Sunday, September 25, 2011

I am the new YM's president in the branch !!!!

September 21st,2011

Hey!!!!!!!

So I wont be doing a day to day, but I will talk about some awesome things that happened, this week. I think my high light of this week was zone conference, on Friday, it was amazing. I went with a question in mind that I wanted answered, and I got that questions answered over and over again. It was just so nice to know what I need to do now haha. It was so amazing, the zone conference was on acting or being acted upon, and when we act, to act and choose the Lord and not the Natural man. Anyways I just took really good notes and everything that was being said just seemed that it was all for me. I love it when that happens :) it was just a very spiritual and uplifting zone conference.  

There was also transfers, this all starts with Sunday, so we had church like normal and then it was a potluck so we all stayed and ate. Then we had a type of ward council. We were all talking and one of our members who was the young men's president moved and wouldn't be coming back . Anyways they were talking about possible people and then they all looked at me and thought it would be a great idea if I was the young men's president. I had no problem with it. Actually if anything I would say I was excited out of my mind. The only thing is that transfers was that weekend, so I gave president Wolfgramms phone number to my branch President to call President Wolfgramm. He wanted to talk to President Wolfgramm to explain the situation and ask if I could stay in Mantova. Later that evening I got a call from President Wolfgramm. He talked about the conversation he had with my branch president and he told me that when he heard he wanted to make me young men's president he was totally against it at first but then got recommended by the spirit and changed his mind and just felt it was right. He didn't say whether he had me transferred already of not but pretty much just called me to give me his blessing that I could accept the calling. I was so happy, because I get to stay in Mantova and be the YM's president. President explained some other stuff like obviously I'm a missionary first and YM's president second and that I'm just going to have to work extra hard to have time to do both things. But I'm so up for it, and not to be pridefull  or think I'm amazing or anything but president did say that he felt really comfortable with me and he doesn't know if he would have accepted the idea if it wasn't me. He said he'd never really done this or allowed this before so if it goes well he might recommend wards and branches to do the same. He said he trusted me a lot because of my past experiences with callings like being in the elders quorum. I'm just excited to serve and really make a difference in this branch and also the lives of these young men and find other young men.

The week went pretty normally, we taught found and it was fun. This week we are dropping a lot of our investigators and are just going to start off new finding other people instead of wasting time with those who aren't progressing. I like the box idea dad and I'll do that with the people I think can really benefit from it. I like the idea alot and I know that it will help the work alot. So this next week, aside from doing YM activities. We will be doing a lot of finding work looking for more legit people to teach and the baptize, I really want to baptized another family and I know that it will be possible. 

I love this work and I love this church, the his the church of Jesus Christ and I know that we are literally lead by Him through living Apostles and Prophets. I love this gospel so much and I know I can be the difference in someone life. I love you all and I'm sorry my emails are shorter but don't worry they will be longer, just bear with me okay! I promise they wont be like this for the rest of my mission. I love you all so much!!!!!

Love Anziano Glowa

Sorry I don't have too much time this week.... I know that sounds like Jason !!!! Haha

September 14th,2011

Hey!! 

Sorry I don't have too much time this week.... I know that sounds like Jason but trust me on this one, also this week nothing special happened, it was just kinda like the same thing haha. We are teaching quite a few people but the problem we are facing right now isn't so much finding people  its more committing people, or getting people to commit to come to church. Read the book of Mormon, stuff like that. I teach everyone and we continue to see the people that are interested. I stop and talk to everyone but I teach those that are interested.
We have a few potentials, there is Jimmy, Kenedy, Anthony, and Godwin, they are all friends and all live together, the most legit of all these people I think is Godwin. He is just the most sincere of all of them, he asks good questions, has real concerns, and keeps our commitments. He told me he stayed up till 12, two nights ago just praying and searching for an answer, I know that if he continues like this and shows his faith, by praying, but also by reading he will get an answer. Because we know that "faith without works is dead" James 2:17  and I know that if he is only praying but not "working" and reading he wont get an answer, but I know that he will keep our commitments. 
A lot of our lessons, are in a park where the Dos Santos live, so we have been bringing Pablo and Bruna to lessons with us, they don't speak English too well but they speak Italian and I translate. I think they are a huge help, just for our investigators to see members, young members, that got baptized only like 2 months ago, and to see them bear there testimonies I think it really helps. I know that if we keep bringing Pablo and Bruna our investigators will create friendships and when they get baptized they will stay active.  
Its just awesome to see how to much is going well, but at the same time I know that work could be going a lot better. I guess that's just normal to think. Like what can I do more, or what can I do better, I know that if I always have that mentality in mind the Lord will help me be better and do what I need to do and He will bless me with success :). In terms of Juciara and Roberto, we haven't heard from them in a while...they work till late at night and they haven't been answering there phone. I know that Roberto went over to Cyro's house last Sunday and Cyro talked to him a little bit I hope that helped. But if they don't continue to answer our phone calls I think I'll just drop by and bring them brownies or something and just explain that if they don't want to meet with us anymore that's fine and just express my love for them and invite them to come to church and to call the missionaries when they are ready. I think that would be better then just leaving the situation how it is :) 
Our other investigator Enzo, we also have not met with him but we have an appointment with him tomorrow I believe. I'll have to check but he's a cool guy, I think he likes having us over more for a social gathering and less of a religious gathering. But if he is willing to keep commitments we will continue to go over to his house, haha. If now we will do the same kinda thing well do with Juciara and Roberto. Anyways that was my week pretty much, just teaching and finding and teaching and finding and then finding and teaching and then more teaching and more finding oh and then there is also some teaching in there with a bit of finding but then there is more finding with less teaching. Then teaching and finding, haha no but for real I love teaching people and finding them :) I love you my family you have a great week, don't get too trunky for Jason haha. You'll see him soon enough :) I still have to wait another year to see my only brother... but its all worth is for the Lord. I love you!

