This year I'm giving Christ my son. I've spent more time in the temple, my testimony stirred. I've reread November's Ensign, felt strength come from His words. Our family prays more frequently, my tears are quick to run. ...Abraham seems closer because, This year I'm giving Christ my son.
I wonder how those Lamanite mothers, gave their sons to war? Or how the pioneers chose Zion, their sacrifice was so much more. My loss will be his presence, I'll miss his smile a ton For two years we will pray for him, I'm giving Christ my son.
I stare at his face when he's not looking. I memorize his eyes, their shine. He's always hungered for the part of Him, that makes his soul divine. The stories and lessons he always heard, His choice and mine are one. I'll put my faith in God's hand, this year... I'm giving Christ my son.
Past gifts have lost their glitter; I think I finally understand Christ's birth should be celebrated by giving Him a hand. It's because I know Christ lives and reigns that all his packing's done. My gift has taken years to make, this year .... I'm giving Christ my son.
I know there's One who understands, the sacrifice I'm making Who knows the gift I willingly give, the toll it will be taking. For He has done it all before. Greater love-there could be none. For years ago God gave to me, His only begotten son.
The hands I washed, the hands I held, the hands I taught to pray; Now knock on doors to find the ones who will listen to what he'll say. Because I know Christ needs him, until all the gathering's done, My gift has taken years to make.
This year....I'm giving Christ my son.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!
18/11/10
Dear Mom.
Well...tomorrow is a special day or you!! So....
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!
I love you so much! You are so awesome and I look up to you so much. I loved going on our little "mother/son" dates! They were awesome! We watched a ton of movies!!!
I hope you have a great birthday and you do something fun! You really do deserve it.
True, we did into a few arguments in the past and I'm so sorry. But the thing is, even with all that you were still always there for me when I needed it, and I'm to thankful for that! Thank you!
You really are so awesome! Happy Birthday and I love you so much! You're the best.
How old are you now? 42? 43? 44? (What a nice boy) I don't really know, but it doesn't matter because you will always still be "the cool mom"! Always!! :) ha ha!
Happy Birthday Mom! I love you!!!
Love your son,
Robert
(I love that this letter was signed Robert and not Anziano Bona!)
Dear Mom.
Well...tomorrow is a special day or you!! So....
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!
I love you so much! You are so awesome and I look up to you so much. I loved going on our little "mother/son" dates! They were awesome! We watched a ton of movies!!!
I hope you have a great birthday and you do something fun! You really do deserve it.
True, we did into a few arguments in the past and I'm so sorry. But the thing is, even with all that you were still always there for me when I needed it, and I'm to thankful for that! Thank you!
You really are so awesome! Happy Birthday and I love you so much! You're the best.
How old are you now? 42? 43? 44? (What a nice boy) I don't really know, but it doesn't matter because you will always still be "the cool mom"! Always!! :) ha ha!
Happy Birthday Mom! I love you!!!
Love your son,
Robert
(I love that this letter was signed Robert and not Anziano Bona!)
Monday, November 29, 2010
PICTURES FROM ALESSANDRIA
What a sweet surprise to get a birthday letter from Robert with his SD card inside! I will post the letter this week when we get his email but for now here are a few pictures to enjoy!
Some of the highlights while in Alessandria have been a visit from Robert's Zio (uncle) Pino. He was so excited to see him and to actually be able to talk to him and not need someone to translate. They had a fun afternoon together!
This is a view of Alessandria.
Transfer day and bidding farewell to Anziano Gallacher
How nice to be reunite with Anziano Dunshee (MTC companion), even if only for a few short moments!
And Anziano Bolnick as well!
Had to get down to some serious business with Anz Bos during their two week back and forth trips between Genova and Alessandria.
New greenie Anz Weller
New missionaries fresh from the MTC! How nice to see a familiar face from home. Anziano Barnes! Second from left in the back row...comes from our home ward! Benvenuto!
And you can't forget about Halloween!
All bundled up and ready to face the cold! Brrrrr!
Always nice to have a friend around....Carlo Malara was the District President in Calabria and Giovanni (Robert's dad) was the executive secretary when Robert was a baby and we lived in Messina...
And after a long days work...it's time for bed!!!
(PS: If you are friends with Anz Bona or Judi Bona on Facebook you can go there and see the rest of the pictures for Alessandria.)
Thursday, November 25, 2010
HAPPY THANKSGIVING
Dear Mom and Dad!!!
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!!
I hope you guys have such a great day! Have so much fun with the Tubbs! Man I love them! Tell Adam and all them hi for me and that I'm so thankful that they are watching out for you guys! ;) ha ha
But what the heck!? I sent you a letter mom and in it were pics! Have you not gotten it yet? If not you should in a few days don't worry! The pics are coming!
And dad guess what? I totally can read all your letters in Italian and it's easy! You have no idea how comforting it is to get a letter in Italian and then actually be able to read and understand all of it! It was funny 'cause I saw it and I was like heck I don't wanna read all of it 'cause it takes forever for me to understand it! But I was like whatever and I did it just fine! ha ha! I'm thankful for the gift of tongues! Because I know without it all us missionaries would be in so much trouble!!!
But ya next week p-day is back on Wednesday and then I'll also tell you whats going on with transfers! I hope I stay 'cause I'd love to be here with Anz Weller in Alessandria for Christmas! That would be way fun!
But ya we got bikes. And if I get transferred or something the bike stays here. But that means if I need to buy a new one later in my mission it's reimbursable so it's like free. The first bike we buy it's our money but after that the mission will pay for it! And ya' we ride around in the rain and what not... ha ha it's crazy and cold but the thing is, is that for the work it's great. It saves us so much time so we can get more done! A day is so short it sucks!!! ha ha But once it starts snowing and stuff I dunno how much we will use them but ya' we wrap up with our scarfs and gloves and I wear my nerd glasses to protect my eyes and then we just head out!!! ha ha It's nuts!
Yesterday at our addrestamento (training) we really did get spiritually filled! We always do at those things! Pres Wolfgramm is so chill and awesome! Plus it's fun to see some of my good friends at those things! ha ha Anz Bos and Anz Shultz are my boys! I love those guys. So ya' days like yesterday where everyone together is fun!
Um... finding work this last week was OK I guess.... We got some solid potentials that we can try to work with so that's cool. So it was alright! But Ermina really doesn't meet with us anymore. She said she needed a break. And Eliana is still super solid. She just got her feelings hurt from some members so we had to do some damage control with her. Her family really is like my fam out here at the moment I love them!!! She will get baptized she just takes things like super slow.
And we don't get discouraged!!!! Discouragement comes from Satan. We just get disappointed. We learned about the difference between the 2 yesterday at our training thing. Never get discouraged!!!!! You always gotta keep going and keep giving it your best! :) ha ha
OK so today this is the plan.... we are gonna try out this Chinese restaurant for lunch!!! ha ha Then maybe go a bit shopping and just look around at stuff!!! Then put up our Christmas tree!!! ha ha :) We got like a 5 euro tree that's like 3 feet tall. I'm excited for that! It'll be fun!! ha ha Then for dinner we were thinking about going and getting a dang good pizza :) ha ha very Thanksgiving like huh!?!? ha ha We are excited it'll be fun!! ha ha Today really is a good day to just step back and reflect and look at all the things that Heavenly Father has blessed us with!! Because he really has given us a lot!! It's awesome!
It sounds like things are going great at home and that makes me really happy!!!! :) I'm glad all is well!! I love you guys so much and miss you tons! But don't worry in one month I'll be able to call you guys! Heck yes I'm excited for that!!! :) ha ha
The church is so true don't ever forget it!! Can't wait to hear from you guys next week!
I love you guys!!!! :)
Have a great day!
Happy Thanksgiving!!! :)
love!!!!
Anziano Bona
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!!
I hope you guys have such a great day! Have so much fun with the Tubbs! Man I love them! Tell Adam and all them hi for me and that I'm so thankful that they are watching out for you guys! ;) ha ha
But what the heck!? I sent you a letter mom and in it were pics! Have you not gotten it yet? If not you should in a few days don't worry! The pics are coming!
And dad guess what? I totally can read all your letters in Italian and it's easy! You have no idea how comforting it is to get a letter in Italian and then actually be able to read and understand all of it! It was funny 'cause I saw it and I was like heck I don't wanna read all of it 'cause it takes forever for me to understand it! But I was like whatever and I did it just fine! ha ha! I'm thankful for the gift of tongues! Because I know without it all us missionaries would be in so much trouble!!!
But ya next week p-day is back on Wednesday and then I'll also tell you whats going on with transfers! I hope I stay 'cause I'd love to be here with Anz Weller in Alessandria for Christmas! That would be way fun!
But ya we got bikes. And if I get transferred or something the bike stays here. But that means if I need to buy a new one later in my mission it's reimbursable so it's like free. The first bike we buy it's our money but after that the mission will pay for it! And ya' we ride around in the rain and what not... ha ha it's crazy and cold but the thing is, is that for the work it's great. It saves us so much time so we can get more done! A day is so short it sucks!!! ha ha But once it starts snowing and stuff I dunno how much we will use them but ya' we wrap up with our scarfs and gloves and I wear my nerd glasses to protect my eyes and then we just head out!!! ha ha It's nuts!
Yesterday at our addrestamento (training) we really did get spiritually filled! We always do at those things! Pres Wolfgramm is so chill and awesome! Plus it's fun to see some of my good friends at those things! ha ha Anz Bos and Anz Shultz are my boys! I love those guys. So ya' days like yesterday where everyone together is fun!
Um... finding work this last week was OK I guess.... We got some solid potentials that we can try to work with so that's cool. So it was alright! But Ermina really doesn't meet with us anymore. She said she needed a break. And Eliana is still super solid. She just got her feelings hurt from some members so we had to do some damage control with her. Her family really is like my fam out here at the moment I love them!!! She will get baptized she just takes things like super slow.
And we don't get discouraged!!!! Discouragement comes from Satan. We just get disappointed. We learned about the difference between the 2 yesterday at our training thing. Never get discouraged!!!!! You always gotta keep going and keep giving it your best! :) ha ha
OK so today this is the plan.... we are gonna try out this Chinese restaurant for lunch!!! ha ha Then maybe go a bit shopping and just look around at stuff!!! Then put up our Christmas tree!!! ha ha :) We got like a 5 euro tree that's like 3 feet tall. I'm excited for that! It'll be fun!! ha ha Then for dinner we were thinking about going and getting a dang good pizza :) ha ha very Thanksgiving like huh!?!? ha ha We are excited it'll be fun!! ha ha Today really is a good day to just step back and reflect and look at all the things that Heavenly Father has blessed us with!! Because he really has given us a lot!! It's awesome!
It sounds like things are going great at home and that makes me really happy!!!! :) I'm glad all is well!! I love you guys so much and miss you tons! But don't worry in one month I'll be able to call you guys! Heck yes I'm excited for that!!! :) ha ha
The church is so true don't ever forget it!! Can't wait to hear from you guys next week!
I love you guys!!!! :)
Have a great day!
Happy Thanksgiving!!! :)
love!!!!
Anziano Bona
Thursday, November 18, 2010
SMALL STRUGGLES
Dear Mom and Dad!!!
First of all..... HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!!!!!!! Well actually it's tomorrow but it's ok!!! I'm telling you today!!!! haha You're so awesome I love you so very much and am thankful for all you have done for me!!! I sent you a letter today so hopefully you get it at the beginning of next week! Sorry it's late I was just so super busy this week!! haha But don't worry I didn't forget!!! I love you mom :)
Ya' we did a lot of finding work this past week. We found a few people but no one too solid... the best one is this lady whose name is Lusia. She is totally athiest. But secondo me (according to me) I think there is some hope. We taught her the first lesson and she didn't accept the Book of Mormon that we tried to give her. But she wants to hear about the plan of salvation. So we will go back and see what we can do! I'm keepin my head up cause I think if we can show her that there is a God and that He loves her then I think she would really like the gospel in her life. Everyone else we talked to was like not solid at all. So.... ya it was still like a hard week.
