Some Pictures From Italy... Finally!

Ethan and his new Companion, Elder Pagano.

Ethan and his trainer, Elder Collins.  Not sure what the cool lips are for.....

Scenery from Vicenza, Italy.

One big Christmas tree in Vicenza, Italy.

A cool building in Vicenza, Italy

December 11th

Hey, dad!!

Ya, it's a little different with a new collega but it's all good. Part of the growing process. We're having fun though! It's Christmas time!!! I never thought that I would enjoy listening to Christmas music but I actually enjoy it. It's weird.

The atonement is just one of the things that I think about a lot. As a missionary, you have tons of time to think when you're out walking or moving from appointment to appointment. I get the idea of the doctor. It's kind of the same for everything. It's like me and what I want to do (which is a lot) but I need to learn tons of stuff for music, practice like none-other, and then throughout career, gain experience and try to begin to become a great music producer! I would like to be the best, but you have to work with other people to reach new heights and rely on God. He's the one that knows all the melodies anyway. I like that analogy though. It makes sense. Sad news though!! I feel like it's getting harder and harder to play the piano! I've been trying to read the hymns and I struggle to do it. I don't know why!! I'm not liking it.

Ya, I would build my own funeral casket if it got that cold.

Good news about BYU! If it means that they'll be good in three years- sweet! I'll be there to read about it or see it or whatever.

Peter is doing amazing!! He's getting ready to be baptized this Saturday! The next day, I get to do the confirmation. Never done that before so...we'll see how that goes.

We skype for Christmas. You better give me your skype name. I'll let you know about the time. I'm assuming it'll be towards the evening over here but I'll let you know.

Tell mom I love her too!! And the family!

Love,

Anziano West

December 4th

Sup, sup!

Well, I'm saying hello from Vicenza...again. Last week was crazy!! Old collega gone and new collega came in. And all of this happend on Thanksgiving day!! We also had a Thanksgiving dinner, obviously, with a few member families. Let me say this though about the members' house because it was such a cool house! It was set against this hill/mountain and it was kinda built in a cave. Super cool!!

Well, my new collega. He's name is Anziano Pagano and he's from New Mexico. He's been out for almost a year and he has a few different ideas to go about doing work. Which is fine because I'm open for new ideas. I actually felt like I was opening up the copia again because we were putting plans together and now we have a new district leader (one of the other Anziani) with a different vision, so the whole ship is being turned to a new direction! Which I'm cool with because I don't what I'm doing.

I'm speaking more Italian but it's coming slowly. I realized that throughout my life I've always wanted to present myself as a "perfect" being or something. Obviously, that's not possible but I don't like making mistakes. Which means I'm more narrowed in my choices, which is good if it's a morale dilemma and I know what I'm supposed to do, but when it comes to making desicions to try out something new, or to take a different life path...never really done that. Never been opened up to making mistakes. Anyway, it hit me this morning that if I'm going to learn this language, if I want to enjoy a good life by trying out new things and to be successful in life, I'm going to have to make mistakes! I want to speak the language in a correct grammatical way but that won't be learned if I don't make mistakes! I want to learn how to sing, how to produce music, how to write, but mistakes will come! I'm not saying I have to look to make mistakes but I have to just take action. I have to do. I have to sieze the opportunites that I have and just go out with a smile on my face. I always think about where people are in life and how successful they are but they would've had to have made mistakes. And then that got me thinking about the Atonement and how we progress... well, ya, we make mistakes and then we recover and move forward! I wish I connected the dots when I was in High School because I would've been a very different person...I would've had more fun.

Peter is great! Though I'm a little worried. He noticed that Anziano Collins left and I got a new collega. He then asked me if I was staying because he said he would miss me if I left. I don't know if he is truly converted to the gospel. We're best buds but we need to find him a new friend in the branch. The last thing I want is someone that I baptized to go in-active. He's getting ready to be baptized on the 14th!

No snow I am happy to report. It has been getting colder. I think the rainy season has passed already. Um...I'm not sure how Christmas works. I know we get to Skype. On Mother's Day we do the phone call. I'll get more info on that. But plan on the Skype. I can't wait to see you guys!! 

