Serving as a representative of the Lord for Church of JESUS Christ of Latter Day Saints in the Italy, Rome mission.
Monday, July 21, 2014
Presidente and Sorella Waddoups' Blog
Presidente and Sorella Waddooups have a amazing blog. Many times, we find pictures of C.J. on it and here stories from their point of view. To read it Click on the link at the top of the page. He's in a recent blog post "Taranto Zone Conference - July 2014"
Zone Conference
Well it has been another week full of good hard work here in Catanzaro (and in Statte with Zone Conference)
First off, about the water.Last P-day we went up to this park in the City where they have like these public water faucets that they have here in Italy. We took my comps suitcase with like 8 two liter bottles and filled them up. It was a little bit strange but we didn't want to pay. We looked super sketchy though with our white shirts and ties and a random suitcase with water bottles in it trying to fill them up as quickly as possible so that people didn't get mad at us. hahahaha it must have been quite the site.
Then we had Zone Conference. Zone conference week is crazy here. We left on Tuesday at 6 in the morning and we arrived in Taranto at 1:30! Then we ate lunch and studied the language and then off to the church to have our interviews with president. Those went well and we also had to wait for the two Anziani there that we were staying with and doing exchanges with for that day because they were waiting for their interviews and and an investigators baptismal interview. Then we taught their English Course and I got to teach with my old Comp Anziano M*******! We worked together through most of the week so that was cool to be with him again for exchanges. Then Wednesday was Zone Conference and more exchanges and we came home on Thursday and arrived around 3 headed straight to a lesson and then straight to English Course. It was pretty crazy.
Luckily we were able to catch an early train back to Catanzaro so that we could get a lesson in with the English Teacher on Thursday before we had to be back for English Course. It went well and she said she would try to come to church but she wasn't able to. We will really be trying to focus on how she needs to come to church in this coming up week so that she can make a relationship with her and the branch. We really feel that once she comes she will love it but Satin knows it as well and is trying to stop her from getting here.
We are also working a lot with a less-active sister now. She really has a fear of leaving her house and has a doctors note saying she has this Phobia but we were able to bare testimony of the Enabling Power of the Atonement and how because of Christ's Atonement we can see miracles in our lives and we will be able to overcome the difficulties and do things that we may think we can't physically do. We also bore witness of the power that we can receive through the Atonement to have strength beyond our own. Step by step we are trying to help her come to church and show her that with the help of branch members and friends and most importantly our Savior Jesus Christ that she can overcome any obstacle in her life and become stronger.
I have a strong testimony of this. Whenever as missionaries we fall or we get week, our Savior lifts us in ways unimaginable and ways that we wouldn't even have been able to imagine. We also can receive answers to our prayers if we are asking with a sincere heart really wanting to know!! The scriptures have been so vital in my life and I really appreciated the trainings that we received this week about the importance of the scriptures about them at this past Zone Conference. I feel so blessed to be here helping others and see how they are really helping me as well. I testify that Christ lives, He loves us, and He will help us in ANY way that we need if we will be humble enough to ask for it and have faith in His Plan!!
I hope everyone has an amazing week!! Love you all!!
Love
Anziano Passantino
Anziano K*****. He is a legend in our Mission and know as one of greatest missionaries. I like him because of his example to each of us of how we need to work diligently, he loves his Savior and knows that he was a representative of Jesus Christ. He is a great example to me, not perfect but striving every day to become so and to please his Brother and Redeemer!
First off, about the water.Last P-day we went up to this park in the City where they have like these public water faucets that they have here in Italy. We took my comps suitcase with like 8 two liter bottles and filled them up. It was a little bit strange but we didn't want to pay. We looked super sketchy though with our white shirts and ties and a random suitcase with water bottles in it trying to fill them up as quickly as possible so that people didn't get mad at us. hahahaha it must have been quite the site.
Then we had Zone Conference. Zone conference week is crazy here. We left on Tuesday at 6 in the morning and we arrived in Taranto at 1:30! Then we ate lunch and studied the language and then off to the church to have our interviews with president. Those went well and we also had to wait for the two Anziani there that we were staying with and doing exchanges with for that day because they were waiting for their interviews and and an investigators baptismal interview. Then we taught their English Course and I got to teach with my old Comp Anziano M*******! We worked together through most of the week so that was cool to be with him again for exchanges. Then Wednesday was Zone Conference and more exchanges and we came home on Thursday and arrived around 3 headed straight to a lesson and then straight to English Course. It was pretty crazy.
Luckily we were able to catch an early train back to Catanzaro so that we could get a lesson in with the English Teacher on Thursday before we had to be back for English Course. It went well and she said she would try to come to church but she wasn't able to. We will really be trying to focus on how she needs to come to church in this coming up week so that she can make a relationship with her and the branch. We really feel that once she comes she will love it but Satin knows it as well and is trying to stop her from getting here.
We are also working a lot with a less-active sister now. She really has a fear of leaving her house and has a doctors note saying she has this Phobia but we were able to bare testimony of the Enabling Power of the Atonement and how because of Christ's Atonement we can see miracles in our lives and we will be able to overcome the difficulties and do things that we may think we can't physically do. We also bore witness of the power that we can receive through the Atonement to have strength beyond our own. Step by step we are trying to help her come to church and show her that with the help of branch members and friends and most importantly our Savior Jesus Christ that she can overcome any obstacle in her life and become stronger.
I have a strong testimony of this. Whenever as missionaries we fall or we get week, our Savior lifts us in ways unimaginable and ways that we wouldn't even have been able to imagine. We also can receive answers to our prayers if we are asking with a sincere heart really wanting to know!! The scriptures have been so vital in my life and I really appreciated the trainings that we received this week about the importance of the scriptures about them at this past Zone Conference. I feel so blessed to be here helping others and see how they are really helping me as well. I testify that Christ lives, He loves us, and He will help us in ANY way that we need if we will be humble enough to ask for it and have faith in His Plan!!