And we got terrible news about Ermina. She isn't gonna be getting baptized for some time. Like she wants too and all but there are some things in her life that she says she can't change right now so we can't baptize her. She said she thinks she needs a break and stuff. I was so sad.... it's weird how close you get to these people and then when things go wrong your like so sad for them!!! ugh.... Ya I was hecka' bummed.... but it's ok.... and with Eliana I just dont know if she's ready to get baptized this soon. We might have to push her date back a bit too. So like over all it was just a rough week.
But it was cool 'cause yesterday the training meeting thing was in Alessandria and was for everyone this time so all the missionaries from the Genova and Torino zone came to Alessandria and we had our huge meeting thing all day long. They talked about not getting discouraged and stuff when stuff doesn't go the way you planned. It was totally comforting and stuff and I knew it was like totally for me!!!! 'Cause like Anziano Weller and I have been trying so hard to help these people and find new people but it's just been hard!! So that was the Lords way of answering my prayers so it was cool! So we are still keeping our heads up high and keep doinW work!!! we know the elect people are out there and we are willing to go through some hard times to find them!!! And we will find them soon :) haha
It sounds like things are going great at home! I'm glad!!! Thanks for keeping me updated on all the stuff going on at home! It's nice to still kinda be in the loop! :) haha That's chill that Brian won the championship!!!!!! Tell him to keep playing football and he will just keep getting better and better! Get him into some legit basketball leagues too!!! haha Like an open court thing or something!! They are hecka fun too!! haha
That is so chill that dad got you some fancy cookin thing!! haha and yumm!!! Those Greek cookies are so good! haha Dude I can cook some dang good pasta now! Anziano Weller and I eat so dang good! The carbonara is like my fave!!!!! haha It's so yummy and I'm legit at it! haha Pasta is easy and I love panna!!!!!! I'm bringing like 50 kilos home i swear!!! haha!!! The food here is just so good! We get gelato like all the time!! haha It's awesome!!! And focaccia is too epic! haha And now there is like pandoro and all that cake stuff that they bring out for Christmas! And thats way yummy too! haha American food is gonna kill me! I think im getting spoiled :) haha
But oh!!!! Yesterday I got 2 packages. One with just a bunch of candy and junk food and the other one with the christmas presents!!!!!! :) haha Thank you so much! I won't open them until then!!! haha But ya we got another thing December 15th or something, so there is still time to send me more!!! ;) haha just letting you guys know!! haha
Speakin about presents and what not... is there anything you guys want?! Ties, bags, food, anything? I just dont know what to get you guys!!! Please let me know something so I can send something!!! haha Please let me know!
Yes i got a new watch and I used the credit card a couple days ago. Um.... like I'm 95% sure I'm buying a bike within the new few days.... So I think I'm gonna use the credit card.... just letting you guys know!! haha Sorry I just kinda' need to buy one! And I'll try not to spend to much money on stuff. There is just a lot of neat stuff I want for christmas, ha ha!
Dude guess what!?! Jordan Monsen is training some elder that has the last name Ciccio!!!!! haha and the kid is from Italy!!! ha ha he's training one of the Ciccio boys!!! haha small world huh!? I met fratello Ciccio' at some stake priesthood meeting ha he's a nice guy!
And oh about Giuseppe's fam. None of them answer and one of them hung the phone up on me and we can't like waste a whole day and just go all the way to Asti to try to give people stuff that won't even answer me! So I dunno what to do with that situation... :( and Alessandra... I should be hooking up with them today for a bit.
My time out here is so little and precious so I need to use it wisely.
But ya we are fine out here! We get along super great and always have fun! Especially when it's pooring rain and freezing! ;) haha But we are good and trust that the Lord will help us out! I'm glad all is going well at home! I love you guys so so much and am glad all is going well! Have a great week! I cant wait to hear from you guys again soon!!!!! :)
much love!!
love
anziano bona!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!!!!!!
Brian!!!!
Yep it's almost Thanksgiving time!!! haha Bro you need to eat a lot of turky! Eat some for me too ok bro!! ha ha That'll be fun that your going to the Tubbs house! ha ha Tell them hi for me! And nice bro now you got time to chill a bit! You should use some of that time and crack open the scriptures a bit and read for like 10 min a day!! That would be good ;) And good work and beatin dad on Madden! I'll still own you though! :) haha and calm down I still got like 4 months till I hit my year mark! ha but time does go by hecka' fast that is true! haha
I love you so much bro! Have such a great week! :)
love
anziano bona
(this letter is from last week)
hey bro!!!!
Ya all is going well over here so don't worry! Ya it was better that I just let him get away with that! (referrring to the watch situation). haha
So all good! Dude I'm so happy the school is going well for you! That is so good that your staying on top of your grades like that! atta boy! :) And that is ballin' that your football team is doing so good! good luck bro and give it your best! you gotta let me know how that all turns out!
My new comp is really chill! His name is Anziano Weller! He is chill and we get along really good! He is really obiedent and brings the spirit with him everywhere! He will help me out a lot! So we are having a great time! Brian i love you so much! i love the pic I got from you guys! You look so big and look like such a baller! I'm so proud of you! :) I love you so much and miss ya tons!!!
Keep up the good work and keep up being bravo (good) for mom and dad! :)
love you have a great week!
love anziano bona
First of all..... HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!!!!!!! Well actually it's tomorrow but it's ok!!! I'm telling you today!!!! haha You're so awesome I love you so very much and am thankful for all you have done for me!!! I sent you a letter today so hopefully you get it at the beginning of next week! Sorry it's late I was just so super busy this week!! haha But don't worry I didn't forget!!! I love you mom :)
Ya' we did a lot of finding work this past week. We found a few people but no one too solid... the best one is this lady whose name is Lusia. She is totally athiest. But secondo me (according to me) I think there is some hope. We taught her the first lesson and she didn't accept the Book of Mormon that we tried to give her. But she wants to hear about the plan of salvation. So we will go back and see what we can do! I'm keepin my head up cause I think if we can show her that there is a God and that He loves her then I think she would really like the gospel in her life. Everyone else we talked to was like not solid at all. So.... ya it was still like a hard week.
And we got terrible news about Ermina. She isn't gonna be getting baptized for some time. Like she wants too and all but there are some things in her life that she says she can't change right now so we can't baptize her. She said she thinks she needs a break and stuff. I was so sad.... it's weird how close you get to these people and then when things go wrong your like so sad for them!!! ugh.... Ya I was hecka' bummed.... but it's ok.... and with Eliana I just dont know if she's ready to get baptized this soon. We might have to push her date back a bit too. So like over all it was just a rough week.
But it was cool 'cause yesterday the training meeting thing was in Alessandria and was for everyone this time so all the missionaries from the Genova and Torino zone came to Alessandria and we had our huge meeting thing all day long. They talked about not getting discouraged and stuff when stuff doesn't go the way you planned. It was totally comforting and stuff and I knew it was like totally for me!!!! 'Cause like Anziano Weller and I have been trying so hard to help these people and find new people but it's just been hard!! So that was the Lords way of answering my prayers so it was cool! So we are still keeping our heads up high and keep doinW work!!! we know the elect people are out there and we are willing to go through some hard times to find them!!! And we will find them soon :) haha
It sounds like things are going great at home! I'm glad!!! Thanks for keeping me updated on all the stuff going on at home! It's nice to still kinda be in the loop! :) haha That's chill that Brian won the championship!!!!!! Tell him to keep playing football and he will just keep getting better and better! Get him into some legit basketball leagues too!!! haha Like an open court thing or something!! They are hecka fun too!! haha
That is so chill that dad got you some fancy cookin thing!! haha and yumm!!! Those Greek cookies are so good! haha Dude I can cook some dang good pasta now! Anziano Weller and I eat so dang good! The carbonara is like my fave!!!!! haha It's so yummy and I'm legit at it! haha Pasta is easy and I love panna!!!!!! I'm bringing like 50 kilos home i swear!!! haha!!! The food here is just so good! We get gelato like all the time!! haha It's awesome!!! And focaccia is too epic! haha And now there is like pandoro and all that cake stuff that they bring out for Christmas! And thats way yummy too! haha American food is gonna kill me! I think im getting spoiled :) haha
But oh!!!! Yesterday I got 2 packages. One with just a bunch of candy and junk food and the other one with the christmas presents!!!!!! :) haha Thank you so much! I won't open them until then!!! haha But ya we got another thing December 15th or something, so there is still time to send me more!!! ;) haha just letting you guys know!! haha
Speakin about presents and what not... is there anything you guys want?! Ties, bags, food, anything? I just dont know what to get you guys!!! Please let me know something so I can send something!!! haha Please let me know!
Yes i got a new watch and I used the credit card a couple days ago. Um.... like I'm 95% sure I'm buying a bike within the new few days.... So I think I'm gonna use the credit card.... just letting you guys know!! haha Sorry I just kinda' need to buy one! And I'll try not to spend to much money on stuff. There is just a lot of neat stuff I want for christmas, ha ha!
Dude guess what!?! Jordan Monsen is training some elder that has the last name Ciccio!!!!! haha and the kid is from Italy!!! ha ha he's training one of the Ciccio boys!!! haha small world huh!? I met fratello Ciccio' at some stake priesthood meeting ha he's a nice guy!
And oh about Giuseppe's fam. None of them answer and one of them hung the phone up on me and we can't like waste a whole day and just go all the way to Asti to try to give people stuff that won't even answer me! So I dunno what to do with that situation... :( and Alessandra... I should be hooking up with them today for a bit.
My time out here is so little and precious so I need to use it wisely.
But ya we are fine out here! We get along super great and always have fun! Especially when it's pooring rain and freezing! ;) haha But we are good and trust that the Lord will help us out! I'm glad all is going well at home! I love you guys so so much and am glad all is going well! Have a great week! I cant wait to hear from you guys again soon!!!!! :)
much love!!
love
anziano bona!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!!!!!!
Brian!!!!
Yep it's almost Thanksgiving time!!! haha Bro you need to eat a lot of turky! Eat some for me too ok bro!! ha ha That'll be fun that your going to the Tubbs house! ha ha Tell them hi for me! And nice bro now you got time to chill a bit! You should use some of that time and crack open the scriptures a bit and read for like 10 min a day!! That would be good ;) And good work and beatin dad on Madden! I'll still own you though! :) haha and calm down I still got like 4 months till I hit my year mark! ha but time does go by hecka' fast that is true! haha
I love you so much bro! Have such a great week! :)
love
anziano bona
(this letter is from last week)
hey bro!!!!
Ya all is going well over here so don't worry! Ya it was better that I just let him get away with that! (referrring to the watch situation). haha
So all good! Dude I'm so happy the school is going well for you! That is so good that your staying on top of your grades like that! atta boy! :) And that is ballin' that your football team is doing so good! good luck bro and give it your best! you gotta let me know how that all turns out!
My new comp is really chill! His name is Anziano Weller! He is chill and we get along really good! He is really obiedent and brings the spirit with him everywhere! He will help me out a lot! So we are having a great time! Brian i love you so much! i love the pic I got from you guys! You look so big and look like such a baller! I'm so proud of you! :) I love you so much and miss ya tons!!!
Keep up the good work and keep up being bravo (good) for mom and dad! :)
love you have a great week!
love anziano bona
Friday, November 12, 2010
Dear Mom and Dad!!!
