Put Your Shoulder to the Boulder, Push Along!

Carissimi,

It occurred to me this week I have dedicated very little space in my letters to the actual missionary work I'm doing here in Napoli, and lest you think we're just out here lounging in the sun on the Amalfi coast, eating pizzas left and right, and visiting 2000 year old archeological sites, here's a weekly dedicated to the miracles Anziano Ferrara and I have been seeing lately. 

Hablas Español?

The answer to that question friends, is poquito poquito, but fortunately for us, Antonio, and his family, (wife Yaneth, and daughter Josselyn), the Spirit does (kinda)! Antonio works at the pizzeria beneath our apartment, and we'd talked to him a few times before. He's El Salvadorian, and as many from Latin America, knew a decent amount already about the church. He had never taken the time, however, to study the gospel truths, restored in our day, so we invited him to do so this week. He showed up with the aforementioned wife and daughter, who speak varying levels of Italian. Unfortunately, after a year in Italy, my sentence formation in Spanish left something to be desired, but fortunately we were able to read selected scriptures, and understand their questions and concerns. I'd never before taught "La Restauración", on my mission, and it showed as we all laughed at my feeble attempts to conjugate, or slip in Spanish words here and there. Since meeting with them, they have begun reading the Book of Mormon as a family, and will hopefully make it to church this upcoming Sunday! Stay tuned as our Italian speaking Anziani prepare to present, "El Plan di Salvación," (more than likely they'll stick to "Il Piano di Salvezza," and let the Spirit take care of the rest)!

Parli Inglese?

Major highlight of the week was flexing those Italian muscles in teaching the Restoration to another Antonio, this one a student of our weekly English Class. Antonio immediately recognized the significance of the message, and the difference between what we do on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and what we do on Sundays. Antonio likes to refer to me as "Professore" Toronto, so we're working on changing that to "Anziano", but my ego kinda likes Professore, so it might just stick haha! As we taught the Restoration, he was eager to find out more about Joseph Smith, and after every point, (from "God is our Loving Heavenly Father," up until "The Great Apostasy,") he kept asking, "This is where he comes in right?" Eventually he was right, and he loved the idea that he could receive an answer from a God, anxious to "give liberally," as the scripture in James says. Stay tuned for our next installment, as Antonio 2.0 continues his study of the Book of Mormon, and (cross your fingers), receives the answer that millions of other sincere readers have received worldwide! 

"But do you actually speak English, cause these guys are fresh off the boat..."

This is essentially what Brother Austin said as he presented his two friends Maxwell, and Blessing to us for the first time in Church yesterday. The two had just arrived, days before, and were looking for a Christian church to join here in Italy. Luckily, Austin was there to snag them before our wonderful evangelist brothers did. After teaching these brothers the Restoration, Maxwell told us that on his journey over, he had covenanted with God, that if he found a good Christian church here, he would never miss church on Sunday. That lifetime commitment is exactly what we're looking for, and the next step for the two of them is a testimony of the Book of Mormon. I don't know if you're sensing a common theme, but... Stay tuned for our next installment, as Maxwell and Blessing receive testimonies of the restored gospel, the Prophet who started it all, and the Prophet who, under the direction and inspiration of the Holy Ghost, leads it all today!

Upon reflection, its hard not to think that I've taken it for granted, the joy I feel in doing the Lord's work here in this part of the vineyard. For that reason I wanted each of you to know there's no place I'd rather be, than right here, right now. Yes, there are hard days, hard moments, hard headed people (of just about every nationality, gender, age, etc.), hard finding sessions spent underneath Napoli's unseasonably warm morning, afternoon, and evening sun... basically, the mission hasn't gotten any less difficult, I've just become quite a bit stronger. 

Remember the greek legend of Sisyphus, who as a result of misdeeds, was punished to eternally push a boulder up a hill, only to have it roll back down just before reaching the summit.