This is me eating Puccia. It was sooooooooo goood. It is like Pizza dough specially made but then they cut it open and put in french fries, Mozzarella, ketchup, mayonnaise, and raw ham, It is amazing. And they only make it in Taranto/Statte where our Zone Conference was!
Monday, July 14, 2014
A Few Questions Answered
So, I (C.J's sister) have learned that an easier way to get some good details from him is to ask a few specific questions each week! Do you have a question? Ask it in the comments and we'll have him answer them each week!
1.) What's your favorite things about your companion?
My comp is super happy and very selfless, he is always willing to help me by doing the dishes or like making a meal or stuff like that
2.) What was the best part of your week?
We had a district blitz where we all got together in our city and did finding all day long. We had lunch together and did lots of fun games and stuff and it was way good. We made pasta al forno which is just pasta then put into the oven but you have to put a bunch of stuff on it/in it to make it good.
3.) What is the weather like there right now?
It is hot and humid. It is humid because we are sooo close to the sea that all the water comes from there
4.) What's the best meal you've had so far?
this is really hard, I have never had a meal that I didn't really like other than when they gives us raw pig meat sliced up like lunch meat. I'm not a huge fan of that.
1.) What's your favorite things about your companion?
My comp is super happy and very selfless, he is always willing to help me by doing the dishes or like making a meal or stuff like that
2.) What was the best part of your week?
We had a district blitz where we all got together in our city and did finding all day long. We had lunch together and did lots of fun games and stuff and it was way good. We made pasta al forno which is just pasta then put into the oven but you have to put a bunch of stuff on it/in it to make it good.
3.) What is the weather like there right now?
It is hot and humid. It is humid because we are sooo close to the sea that all the water comes from there
4.) What's the best meal you've had so far?
this is really hard, I have never had a meal that I didn't really like other than when they gives us raw pig meat sliced up like lunch meat. I'm not a huge fan of that.
There is salmonella in the water!!! Yikes!
July, 14 2014
Dear Family and Friends,
Yes the title of this letter is true. The city has found Salmonella in the water here but don't worry. We have been super careful to stay away from it. It has caused a lot of little problems such as the fact that we can't do our dishes with the water, take showers with it or even use it to brush our teeth. Luckily we were prepared with a stock pile of clean water but that is running low so part of our p day today will be going to get new clean water and finding it for free will be the fun part.
Anyway we are still working super hard here in Catanzaro. This past week we have been doing a lot of finding but also have been seeing some of the fruits as well.
This week we got a new person that is interested in the gospel from our English Course. He is a little bit older, about 65 but he has know the church for a while and he went to English course about 23 years ago once or twice. He recognized the white shirts and ties and came over and talked to us. He came to the course that night and has shown some great interest in the church. Anziano G******** did a great spiritual thought about the Book of Mormon and used the Mormon message of the Bishop in England to explain the Book of Mormon. This new man, Rosario is his name, was very intrigued and really wants to start reading it so we were able to give him one and invite him to do so. Unfortunately we were unable to get him in church but maybe next week. We really think he will hit it off with our Branch President because they are very similar and will get a long well in our opinion.
We also were able to meet with M***** the English teacher a couple of times this week. She is doing great. We did invite her to baptism this week and she responded very nervously, I think we messed up a little bit and caught her just a bit off guard but we were able to comfort her with our testimonies and our witness of the importance of following the Savior. She will be praying about her answer and we are praying that she will be able to receive it as well. We know that she will if she does it with "real intent"
This week was our district blitz as well. We did it on Saturday and we were all able to work really hard for the whole day. Crotone was very helpful and they had great attitudes about everything. We really love our district here!! I have learned so much from all of them about hard work and having fun. We really hope that the result of this blitz will help our work here in Catanzaro and help us to help others understand who they are and where the truth is and how they can accept our Heavenly Father and become His sons and daughters.
I know this work is being guided by our Savior and Jesus Christ and that there are miracles happening all around us each and every day. Thank you always for the support and love that you all give to me. I hope everyone is well and if not please know how many people are praying for you each and every day and that means me as well!! Have a great week!!
Yes the title of this letter is true. The city has found Salmonella in the water here but don't worry. We have been super careful to stay away from it. It has caused a lot of little problems such as the fact that we can't do our dishes with the water, take showers with it or even use it to brush our teeth. Luckily we were prepared with a stock pile of clean water but that is running low so part of our p day today will be going to get new clean water and finding it for free will be the fun part.
Anyway we are still working super hard here in Catanzaro. This past week we have been doing a lot of finding but also have been seeing some of the fruits as well.
This week we got a new person that is interested in the gospel from our English Course. He is a little bit older, about 65 but he has know the church for a while and he went to English course about 23 years ago once or twice. He recognized the white shirts and ties and came over and talked to us. He came to the course that night and has shown some great interest in the church. Anziano G******** did a great spiritual thought about the Book of Mormon and used the Mormon message of the Bishop in England to explain the Book of Mormon. This new man, Rosario is his name, was very intrigued and really wants to start reading it so we were able to give him one and invite him to do so. Unfortunately we were unable to get him in church but maybe next week. We really think he will hit it off with our Branch President because they are very similar and will get a long well in our opinion.
