Italy Milan Mission August 2007 - 2009
Carissimi Amici,Well, I'm still serving in Genova, Italy right now on my 3rd transfer here. We are seeing a lot of progress here in the work. I just got my new companion from Spanish Fork, Utah, Anziano Rogers. I opened a companionship here with Anziano Ballard and we have done a lot of finding work doing Bus, Street, Homes, and Parks. That's sounds so weird to say that in English because we are always speaking Italian with that.. like Strada, Casa.. etc. The Italians here are awesome and we have meet many people and taught many lessons. We reactivated 2 less active members that have been inactive for some time. We are currently progressing with some investigators and are looking forward to invite them to be baptized. What else can I say! I love this work. I hear from some older missionaries that have been here, that they would like to stay longer. I'm starting to feel the spirit that they are feeling, always when I'm doing this great work. I'm living with the zone leaders currently and it*s pretty cool. Always learning something new from them. My old companion, my trainer went on to become a zone leader at Trieste, almost all the way across the mission (6 hours on train). It*s crazy to hear from everyone in these newsletters and to see people change during their mission. I'm learning from new experiences all the time. Especially, when talking with people and what to talk about and how to open up to people. I hope that I don't get transferred from this beautiful city, it*s the one closest resembling Arizona . . . with dry weather and the beautiful landscape.Vi voglio aver tanti benedizioni!
Ciao Ciao, Anziano Ball
Elder Mike Kleinman
Hey Everyone! I was able to watch the funeral, and I really like how Thomas S. Monson and the others kept a very upbeat attitude. We got to watch it in english in a smaller room in the church. While the rest of the members watched it in the main chapel. We have our zone conference this Thursday and we have to travel to Catamarca. Also, Elder Robbins from the Seventys is coming to visit us and inspect our pensions as well. For what, I have no clue. I love this work we are doing here. We have a few families lined up for baptism in the coming month and they are progressing just fine. All is going well here in La Rioja. Its hotter than heck being at 125 degs., but you get used to it. Sad thing is, after hours of walking in plain sun, Im still not tan...sigh. Its starting to cool off here...a little. Anywho, in the next couple of week there is a really big festival going on called the "Chaya." its a big party where everyone on the street throws water balloons and flower onto other people, while the punk kids here will throw water balloons filled with urine, gross huh? Which will be just peachy in prostelyting clothes heh. As Missionaries we are not allowed to participate, but most Missionaries see that rule more as "guidelines." We are teaching a bunch of great families right now. Everyone of them are the poorest of the poor, but they are wonderful people. Well, other than that, I'm still with my latin comp. Elder Suarez. he's a great guy and I*ve really learned a ton of spanish with him. I hope all is going well with everyone else! Thanks for all of your support guys! I know this is the Lord*s work and none other*s. Remember to sudy your scriptures well! *Cia*! Elder Kleinman
Elder Gary Chambers
Hello My Brothers,Another week under the belt here at the DRizzle... Things are going great! Had a fair share of changes and excitements around here... Originally, due to the size of Constanza, there were 4 Elders here, However... One Elder who has had a problem with his skin reacting to the climate here, had to leave last Monday for the States... Elder Judd was re-called to finish his mission in New Mexico... Because of this, we figured that they would send up another Elder to be Elder Silcox's comp. WELL, we were wrong, they shipped out Elder Silcox too... he's in the big city Santiago now. Elder Rampton and I are left with ALL of Constanza for oursleves now :) It's safe to say between our investigators and theirs, there is No time to visit my old friend "The John"... Sad story I know. We had an Interesting contact last night... Before we had a chance to greet him, he started Preaching to us in a voice much louder than necessary. He was preaching about Christ, and from what I could understand, everything he was saying was true, so i smiled in agreement and let him run out of breath... Once he paused long enough to get a comment in edge-wise, my comp jumped in and asked if we could share a message with him and his family... and with no objections, we were invited in and sat down. He started up with the preaching again, but before he could gain any momentum, my comp headed him off with the First lesson. After a few minutes of nodding and intense staring (I guess that's his thing...) My comp offered him the pamphlet we used in the lesson. He paused... I know that he KNEW that he should take it, but he wrote it off saying that he didn't need it, and that he had a complete Bible, and read to us a passage that suggested to be saved, one simply needed to believe