Chapter Five: The 3rd Epistle of Anziano Stewart to the Sicilians

Jacket season is almost here!!! =/ It's still too warm for a suit!!

Allora.  I feel like Jacob, like my life is passing before my eyes like a dream.  Holy cow time goes fast, We're looking for tricks to help it go by slower but the only solution that works that we've found is to be bored.  But as a missionary that is nearly impossible... so it's just something that we need to accept and move on, making the most of our time.

Man, this week I watched the priesthood session.  Holy Moly.  Elder Christofferson's talk was a bomb!!  We've shared it with like 5 people this week already.  And then the talks that followed were equally amazing. 

As far as work goes things here are moving along.  It's hard to find time to do finding.  We have so many new converts (about 18) within the past year.  And previously, the missionaries have continued to meet with them, which is completely normal for the 1st year, but the problem is there has been no integration into the ward so it's almost like they are still investigators.  So during the week we do our best to meet with them and to help them stay strong, etc. 

Then we have our current investigators on top of that and not much time for anything else.  Plus Anziano Giovita has been here since February so he's become pretty good friends with everyone and is pretty attached to them. So it's kind of a difficult situation.  Anyways, were teaching a little girl, Nicole (10 years old) who wants to be baptized, her mom is a less active member.  Man she is so great! There is actually something that really shocked me the 1st lesson that we did with her.  She knows all the doctrine.  We break our backs trying to help grown men and women understand what it is that we teach, but with Nicole she knows already everything just from growing up with her less active mom and from primary every once and a while.

On Saturday it rained pretty hard for a good 20 minutes and after the streets were filled with water.  there was a good foot of water afterwards, and in some places even up to 3 feet.  JUST AFTER 20 MINUTES! Anziano Giovita started singing "cuz this is Africa, this is Africa, we're in Africa!!!"  Granted that it was raining really hard, I had to get out of the car for 45 seconds and I was 100% soaked, and it lasted for merely  moments.  That's just a taste of Sicily, or I guess a reminder because you've all lived it already. =)

This week I thought a lot about sacrifice.  How if we aren't willing to sacrifice, we will go nowhere because the Lord knows that he can't rely on us.  I think that is why he uses covenants so frequently, so that we will be willing to sacrifice because we know that he will always keep his word if we do what we've promised. I really appreciate D&C 97:8-9.  This morning in personal study I found this from a talk on lessons learned from the 1st vision. (referring to just before Jesus and God appeared) "as great as the power of evil might be, it must always withdraw with the appearance of righteousness."  So as long as we are righteous we have no need to worry that evil will have power over us.

I love you all, and hope to hear from you next week.  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 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

Chapter Five: The 1st Epistle of Anziano Stewart to the Sicilians

I'm back on Sicilia!!!

So I’ve been transferred to Messina as you somehow already know? I'm assuming Bartolo (the man who sells olive oil.) But I'm pretty excited to be back.  Messina is one of the best cities in the mission.  (In reality they are all really great. I just like Messina) I’m excited to see what we'll be able to get going here.  In the past (2-3 months ago) there were 4 missionaries here but now there's just us 2.  So there's a lot of work to do and only us 2 to do it.  I'm kind of worried that we will have trouble finding time to do finding.  But if that's our only problem, I shouldn't be complaining.  It'll also be a really great opportunity to serve with an Italian companion.  Just, he wants to learn English, so it'll be a little bit of Italian and a bit of English.  

This week we saw Tamara, she’s doing great.  Now that school and dance have started she is pretty busy and only has time on the weekends, and even then not always.  But she is so cool! Every day she reads the Book of Mormon and every once and a while she reads a conference talk and than she remembers them and quotes them in lessons. (The verses and talks)  Troppo forte!

This week we were also at Messina for a bit and we saw Pina.  She has stopped smoking! Just like that; all on her own without help from the missionaries or anything.  Then she also started to come to church again =) I think we'll make some great progress with her this transfer.  

Man, I feel kind of lame; I don't have much to say this week.  I've barely had time to think, let alone write in my journal, or reflect in any way.  But things are good.  And I hope that Mattie gets feeling better (a gallon of ice cream and 4 movies MIGHT help.)  I love you all, and will talk to you next week =) 

Ciao, VVB

--

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

Anziano Stewart

Chapter Four: The 18th Epistle of Anziano Stewart to the Calabrians/Messinites

Hello from Messina?

Ok, Ciao tutti!! All right, we're actually in Messina right now.  There was a problem with a missionary in Messina and he had to go home, so now we are three with Anziano Giovita until next Thursday transfers (Transfer calls are this Saturday)  so things are going to be pretty crazy the next week or so.  We have to split the work in Reggio and Messina...  But it's great to be with Anziano Giovita, He's a funny guy. 

Last night at English course I was able to see some of the great new members and English course students that I taught while I was in Messina in June.  It was great!  I love being able to go back to visit where you've already been.  Leona was particularly excited to see me, she's doing pretty well.  She's become great friends with some really solid members and her husband is also making some great progress.  We also saw Pina and she's been coming to church and she's stopped smoking!! Yeah boy!