We also were able to meet with M***** the English teacher a couple of times this week. She is doing great. We did invite her to baptism this week and she responded very nervously, I think we messed up a little bit and caught her just a bit off guard but we were able to comfort her with our testimonies and our witness of the importance of following the Savior. She will be praying about her answer and we are praying that she will be able to receive it as well. We know that she will if she does it with "real intent"
This week was our district blitz as well. We did it on Saturday and we were all able to work really hard for the whole day. Crotone was very helpful and they had great attitudes about everything. We really love our district here!! I have learned so much from all of them about hard work and having fun. We really hope that the result of this blitz will help our work here in Catanzaro and help us to help others understand who they are and where the truth is and how they can accept our Heavenly Father and become His sons and daughters.
I know this work is being guided by our Savior and Jesus Christ and that there are miracles happening all around us each and every day. Thank you always for the support and love that you all give to me. I hope everyone is well and if not please know how many people are praying for you each and every day and that means me as well!! Have a great week!!
Love,
Anziano Passantino
Anziano Passantino
Sunday, July 13, 2014
July 7, 2014
The work is going well. We are still working really hard at finding new people. This coming up week we will be doing a small district blitz where we will have our entire district come and doing finding in our area to try and mix up the teaching pool. We are pretty much putting our work in the Lords hands, we have decided that it not only is the only smart thing to do but it is what He wants. We have dropped most of our investigators, those who really didn't have the desire to progress and didn't have a true desire to learn the gospel but would rather just "be friends" and we are trusting in the Lord that He can and will help us based on our effort and obedience.
We do still have that English Teacher named M*****. She is really trying. We really want to get her in church and try to bring some people who speak English to the lessons. I think this can help her to feel more comfortable in Church and with all of us here. We were able to meet here this week but she wasn't able to come to church. We really feel like she can be baptized in the near future if she can feel the push from spirit to keep going. She has lots of great questions and she is really trying to do what is right. I pray that she will receive and answer in the near future.
Anziano G********* and I had a very unique experience yesterday. we got split up for about 30 min. I had gotten on a train coming home from the Ranieri home(our branch president) and my companion was right behind me, but the doors closed on his arm and to get out he had to get off the train. Then the train started going. Luckily we were prepared and knew what to do so we were able to get everything figured out in about 25 min and still make it back to visit a less active that is going through a really hard time.I just took the train ride home alone and was able to talk to a lady about the gospel. My comp stayed at the station waiting for our branch president to pick him up and take him to where my train ended and he was able to talk to someone about the church as well. It turned out being okay but it did give us a little scare.
Overall we are doing good. We have been wasting a lot of time waiting for trains and transportation in general over these past few weeks and months since I have been here and so we are trying to figure out how we can figure that out and still work to the best of our ability. This past week we spent 11 hours waiting for or being on transportation. We don't have any choice though because we live in a town of like 100 people that all know the missionaries. In fact every time we walk past we have this one guys that stands up from his bench that he is always sits on and yells AMERICA!! Plus it would take about 3 hours up a mountain to get to where we find people and have lessons with them by walking haha
Well I hope you guys have a good week. Sounds like the family Reunion went well and that everyone is still doing good. Thanks for everything!!!We do still have that English Teacher named M*****. She is really trying. We really want to get her in church and try to bring some people who speak English to the lessons. I think this can help her to feel more comfortable in Church and with all of us here. We were able to meet here this week but she wasn't able to come to church. We really feel like she can be baptized in the near future if she can feel the push from spirit to keep going. She has lots of great questions and she is really trying to do what is right. I pray that she will receive and answer in the near future.
Anziano G********* and I had a very unique experience yesterday. we got split up for about 30 min. I had gotten on a train coming home from the Ranieri home(our branch president) and my companion was right behind me, but the doors closed on his arm and to get out he had to get off the train. Then the train started going. Luckily we were prepared and knew what to do so we were able to get everything figured out in about 25 min and still make it back to visit a less active that is going through a really hard time.I just took the train ride home alone and was able to talk to a lady about the gospel. My comp stayed at the station waiting for our branch president to pick him up and take him to where my train ended and he was able to talk to someone about the church as well. It turned out being okay but it did give us a little scare.
Overall we are doing good. We have been wasting a lot of time waiting for trains and transportation in general over these past few weeks and months since I have been here and so we are trying to figure out how we can figure that out and still work to the best of our ability. This past week we spent 11 hours waiting for or being on transportation. We don't have any choice though because we live in a town of like 100 people that all know the missionaries. In fact every time we walk past we have this one guys that stands up from his bench that he is always sits on and yells AMERICA!! Plus it would take about 3 hours up a mountain to get to where we find people and have lessons with them by walking haha
Anziano Passantino
My Big Fat Italian Wedding
Dear Family and Friends,
Well, what a week! Monday and tuesday were good and filled with a lot of Finding. In the two days combined we had 8 lessons that were canceled on us... haha pretty funny huh? But we had a good English Course on Tuesday. Italy was playing in the World Cup so only 3 people showed up, 1 in my class (advanced) and 2 in my comps class ( basic) The lesson was on banking and saving money. Seeing as I only had one student we went and watched a talk from our dearest Anzaino (Elder) Bednar. It was about Tithing, the one given two conferences ago about the Windows of Heaven. Yes..... I watched a talk about tithing with a non member but I was prompted by the spirit to do so. He agreed with everything, especially at the end when he explained about how the church uses the funds. This guy is really awesome. He has seen EVERY Mormon message the church has put out. He shows us the new ones. haha. The Anziani in the past taught him and, like they are supposed to, they invited him to baptism. He kind of got scared and asked them not to teach him anymore. But he still comes to English Course so we will still work on helping him!Staying in Cantanzaro
Jun 23, 2014
This week we have been meeting a lot with this one contact who is really awesome. She actually is a teacher of English and she is very nice. The coolest part is that she calls us the day after we meet with her to see when we can meet again if we haven't already set up the appointment. And now with school being finished she is even more free. She has lots of concerns about death and after this life and the Plan of Salvation is really helping her. I hope we can really touch her heart. Unfortunately lots of our contact lessons for the first lesson have been falling through.