Yes yes yes don't worry!!! Things here are going great!! Everything is back to normal finally, no more crazy long train rides or dumb stuff like that! ha ha
Things with Anziano Weller are going way good! He is was solid and is gonna be a super bomb missionary one day!! And for a new kid he speaks the language pretty dang good! He kinda beats himself up about it sometimes but I just tell him to chill and that it will come with time! And the thing is is that it totally will! ' But ya he's obedient, and like I said it's good! You're exactly right, there are a lot of things that I'm learning from him! It is cool to see the fire of a new missionary but yes, he seems to be happy! And he is now adjusting to the field quite well so things are going good!
And here in Alessandria for the moment we are on feet and public transportation. We might get bikes but I really don't wanna... so we will see.
So ya' the weather here is.... cold.
It hasn't rained the last couple days which has been nice 'cause it used to be hecka rainy!!! But now it's just cold! We really haven't fixed the heater thing yet but I think we are gonna do that sometime this week!!! Hopefully!!!
Yeah, la nonna is crazy! ha ha I was sleeping 'cause I was sick and she called and woke me up! haha But it's ok ha she's really nice though.
The finding work is still a pain sometimes!! But I know that there are people out there waiting for us! We just gotta' find them! We are doing our best and I'm sure it will pick up by the end of the week!
And ya we went out and got comp scarfs! They are so chill! ha ha So now my face stays warm and I look like a baller! ha ha!!! It's way funny but we need to stay warm! I think I'm getting my watch today and might get a tie that I've been looking at! ha ha
Elaina and Erminia!! yes, they are still set up for the 27th! We are hecka happy for them and I'm sure that they will be ready on that day! Seriously it's cool and amazing to see the gospel help and bless there lives!
I heard about the sports stuff.... that stinks for Utah and for the Jazz! Hopefully they can beat Miami! ha ha that would be cool!
OK, so the training thing has been changed this transfer. Instead of everyone going to Milan they are doing it kinda like a zone conference so like the Genoa zone and Torino zone will meet in Alessandria the next two Wednesday's and do some training stuff here! So that is chill 'cause we don't have to go anywhere! ha ha So hopefully they will bring my packages then! But that means that p-day for the next 2 weeks is on Tuesday so ya gotta email me on Monday night!
Dad I'm so happy all is going well! and glad that your Wednesdays are chill! :)
That is fun that you will be going to the Tubbs for Thanksgiving!!!! They are just like family!
But the Muslim lady here is yelling at me so I gotta go!!
Tell Bri sorry I didn't write him!!!!
So write me next week on Monday!!!
I'll explain more stuff later!!!! I gotta go!!!
I love you guys you guys are awesome!!!!
LOVES!!!!
Anziano Bona
Yes yes yes don't worry!!! Things here are going great!! Everything is back to normal finally, no more crazy long train rides or dumb stuff like that! ha ha
Things with Anziano Weller are going way good! He is was solid and is gonna be a super bomb missionary one day!! And for a new kid he speaks the language pretty dang good! He kinda beats himself up about it sometimes but I just tell him to chill and that it will come with time! And the thing is is that it totally will! ' But ya he's obedient, and like I said it's good! You're exactly right, there are a lot of things that I'm learning from him! It is cool to see the fire of a new missionary but yes, he seems to be happy! And he is now adjusting to the field quite well so things are going good!
And here in Alessandria for the moment we are on feet and public transportation. We might get bikes but I really don't wanna... so we will see.
So ya' the weather here is.... cold.
It hasn't rained the last couple days which has been nice 'cause it used to be hecka rainy!!! But now it's just cold! We really haven't fixed the heater thing yet but I think we are gonna do that sometime this week!!! Hopefully!!!
Yeah, la nonna is crazy! ha ha I was sleeping 'cause I was sick and she called and woke me up! haha But it's ok ha she's really nice though.
The finding work is still a pain sometimes!! But I know that there are people out there waiting for us! We just gotta' find them! We are doing our best and I'm sure it will pick up by the end of the week!
And ya we went out and got comp scarfs! They are so chill! ha ha So now my face stays warm and I look like a baller! ha ha!!! It's way funny but we need to stay warm! I think I'm getting my watch today and might get a tie that I've been looking at! ha ha
Elaina and Erminia!! yes, they are still set up for the 27th! We are hecka happy for them and I'm sure that they will be ready on that day! Seriously it's cool and amazing to see the gospel help and bless there lives!
I heard about the sports stuff.... that stinks for Utah and for the Jazz! Hopefully they can beat Miami! ha ha that would be cool!
OK, so the training thing has been changed this transfer. Instead of everyone going to Milan they are doing it kinda like a zone conference so like the Genoa zone and Torino zone will meet in Alessandria the next two Wednesday's and do some training stuff here! So that is chill 'cause we don't have to go anywhere! ha ha So hopefully they will bring my packages then! But that means that p-day for the next 2 weeks is on Tuesday so ya gotta email me on Monday night!
Dad I'm so happy all is going well! and glad that your Wednesdays are chill! :)
That is fun that you will be going to the Tubbs for Thanksgiving!!!! They are just like family!
But the Muslim lady here is yelling at me so I gotta go!!
Tell Bri sorry I didn't write him!!!!
So write me next week on Monday!!!
I'll explain more stuff later!!!! I gotta go!!!
I love you guys you guys are awesome!!!!
LOVES!!!!
Anziano Bona
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
8 MOTHS AND A GREENIE!!!
Dear Mom and Dad!!!
How are you guys doing!?!? I hope all is going well! Sounds like stuff at home is going quite well so I'm really happy for you all!
So ya i'ts been quite the week here in Alessandria!
First of all ya I saw Anziano Barnes and it was so cool!!! ha ha I gave him a huge hug! He is so tall now! I don't even make it up to his head now! Jeez I swear I'm just shrinking or something!!! hahaha But ya it was cool to seem him! I bet the ward thinks it's so cool that we are in the same mission huh?
But ya he gave me the little package and then I got 2 more from the mission home! Thanks so much for the little candy it was so yummy! You really don't realize how much you miss all the little things until its gone! We take so much for granted back at home! So I think that that's everything you've sent but I'm not sure!!! ha ha I'll find out the next time I make it to Milano!
The next zone conference isn't until like December 15th or something like that! But guess what! This month there is this like crazy training meeting for all zone leaders, district leaders, and trainers!!! It's like this 3 day long thing in Milano!!! So that'll be super fun and then I can see if there are any other letters or mail or whatever!! ha ha
OK so get this...
Thursday morning we (Anz Bos and myself) get into Milano to pick up the new kids but neither of us have ever worked in Milano so we don't exactly know how to get to the church. So we call the AP's (Assistants to the President) and they tell us to get on the green tram and head to some exit. So we go to where the trams are and we see the green one and it's about to leave so we run like hecka fast and jump on it! So we are like yes!!!! We made it and didn't miss it!!! ha ha So by this point we have been on the tram for like 20ish minutes and then we finally realize that we are going the wrong way!!!!!!! And the trainers meeting starts in 10 minutes!!! ahahaaaaa!! So we are like oh, heck no!!!!!!!!! So we get off at the next exit and take the first one we can to the right place, so to make a kinda' long story short Anz Bos and I got to the trainers meeting 1 hour late!! Dang do I know how to make a good first impression or what!!??
It was funny President Wolfgramm was just like stalling until we got there and we like just totally ran in there and he was like "train problems?" with this like funny grin on his face and we were just like YEP!!! hahahaha and he's all, "good cause we were just talking about how sometimes in the field things don't always go according the way you plan just like this!" So it was like way funny and everyone like laughed and it was totally chill! So there is like my funny little story for ya!!!
So ya a bit about the new kid!!!
So ya his name is Anziano Weller. He is from the bay area (Clayton to be exact) and ya he was ZL in the MTC. He is like hecka super obedient!!!!! Like a little too obedient! It's crazy!!! ha ha I think I'm gonna learn probably more then he will learn from me! The Lord was definitely laughing when he planned this all out! ha ha So ya Anziano Weller is helping me out on a few things and I'm showing him the ropes of how to do all this missionary stuff! ha ha The good thing is is that he is chill. He's a good guys too! We are now starting to open up more and we've had a lot of fun these last few days!
Once again hes taller then me by a good 4 inches (at least) so I just feel small and short! ha ha Darn my genes!!!! ha ha Thank heavens I'm good looking ;) hahaha
So OK.... we had a baptismal date with Erminia... but then we found some stuff out and she had to talk to the bishop for some stuff so we had to drop her date. So on Sunday she talked to him and go everything all worked out so last Monday we had a lesson with her and we set up another date for the 27th of November!!! We are so happy for her :) She is so rock solid!
So last night we went over to Elaina's house.... (she is the one who the rest of her fam got baptized right before I got here and has known us longer then her sister) and we had a good strong lesson with her. She has never set a date before 'cause she's always been to scared of not being ready for the date that she sets. Well last night we had this powerful lesson about faith and fasting and pretty much a whole bunch of other stuff. and she said she wants to get baptized with her sister on the same day so we finally got a date set with her too!!!! So in the last 2 days we've set up 2 baptismal dates! So we are really happy!!!! hahaha (Pray for them!)
Things have been going good! The problem is still finding at the moment! We've done so much of it lately and just got nothing! I'm just doing my best to keep Anz Weller's head up and telling him not to get discouraged and stuff. We know the Lord is preparing people just for us! It's not gonna be easy but we will find them!!!! We've just got a lot of slammed doors in our face the last little bit! But these last 2 days have made it totally worth it! :) so thing are going great! He is solid and we are having a good time!
It's rained for like 4 days straight now and it's hecka cold outside too!!!! And to make things better out like heater in our apartment doesn't work!!! I gotta make a few calls and get all that worked out soon but don't worry we are doing fine and having a great time! :) I think today we are gonna go out and get some companion ties and comp scarfs too! and I'll look for my watch too! ha ha
So ya I love you guys so so much and miss you guys tons! 1/3 of the way down!!!! It really is so crazy how time flies! It's weird cause it goes so fast and yet so slow!!! It's hard to explain! ha ha But I'm gonna make the most of it!! ha ha I hope all you guys have a great week!!! Dad good luck with all your stuff! i know you'll do great! You're a baller! :) Mom don't start listening to Christmas music yet!!!! We aren't even past Thanksgiving yet! ;) ha ha
I love you guys have a great week! Can't wait to hear from you guys again!!!
Vi voglio bene!!!! :)
Anziano Bona
How are you guys doing!?!? I hope all is going well! Sounds like stuff at home is going quite well so I'm really happy for you all!
So ya i'ts been quite the week here in Alessandria!
First of all ya I saw Anziano Barnes and it was so cool!!! ha ha I gave him a huge hug! He is so tall now! I don't even make it up to his head now! Jeez I swear I'm just shrinking or something!!! hahaha But ya it was cool to seem him! I bet the ward thinks it's so cool that we are in the same mission huh?
But ya he gave me the little package and then I got 2 more from the mission home! Thanks so much for the little candy it was so yummy! You really don't realize how much you miss all the little things until its gone! We take so much for granted back at home! So I think that that's everything you've sent but I'm not sure!!! ha ha I'll find out the next time I make it to Milano!
The next zone conference isn't until like December 15th or something like that! But guess what! This month there is this like crazy training meeting for all zone leaders, district leaders, and trainers!!! It's like this 3 day long thing in Milano!!! So that'll be super fun and then I can see if there are any other letters or mail or whatever!! ha ha
OK so get this...
