Lewis said, which in the end, is just what Ether 12:27 says, but basically, C.S. Lewis says, if we are in a room cleaning, the more light there is, the dirtier it seems and the harder we have to clean.  If instead the light is very dim, we will see just the beginning of the dust, dirt, and stains and we will clean those thinking that we have done a good job.  In reality we have, according the the light that we had.  But as we receive more light, the more aware we are of things.

This week I met Brother Page's uncle and aunt in church!  They were here on vacation from San Diego, and they said that before they PCS in a month or so, that they are going to come to Roma! That's awesome!

I don't know about getting a 1988 Vespa.... what about a Red Ducati Monster instead?  Motorcycles have really been growing on me... but in the end we could just get both right?

Also, have you received a package from the Napoli Branch President?  I sent it to him about 3 weeks ago, I'm not sure when he sent it though...

I think I'd like to fly out on the 28th of August if it's possible, that way I have at least a couple days to get myself organized for school, there is so much that I have to do! Also because Monday is a holiday...I don't think that it'll be possible to go to Switzerland for the sealing.  But I can at least go to the Frankfurt one, with who I don't know, but it'd be nice to go.

Here's a picture of me with the branch president of Reggio Ccalabria and his wife, they are so awesome!  I was so fortunate to be able to see them this trip.

Well, sorry it's kind of short, it's transfer week and we are super busy, but I love you and can't wait to hear about Sara's birthday, summer, the last couple weeks in the MTC and how things are going in Bear Lake!

VVB!
Ciao!

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

What's this, no letters from Home?

HEY!! I'm about to start Internet, you should write me!!! Just because I come home in 2 months doesn't mean you don't have to write me!!

VVB!!!
A presto!

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

Chapter Six: The 10th Epistle of Anziano Stewart to the People of Italy

I don't countdown the days, I count the opportunities!

First things first, I'M IN SICILIA and it feels good to be home again!!! The first part of our road trip is over, we're at an Internet point right now doing e-mail and mission numbers.  It's always great to be able to come to Catania.  We did some exchanges in Napoli, Messina, and now as soon as we finish, in Catania.  Things are going well. 

It's nice to be able to just do missionary work and not worry about all the other things on your to do list.  But as far as preparation goes for the new Mission President, things are right on schedule, and time is going really quickly!  We're really excited for the change, maybe me in particular because this way I will have to finish my mission strong, I won't have another option.  Training him and helping him with everything, my last 3 weeks will be the busiest yet! A mission really is an endurance race.  So is conversion.  I read this earlier this week, "conversion isn't a step, it's a lifelong process in which we become more like Christ." 

I got 2 emails from "Abby Stewart"this week.  One from my sister Abby in the MTC and one from Abby in the Missouri Independence mission telling me I had the WRONG sister Abby Stewart. Ha-ha Oops!! What I don't understand is why she didn't say something earlier?  It's almost been a month that I have been sending emails to her....good thing thats been resolved.

I really like the idea that dad had to spend a week at the temple as a capstone to my mission.  As long as food, sleep, and maybe company.... are all organized, it'd be wonderful!  I also have another request that might work well with that idea.  Namalie and Kushan (a Sri Lankan couple in Messina that were baptized a about a year and a half ago are going to be sealed in the Swiss temple on August 26th and will be there the whole week with a large part of the ward of Messina.  I'd really like to be present.  Yesterday, they actually asked me of I could come and be one of the witnesses! I couldn't believe it! It's something that I'd really like to do.

Also, another idea that is floating around in my head is to find some cheap flights and go to Messina and Reggio Calabria for a couple days before I go back to school in the U.S. and visit members and new converts (there are a couple that could benefit from it.) Plus it's a great time of year to go, however it's kind of a pricey....let me know what you think about it.

Well, just one last thought before I go (sorry it's short... we don't have much time..) I was reading today in the Book of Mormon where Alma invites the people to be baptized and asks them basically why would you wait to be baptized? You know that it will bring the spirit in your lives even more strongly.  It made me think about what I can do or change to have the spirit stronger in my life.
I love you all very much, stammi bene!! VVB!!
--
"Look inside yourself, you're more than what you've become.  Remember who you are."  The Lion King
Anziano Stewart

Chapter Six: The 9th Epistle of Anziano Stewart to the People of Italy

 26 Maggio 2013

Hola... er ciao!!! Hows everyone doing?