We have had some crazy rejection stories here this past week. One guy we tried to stop on the street yelled at us in english "Jesus is the Lord" and then started running away. Another guys let us in and then proceeded to tell us how he didn't like us and didn't want us in his house but then left us with what he called a "gift" which was a "prayer in tongues" that was pretty strange as well. hahaha. We try to find people about 6 hours every day so we have lots of funny rejection stories. You have to make it fun in some ways. I am VERY tired though haha
Thanks for all the prayers and support that you all give to me. I love you all very much!
Love
Anziano Passantino
Dear Family and Friends,
How is everyone doing?? We are doing well here, we found out that I will be staying here to do my 3rd transfer these next 6 weeks. These last two here have really flown by. We have had another great week here. The work is looking up. I know I keep saying that but I really fell that way. This past week we have found quite a few new contacts so we are praying for the best. I know the Lord really is helping us here. Anziano G********* and I are happy to be together again this transfer. We really feel like we can get some work started down here.This week we have been meeting a lot with this one contact who is really awesome. She actually is a teacher of English and she is very nice. The coolest part is that she calls us the day after we meet with her to see when we can meet again if we haven't already set up the appointment. And now with school being finished she is even more free. She has lots of concerns about death and after this life and the Plan of Salvation is really helping her. I hope we can really touch her heart. Unfortunately lots of our contact lessons for the first lesson have been falling through.
Love
English Course
June 16, 2014
Love
Anziano Passantino
This week has been another great one. We have been working really hard at trying to find people to teach and helping those in whom we are teaching now to start making progress. It has been good. We are continuing to work with our English Course to really find some new people to tech with that program. Like I've said in the past, it is a way that we can really help others come unto Christ. They can feel the spirit as we share our spiritual thoughts with them.
Again this week we had an inspired English Course spiritual thought. That day we had done finding for about 6 hours and we were trying to use "all of our golf clubs" and so we went out to our Lungo Mare( the walkway near the beach) with a white board and pen and wrote a question on it trying to get people to respond by filling in their answer. We then we start a gospel conversation with them about the subject. The last question that we did in our finding was " Do you believe that God answers prayers?" and then a place to mark yes, no, or boh (idk)! We had okay success with it while doing finding near the beach but then instead of doing the designed spiritual thought for english course I felt prompted to ask them the same question. This led to an amazing conversation where lots of the members really opened up about how they had seen answers and even those who believed they hadn't seen answers and that they couldn't receive that answer! Then I was able to bare testimony of the power of prayer and I really feel like many of the people there were able to feel the spirit.
We have been doing a lot of finding in this past week but we are trying hard to stay positive and continue to do the Lords work and to bring more people unto Him. Although it sometimes gets tough, I have no doubt that He is guiding this work and that He cares for each person that we pass. I am grateful for the change He has given me to see that.
Not a whole lot to report this week. I hope everyone is doing well. I love and miss you all!!Again this week we had an inspired English Course spiritual thought. That day we had done finding for about 6 hours and we were trying to use "all of our golf clubs" and so we went out to our Lungo Mare( the walkway near the beach) with a white board and pen and wrote a question on it trying to get people to respond by filling in their answer. We then we start a gospel conversation with them about the subject. The last question that we did in our finding was " Do you believe that God answers prayers?" and then a place to mark yes, no, or boh (idk)! We had okay success with it while doing finding near the beach but then instead of doing the designed spiritual thought for english course I felt prompted to ask them the same question. This led to an amazing conversation where lots of the members really opened up about how they had seen answers and even those who believed they hadn't seen answers and that they couldn't receive that answer! Then I was able to bare testimony of the power of prayer and I really feel like many of the people there were able to feel the spirit.
We have been doing a lot of finding in this past week but we are trying hard to stay positive and continue to do the Lords work and to bring more people unto Him. Although it sometimes gets tough, I have no doubt that He is guiding this work and that He cares for each person that we pass. I am grateful for the change He has given me to see that.
Love
Anziano Passantino
CANTAZZZZZARO!
June 9, 2014
Hello Everyone,
This week was pretty crazy. I'm just going to jump right into it. Monday morning we recieved a call from the Zone Leaders saying that they had changed Zone conference from Wednesday to Tuesday and seeing as how it takes 6 hours to get there for us, that was quite a big difference. So we were going to leave at 3 on Monday and sleep in another city to get there Tuesday morning for the conference. Then just after my comp started his email, we recieved a call from the Sisters of Crotone (the closest city to us but still about an hour away) and they asked us to come to the hospital in Catanzaro where they were. They had gotten into an ambulance with a lady and she needed help but they drove them and hour to get to the hospital here because the one there is really bad. We went up there to give this lady a blessing and then we had to try and get back to get our train to make the bus to get to Zone conference. This lady that they were with was from Whales and was on a cruise when she went into labor while they were at port in Crotone but she was only 6 and a half months pregnant. She didn't speak any Italian and she was stuck there but luckily somebody that works at the Hospital there called the sisters to go and help them at 4 in the morning!Then they canceled our miny train to get to the big train so we were stuck in Catanzaro because we missed our train to get to conference. Then we decided we could go to Crotone and stay there with the elders there for the night and take a 6 oclock bus that would get us to conference. We did that and finally made it to conference. Then we almost missed our bus home but somehow managed to get on. On wednesday we finally got home from conference and then went to help the sisters who had been helping this lady. SOOOO CRAZYY but the people who had the baby were sooo grateful and it was their first contact with the church. The baby is okay but really small so the mom and the baby have to be here for another month. We will go and visit them every once and a while just to see how they are. Haha soooo crazy.
