Captains Log 26

Hi President Kelly!

This week has been rather, uh, interesting, at least at the beginning. On Thursday we went to Pescara the whole day to do our district meeting then and then have a baptismal interview afterward, and in the meantime, me and Anziano Waters did a bit of a scambio around there. The lady that Anziano Hoover interviewed invited us to her baptism, so we went on Saturday afternoon. It was absolutely beautiful, and she seemed really happy.

Other than that, we finally saw the Melone's friend, named Andra, 12 years old. We met her officially last Wednesday at an FHE with the Melone family, and her mom came as well. We also had a little lesson after church on Sunday, with Naomi (Fratello Melone's daughter and Andra's friend). Andra already has a strong testimony that the church is true, and really does want to get baptized, saying that she couldn't wait! The only thing is, her parents agree, but think that she should wait until August. We invited her to pray about it and talk with her parents.

Other than that, we've just been trying to find other people to see. Me and Anziano Hoover have had a few times these past few weeks where we've been a little irritated with how the other one works, but we've learned how to work things out, and we're really enjoying being companions right now. I'm definitely learning a lot this transfer.

Thanks for being such an amazing and loving president!

 

Anziano Walker

Hi family!

I was going to "reply" to your email, but this new way of composing a message is so convenient. And then I got to choose the subject....... I couldn't help but take the opportunity to be random, hahaha!

Ok, Andra is a freakin' boss. We explained the Restoration in the lesson on Sunday, and said that she can build a testimony that the church is the restored church. Then we invited her to say the prayer. In her prayer, she ........ oh my gosh, it was so great, I can't even think of words really. She was, like, actually talking to her Heavenly Father, and she said "I know this is the true church." Yeah, if that's not ready for baptism, I dunno what is. I've never heard an investigator pray like that before. Me and Anziano Hoover are kind of annoyed that the parents want to wait until August..... Gah! But the Mom is really nice. :)

I'm glad y'all like the letters to the President included, I'm rather proud of thinking of that! Or, being inspired to, like I'm sure it was. And Dad, no, he doesn't respond to every one. So far, I've received one return email, which was kind of surprising, haha! But then again, he DOES have about 100 missionaries to hear about, in all of southern Italy. I'm impressed with how much he knows about each one, and really cares.

What the heck, Tyler got to home teach ELDER BEDNAR?!?!?!? Not that I'm JEALOUS, but....... I'm jealous. And that is fantastic advice, that's something that I've been thinking about a lot. I've also come to realize that the mission for the COMPANION, much like the mission for the people, is not about changing them, but helping them. I've noticed if I go in with the idea, even unthought, of trying to change something about THEM, then we both get irritated. I'm learning, bit by bit, how to do this right, haha!

Mom, I loved the thought you put in from Joseph's mother, that was EXACTLY what I needed to hear (uh, read). I've been poring through Liahone like none other, especially at lunch (while Anziano Hoover naps), and that was good, but lately I've been thinking that something was off. I've also noticed my mind has been turning to the fact that I read the scriptures quite a bit, but I probably don't ponder them as much as I should. For some unknown reason, I didn't put two and two together until I read that Joseph would read less and ponder more. New goal! Lunch time= Ponder time, after a bit of language study. I like it!

Oh, and we have continued to run every other day. On the day that we missed it last week (we went to Pescara), we made it up by running through half of Pescara to try to get to the bus on time after the baptism. We missed it by maybe a minute and a half. Dang..... But we got the next one!

Other than that: Shoes are holding up (I had to get a new pair last transfer, and they're doing good), the family we talked to last week wasn't there on Sunday, English Course is going well (we've been putting up a bunch of bigliettini all over, and getting lot's of calls for information), and yeah, you can give Hailey's mom my email address.

Ok, that's about it! Have fun!

Ciao ciao!

Anziano Walker

P.S. Trey says hi to Cole

P.P.S. He also says "Cole, duck!"