Thursday morning we (Anz Bos and myself) get into Milano to pick up the new kids but neither of us have ever worked in Milano so we don't exactly know how to get to the church. So we call the AP's (Assistants to the President) and they tell us to get on the green tram and head to some exit. So we go to where the trams are and we see the green one and it's about to leave so we run like hecka fast and jump on it! So we are like yes!!!! We made it and didn't miss it!!! ha ha So by this point we have been on the tram for like 20ish minutes and then we finally realize that we are going the wrong way!!!!!!! And the trainers meeting starts in 10 minutes!!! ahahaaaaa!! So we are like oh, heck no!!!!!!!!! So we get off at the next exit and take the first one we can to the right place, so to make a kinda' long story short Anz Bos and I got to the trainers meeting 1 hour late!! Dang do I know how to make a good first impression or what!!??
It was funny President Wolfgramm was just like stalling until we got there and we like just totally ran in there and he was like "train problems?" with this like funny grin on his face and we were just like YEP!!! hahahaha and he's all, "good cause we were just talking about how sometimes in the field things don't always go according the way you plan just like this!" So it was like way funny and everyone like laughed and it was totally chill! So there is like my funny little story for ya!!!
So ya a bit about the new kid!!!
So ya his name is Anziano Weller. He is from the bay area (Clayton to be exact) and ya he was ZL in the MTC. He is like hecka super obedient!!!!! Like a little too obedient! It's crazy!!! ha ha I think I'm gonna learn probably more then he will learn from me! The Lord was definitely laughing when he planned this all out! ha ha So ya Anziano Weller is helping me out on a few things and I'm showing him the ropes of how to do all this missionary stuff! ha ha The good thing is is that he is chill. He's a good guys too! We are now starting to open up more and we've had a lot of fun these last few days!
Once again hes taller then me by a good 4 inches (at least) so I just feel small and short! ha ha Darn my genes!!!! ha ha Thank heavens I'm good looking ;) hahaha
So OK.... we had a baptismal date with Erminia... but then we found some stuff out and she had to talk to the bishop for some stuff so we had to drop her date. So on Sunday she talked to him and go everything all worked out so last Monday we had a lesson with her and we set up another date for the 27th of November!!! We are so happy for her :) She is so rock solid!
So last night we went over to Elaina's house.... (she is the one who the rest of her fam got baptized right before I got here and has known us longer then her sister) and we had a good strong lesson with her. She has never set a date before 'cause she's always been to scared of not being ready for the date that she sets. Well last night we had this powerful lesson about faith and fasting and pretty much a whole bunch of other stuff. and she said she wants to get baptized with her sister on the same day so we finally got a date set with her too!!!! So in the last 2 days we've set up 2 baptismal dates! So we are really happy!!!! hahaha (Pray for them!)
Things have been going good! The problem is still finding at the moment! We've done so much of it lately and just got nothing! I'm just doing my best to keep Anz Weller's head up and telling him not to get discouraged and stuff. We know the Lord is preparing people just for us! It's not gonna be easy but we will find them!!!! We've just got a lot of slammed doors in our face the last little bit! But these last 2 days have made it totally worth it! :) so thing are going great! He is solid and we are having a good time!
It's rained for like 4 days straight now and it's hecka cold outside too!!!! And to make things better out like heater in our apartment doesn't work!!! I gotta make a few calls and get all that worked out soon but don't worry we are doing fine and having a great time! :) I think today we are gonna go out and get some companion ties and comp scarfs too! and I'll look for my watch too! ha ha
So ya I love you guys so so much and miss you guys tons! 1/3 of the way down!!!! It really is so crazy how time flies! It's weird cause it goes so fast and yet so slow!!! It's hard to explain! ha ha But I'm gonna make the most of it!! ha ha I hope all you guys have a great week!!! Dad good luck with all your stuff! i know you'll do great! You're a baller! :) Mom don't start listening to Christmas music yet!!!! We aren't even past Thanksgiving yet! ;) ha ha
I love you guys have a great week! Can't wait to hear from you guys again!!!
Vi voglio bene!!!! :)
Anziano Bona
STOLEN WATCH
Dear Mom and Dad!!
First of all.... congrats dad on your new calling!!! :) I know you will do great!! And mom.... you know this means you gotta go to Sunday School now!!!! hahaha! But don't worry once I get back we can sluff together and go watch sports and eat food just like the good old days!!!! ha ha ;) (just kidding!) But dad your gonna do great that's so cool! ha ha
And about the card and watch.... so ya I didn't get that I couldn't use the debit card so I tried to pull money out and the ATM just ate it and I was so mad and kinda nervous!! But ya the lady from the office called me and it's all cool and all good now!!! So don't worry about that. I'll get it tomorrow when I go to Milano and see all them (Justin)!
ha ha so ya about my watch... get this I was furious!!! ha ha story time...
So every time I email I take my watch off cause it bugs my wrist. So I took it off and stuff and then when we left I totally forgot it!!! So we did p-day last week and went and bowled and played pool and it was all chill. So on the way back we stopped by the place where we email and asked if anyone saw my watch.... and the dude who runs the store was wearing it!!!!!! I was all dude that's my watch!!!! and he was all no I found it like 3 days ago, and I was all that's bull, that's mine!!!!! Then he started saying stuff in his language and like out of no where three other crazy Muslim looking dudes were just standing behind us. Anz Bos was all, dude we aren't leaving without his watch. Then the dude was like, we are gonna call the cops on you guys and stuff and he was being like the biggest jerk ever! I was so mad! But we were like whatever so we just left and I wasn't too happy but ya it's just a watch. It was funny though!!! We were just making jokes about it like all day after that ha ha but don't worry nothing happened!!!!!! And I'm here right now at the same place and the same dude is here and he's still wearing my dang watch!!!! ha ha o well!!!! ha ha its' just another funny story!! ha ha
These last two weeks have been so crazy!!! So many weird things have happened its' been funny!! Ans. Bos is so legit too! He's a way cool kid and a way solid missionary. It's been a good two weeks just very tiring from all the moving around and not always sleeping in the bed I'm used to and stuff but its all good! It's been a good two weeks!!!
Elaina and Erminia are doing OK.... they've had a couple of hard rough weeks but we met with them on Monday night and they still want to get baptized so we are still working with them!!! We talked about how everyone has hard trials and what not and what we need to do to overcome them. So I think in the long run they will be just fine!!! We are excited for them!!
But ya tomorrow we go to Milano to pick up all the new guys!! I'm excited to see Anziano Barnes and to get my new greenie!!! ha ha It'll be fun!!!
I'm glad to hear that all is going well back at home!! That makes me so happy! :) ha ha You guys are all ballers! and my heck! Brian sounds just huge!!! ha ha don't worry I can still take him!! :) ha ha Don't let him wear my stuff!!! (naw...he can wear whatever he wants because when I get home you know you'll get me new stuff!) ha ha But ya all is well here on my end too!!
I love you guys so so much and am way thankful for your great examples for me!!! Keep up the good work and keep living the way the Lord wants!!! I'll talk to you guys next week!!!
I love you guys!!! :)
Anziano Bona
(We recieved an email from Anziano Bona the Saturday before we got this one telling us that his ATM card didn't work~we had told him we were sending a new one and to not use the one he had~ and also he let us know about him loosing his watch. We called the mission home to let them know to tell him that Anz. Barnes would be brining a small pkg with a new debit card inside, along with other things too!)
First of all.... congrats dad on your new calling!!! :) I know you will do great!! And mom.... you know this means you gotta go to Sunday School now!!!! hahaha! But don't worry once I get back we can sluff together and go watch sports and eat food just like the good old days!!!! ha ha ;) (just kidding!) But dad your gonna do great that's so cool! ha ha
And about the card and watch.... so ya I didn't get that I couldn't use the debit card so I tried to pull money out and the ATM just ate it and I was so mad and kinda nervous!! But ya the lady from the office called me and it's all cool and all good now!!! So don't worry about that. I'll get it tomorrow when I go to Milano and see all them (Justin)!
ha ha so ya about my watch... get this I was furious!!! ha ha story time...
So every time I email I take my watch off cause it bugs my wrist. So I took it off and stuff and then when we left I totally forgot it!!! So we did p-day last week and went and bowled and played pool and it was all chill. So on the way back we stopped by the place where we email and asked if anyone saw my watch.... and the dude who runs the store was wearing it!!!!!! I was all dude that's my watch!!!! and he was all no I found it like 3 days ago, and I was all that's bull, that's mine!!!!! Then he started saying stuff in his language and like out of no where three other crazy Muslim looking dudes were just standing behind us. Anz Bos was all, dude we aren't leaving without his watch. Then the dude was like, we are gonna call the cops on you guys and stuff and he was being like the biggest jerk ever! I was so mad! But we were like whatever so we just left and I wasn't too happy but ya it's just a watch. It was funny though!!! We were just making jokes about it like all day after that ha ha but don't worry nothing happened!!!!!! And I'm here right now at the same place and the same dude is here and he's still wearing my dang watch!!!! ha ha o well!!!! ha ha its' just another funny story!! ha ha
These last two weeks have been so crazy!!! So many weird things have happened its' been funny!! Ans. Bos is so legit too! He's a way cool kid and a way solid missionary. It's been a good two weeks just very tiring from all the moving around and not always sleeping in the bed I'm used to and stuff but its all good! It's been a good two weeks!!!
Elaina and Erminia are doing OK.... they've had a couple of hard rough weeks but we met with them on Monday night and they still want to get baptized so we are still working with them!!! We talked about how everyone has hard trials and what not and what we need to do to overcome them. So I think in the long run they will be just fine!!! We are excited for them!!
But ya tomorrow we go to Milano to pick up all the new guys!! I'm excited to see Anziano Barnes and to get my new greenie!!! ha ha It'll be fun!!!
I'm glad to hear that all is going well back at home!! That makes me so happy! :) ha ha You guys are all ballers! and my heck! Brian sounds just huge!!! ha ha don't worry I can still take him!! :) ha ha Don't let him wear my stuff!!! (naw...he can wear whatever he wants because when I get home you know you'll get me new stuff!) ha ha But ya all is well here on my end too!!
I love you guys so so much and am way thankful for your great examples for me!!! Keep up the good work and keep living the way the Lord wants!!! I'll talk to you guys next week!!!
I love you guys!!! :)
Anziano Bona
(We recieved an email from Anziano Bona the Saturday before we got this one telling us that his ATM card didn't work~we had told him we were sending a new one and to not use the one he had~ and also he let us know about him loosing his watch. We called the mission home to let them know to tell him that Anz. Barnes would be brining a small pkg with a new debit card inside, along with other things too!)
Saturday, October 23, 2010
GROUND BREAKING FOR ROME ITALY TEMPLE
Today was the ground breaking for the Rome Italy Temple.
(I haven't been able to find to many things in English, so you can always use Google Translator if you need to.)
What a special day for all the members in Italy..and how special that Robert (Anziano Bona) gets to be there for such a wonderful event.
He wasn't actually at the ground breaking, but tomorrow in church the memebers will watch the ceremony/celebration.
I remember being on my mission and helping in some small way to bring the prophesy to pass. The people of Italy will be blessed by having this temple in their country.
http://www.chiesadigesucristo.it/news-e-media/visualizza-articolo/archive/2010/october/article/il-presidente-monson-presiede-la-cerimonia-del-primo-colpo-di-piccone-del-primo-tempio-in-italia.html
http://tempiodiroma.chiesadigesucristo.it/index.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qvYmO-moHrs
(I haven't been able to find to many things in English, so you can always use Google Translator if you need to.)
What a special day for all the members in Italy..and how special that Robert (Anziano Bona) gets to be there for such a wonderful event.
He wasn't actually at the ground breaking, but tomorrow in church the memebers will watch the ceremony/celebration.