Sorry I didn't talk about any missionary stuff but I wanted to share this story. It was really crazy and a miracle that they were able to find the sisters and therefore save the life of this baby. Everything has a purpose!!! and everything happens for a reason. The Lord loves ALLLL of His children and cares for the life of each and every one. I know that He cares for us and Loves us. We also had many other miracles this week that have been recorded in my journal for other days but I am sooo grateful for this opportunity I have to be here and see the hand of the Lord every day. I love you all!! Have a great week.
Anziano Passantino
The English course student and I! His name is Luigi! He is awesome
Me in front of the Byzantine Church
Me wanting to go into the Sea because it is scalding hot!!
What a crazy week!
June, 2 2014
Then they canceled our miny train to get to the big train so we were stuck in Catanzaro because we missed our train to get to conference. Then we decided we could go to Crotone and stay there with the elders there for the night and take a 6 oclock bus that would get us to conference. We did that and finally made it to conference. Then we almost missed our bus home but somehow managed to get on. On Wednesday we finally got home from conference and then went to help the sisters who had been helping this lady. SOOOO CRAZYY but the people who had the baby were sooo grateful and it was their first contact with the church. The baby is okay but really small so the mom and the baby have to be here for another month. We will go and visit them every once and a while just to see how they are. Haha soooo crazy.
Sorry I didn't talk about any missionary stuff but I wanted to share this story. It was really crazy and a miracle that they were able to find the sisters and therefore save the life of this baby. Everything has a purpose!!! and everything happens for a reason. The Lord loves ALLLL of His children and cares for the life of each and every one. I know that He cares for us and Loves us. We also had many other miracles this week that have been recorded in my journal for other days but I am sooo grateful for this opportunity I have to be here and see the hand of the Lord every day. I love you all!! Have a great week.
Love
Anziano Passantino
Hello Everyone,
This week was pretty crazy. I'm just going to jump right into it. Monday morning we received a call from the Zone Leaders saying that they had changed Zone conference from Wednesday to Tuesday and seeing as how it takes 6 hours to get there for us, that was quite a big difference. So we were going to leave at 3 on Monday and sleep in another city to get there Tuesday morning for the conference. Then just after my comp started his email, we received a call from the Sisters of Crotone (the closest city to us but still about an hour away) and they asked us to come to the hospital in Catanzaro where they were. They had gotten into an ambulance with a lady and she needed help but they drove them and hour to get to the hospital here because the one there is really bad. We went up there to give this lady a blessing and then we had to try and get back to get our train to make the bus to get to Zone conference. This lady that they were with was from Whales and was on a cruise when she went into labor while they were at port in Crotone but she was only 6 and a half months pregnant. She didn't speak any Italian and she was stuck there but luckily somebody that works at the Hospital there called the sisters to go and help them at 4 in the morning!Then they canceled our miny train to get to the big train so we were stuck in Catanzaro because we missed our train to get to conference. Then we decided we could go to Crotone and stay there with the elders there for the night and take a 6 oclock bus that would get us to conference. We did that and finally made it to conference. Then we almost missed our bus home but somehow managed to get on. On Wednesday we finally got home from conference and then went to help the sisters who had been helping this lady. SOOOO CRAZYY but the people who had the baby were sooo grateful and it was their first contact with the church. The baby is okay but really small so the mom and the baby have to be here for another month. We will go and visit them every once and a while just to see how they are. Haha soooo crazy.
Sorry I didn't talk about any missionary stuff but I wanted to share this story. It was really crazy and a miracle that they were able to find the sisters and therefore save the life of this baby. Everything has a purpose!!! and everything happens for a reason. The Lord loves ALLLL of His children and cares for the life of each and every one. I know that He cares for us and Loves us. We also had many other miracles this week that have been recorded in my journal for other days but I am sooo grateful for this opportunity I have to be here and see the hand of the Lord every day. I love you all!! Have a great week.
Anziano Passantino
A Wonderful Week!!!
May 28, 2014
Anziano Passantino
iao Tutti,
We have had another wonderful week here in Catanzaro. This week has been one of the best out of my time here. We were able to see many miracles and many little blessings this week.
we had a random exchange with the Assistants this week out of nowhere but we had lots of fun while they were here and I would say that I learned a lot from them. Among one of the biggest lessons I learned from them during there short stay would have to be how to be happy all the time. They have soooo much energy, it is a little bit against my personality to be like that but I do understand how I need to show the joy of the gospel to all those around me. I feel like I've gotten a little bit better at that but there is always room for improvement right?
At the beginning of the week we were blessed to have a wonderful tender mercy. Last week I told you about the miracle that we had while trying to find the less-active member of the church and how that led to getting a new investigator who lives just below our less-active sister. We were very excited to have the opportunity to return and teach her more of our wonderful message. As we began the lesson somebody knocked on the door. When they came into the room we were teaching in it turned out to be the less-active sister who the missionaries hadn't contacted in over two years. We were able to teach the message of the Restoration and bare witness to each of them of the comfort and assurance that comes as we begin to follow Jesus Christ's example and put into practice His gospel. Then out of nowhere our less-active member was able to bare testimony of what we were saying. She said that what we were saying is true and for some reason she has just lost her course a little bit and would like to find it again. As we invited both of them to church the member stated how she would bring this now investigator to church one of these days. We didn't see them this week in church but we are praying and hoping they will be able to come at next week.
I feel like the Lord really answered many of my prayers this week. My first Zone Conference when I gave my testimony I remember talking about how we can see miracles in our lives through the power and strength we receive through prayer(in broken Italian). If anything that testimony has only grown(and the Italian has gotten better) and I know that the Lord answers our prayers of extreme faith. He loves us! I have been praying for these miracles and these lessons and many of them have been answered this week. I feel so very grateful for all that I have been given. I hope everyone has a great week and that you all remember how much I love you all.
