June 20, 2012 The Spirit of God...and the water was BURNING

Gabriele & Francisca

Me, Gabriele, Francisca, Andiano Mauldwin

The Subject line says everything.  This week has been a miracle hands down.  I would not ask for anything else to happen.  It went exactly the way that the Lord had planned it day one.  I am doing great and thank you so much all of you for your love and support.  Its really helping me be a better missionary to know that I have people that cant wait to hear from me and know what is going on here.  I look through my journal every wednesday to find a good story to tell you guys.  I dont want to dissappoint when it comes to the letters. 

Well boy do I have a good one.  It all starts with a lady and a man who never stop fighting but love eachother so much.  Francisca and Gabriele.  I dont know what to do with them.  I am just a missionary, not Dr. Phil.  I dont have a mustache, that is the only difference between us.  And I dont have his funny voice.  Anyways that doesnt matter.  Thursday night, I recieve a call at 1 in the morning from Gabriele saying that Francisca is just insane and she left him and all of that good stuff.  I didnt really know what to say other than good night.  I was really tired.  The next morning they are all good.  Things are just fine.  They love eachother.  Kind of confusing.  They are great.  Well they were completely ready for their baptisms to come.  Sunday rolled around and things were going great.  We got to the chapel where the baptisms were going to happen, in Como, after they bought us a gelato.  I mean, they werent members yet.  I guess Gelato on Sunday is ok....not really.  We will be talking to them about it.  Well anyways, we got there and the spirit was just super strong.  I was just so happy that things were going as planned.  The spirit was super strong.  Both of them were just crying and smiling the entire time.  It was so spiritual.  We got finished with the talks and the baptisms were to happen.  Its pretty hot here, like 95 degrees.  Well as I walked into the water, it was like BOILING!!  LIke hotter than a hot tub, I immediately started sweating.  But its okay.  Both of the baptisms went wonderfully.  It was such an honor to be able to use the priesthood and bring these people into the gospel and allow them to make the neccesary covenants with god.  It was a great day. 

Loretta didnt get baptized because her father is doing really bad.  He is having some major health problems so we are going to do the baptism on the 1st of July.  It should be great.  She still has the desire.  She knows everything is true.  She is just wanting to have her father get better.  Its going to be such a great day. 

Other than that, my mission is still flying by.  I love my companion, i love my city, I love my ward.  They just know what to do or what to make to make my day.  They all cook really well.  i am trying to branch out with my cooking so I can learn how to make all of these great foods.  I now that you are all requiring me to be some amazing Italian chef when I come home.  Lets just say this, I am learning ITALIAN LASSAGNA this week.  It really good.  I cant wait to cook the Italian meal, you wont be able to eat it all.  I know that for sure. 

Gelato here.  AMAZING.  Especially when you are really hot.  It just hits the spot.  I would be jealous if I were you.  HAHAHAH:  Just kidding.  I realize how blessed I am to be here.  I love ITALY!! 

I also love you all

Sending from LECCOOOOOO ITALY!!!

Anziano Treadway

June 13, 2012

Well I have just had another wonderful week.  Yes I have been sick for 6 of the 7 days but that was not going to keep me down.  It never will.  i am here serving the lord.  A stuffy nose wont put me in Bed.  I just have to continue talking to people. 

 

We were doing just that the past couple days and every time, we start and it is bright and sunny but every day the clouds roll in and the RAIN just pours.  The past 3 days I have walked into the apartment soaking wet but every time with a huge smile on my face because my companion is just the greatest and he changes my point of view.  I hvent had someone just as happy as he is.  He just laughs at literally everything that ever comes towards us.  Any trial, he just laughs in its face and beats it down with his strong testimony.  Amazing sutff.  We have had some wonderful times together.  Havent hit the rocky stuff.  I dont think that it is going to come either.  But I know that its because both of us are literally having the time of our lives.  We do need to stop ordering pizzas though.  That would probably help out a lot.  BUT THEY ARE JUST SOO GOOD!! 

 

The baptism did not happen.  She didnt stop smoking in time.  But guess what she just told us that she has completely stopped and that she is ready to change.  She is getting baptized this weekend with Francisca and Gabriele.  It will be a wonderful occasion.  I cant wait.  All three of them have just changed their lives so much.  I have seen them change.  The things that they once did, they no longer do.  I am so grateful for the atonement.  It will change everything. 

 

Nothing really BIG happened this week.  We just have had some great times here In LECCO.  I love my mission. 

 

Anziano Treadway

 

Sorry its so short. 

June 6, 2012

Okay.  So here it is again.  Another week.  Another email.  I am doing wonderful.  I love my mission and the way that things are going.  In Lecco let me just start by saying the Humidity is a killer with the heat.  Like sweating constantly is not something out of the ordinary here.   So stopping people to talk is like a sprinkler show on both parts.  So actually its not awkward at all.  Everyone is just sweating out of their minds.  Its not that big of a deal.  

But yes I did get a new companion.  His name is Anziano Mauldwin.  He comes from Florida, kinda, he left his mission from Utah and that is where he will be living when he gets back so its just a tad funny.  He went to school in Florida.  But he is really cool.  Always laughing.  Always having a good time.  He likes my stories a ton.  He iso studying to play the flute professinoally in school.  That is interesting.  I have had completely different people as my companions and I have loved them so much.  He is great.  He loves to cook so more power to him.  He is really good at it too.  He has been on his mission for about 1 year and 9 months.  He is almost done too.  Crazy stuff.  

FIRST BAPTISM IS ON SUNDAY!!!  We are having our first baptism on sunday in Como.  It should be really good.  That is the same day for Stake Conference so our whole ward will be there to support.  Loretta has really changed her life around to be able to baptized.  Its going to be such a good day for me.  I am completely humbled that she asked me to perform her baptism.  She told me that without my help she would not be at this point in her life.  She still laughs at us when we say Anziano because it literally means ELDER...old person but she is really doing well.  Just a couple more day.  And then, the week after that, Both Francisca and Gabriele will be baptized....and they asked me to do them as well.  Such an honor to be a part of these baptisms.  Its such a wonderful place here in Lecco.  I love the investigators that we are working with and the new people that we are finding every day is just amazing.  

One thing that i Have noticed and dont like.  Everyone here smokes their brains out.  Like literally.  They just smoke.  I have seen like 13 year olds smoking and it is just disguisting.  I just turn my head and hurt inside because they are starting themselves down this pathway that will just destroy them.  But I can only invite them to come unto Christ and that doesnt work.  I have been cussed out so many times by Ragazzi so we just walk by and dont say anything.  

I hope that everything is going well at home and with all of you in your different places.  I am so happy about being on a mission.  I have grown so much here.  Let me just bear my testimony.  I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God.  I have found so many answers to my questions.  It just is full of little things here and there that I didnt see at first.  The people here in Italy cant deny us when we use the Book of Mormon, if they say they are christian.  Because that is exactly what the Book of Mormon is.  The guide book for Christians.  I have grown so much.  I know that Thomas S Monson is the prophet on the earth today.  No one can tell me other wise.  I dont know anyone that would say having a prophet on the earth would be bad.  Its not.  We learn so much from him.  I am eternally grateful for the sacrifice of Jesus Christ so that I can kneel down and recieve forgiveness for my pitfalls and failures.  I would not be the person I am today without his example and without his help.  Read the scriptures. Learn how to pray.  God is waiting for us to talk to him.  He just wants to talk to us.  But we have to start the convo.  I love you all and all your wonderful examples.  Thanks so much for everything.  

Anziano Treadway...signing out.