November 27th

Hey fam!!!

Some great news!! And some crazy news! I get a new collega tomorrow morning. He's name is Anziano Pugano or something like that. He's been out for about 8 or 9 months. Some good news is that we actually have one of our African Brudahs being baptized on Dec. 14! Fully committed and ready to go! We also have an Italian family to teach (for the first time...ever) on Friday morning. With my new collega. So, we'll see how that goes.

The past week has been crazy. We did a scambio with the Anziani here and the Sorelle were having a baptism. We usually do our baptisms in Padova but since there was a youth conference, the baptism was moved up to Mestre, which is near Venezia. Anyway, I was with Anziano Jaramillo and we were on our way to the train station when we saw one of our investigators, Fortune. He wasn't doing anything so Anziano Jaramillo invited him to the baptism. I was surprised that he did that but Fortune agreed and he came with us. Apparently, Anziano Jaramillo was also surprised that Fortune came with us also. So, we end up in Mestre, and one thing that I've learned while being here is that you don't receive directions from the Sorelle. Because they give you terrible directions! We were trying to find the church but then we got lost! In a city that wasn't even in our zone. We walked forever to find the church but it was super funny afterward. We were laughing about it because we made an odd sight. A missionary walking angrily out front trying to keep his temper cool while trying to get sane directions talking on the phone, then a few feet behind him another missionary (me) trying to keep up with him, and then about 10 feet behind, an African with a green umbrella just taking his time walking. Ha! The best thing about it is that we got lost in a whole other city! Super fun!

So, our investigator, Peter, is ready to be baptized. Literally. We taught him the Word of Wisdom and told him all the things he should avoid and then he repeated them back to us. I never saw that before. He also said he didn't like coffee and that he knew smoking was bad. We might need to go over what illegal drugs are because he didn't understand us but he's so happy that he found the church of Christ! I wanted to transfer out of Vicenza because little America is killing me but I'm glad to stay to see Peter. We also have other African Brudahs getting ready too. Soon. The work is coming together.

BYU lost? No! I wanted them to be ranked. And if you got bored watching the game with Notre Dame...must've been boring.

I sent an e-mail to Nick. Giving him the congrats and letting him know that he's loved. I also asked him how things were going so, hopefully, he answers back.

Keeping mom in my prayers. Also, I bought a side bag (it was kinda expensive but it's a cool side bag...It'll probably last me for the next two years. Speriamo.) I also bought a memory card! Sending some pics soon! It's not much but it's been busy over here.

I have to get off but I'll write you guys next week!

Love,

Anziano West

November 20th

Hey, Pops!

Thanks for your e-mail. It really helps. I just don't know what to do. I get so anxious and stressed out about trying to be obedient, trying to be prepared, and trying to stay focused on what I'm doing. Everyday, I hear collega freak out about how many days he has left (he's leaving next week) and I'm trying to scramble to get myself together because I get a new companion soon. I'm not sure how to enjoy the mission. I feel like so much is expected of me and I have to live up to that expectation. 

Anyway, I set two baptismal dates this past week with some of our African brudahs! Meaning I extended the invitations. And a miracle happened this past sunday. We literally dropped all of our investigators last week because they were not progressing. But we were still faithful in trying to contact people (strada) and doing some casa (tracting). However, we only taught three lessons total that whole week. On sunday, we gained two progressing investigators, one with a baptismal date for Dec 14. The numbers didn't add up. We also gained another investigator from the investigator with the bap. date, whom I extended the invitation to be baptized, for the 14th also. And all of this just fell into our lap. It happened during church too. The sorelle had these connections, and since it's the mission rule for sorelle to not teach single men and us anziani to not teach single women, the sorelle gave us their work. All of our investigators are Africans but hopefully their baptismal dates go through. 