I remember being on my mission and helping in some small way to bring the prophesy to pass. The people of Italy will be blessed by having this temple in their country.
http://www.chiesadigesucristo.it/news-e-media/visualizza-articolo/archive/2010/october/article/il-presidente-monson-presiede-la-cerimonia-del-primo-colpo-di-piccone-del-primo-tempio-in-italia.html
http://tempiodiroma.chiesadigesucristo.it/index.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qvYmO-moHrs
Friday, October 22, 2010
CRAZY WEEK
Mom and Dad!!! (and Brian cause he didn't right me!!!)
Dang!!!!
I'm so sorry that the computer got all messed up and what not! That is kinda harsh! I can't believe that you went all the way to Barnes' house to write me! You don't gotta go through all this trouble next time!! I hope all you guys get all the stuff fixed and what not!
A drive up to Salt Lake ain't that bad! We have to travel so dang much it's like crazy! ha ha I'm pretty much done with trains!! ha ha
But ya it's pretty crazy that I'm gonna get to train!! I'm excited I know it will all work out!
But ya this week has been so chill! I'm with Anz Bos and he's a baller! I get along with him better then any other dude I've been with and he's a way solid missionary too so that's good! It's only been kinda hard cause we've been going back from Alessandria and Genova. At the moment I'm in Genova 'cause there are some big activities that are going on down here that we need to be at so we are spending p-day here! I think we are gonna go with the capizona (zone leaders) and go play pool and bowling and just kinda chill for a bit!!! So I'm way excited for that!! ha ha
But ya, Alessandra (our cousin) came right when church was done. It was chill!!! We talked for a bit and what not and I invited her to come to church next week!! ;) but I told her once all this crazy confusion is over we will go out to lunch and what not and just talk and get to know each other ! Then I'll make my move and see if they are interested in the church and stuff. But it was still chill to meet them!
And my Italian is OK... ha ha like I can hold a conversation but my grammar is still shaky!! But I'll be OK with the new kid! I'm excited! Ya it's gonna be really interesting if I get to train Justin!! ha ha How crazy would that be!! ha ha
OK to answer your questions... nope, I haven't gotten any packages that you've sent me :( I'm super bummed!!! Ya from now on just send packages to the mission office cause the Italian post system is bull sometimes!!! ha ha but ya when I go to Milan to pick up the new kid I see everyone. So if you give something to Justin he can give it to me then!! ha ha OK I'll start using the credit card a bit. I have just been scared to use it!! but I'll use it a bit now but still not a whole ton and ya I'll be needing the new debit card at the end of the year so giving it to Justin is a good idea.
But ya all is going good here. We are just partying it up!!!! ha ha But still doin work at the same time!! It's been such a legit week. So ya all is happy on this end!!
Dad hope all is well with work and all!! Brian keep being a stud in school and sports!!! I love you guys so so much!
Tell everyone at home I say hi!! Talk to you guys next week!!
MUCH LOVE :)
Anziano bona
Dang!!!!
I'm so sorry that the computer got all messed up and what not! That is kinda harsh! I can't believe that you went all the way to Barnes' house to write me! You don't gotta go through all this trouble next time!! I hope all you guys get all the stuff fixed and what not!
A drive up to Salt Lake ain't that bad! We have to travel so dang much it's like crazy! ha ha I'm pretty much done with trains!! ha ha
But ya it's pretty crazy that I'm gonna get to train!! I'm excited I know it will all work out!
But ya this week has been so chill! I'm with Anz Bos and he's a baller! I get along with him better then any other dude I've been with and he's a way solid missionary too so that's good! It's only been kinda hard cause we've been going back from Alessandria and Genova. At the moment I'm in Genova 'cause there are some big activities that are going on down here that we need to be at so we are spending p-day here! I think we are gonna go with the capizona (zone leaders) and go play pool and bowling and just kinda chill for a bit!!! So I'm way excited for that!! ha ha
But ya, Alessandra (our cousin) came right when church was done. It was chill!!! We talked for a bit and what not and I invited her to come to church next week!! ;) but I told her once all this crazy confusion is over we will go out to lunch and what not and just talk and get to know each other ! Then I'll make my move and see if they are interested in the church and stuff. But it was still chill to meet them!
And my Italian is OK... ha ha like I can hold a conversation but my grammar is still shaky!! But I'll be OK with the new kid! I'm excited! Ya it's gonna be really interesting if I get to train Justin!! ha ha How crazy would that be!! ha ha
OK to answer your questions... nope, I haven't gotten any packages that you've sent me :( I'm super bummed!!! Ya from now on just send packages to the mission office cause the Italian post system is bull sometimes!!! ha ha but ya when I go to Milan to pick up the new kid I see everyone. So if you give something to Justin he can give it to me then!! ha ha OK I'll start using the credit card a bit. I have just been scared to use it!! but I'll use it a bit now but still not a whole ton and ya I'll be needing the new debit card at the end of the year so giving it to Justin is a good idea.
But ya all is going good here. We are just partying it up!!!! ha ha But still doin work at the same time!! It's been such a legit week. So ya all is happy on this end!!
Dad hope all is well with work and all!! Brian keep being a stud in school and sports!!! I love you guys so so much!
Tell everyone at home I say hi!! Talk to you guys next week!!
MUCH LOVE :)
Anziano bona
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
ROME ITALY TEMPLE - UPDATE
President Thomas S. Monson will preside over the groundbreaking ceremony for the Rome Italy Temple on Saturday, October 23, 2010, where an architectural rendering of the temple will be revealed.
Attendance is strictly limited to invited priesthood leaders and special guests. However, the proceedings of the ceremony will be rebroadcast to every chapel in Italy on Sunday, October 24, so that all may participate.
A beautiful complex of buildings has been designed that includes the temple, a stake center, a visitors' center, and a patron housing facility. Although just a small section of the site was originally permitted for construction of the temple, recent zoning modifications—a miracle in itself—allow the entire parcel of land to be used for construction of these buildings.
Building sites in Rome must be examined for Roman ruins before construction is permitted. The inspection is carried out by digging trenches every 10 to 15 feet across the property. The day the temple property was to be inspected, Church members in Rome held a special fast. No ruins were found over the entire property, yet an old Roman village was discovered just 100 yards beyond the property boundary line.
We are so thrilled for this announcement and the fact that Robert will be in Italy for such a wonderful occasion. Mostly we are thankful to the Lord for his tender mercies and for the great blessing that this temple will be to the the people of Italy (and surrounding areas).
Attendance is strictly limited to invited priesthood leaders and special guests. However, the proceedings of the ceremony will be rebroadcast to every chapel in Italy on Sunday, October 24, so that all may participate.
A beautiful complex of buildings has been designed that includes the temple, a stake center, a visitors' center, and a patron housing facility. Although just a small section of the site was originally permitted for construction of the temple, recent zoning modifications—a miracle in itself—allow the entire parcel of land to be used for construction of these buildings.
Building sites in Rome must be examined for Roman ruins before construction is permitted. The inspection is carried out by digging trenches every 10 to 15 feet across the property. The day the temple property was to be inspected, Church members in Rome held a special fast. No ruins were found over the entire property, yet an old Roman village was discovered just 100 yards beyond the property boundary line.
We are so thrilled for this announcement and the fact that Robert will be in Italy for such a wonderful occasion. Mostly we are thankful to the Lord for his tender mercies and for the great blessing that this temple will be to the the people of Italy (and surrounding areas).
I'M GONNA BE A TRAINER!!!
Dear Mom and Dad!!!!
OK well I don't have a lot of time today but I will let you know what's going up over here! First of all we have been way busy with two scambios (missionary exchanges) and just like a bunch of stuff so honestly I haven't called that one lady that we are related to. But I will. I am gonna be busy these next couple weeks but I'll explain that later, but I will do my very best to find some time to call her.
Anyway.... last night we had a great lesson with Erminia (the sister of Eliana) and we set up a baptismal date with her. It was so awesome and she shared her testimony and the spirit was so strong it was amazing. She still needs some help with smoking but she is smoking a lot less so we are seeing some great progress. Eliana is solid too. We are gonna try to set up a date with her tonight! We will see how that goes.
We don't have a lot of investigators at the moment but the ones we do are way solid and want to get baptized too, we are really happy about that!!! Finding has been a bit rough 'cause now it's getting cold and stuff and people are I swear getting meaner but its OK 'cause we are still gonna keep pushing through and keep trying our best!!!! ha ha
OK so about transfers.... the impossible happened.... Gallacher is getting transferred... and I've been called to train!! I am going to be a trainer now!!!!!!!
So it's possible that I could train Justin!!!!!!!! How sweet huh!!!!!
But at the same time I'm so dang nervous!!!!! Normally trainers train in their 7th transfer or higher and I'm gonna start my 5th and I'll be training!! I'm so dang nervous and I don't know if I'm ready for this much responsibility 'cause being a trainer is huge!!!! It's so dang rare that someone this young trains! But President thinks I'm ready so I'll do my best! I barely know this city and this language so it'll be interesting to see what happens!!
I had interviews with pres and I had my glasses there and he said they were fine. I don't even wear them that much they are just in my pocket. I do the work I just like to have fun too and there is nothing wrong with that.
I'm pretty nervous but now is the time when I just need to have faith and put all this in the hands of the Lord so that's what I'm gonna do! And I know all will work out fine!!
But yes mom you bring up a good point about the missionaries coming in 2 weeks so let me explain. There is this kid named Anziano Boss (who is this Australian and he is so chill!) and he is in the same situation as I am that he's training and has to wait. So we are going to be together for these two weeks until the new kids get here. The only thing is, is that he is at Genova!!!
So this is what we think has to go down.... we do three days here three days at Genova and then Rresident said that he wants both of us in our wards for church so we get split up for church and be by ourselves (with a member) for half the day then one of us goes to the other ones city after church!! ha ha ya nuts huh!!!! These two upcoming weeks are gonna be so interesting! But I'm excited to work with Anziano Boss cause hes a baller! So ya that is basically whats gonna be happening for a while!!! ha ha lots of running around and just crazy stuff!!! ha ha
But ya I get to train so I have the possibility to train Justin!! ha ha How chill would that be!?!?!? ha ha but I guess we will see how things go!
Sounds like all is going well at home and I'm really happy about all that!! Keep up the good work!! But I got a lot of stuff to do and I gotta write pres and a few others so I gotta go! I love you guys so so so much!!! :) Talk to you guys next week! Have a great week!!!! :) LOVES!!!!!
Anziano Bona
Hey whats up my brother!!!
That is so legit that you got to pass the sacrament!! Mom and dad said you did great!!! :) I'm so proud of you!!
And dang son you are so smart!! You did so dang good in math! So once again I'm really proud of you!!!
So ya I'm staying in Alessandria but my comp is leaving!! and I'm training!!! ah its so crazy!! Ask mom what that is she will explain! ha ha
Dang I didn't know about the miners. I'll definitely pray for them. I hope all goes well!
That's ballin that you guys beat Timpview! You guys are probably way legit! ha ha Keep up the good work and keep doing your best!
Wow sounds like you made bank at your birthday!!! ha ha That would be way chill to get a flat screen TV in your room!! ha ha I know you can do it, keep saving your money!
Well it sounds like all is going well for you dude and I'm so happy!! ha ha
Keep up the hard work and have a great week!!
I LOVE YOU!!!!!
Anziano Bona
OK well I don't have a lot of time today but I will let you know what's going up over here! First of all we have been way busy with two scambios (missionary exchanges) and just like a bunch of stuff so honestly I haven't called that one lady that we are related to. But I will. I am gonna be busy these next couple weeks but I'll explain that later, but I will do my very best to find some time to call her.
Anyway.... last night we had a great lesson with Erminia (the sister of Eliana) and we set up a baptismal date with her. It was so awesome and she shared her testimony and the spirit was so strong it was amazing. She still needs some help with smoking but she is smoking a lot less so we are seeing some great progress. Eliana is solid too. We are gonna try to set up a date with her tonight! We will see how that goes.
