Love Pushes Me

Yeah...it's cooling down! We have just been loving the fact that the last couple days have been nice and cool. Hopefully it will keep on coming. Can you believe that Summer is almost halfway over?

The work has been going pretty great this week. I love being able to do numbers because it shows exactly where we need to improve. We are really needing more investigators and the Lord has blessed us a ton. We've been re-introduced to Teach to Find which consists of small powerful statements of truth, a question then a testimony. It works sort of like this:

Missionary 1) Principle(one sentence)
Question based on principle
Testimony

Missionary 2)Testimony on last principle
New Principle
Question
Testimony

Missionary 1) Testify
Relate to Restoration
Invite

We struggled with it a bit seeing as how we were just used to talking a lot without getting the perso(s) involved. It really helps us get them involved and bring a stronger spirit. We are finally getting good at it. Basically in nightly planning we envision who we want to find and then plan princples according to the persons needs. In the mornings during personal studies we write up short phrases to use and question to ask. This past week we have really found quite a few interested people using this method.

Felice has been doing pretty good. We found out on Saturday when we went to teach him that it was his birthday. They had a cake all ready haha so after the lesson we ate cake and sang happy birthday to him. We have gotten really close with him and his family over the last few weeks. He threw away his coffee on Sunday and hasn't had any since. He didn't come to church on Sunday though. I guess his wife had some ''emergency'' with her sister so for that they couldn't come. We might have to change his date because he hasn't made it to sacrament meeting for like 3 weeks. The two weeks before his daugther vomited in the car both times and they got there late. Besides that he will get baptized this transfer.

Ivan is sort of waiting for his girl friend to leave back to Ukraine. He is totally putting off praying about chastity. He keeps just saying that when she leaves he will have some time to reflect. At least he's being honest but we want to get started sooner rather than later. He misses church every other week because he's sick. Miraculously he seems better around noon time though. haha. We really need to solidify his desire to follow Christ and help him realize he needs to act. It's great though that he's been able to notice changes in his life from this message.

I talked a little bit about Romolo last week. He's from Peru and was taught a bunch of times about two years ago. He remembers Joseph Smith quite a bit and the Book of Mormon. We've been seeing him about every other day and he just loves the lessons. He wants to learn more about Joseph and the Book of Mormon. He was also very interested to learn that there are living prophets and apostles. His wife is still in Peru but will be coming here soon. She is a Jehovahs Witness though so we better get him an answer quick before she hits him over the head with her Bible....ansì...New World Translations.

Yes I'm still writing down the lessons I've learned in the mission.

They talked yesterday in Zone Conference a little bit about loving people. I was able to really realize how much my love has grown for people. Obviously I get impatient sometimes and don't always show it like I should, but it's grown a lot. I think one of the things that pushes me to just keep working is this love. I think those who don't have love do it out of duty. At the beginning of the mission I think I did it more out of duty but it's slowly transformed me. I just feel happy as I talk to more people and get to know more people.

I'm excited how to see how this love will show itself after that mission. Don't get trunky. Have some fun this week and we will hear from each other next week.

Chugging Along

Ciao tutti...

This week has been going piano piano. Things have been going so so here in San Remo Town. We are dealing with the loss of a few investigators (Maud and Claudio). We tried to teach so simply the Restoration yet they just didn't really understand it. We are down to about 3 investigators right now but luckily they're all great.

Felice is about 35ish I would say maybe even a bit younger. His wife, Edith, is from Ecuador and is awesome! She has been coming to church in San Remo for awhile but not always been fully active. I think it's been tough living 45 minutes away and having a non-member husband. She loves the Church so much though and they've been a lot more active since he's been coming(obviously). Their daughter, Michel, is years old and is the cutest little girl. She's super shy and doesn't talk much when we come and teach Felice. They tell us that every time we leave though she starts to cry.

We just taught him last night about the Word of Wisdom. He only drinks coffee but he said he can't stop and that he gets bad headaches when he tries. We explained that as one of the reasons we don't drink it and that Heavenly Father will help him. I think mentioning the fact that to be baptized he has to stop also helped. We gave him a blessing of comfort and so now we just got to pray and encourage him to keep going. His date is for the 29th of this month. As of now he doesn't have anyone he's super close to in the ward. We have to start getting him that church buddy though even though he's wife is great. It'll really help him get in well and become a great/much needed priesthood holder.

Our branch is in much need of priesthood holders who can be leaders. In elders quorum there are about 10 people but only about one of them really know what's going on. Most of the ''strong'' leaders are fulfilling their callings so there isn't a lot of people. The brothers from Ghana and Nigeria aren't all there because we have to translate and most of the time they still don't understand us. They actually all don't really follow along much in church when we translate and are really struggling to read the BoM. We visit them weekly and invite them always to read and sometimes we read with them but I just know they don't. I have taught enough Africans to know when they are reading. Even after teaching simply the Restoration I fear with some that they don't realize it's the only true church. I can tell them directly to their face but sometimes it just doesn't enter their brains. Yesterday though we had some good spiritual lessons with them and although they didn't understand everything they understood the spirit.

