Senior/Trainer/District Leader

11 May

My new Comp. is Anz.  Jared Lesa. 
This week was a little tough for my comp Anz. Lesa. The bike is killing him.  For one, the frame is too small, and well honestly...He didn't know how to ride a bike that well before the mission.  So I've been trying to teach him how to ride it.  Saturday we went over gear shifting.  He is doing well now, he can balance on the bike and go.  It's just going to take some time for him to get out of his shell and use the gears.  (It sounds like to me that he's just a bit afraid to go any faster than a slow jogging speed)  But with time he will grow.

I can't believe with all the patience the Lord has blessed me with since we have been together.  Not once have I not had a smile on my face with him.  He is doing very well, he is amazing with the language and does a good job teaching.

19 May

Well, I had a really cool experience this week.  During our nightly planning, we were planning on what we should do for Sunday evening.  I had a feeling that we needed to teach to Sister Volpe.  I thought, no... we need to do finding work.  Then it came strongly again...we need to teach them Sunday night.  So, I said. "Ok...Anziano, I feel we need to teach this family tomorrow.  I don't know what, I don't know why..but we need to."

Then  Sunday morning I spoke with Sister Volpe telling her about my experience the night before.  I came upon to her saying "Sister, I know this sounds crazy but, last night we were planning and I felt that I need to teach you tonight.  I don't know why or what we will talk about tonight but would you be free?"    She smiled and chuckled saying, "Well...if that is what the spirit is telling you to do, I'm free tonight at 7!" 

     So during our study it hit me really hard that she needs to hear things about Prayer.  So that's what we taught her. We had a very powerful message and we ended.  I again explained how I felt bad if this was a waste of time or if this was just my own thoughts...I said" I don't know why we are here with you, but apparently you are having or you will have a trial that you will need to turn to prayer. And the Lord wanted us to prep you!"  Then with tears in her eyes she said this,"Anziano, I don't know if you know this but my husband isn't living with me anymore.  Our family is going through a big trial right now.  Trust me, you were inspired!"  She thanked us and then she left.  It was amazing to know that the Lord could count on me and my companion to do his work.

New family found

Mom, this week has been absolutely amazing.  We found an older couple Francesco 57 and his wife Annunciata 57 (around 57ish) 2 weeks ago.  They let us in and we taught them.  We left and I thought this would be another one of those people that we would see another 3 times and then drop them.  But little did we know that the next time we would meet, their son in law would listen to us.  We invited his wife to come and listen, but she didn't want to. (That's their daughter)  Then we came again, this time we taught this older couple, their daughters Francesca 23, Maria 34 (The one who didn't want to listen to us before) Angelo 38 (The son in law\ husband of Maria) and their daughter Sara 12.  And we gave them all book of Mormons and gave them the assignment to read 2 Nephi 2. 

    We came back a day later and Maria read from the beginning until the end of 1 Nephi 11.  We were so blown away!!!!!!  VERY VERY rare a person will read that much out of the BoM in just 1 DAY!!!  We taught another POWERFUL lesson.  All of them we just blown away with the spirit that we bring.  Angelo told us actually that he had a bad day at work, but he was so excited for us to come cuz of the peace we bring to him and the family.  By the end of the lesson, that Dad Francesco 57 (usually just wants to listen and THAT'S ALL) THE SECOND WE FINISH THE LESSON he is asking us, So when can you guys come back? Can you guys come back tomorrow?  We laughed and said of coarse!

       We came back, this time Maria has read ALL of 1 Nephi.  She read the entire book of Nephi within 3 days!!!  We taught another powerful lesson.  And invited them to Church.  We did this 2 times previous and Francesco's answer was always the same, I will come sometime just to check it out. But senza impegni!  (which means....without promises)  This time we invited them again and they really thought about it.  Francesca said, Ya!  I'll come!  Along with Maria, Angelo, and their daughter Sara.  Annuciata wanted to come but she has had some foot problems.  So she and Francesco decided not to come this week. 

   So on Sunday Francesca and Maria came, (Angelo and Sara couldn't come) and they really enjoyed church! They really loved the members. 

    We went back on Monday and Francesca 23 said something I will never forget.  "What's with this book?!?!?  Every time I want to put it down, I can't its so powerful! Why!  I don't understand?!"  The entire family then agreed and just fed us with compliments they said they loved how we are not forceful unlike the Jehovah's Witnesses, and how are message is ALWAYS centered on the family and love and that we never have not once bashed ANY other religion. 