That's great about Mattie and Sara running for office. It sounds like you need to make more of those strips!!  Let me know how it goes.  That's great that you all are really enjoying soccer! Do you three ever practice together?  Also, Maren and Sara sang in church?! Wow Bravi!! I can't wait to see if the video works!!  

So last month I started the Book of Mormon and as I went through it I marked any and every reference to Christ and I just finished it and last week Sorella Kelly invited all the mission to read it before Christmas.  And that as we read it we should focus on Christ...obviously, my head is a little too thick, once wasn't enough.  Hopefully (I'm sure) that this second time around I'll discover something new and my testimony and appreciation for Christ will be strengthened.

So, I already shared this with dad but it's something that I think we forget often and so we need to be reminded frequently

"Without sacrifice there is no true worship of God." Gordon B. Hinckley  

Sacrifice is something that the Lord asks that we do so that he can bless us. So if we aren't willing to do it then the ways that he can bless us are much more limited.  This week I studied the beatitudes a bit.  And I found an explanation of meek that I really liked.  It explains how we can be meek and still be strong. In Argentina, they don't break their horses because they don't want to break their spirit. Instead they work with them patiently until they are "manso" or meek.  Then, they are still full of fire, desire, drive, strength, and spirited; not timid or afraid of anything but at the same time they are obedient and very well trained and will do whatever the rider asks them to do.  

I think this is a great way to describe meekness because when we talk about it normally, it has almost a negative connotation; that it means to be weak. But these horses are in no way weak or less than what their potential is, they just have a high level of obedience.

Are you guys excited for general conference?!?! I am, I can't wait! I think that we might have to miss the priesthood session and just watch it the next day because the closest city that has a working satellite is 3 1/2 hours away.  But that's not a big deal.  Man, I can't wait; it's like Christmas for missionaries! =P Make sure that you all get some good questions ready so that you can look for the answers in what the Apostles and Prophet say.  

Alrighty, that's about all I got.  You guys are so great! Thanks for all that you do, I love you!!!!!!!!!  Stay safe. 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 Four: The 16th Epistle of Anziano Stewart to the Calabrians/Messinites

Captains log 19.9.12

Reggio After the Rain

Allora! Man it's great to be a missionary!  Sara, Mattie, Maren it sounds like you all are doing great at soccer! I'm glad you all really enjoy it.  But Maren, don't forget that the goal is to kick the ball in the goal and that the rest of the team needs your help!  And Mattie, mom tells me that you are a great goalie! Have you been diving for the ball?  Today we played tennis again, it's a pretty fun game but honestly I really miss racquetball, it's absurd that they don't have it here!

Yesterday was zone conference.  President Kelly had a crazy weekend because Elder Nelson came to Italy and it was conference after conference and he (Pres. Kelly) was ready to come to Zone Conference but at the last minute sister Kelly told him that he needed to go get rest and that she would share his message for him.  It was weird not to have him but it's a good thing that he stayed because Mission Presidents in their 3rd year are known for just being tired all the time and slowing down.  It's hard work.  Serving in the church in any calling is hard work.  

Sister Kelly said something similar yesterday, she said that most of the work that is done in this church is done by people who are tired.  Just imagine Elder Nelson who just did a week long trip all through Europe.  Shaking hands, in meetings, holding conferences, always smiling, traveling from one place to the next for 7 days without a break and he's 88!  No doubt he was tired.  But in the end that is the sacrifice that we have to be willing to make.

The biggest things that I took from conference are actually 2 things. 

1.  "Thee lift me, I lift thee, and we'll both ascend together" (John Greenleaf Whitier.)  We have a responsibility to help those around us to be better people and we also have the responsibility to ask those around us for help.  The Lord puts certain people in our lives for special reasons, if we don't help them and ask for help then we might never know why we met them.

2.  The second thing was similar, it's something that President Kelly says often.  "If we cannot learn to love imperfect people, we'll live a life without love."  

That's kind of the key to life and the first point.  Everyone is imperfect, the quicker we can get over the little things (or big things) that aren't perfect with others, the quicker we'll have a life full of love.

So yesterday at 11.30 in Rome the church was officially recognized as a religious institution, and not just a charitable organization!  They also created a second Stake in the city of Milano over the weekend.  And the outside of the temple is almost completed.  It is such a great time to be able to serve in Italy!! There is so much potential!  It's so exciting!

I also was thinking about what mom said a couple weeks ago about how this mission is to improve myself and how I had said that it was too selfish to say that this was only for my own improvement.  If improving myself makes me a better missionary, then it's something that the Lord wants me to do so that I can be more effective.  So, it's not selfish at all as long as it's done for the right reasons.

Things with our investigators are actually slowing down.  Tamara started school this week and she is a really great student, she's number one in her class and she's not even Italian!  Plus, we had 3ish investigators that really didn't make progress so were going to start meeting less frequently with them in order to free up more time to find the elect!  