Love Anziano Glowa

I can't believe I'm almost half way done,

September 7th,2011

Hello my family!!!

so I don't have my planner with me but I'll try my best to remember the week okay :) and don't worry you're getting pictures also :) 

THURSDAY- we just taught lessons, it was a good day and I felt busy which is good. The thing we are struggling with is getting legit people. We have no problem teaching people but then they just are hard to get a hold of or just they don't keep commitments. I know that we just have to continue and the Lord will see our faith and lead us to those that are really searching. I do see how I've improved in my finding activities and also teaching abilities. I love growing, I can't believe that I've been on a mission for almost a year. I've grown so much!"!!! Our newest investigator (investigator is Italian is called simpatizzanti) is called Enzo he's 50 and he's autistic but its obvious that he's searching for something. He's semi interested, he doesn't want to commit too much but he wants to listen, if he doesn't keep commitments then we'll drop him but we'll give him a shot. 

FRIDAY- today I'm not going to lie we didn't do too much, well we did but at the same time I had to go to Verona again to do  baptismal interview, my districts on fire!! haha I love it so we went to Verona and then the zone leaders came back with us to do a scambi but by the time we got home it was 9:30 so we didn't have time to do any work oh and by the way the zone leaders in Verona got a car!! haha lucky bums!! haha oh well so they came over and then we just talked and went to bed.

SATURDAY- today we taught English it went really well, and then we did a bunch of crazy finding work and taught 5 lessons doing casa and parco. I love talking to people, its so natural now, you know like no awkwardness...for me at least haha it just feels so right and there are no more awkward moments, haha its not like how it used to be....for an example about how natural I make it...if I see someone reading a book I'll ask them what book there reading, if they like reading and then tell them I have a book that will change there life haha. It doesn't always work out like that but I just love contacting people because I'm good at it now haha. I'm not being boastful because I know it's only because of the Lord I'm awesome :) Sadly we had an appointment to teach Juciara and Roberto but they cancelled on us...

SUNDAY- today we went to church it was a very good testimony meeting, the same people went up as usual haha. We are a branch of only like 30 people haha. I went up and bore testimony haha sadly Juciara and Roberto didn't come... but it was a good Sunday. I  felt the spirit and I just like going and taking the sacrament :) Then we went to Cyro's house to have lunch and we were able to leave after but I felt the spirit telling me to stay a bit longer. I didn't know why but I did haha and then Juciara and Roberto came over... So we were able to talk to them a bit and ask them why they didn't come and if they've prayed to know if these things are true and they didn't...its so simple but they just won't do it so we bore strong testimony and committed them to do it again... we will see what they do :) it was a good Sabbath.

