Chapter Three: The 22nd Epistle of Anziano Stewart to the Bitontians

Missionary work.... I'm doing it!

Man, It's like we talked just the other day (Mother’s Day) =)  It was great to see you and harder than you know to hang up.  The fact that I could see you all didn't help much either.  After I was pretty trunky and was thinking a lot about you all.  But the more I thought about it the more it really drove me and gave me strength to work harder and dedicate myself even more to this wonderful work.  

This week we did 2 exchanges with Poggiofranco.  First off I was with Anziano Perry.  This is his 1st and last transfer in Bari.  He goes home in 3 weeks! He's a really good example and has a lot of experience, (as he should after 2 years!)  I learned a lot from him, more than anything how to work with Italians and help them understand how this message really applies to them.  

Then with Anziano Meldrum, whom I've known since last July in the MTC and we lived in the same house in Napoli.  Now we’re in the same district in Bari, way cool story huh?  Needless to say, we've become great friends.  He is a really hard worker.  He played football for Boise State and there he learned how to find what you want and to work towards it without getting distracted.

We also set a baptismal date with Francesco Natale.  Sadly he wasn't able to come to church due to a communion.  But we are still meeting with him and hoping to get him to the waters of baptism.  He is definitely humble enough.

Also we kind of set a baptismal date with Francesco de Nicolo.  He needs to figure out how he is going to organize his Sundays but he is ready to get things moving.

This week there's a lot of potential for new investigators, which is exciting.  Oh and next Tuesday we're going to Napoli to pick up my Permesso!! I'm so excited!! I'm not sure how it's going to work out so I might not be able to write next Wednesday... we'll see.  I just don't want you to worry if I don’t e-mail you.

Well, I love you all and I hope you have a great week.  Maren, tell me how those singing lessons go.  Mattie, what book are you reading? Sara, how's softball.  J, how's the bunny?  Abby, how are you liking stocking?  What else are you doing with your time

?  

I gotta get going.  

48 Wherefore, my beloved family, ^pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true ^followers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the children of God; that when he shall appear we shall ^be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be ^purified even as he is pure. Amen.

Pray for help, it will come!!!

--

Vi Voglio Bene,

Anziano Stewart

Chapter Three: The 21st Epistle of Anziano Stewart to the Bitontians

Buon Dì a Tutti "Così sì fa lavoro missionario"

Like always it's great to hear about everyone.  I'm glad that everyone is doing well even if J is being a stinker.  That's great about Mattie's terra nova results!! And Maren is really that tall?!?! You need to send me a picture!  Sara sounds pretty good at softball... atta girl!!

So Alisha is going to Sweden?!?! That's crazy! How does she feel about that?  When does she report?  To hear about your Cinco de Mayo party is almost too much.  I miss Mexican food a lot!! Last week we found a packet of enchilada sauce and we made enchilada pasta.  It wasn't an award winner but I sure loved it. =)

Well as for this week we really had a cool week.  Bari Poggiofranco had a baptism this Saturday.  About Nicola; we found out that he lives in the Bari Libertà zone but it's easier for him to come to Bitonto.  Notwithstanding, we gave him as a referral to the missionaries at Libertà, mostly because there is a lot of rule bending in the Church here, due mainly to the Italian culture.  But we wanted to be an example for everyone.  Well, when the Branch President found out he said "aww, you did well Anziani, however, if he felt he should come here, he should come here..." We explained what we thought and he told us that he'd talk with the stake president.  

Then, by chance we saw the Stake President later that day (he was in Bitonto for some Stake business.)  So we decided to ask him so that he wouldn't get a biased story... he told us "Anziani, don't worry about it!!!" ugh.  So we're gonna teach him, however, we haven't yet... his mom isn't ready for him to be meeting with us (remember that he's a 26 year old man.) Hopefully we'll be able to work something out.

