Chapter Five: The 12th Epistle of Anziano Stewart to the Sicilians

"I'll see home on Christmas, if only with a webcam."

Allora, how is everyone? I understood from all your letters that Abby is home now but I didn't hear much about you!!!  

Here, everything is good; we went to Taormina today.  It was raining on and off but it was a fun trip.

Taormina with Maria Pia

We went to the Greek amphitheater; it was just like it was the last time we saw it as a family... ha-ha, but really, it was a lot of fun.  We went with the Reggio Elders and also with Maria Pia.

Last night was the ward Christmas party.  It was supposed to start at

19.30 but we actually got started around 20.30. (Classical Italians, I love ‘em =) ) and they couldn't have cared less that it wasn't starting, they were all just standing and talking.)   We listened to the Christmas devotional, the young

women sang some Christmas songs, and then we ate, and ate, and ate...holy cow, there was so much food.  Everyone was stuffed and then we left with 2 casserole dishes of lasagna and another of rice. Basically we're set for a week, ha-ha.  We had 6 investigators come as well, it was great, they were able to make friends with members and just have a good time.

English Class

 As far as how our investigators are doing the ones with the baptismal dates for this Saturday are doing wonderfully.  Naturally they aren't just perfect but I couldn't ask for more.  I'm so excited!!  The thing that keeps on getting me is the fact that they have no experience with these things, I guess because I'm used to investigators that have a Christian background so they know things like for example, what Zion is, yesterday, Isuri asked us who Zion was. Prof is also doing well; he and the bishop really hit it off, this next Sunday they are going to eat lunch together. On Saturday, we had a great lesson with Pina where we talked about adversity and how to act when it comes and then she asked for a blessing, she's now putting more of herself into her effort to stop smoking which is good to see.

This week we are going to do the mostra (street display) from Thursday to Sunday; it should be pretty great.  We'll be out there for the end of the world, we'll be able to invite people to the baptism, and it's right before Christmas.  Triple combo!!  Were hoping that there will be good weather because lately it's been pretty nasty....

This week we were doing houses (cold calling) and we found a family!  At first they said, no way, we don't have time and were not interested in the Jehovah's witnesses, we explained that we weren't JW’s and then the mom said oh I know who you are, come on in!! Turns out that 2 years ago they met with the missionaries but somehow they lost contact with the missionaries (I don't know how it's possible because there should be a record in the area book, but there's not).  We had a great lesson on prayer with them and we're hoping to see them again soon.

Camron Anziano Walker with Dilhani, Sanjay, Isuri, and Sahtmi and the Bishop

Yesterday, we were passing by to see if they were home and right outside of the apartment building a man stopped us, told us that he and his family wanted to meet with us and he gave us his number, then he ran off.  I swear, that area is magic!!! I'm excited to keep on working here and see what else happens!!!

Well that's about it, oh, something important. I won't be writing next week because we'll be Skyping and about that, President said that we can make a short call to organize the Skype call.  It's looking like the 25th around 18.00....give or take an hour.

That's about all, I can't wait to see you all, and i love you!! =)

Ciao!!!

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"Look inside yourself, you're more than what you've become.  Remember

who you are."  The Lion King

Anziano Stewart

Chapter Five: The 11th Epistle of Anziano Stewart to the Sicilians

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Today it's 12.12.12!!!! =)

All right.  First, yesterday we had a great zone conference.  There was the Stake Presidency that visited and spoke for a little bit.  And then President Kelly talked to us about how the area presidency is a little worried that we aren't teaching simply enough.  So we talked about how we can teach more simply.  

Some times we forget that many of the people that we talk to don't have any experience with scriptures or with some of the vocabulary that we use and if we don't take the time to explain the meanings of these simple words they will just be confused and then either they won't want to meet with us any more or they will be convinced that they want to learn everything before they will be baptized.  Instead if we are simple and clear in how and what we teach, they will understand that it's a process and that baptism isn't an end, it's just a step.  