Love We have had another wonderful week here in Catanzaro. This week has been one of the best out of my time here. We were able to see many miracles and many little blessings this week.
we had a random exchange with the Assistants this week out of nowhere but we had lots of fun while they were here and I would say that I learned a lot from them. Among one of the biggest lessons I learned from them during there short stay would have to be how to be happy all the time. They have soooo much energy, it is a little bit against my personality to be like that but I do understand how I need to show the joy of the gospel to all those around me. I feel like I've gotten a little bit better at that but there is always room for improvement right?
At the beginning of the week we were blessed to have a wonderful tender mercy. Last week I told you about the miracle that we had while trying to find the less-active member of the church and how that led to getting a new investigator who lives just below our less-active sister. We were very excited to have the opportunity to return and teach her more of our wonderful message. As we began the lesson somebody knocked on the door. When they came into the room we were teaching in it turned out to be the less-active sister who the missionaries hadn't contacted in over two years. We were able to teach the message of the Restoration and bare witness to each of them of the comfort and assurance that comes as we begin to follow Jesus Christ's example and put into practice His gospel. Then out of nowhere our less-active member was able to bare testimony of what we were saying. She said that what we were saying is true and for some reason she has just lost her course a little bit and would like to find it again. As we invited both of them to church the member stated how she would bring this now investigator to church one of these days. We didn't see them this week in church but we are praying and hoping they will be able to come at next week.
I feel like the Lord really answered many of my prayers this week. My first Zone Conference when I gave my testimony I remember talking about how we can see miracles in our lives through the power and strength we receive through prayer(in broken Italian). If anything that testimony has only grown(and the Italian has gotten better) and I know that the Lord answers our prayers of extreme faith. He loves us! I have been praying for these miracles and these lessons and many of them have been answered this week. I feel so very grateful for all that I have been given. I hope everyone has a great week and that you all remember how much I love you all.
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New Transfer
May 19, 2014
Ciao Tutti,
Well it's been another good week here. Anziano G********* and I are excited to get to work together so that we can start growing the work together here in Catanzaro. I like to think of this work here as growing the base of the branch for the future. We have good members right now but lots of them are older and so we would like to find some of the younger people to help for the future. The work is really looking up here as well as we are starting to find some really good potentials especially in these last few weeks.
On Saturday we had a tender mercy as we were trying to find some less-actives for the month of the invite coming very soon. We were working really hard at finding and talking to people that day and we hadn't had to much luck up to that point. We then stopped by a less-actives house only to find that she wasn't home... We were writing a note to let her know that we had stopped by and that we would be passing by in the near future. At that time I felt prompted to ring the door bell of one of her neighbors that lived in her building. This women answered the door and let us in, at this point we were both a little bit surprised because as I'm sure you all know we don't get let in very often doing house. I wasn't super surprised though because we were working hard and being guided by the spirit. We were able to have a nice conversation about the Restoration and how it can bless their lives as a family. I am really hoping that this family might be our new base. They are husband and wife and they have two kids around 30 years old that we might begin teaching.
One of the greatest things that I have been so blessed to see in my life is how the Lord uses us to bless the lives of others. Sometimes it seems like everyone just wants to argue with us or they have no real interest in what we are saying but then the Lord blesses us with a tender mercy and there is someone who has been prepared by Him to receive the gospel at this time in their lives. I am excited to work with Elder G********** to bring the "great news" to these people here and try to grow our base. We are also working with all members but specifically the younger ones to try and give us some referrals. We will see in the near future if our endeavors in that field will bring some fruit but I know that the Lord is guiding the work here and that Elder G********* and I have been called to serve and help the people here.
I know I tell you often but I hope you really know how grateful I am for all you guys do to support me while I'm here!! Have a great week!!
Ciao Tutti,
Well it's been another good week here. Anziano G********* and I are excited to get to work together so that we can start growing the work together here in Catanzaro. I like to think of this work here as growing the base of the branch for the future. We have good members right now but lots of them are older and so we would like to find some of the younger people to help for the future. The work is really looking up here as well as we are starting to find some really good potentials especially in these last few weeks.
On Saturday we had a tender mercy as we were trying to find some less-actives for the month of the invite coming very soon. We were working really hard at finding and talking to people that day and we hadn't had to much luck up to that point. We then stopped by a less-actives house only to find that she wasn't home... We were writing a note to let her know that we had stopped by and that we would be passing by in the near future. At that time I felt prompted to ring the door bell of one of her neighbors that lived in her building. This women answered the door and let us in, at this point we were both a little bit surprised because as I'm sure you all know we don't get let in very often doing house. I wasn't super surprised though because we were working hard and being guided by the spirit. We were able to have a nice conversation about the Restoration and how it can bless their lives as a family. I am really hoping that this family might be our new base. They are husband and wife and they have two kids around 30 years old that we might begin teaching.
One of the greatest things that I have been so blessed to see in my life is how the Lord uses us to bless the lives of others. Sometimes it seems like everyone just wants to argue with us or they have no real interest in what we are saying but then the Lord blesses us with a tender mercy and there is someone who has been prepared by Him to receive the gospel at this time in their lives. I am excited to work with Elder G********** to bring the "great news" to these people here and try to grow our base. We are also working with all members but specifically the younger ones to try and give us some referrals. We will see in the near future if our endeavors in that field will bring some fruit but I know that the Lord is guiding the work here and that Elder G********* and I have been called to serve and help the people here.
I know I tell you often but I hope you really know how grateful I am for all you guys do to support me while I'm here!! Have a great week!!
