Chapter Three: The 15th Epistle of Anziano Stewart to the Bitontians

Chè Settimana!

It has gotten so hot here it's killing me!! Thankfully we received a present from President Kelly and we can take off our jackets today! It's great to hear from you, but Mattie, Maren and J I'm sorry about having to get your teeth pulled... that’s not the best news.

So now there are 2 of us in the family who have five fingers... 6 more to go!!! One day we'll be there. =)

This week we did a lot of work but honestly I don't remember much of it at all... maybe when you work so hard your brain starts picking and choosing what it remembers... who knows.  We found a girl named Heather who is American from Long Island but has lived in Bitonto for a year and teaches English.  She says she just doesn't want to live in the US... boh.  But we're really excited to meet with her.

We also did a nice exchange with Poggiofranco.  I was with Anziano Meldrum.  We did some nice work.  He's really a spectacular missionary.

Also, about the Ragazzi (boys), we were able to play soccer with them and it went really well.  They are really great kids.  By the way, there are going to be a bunch of kids asking to add me on FB from Bitonto, feel free to add them.  And I don’t know if you update FB but it'd be nice if you did.

Our investigators are coming along, it's slow but there is progress.  I really hope they are able to come to General Conference this Saturday/Sunday. Personally I can't wait to hear it!!  I'd love to be able to hear it in English to be able to hear their voices but I'm afraid it's going to be in Italian, the language of the angels.

Also, as I type I'm reminded of the studies I’ve done this week.

3 things came as a result of it:

1.    we cant control the situation (always) but we can control ourselves.

2.    If we act happy, we are happy.

3.    People find what they look for.

Seeing as this Sunday is the 1979th anniversary of when our Lord, Savior, and Redeemer was resurrected I'd like to share my testimony that I know He lives.  I know that He suffered for our sins, pains, shortcomings, imperfections, and sorrows. And that because of that sacrifice, He became our mediator and advocate with the Father and made it possible for us to return to live with our families and God again for eternity.  I can't explain how grateful I am to Him for this. 

Fate mi bene!!

--

Vi Amo,

Anziano Stewart

Chapter Three: The 14th Epistle of Anziano Stewart to the Bitontians

This was a good week.

On Wednesday we started our English course. It went well.  We had quite a few new people, sadly no one showed interest right away but there is someone who knows the Pappagallos and now the Pappagallos are going to come to English course.  We also had a pretty crazy story.  We're friends with a guy who's named Francesco Natale (Frank Christmas is what we call him) he’s an 18-year-old boy and a couple weeks ago we played basketball with him.  Anyway he asked for our help to stop smoking (because we were running circles around him) so we gave him the plan.  Then he asked us about the Book of Mormon and if he could have a copy to read at night.  Long story short we have one of the coolest investigators now. =) And last night he brought his girlfriend.  Sweet right!?!?

  

Then I was able to do a split with Anziano Alessandro.  He's from Bologna and speaks with a funny Bolognese accent.  He’s been in the mission for 1 week.  It went really well.  He’s a fireball!!  We found a professor who was interested and we got to teach in the university! Pretty cool, huh?  

This Saturday we were able to make friends with a bunch of Ragazzi (maybe 25) and tonight they wanted to come to English course, and tomorrow were going to play soccer with them.  I hope they can become new investigators!!! That's really what Bitonto needs!!!!

Our investigators are making progress.  A little bit at a time, some in different ways but they are definitely coming closer to Christ.

For the past two transfers President has left the challenge for us to focus on developing our charity.  It's been a really good opportunity for me. I feel like I’ve learned a lot.  Like how there is a really close connection with charity and sacrifice.  As we make sacrifices we develop our charity for those we sacrifice for. (Why Maren will be/is the most loved child) jk =) 

Anyways I need to write President.  Thanks for all your love and support.  I love you all and pray about you all the time.  Stay safe!

--

Vi Amo,

Anziano Stewart

P.S. Oh, I got you’re package this week, before St. Patrick's Day thankfully. Thank you for everything, especially the pictures! I have a couple requests for the next package.  Motrin, starbursts, and those crystal light packs.