The weeks are really speeding up and slowing down. It's weird.... But we are doing so much that the day seems like it will never end but the week just flies by!

Anyway, this week went really well, I spent a lot of time thinking about Matthew 13:33 where Jesus teaches the parable of the leaven.  We are the leaven (yeast) in the world, and the only way that we will be able to lift the world is through our influence.  We can't just sit at home and always read the scriptures and say that we have obtained salvation because we must act.  It comes back to the principle of how we are agents unto ourselves and we must act.

God put us here (in a family, job, on a mission, or calling) to act and to help "lift" the world.  If we fail to do this, we have failed.  I really like this parable because there are many people who will make suggestions and say "if only we did this as a church..."  or "the things you see nowadays are just terrible" .... do something about it.  Too often we under estimate our potential influence. I don't want to sound like I'm on a high horse I've just found that thinking about what Jesus was trying to teach has really motivated me to try and have a bigger and better influence.

I'm glad that Abby is doing well, it was a really long email that she wrote... I'm surprised that she got all that in in only 30 minutes! Impressive!  It sounds like the MTC is just treating her nicely!  I especially like the part on meetings... I've found that is one of the things that all new converts have to accept and adjust to..... meeting after meeting, ha, ha, ha!

Anziano Gemmell shared with me quotation that one of his friends found in "Pathways to Perfection" by Thomas S. Monson (Mattie, you should read this one!) anyway, it said,

"“A man without a purpose in life

Is as a ship without a rudder,

A waif, a nothing, a nobody.

Have a purpose in your life,

And having it, throw such

Strength and muscle and brain into your work

As God has given you.”

Thomas Carlyle

Then I thought about what my purpose is as a missionary, invite others to come to Christ.  There isn't a better cause to put all your strength, muscle, and brain into. 

This Sunday was so nice! the Bishop talked about becoming missionary minded members.  He shared the story of when Brigham Young at general conference called for people to help the Willie Martin handcart companies.  And how he needed them to leave right away, that same day.   They didn't have time to waste or to perfect a certain skill, only those who were prepared could go and help these lost souls "home".  It was such a great talk! The spirit was so strong.

As a ward we have a goal to have 70 baptisms from the start of this year to the dedication of the temple, so far we are doing pretty well but there is still a long way to go.  I'm so excited to be assigned here.  I can't remember if I've told you but we have a "zona magica" where we try to focus our work because it is near the temple and we are seeing a ton of success! Last year the ward was split in half and we are back to the numbers that we were at last year.  It's incredible!  I love this work!

I can't wait to hear from you, maybe you'll catch me still on... Have a great week!!! 

A presto! VVB
--
"Look inside yourself, you're more than what you've become.  Remember who you are."  The Lion King
Anziano Stewart

p.s. I might not be able to write next week until Friday or so... we're going to be driving to Sicily and then to Bari to drop off supplies, do exchanges and have Zone Conferences.  We'll be out for about a week or so, just thought I should let you know so that if I don't write on Sunday you don't start fretting.

Chapter Six: The 8th Epistle of Anziano Stewart to the People of Italy

From Rome with Love

Hope that all is well!  It feels like forever since we Skyped!! Holy Cow! 

First things first, Abby, how are you liking the MTC? How's your comp, your district, your teachers, etc.???  How are the lines? Is it as bad as they say?  You should stop by the Italian rooms some time and say hi and tell them that I’ll be greeting them on their first day in Rome. Ha-ha just kidding, but really think about it because the Italian missionaries are always the coolest.

Well, as you can see in the pictures, we ate at an American family's house.  They are way cool.  They are called the Gillespie family.  And they actually lived in Miesenbach from 1999-2001, so we were almost in there the same time! They are way sweet; there are 5 sisters and 1 brother who is the oldest, sounds like home, ha-ha! Crazy.

We also had the Roma/Napoli Specialized Training Meeting.  It went really well, it's honestly pretty sad because it's President and Sister Kelly's last round of conferences, it's going to be really hard to say goodbye to them. They are such a wonderful couple.  