I had a fun experience yesterday. We did exchanges with our zone leaders and so, I was with Anziano Garner, who's been out for about a year. Anyway we were trying to stop people out on the street and I wanted to try an idea that some other anziani were talking about. I stopped a guy and asked him, "Lei ha fede in Gesù Cristo?" (Do you have faith in Jesus Christ?) He answered, "sì, sì" (Yes). I then asked, "Perchè?" (Why?). He looked surprised that I would asked that question. "No lo so" (I don't know). I said to him, "Lei vorrebbe battazzarsi in la chiesa di Gesù Cristo?" (Literal trans: would you like to baptize yourself in the church of Jesus Christ?). He said that he was already baptized but I felt really good inviting someone to baptism to the true living church.

That's awesome that Nick received the priesthood! How did that happen anyway? Did it just pop out of the blue or what? How's the family doing down there too? I wouldn't mind shooting him an e-mail.

I hope mom is doing well. I'll pray for her. Tell her that I love her. I also got my card (finally) and I need to buy a memory card before I can send some pics. 

I'm excited for BYU!! You don't have to send the articles. I just want the updates. 

Thanks for everything!! Also, tell mom I got her letters that she sent. I enjoyed them immensly. 

Your son,

Anziano West

November 13th

Sup, sup!!

Well, I'm bumbling away. Yup, I got the camera but I have to buy a memory card. Can't do that until I get my card which should be comin' next week. I think the office is getting a little hedgy because of your e-mails, since they're super busy with trying to get apartments and stuff, so just lay off the pressure. Don't worry, I got it taken care of. The assistants had it the whole time. I made a new friend in the office though. I don't know how to spell his name but he lived in the same apartment with collega while he was down in Firenze. It's funny because the missionaries here are either American, Italian, or Austrialian. And the office elder is Australian so it was fun talking to him.

We've lost of a lot of investigators because of committment but we are trying to get a baptism with one of our African brudahs. He just has to come to church. Also, we've been trying to find new people but everyone always says they're Catholic. And then, in my mind, I get angry  and think, "I don't care if you're catholic, all I want to know if you've seen the Book of Mormon..." So, it's been fusturating for me to do finding work. I almost blew up in front of this old guy. Collega had to calm me down. Sounds embarrasing but it's true. He said he wasn't interested and I went "Perchè?! Comè mai?!" and he just walked on. Learning some new lessons, I guess.

Ya, I like being with the Italian branch even if I can't understand or speak. I can understand better than speaking. I just want to speak gramatically correct and my mind swirls to find the correct genders, adjectives, pronounciation, etc. Doesn't work all the way. Thanksgiving day is on transfer day so... a few things could happen. Collega will be gone and I'll be getting a new collega. Or I could get transferred and our copia gets "whitewashed" in Vicenza. Whatever works I guess. If I stay, then I'll be with an American family, probably. I kinda want to get away from little America though.

I'm excited to hear about everything that has been happening!! Singing on PBS! It's a start, mom! Tell DD I love her too and tell Aubrey to keep reading! I still learn new things from the scriptures still. And collega teaches me also from the scriptures. I just feel so young. I feel like in a way I've changed but I'm not sure in what ways. Anyway, until next week!

Peace out!

Anziano West

A couple of baptismal commitments. Very exciting!!

Whad up, Mama?

So...the week went by pretty fast. We're already almost half-way done with this transfer. Get out of the city!! I can't stand this anymore! Collega is leaving in 4 weeks and I'll be on my own...pops is leaving me. And then I'll be done with training! Time doesn't exist out here! I don't know what to do! It feels like yesterday that you guys dropped me off at the MTC.

I got your letters that you sent on Sep. 24. We had Zone Training last week and I also got the pin number. No card or camera. But next week we'll be having P-Day on Thursday because we have a Zone Conference when one of the Seventy is coming to talk to us. Hopefully, I get my stuff then. Thanks for all that you do!

Okay, coolest thing ever! We committed two of our African brudahs to baptism! Their names are Paul and John and one of them is from Nigeria and the other from Ghuana. I don't remember which one was which. But John is most likley to go through than Paul's because John is more committed. But we were just trying to accomplish our transfer vision because we didn't committ anyone last transfer, but you never know...we like to joke that we hit our quota for the transfer and we don't have to do anymore work. Just kidding! We're working! Collega taught me that work is the cure for having a good companionship and being happy because the other anziani that we're staying with haven't really been doing much and they're having some troubles. But we all learn from each other.