Chapter Three: The 13th Epistle of Anziano Stewart to the Bitontians

Buon gornio belissima familglia! Mi mancate.

Hello from Lecce and happy Pi day!!!!! =)  We're here for Anziano Miller's permesso di sogiornio.  It's a really pretty city.  Anyways, this week went by quickly.  The highlight was definitely Stake Conference for the Stake of Puglia.  Members from the whole "heel" of the boot of Italy came to Bari Saturday and Sunday.  President Kelly and Sister Kelly were there as well.  The spirit was really strong and the choir was spectacular.  It was really great what the Stake Presidency did, they challenged every member to bring just one non-member friend to the conference, and the room (it was in the Sheraton hotel) was packed to the rafters! It was great to see.  We got to help the best/oldest/funniest/sweetest member from Bari Poggiofranco walk to the conference.  Her name is Sorella Valentina.  She's 90 years old and is just the best. 

Massimo is doing pretty great; sadly he doesn't want to come to church because it's too early (he sleeps in till 1400 on Sundays...) but he is more than willing to meet with us and he wants to learn English as well.  (Which is great because our course starts tonight!!)

This last week we did a lot of work on our English course.  Hopefully it will go well and we'll get some sweet people who will also be interested in the gospel.  I don't really care for English course because I feel like it takes time away from missionary work but Anziano Miller really likes it and we have a bunch of "students" who really like it.  However it's nice that now we're starting the course and it won't take so much of our time from missionary work. 

OH!! I've got a pretty sweet story.  So, I don't remember if I told you but in the MTC one day, I saw a security guard who looked really familiar, but I didn't say anything.  Then I saw him again, a couple days later and stopped him.  We talked for a bit and I found out that it was Devonne Bitseedy. Crazy right?! He was doing great and was really excited I was going to Rome.  Then he told me that he ended up getting to serve a mission and was called to the Catania mission.  Then, the other day I was looking through the area book and old baptism records and I saw his name again!  He was here (at least in Bari) like 6 years ago as a missionary.  Crazy huh?!?! But I guess when your 1. American 2. Military and 3. Mormon the world isn't too big anymore... =)

I was wondering recently, where did Mandy get her mission call? I heard she put her papers in but that's it.

I studied a talk by Neal A. Maxwell this week and he said something that really hit me and I've been thinking about it all week.  He said, "we need to widen our circle of influence";  which I agree with 100% as long as we really are the "light of the world".  This is too precious and important to not share.  I don't have much more time but I know the Book of Mormon was written for us individually and that as we read and study it daily we will find new strength to move forward and upward.  I pray that all is well and wish you a happy Ides of March and St. Patrick’s Day.

Alma 37:34

--

Vi Voglio Bene,

Anziano Stewart

Chapter Three: The 12th Epistle of Anziano Stewart to the Bitontians

Hello Spring!

What a week.

I'm not sure where to start.  Ok, on Thursday we went to Brindisi to do an exchange.  It was a lot of fun and I feel like we were able to help the Anziani there out. They are both hilarious! Anziano Gziani is from Albania and Anziano Cueller is a Mexican from Texas.  They have been together for a long time and have been kind of down; so we went and I feel like we really brought some fire and I hope it lasts. 

Oh, I almost forgot to tell you about transfer calls...Anziano Miller and me are staying! Sweet right!? At the end of this transfer were going to have spent something like 2300 hours awake together. Nice right.  I'm really excited and know that we can really make a model zone of Bitonto.  We can already see results this week.  We've been doing a lot of finding and I really like it.  =) Oh, and Anziano Pedriera is the District Leader now, I'm really excited to have him as a leader.  He is one of the best teachers I've met.

On Sunday we were waiting in church, expecting a new convert. As we were waiting, a man (Massimo) walks in and says that he wants to learn English (we've done a TON of publicity for our course).  So we said great! And then he stopped us and said "but even more than that, I want to learn about your religion."  We weren't sure what to think we were so shocked but we said "Great! Would you like to have a short lesson right now?" And we taught him and set up another appointment.  It's such a blessing because we've had trouble actually meeting with our contacts.  We've doubled, maybe tripled our potential investigator pool but meeting with them is pretty hard.  So this miracle really helped us.