We are working with Teresa right now, she's a newly baptized member who is actually having a little trouble with old habits, hopefully we'll be able to help her have the courage to do everything that she needs to do to change and keep on the straight and narrow path.

We read a talk from President Monson from the April 1986 General Conference on Duty.  It definitely follows his "theme" on doing your duty.  I really liked it.  I'd recommend it to you.

Well, I need to go but I Hope that you are all well and that Aunt Carol’s surgery goes well. Cant' wait to hear from you.  

Psalms 139:23-24

--

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

Anziano Stewart

Create Success by Elder M. Russell Ballard (English and Italian)

Our time in the mission field is short but eternally important. As we examine the mission field, we see that some missionaries succeed to a great degree and others seem to stumble along, trying to stay enthusiastic, but somehow not obtaining the results which they desire. What makes the difference between a highly successful missionary that baptises regularly and a missionary that seldom baptises? Through examining the trends in the missions, we find that it is not the area, it is not the people, and it is not the time of year. Instead it is the attitude of the missionaries and their ability to utilize and apply the talents that they possess. We know that a missionary with a good attitude produces good results; fair attitude, fair results; poor attitude, poor results. The missionary with a good attitude works with the people and not through them.

Ability means nothing to a missionary if it is not used. The greatest men came to the top because of the strength that grew out of meeting resistance. Self-deceptions are responsible for more then three-fourths of all the so-called “unexplained failures” in the mission field. Many missionaries in the race for success explain their shortcomings as they do in the game of bowling. If they fail to win, something was wrong with the ally, the pins, their arms, their members, their companions, their areas, etc. etc. The trouble is never themselves. Of all the distinguished failures, those who deserve the least sympathy are the ones who gather in foolish little cliques, praise each other, deceive each other, criticize others, and fool themselves. They say, “I am not appreciated.” “I have had bad luck all my mission. Others have had a better chance.” “I wish I could have the fortune of Elder ‘success.’” A fireball missionary starts when an investigator says “no!” This is a plain and simple concept but very true.

Do not be a missionary who complains about his companion his leaders, and his burdens. Instead be a missionary who can be placed in any area and in any set of circumstances and be relied on to set things right. Become a creator of circumstances instead of a creature of circumstances.

Success does not depend on the message, but on the messenger. We each learn that failure and excuses go together, so we must learn to get away from excuses. Dull or slow months are for dull missionaries, so remember that sharp missionaries don’t have any.

This is why success is not luck. It can be predicted and followed each day into a successful week, year, and mission. Live one day at a time as though it where a building block. Do each day what should be done that day, and do not underwork, because that brings on the “bad luck” and slumps.

By being able to control what we put in this mind of ours, we determine our own lives. “as we sow, so shall we reap.” We can see how important it is to sow the right beginning thoughts. Another interesting fact about our minds is that we can only entertain one thought at a time. Therefore, your destiny may be determined by one single thought, and it is up to you whether you make it positive or negative. Think baptism and you will baptize. Your actions, attitude, mission, and life will be directed by your thoughts.

Whatever the mind of man can conceive and believe, it can achieve. If you can’t see yourself baptizing, then you probably never will. A desire does not come from practical knowledge, but it comes from compulsions and obsessions. Desire leads to a goal, and it is the starting point of all achievement. The power of definite desire is beyond all practical goals that use no emotion. We need to get involved emotionally in our goal to baptize. Who will baptize next? The mission field is successful only to successful missionaries.

Creare Successo

L’anziano M. Russell Ballard

Il nostro tempo nel campo di missione è breve ma eternamente importante. Come esaminiamo il campo di missione, vediamo che alcuni missionari hanno successo in grande misura e altri sembrano di inciampare lungo, cercando di rimanere entusiasti, ma in qualche modo non ottengano i risultati che desiderano. Che cosa fa la differenza tra un missionario di grande successo che battezza regolarmente e un missionario che battezza raramente? Esaminando le tendenze nei missioni, troviamo che non è la zona, non è il popolo, e non è il periodo dell'anno. Invece è l'atteggiamento dei missionari e la loro capacità di utilizzare e applicare i talenti che possiedono. Sappiamo che un missionario con un buon atteggiamento produce buoni risultati, atteggiamento mediocre, risultati discreti; atteggiamento povero, scarsi risultati. Il missionario con un buon atteggiamento lavora con le persone e non attraverso di loro.