Love you, mama!!

Your lil' pup,

Anziano West

Epiphanies from a missionary

Hey, Pops!!

I feel way older. This transfer is already almost done. I don't know what to do with my life. It's been fun and crazy though!! I'm starting to love it!!

I hope our investigator pool continues to grow. We've come a long way from opening up but teaching is a lot more fun! Collega told me once about how he taught 30 lessons in a week while he was a Zone leader in Firenze. Crazy. 

Zone training was fun! There's a lot of us being trained so, yup, got to see a few guys. 

Sweet!! BYU takin' down Boise St! Keep the updates coming!! I'm excited to see how Basketball goes! 

Also, thanks for that article you sent about Hadley and his suspension. I don't know why but when I read about the inmates cheering, "BYU, BYU!" in the prison, it got me. Even though they lost to Utah, they were playing a better game. Doing something better for other people. I quickly realized the things of this world, like football, music, etc. aren't really that important. That's when I went, "Whoa!" because I never felt like that before. What matters is the people. Their well-being. Their souls. The gospel. I always said that it was important but I never saw it in other people's lives until now as a missionary because I'm doing it everyday! I definetly feel a lot happier doing this work!

Love ya, pops!

Anziano West

The missionary work is starting to pick up some steam.....

Hiya, mom!!!!

 

Thanks for the camera! I haven't gotten it yet. I might tomorrow because we have a Zone Training meeting. I know I should be getting my card. Thank you!! I can buy a shoulder bag here. No worries. I might also buy a jump-drive because that's how music is stowed around here with the missionaries.

 

Say congrats to Austin for me! The big 19! I would hang out with him if I was there. Tell him to study up on PMG (Preach My Gospel) before he heads out to the MTC. It'll help out a lot. Collega has been teaching me how to teach. The more you can learn before you leave on the mish is beneficale.  

 

So, we've begun a new transfer. I was surprised how fast the last transfer went. It just flew by. Weird. I'm half-way done with training. Collega is getting ready to register for classes at BYU. I think he's doing that right now. In five weeks he leaves and he's gone. Just gone. I'm supposed to take care of myself after that. And I hope I get a good companion. He told me that he's going to stay focused and work toward the end. I'm cool with that. He's also been making sure that I'll be a self-reliant missionary. In the missionary lingo, I'm his "son" and he's my "father" because he trained me. Apparently, I also have two "nephews" and an older "Brother". Never met them but they're somewhere in the mission. I'm part of a big posterity :)

 

We've been teaching like crazy!! A lot more than when we opened up the area. All of our investigators are Africans!! We've been meetin' with our brudahs! We also had a serious crazy experience happen to us yesterday. Some random African came up to us and wanted to meet with us. He said he wanted to meet our people. He kept on saying Halleujah and "Praise the Lord!". We think he might've been drunk because he kept on repeating things and not mentally there. We left him with a Book of Mormon and Collega told him that we'll meet with him when he's sober but we won't teach him if he's drunk. He agreed and kept on saying he wanted to quit drinking wine and smoking and that he wants to be with our people. He smokes a pipe! Anyway, we're not sure if it was a miracle that we met him or this is just a crazy thing, but the interesting thing is that we both felt really calm, even though my blood was pumping, and collega said that he had experiences where the Spirit really pushed him and his companion to get out of the situation, but that was rarely and apparently this wasn't one of those experiences. So that's my crazy experience of the week!

 

Riding bikes here is out of this world! Italy is a biking country, everyone rides bikes, but I almost died last Friday. We were trying to find some former investigators. So we were riding our bikes out in the road, because that's what you do, and Italy uses round-abouts to move traffic quickly. Anyway, we were going through and I accidently hit a side-view mirror on a car. I didn't know what to do! I was trying to follow collega and not die in traffic! I hope the people in the car don't hate me. You would think it would be more simple to ride a bike...

 

Tell Dad good job for navigating the Italian Amazon. Google translator isn't really the best tool. Our Ward Missionary Leader in the American branch uses it to text us in Italian and collega cracks up everytime he reads a text because it doesn't make sense. But I'm proud of dad for doing it!

