Chapter Three:: The 19th Epistle of Anziano Stewart to the Bitontians

^{Festa!! 25 Aprile!!}

Happy 25th of Apri!!



It sounds like you all had a great week.  The pictures from Amsterdam

looked especially great!  That's too bad the Wonnacotts are leaving, they

are a really great family.  Where are they going? That's good Abby is

eating again, and stocking shelves at the commissary?!? How'd she swing that?! sweet!!! It sounds like Sara is really enjoying softball!! How is she at it? Mom,

why do you think Mattie is going to become an English teacher?  And a

suggestion for Maren, read a chapter of the Book of Mormon at the

beginning of "school".  I bet it'll do wonders. =)

Quickly, before I start, Mothers Day is the 13th.  I'm not sure if

we’re going to call on the 13th or the 12th.  President is leaving that

up to us.  I'll talk about it with Anziano Bradshaw and get back to

you next week or maybe later today. (our internet time is going to be

a little split up this week with how p-day worked out.)  Also, dad did

you ever get the blog situated?

So, week one with Anziano Bradshaw is a success.  He's a great

missionary with an incredible capacity to love and to lift those

around him.  We have done a lot more of less active work and searching

for ex-investigators.  It's all going well.  However, the best

experience this week was on Saturday, his 2nd day here.  

We figured out why we are both here in Bitonto.  We were eating with some members and the time came to share the spiritual thought.  During the

spiritual thought the members broke down and in essence told us that

they have seen a huge problem this past year and last 6 months

especially with the branch.  From that and also talking to other

members, we found out that the Branch is struggling, even dying.

From the time I’ve been here it's been like this and there are certain

people who really are trying to hide it and say there is no problem,

that “all is well in Zion”.  And I was fooled.  Anyways, this is

Anziano Bradshaw’s 5th city and all 5 have been small Branches.  

His home Branch is like that too.  So, he was sent here because he’s had

plenty of experience with these things and I'm still here because

after being in a city for 6 months you learn a lot about it and the

people in it.  So together we will, with our various abilities and

knowledge, help this branch begin to be unified, grow and love each

other.

Today we played soccer in the beautiful Italian sun.  It was fun but

with fivefingers it was a little difficult, but not too much to score. =P

So already it's pretty crazy with the whole Romney - Obama thing huh? Crazy!!

I'm sorry that this is a day late, sometimes missionary work is

spontaneous like that... How did Sara's game go? I'm sure they did

great.  Well I hope you all stay safe, busy and always remember that

each one of us truly has an unlimited potential within us as children

of our Heavenly Father.  I love you all. =)

--

Vi Amo,

Anziano Stewart

Chapter Three: The 18th Epistle of Anziano Stewart to the Bitontians

4 Transfers/6 months in Bitonto!!!

So first things first, I'm staying in Bitonto!!!! It was really a big surprise to me seeing as no one has been here for more than 3 transfers for over a year.  However, I am very excited.  My companion will be Anziano Bradshaw.  I met him while I was at Napoli (he was at Pozzuoli.)  He's hilarious!  Anziano Miller is going to Palermo to serve with Anziano Weeks.  It's pretty cool. =)  So, I'll be here at least until the beginning of June, 6 months in Bitonto! I'll be honest, it's a small city and 6 months is going to be a bit of a challenge, however, I'm really excited. 

This transfer it will finally be warm!! Also, the elections for the next Mayor of Bitonto are on the 6th and 7th of May and holy cow Bitonto is going crazy!!! Everywhere you go they ask if you are going to vote and for who, it's like watching something from the Andy Griffith show.  The quiet town finally has something exciting to talk about. I love it.

I studied a lot on prayer this week.  Mainly because Anziano Pedriera asked me Anziano Miller and I talked about it a bit.  Then, without knowing what the addestramento (training) was on, Sorella Sobeck chose the activity for District Meeting on prayer.  So as a result, I'm really trying to improve my prayers.

Oh, I don’t remember if I told you but we (the missionaries from Bari and Bitonto) went to a guy who binds books and asked if he could do a smaller Preach My Gospel for us. It's taken him 2 weeks but finally tonight we'll be able to pick it up.  I'm way stoked! The cover is leather with the mission logo and "Anziano Stewart" on the front in gold.  A nice birthday gift. =)

Speaking of which, thank you all so much for the birthday wishes and the e-mails and the pictures, you are all so wonderful!!  It's weird to think that I'm not a "teenager" anymore... It's been a long time that I've been one.  But life goes on.

I had a couple questions for you.  To vote this November... what do I need to do? And that's all. Ha ha.

Well it was great to get letters from the girls.  I'm glad you are all good.  Have fun in the Netherlands with all the tulips. =) Ci sentiamo.

--

Vi Amo,

Anziano Stewart

Chapter Three: The 17th Epistle of Anziano Stewart to the Bitontians

Buona Pasqua (pure se è un pò in ritardo) =)

First, all is well here.  We're all healthy and working hard.