We don't have a lot of investigators at the moment but the ones we do are way solid and want to get baptized too, we are really happy about that!!! Finding has been a bit rough 'cause now it's getting cold and stuff and people are I swear getting meaner but its OK 'cause we are still gonna keep pushing through and keep trying our best!!!! ha ha
OK so about transfers.... the impossible happened.... Gallacher is getting transferred... and I've been called to train!! I am going to be a trainer now!!!!!!!
So it's possible that I could train Justin!!!!!!!! How sweet huh!!!!!
But at the same time I'm so dang nervous!!!!! Normally trainers train in their 7th transfer or higher and I'm gonna start my 5th and I'll be training!! I'm so dang nervous and I don't know if I'm ready for this much responsibility 'cause being a trainer is huge!!!! It's so dang rare that someone this young trains! But President thinks I'm ready so I'll do my best! I barely know this city and this language so it'll be interesting to see what happens!!
I had interviews with pres and I had my glasses there and he said they were fine. I don't even wear them that much they are just in my pocket. I do the work I just like to have fun too and there is nothing wrong with that.
I'm pretty nervous but now is the time when I just need to have faith and put all this in the hands of the Lord so that's what I'm gonna do! And I know all will work out fine!!
But yes mom you bring up a good point about the missionaries coming in 2 weeks so let me explain. There is this kid named Anziano Boss (who is this Australian and he is so chill!) and he is in the same situation as I am that he's training and has to wait. So we are going to be together for these two weeks until the new kids get here. The only thing is, is that he is at Genova!!!
So this is what we think has to go down.... we do three days here three days at Genova and then Rresident said that he wants both of us in our wards for church so we get split up for church and be by ourselves (with a member) for half the day then one of us goes to the other ones city after church!! ha ha ya nuts huh!!!! These two upcoming weeks are gonna be so interesting! But I'm excited to work with Anziano Boss cause hes a baller! So ya that is basically whats gonna be happening for a while!!! ha ha lots of running around and just crazy stuff!!! ha ha
But ya I get to train so I have the possibility to train Justin!! ha ha How chill would that be!?!?!? ha ha but I guess we will see how things go!
Sounds like all is going well at home and I'm really happy about all that!! Keep up the good work!! But I got a lot of stuff to do and I gotta write pres and a few others so I gotta go! I love you guys so so so much!!! :) Talk to you guys next week! Have a great week!!!! :) LOVES!!!!!
Anziano Bona
Hey whats up my brother!!!
That is so legit that you got to pass the sacrament!! Mom and dad said you did great!!! :) I'm so proud of you!!
And dang son you are so smart!! You did so dang good in math! So once again I'm really proud of you!!!
So ya I'm staying in Alessandria but my comp is leaving!! and I'm training!!! ah its so crazy!! Ask mom what that is she will explain! ha ha
Dang I didn't know about the miners. I'll definitely pray for them. I hope all goes well!
That's ballin that you guys beat Timpview! You guys are probably way legit! ha ha Keep up the good work and keep doing your best!
Wow sounds like you made bank at your birthday!!! ha ha That would be way chill to get a flat screen TV in your room!! ha ha I know you can do it, keep saving your money!
Well it sounds like all is going well for you dude and I'm so happy!! ha ha
Keep up the hard work and have a great week!!
I LOVE YOU!!!!!
Anziano Bona
Thursday, October 7, 2010
CONFERENCE WEEK AND 7 MONTHS
Dear Mom and Dad!!!
Yes sir 7 months and counting!!
September was probably the fastest month ever!!! It was such a joke, it went by way to fast!! But it was fun!! It was a good month!!
But ya the weather here is kinda like Utah! It's starting to get chilly some days and it's rained a bit too!! But its OK we just put on sweaters and what not and just look good!!! And sometimes when we are goofing around I wear my nerd glasses and it's just so so funny!! But ya it's still pretty nice here most days!
So just letting you guys know this transfer is a bit different! There are only 5 weeks in it so that means transfers are next week!!! It's crazy!! But this also means that next transfer is 7 weeks long!! So ya' just letting you know!! Next week I'll let you know what's going on!! But for Anziano Gallacher this is his 3rd transfer here so we think he will do one more here, but you never know!! Anything can happen!
But no I haven't received your packages yet!!! :( I'm so bummed!!! I did receive your letter with the memory card in it with the pics and stuff though!!
But guess what...it didn't work that well :( for some reason I could only see like 4 pics and only like half of the video. It'd get to a certain part then just die :( the camera was just being stupid!!!!!! It's really frustrating sometimes!!! ugh!!! But the few pics I did see I liked, so thank you very much!!!! I think that this changing thing is a good idea I just don't know why it didn't work this time!
I'm worried that the packages didn't make it 'cause the Italian service is retarded sometimes and they just take it!!! I pray that's not what happened! ha ha
But ya' I heard about Brian and dad and everyone going to see the priesthood session!!! Jeez you all are so dang lucky!!!! I wanna go to it once I get back.
But ya' I've seen two past conferences so now only 2 more to go!!! But notice that I said past.. not watched... :( Let me explain.... so we go to watch the priesthood one and we set it all up but we only had time to set it up in Italian so we watched it all in Italian and that was chill. It was just different and harder to get all the meaning out of it but it was still ok. Then we come back a little later and set everything up again and the whole ward is there and we are getting ready to watch it and all of a sudden it stopped workin!!! The Internet connection was having some major issues so it totally didn't work and we didn't get to watch any of it!!! :( and I'm bummed cause everyone is like.... dude that one was so good!!!!... And we missed it!!! That's just my luck!!!!! ha ha But its OK.
Yesterday we went to Torino and had interviews with President Wolfgramm and he said we could take so time this week to watch it so I think we are gonna watch a bit of it, but I think to get all of it I'll probably just have to wait for the Liahona to come out in November! Oh well.
It was kinda the pitts 'cause Elaina was there and we were hoping it'd be really good for her to see, but it just didn't work out the way we planned... 50% of the things missionaries plan never work out they way we want!!!! So we just wing it some times and hope the spirit fills in the rest!!!
But ya' she is doing great!!! Her and her sister both want to get baptized!!!! The only problem is they both have a little smoking problem... but don't worry we are workin hard with both of them!!! I know they will get baptized they are both way solid!!!
But ya the only problem now is finding work!! That's been a bit hard lately. And last week we didn't get a lot of chance to do it cause there were 3 families in our ward that were moving so what did they do.... they called up the missionaries!!! ha ha So we got stuck all week moving heavy stuff up and down stairs!!!! It was interesting! And I messed up my back with this one washer that we took up three flights of stairs!!! It was a beast!! ha ha but I've been taking a bit of medicine so I'm feeling a bit better!!!
But is sounds like all is going well back at home!! That makes me so happy! Ya' all my friends out on their missions are doing great too! They are all awesome!! Jeez I miss my boys!!! ha ha but I'm way happy for all of them as well!!! One day we will all party again!! ;) ha ha
But ya things are going great here!!! We are having a blast! The members are great and piano piano (slowly slowly) the work keeps moving along as well!!!
I'll let you guys know about transfers next week!! I love you guys so so much and am thankful for all you guys do!! Wish Brian good luck for me!!! And tell all my friends and the ward hi for me it was so good to see them in the video!!!
Well thanks again and until next week!!! :)
Much love!!!!!!!!
Anziano Bona!!!
Brian....
What's up bro!!!
That's way cool that now your playing running back and linebacker!! Those are both way fun positions!! Do work out there son!!!!!!
I'm glad math is going well for you! Dude you are way to smart it isn't even fair!!! I hate to admit it but you'll probably be smarter then me one day!!!!
I hope you have a great time at your party!! You gotta tell me all about it next week!!!!
You're right the temple is incredible! When I get back we will for sure go together! I'm glad you felt the spirit there that is so good! It makes me so dang happy! :)
And I'm also happy that you got to chill with your friends and stuff!! Tell Talon and Kache I say hi!! Those kids are ballin too! haha
Well keep up the good work dude and have a great week! I love you soooooo much!!!! :)
love
Anziano Bona :)
ps
Dude tomorrow is against Timpview!!!???
You didnt tell me that!!!!
You need to go out there and do work dude!!!
Don't be scared you got pads on!! :) ha ha
I love you dude just remember to do your best!!! good luck bro!!!
Yes sir 7 months and counting!!
September was probably the fastest month ever!!! It was such a joke, it went by way to fast!! But it was fun!! It was a good month!!
But ya the weather here is kinda like Utah! It's starting to get chilly some days and it's rained a bit too!! But its OK we just put on sweaters and what not and just look good!!! And sometimes when we are goofing around I wear my nerd glasses and it's just so so funny!! But ya it's still pretty nice here most days!
So just letting you guys know this transfer is a bit different! There are only 5 weeks in it so that means transfers are next week!!! It's crazy!! But this also means that next transfer is 7 weeks long!! So ya' just letting you know!! Next week I'll let you know what's going on!! But for Anziano Gallacher this is his 3rd transfer here so we think he will do one more here, but you never know!! Anything can happen!
But no I haven't received your packages yet!!! :( I'm so bummed!!! I did receive your letter with the memory card in it with the pics and stuff though!!
But guess what...it didn't work that well :( for some reason I could only see like 4 pics and only like half of the video. It'd get to a certain part then just die :( the camera was just being stupid!!!!!! It's really frustrating sometimes!!! ugh!!! But the few pics I did see I liked, so thank you very much!!!! I think that this changing thing is a good idea I just don't know why it didn't work this time!
I'm worried that the packages didn't make it 'cause the Italian service is retarded sometimes and they just take it!!! I pray that's not what happened! ha ha
But ya' I heard about Brian and dad and everyone going to see the priesthood session!!! Jeez you all are so dang lucky!!!! I wanna go to it once I get back.
But ya' I've seen two past conferences so now only 2 more to go!!! But notice that I said past.. not watched... :( Let me explain.... so we go to watch the priesthood one and we set it all up but we only had time to set it up in Italian so we watched it all in Italian and that was chill. It was just different and harder to get all the meaning out of it but it was still ok. Then we come back a little later and set everything up again and the whole ward is there and we are getting ready to watch it and all of a sudden it stopped workin!!! The Internet connection was having some major issues so it totally didn't work and we didn't get to watch any of it!!! :( and I'm bummed cause everyone is like.... dude that one was so good!!!!... And we missed it!!! That's just my luck!!!!! ha ha But its OK.
Yesterday we went to Torino and had interviews with President Wolfgramm and he said we could take so time this week to watch it so I think we are gonna watch a bit of it, but I think to get all of it I'll probably just have to wait for the Liahona to come out in November! Oh well.
It was kinda the pitts 'cause Elaina was there and we were hoping it'd be really good for her to see, but it just didn't work out the way we planned... 50% of the things missionaries plan never work out they way we want!!!! So we just wing it some times and hope the spirit fills in the rest!!!
But ya' she is doing great!!! Her and her sister both want to get baptized!!!! The only problem is they both have a little smoking problem... but don't worry we are workin hard with both of them!!! I know they will get baptized they are both way solid!!!
But ya the only problem now is finding work!! That's been a bit hard lately. And last week we didn't get a lot of chance to do it cause there were 3 families in our ward that were moving so what did they do.... they called up the missionaries!!! ha ha So we got stuck all week moving heavy stuff up and down stairs!!!! It was interesting! And I messed up my back with this one washer that we took up three flights of stairs!!! It was a beast!! ha ha but I've been taking a bit of medicine so I'm feeling a bit better!!!
But is sounds like all is going well back at home!! That makes me so happy! Ya' all my friends out on their missions are doing great too! They are all awesome!! Jeez I miss my boys!!! ha ha but I'm way happy for all of them as well!!! One day we will all party again!! ;) ha ha
But ya things are going great here!!! We are having a blast! The members are great and piano piano (slowly slowly) the work keeps moving along as well!!!