Similar is the story of the man once asked to push a boulder located at the bottom of the hill. He diligently pushed and strained with all his might, day after day, but the rock didn't budge an inch. The master returns to survey his progress, which, to the boulder pusher seemed nonexistent. The master reminds his loyal, faithful servant, that he had commanded him solely to push, which he had done, without ceasing. He then points out the muscle, and mental fortitude, forged in the furnace of pain and determination. After suffering what the master intended, the servant was far more capable, and an effective instrument in the other work the master had for him to accomplish. 

Oftentimes I feel like missionary work is pushing a boulder. Some days I'm Sisyphus, feeling pretty good about the progress I've made, until the rock slips from my grasp and begins to tumble down the hill I've struggled and worked so hard to climb. Other days I feel as the other servant, as though I'm going absolutely nowhere, pushing the immovable boulder, in a futile attempt to accomplish the Herculean task laid before me. Now, at the end of the day, the refiner's fire, or boulder if you will, has been shaping me since the moment I placed the black and white tag on my chest. Yet every second, of every day spent pushing that boulder, was well spent, and I have the spiritually torn muscles to prove it! 

There have been days in which I've called up on the Lord to "Console me in my afflictions", (Jacob 3:1), and others I've asked that, like Joseph's, my afflictions would, "work together for my good," (D&C 98:3), "be but a small moment," (D&C 121:7) and "give [me] experience", (D&C 122:7). Yet I gratefully endure each moment, "that perhaps [I] might be the means of saving some soul; and [I] supposed that [my] joy would be full if perhaps [I] could be the means of saving some." (Alma 26:30). 

I would do it all again, for the happiness I have felt, feel, and will continue to feel as the Lord allows me to be a part of the soul-saving process. I can't express fully the gratitude I have for my Savior, who so perfectly knows the boulders I need to push in order to become like him, because he's already pushed every single one of them himself. I love him for that, and will continue to call upon him as I push, and at times lack the strength, motivation, or willpower to keep on pushing. Keep pushing the boulder placed in front of you, don't give up, and don't look around at the boulders those around you are pushing, or you may feel tinges of "boulder envy". Push, and keep on pushing, trusting that the Savior is pushing right there next to you. Because he assuredly is.

In his holy name, Jesus Christ, Amen

All my love,

Anziano Toronto II 🇮🇹

The Almalfia: Rd 2

Caught Anziano Rodriguez half smiling as he came around
training each zone as the newly called Assistant!

Carissimi,

Zone Conference:
You give it a few weeks and we always seem to find our way back to the spiritually enriching hours spent listening to and learning from mission leaders and the Holy Ghost. As Anziano Ferrara, Sorella Palacios, and I prepared the training portion we had been assigned, we bounced ideas around until we landed on change through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. As is common for Anziano Toronto, and Christian Toronto before him, the night before Zone Conference came, and my thoughts were still entirely unorganized. This time it wasn't for lack of preparation on my part... I had spent hours, and hours studying the Atonement, and more specifically the repentance process, yet the outline of the training wasn't coming as it had often done in the past. Jumbled ideas, quotes, and principles refused to form themselves into the concrete plan I wanted. That evening, I bounced what I had off of President, based on study, and life and mission experience,  and he shared a myriad of scriptures, along with his own understanding of what needs to take place in order for the Atonement to take true effect. I went home, and though steps had been made in a positive direction, I still lacked clarity. I woke up early, and again, made progress, but I didn't really know what I was going to say until I began saying it. As we touched on different aspects of the Atonement, scriptures and quotes I had studied came to mind, and I truly felt that which I taught. The atonement has helped me to begin singing the first few bars of the song of redeeming love, but like Stairway to Heaven, the intro keeps on going forever! In this life I won't ever get done singing that song, and surely as with my voice, and instruments I've learned, I'm going to hit some wrong notes along the way. Regardless of that, Christ allows me to keep singing in his choir, and for that, I'll sing his praise evermore!