This week in our District there were a total of 5 people that searched out the missionaries to find out about the church.  It's amazing to see the transformation that is happening right now in Italy.  I remember at the beginning, that people would spit and reject us, and for the most of my time here they've just ignored us.  But now people are starting to search us out.  Some people just have an innocent question, some like Niclola, seeking information about the temple, etc.  Italy is a prepared place and the people here are some of the best people in the world.  I love them.  We had a really good fast and testimony meeting on Sunday.  

Well I need to be going but watch the mailbox, I'm going to take advantage of these 3 euro ties while I can. =)

--

Vi Amo,

Anziano Stewart

Chapter Three: The 20th Epistle of Anziano Stewart to the Bitontians

A Baptism in May?

Well, like always, I'm not sure where to start.  I love being a missionary.  I've been with Anziano Bradshaw for a full week now and things are going great with us and things are going great in Bitonto.  And the Rome temple walls are slowly but surely rising up, it's going to be such a great blessing for the Italian people to have a temple in their country.  Satan's grasp is very strong on these people and I have seen how he is doing everything he can to make that grasp even stronger.  There is a lot of potential here in Italy.  I love serving here.

It was great to hear from mom, dad, and grandma all in the same week.  It was also nice to hear about all the girls.  I'm excited to be able to read some of Mattie's novels when I come home. And it sounds like Sara is just a natural softball player.  And now that Maren is getting a dollar for every day she finishes her school work before 12, I want to know if she realizes that if she does it for a month that she'll have 20 dollars.   Lets not even talk about a year! (almost 200!!!!  get on that Maren!!)  That's a really cool story about how mom and Abby got the stocking jobs.  That's a blessing.  How's Abby with virtually nothing to do during the day? I hope not just watching TV.  Read the Book of Mormon in 63 days.  That’s how long it took Joseph Smith to translate it, it'll strengthen your testimony, I know it.

So grandma and grandpa are the new Young Single Adult reps huh? Cool!! How are they liking that? I'm sure they are really enjoying it.  It's a good thing because now grandpas got something to fill those wonderful hours of retired life.  Grandma, I haven't received your package yet but I should tomorrow because we have zone conference.  Oh, I forgot to ask, how was Ginger's trip to Africa?

Mothers day…  =) We're going to call on Saturday the 12th around 1730/1800. va bene? sempre skype? credo di si!!

Mom, thank you for the suggestions for helping with the lack of unity with the members, I hope it helps.  Also, tell me about mission calls!! Alisha, Adam, Mandy and anyone else I missed.

Oh, and Anziano Millers Mom sent me a quick email, I wanted to tell her thank you.  (but the blog has to be updated for her to see it. =P  )

This week went well.  We taught more lessons than I ever have here in Bitonto.  But everything I was wanting to say about the week just got pushed aside by what just happened.  

Usually we go to Bari to do Internet however this week neither of us felt like or even wanted to go.  So we came to church to e-mail home.  After a little bit of time, the doorbell rang.  We went to see who it was.  There were 2 people, a man who didn't look like he wanted to be there and a boy (26) who was just beaming.  The father said that his son wanted to know a little bit about our church.  We looked at him (Nicola) and asked what he knew about the church.  He said that he knew a couple members and that he had also done some research on the Internet and that he wanted to know what he had to do to be a member of this church.  We were floored.  

We asked them to come in for a little so that we could explain some things.  We talked about the church, the Rome temple, and the prophet.  He loved it all.  Then he asked again what he had to do to be a member.  We explained that there were several things we needed to teach, he needed to come to church, and then at the end of the lessons we would ask him to be baptized.  He said that's great, when can we start.  We were speechless.

It's amazing how the Lord really looks out for his children and prepares them.  I'm excited to see what he has in store for Nicola.  It's quite coincidental how today, we got an email from the assistants that the mission has set a goal to have 20 baptisms in May and that they want every companionship to set a goal of 1 baptism for the month.  From what I understand of how our investigators are progressing, Nicola is already fighting for that May baptism.  

I love this work; I know it's true and that the Lord is directing it.  We just need to stop fighting what he's trying to do.

Have a wonderful week.  I love you.

--

Vi Amo,

Anziano Stewart

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