It was a really good Zone Conference.  Our Zone Leaders and the Assistants also did some great trainings on more or less the great topic.  And then to make it even better they gave all the Anziani a (really nice) tie, and all the Sorelle a (really nice) scarf but the really cool thing is that in both the missions in Italy they gave all the missionaries either a tie or a scarf.  So right now every missionary in Italy has the same tie.  It’s like a companionship tie but multiplied by a 1000!!! =P

Things with the Sri Lankans are going wonderfully!!!!!  They are going to be ready for baptism of the 22nd.  This Sunday Sanjay came up to me and started talking very solemnly; he said "Anziano, I got it." I asked "what did you get?"  He responded, "the answer”.  Last night I got the answer, I know this is true!"  He was so happy and so was I.  

He said that he was in bed, just after having prayed and he had a big ah-ha moment where he just knew that it was true and that both in his mind and in his heart it just felt right.  I am so excited for them!!! On Monday he talked about how he wants to serve a mission.  Things are going wonderfully.

Also, quickly, this past weekend, a man that Anziano Malan and I found while we were in Reggio was baptized!!  It’s so great to see!! I had the privilege of doing the baptismal interview for him.  It's amazing to see the difference in the man that he was the day that we found him and the person that he has become.  The miracle of conversion is honestly the most amazing and beautiful miracle that there is.

This week I would say that I have learned (or at least that I'm trying to be better at) is enjoying the moment.  Previously, our companionship was always running from one place to another.  But with better planning we've been able to calm down during the day and we have time in between lessons to stop and talk with someone or to just make the most of the thousands of opportunities that present themselves each day.  It’s really made a big difference.

Hmm, I'm not sure what else to tell you other than I absolutely love being a missionary.  The other night I had a dream that I had finished and that I was home and I woke up screaming. Ha ha, I love it out here... it's crazy to think that Kenna is already coming home. Holy cow.  I'm glad that I have another 7 months. =)  

VVB

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

Anziano Stewart

Chapter Five: The 10th Epistle of Anziano Stewart to the Sicilians

"Fu così che ancora un altro settimana sè ne andò..." (another week has come and gone)

All right.  Where to start…ah, from the beginning.  Thanks for all your letters and the pictures, I loved them!!!! And I think I've received the message, that you want pictures so I guess I'll send some to you. =P

New Mission Vespa

This was another crazy week.  Things with Dilhani, Sanjay, Isuri, and Sahtmi are great!!!  We taught them the commandments, the Plan of Salvation and the Atonement this week.  I have to say that I am shocked at how prepared they are.  Law of tithing.... she already does it at the beginning of each month (just now she'll do it in this church and not the catholic one.  Word of wisdom..... No problem, they already live that way.  Law of chastity...No problem.  

They did have a TON of questions about the plan of salvation which makes perfect sense because they are Buddhist...But they read the book of Mormon every day and are praying very fervently to receive the confirmation of everything.  They are so great.  Yesterday, Isuri (14) said that she wants to prepare to serve a mission! Sweet!!!

About mom's question with training, normally (almost always) the greenie and his trainer are together for 12 weeks; or 2 transfers.  That means that we'll be here until mid February.  Then we'll see what happens. =) I hope that I'll be able to stay until the beginning of March at least but we'll have to see...

That's so cool about Lyss's mission call!  Florida Spanish speaking!! Congratulate her for me and tell her that she'll have a blast in the 2nd best mission in the world (because we all know that the 1st is La Missione Italiana di Roma!!!!!!!!!!!!  Let me know if there's anyone else who's going on a mission that I don't know about.

This week I've been thinking a lot about Charity, missionary work and Christmas...and even though it's usually a hard time to do missionary work, I've decided that we are pretty much offering people Christmas 24/7.  That's what the gospel does in our lives. So if I really have charity and am trying to be like Christ, I'm going to do all I can to find the people that want to accept this gospel and I'm not going to think that I'll get anything in return, just like Christ did with the atonement, love was his only motive, love must be my only motive.  And if I'm able to have love be my only motive, I'll be that much better of an instrument in the Lord’s hands.  It's great being a missionary.  I love you all.  Stay warm.  

Like it says on the BYU Library doors at finals... "keep calm and carry on." =)

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

Anziano Stewart