Quickly, I want to talk about how much I love being with Anziano Miller.  It is so easy to work with him!!  He really has a love for this work, and the Italians. His mom told him I don't talk about him enough so; I decided to talk about him a bit. =)  She also say's Dad doesn’t put the right dates or update the blog weekly!! =)

Antonietta came to church again with her daughter.  She is coming along well.  She is pretty excited about Stake Conference but I'm afraid she's not reading...

Dad asked what I presented to the district. I used D&C 64:33-34 as a way to encourage them to:

1-work

2-strive to do so with the spirit and

3-look for the small things in work and in life. 

It was great to hear from you Grandma Batty.  And thank you for the package; I can't wait to receive it!  My only request would be Laketown raspberries. =) But, sadly, I don't think you can send those to Italy... This week the weather was great! It actually bugged me that I have to still wear a jacket.  I can't wait for General Conference.

Oh, Sorella De Feo went CRAZY when I told her about Sorella Weyland.  She was asking me all kinds of questions that I had no answer to.  She asked me how to find her on facebook.  Do you think you could help me out with that...I had a question about that SD card I sent home in one of those packages.  Were you able to restore it? I hope so because there were some good memories on it.

I'm sorry to hear about Mattie’s ears... let me know how it goes.  What ever happened with Saras wrist? Maren, that’s great that you’re teaching J school but you need to think about the other things you teach her too.  You're her big sister and she really looks up to you, make sure you set a good example for her to follow. Sara, how are those green smoothies? =P Still your favorite? I hope so!

Man, I really miss you guys.  But I couldn't be happier than where I am right now.  I know The Lord is "silent notes taking, of every action” big or small and that in the end all of our "losses" will be made up.  And that is really what keeps me going sometimes.  I read a talk this week by President Eyring where he talked about Isaiah 40:31 and waiting upon the Lord.  He made a wooden sign for his son a long time ago and wrote "On eagles wings" referring to this scripture.  This is also true.  I'm grateful for you all and all you do, your prayers, letters, and thoughts. I love you.  Ciao.

--

Vi Amo,

Anziano Stewart

Chapter Three: The 11th Epistle of Anziano Stewart to the Bitontians

Happy Leap year a tutti!!

Man, what a week! Well on Thursday we had our Zone Conf. with Anziano Texiera.  It was incredible.  Anziano Miller and I had to be there at like 0730 because he's a zone leader and there was a zone leader meeting Anziano Texiera conducted and then when we were there and the meeting was about to start Anziano Texiera called me in as well because I'm a companion with a zone leader. It really was interesting and something that has really impressed me.  It was a blessing to be in that intimate of a setting with someone in the 1st Quorum of the Seventy.  Then we had the Conference, which was really inspiring.  And we've seen results already, after 5 days.  Yesterday, I was at my desk after our great lunch (bucatini alla amatriciana) and I had an epiphany.  I can't explain it, but it honestly completely changed how I feel and see and want to work.  I'm so excited.  

At Zone Conference, Anziano Texiera told a story about his son's mission and how they would stop every single person that they saw, and that it really worked.  Up to that point I always said, "that is only for the crazy missionaries", "no one 'normal' does that" But we decided to try it.  And wow.  It’s incredible.  We’ve gotten so many numbers and great potential investigators it's incredible.  I think I've figured out how it works too.  When we do that, the Lord knows that we are going to talk to everyone that is on that street, so he is able to put prepared people in our path easily because he knows we'll talk to them. All in all this week has been incredible.

The tiramisu was pretty good.  It was cool.  And then for the spiritual thought we started a program called 21 days with the family.  It is based off of a promise that a member of the Seventy said.  That is a family prays and reads for the people in their life who don't know about the church.  And if they make a list of all the people that come to mind and pray for them, one of them will be ready to meet with the missionaries in 21 days.  We are now doing it with 3 families in the branch and I can’t wait to see the results.

We get transfer calls this week, and I hope that Anziano Miller and I stay together.  We are on fire and to break this up would be a sin.  I think that if we could be together for another transfer we could really work some miracles here in Bitonto. 