Missing: a Competent Pianist
Mom always told me I would regret the day I quit piano lessons, because I'd be sent to somewhere on my mission where they'd need a pianist, and I wouldn't be able to help them out, (this among other reasons of course). Until last week, her prophecy was no more than an empty threat to a young boy who preferred spending time on a basketball court or football field, rather than on an uncomfortable piano bench hitting wrong notes for half an hour before she let him get to where he really wanted to be. Anziano Stucki was sent off to Rome, and with him all the sightreading capability the city of Napoli possessed. Last Sunday, the ward suffered through a few a capella hymns, and apparently the suffering was felt most keenly by Sorella Ariante, the music director, who approached me after the meeting and asked if I would prepare to play the next week. Friends, Sweet Hour of Prayer, and a few other selections can only get you so far, so pray for this amateur pianist as he plays for the 2nd week in a row this upcoming Sunday. His classics are exhausted, and he needs some serious divine intervention to keep his fingers on the proverbial straight and narrow keys. It doesn't help that the F key is broken in the bass clef...

Amalfi:
P-day took us once again out to the beautiful Amalfi coast, just an hour or so south of Napoli. Gorgeous, but far too tourist based for me. Sky high prices, and not much to do for a missionary who can neither swim nor go boating... but highlights included seeing a paper museum from the outside, (then realizing it cost 4€ to go inside), seeing a stunning church from the outside, (then realizing it cost 3€ to go inside, and the 4 hours of travel getting there and back. Only a missionary could give Amalfi a 3/10, and a stingy one at that, but what's a guy to do???

A young 47, and an Actually young 22:
I would be slacking in my duty if I neglected to mention the significant current events, the former having taken place this last week, and the latter yet to come. Jonny J celebrated a birthday this week, and lucky for him this is only going out to family, so the world won't know he's one year older! As for Sim Shady and Amy Kate, all I can say is auguroni da Napoli. One of the toughest parts of the mission is only being able to well wish as your dear friends and family celebrate milestones and more around you, but know that if I were there, I'd eat only 1 plate for mom's sake, and give you both a CYT sized bear hug!

They say the mark of a distinguished missionary writer is his or her ability to take a week in which little happened, and make it seem like it was the best week of their life. That's why I'm not a distinguished missionary writer haha😉

Jokes aside, it was a great week! Love what I do, and I know without a doubt I'm where the Lord needs me to be! I bear testimony that through the Savior and his Atonement our mistakes are written only in expo marker, as opposed to sharpie. President Ezra Taft Benson once declared that, "Christ changes [missionaries], and changed [missionaries] change the world." I'm a changed, and changing missionary, and I'm trying to change the world, one person at a time.

Love you with all my heart!

Anziano Toronto II 🇮🇹

Zone Conference Pics

The Numbers Game

Aerial Shot of Temple Site

Carissimi,

Hope you enjoy this week's numerically themed highlights!

125 - I spent much of the p-day with the Pozzuoli Anziani and Sorelle, who are just a blast to be around! We bowled, and unfortunately 125 as a bowling score didn't cut it when you're rollin against Anziano "Lucky Strikes" Mayer, (although in my defense, there was a strike or two the Italian bowling system failed to count on my part). Che peccato, otherwise the trophy woulda been mine🏆

4 (inches) 🌊- of water that covered the floor of our apartment Thursday night! We got a call while out finding from our doorman, telling us there was oodles, (or the Italian equivalent thereof), of water coming off of our balcony. We hustled home as quick as we could, and it seemed the entire street was gathered watching the rescue effort taking place on the 4th floor. We got up to our door, opened it, walked a few steps and then heard splashing... not ever what you want friends... Turns out the washing machine I had left running earlier that day decided to stop functioning as a washing machine normally does, and instead covered our apartment floor with 4 inches of water! How awesome is that haha! We opened the balcony doors all the way, and using the only materials we had, a pair of brooms, we swept the majority of the water onto the street below. Luckily the apartment is slanted, towards those doors, otherwise things would've been a whole lot more difficult. Meanwhile 30 Napolitani are in the piazza below, cheering us on, laughing at our efforts to dry out Lake Superior, and yelling suggestions as to how we might better go about doing so. Long story short, our apartment is dry, luckily Italy doesn't have carpet, so nothing was damaged, and we learned the important lesson of not trusting Italian appliances😂

3 - friends! Gods Time showed up to our lesson this week with three of his friends, Anthony, Joy, and Valentina! We got to teach them the restoration, and invite them to church. Two of them ended up coming, and show real solid potential to be taught and baptized! I'm so grateful for the missionary example the African brothers set here. A year or two ago, there were 1 or 2 active Africans, and today, there are 15+, 3 being Melchizedek Priesthood holders, most of the rest Aaronic Priesthood leaders, and the others well on their way!