Capacità non significa nulla per un missionario, se non è utilizzato. I più grandi uomini giunsero alla cima, a causa della forza che nacque incontrando resistenza. Auto-inganni sono la causa per più di tre quarti di tutti i cosiddetti "fallimenti inspiegabili" nel campo di missione. Molti missionari in gara per il successo spiegano i loro difetti come fanno nel gioco del bowling. Se non riescono a vincere, qualcosa non andava con la pista, i perni, le loro braccia, i loro membri, i loro colleghi, le loro città, ecc ecc. Loro non sono mai il problema. Di tutti i fallimenti, quelli che meritano la minima simpatia sono quelli che si riuniscono in piccoli sciocchi groupetti, si lodano a vicenda, si ingannano, criticano gli altri e ingannano se stessi. Loro dicono: "Io non sono apprezzato." "Ho avuto la sfortuna tutta la mia missione. Altri hanno avuto una possibilità in più." "Solo se avessi potuto avere la fortuna di Anziano 'successo'... "  Una palla di fuoco missionario inizia quando un simpatizzante dice " no!"  Questo è un concetto chiaro e semplice, ma molto vero.

Non essere un missionario che si lamenta per il suo collega, i suoi dirigenti, e i suoi fardelli. Invece essere un missionario che può essere messo in qualsiasi città e in qualsiasi insieme di circostanze e di essere fatto valere per sistemare le cose. Diventa un creatore di circostanze, invece di una creatura delle circostanze.

Successo non dipende il messaggio, ma sul messaggero. Ognuno di noi apprendiamo che il fallimento e le scuse vanno insieme, quindi dobbiamo imparare a scappare dalle scuse. Mesi che sono acuto o lento sono per i missionari spenti, quindi ricordatevi che i missionari vivi non ne hanno.

Questo è il motivo per cui il successo non è fortuna. può essere previsto e seguita da giorno a girono, a settimama a settimana, l'anno a l’anno e per la missione. Vivete un giorno alla volta come se fosse un elemento costituivo. Fate ogni giorno ciò che dev essere fatto in quel giorno, e non sottrarsi vostri doveri , perché questo porta alla "sfortuna" e declini.

Contraollando ciò che mettiamo nella nostra mente, possiamo determinare la nostra vita. "Poichè quello che l’uomo avrà seminato, quello pure mieterà".  Vedeiamo quanto sia importante seminare i giusti pensieri al inizio. Un altro fatto interessante sulla nostra mente è che siamo in grado di intrattenere un solo pensiero alla volta. Pertanto, il tuo destino può essere determinato da un singolo pensiero, ed è a voi se è positivo o negativo. Pensate il battesimo e battezzarete. Le vostre azioni, atteggiamento, missione, e vita sarano indirizzati dai vostri pensieri.

Qualunque cosa la mente umana può concepire e credere, può raggiungere. Se non riesci a vedere te stesso che battezza, allora probabilmente non lo farai mai. Il desiderio non viene dalla conoscenza pratica, ma viene da compulsioni e le ossessioni. Un desiderio porta ad un obiettivo, ed è il punto di partenza di tutto il successo. Il potere di un desiderio sicuro è al di là di tutti gli obiettivi pratici che privo di emozione. Abbiamo bisogno di essere coinvolti emotivamente nel nostro obiettivo di battezzare. Chi battezzerà il prossimo? C’è il successo nel campo di missione solo a missionari di successo.

Chapter Six: The 7th Epistle of Anziano Stewart to the People of Italy

Good News

First things first, I’m no longer the only assistant! I knew that President was going to make Anziano Bird the next assistant, I just didn't know when... After a couple days of confusion, not knowing what he was supposed to be doing exactly, President decided to just have him become an assistant right away.  The crazy thing is that he's only in his 6th transfer!!! He's not even been out for a year yet!  But its already improved one-week was enough! ha-ha President always says that if you get out alive of being assistant for the Italy Rome mission you can do anything and the longer I'm here, the more that I believe it.  