 

This week we are going to invite them to be baptized.  Please pray for us and this family.  This family is so golden its not even funny.  They feel something powerful every time we come.  We have explained that its the Holy Ghost testifying of truth.  We are nervous that Francesco will just say,"I'm only interested in listening, you boys are really good people and I respect you but Im not interested in joining anything."  (That usually what most people say to us, Note: He hasn't said this yet, we just fear that's what he WILL say.)  The wife Annunciata feels something very strong every time.  Her eyes are usually watery every time we close. 

 

So that's the main news as far as this week goes.  Oh and of coarse how could I forget about my bike. haha....Ive gone through 5 new tubes within the past 3 weeks. And yesterday my front tire about broke on me while riding it. Ugh....that makes a total of 15 tire tubes/ repairs for this companionship within the past 2 months.  We don't understand, we ride in the street, we watch were we are riding ALWAYS!  We check our tires when we get the tube out just to make sure whatever popped it is out of their...  Ugh...its getting really old.  I hate bikes...  I cant wait to have a car again.

1 year mark!!

Wow, this is really weird... I cant believe my year mark is tomorrow.  One year from now I will be writing this.. "Hey!  Well this week was....well what the heck I'll  just talk to ya in a few days!" 
  This week was very interesting, we had this guy from Nigeria call us and said he had to see us.  So we set up an appointment with him and we watched the Restoration with him.  After he looked at us and said, "I am touched in a way I cant describe"  we set a bap. date with him the following appointment for the 17 of April, but we are going to try and get it for the 13 of March.  He is so ready.  Holy cow! 
   We also had an appointment with that family.  Unfortunately the husband and the daughter had to leave, but the son and the wife stayed and listened to us.  We taught the Restoration again and she about cried again.  The Son, is you typical 18 year old how doesn't care about a lot of things.  Especially about religion.  The Mom was actually worried about him.  Anyways, he stayed and listened to us.  Then I felt a strong impression to bare my testimony on the BoM.  So I did and shared an experience I had.  Immediately after he said, "Well, jeez!  I want to read the BoM now!!!"  So I pulled one out and gave it to him.  He was in total shock.  He acted like I just handed him a Million Euro check.

 I cant believe that I'm half way.  I still feel like a young punk in the mission that doesn't know anything. haha   I honestly really cant put into words what I feel right now.  Realistically it just feels like any normal day.  I'm here in Bologna for P-Day.  (where I got Moms scarf and Carlin's hat)  I have done a lot of traveling this past month and am waiting for Reimbursements to come in so, if you see some money taken out, no worries I will have that cash in hand within a week or so.

  We got a new sister in our District.  She is from Italia!  She is way awesome!  Very energetic and pretty attractive.  We have a war going on.  Me vs. the Sisters   They claim that they can make better food than I can.  I think not!  I told them that I have a brownie recipe that would crush them.  So........Mother.......there is no caramel here in Italia....I need the Caramel recipe....enough is enough!!!  They will understand very soon that an American Man CAN cook!  (Please don't tell me that I need a mixer ie. Kitchen Aid) :( I hope not

 Well, I love you all and miss you all a lot!  One more year you guys!  One more year...I got to make it count!    I love you mom!

DREW, ANZIANO MERRILL

New people to teach in Modena

Dear Family,       Jan 13, 2010
Man, you're not kidding.  I feel like an old man.  I actually saw some really sweet canes.  I almost bought one! :D  (No, really, they were awesome)

Well, the Lord has really blessed us here. I kept telling my comp. that we are going to find new investigators and get some bab dates on the chart this week.  He said, "All right, but Modena is a lot harder than you think!  I had the same mind set when I came here."  I just looked, smiled, and said "No worries!"  Well, we found 10 new investigators this past week, and have 2 bab dates set for Feb 27.  And we just found a new investigator last night.  Faith is key in this work.  I think he is starting to learn that you can't start doubting when the first no is said to your face.

So I did scambi (exchanges) with the ZL's this week and I got Carlin's present while I was there in Bologna before I left for Modena.  I found it sitting there at the train station!  I was so happy.  So I will be sending the package today.

 Well, my birthday was cool....I prayed and asked all I wanted for my b-day was more investigators and that's what I got.  So it was an awesome one at that.

I cant believe I'm about to hit my year mark within a month or so...holy cow...crazy.  Its just flown by so fast!!!

Oh, thanks for the emails and the recipes.

Well, we've got a real busy day ahead of us so, I love you guys a lot and I will speak to you all next week!

DREW

1-     When is your next Zone Conference?  We have interviews this upcoming monday.  Zone conf. will prob be around the 3 week of feb.