 

Thanks for the Scriptures! Collega and I actually took some Old Testament study guides that the American branch didn't want anymore. Super interesting to study!

 

Until next time!

 

Peace out!!

 

Anziano West

Now that all of that is over....on to missionary work! :-)

Whad up, Momma?

Ya, my watch is still wearable. Still ticking! I'll need a new camera. The train we were on headed up to Venezia (Venice) and since Italy is weird and other government issues, we would have to go up to the station in Venezia to see if they have my camera. They didn't even have a number to call. President didn't want us to go to Venezia since it's out of our zone (Collega is trying to find ways to get there) and he said there wasn't any real chance that it would even be there...so I need a new camera. 

We gained to new investigators this past week!! Abrahim, whom I've already mentioned, and John!! Both of them are sincere in learning the gospel so it's going to be sweet!! Abrahim has been reading the Book of Mormon and he said that he knew it came from God. He hasn't prayed yet though. I invited him to baptism in my terrible American accent Italian (everyone in the apartment makes fun of me. They said I sound like Bugs Bunny or something. Punks.) Anyway, he avoided the question and started talking about prophets. Collega said he avoided the question. All I recognized from the Italian was Mosè and Noè (Moses and Noah). But we're working with him. We've only met with John once. 

Yup, I make most of the calls now. To set up appointments anyway. Collega said that there were a lot of missionaries who don't know how to make calls after they're done training. So, he's been putting me in the grinder. Chastising me about things I do and stuff. He's adamant about me being an experienced missionary once he leaves. I'm still suriving. Even learning a lot. So, we'll see what happens. 

I'm still waiting for my card to come through. I stil have another pair of slacks for my suit, remember? And what about Christmas? What's happening there? And guess what happened to me yesterday? I put on my jeans because we were going to do some service and it felt tight around my thighs...I guess from the walking and biking. It's all we do everyday.

Tell Grandpa and Dad thank you for their e-mails! Peace out!

Until next time!

Anziano West!

The explanation of the storm before the calm

Thanks, mom! 

Yesterday was tough but I got through it. My back tire also went flat too. I read that talk that dad sent me and there were a few things that really helped me a lot. When the pioneers were leaving to go to Utah, they didn't know what they were doing, they were just doing it because they were asked to do it. I figured as long as I'm trying to teach I'll be okay. Also, the quote from Elder Holland about not living in the past but having faith in the future caused me to think a lot.... I'm just going to put that behind me, as well as yesterday, and keep on looking forward. 

Verona is super pretty!! Much bigger than Vicenza. Vicenza is so small! I never really realized it. I would show you pics but...yup. You can tell the girls that I saw the balcony where Juliet came out to see Romeo hittin' on her. I was at the place where it all went it down! Yup, I was there. The place is also in that movie, "Letters to Juliet". Aubs and Linds will know. I also had this amazing gelato and they put cioccolato in the cone with the gelato on top of it. So good!!

We got a new investigator this week!! It was actually a miracle! His name is Abrahim and ...he really likes Jesus and he was my first actual Italian phone call!! It was really cool because when I called him he was sitting at his table and then he got this feeling to get up and move to the next room. When he did he saw my call!! Really cool, right?! Not only that he wanted to read the Book of Mormon because we told him to read it and then ask of God if it's true. When he heard that he said that he really liked that. We weren't trying to sell it to him or anything but that he should ask of God and not just take our word for it. So he decided to read the Book of Mormon because we told him to ask God! Super cool!

On Conference weekend I flipped over my bike. I hit the brake too hard and I was committed.  The band on my watch broke and I was so sad!! It was such a good watch!! Still ticking! Collega was concerned for me but after finding out that I was alright, he just laughed all the way to the church (that's where we watched Conference) and he still finds it funny. I fixed my watch, so hopefully, it still keeps ticking. 

I have to play the piano again this Saturday for another baptism. And on Sunday I have to play for a musical number we missionaries are doing in the Italian branch. I've been learning some new hymns! Kinda have too. 