I'll let you guys know about transfers next week!! I love you guys so so much and am thankful for all you guys do!! Wish Brian good luck for me!!! And tell all my friends and the ward hi for me it was so good to see them in the video!!!
Well thanks again and until next week!!! :)
Much love!!!!!!!!
Anziano Bona!!!
Brian....
What's up bro!!!
That's way cool that now your playing running back and linebacker!! Those are both way fun positions!! Do work out there son!!!!!!
I'm glad math is going well for you! Dude you are way to smart it isn't even fair!!! I hate to admit it but you'll probably be smarter then me one day!!!!
I hope you have a great time at your party!! You gotta tell me all about it next week!!!!
You're right the temple is incredible! When I get back we will for sure go together! I'm glad you felt the spirit there that is so good! It makes me so dang happy! :)
And I'm also happy that you got to chill with your friends and stuff!! Tell Talon and Kache I say hi!! Those kids are ballin too! haha
Well keep up the good work dude and have a great week! I love you soooooo much!!!! :)
love
Anziano Bona :)
ps
Dude tomorrow is against Timpview!!!???
You didnt tell me that!!!!
You need to go out there and do work dude!!!
Don't be scared you got pads on!! :) ha ha
I love you dude just remember to do your best!!! good luck bro!!!
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
VISIT WITH ZIO PINO
(I need to preface this letter by saying that when I was online this monring Robert was also on, and so we actually "chatted" with one another for about 10 minutes or so. Becuase of that this letter starts out in the middle of the conversation that we were having...By the way...he i doing super and Pino says that his Italian is great and that they had a wonderful visit together)
Dear Mom and Dad,
So ya' basically it was awesome!!! I'll just get to the point!! ha ha Ya' I had a great time with Zio Pino.
It was EPIC!!! ;) ha ha
It really was fun! He showed up a bit late but that's OK! So first we hopped in his car and just took a drive around a bit and it was chill. Then we parked and went and got something to eat!
I got this riso (I think that's how you spell it! It's like a rice!) and then some steak stuff and Anz Gallacher got the same. It was so yummy! Dad I learned from you that it always tastes better when its free!! ;) ha ha jk!!!! But ya it was fun!
We just talked about everything! Like how he was doing, work, the mission, you guys, past cool stuff and just like everything!
It was really cool to actually be able to talk with him!!! Because you know I couldn't like speak anything at all before but now I could actually communicate good!!! ha ha We actually had a conversation and stuff!!! ha ha
He said that all was going well for him and that's what matters!!! We kinda brought up him going to church and stuff but then he just kinda brushed it off and changed subject and kinda got quite so I just kinda dropped it. I didn't wanna make it totally awkward ya know?
But after we were done eating we took a piccolo giro (a little ride) around centro (down town) and he was like just asking about our work and if we had people getting baptized soon and stuff. It was cool. So we took a few pics and stuff! Not like a whole bunch but a few. Dang I totally didn't think to do a video!!!! Ugh I'm so dumb!!!!! I totally should have done it!!! Next time for sure!!! I think I'm gonna be here in Alessandra for a little bit so I'm thinking that I'll invite him down one more time or something. I think that would be sweet!!! ha ha But I still didn't get an email from him! Tell him I didn't get it and to make sure that he is doing everything right!!! ha ha
But ya he made us a cake!!! ha ha We are so excited to get home and try it out!!! ;) ha ha And he also gave me 50 euro!!! He shouldn't have but it was still a nice thought!!!
But that is still not the coolest thing that happened. Right when we were at his car and we were about to leave he was like "hey.... is it OK if we do a little prayer together right now?" And I was like heck ya it is!!!!!!! So I said a prayer for all of us and it was just chill!!!!!! So ya it was a very good afternoon!!!
But ya things here are going really good! I mentioned the Zaggari family that is looking for an apartment right? I might have said it was Elaina or something? Well we got the miracle that we were looking for and they found a place to go!!! :)
It's so great to see prays get answered and to see the Lords hand in all the things we do!!!!
Jeez it really is crazy. I thought that these miracle things only happened in stories and fairy tales but the thing is, is that they happen all the time. The Lord is doing things for us everywhere!!! It's just great to see one of the big ones happen! It does help the testimony grow!!!
Another cool thing is that we are now meeting with Elaina's sister as well and she said that she wants to learn more about the church and is now coming to church so things are going great!!! We just are heaving trouble with new investigators but we are doing our best finding who we can.
But just letting you know that no I haven't gotten your packages or anything... hopefully I will in the next week or something. But this new package.... send it to..... Alessandria....? I dunno!!!! ha ha 'cause the whole mission thing changed so now we only have zone conference once every 3 months!! So the next time I have it is in November..... so I guess it would be faster to send it to Alessandria.
I'm so dang glad that dad and Brian got to go to the temple!!!
That really is the coolest thing ever!!! And I'm so glad that he enjoyed it!! Help him got to it as much as possible! 'cause it really is the House of the Lord and the best place ever!!!
It sounds like things at home are going great and I'm so happy!!! :)
Things here are going way good too!!!! ;) ha ha so thanks for all you guys are doing!!!! ha ha I love you guys so much!!!! Have a great week!!!
Can't wait to hear from you guys next week!!! :) Love you guys!!! ha ha
love!!!
Anziano bona!!!!!
PS.... ya' the pig thing was way funny!! ;) ha ha love you guys!!
Brian!
Dude!!
I hope you had a great birthday!!! :) ha ha I love you bro!!
I'm glad you got my letter!! ha ha I'm glad you liked the money! Sorry that was all I could do!! Dude that is epic that you went to the temple!!! That is so much fun! I'm so proud of you and so happy for you!!!! The temple really is the best place ever!! I miss it so much!!!
I'm glad you had a good time there! You really should go there as much as possible! The spirit there really is so strong and legit!
It sounds like school is going good too! Good for you dude that is so much fun!! ;)
Ya things out here are going great! I ate lunch with Zio Pino today and it was so cool!!! It was awesome!!! ha ha He is a great guy!!
I'm glad everything is going good for you! Keep up the good work bro!! I love you!!!!
And miss you tons!!!!
Have a great week!! :)
Love your bro
Anziano Bona
Dear Mom and Dad,
So ya' basically it was awesome!!! I'll just get to the point!! ha ha Ya' I had a great time with Zio Pino.
It was EPIC!!! ;) ha ha
It really was fun! He showed up a bit late but that's OK! So first we hopped in his car and just took a drive around a bit and it was chill. Then we parked and went and got something to eat!
I got this riso (I think that's how you spell it! It's like a rice!) and then some steak stuff and Anz Gallacher got the same. It was so yummy! Dad I learned from you that it always tastes better when its free!! ;) ha ha jk!!!! But ya it was fun!
We just talked about everything! Like how he was doing, work, the mission, you guys, past cool stuff and just like everything!
It was really cool to actually be able to talk with him!!! Because you know I couldn't like speak anything at all before but now I could actually communicate good!!! ha ha We actually had a conversation and stuff!!! ha ha
He said that all was going well for him and that's what matters!!! We kinda brought up him going to church and stuff but then he just kinda brushed it off and changed subject and kinda got quite so I just kinda dropped it. I didn't wanna make it totally awkward ya know?
But after we were done eating we took a piccolo giro (a little ride) around centro (down town) and he was like just asking about our work and if we had people getting baptized soon and stuff. It was cool. So we took a few pics and stuff! Not like a whole bunch but a few. Dang I totally didn't think to do a video!!!! Ugh I'm so dumb!!!!! I totally should have done it!!! Next time for sure!!! I think I'm gonna be here in Alessandra for a little bit so I'm thinking that I'll invite him down one more time or something. I think that would be sweet!!! ha ha But I still didn't get an email from him! Tell him I didn't get it and to make sure that he is doing everything right!!! ha ha
But ya he made us a cake!!! ha ha We are so excited to get home and try it out!!! ;) ha ha And he also gave me 50 euro!!! He shouldn't have but it was still a nice thought!!!
But that is still not the coolest thing that happened. Right when we were at his car and we were about to leave he was like "hey.... is it OK if we do a little prayer together right now?" And I was like heck ya it is!!!!!!! So I said a prayer for all of us and it was just chill!!!!!! So ya it was a very good afternoon!!!
But ya things here are going really good! I mentioned the Zaggari family that is looking for an apartment right? I might have said it was Elaina or something? Well we got the miracle that we were looking for and they found a place to go!!! :)
It's so great to see prays get answered and to see the Lords hand in all the things we do!!!!
Jeez it really is crazy. I thought that these miracle things only happened in stories and fairy tales but the thing is, is that they happen all the time. The Lord is doing things for us everywhere!!! It's just great to see one of the big ones happen! It does help the testimony grow!!!
Another cool thing is that we are now meeting with Elaina's sister as well and she said that she wants to learn more about the church and is now coming to church so things are going great!!! We just are heaving trouble with new investigators but we are doing our best finding who we can.
But just letting you know that no I haven't gotten your packages or anything... hopefully I will in the next week or something. But this new package.... send it to..... Alessandria....? I dunno!!!! ha ha 'cause the whole mission thing changed so now we only have zone conference once every 3 months!! So the next time I have it is in November..... so I guess it would be faster to send it to Alessandria.
I'm so dang glad that dad and Brian got to go to the temple!!!
That really is the coolest thing ever!!! And I'm so glad that he enjoyed it!! Help him got to it as much as possible! 'cause it really is the House of the Lord and the best place ever!!!
It sounds like things at home are going great and I'm so happy!!! :)
Things here are going way good too!!!! ;) ha ha so thanks for all you guys are doing!!!! ha ha I love you guys so much!!!! Have a great week!!!
Can't wait to hear from you guys next week!!! :) Love you guys!!! ha ha
love!!!
Anziano bona!!!!!
PS.... ya' the pig thing was way funny!! ;) ha ha love you guys!!
Brian!
Dude!!
I hope you had a great birthday!!! :) ha ha I love you bro!!
I'm glad you got my letter!! ha ha I'm glad you liked the money! Sorry that was all I could do!! Dude that is epic that you went to the temple!!! That is so much fun! I'm so proud of you and so happy for you!!!! The temple really is the best place ever!! I miss it so much!!!
I'm glad you had a good time there! You really should go there as much as possible! The spirit there really is so strong and legit!
It sounds like school is going good too! Good for you dude that is so much fun!! ;)
Ya things out here are going great! I ate lunch with Zio Pino today and it was so cool!!! It was awesome!!! ha ha He is a great guy!!
I'm glad everything is going good for you! Keep up the good work bro!! I love you!!!!
And miss you tons!!!!
Have a great week!! :)
Love your bro
Anziano Bona
Monday, September 27, 2010
September 23, 2010
(This is a handwritten letter that Brian received today in the mail from Robert, along with $20.)
Ciao Bro!
Come stai? How are you little bro? I think by the time you've got this it's probably past your birthday so....
Happy Birthday Bud!!!!! =)
I love you!!!
I really do hope you had a great birthday! How great is it that you're 12 now! And you should pass the sacrament next week huh?! How epic bro!
It really is such a great privilege that you now get to do it! I'm so bummed that I won't be there to see you do it! =( But I know you'll do great!
I remember your baptism and it was amazing! =) This is the next step that you're taking and I'm so proud of you!
The priesthood really is such an amazing thing!
I'm really sorry that I wasn't a good example for you all the time...I was kinda dumb sometimes growing up! But I want you to know that I always loved you so much, and still do!
You're a great example to me!!! So thank you so much bro!!!