We had to move Twum's date back because he missed a few appointments. We also really want him to be ready. He's got a great spirit though and is just full of joy.

Ivano is chugging along.  We are really trying to get him closer to Christ. The law of chastity has sort of put the train of the track. We are hoping by building his desire to follow Christ so he can just chug through the obstacles. He told us his girlfriend is going back to Ukraine in a month for about a month and it'll give him some time to ''reflect''. He's been great though and is coming to church. We really need to get him some more friends. He's a bit strange so members don't really flock to him at church to say hello. He also only stays for sacrament meeting because his legs hurt him and he has to get back to his mom. She isn't doing well either apparently (maybe she should come to church too).

I've been really thinking lately about how I can better change before I get home. I really need to get better at receiving/seeking revelation. I've felt like it's been a weak point for me throughout the mission and so I want to get better. I seem to just completely forget to even try seeking for it. I'll say prayers, thanks Heavenly Father for everything and ask him to bless those we work with but I don't ever really ask questions. There have been some great talks though in General Conference since I've been in the mission so maybe I'll give them a glance.

I read this sweet talk by Brad Wilcox the other day and there was a really great quote. It talk all about the grace of our Savior Jesus Christ. One of the things I liked was that it says that grace is not the light at the end of the tunnel but the light throughout the tunnel that guides us through it. It gave me some greater perspective on the Savior's grace. He goes on to say something he said to a friend. You've been saved by grace but have you been changed by grace?...interesting huh?

Haha oh yeah so we are staying the same, actually our whole district is staying the same. Anziano Hardy is continuing to follow me around the mission. He is going to Verona. So he was with me in Modena then took my place in Pisa and now is in Verona. I heard a week ago that the Benemerito's are doing great! Salvator (the son) has been coming every single week. I think that is like 10 weeks in a row or something. He and his girlfriend got taught Chastity a few week ago so they are overcoming that right now. He is totally cool with it but the girlfriend Valentina wasn't as excited. Anz. Parker told me the dad still hasn't been to church but that MariaRosaria finally came to church a few weeks ago.

I also learned a few weeks ago that Domingo (from Pavia) moved to Chicago. I guess he got transferred there for work. I hope he's doing ok and is continuing to go to church. I will have to visit Chicago sometime (Cardinals verses Cubs?...just a though)...think about it.

That is just about it though. We are excited because we have been getting lots of new contacts and referrals lately so we just got to find them and get them going. Here is a quick story. The other day we planned to do Casa in Casa by our church. We planned to find a Hispanic person. Now the area is really small and there aren't many apartment buildings but we chose to do it anyway. In the last building and the second to last door we met this Hispanic guy. We talked with him for a few minutes while his little grandson ran around the hallway. He wasn't really interested but we left a Jesus Christ ''Faith in Christ brings Hope'' pass-along card with him. Well like two days ago we get this call and it's this guy, Ramolo. He is Hispanic and said that found this card with Jesus Christ and hope on it. He said he wants to meet with us tomorrow! Kind of cool huh....no...REALLY COOL. WE aren't sure if it's the guy we talked to at the door or like his son or something. We will find out though.

Well I love you guys a bunch!

Dad...are you trying to wean me off sports?...Let's not get lazy now.

Love you guys...Ciao

San Remo Photos

Anziano Neff in the Citta' Vecchia (Old City)

Tucker with member Lamfranco

Tucker & Anziano Free with the Cangiolosi Family

With the Genovese (younger) Family

Sofia Ferranda, Azzurra, & Sister Robinson

Tucker & Anziano Dean (his second companion)

Tucker & Anziano Young.  Tuck says, "I try to talk with him in my
Austrailian accent...I basically just use the words tucka and reckon".

Tucker & Anziano Winegar ("the funniest kid in the mission")

Great To See The Work Rebuild Again So Fast

Well Happy 4th of July. I'm thinking about eating a plate of spaghetti to celebrate it. Yippee! Who likes BBQ's anyway....Oh yeah I do. Anyway, have fun celebrating.

My address:    Via Della Republica 58/21

                        18038 San Remo  (IM)   Italy

Good joke that you played on Devin (we told her that Andy and Clara were choosing to use her baby girl name of choice -- Violet). I can totally see her reaction.

Speaking of Devin. Kelly is definitely winning the favorite cousin award. She has written me quite a few times. You might want to mention that to Devin. I have many friends who are serving missions in Italy and that speak Italian and can make Italian food (well sort of). I'm just saying.

Well this week has been going particularly well. It started off going fantastic. It's died down a bit but we are going strong. Last Saturday we met with Debora and Danielle and they agreed to be baptized the 4th of August! Debora was so ready and accepting of it. Danielle was hesitant but he said yes. Monday night we taught them the importance of praying often and reading the scriptures. Debora has been reading and marking the scriptures like a champ. Danielle needs a little pushing but will do it.
Anyways all was going perfect and then right at the end of the lesson they blind sided us. Right before going they said, ''Our meetings have to come to and end''. My heart probably hasn't taken such a hit like the one I got last night. We asked why and she continued to tell us that since Saturday night she realized the changes she'd have to start making and it scared her. She said this is something she can't do right now in her life. We bore testimony of the truth of what we'd said and laid out the facts about the blessings they could receive. They said for now they just can't do it. It was super tough. We left them Alma 32 to read and said we would try passing by in a week or so.