MONDAY- went to Verona for district meeting. I did it on prayer. I'm just really trying to find the best way to pray. I don't think that I  not pray well, I just feel that they are a little repetitive. I'm really trying to learn how to make it a better communication and less of like a pizza order or something haha. I am just trying to find ways to get better haha. I've come to that part in my mission where if I'm not doing anything I feel like I'm wasting time... did you ever feel like that dad during you mission? Like I'll be at the kitchen table and I will just think I need to write in my journal or I need to work out or I need to clean this up or I need to study this or that haha. I just can not do nothing haha but I guess that's a good thing. Anyways after district meeting for the first time  I took the wrong train home... so annoying we had to get off wait for a train to go back to Verona and then wait to get the train to get to mantova it was a 4 hour process haha oh fun!! haha. Then we came home and taught Enzo and gave him a book of Mormon, he promised he'd read it i think he really liked it and liked how we presented it haha then we went over to the dos santos family for a FHE it was fun and the food was amazing!! :) 

TUESDAY- we were going to go to a members house but there was a bus strike so we had to move it to another time.... Then we went to fix an old bike we had because Sandra Dos Santos got her bike stolen. And had to walk to work . So we did like half of it, the bike was in really bad shape anyways when we bought all the stuff and had the bike half way fixed we got a call and she said someone else had already goten her a bike... anyways its the thought that counts right !!!! Anyways then Pablo has a talk to give and didn't know how to do one because he's a new member so we went over to help him with it. Then we went and taught brother Singh and his family, they are doing much better!!! They are so amazing I love them we taught them about charity and then we went to Cyro's house to talk about the missionary work. We just have a problem with not finding legit people but we just have to continue and go forward :) 

WEDNESDAY- today we went to the Ferrari factory to actually see the factory and not just drive... I didn't drive the Ferrari again my companion did but I didn't anyways it was way fun and it was a good day. Pablo and Bruna came, it was so fun, we will have to go together after the mission.

I love the mission and I love working,  I can't believe I'm almost half way done, I can't imagine what Jason is feeling right now, haha I love you all so much!!!! 

Love Anziano Glowa

My companion and I taught a lot of lessons.

September 24th,2011

Ciao Famiglia Mia! :)

THURSDAY- My companion and I taught a lot of lessons. We just went crazy on casa and parco and we are just teaching so much. Which is really good for my companion because he is learning fast, he is really good. I remember when I was at his age and its weird to think that I've been here almost a year... Scary but we are having fun, I'm more tired then ever just because of the heat too it get to like 35 degrees and then like 100% humidity its crazy!! But I know that the Lord will protect us from dying haha. I love working, its not always the easiest but it is the most rewarding and I love going out working really hard and just feeling good at the end of the day even if we don't find someone, I know the Lord is happy with our efforts.

FRIDAY- today we had a training at Verona, it was really well done, we worked on asking more questions and on doing role plays to practice. It was really good and I always feel so enlightened after those meetings. Also something crazy happened, its something new that the first presidency is doing, every companionship in the world is getting a portable DVD player. It's a risky move for those missionaries less obedient but its a great tool because we can watch practice dvds to help us improve our teaching. We had a lot of rules for them which is good because if we didn't things would get abused. I know that the Prophet is inspired and if this is going to help the work then so be it, but i wouldn't be surprised in 5 years if every missionary couple gets an iphone haha. We'll see I guess. Then after we blitz in Verona to help the work because they were down on numbers. 

SATURDAY- we taught English class, nothing new or exciting we are doing more stuff like translating English to Italian to help the students and also us understand more haha its fun. We were planning to go to a baptism in Verona with an investigator but he didn't show up, instead we found another one of our "regulars" and started talking. He never really got serious about the gospel but he was really humble, and just sincere, and so we taught him the restoration and the Book of Mormon again. He seemed really interested we felt impressed to give him a baptismal date and he accepted, he is from Nigeria and his name is Sylvester, please pray for him, he is so amazing and just really humble.

SUNDAY- we went to church and it was good, our branch is small but there is always just such a great spirit when we go there, I love the members, then after church we went to Cyro's house for lunch. I really love that family and they are such a great help to the ward and to our missionary work in Mantova. They're amazing.  Then we had a lesson with Sylvester and he brought 2 of his friends, Frank and Mike. We taught about the coming of Jesus in America (the book of Mormon) and of baptism. We invited his friends to be baptized and they accepted it was awesome! soo now we have 3 legit bap dates for this transfer and that's our vision lets see how many more we can get :) 

MONDAY- we had district meeting and I taught about using the Book of Mormon more in our teaching and helping people keep commitments that we leave them. Then we did role plays to practice it went really well. I love our district its so fun being 8 missionaries, just more input and I get to scambi with more missionaries and help them and get help from them its awesome. Then after I did a scambi with Anziano Dunshee he is awesome. We stayed in Verona and our two greenies went to Mantova. I think it was a good growing experience and helped them understand a lot and helped them learn the things they need to learn, they did great. I mean they have only been in Italy 2 weeks they did awesome, with Anziano Dunshee we worked really hard and we found amazing people. I'm in the habit of letting people know how purpose by inviting them as soon as possible if we feel the spirit. We invited 6 people to baptism and they all accepted, so now the missionaries in Verona have 6 baptismal dates, they are awesome. It was such a fun scambi and I really learned a lot from Anziano Dunshee, we share a companion. He had Anziano Zippro when he was in his 3rd just like me haha crazy, anyways we are just way good friends and are going to hang out after the mission, haha

TUESDAY- we re-scambied and I had to go to mantova with Anziano Dunshee to teach one of our new converts. 