Sending Pictures
May 12, 2014
I'm not sending a big one this week because we all talked yesterday. It was sooooo nice hearing from all of you and getting to talk to you all. I will send some pics this week instead of a big email. I love you all and will talk to you next week!!
I'm not sending a big one this week because we all talked yesterday. It was sooooo nice hearing from all of you and getting to talk to you all. I will send some pics this week instead of a big email. I love you all and will talk to you next week!!
sorry pics didn't work super well.... I could only send one for every email after I waited for them to download. you will get more next week!!
It's My Birthday
May 5, 2014
Ciao Tutti,
Ciao Tutti,
Well I can't write anything long because I spent waaaaayyyyy to much time sending personal emails. I feel like the luckiest man on earth to have all the love that was given to me this week. I love you all soooo much and am so grateful to have known you all in one way or another. You all mean sooo much to me in your own personal way. As I responded to all the emails I was grateful for the people that have been placed into my life. I honestly don't know why I am as blessed as I am but I have met some amazing people and been given some amazing friends and family in my life.
I want to let you all know that I am doing well. We are working hard even if the work isn't quite going foreward as we might hope we will always do the will of the Lord our Savior. I want to bare my testimony that I know that Christ lives and love EACH one of us Personally. He knows what we are going through and what we have need of, all he asks is that we exercise faith in Him and He will bless us in all aspects of life. He has a Plan that is PERFECT and we must have the faith to follow that plan even if it isn't exactly what we think is the beest or we think might be right. He is allknowing and He will bless us if we trust in Him. I love you all and hope all is going well. Miracles happen. Have a great week!!
Love
Anziano Passantino
Sicily
April, 28 2014
Dear Family and friends
I hope everyone had a good week.For us this week has been very quick and I've been a bit tired but overall it was a good week. Monday was pretty crazy here as we tried to get all of the cleaning and Pday activities done so that we could go to Siracusa on Tuesday morning. Then from Tuesday to Thursday were were in Siracusa getting Anziano K*****'s permesso. I was happy to have the opportunity to go and do some missionary work with the Anziani there in Siracusa. They are both great elders and are working really hard. They are seriously doing a great job. All the missionaries there, Anziani and Sorelle, are really great and super friendly. I feel like the work there will really start to pick up here soon.
When we got to Siracusa I had an awesome experience with the first person there that I really met. This man looked at my name tag and asked if I was Italian like most people do when they read my name. I then explained to him about how I was born in America and have always lived there but how my name is Italian and how I have the Sicilian blood. He then came up to me gave me a big hug and said (in Italian obviously) "This guy right here is my brother" That was super special to me and I will never forget that moment, I felt like I was home again there in Sicily. Other than that the trip was great, like I said they are all great missionaries there. Plus we had some Arancini and Granita. Both made famous by Sicily and they were sooo good. And we also had some canoli this week as well!!
Then we were able to get home with enough time to send a fax of Anziano K***** permesso to the office and then teach English course. On Friday we went and looked for some less active members but unfortunately we didn't really find anyone at home. We left a little note and an invitation to come back to church. Hopefully we will be able to find some less actives here soon because we have searched for about 10 different ones and they have all been gone. We then had the chance to go to Crotone to have a Scambio with the elders there and go and watch the baptism that they had there.
The spirit at the baptism was great.A sister in Crotone gave a talk on the Holy Ghost and I felt the sweet feeling of assurance of the Holy Ghost in my life as she testified of Its comfort. I know that the spirit has really blessed my life and that it is always with me as long as I am striving to do my best at being obedient and worthy of Its guidance.
Are week has been very busy but the work here has suffered a little bit, hopefully we can bounce back strong this week. We are struggling finding people to teach so we are trying to use all of our "Golf Clubs" to find some new people to teach. We have some good potentials that hopefully we will be able to meet this week. Other than that we are doing well. Hoping that everyone there is doing well. Keep us in your prayers that we might find some people to teach. We are struggling to find people to teach and just investigators in general. Thanks for everything you all do and for your examples to me!! I love you all.
Love
Anziano Passantino
BUONA PASQUA E ANCHE PASQUETTA
April 21, 2014
Ciao tutti,
Ciao tutti,
How is everyone doing?? I hope everyone had a good Easter and that everyone was able to spend time reflecting and pondering on the true meaning and all the many blessing we have in our life. This week has been a really good one.
It has been filled with lots of miracles. Anziano K***** and I are trying to look for miracles in our lives and we really have seen the difference. Each day in our planner we take five min. or more to write down the miracles we have seen. Sometimes they are obvious and numerous other days they are much more subtle but are still blessings that we are being given each and every day.
For example; this week we were finding in this new park that we found. It didn't necessarily go amazing but we were still happy and feeling good. As we were walking to come home from visiting an investigator that was in our Hospital we were a little late for the little train and were in a little bit of a rush. We passed this one man who had his head down and was just sitting on a fence near a small little park. We both walked passed him without saying anything trying to catch our train to get back home for Pranzo. As we got to the station, Anziano K***** said how we should go back and talk to this man. I knew it was the right thing to do because I had the same feeling in my heart. As we went back, we were able to talk to not only that man but another who came up to us as we were talking to this other. Anziano K***** spoke with one as I spoke to the other about this great message that we have to offer. From both of the people were received permission to return and speak with them again about our message. It was a tender mercy that we both received because we had been praying and even fasting to try and find people that we could begin to teach and bring to the knowledge of this great gospel. We had the spirit with us and as we listened we were guided to people who the Lord knew would accept us at that time. I am so grateful for the many tender mercies that the Lord gives to us. I learned a lot from Elder M*******, our district leader who taught us about the small and simple things in this work last DDM. This was something small but may bring to pass those things that will be great.