I think the toughest thing to swallow was how ready they are. I was a bit angry with Satan that night. I was sad for the fact that they allowed fear and laziness to stop them from going forward. Agency....we'll keep praying.

The GREAT news is that Felice is doing great. He came to church on Sunday and told us that he had a really cool experience. In the gospel Principles class he was called on to say the closing prayer. He said that he just felt really good as he prayed. He's going to be baptized on the 28th or 29th. He might have to work on Saturday so we might move his baptism to Sunday. It's been great though really getting to know his family. I think his baptism will really help get his family back into full activity.

Twum is coming along as well just slowly. The translating is slow and we just pray that he understands. The other African brothers are doing great but we just don't think they're reading the Book of Mormon. It's tough because they struggle to read anyway so we've been trying to read with them. It's slow but I think it'll pay dividends in the end.

We recently met this lady from Haiti. We met with her once last week and met her Italian husband. He is quite a bit older (almost 70) but they seem happy together. They came to church on Sunday and liked it a lot! She understands really well even though her Italian isn't the best. He really likes what we've taught so far but isn't really connecting the dots as much as she is. We are hoping to clear the Restoration up tonight when we go. We just need to be more simple.

Our work has really been picking up and we have lots of people to teach. We are just looking to keep finding more people and add or build upon that which we have now. It's been great to see the work rebuild again so fast. I just need to be better at keeping the members in the district in my prayers more and think more about them. I really think one of my biggest improvements I could make is thinking about them more. I also need to be more positive.

I've been doing your assignment every day dad and it's been fun. I have realized already that the mission has grown me a lot. The mission is truly the best thing for our life. I'm hoping I don't run out of things to write about.

 HAvE a FuN DaY!

 Tuck

Slowly But Steadily

Well that is just fantastic news that Clara and Andy are having a kid. I'm even more pumped that I will actually be there. My fear was that they'd have one before I got back. I'm sure you all had some great fun for me at the Bees game. Things here have been funny at least in our apartment. Since Italy has been playing the noise level from all the screaming fans is just ridiculous. Streets are deserted on game days and members are devastated when they play on Sunday haha.

Thanks for all the pictures it's great to see everyone. They're all getting so big. Hopefully I can still beat up on some of them when I get back. This last week has been going fairly well. We are struggling just a bit to get lessons because of cancellations and what no,t but were working through them. We had a bit of a setback with Ivano last Saturday. We had taught him Word of Wisdom on Wednesday and he was good with everything but cafe (coffee). Even with cafe (coffee) he didn't drink it often but he was a bit confused about it. Saturday when we saw him again he had drank once I think but he recommitted himself to abstaining. After the "follow up" we taught him the Law of Chastity which was the setback. His wife basically just left him and peaced out. Right now though he has a girlfriend whom he "loves". He basically told us that..."well we're are basically married. The only thing stopping us is that I'm not divorced yet". We explained that even if they love each other that it's a commandment from God. He didn't really seem to get the entire importance. He still came to church on Sunday but he told his member friend that he thought we were mad at him.  Disappointed yes, but not mad. So we will be working with that. By the way his leg is infected because it got cut by a palm tree?...don't know how that happened.

Twum is coming along slowly but steadily. We are still doing the translating and all that. He's great though. It's really hard to get to know him though because with translating we can't over explain things or it just goes out the other ear. The other African brothers are doing great and really helping us out with him. Deborah and Danielle the Italian couple I talked about are doing ok. We haven't seen them for a little bit because they had to reschedule with us. We taught the Plan of Salvation in our last visit and it went great! They understood it really well and felt super good about that fact that they could have an eternal family. They really understand, too, how this message can bless their family in the next life but also now. We are going to invite them to baptism tonight so that'll be fun. They haven't been to church yet and don't read a lot but we are gonna get them on board soon.

Felice, the non member husband of Edith accepted a baptismal date last night! They have a super cute little 3 year old girl. He's super cool and nice, likes to complain about stuff, but is coming along just great! I actually wasn't there because I was on scambio with Anz. Frustaci. We had a fun time yesterday finding people all day. It was cool getting to learn and teach together. We got to talk a little about the MTC, Modena and other stuff. I definitely think he's one of my favorite missionaries in my group. He's been bugging me all week about planning some California trip after the mission. Anyways it was a really fun scambio. I learned that I need to stop worrying so much about things. I've turned into quite the worrier these last 6 months. I think it's because I realize I have so much I need to accomplish and I'm running out of time.

I will definitely take your assignment on Dad. You need to promise that you will follow up on it so I don't forget. I'm really excited to do it because I feel like I never have time to reflect any more. I will make time though.

Anyways I love you guys a lot. Sorry if the email isn't super full of my usual...excitement...I just ate a bunch of plum cakes and I feel sick.

Love you all