This was a good week, we worked hard, did some scambio, I know that the Lord is growing me everyday and that this mission has changed my life, and will continue to change my life, I love the mission so much and I love you all sooooo much!!!!! thank you for all you do and for your love! 

Love Anziano Glowa

Thursday, September 8, 2011

The most amazing thing happened...

August 31st,2011


Hey!!!

this was a pretty good week :)

THURSDAY- we worked hard trying to teach as many lessons as possible we did casa and parco. We were able to teach 4 lessons, it was a good day. We taught one of our friends Sylvester. He is from Nigeria and it really interested in changing his life, we invited him to come with us to Verona for a baptism to see how a baptism works, he agreed, it was a good day.

FRIDAY- we went to Present Zambonini's house (branch president) and I told him everything that happened to brother Singh, he said he would talk to him and help the situation. It was a good lunch, the food there is always good :) Then we came back and had to get a train to Verona and Sylvester met us at the station. It was awesome that he came. On the way there we taught him about the Word of Wisdom and taught him that through reading, praying and going to church he can get help and grow his faith. Sylvester was so excited to go to Verona because he had never gone there and he thought it was so beautiful. The baptism was amazing, he made so many friends it was awesome the person getting baptized is also from Nigeria. Anyways it was so spiritual and amazing truly an amazing evening. On the way back on the train we read 3 nephi 27 with him, he really felt the spirit. I hope he pulls through, he does have a baptismal date. Now he just has to come to church 3 times in a row, if not we have to push his date back but lets pray for him :)

SATURDAY- the best part about Saturday was the evening, we went to Roberto and Juciara's house, the man is Italian and the wife is Brazilian. They are not married, but they have a 4 year old daughter, they are really cool. I don't remember if I've talked about them before. So we went to their house and they had dinner ready for us, so we ate. Then I was talking to Roberto about clothes and he said he had a really cool looking tight fitted yellow button shirt and so he made me try it on and he gave it to me haha. I told him  I would have to wait till after the mission to wear it haha. We were going to talk about the plan of salvation, but Juciara had some questions about coffee and stuff so we changed and taught the word of wisdom. It went really well and then we talked about how reading and praying and going to church will strengthen there testimony of these things. When I mentioned church Juciara said she didn't like church last week. Our branch is only 30 people and we meet in a small room and we have  3 families with little children...so its loud and the spirit is hard to feel. Anyways I promised her that if they would come this Sunday they would see a change and gain answers to there questions and they will know what they want. It was pretty cool to give a promise like that, but I had faith that the Lord would make this promise come to pass.

SUNDAY- we had church, sadly Sylvester didn't come so we will have to change his baptismal date. Juciara and Roberto came to church, and the most amazing thing happened...It was quite, there wasn't one screaming child. It was completely silent, it was awesome the spirit was so strong.The people giving talks were my companion, me and Cyro anyways it was awesome. I gave my talk just to them and the spirit was so strong, I know that the Lord helped my promise come to pass it was soooo legit. Then after church we worked hard to get our 20 lessons for the week and we got it!!!! I know that the work will just continue to explode and that miracles will happen :) 

MONDAY- we had district meeting, and this time I asked everyone to pick a favourite scripture and to bear testimony on it. It was nice it was like a little testimony meeting it was really spiritual. Then we came home and had lunch, then we did some parco and met a kid named Anthony. He is also from Nigeria and has a great desire to follow Christ, we'll see how legit he is :) then we had dinner at Dos Santos family. We went over and taught them about faith and about continuing in reading everyday and the importance about that, it was a nice evening.

TUESDAY- we taught Anthony again, and taught him the plan of salvation, we felt inspired to give him a baptismal date for the 23rd of September, he is awesome. Then we taught the Singh family, and they are way better, he talked to the branch president and everything is much better. We taught on the atonement, it was awesome I love the atonement :) then we went to cyros house to talk about the missionary work.

It was a great week, I'm glad you were all able to have a good vacation, I love you all and next week I'm for sure going to send pictures I'm sorry its been a while again. I'm trying to find the best store where I can put all the pictures on a cd :) or I might just buy a USB and mail that to you we will see but next email there will be pictures :) I love you all sooooo much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Love Anziano Glowa :)