I called the office to see how I'm going to get my card (since I know people in high places:) ) and I should be getting it soon. Thanks for sending it over!! 

I am proud to say that my slacks have a small hole that goes with my gray slacks. Just wanted you to know! I'm doing missionary work!

Tell Dad thanks for his note! Well, for both of your notes! We're still going to try and find my camera but if I can't then maybe I can get a new one. I just had some pics I wanted to send!!

I gotta go! I love you!

Anziano West!

The storm before the calm.....

Hey, mom!!

Today has been insane. Sorry I'm late in writing but I'm super struggling right now...

Today we took a day trip down to Verona. Collega wanted to see Anziano May, our Zone leader, because Anziano May is leaving next week going home. So they knew each other from the MTC. I can't write much either because it's late. Anyway, I lost my camera on the train coming back to Vicenza. We're going to try and see if we can get it back. But I don't know. After that we took a bus to head up to another town about an hour away because collega needed to do a baptismal interview to someone that the Sorelle have been teaching. We then realized we still needed to do e-mail. My bike broke down, my face is covered in grease, and I have no idea what I'm doing. This morning I found out that my backpack (I need to get a side bag too...just saying) had a puddle of water in it. I feel like I'm in over my head.

We're cutting our time short. I'll finish e-mailing tomorrow because it's late. I did get to watch General Conference in English. All of it except for the Sunday afternoon session. 

I'll finish answering your questions tomorrow.

Love,

Anziano West

Still adjusting to Italy......

Ya, I get homesick. I hate it. When I first came to Italy, President charged me to read the Book of Mormon everyday. I told him that I can do that. Every morning we have 90 minutes to get ready for the day so I usually have time to read a chapter or two. It's helped a lot and I feel like I can face the coming day. 

The Italians here are super stubborn! Yesterday, I did an exchange with my zone leaders because collega's the district leader, and I did six hours of straight finding. It was brutal!! We found three people who were interested though. One of them is Muslim, so I don't know how that will go, and another person thought we were Jehovah Witnesses...that was embarassing, and the other person was just confused about what we believed in. So, hopefully some people will listen. I have met someone that is from Bethelem! Anyway, we met a few older people who claim to already know it all and that they don't need any more Bible. That was interesting. There was one guy we met in the park who said he reads five different Bibles and that he already knows God and he doesn't need anymore Bible. I've always read in the scriptures about how people will say "Bible! Bible! We don't need another Bible!" and I never thought that I would meet people who would do that. So, yup, it's been fun. 

The American ward is on top of everything. Collega and I decided, along with our district, that we need to start focusing on the Italian branch, because they are dysfunctional in the sense of missionary work. President Shakespeare (cool name for an American) realized that we have six missionaries, the most ever seen in Vicenza, and that it's time to crank up the work. The Italians on the other hand are just afraid to do anything regarding missionary work. But we do have plans to earn their trust and help them realize that we as missionaries can't do the work alone. We need the member's help to succeed. That is one thing I'm learning when opening up a new area. You need to work with the members! Also, last Saturday, I was able to see a Baptism in the Italian branch! His name is Walter and the Sorelle have been teaching him and he was ready to be baptized! It was awesome! I was there because they needed someone to play. I had to learn two new hymns in 20 minutes. You would've been proud of me!

Franc is amazing but sadly we can't teach him anymore. He lives in Ferrara and he was visiting his sister up in Vicenza so we had to pass him to the Anziani in Ferrara. Collega said we were doing the Anziani down there a favor because I guess finding work down there is tough. But it's been fun teaching him. We have found another person to teach! Her name is Alla and she's from a small country near Russia. Apparently she speaks Italian not very well but she speaks better than I do. Hopefully we'll get to teach her tomorrow!

Tell Aubrey I'm proud of her. She's keeping up on the dances and going out with different guys. Who would've thought that she would be in charge of the group! Good job!