I am grateful for this gospel, for my Savior and for the knowledge He has given to me about who I am and who I must become to one day return to live in His presence. I cannot begin to describe the Love that the Savior has for EVERY single person on this earth. Because of this love He is just waiting for us to use His guidance therefore recieve His many blessings that He is ready to poor out upon each of us. I testify that this gospel is true and that I know this with all of my heart. I feel grateful to be able to experience this and for the change I have to share that with the people of Italy. I hope you all are doing well and that you have a great week. thanks for all of the prayers and support that you all give to me.
Love Anziano Passantino
ps I GET TO GO TO SICILY THIS WEEK!!!!!!!!!! I CAN'T WAIT!! WAHOOOO!
April 14, 2014
Anziano Passantino
Well we have had a good week here in Catanzaro. All topped off by getting to see President and Sorella Waddoups yesterday for church. We are really doing well. This week has been filled with lots of finding and I am sure there will be much more in the future but we are PUMPED UP to go do it!! :)
This past week we had Branch Conference here. We had a member of the District Presidency come along with President and Sorella Waddoups. I got to translate for Sorella Waddoups and I think it went pretty well. The theme was The Family Proclamation. Even before we knew what the theme of the branch conference would be we had set some goals to pass those out to people. We are really looking forward to continuing with this but also adding other different topics in our finding tools. With the Proclamation we were able to stop more families this past week and talk to them about the importance of families. I have seen the peoples hearts softened a little bit because of the time of year as we near Easter. We were able to talk to many people about how the family unit is important in their lives and then give them testimony of Eternal Families and how we can live together forever.
I feel so blessed to have grown up in a house where this was the center of our lives. My parents instilled in me the desire to live with my family for eternity and now I have the chance to share that joy with others here in Italy. My parents and family have taught me almost everything I know and not only with words but most importantly by example. I now have the desire to share that with others and one day be able to live my spouse and family for eternity. I believe this is one of the greatest messages we share because, at least for me, there are few things in life that bring more joy than knowing that I can live with my family forever.
During Sacrament meeting, President Waddoups called my companion and I up to give testimony of different things. Mine was the love God has for each person individually and for families to return back to Him. After Elder Kearon spoke about finding out who you are I went on a search to find this out for myself. As I was bearing testimony during the meeting I felt Him guiding the way I spoke. That has happened two times this week. I know that He was giving me an answer to my prayers by showing me that He is always with me, That He will never leave me alone, and fulfilling the promise that"it shall be given you in the very hour, yea, in the very moment, what ye shall say." I have felt the spirit guiding me in this work and I am soo grateful to the Lord for this gift that He has given to us and is willing to give to anyone willing to take His name upon them.
We are doing well and hoping to continue to strengthen the people here in Catanzaro in the time we have been given here. I hope everyone has an Amazing Easter. Remember this time of year, Christ not only died for us but also was Resurrected for us. With this He gave us the answer to Job's question "If a man die, shall he live again?" for as the scriptures say “Why seek ye the living among the dead? “He is nothere, but is risen.” and “For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. “For as in Adam all die, even so inChrist shall all be made alive.” I want you all to know that Christ lives. That He loves us and that His church has been restored to the earth today through a prophet of God named Joseph Smith and that Thomas S. Monson a living prophet of God leads and guides his church today. I love you all and wish you all a happy Easter.
LoveThis past week we had Branch Conference here. We had a member of the District Presidency come along with President and Sorella Waddoups. I got to translate for Sorella Waddoups and I think it went pretty well. The theme was The Family Proclamation. Even before we knew what the theme of the branch conference would be we had set some goals to pass those out to people. We are really looking forward to continuing with this but also adding other different topics in our finding tools. With the Proclamation we were able to stop more families this past week and talk to them about the importance of families. I have seen the peoples hearts softened a little bit because of the time of year as we near Easter. We were able to talk to many people about how the family unit is important in their lives and then give them testimony of Eternal Families and how we can live together forever.
I feel so blessed to have grown up in a house where this was the center of our lives. My parents instilled in me the desire to live with my family for eternity and now I have the chance to share that joy with others here in Italy. My parents and family have taught me almost everything I know and not only with words but most importantly by example. I now have the desire to share that with others and one day be able to live my spouse and family for eternity. I believe this is one of the greatest messages we share because, at least for me, there are few things in life that bring more joy than knowing that I can live with my family forever.
During Sacrament meeting, President Waddoups called my companion and I up to give testimony of different things. Mine was the love God has for each person individually and for families to return back to Him. After Elder Kearon spoke about finding out who you are I went on a search to find this out for myself. As I was bearing testimony during the meeting I felt Him guiding the way I spoke. That has happened two times this week. I know that He was giving me an answer to my prayers by showing me that He is always with me, That He will never leave me alone, and fulfilling the promise that"it shall be given you in the very hour, yea, in the very moment, what ye shall say." I have felt the spirit guiding me in this work and I am soo grateful to the Lord for this gift that He has given to us and is willing to give to anyone willing to take His name upon them.
We are doing well and hoping to continue to strengthen the people here in Catanzaro in the time we have been given here. I hope everyone has an Amazing Easter. Remember this time of year, Christ not only died for us but also was Resurrected for us. With this He gave us the answer to Job's question "If a man die, shall he live again?" for as the scriptures say “Why seek ye the living among the dead? “He is nothere, but is risen.” and “For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. “For as in Adam all die, even so inChrist shall all be made alive.” I want you all to know that Christ lives. That He loves us and that His church has been restored to the earth today through a prophet of God named Joseph Smith and that Thomas S. Monson a living prophet of God leads and guides his church today. I love you all and wish you all a happy Easter.
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