That is hilarious about Abby and her homesickness.   It's a good thing she has such great friends.  She just needs to work on communication. =)

That is great that the package made it home with only 1 stamp!! Ha-ha! I'll send another one this week. =) I buy the books at the paper stores here; they’re like 10 cents.  And they fit in the 60 cent stamp box =) I think I'm going to send them home pretty frequently. 

Have you sent that package?  

My back hasn't bugged me since the MTC.  As soon as I was able to stand and not have to sit for 12 hours a day it was great.

Well I'm glad you all are having some good weather.  Get that trampoline set up!!! Sara, how’s the piano and soccer going?  

Maren, What have you been up to lately!?

J, how’s Bunny Stew doing?

Stay safe! Oh, we're going to Bridisi tomorrow to do a split, I'm really excited!

Ciao!!

--

Vi Amo,

Anziano Stewart

Chapter Three: The 10th Epistle of Anziano Stewart to the Bitontians

Doctrine & Covenants 6:36

Well we made it through Carnivale without getting egged.  So already I'd consider this week a success. =)  It's interesting, when I think back to what I wrote the previous week and said something like, "man this week really had some highs and lows", or "the Lord really knows how to try our weaknesses".  It makes me not want to write it but it's so true that this week really brought the highs and lows.  I guess it's my testimony that just needs strengthening.  So first, 8-9 days ago I got a nice little cold.  Well this week, it turned sour.  And on top of that, I ended up getting Anziani Miller and Pedriera sick who in turn got Anziano Curzola sick.  Nice right...  So we were inside for a bit this week, which I'm going to be honest was really hard for me. But I think the reason I ended up getting so sick was because I refused to stay in in the first place and it didn’t have time to take care of itself. But lesson learned, I'm no macho man (Alma 26:12)  But we made a soup and worked in the Area Book for a bit, then we did some weekly planning.

Also, this week we had a problem with the heat and hot water... the water heater was broken for a couple days but don’t worry something like that can’t slow us down!!! It is interesting because every house that Anziano Miller has been in has had problems with hot water.... hmmmm

We didn’t get to do the tiramisù or the Serata Familiare yet, but we will tonight.  (don’t worry mom I'll take notes) =P ha ha; mom in Preach My Gospel, it says we need to embrace and accept the culture of the place were in.  Here, culture = food. So really I’m just doing what I need to, to be a good missionary. =P But seriously, it is so true when you start talking with an Italian one of the first things they ask is "what have you eaten today?" and every time we get transferred they ask 1) "how do you find yourself here?" 2) "Where did you come from?" Which is quickly followed by "Oh, you eat good there!!".  It's really affecting my taste buds... I'm ashamed to say that I don't care for spicy food much anymore... 

Anyways, what did we do for work this week you ask? We did a lot, considering we were inside for a couple days.  We did a scambio (change companions) with the Anziani from Poggiofranco.  I went with Anziano Pedriera and we were in Bari.  He really is an incredible man.  We did something pretty cool, we brought an investigator to the house if a member (instead of the other way around) and it really is a good idea because then they can see that the members are normal people with normal lives and problems.  We taught the word of wisdom and it went really well.  

Things with Michele (stop smoking student) have really slowed... but we're always trying to help him.  So we were at the church the other night and Michele had just called to cancel so we were kind of down…but then we had a lady (Anna Maria) knock on the door and ask about English course.  So we talked a bit and explained how it works and then the topic of the church came up (believe it or not!!) =P and there was a member at the church (it's something really cool here, every week night, there are people in church doing family history work) and this member explained the church, missionaries and a little bit about the English course and man, she is really golden! She was asking these questions that were perfect and she was curious. The only thing is she’s going to Indonesia next month so we won’t see her for a while but I’m really excited.

We have Zone Conference tomorrow and Anziano Texiera is coming from the Area Seventy (sadly they're coming in a plane so we won’t be getting any mail from the office) But it should be pretty exciting.  I'm sure he's going to tell this zone exactly what we need to hear. 

Transfer calls are not this Saturday but next week.  And it's really up in the air with me, I could stay or go, but I hope I stay. but either way, Sorella Weyland can send a letter to the Bitonto house that just says that it's for Sorella de Feo.  No problem.