Okay, with the fruit and things. Drawing money out of the ATM here is complicated. A bit. First off, I need my pin number for my card. I always used credit and never debit at home but I kinda need that pin number soon. Second, there's a small transaction fee because of Euro instead of USD. I'm down for buying fruit and stuff because I don't know if I can surivive on pasta alone!! Fills you up and knocks you to sleep in the afternoon but it sure does it's job. I did buy three kilo worth of fruit last week because it was on sale. Good stuff. But I don't know if I need that much money...I also have to carry all of my food back to the apartment. And also water. And the water is heavy. I can usually buy a kilo of fruit for 1 euro or a little bit more. There's this place called Lidl that all the missionaries love because it's cheaper and has good cereal. So we do our grocery shopping there but it's a ways away from our apartment. I did find this stuff that has oats and dried fruit in it. I have that for breakfast. Anyway, next week I'll see what I'll need because I would like that extra money to buy fresh stuff. Getting on the American base is a hassle. I don't really want to buy anything there if I don't need too. President also told my trainer to make sure that I don't get used to the food situations in Vicenza because it's not the Italian experience...collega drinks two cans of Dr. Pepper a day. Go figure. 

Thanks for your words of wisdom!! I know it's a process and I read those same lines in my blessing. I just find it funny that out of the 233 missionaries here I have to be the youngest one. There's some talk that they might split the mission! Hopefully they don't because if they do then we lose Firenze and some missionaries will be placed in the Rome mission. That'll blow. 

Anyway, I love you and the family!!! I'm already half-way done with my first transfer! One thing that I am looking forward to during my second transfer is Thanksgiving...I'll actually be able to celebrate it in Vicenza!

Alright, I need my pin and I'll let you know about my food situation. I might need to buy some gloves and a scarf and maybe a hat or something because people say it gets really cold here. I don't need it now but sometime in October probably. And I'm also a little north near the mountains.

Until next week!

Love,

Anziano West

After another week in Italy......

Thanks so much for the e-mails!! I love it!

So, ya, Milano is pretty weird. Italy is weird. But I'm getting used to it. The hard thing for me right now is not being able to communicate. My  trainer and I have gotten used to speaking English a lot during the day because he finds it hard to communicate with me in Italian and also because we spend time with the English branch. But we're working on it. Everyday I'm trying to find new ways to learn but it's tough. 

Alright! I have another adventure for the week. Last week on Saturday, we got to eat on the American Base!!! I felt like I was in America!!! I can't tell you how bad I miss America!!! Collega was flipping out because he hasn't seen anything that resembles America for the past two years, but I just want to tell you, that I'm proud to be an American!! I'm an American!! Okay, then later, sometime after lunch, we get a call from President saying, "Hey, are you coming?". And then we said, "Going where?". Come to find out, President wants us to attend Stake Conference on Saturday and Sunday sessions, where in the past apparently, the missionaries only attended the Sunday conference. So we dropped everything, immeaditely went to the train station, bought tickets and were on our way to Perdonone, which is up north from Vicenza. So we get there, have no idea where the church is because all of this happened last minute, and we end up spending an half an hour getting to church practically running the whole time. After the Stake Conference President wanted to meet with our trainers (there's another copia staying with us) and since it was getting late, Anziano Castagno and I went back with a Senior Couple from the English branch. We get a call from our trainers around 10 that night that their train got cancelled and that they had to stay up in Perdonone! Now, up in Italy, strikes happen all the time, trains and buses get cancelled...it's just Italy. Anyway both of us trainees were together for almost a 24 hour period without our trainers. It was a fun experience.

I guess doing missionary work here in Vicenza is tough. We've had a hard time finding people to teach because they just reject us for some reason or they just don't care. To them, it's another religion. According to collega, there's a lot of people that hate being catholic, but it's just a label for them to make it look like they're religious and that they're saved or something and I wonder if we're just another "label" for them too. It's tough. On the bright side we actually found someone to teach in a park! And we taught a lesson on a park bench! How cool is that! We found a guy named, Franc, who's from Nigeria. And he is totally wants listen to us! He even had some of the same questions that Joesph Smith had! We asked him, when we found out he believed in Christ, why he believes and he said that he doesn't get why there were so many churchs and so much confusion about the doctrine, but he came to the conclusion to follow Christ, etc. He speaks English too! So we taught him two lessons already and have another one set up for today! He even asked us yesterday if he could see us again. It was awesome!!