in Christ. My comp chimmed in saying that Baptism is a crucial part in salvation, to which he agreed... Elder Rampton went on to explain that baptism by the Authority of God is the only baptism that counts. He then explained plainly that after the death of Jesus Christ and the 12 apostles, the authority to perform saving priesthood ordinances, such as baptism, died as well. He then explained that it was restored to the Earth once more through the adminstering of angels when Peter, James, and John (3 of the 12 apostles of Jesus Christ who recieved the authority from Christ Himself) conferred the preisthood ordinance through the laying on of hands to Joseph Smith, the First prophet in our times. After all this, he still remained hard in his heart and instead of listening just started talking about whatever came to his mind to the point that he wasn't connecting thoughts anymore, and everything just got random. With a sigh of dissapointment, we decided it was time to go, so my comp asked who's turn it was to pray, and he chose my comp. So we all bowed our heads, and about 5 words into the prayer, the other guy i guess either changed his mind about who was going to pray, or was a big fan of "The Double Prayer"... Cause he started praying too, and again, in a voice much louder than necessary. I almost laughed just from how unexpected it was... but managed to restrain. With a lil difficutly in concentrating, my comp finished the prayer, and we decided to remain in prayer position until he finished his. Once he ended, he looked up and smiled at us as if he did that sort of thing all the time and it was to be expected. Hahaha i loved it... We shook hands and left. Well that's about all i have time for this month, I gotta run now. Love you all, take care. Elder Chambers
Elder Jeff Stoker
So....another month. I decided that time is a wierd thing. So I just thought I would say some things about the church in Russia, because i dont have that many interesting things to say. SO in the Russia Samara Mission, there is a City called Saratov. Saratov is known as the heart of the church in Russia. There are the most families there than any other city in Russia. There is not even a temple in all of Russia. The closest temple is in Finland. Not very many members have been to the Temple, because it is way to ****** expensive for them to pay for plane tickets to get there. ******Everyone here is waiting for the temple in the Ukraine to be ******completed. Hopefully it will be completed soon* Wanna know ******something crazy? There is not even a stake in All of Russia. In Balakovo*..which is where I am*. There has been the same branch presidency for 7 years. They know my cousin who served 4 years ago. I have seen a couple pictures with him and the members here. Anyways, everything is good with me. I just keep on keeping on. We are really trying to work with our investigators right now preparing for baptism. They are going to have the baptismal interview this Saturday, so we are extremely excited about that. Hopefully they will be baptized before the end of February. Anyways, After that huge storm, the weather here has really warmed up. It is only like 30 degrees now. It seems like it is 100 degrees though after going from -30 to 30. I am going to try to send out a whole bunch of letters this next week. Things are crazy busy for us this next week. It always seems like we are on the run. I have been trying to experiment to try and find the best Russian foods, and the best Russian candies, and it has come with very little success. I could definitely tell you what you shouldn*t eat though. I had borsch for the first time this week. Borsch is beet root soup. I took one bite, and then i said I choose death, before I eat this. It was bad. Then I tried it like 5 days later, and I actually liked it. Maybe it was starvation, but I actually liked it. And it is sad to say, but I am getting used to the milk here. It doesn*t have the nasty taste to me anymore. And to top all that off, I have found mormon approved tea, that I really like. (everyone here LOVES tea.). I think I may be turning Russian, so when I get back, I am going to be very rude, and very obnoxious when I return! HAHAH. Oh wait*.i guess nothing would have really changed. And just so every one knows, your complaining with how hot and cold it is in your missions gets no where with me. it gets 110 here in the Summer, and it gets -30 in the Winter. haha. So just remember, while you are freezing or sweating, just remember that someone out there has it worse..... Me. Anyways, I love you all, and I hope you have a fantastic February. Love, Elder Jeff Stoker
Elder Max Crandall