8 - months left, in fact a little less, in my mission... wowsers... We'll leave time for serious reflection as we get even closer! A bonus number - 4, weeks until Mother's Day, and my last Skype call home!

♾, my love for Napoli, these wonderful people, their wonderful pizzas, and even their non-functional bowling alleys and washing machines!

Love you all!

Anziano Toronto II 🇮🇹

MLC Group from Last Week

Last pic w/ Anziano Cutler

Ceasar Pre-Baptism

The Only Constant in Life is Change

Carissimi

Lone Survivor
Another transfer has come and gone, and this one took no mercy on the city or zone of Napoli. Both companionships of Anziani here were blown out of the city, and President didn't stop the madness there. Next Anziano Cutler was sent off to train down in the Promised Land of Palermo, and 5 other missionaries left the zone. Mission-wide, there were a total of 16 blow-outs, and companionship switch ups like you've never seen! Anziano Ferrara, who you'll likely (or not) remember was my companion back in my first transfer in Pescara, will be joining me as Zone Leader here in Napoli! Is it intimidating being the only missionary to be somewhat familiar with the 2nd largest city in the mission, a city with 2 million or so inhabitants, each of which needing the gospel, yeah, a just a little bit! We'll make it though, we're just a little more experienced than when we were 3rd and 4th transfer missionaries in Pescara! Other huge news includes sisters coming once again to the city of Napoli for the first time in 20 years! Pray for them and their safety!

MLC
Anziano Ferrara, Sorella Palacios and I all hopped on the train Friday afternoon headed for Rome, and Mission Leadership Conference. While there, we caught up with old companions, friends, mission family members, and more! The conference had two purposes, the first, train the leaders on Faith and personal revelation, themes of the upcoming zone conferences, and second to train us on smartphones! Yup, you read right, I'm typing out this bad boy with a smartphone, and while we're hesitant in our use of it, we're excited for the good it will do! With that potential comes the need to learn how to use technology for a wise purpose, and developing habits that'll bless us for the rest of our lives!

Et tu Bruté?
With summer heating up, Ceasar decided it was time to take a swim... in the baptismal font... wearing white clothes... going completely underwater... after the prayer was offered by Anziano Cutler. So yeah basically, if you didn't get it, he was baptized! On Sunday he received the Holy Ghost during Sacrament meeting, and I've never seen him smile as much as I did then! He has truly begun to change and grow, and he's taken the next step on the covenant path! We look forward to helping him take further steps including active priesthood service and ministering!

Love you all!

Anziano Toronto

Pics:

La pizza Sorbillo, cioè, quella più buona nel mondo

Di nuovo

Monkeyin' around with Anziani Vance e Ferrara

A Dad, A Boy, and a Ball...

Carissimi,

Well, actually just a boy and a ball, (his dad being just a few thousand miles away), and a beautiful hardcourt gym floor, and breakaway rims, and a happy, happy, happy, Paul Pierce disguised as Anziano Toronto! Yes, in a weekend of General Conference, with the magnificent doctrine taught, and exciting changes announced, yes, in a week in which for the 3rd time in my mission, I was forced out of a house, and into another on short notice, yes, in a week that preludes significant changes to Napoli and the missionaries here in the city, and zone, and yes, in a week in which the finishing of the Rome Italy Temple was announced; Anziano Toronto chooses to focus the first paragraph of his letter on playing basketball on P-Day. Let that be an indication of just how much I missed the feeling of a wood floor, hearing the bounce of a ball, and the 'swoosh' of a silky 3 pointer, and as Uncle Drew would say, "Getting Buckets." Now, I will get to the aforementioned happenings of the week, and more, but listen up you Americanites, never take a basketball court for granted, cause you never know when the next time you set foot on one will be...

