Soaked🌧🌊

Carissimi,

We made it through another transfer week friends, and there's only good news all around! Anziano Cutler and I are staying together for another transfer here in Napoli, and that means at least six more weeks of procrastinating my return to 'healthier' eating. I told Anne Katherine today I have been seeing little success from the "Pizza a day keeps the doctor away" diet*, so we might have to try something else...

The only aspect of Napoli itself, that could be conceivably portrayed as negative, (besides the thriving drug trade or any myriad of actual problems the city faces), would have to be the constant downpour! It rained just about every day this week, and unfortunately you notice that a lot more when there are holes in your otherwise durable-in-every-way shoes! I cease complaining however, knowing there are those in the city who would love a pair of shoes, holes and all. How grateful I am to once again, to be humbled by my surroundings, and the children of God around us who so desperately need the gospel message we bring!

As the rains came down, the baptismal font was filling up, for our brother Stanley! Here's an excerpt from his conversion story: "Stanley spent his second day in Italy, exactly where he needed to be, in church, with friends from his refugee camp. He proceeded to come, just about every week for the next 4 or 5 weeks, until eventually Anziano Cutler and I realized he wasn't a member already! We asked him if he had a Book of Mormon to read, during our second hour Gospel Principles class in English, and he said "No," but told us he wanted one, and that he wanted to be baptized like his other brothers. We were happy to oblige to both requests, and began teaching him. We hit a roadblock, when we found out his literacy wasn't super high, but luckily that was solved by the Book of Mormon audio recordings, which we would send him almost every night! He progressed quickly, and was fueled by a desire to follow Jesus Christ, and keep his commandments." After I baptized him on Saturday, Anziano Cutler sealed the deal, giving him the gift of the Holy Ghost yesterday morning during Sacrament Meeting!

My personal study finally crept it's way out of the tail end of the Isaiah chapters and 2 Nephi, but despite being a bit spiritually drained, I didn't mind taking the time I did to study Nephi's words. They were written for our day, and they contain a powerful, convincing witness of Jesus Christ, built on revelation, and experience. Nephi didn't just write about keeping the commandments, he prospered in the land because of his diligence in doing so! As I head on to the powerful sermons of his brother, I am more grateful than ever for the example of this spiritual giant!

Hope all is well on the Eastern front! Vi voglio bene!

Anziano Toronto II 🇮🇹

*Just in case you were wondering Mom, no, it's not a pizza a day, that'd be over the top... it is however a good amount, and how many, will remain undisclosed😁

Be thou Humble(d)

Anziano Toronto with "The Man": Anziano Hinckley

Carissimi

Be thou Humble(d):
Anziano Cutler and I were invited over to the house of a Philippine member of our branch this week. Almost automatically, we said yes, after all, she was making spring rolls, and that is a welcome break to the, dare I say it, monotony, of pasta and Napoli Pizza. (Sometimes you need to step back to remember how much you love something, right?) 

Anyways, we went over, and found her address. Her house was a 1 room, renovated car garage. We knock, and she invites us in. She lays out a spread of rice, spring rolls, and chicken, (not an easy, nor inexpensive meal to make), and I began to look around the apartment. Suffice it to say she lives humbly... I looked at the food we were being offered, and despite being delicious, it was hard to swallow, because I thought of the sacrifice she had made, both of time, and of money to feed two American strangers, and big eaters at that! We shared some wonderful conversation, and learned about her conversion. Last of all, we showed the short video, "Lift," made by the church, about serving selflessly. As we left, she profusely thanked us for the Spirit we brought, and we both just shrugged, knowing she had given us the true lesson, about charity and humility. Shout-out to Sorella Eden!

Drugs, don't do them (even when offered, per un prezzo buono):
This we taught a man, who our branch President later informed us, is potentially a drug dealer. He was interested in the Restoration though, and he has a family, so we'll be proceeding, with a whole lot of caution. Also, while on a scambio with none other than Anziano Hinckley, I was offered drugs, not once, not twice, but three times... note for future reference, avoid the quartieri spagnoli friends...

Fidanzati:
Lots of other great moments this week, but finding out from investigators and other missionaries that my brother is engaged has to be included! So so so happy for the two of you!

It was the best of times. It was (not really) the worst of times!:
Just like that another transfer is over, it's done! The best of bettors would have me staying here in Napoli with Anziano Cutler, but we'll let you know for sure next week!

Vi voglio bene!

Anziano Toronto II 🇮🇹

Wimples, Crisping Pins and a Billion Dollar Mansion

How nerdy is that title, haha yikes!

Anyways, enjoy the letter this week, and I'll attach some pictures to another email!

Ciao Belli!

Anziano Toronto II 🇮🇹

Listen to Anziano Toronto's voice recording for this week by going to the link below.  He even plays a musical number for us on the piano.  (If click on the address doesn't take you to his recording, you might have to copy and paste it on the url address bar.)

https://soundcloud.com/user-565039128/anziano-toronto-mission-2122018

"The A(ma)L(fia)"

Sup Squad,

It's gonna be a quick one this week, but quality is guaranteed!

▪Nel Lavor che Paolo fe'
(Ask Sim for the translation on that one if you're confused). This week, I knocked of one of my Mission Bucket list items, in working in an area in which Paul himself served. Turns out all you have to do is wait 7 months in Pescara, after which President Pickerd will take pity on you, and send you close enough. Anyways, from Friday into Saturday, Anziano Cutler and I performed a Scambio with Anziani Mayer and Melling, currently serving in the Pozzuoli area. We had a blast eating pizza, playing basketball with potential investigators, visiting and teaching a less-active, and hunting for new investigators, all in a 24 hour period. Working with Anziano Mayer was a BLAST! He's about my height, and is the smiley-est person I know. This Anziano embodies Tad R. Callister's comment, "A consecrated missionary wears a 24/7 smile!" I learned a lesson in positivity, and productivity, as we compared the fundamentals of basketball, to the fundamentals of missionary work. Both are essential if we want to ensure success! 10/10 would recommend working with this stud of a missionary!

▪Amalfi
P-day this week took us out on the BEAUTIFUL Amalfi Coast, where we enjoyed some nice photo-ops, evidence of which is displayed below. Hashtagging in classic Dad fashion #GottaTakePicsSoMomKnowsI'mStillAlive If you wanna check out where we went, Google "Amalfi/Positano Coast," And It'll be as if you were right there with me, takin in the view!

▪#It'sGod'sTime
Literally, it's GodsTime, who Anziano Cutler and I met for the first time together this week. A referall from a Returned missionary in the branch, GodsTime was taught the Restoration and the Plan of Salvation this week, and is making his way to baptism in the next month or so! We're excited to continue teaching him and help him grow his faith in Jesus Christ! Other lesson highlights included New Convert lessons with Sunday, Mark, Moses, and Vivian, and the aforementioned less-active lesson in Pozzuoli! The work goes forward!

Pics will have to do the rest, as Anziano Cutler and I head out for the night! Hope each of you have a fantastic week, and that you'll be praying for missionary experiences along the way!

Vi voglio troppo bene! Ciao Belli!

Anziano Toronto II 🇮🇹