Hola, gentlemen * So, first of all, check it out! I found a typewriter! I bought it at Value Village (a local thrift store) for $2.50! I think it*s going to increase my weekly letter output by 50%...maybe. Handwriting was killin* me. So, you may have noticed, I have not been transferred. Six months in my greenie area but do not mourn for me. I*m having the time of my life. Mt. Vernon is my home town, my hood, my arena. I*ve had three companions but I*m still in the same apartment. Elder Jensen, my last companion, was just transferred to a new area as a zone leader. We only served together for six weeks but he was great. My new companion*s name is Elder Dance *Dance Revolution* as I like to refer to him. He isn*t a good dancer and he*s one chilly chili and doesn*t speak a ton, but watch out when he does. He*s a cool kat. I hear that President Showalter wants to have missionaries stay together and in the same area for longer so if you think about it, I only have three new areas left. We*ve been having a lot of success here. One gent we*ve been working with is Alwood Harang. One Sunday, Elder Jensen and I were sitting in the foyer at church and I saw Alwood walk in through the side doors of the church. I heard this voice in my head say, *You should go talk to him.* I thought, I*m so tired though and I just sat down in this nice armchair. *You should go talk to him.* Yeah, but he*s probably a member and members are so awkward to talk to. Then I didn*t hear anything. I was so furious at myself later for not recognizing the Spirit. Thankfully, the Lord knows I*m an idiot, and Alwood came and talked to us instead. We*ve been teaching him for a few weeks now. On January 12th Elder Richard G. Scott came and spoke to us. I think it was the coolest experience of my life. I*ve never been in the same room as an apostle before. It was incredible. When Elder Scott walked in the room, everything changed. It was an amazing feeling. I tried to stare at him for a couple of seconds but I had to look away. It was like looking at the sun. He taught us a lot of neat things about the Spirit and how to recognize it. It was seriously one of the best days of my mission. This mission thing is like an emotional rollercoaster. I have come to realize how the gospel can and should be an anchor in our lives. Before, I took church, the scriptures, modern day prophets, all for granted. But the other day, when I was having a particularly hard day, I read a quote by President James E. Faust. He said, *What is the cost of discipleship? It is primarily obedience. It is the forsaking of many things. But since everything in life has a price, it is a price worth paying, considering that the great promise of the Savior is for peace in this life and eternal life in the life to come.* I suppose what I*m getting at is, talk*s cheap. Elder Neal A. Maxwell once said, *Deeds, not words * and becoming, not describing * are dominant in true discipleship.* I came out here on a mission expecting things to work out and I have been blessed that certain things have worked out, but I now realize that the best missionary work is accomplished through example. Sorry for draggin* on but I love you guys. I pray for you and I know you are amazing individuals. I know that my Redeemer lives. I know that He directs the affairs of His church. Catch ya off the reel * Elder Crandall
Elder Garrett Jones
Hey everybody greetings from the Bronx, NY! Things are going well here for me, we're working hard and the getting blessings from the Lord. The Bronx is different than anywhere else I've ever been. There is always something strange and new going on and the people here are surprisingly very friendly. It is surprising how many Spanish speakers there are, it seems like everybody is from Mexico, El Salvador, or the good 'ol Dominican Republic. We have been blessed by the Lord in that we've been able to witness Fernando progress towards his baptism this past Sunday. We're way excited for him especially because of all the opposition he's faced. Grant I think I definitely had you beat in that last letter for the shortest entry, and it looks like I might make it again. I hope all is well for all of you around the world, especially those who just got out in the field. The Lord loves us all and this is his work. Garrett
Elder Logan Wells
Well let me see, life here in Puerto Rico is great I am still here in Rio Piedras. The work is going good. I am just working really hard. I am still biking and walking. We recently got another Elder, so I am in a three some now. Elder Lloyd is from California and is 26 years old. Funny to think he is the same age as my Sister, and she has 3 kids. He is real cool, and looks like he is 21. I recently hit my 6th month mark and burned a tie and as it was burning the curtains caught on fire then my bed and before you know it our whole house was up in flames, and everyone was running around yelling policia policia. Ha Ha not really. I have seen some crazy things in this past four months here and well I am really just so grateful for all that I have and for all the opportunities that I have in this life. I am Thank-ful for the Gospel,family and you my friends! Peace, Logan
Elder Daniel Anderson