General Conference:
Being just a few hours behind, (8 to be exact), we were lucky over here to catch the 4 sessions we did. While many of the talks given were procedural, or explanatory, there have been few times in my life more spiritually impactful than the opportunity to sustain Russell M. Nelson as the prophet of God. I wholeheartedly sustain this beloved man, and look forward to dissecting his beautiful remarks offered Sunday Morning. Other favorites of mine included Anziano Bednar's doctrinally drenched (aren't they always?) sermon on meekness and humility, recognizing acutely a lack of those attributes in myself, along with that of President Eyring, encouraging us to increase our spiritual awareness, and recognizing the Holy Spirit's subtle whisperings. The constant battle of my mission has been seeking the companionship of the Holy Ghost, and acting on his promptings without hesitation. I fear I will wage this war for all my mortal existence, as the Natural Man's, or "Natural Anziano Toronto's," desires are not always aligned with the plan, or work God has for me to accomplish. Needless to say, I've got plenty of work to do there, and in the remaining 8 months or so I have left, I'll be focusing on becoming an instrument in the hands of the Lord, as opposed to a rouge lawnmower that occasionally mows the desired grass.

Rome Italy Temple:
As announced on Thursday, the Rome Italy Temple open house and dedication have been announced. Well, everyone told Simeon he would see it on his mission, and everyone told me I'd definitely see it, and well, I may see it, but it won't be as a missionary of the Great Italy Rome Mission. Bittersweet is the best way to describe my reception of the news, but my attention is turned to filling that temple with converts, hungry for the spiritual satisfaction, that ordinances, most importantly sealings, provide. I hope to see so many of my Italian brethren and sisters, "Twice in white," as President and Sister Pickerd often exhort us to do!

Moving:
For reasons that will be more clear next week, Anziano Cutler and I spent the large part of Saturday morning moving our belongings, and many of the house's belongings over to the Napoli B Anziani's house. We were assisted in doing so by Brother Stutzman of the Pozzuoli branch, who's minivan was absolutely crucial to the success of the moving endeavor!

Scambi:
This week I was joined here in Napoli by Anziani Allen, and Macdonald! While working with Anziano Allen, a South Jordan native, I was struck by his desire to change, and his reflection on the missionary he's in the process of becoming. Introspection is often the greatest tool in a missionary's toolbox when he desires to improve, and Anziano Allen exemplifies that self-awareness. Truly this Anziano understands what it means to internalize change, and he is, as Anz. Bednar taught us we must be, meek and humble! Anziano Macdonald embodies quiet dignity, and like Anziano Allen, a desire to lead by righteous example. We spent much of the scambio reminiscing on the 3 months we spent living together in Pescara, those three being some of the hardest months of my mission, made bearable by support from Anziano MacDonald and many, many others! Both of these Anziani are great leaders in our zone, and we wouldn't be the same without them! Boy how I love learning from the incredible missionaries sent to labor in this part of the Lord's vineyard!

America the Beautiful:
As previously touched on, P-Day took us onto American soil, as we hopped onto the Navy military base found just a short drive outside of Napoli. We ate American food, saw grass, and if I didn't emphasize it clearly enough in the first paragraph, played basketball! Sam, our Branch Mission Leader here was kind enough to chauffeur, provide lunch, and patiently watch as I was scored on over and over by Anziano Mayer, (man can that guy shoot!🔥) Missing March Madness for the second time hurt a little bit less, as I got all my frustration out with a few nice dunks. He's still got it folks! A year and 3 months of Italian cooking, countless Napoli Pizze, and olive oil instead of blood running through his veins couldn't stop "The Truth" from getting up, and sending it home, albeit with a bit more soreness in the aftermath.

Vi voglio un mondo di bene!

Anziano Toronto II 🇮🇹