Well, transfers are here...My new comp will be Anz. Mangum. He just got released from being Assistant to the President. So I will be killing him this transfer.
(this means this is his companion's last area and then going home) Man, that means I will be here in Torino for at least 2 more transfers! (3 months) I'm happy cuz this ward here is suffering REALLY BAD!!!!!!!
They've had several BAD experiences with the missionaries in the past. So its a pain trying to see them for appointments, and its nuclear rocket science trying to get a lesson in the presence of a member...and when we do bring our investigators to church, they don't talk to them, don't greet them...its a joke. And trying to get everything turned around has been VERY hard. Slowly but surely the members are growing their trust in us...But its been difficult with Anz Richardson going home, HE IS SOOOOOO TRUNKY!!!!!
(this means he is anxious to go home) We have been working fine, but holy cow... these last 2 weeks have been the toughest to stay focused!
Our finding work is slowly going down, he doesn't really care about anything anymore. And I can't do it by myself. I have been doing my best by trying to not talk about home, trying to keep him pumped about the work....non existent...and unfortunately...I kinda got drug down also this past week. We have not nearly been as focused as we should have been. So, I'm very excited for this new comp to kinda "kick me in the butt" and help me remember that I still have stuff to do!
Good news about the ward though, we had a meeting with one of the counselors a few weeks ago and told him what is going on. Cuz the ward doesn't think we are working hard enough. (All 4 of us including the 2 sisters) and we told him what we are doing. And how this ward needs to get it together.
So, last night we were in the Ward Counsel meeting and Bishop laid it straight to everyone that they need to do ALL they can to help us. And how this ward is slipping because of THEM and not US. THEY DON'T EVEN DO HOME TEACHING!!!!!!!! Bishop wasn't too happy to hear that NOT EVEN ONE PERSON has been out home teaching. So that is getting fixed. And slowly we are finally feeling we are being welcomed in here and hopefully we can start working together... <(How pathetic is this?!?!?!)
Well, I bet you are wondering why I have that phrase on the subject line...well it has taken a whole new meaning for us...we got bed bugs...I HATE THEM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I was always wondering why I was getting bit so much on my arms and my hands....I kept thinking they were mosquito bites. But then i looked at my sheets and I saw little blood spots on my bed. I thought....OH NO!!!!!!! NO!!!!!!!!!!! Freak! We've got bed bugs!!! So we had to go through this HUGE process of cleaning our room, throwing our mattresses away...trying to call an exterminator. Trying to find a spray we could use temporarily until he could get here...so if we weren't in appointments, we were in our apartment cleaning and gutting it!
The exterminator finally came yesterday and sprayed our room. So, we can't touch it for awhile, so we are living in our study room for now... Life totally sucks right now...But, at least I know that they are being killed as we speak...
About that guy, we cant get a hold of him. I've prayed about him a lot! Cuz there was a reason why this all happened! Then I got my answer. "Be still and know that I am God" the Lord is preparing him right now. I prob will not teach him, but its because of our encounter that got the gears turning. The Lord is working on him right now. I have no doubt that when he sees the missionaries again, he will be ready.
Well, you all should be around Jacob 5 or 6ish...For me I'm right in the middle of Jacob 5. (And we all know how much we all love Jacob 5)
I love you guys and I will speak to you all next week!
DREW
Anziano Merrill