Hello Everyone!I*M IN STOCKTON! It*s so crazy here, I hear gunshots and sirens all day and all night long*I am in the middle of the hood*it*s kinda scary. But it*s all good, the Lord is with us. We have to be back in our rooms at 9:15. My apartment is cool, it isn*t too crappy looking. I live with two English Elders and they are ok. My trainer*s name is Elder Thorsen, he is from Dallas, Texas, and he is an amazing missionary. Everyone has said that the Stockton area has sucked it up lately and they put him here to start making things happen. He is really dedicated and he is teaching me a lot. He was in the last group of Hmong elders that came to Sacramento and he has been out for 18 MONTHS! Me and Elder Lee are the first Hmong elders that came to Sacramento from the MTC in over a year! It*s crazy, all the Hmong elders are getting ready to leave, so in six months I will be training*not good*. The language is really tough and I am trying to understand things better but*it*s like everything they taught me in the MTC was all wrong. Almost everyone I have met here speaks Green Hmong and they taught us White Hmong in the MTC, so that doesn*t help. I got my new Hmong name, I*m Tsim Meej Vaj now! My last name in English is tight it*s VANG! Anyway, it means to create clarity or vision. My mission president is probably one of the smartest men I have ever met. He used to be a Seventy! He has a photographic memory and can quote the scriptures like I have never seen before! He knows so much, and he is so nice. His wife is tight too, and he has a 24-year-old son that has Down Syndrome. He reminds me of my nephew Thomas, he is so cute. I will have a car my whole mission but Saturday we rode bikes*it was awful, I*m getting so FAT! It was fun because you talk to a lot of different people but there was this thing in the road I couldn*t see and I ate it pretty good*I know I*m clumsy but hey I figured I should get it out of my system early!!! We are assigned to one branch, but we have 8 missionaries there (4 Cambodian Elders). A Laosian member in our branch just died so that was sad and one of our Hmong members just found out she has lung and liver cancer*it*s really sad because she already had her arm amputated because of bone cancer. We have a super tight investigator right now, named De. She is crazy into the church and we will probably baptize her next Sunday. It*s pretty sad about President Hinckley but it*s okay, the Church is still true and we will continue to press forward. I have to go, I love you all, be good! Daniel
Elder Kellan Brady
Hello to all,
I know you have told me you enjoy me sharing my missionary experiences. About a week ago I was on exchanges with an Elder from the zone. We were in our area trying to find the most effective thing to do.
As we were driving I felt that we should turn around and tract a particular street called Winding Hill. This felt a bit odd because tracting is the least effective thing to do in this area. Sometimes I doubt, but this time I didnt. After we tracted the entire street I felt it was a fruitless event. We were told by most of the people that Mitt Romney is a nice man, but they were not interested in our precious message. Except for one man that told us to come back some time. We came back a week later and met with Alimo and his wife Tanchi. After our first appointment, they ask us to come back the next day. We taught them a powerful 1st lesson. They were both at church on Sunday. It is so special to me how quick you can love someone like you were related to them. I love them soo much. They both are so kind and nice to us. All of their family is from Californa, and they consider us as their own boys. The other day they said that they wrote a letter to you.
Now I could go on and tell you about how golden they are; but I will share a story that will state that. Alimo had a dream on Saturday night of a lady that had a problem with her electrical system in her home. She was trying to figure out what was wrong and she began to be depressed. She said a prayer hoping that someone would help her with her home. Randomly, her Mormon member neighbor dropped over and helped fix the problem.
Now when Alimo went to sacrament meeting, a woman told the same story of the very thing that Alimo had dreamed. It is so neat to see how God will answer prayers in different ways. Alimo, and his wife will make great members. In fact, we happen to find them precisely when they are starting a Spanish Branch here in Black Mountain.
Speaking of the Spanish Branch, I went on exchanges with one of the Spanish Elders from our zone. As we were driving out of one of the neighborhoods I saw a van going in the opposite direction from us. I felt we should follow them. Now keep in mind that we are on the lookout to find Spanish people for the branch. The people passing were Spanish looking. I normally will never follow someone. In fact, I have never followed someone home; because most people would be creeped out. Even I would be for crying out loud. Anyway, we did follow them home and we invited them to church. Yet, another soul was being prepared. The lady and her kids that we followed home were discussing just the other day how they needed to find a church. The whole family will be at church this weekend. As awkward and unnatural as it was, I am greatful the spirit led us to them.
I got my final Missionary packet today. It contains all the info about my mission I will ever need. I am grateful for it, but at the same time I don't want to open it; knowing that it represents an ending to my sweet mission.
I love this work! I love My mission! I love all of you!!!
Until Next Time ELDER K.P. BRADY