Sorry that I really didn't get you anything Italian! But I promise I will one day! It's only been 6 months so I still got a lot of time to buy you something cool! =) So, here's a bit of money $$$
I know it's not a lot , but it's just a little thought!
So, I love you bro!
The church is true! Don't ever forget that! Keep up the good work with football and with school!
Keep being a stud!
Ti Voglio Bene! =)
Love your bro,
Robert
Happy Birthday Bud!!
Ciao Bro!
Come stai? How are you little bro? I think by the time you've got this it's probably past your birthday so....
Happy Birthday Bud!!!!! =)
I love you!!!
I really do hope you had a great birthday! How great is it that you're 12 now! And you should pass the sacrament next week huh?! How epic bro!
It really is such a great privilege that you now get to do it! I'm so bummed that I won't be there to see you do it! =( But I know you'll do great!
I remember your baptism and it was amazing! =) This is the next step that you're taking and I'm so proud of you!
The priesthood really is such an amazing thing!
I'm really sorry that I wasn't a good example for you all the time...I was kinda dumb sometimes growing up! But I want you to know that I always loved you so much, and still do!
You're a great example to me!!! So thank you so much bro!!!
Sorry that I really didn't get you anything Italian! But I promise I will one day! It's only been 6 months so I still got a lot of time to buy you something cool! =) So, here's a bit of money $$$
I know it's not a lot , but it's just a little thought!
So, I love you bro!
The church is true! Don't ever forget that! Keep up the good work with football and with school!
Keep being a stud!
Ti Voglio Bene! =)
Love your bro,
Robert
Happy Birthday Bud!!
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Dear Mom and Dad!!!
Well first off I love you guys!!!! ha ha you guys are ballin!!!
OK... so for Zio Pino. I still haven't gotten an email from him... but that's' OK!!! ha ha 'cause ya we are totally down to see him next week!!!! ha ha but 10 is a bit to early... call him and tell him like 11 or 1115 ish... 'cause we need to go shopping in the morning at 10 but we can do email later that day so like 11 would be perfect!!! I'm so so excited for that!!! :) It is gonna be epic!!! ha ha and ya' tell him lunch would be great!!!!!! ;) ha ha We are always hungry!!!! ha ha It's gonna be so so sweet!!!
I'm so so glad that you guys got my package!!! Finally! ha ha Sorry there wasn't much stuff in there. The people in SanRemo were so dumb and said that it had to be 2kg or less!!! I was kinda upset 'cause I was gonna put more pan de stelle and kinder and stuff but it was too heavy!! Lame, sorry! But Anziano Gallacher said that here you can send however much you want!So I'll send something soon!! ha ha Speaking about sending something there are some like legit Juve shirts that seem really sweet!!!! They don't have the names of any of the guys on the back though. But they are still way good looking. They are 70 euro.... ha ha but if you want I could buy them and send them back for Brian for his birthday! or I could wait ha ha just let me know next week what you guys want me to do with that! There is also Milan and Inter jerseys too ha they really are nice ones!!! ha ha so let me know!
I'm glad you liked to pictures and the video ha ha. My comp is totally chill! We get along really well! And he has had a sweet mission. He has loved it ha ha it's just his Italian is a bit rusty! ha ha but that's OK we are doing our best!!! and the Lord is helping us out too!!!
Alessandria is way chill! I kinda miss the ocean and the pretty city of SanRemo but this place is chill too!!!! Not super pretty but it's still nice! and I love all the members here they are so great!!
The work here is going OK! We are working really hard to get this one lady baptized named Eliana. She is amazing. Her family just got baptized right before I came in, but she didn't. Their family is going through a really hard time right now. But hopefully today everything all gets worked out with that! They are getting kicked out of their house at the end of September and they got two kids and they can't find an apartment to live. But they found this one possible place and today they're going to talk to the padrone to see if it works out for them to live there.... we have been praying and doing all that we can to help her and their family. We really are praying for a miracle right now!!!! So I guess we will see whats happens later today...
Thank you for the contact info. I will definitely get in contact with these people and see what I can do to try to help all of them out!!! ;) Thanks for the little help it really does mean a lot!!!
And oh mom don't worry about the little 5 o'clock shadow! I make sure I'm clean shaven for church and that's what really matters! ha ha A little scruff never hurt anyone!! ;)
And dad you don't like my glasses!?!!? I thought you of all people would love them!! ha ha I got them for 2 euro from some Asian dude at the market in SanRemo!! ha ha Gotta have a little fun!!! ha ha
Yes mom I write in my journal a few times a week!! ha ha I love my journal too! I have put sweet stuff in it to make it really my own!! ha ha It's legit! I love it.
But yes yes all is going well here! Ya the work is going OK we are definitely picking it up!! We are both finally healthy!!! (We were a bit sick last week) so now we are ready to do some work!! ha ha I'm having a great time!
I miss all you guys at home but I know this is were I'm supposed to be and there is nothing greater I could be doing with my time!!! The church is so true! There is no denying it!!!
I love you guys so so much and am so thankful for all you guys do! I'm excited to get your packages!!! ha ha That'll be nice!!! ha ha I love you guys tons! Keep up the good work at home!! Miss you guys and can't wait till your letter next week!!!!
MUCH LOVE!!!!!!
Anziano Bona!!
PS i got your guys little letter with the memory card!!! ha thanks!!! love you guys! :)
Dear Brian.
DUDE!!!!!! I'm so so sorry I didn't email you last week!!!!!!! Please forgive me!!! But ya dude I love you and I'm so excited for you to turn 12!!!!!! I know its a bit early but HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!
I love you so so much!!!! Your a baller I hope you know that!!!! That's cool that football is going well!! I'm happy for you! Make good tackles so you can get that paper!!! ;) ha ha
I hope math goes well for you!!! You're a smart kid I know all will go OK! Plus you got mom and dad to help you!
Your gonna get the priesthood and your gonna be able to pass the sacrament! How awesome is that! really! It's the power and authority that God gives us to work in His name!!! You're finally growing up and I'm so proud of you. But now you got some responsibility!! You gotta be a good boy! Don't be like me and say bad words and stuff! Always do your best in all that you do!
I'm sorry I won't be there to party with you on your birthday but you'll be in my heart always dude! I love you so much! Happy birthday I hope all goes well on your special day!!!
I found some sick Italian jerseys that I'm gonna talk to mom about. We will see what I can do about them!!! I love you little bro have a good week!!!
Love
Anziano Bona (your bro)
Well first off I love you guys!!!! ha ha you guys are ballin!!!
OK... so for Zio Pino. I still haven't gotten an email from him... but that's' OK!!! ha ha 'cause ya we are totally down to see him next week!!!! ha ha but 10 is a bit to early... call him and tell him like 11 or 1115 ish... 'cause we need to go shopping in the morning at 10 but we can do email later that day so like 11 would be perfect!!! I'm so so excited for that!!! :) It is gonna be epic!!! ha ha and ya' tell him lunch would be great!!!!!! ;) ha ha We are always hungry!!!! ha ha It's gonna be so so sweet!!!
I'm so so glad that you guys got my package!!! Finally! ha ha Sorry there wasn't much stuff in there. The people in SanRemo were so dumb and said that it had to be 2kg or less!!! I was kinda upset 'cause I was gonna put more pan de stelle and kinder and stuff but it was too heavy!! Lame, sorry! But Anziano Gallacher said that here you can send however much you want!So I'll send something soon!! ha ha Speaking about sending something there are some like legit Juve shirts that seem really sweet!!!! They don't have the names of any of the guys on the back though. But they are still way good looking. They are 70 euro.... ha ha but if you want I could buy them and send them back for Brian for his birthday! or I could wait ha ha just let me know next week what you guys want me to do with that! There is also Milan and Inter jerseys too ha they really are nice ones!!! ha ha so let me know!
I'm glad you liked to pictures and the video ha ha. My comp is totally chill! We get along really well! And he has had a sweet mission. He has loved it ha ha it's just his Italian is a bit rusty! ha ha but that's OK we are doing our best!!! and the Lord is helping us out too!!!
Alessandria is way chill! I kinda miss the ocean and the pretty city of SanRemo but this place is chill too!!!! Not super pretty but it's still nice! and I love all the members here they are so great!!
The work here is going OK! We are working really hard to get this one lady baptized named Eliana. She is amazing. Her family just got baptized right before I came in, but she didn't. Their family is going through a really hard time right now. But hopefully today everything all gets worked out with that! They are getting kicked out of their house at the end of September and they got two kids and they can't find an apartment to live. But they found this one possible place and today they're going to talk to the padrone to see if it works out for them to live there.... we have been praying and doing all that we can to help her and their family. We really are praying for a miracle right now!!!! So I guess we will see whats happens later today...
Thank you for the contact info. I will definitely get in contact with these people and see what I can do to try to help all of them out!!! ;) Thanks for the little help it really does mean a lot!!!
And oh mom don't worry about the little 5 o'clock shadow! I make sure I'm clean shaven for church and that's what really matters! ha ha A little scruff never hurt anyone!! ;)
And dad you don't like my glasses!?!!? I thought you of all people would love them!! ha ha I got them for 2 euro from some Asian dude at the market in SanRemo!! ha ha Gotta have a little fun!!! ha ha
Yes mom I write in my journal a few times a week!! ha ha I love my journal too! I have put sweet stuff in it to make it really my own!! ha ha It's legit! I love it.
But yes yes all is going well here! Ya the work is going OK we are definitely picking it up!! We are both finally healthy!!! (We were a bit sick last week) so now we are ready to do some work!! ha ha I'm having a great time!
I miss all you guys at home but I know this is were I'm supposed to be and there is nothing greater I could be doing with my time!!! The church is so true! There is no denying it!!!
I love you guys so so much and am so thankful for all you guys do! I'm excited to get your packages!!! ha ha That'll be nice!!! ha ha I love you guys tons! Keep up the good work at home!! Miss you guys and can't wait till your letter next week!!!!
MUCH LOVE!!!!!!
Anziano Bona!!
PS i got your guys little letter with the memory card!!! ha thanks!!! love you guys! :)
Dear Brian.
DUDE!!!!!! I'm so so sorry I didn't email you last week!!!!!!! Please forgive me!!! But ya dude I love you and I'm so excited for you to turn 12!!!!!! I know its a bit early but HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!
I love you so so much!!!! Your a baller I hope you know that!!!! That's cool that football is going well!! I'm happy for you! Make good tackles so you can get that paper!!! ;) ha ha
I hope math goes well for you!!! You're a smart kid I know all will go OK! Plus you got mom and dad to help you!
Your gonna get the priesthood and your gonna be able to pass the sacrament! How awesome is that! really! It's the power and authority that God gives us to work in His name!!! You're finally growing up and I'm so proud of you. But now you got some responsibility!! You gotta be a good boy! Don't be like me and say bad words and stuff! Always do your best in all that you do!
I'm sorry I won't be there to party with you on your birthday but you'll be in my heart always dude! I love you so much! Happy birthday I hope all goes well on your special day!!!
I found some sick Italian jerseys that I'm gonna talk to mom about. We will see what I can do about them!!! I love you little bro have a good week!!!
Love
Anziano Bona (your bro)
Saturday, September 18, 2010
PICTURES
We received a package today from Robert, with lots of fun things inside...
the funnest being his memory card with 4 months worth of pictures.
There are 6 parts and a video as well...
There are 6 parts and a video as well...
so if you don't see them on all this main page when you get to the bottom
remember to click on older posts to see the rest.
There were so many that it was hard to choose which ones to put up.
We hope that you will enjoy the ones that we chose to share.
Thank you to each one of you for your love and support of Robert while he is on his mission!
There were so many that it was hard to choose which ones to put up.
We hope that you will enjoy the ones that we chose to share.
Thank you to each one of you for your love and support of Robert while he is on his mission!
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