This last week we slept an average of like 5 hours per night.... Transfer weeks are always pretty rough, but it's amazing how every little detail works out.  The Lord really is watching over us! Transfers went pretty crazily, we had greenies loose planes and arrive late, the whole day was improvised.

Well it looks like you had a great trip to England!! I'm glad!  That's great that grandma and grandpa were able to come!  And Abby received her endowments in the London Temple! Oh yeah!!!!! That's great!  By the way, my luggage is holding up really well, it's looking like it'll last much longer that 2 years.  So that's good news!  

The bad news is I lost my camera!! I can't find it! I've been looking for it for about a week and I can't find it anywhere! =/ At least it lasted for a good 4 years or so.  But if you don't get any pictures at least you know it's not due to me being lazy! But thank you for all the pictures! You're the best! 

Sorry I don't have much more to say.  How are things looking for the fall? Did fafsa work out? Classes, apartment, work, etc... oh and one other thing if you have some extra time could you look into the air force ROTC at BYU and explain the requisites and requirements?  You’re the best!

Well, I'll tell you as soon as we know about the Skype call for Mother’s Day, we have webcams in the office so that makes things nice, we just need to set up a time.

I love you all!!!

--

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

Anziano Stewart

Chapter Six: The 6th Epistle of Anziano Stewart to the People of Italy

Transfer Week

Its great to hear from you all, I'm glad to hear that Abby made it home safely. 

This weekend we had the Rome stake conference, it went really well.  Elder Tad Callister was here to reorganize the Stake Presidency, seeing as the stake President was called to be an Area Seventy.  We were able to have a nice little morning side with him and his wife.  It was so great! He's such a great teacher!

We also got the transfer calls done.  It was very hectic because Elder Callister was here during the whole process, but we were able to figure out who should go where and let them know.  We didn't write yesterday because we were working on the travel plans, which honestly was maybe the most stressful thing that I've done as an assistant.  I think we should just hire a travel agent!  It would make things much more easy! But we should be done with those, whew!

This week my companion goes home.  It's too bad; I really liked serving with him.  He's one of the people that I really would like to hang out with after the mission.  About my new companion, his name is Anziano Bird, and he WON'T be an assistant.  He will be an office missionary and my driver (Camron has never had a drivers license). Pretty crazy eh??? I'm going to need your prayers being the only assistant.  

The reason there's only one is because there just aren't any good candidates.  Anziano Bird is a great missionary but he is still really young in the mission, he just passed his 6th month mark.  So I think that for a transfer he'll be "mission clerk" and then next transfer, he'll become Assistant.  

This week is going to be crazy! We are going to sleep in the mission home more than our home! We have greenies coming in on Tuesday and on Wednesday, transfers all Thursday (and also a bit on Friday), and the old missionaries going home on Friday!  OH YEAH!!!!! 

Well, we need to start working on some things to get ready for this crazy week.  I hope that you all have a great week!! And make sure to send some pictures!!

Do you remember Mozzarella di Bufala?!?!?

Good job on all the letters! You’re the best!!

And Mattie, take whichever language course you feel you should take... but I feel that Spanish is much more useful than German. All the people who speak German speak English already.

Chapter Six: The 5th Epistle of Anziano Stewart to the People of Italy

Here we are, at the end of another transfer

What a week, sorry this is kind of late.  Sicily was GREAT! We drove past our old house on our way to a lunch appointment in Paternò!!!  Also, the Virgillito and Battezzato famililes say hello.  Sadly it rained the whole time but it was really a good exchange.  

Anziano Kasper is an amazing missionary!  The Zone Conference went really well also.  It's crazy how much we fly in our mission... its just so big!  In less then a month, I've already flown 4 different times.  The flight back from Catania was very beautiful! We took off right at sunset and once we got above the clouds the sun there was the most beautiful scene ever!  The sun was shining on the clouds and on the horizon there were all kinds of purple and oranges, it was fantastic.  This world is such a great blessing, it's filled with so much beauty.