This week was, to say the least, FILLED with testimonies of our Heavenly Father’s love for his children.  This is going to start out a little weird but stay with me.  Tuesday (3rd) the 6 month old son of a family in our ward (Saponieri) had to have open heart surgery. (something near and dear to my heart, because of Mattie's experience) and sadly, the baby (Reuben) after a couple days of critical care, died.  Then, Thursday, we got news that Besi's mom had also passed away Wednesday night.  Then there is Anziano Miller who's grandma died last week as well and how grandma Stewart died earlier this year. 

Death was on my mind.  On Sunday, President Panisco asked me to give a talk on The Resurrection too perfect to be a coincidence.  So between death on my mind and studying the Resurrection and Easter on Sunday I felt a little overwhelmed.  And I can't explain how I know, but I received multiple confirmations not only that it is true that we will all be resurrected but that our Heavenly Father really does care and watch over us, basta cercarLo!

So in Italy, the day after Easter is called Pasquetta.  And everyone goes to the country or the beach. So the mission told us that it was a deep cleaning day for us.  Man, we really, really did some good work.  Not only did we clean, we reorganized, (the house was not set up the best for missionaries...)  now the beds are in separate rooms from the desks, etc.  But anyways back to Pasquetta, I didn't believe everything I heard about Pasquetta, about how whole cities empty and become temporary ghost towns.  However, there wasn't a soul to be seen in Bitonto on Monday. Not a car, not a dog, not even a tumbleweed.  It was crazy! Even from 1800-2100 there was barely anyone, it's really a phenomenon.

We had a lesson with Heather on Friday.  In Italy it's really common for people to tell you about their "visions" they've had.  But some of Heather's ideas are the weirdest I've ever heard.  Working with her is going to be a lot slower than we originally expected...

Mom, I'm glad your Birthday went well. I'm glad you all are liking your fivefingers!! =) Sara how’s that training for BYU soccer going? To all the little ones, how's that piano challenge that dad gave you all going?

Well I need to go but I am glad you are all doing well and that everyone is healthy and enjoying the great weather.  I know that Christ lives and that he succors us daily.  He is our mediator with the Father.  I love you all, ciao.

--

Vi Amo,

Anziano Stewart




Chapter Three: The 16th Epistle of Anziano Stewart to the Bitontians

Why should I be jealous because you choose to be kind?

Highlight of the week: without a doubt, General Conference. Thankfully we were able to watch most of it in English, which was a nice little surprise.  We also had a little miracle.  Saturday night after the first session of conference all the missionaries from Bari and Bitonto went into a room and we prayed together in a kneeling prayer so that, if God would let it happen, that someone from the conference pass-along cards we made would/could come to a session of General Conference.  Then, right after the opening prayer of the last session we had someone, a contact from the previous week from one of the missionaries in Bari show up.  Sweet huh?

We were also able to meet with Heather.  She is a very outgoing and interested woman.  We were able to do a church tour and lesson 1 with her. She asked so many questions.  She didn't really like that we couldn't really explain what we do in the temple.  But she was really open to reading the Book of Mormon and even asked if she could highlight and mark the book.

We also met with Besi.  A 19 year old boy from Albania.  His mom is about to die from cancer and he is having trouble quitting smoking and just needs comfort.  Sadly, none of our investigators were able to come to conference... =( Francesco (the mason) got 2 hernias this week and was in the hospital.  Frank Christmas is trying to avoid us... I think he is kind of tired of us. The Lord knows what he's doing.

Quickly I wanted to give a shout out to Anziano Millers mom.  She (and his dad) did a good, no great job, raising a son.  He is always a good example and loves to work hard.

And now, I'd like to give a shout out to my mom, who's birthday is on Sunday.  She is easily the best example I have ever had in my life of how to live serving others and giving to those in need.  Thanks mom. =) Ti amo.

Ciao cari.

Oh, I loved how those girls put that picture up on facebook.  They stopped us on the street by saying hello, like everyone does and we explained who we were and what we do and then they asked if we could take a picture together. I totally forgot about that!

I am part of the "Fellowship of the Unashamed."

The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line.

The decision has been made. I am a disciple of

Jesus Christ. I won't look back, let up, slow down,

back away, or be still. My past is redeemed, my present

makes sense, and my future is secure.

I am finished and done with low living, sight walking,

small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams,

chintzy giving, and dwarfed goals.

I no longer need pre-eminence, prosperity, position,

promotions, plaudits, or popularity. I now live by

presence, lean by faith, love by patience,

lift by prayer, and labor by power. My pace

is set, my gait is fast, my goal is Heaven, my

road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions few,

my Guide reliable, my mission clear. I cannot be bought,

compromised, deterred, lured away, turned back,

diluted, or delayed.

I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the

presence of adversity, negotiate at the table of the enemy,

ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander

in the maze of mediocrity.

I am a disciple of Jesus Christ. I must go until

Heaven returns, give until I drop, preach until all know,

and work until He comes. And when He comes to get

His own, He will have no problem recognizing me.

My colors will be clear.

--

Vi Amo,

Anziano Stewart