I love you all, I miss you, I pray for you, and I can't wait to hear about all your crazy adventures this next week. =P VVB

--

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

Anziano Stewart

Chapter Four: The 15th Epistle of Anziano Stewart to the Calabrians/Messinites

Smile! It's free, makes every situation better, and it's even good for your health!

Allora, how the heck is everyone?! I'm sure you're great, even if there are thunderstorms already. =) Things are good here.  Oh Sara, before I get started, I found something that you might like.  Get your bible and go to Genesis 17:15 then, when you get to footnote a, look at the bottom of the page for what it means.  Just don't rub it in Maren's face too much because she might get jealous. 

This week, or at least from Saturday to yesterday, it was "La Festa Della Madonna" (the festival for the mother of Jesus) in Reggio.  MAN! It has been so crazy!  I didn't know that Reggio could be so busy and alive.  There have been concerts, (a couple by the castle which is right by our house, it's been hard to sleep) parties, shows, fireworks, and all kinds of people selling all kinds of things.  It's been cool to see but it's made missionary work a little hard. =/

We’ve done a ton of publicity for our English course; hopefully we'll be able to recover from the summer vacations and the fact that there weren't missionaries in Reggio for a month before we came here. (It’s working! I just got 3 phone calls in a row for the course! Score!) About Tamara, she is doing great!! With the fest and everything it's been a little difficult to see her and for the weekend she went to Catania for a dance tryout.  But she has started the Book of Mormon a third time and is making great progress!  

Anyways, on Friday, we also saw a member who is starting to come back to church.  It went really well but the best part of the visit was at the end when he gave us a bunny.  Now you might be saying to yourself, but missionaries can't have pets.... don't worry, we are planning on eating it on Saturday.  It was skinned and frozen solid. =/ We’ll see how it turns out...

 Hmm, what else, for over a week now, at night when I write in my journal, at the end I add a tender mercy of the day; It’s been helping a lot with recognizing the hand of the Lord in this work and my personal life.  True sometimes it is kind of difficult to find something but as you sit and think about it, tens of examples come to mind and then it's hard to pick just one.

I hope you enjoy the pictures.  I especially like the one with the pig. =)  I love you.  Have a great week!!

--

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

Anziano Stewart

Chapter Four: The 14th Epistle of Anziano Stewart to the Calabrians/Messinites

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1 Kings 18:21

Looking toward Sicily from the church in Reggio

Hello! Thank you for all the pictures!! They’re great! You all had a week full of fireworks and fun! And the girls look so much older! Holy cow! I miss you! What in the world was Mattie doing with a book at the Mandersheid castle? Time and place girl!  Hey, fun fact, I'm not sure if I've shared it with you yet; Anziani Patanè and Bitseedy both served here in Reggio!!! Cool huh?  Have you heard from either of them?

Anyways, this week was a finding week.  We did the mostra (something that is regular now, every Friday night baby! =P ) and we've been trying  to find as many people we can to meet with.  We’re seeing a lot of results, I think it helps that now, people are coming back from vacation and reestablishing their normal lives.  Most often we use a "survey" of 5 questions that establish a belief and understanding of God, and introduces the Book of Mormon as a book comparable to the bible that speaks of Christ.  It works really well, mainly because a survey isn't very forward and, because it's a survey, they can't talk (as) much.  Which if you've ever met an Italian you can appreciate the ability to keep their talking to a minimum.

This week I found a scripture that I really liked because it applies really well to missionary life but it works really well in all of our lives, especially Abby as she's at university, and you all because Germany is temporary (hopefully =P ).  It's Doctrine and Covenants 51:16-17.  The saints knew that they wouldn't be in Ohio forever, the Lord told them that.  But they were told to act "as if for years" until the Lord sent them elsewhere.  It's easy to say, "well I'll only be in this city for 3 months, I mind as well not try to do my best at keeping the area book in order" or "I'll be in this ward only for a year, what's the point of getting to know the members?"  We need to BE where we are.  

Mt Etna in the background

Sunday we had a pretty cool surprise, a contact (Andrea) came to church!  Right during the middle of the second hour,  afterwards we were able to have a member lesson with him and Presidente Pipolo.   He LOVES to talk and has some strange ideas but he's a cool guy, and it's obvious the Lord is preparing him.  Federico, is leaving today for London.  He's going there to study for 3 weeks so things will have to wait with him.  However, before he left, he told us that he (finally) decided to start reading the Book of Mormon from the beginning.  This is the best news ever.  In Preach My Gospel it explains that the Book of Mormon combined with the spirit is the most powerful tool in conversion.  Also, things with Tamara are going great.  We had a really powerful lesson yesterday on the Plan of Salvation.  Also, she told us that she threw away all her mini skirts!!! Score!! Piano piano. =)

Well, sadly, my time's up.  We need to go get ready to play tennis! I love you all,  you are the best!

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

Anziano Camron Stewart