I'm sorry to hear about Grandma Pinder.  But that's wonderful that she is recovering alla grande!  What a blessing that she broke her neck in different places but isn't paralyzed.  It's almost unbelievable. Tell her hello for me and I'll remember to pray for her.

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Real quickly, about AVID.  I honestly think that for me it was useless.  They work a lot on organization and "study skills".  To help A-B students become straight A students.  But I really felt like it was all wasted time.  I would have much rather preferred to have taken another class that was much more interesting and that taught me more useful things. Well we're going to talk transfers today and then tomorrow we have a meeting with Elder Tad Callister of the Presidency of the Seventy, then Saturday transfer calls and Sunday Stake Conference and Monday there's trips to the airport and other errands, and on Tuesday the new Italian missionaries are coming in, then on Wednesday the new Provo MTC missionaries, then on Thursday transfers, then Friday Anziano Longhurst goes home!  

Have a great week! Hear from you on Sunday! Love you!

SURPRISE!  Happy Birthday Anziano!

Chapter Six: The 4th Epistle of Anziano Stewart to the People of Italy

Wasn’t conference great? 

In front of the Rome Temple

I loved how they all talked about obedience and how when we follow the commandments we are able to find the peace that we all look for in life.  Isn't it great to have living prophets on the earth today?  The Gospel is great! I love it. 

So my companion isn't trunky or dead but he's been thinking a lot about home lately and today we were talking at lunch about the mission and what it's done for us, how it's changed us etc. and probably the biggest thing that we came up with is how it really changes your desires.

The desires that I had and my future 2 years ago are quite different from the desires that I have right now for my future.  It's amazing how when you are in the Lord's service he, in the meanwhile aligns our will with his. 

That's exciting about J's tooth.  Mattie, you read too much.  Sara, keep on getting out there and sweating! 

Well, I don't really have much more to say.  This next week is going to be crazy.... for a change.... we're going to Bari on Wednesday and Thursday then we fly to Catania on Saturday and we're there until Tuesday night.  Things just keep on getting busier and busier.  

President Kelly says that if you can be an assistant in the Italy Rome mission you can do anything... I don't know about that but the longer I'm here the more I believe it!  But I also am growing to love it.  It's still missionary work; just instead of proselyting we serve.  And serving is great.  Have a great week!

Anziano Stewart

Chapter Six: The 3rd Epistle of Anziano Stewart to the People of Italy

What a week?!?! 

Allora. It's been crazy! But I like it that way.  The Zone Conference in Sardinia went really well. After seeing it (Sardinia) I'm pretty bummed that I never had the chance to serve there, it's so pretty and clean and organized!  The conference went well, we are seeing a lot of success from our addestramento on baptismal dates.

The same for the conference here in Roma, it went really well.  There were a ton of missionaries though, like 45! The Rome zone is huge!!!  The Malta missionaries came up also.  The day after we went around Roma with the Malta Anziani because they had never seen it and they had time before their flight left.  It was kind of nice to get a p-day to tell the truth, I kind of miss them... 

Conference yesterday was great! I especially liked President Eyring's talk.  I'm excited to see the other sessions today!

The new missionary (Anziano Budd) seems like a really organized and on the ball guy.  Yesterday was a little rough for him though... he had a flight from SLC to Roma then we did orientation and training we then went to the mission home to eat and then straight to conference.  He was so tired! Poor guy.  His trainer is a great missionary from Austria; I know that they will do some great work.

Mom, I know it's early but HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!  

You made it another year! =P  Mattie, make sure you organize it so that mom doesn't have to do anything, you all can cook, clean and that way she can do what she wants the whole day… sound good? That can be our present to her.

I really liked what dad said in his email about chasing after fireworks.  It's something that you can see in the lives of many people.  There is one man in particular that comes to mind in Reggio Calabria who is now 55ish, but earlier in his life he did just that and he is still suffering the physical, emotional, and financial side effects.  Not to mention that he isn't happy at all.

Well, it's hard to know what to write you because there isn't really any big news but things are going well.  I'm really excited for Conference today and Anziano Longhurst is getting ready to go home whether he likes it or not.... =P

I love you all and can't wait to see you on Mother’s Day!! Take care and say hello to everyone for me.

--

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

Anziano Stewart