2-     What has been your favorite City you have served in so far?

Torino, because I saw the ward grow from hating the missionaries into working side by side with them without any hesitation.  I saw many miracles there.  My testimony grew immensly there.

      3-What brownie recipe are you talking about that is "rocking Italy".  I have a few of them?

The ooey gooey one.

Modena

 The last letter from Torino dated 22 Dec:
Also, note the e-mail change of address at the top of the blog

Hey family! 
I have no idea when I will be calling you guys. We have a dinner appointment and I was told it goes forever and a day when you eat with Italians so, I' going to try and call around 5 pm or 6 pm (Italian time) and if I get nothing, I will try around 7 Pm. Don' worry, you will hear my voice Christmas day. The family has SKYPE so, if you guys can downlaod that. I was told it was free. I'm sorry I do't know how it works. S, I;ll try that if not, we will just do it the old fashiioned way.


So, remember how I told you guys that I knocked on the most tattooed man in the world's door a few weeks ago? Well, we went back and we got some pics! Very nice guy. We sat down and had a good conversation with him and his freind He got tattooed when he retired. He's 73 years old, cool as can be! I must say I loved his Christmas sweater he was wearing

So we had our ward Christmas party, that was awesome. So get this, we made a lasagna for the party and there were 3 other lasagnas. we asked  the members if they liked it and they said they couldn't tell the difference!! hahaha Yay!!! Go us!!

The latest from his new town, Modena:

Ok, now that I have more time, I can finally say what I wanted to say last week.  Sorry I didn't email you guys yesterday.  We had Zone Conference so we had to move our PDay to today.

I got Nana's and Papa's AND Shar's packages.  They where awesome!  Papa sent me his testimony, a picture, xmas book, and a doodling thing.  Shar got me an EPIC present, A M*A*S*H shirt! Wahoo!  I was so happy!  I love that show!

Well, I left Torino with several members very upset.  One less active crying.  I felt really bad he is a 55 year old guy and he lives alone.  I felt like I just broke his heart and put it in a blender. Ill never forget what he said to me on the phone. "So....I guess now that you're going....we wont be seeing each other anymore...." I was so surprised to get this reaction from him!  I'll never forget my first appt. with him.  I hated that guy, he gave me no respect, wouldn't let me speak, and wouldn't even look at me when I did speak.  I remember thinking "Ok homeboy...when Anz. Richardson is gone...say goodbye to the missionaries for a few transfers!" But the more I saw him, the more we became friends.  We got him back active and has been coming to church for 3 months strong now.  During my time in Torino, my testimony grew a lot in the sense of having Charity for EVERYONE.

Ok, now answering your questions...

1-     You did not call us collect. (At least we don’t think you did) Who is paying the bill?

I called using Skype.  If you dont get the bill, I have a strange feeling that the Gallo Family played a trick on me and causally said that they will pay for it.  Just because they are like that.  He said it will only cost about 5 euro an hour and I only called you guys  for 50 mins so if they do have to pay its not that much. 

2-     Where is your new comp from?  Do you like him?

Anziano Jeremy Franklin from Seattle Washington.

Ya he's a good guy. 

3-     Have you got Nana and Shars gift yet?

Yes. Both were epic.

4-     Did you have time to get the Manger scene before you left Torino?

Unfortunatley no, because we did a service project from 8 until 12 and I needed some time to pack. And some friends wanted to take me Tie shopping before I left.  So I had ZERO time.  But, I'm still here for another year. no worries.

5-     Are you a Senior comp yet?

No, our mission is VERY young. There is only ONE person in our group of 18 that came in that is Senior comp right now. And we were the last big group.  These new groups that have been coming in have had about 3-5 new missionaries is all!  And the groups before us had 12 missionaries average.  So...ya...we are all very young.

6-     What did you do for New Years?

In our mission, we have two days of the year that we do a deep clean in the aprt.  That day is Capodanno (New year) and Ferraugosto (Aug 15) so yea....we cleaned...all day....some new years eve party...

7-     What are you planning on doing for your birthday?  Its Sunday.

We have an appt with the best cooks in the ward for Sunday. :D Yes...my stomach overrides all here...Other than that....no idea...work!

Thanks for the money.  I'm going to save it so when I go to the Ducati, Ferrari, and Lamborgini Factories...I can have a little play money.

8- Dad wants to know what your apt. addy is

            Via Frosinone 25/15

            Modena ( I asked this so I could look it up on google earth. Don't send letters there, he will not get them.)