So Abby, it sounds like you’re doing great!!! I’m glad you’re loving it.  So this Cory guy, tell me more about him, you didn’t say much... How are you’re classes going? Tutta'post? That’s really great you’re going to the temple so often, I can’t wait to be able to be close to a temple again. How's the work on the old Provo Tabernacle going?  So you’re a fan of rock climbing now? Cool, we're going to have to go sometime. 

What? Sara, you might have broken your wrist?! What were you doing? I bet I know what the problem was, you haven’t been drinking your milk lately have you? Anyways, at least it's not your femur right!  And now you'll get so much attention, problem solved right!! =P How’s your soccer training going?

Maren and J you guys be good ok, you need to set a good example to everyone else ok? Take some pictures for me! =)

I love you all and hope you’re all staying warm in Germany; lucky Abby is in 60 degree Utah.

I know Christ lives and he is our savior and redeemer.

Alla prossimo.

--

Vi Amo,

Anziano Stewart

Chapter Three: The 9th Epistle of Anziano Stewart to the Bitontians

Weeeee 'uagliò!!!!!

Man, what a week, like always. First, you all are great! Thanks so much for the pictures and the e-mails from grandma, Brother Cartagena, and from mom.  It’s great to hear from you all.  It’s crazy how things just keep on going even when you’re not there... like how Mattie is about to go do baptisms for the dead! Wow!! and that’s really cool about the Ellegoods moving to Landstuhl, kind of sucks for Richard with there not being any surfing there...but that’s way cool.  Now lets get this clear, Grandma.  I have no regrets about leaving my coat liner in the states. =) I’m great! =P, but thanks for the concern.  Oh, and thanks for the pillowcase, I’m pretty excited to get it!!

Ok, this week was really cold, which means here, everything stops.  Which makes things hard, but it adds a nice X factor that really makes things interesting.  Anziano Miller had to go to Rome for Capi Conf. on Thursday, so I was with Anziano Wright for a day or so in Bari.  He's a pretty sweet missionary, and he’s really diligent in learning the language.  We taught their English course which was nice and we did "sogndagio" (a religious survey) on the bus for a bit. It was interesting, it's something I’ve never done but I’ve heard about it.  I’m not entirely sure how effective it really is but it definitely is creative.

Hmm, what else happened this week... We had Branch conf. this Sunday and had the Stake Presidency here.  They gave a kind of interesting lesson.  They put together a video of all the big news of the year, but just like disasters, tragedies, etc. and then they had videos of the Apostles talking about how we can find peace and comfort through times like this.  It was kind of cool.  Then we went to eat with the family Panisco (Branch President), they are a great family.  They have a daughter who served a mission at Temple Square (was she there when Uncle Mike was the Mission President?).  While we were there we had tiramisu for dessert (here, there's this thing called orzo. like hot chocolate but it's from barley, way good) and I basically said I really liked it and now next week were going to go make it with Sorella Panisco and then do a Family Night with them.  Can’t wait!!

We went to Trani on Monday again.  We've almost contacted everyone and we have 3 new investigators from it! Sadly, all the members we've been able to find have had no interest in the church, not even seeing us... but when you have no contact with the church for 15 years that can surely happen.

Oh, man, yesterday, there was a branch party for the day of Santo Valentino.  It was so great! I laughed so much! One of the many beautiful things about the Italians is they love to dance.  It really was great.  The members here in Bitonto are really the best members I’ve seen in all of Italy.  they really are the elect. 

oh, also about "Marianna Scatone" I’m not 100% sure but I’m almost positive that’s Sorella De Feo.  She it the Sister who comes every week with her 10 and 8 year old kids but her husband (Nicolo) is inactive.  The other week she gave us that huge bag of all kinds of food.  She is doing great!

I'm so glad the package got there this week I’ll try it with just a 60 cent stamp... speriamo bene no?! and about the ties, dad can wear them, no problem, but when I get home I want to wear them too. =) I really hope this package goes with only 1 stamp, if it does I’ll be sending them a lot more often. =)

Well I need to go, I love you all and pray for you all.  I'm doing great, Anziano Miller is doing great, and Italy is great!

A DOPO.

--

Vi Amo,

Anziano Stewart