It's hard to judge the food here, mom. Since we leave next to the base everyone wants American food. And for lunch, and this is what I'm kinda sketch about, we have pasta. Everyday. The reason why is because it's dirt cheap and food is kinda expensive up in Italy. I've learned a few different ways to prepare pasta with different spices and stuff but I'm not a big fan of eating it everyday. Italians have really small breakfasts and massive lunchs and small dinners. In the mission we don't have dinners but since we're in an American branch, we sometimes have dinner appointments. In fact, we don't proselyte mid-day because all the Italians are eating away. All I have for breakfast is yogurt and sometimes cookies (Italian style; they eat cookies for breakfast) and fruit taste amazing here but not cheap. I also have the junk peanut butter and jam with white Italian bread- not the best thing to eat. You just get plugged up because of the pasta. It's difficult to eat healthy when you're a missionary and live next to America. I also get the feeling it's hard to eat healthy because of our money situation.

I want to e-mail dad so tell the family that I love them!!!

Anziano West

First Letter From Italy!

What up, FAM!!!!

Okay, so much has happend since I've arrived in Italy! It's crazy! (I know I say that a lot and I have a feeling I'll always be saying that but, seriously, it's crazy). So, let me begin my adventrue story-telling...

We arrived in Italy after a very long journey of flying around noon Italian time. Met President Dibb (amazing man) and his wife (also an amazing woman). Very nice people. So ya, we went to a church somewhere in downtown Milano. Now, I'm not a big fan of Milano. It just looks super weird. Well, Italy looks super weird. Period. You should see the bathrooms. Some parts remind me of California and other parts, apparently, remind people of Florida. It's also very hot. Because of the humidity. Which means during the winter it'll be super cold. Anyway, I then had an interview with President Dibb and, funny story, he knows Latin. So when we started he told me a phrase and asked me what it meant. I don't remember how to say it but I passed with flying colors. The phrase was "The die is cast" which was said from Ceaser when he crossed the Rubicon River to invade Rome. President then explained that this mission was a "Preach My Gospel" Mission and that there is now no turning back. The die is cast. Crazy, right?

Afterwards, since our group was so big, we were split into four smaller groups and then went at different times to go to the Duomo. Now, the Duomo looks pretty cool in pictures, but let me assure you, your mouth would be hanging open if you saw it in real life. It is literally exotic, beautiful, and...big. I couldn't take any pictures but I wouldn't mind showing it to guys sometime in the long run. We then did some street contacting (with Collega), and street-contacting is an art I realized. Anyway, we ran into a guy who was a Greek Orthodox (crazy!) and when I started bearing my testimony about the Book of Mormon he shook his head and said something about us having the misunderstanding and that God will bless us since we believe in Him and then he walked away. All I can say is that it was interesting.

After that we had dinner with President on a balcony and then we were shipped to a hotel. I was completely out was I hit the sack. Now fast forward to the morning (I had breakfast, no worries) and we went back to the church somewhere in downtown Milano. I have a funny story to share about us recieving our trainers. It's a great story. So all the newbies were on one side of the the room and all the trainers on the other side. The APs stood in the front and called up a trainer, whicht the trainer introduced him/herself, a miracle that happened the past week (most of them were baptisms! A lot of baptisms happen out here!) and then they read off of a piece of paper to see who's the trainee and the area. So everyone gets called up front and I'm just sitting there, seriously hoping and praying that I'll get an amazing trainer and not a stinge, just minding my own business. It soon became apparent that the number of trainers present did not equal the number of trainees. I was the last person to be called up and...there was no trainer. The APs were smiling and handed me the piece of paper. I read their names as my trainer. I'm going to be trained by the APs! I was so confused. President then stood up and explained the situation (thankfully). So, my trainer was down in Firenze (Florence) and he decided to eat a delicacy of the area (raw sausage sandwhich. Apparently, it's good) which caused him to have to go to the hospital, since the meat wasn't fresh. So I got to spend two days with the Office Elders and the APs! It was super fun! They even told me that I'm getting groomed to be an Office Elder or an AP since a trainee never sees the office on their first day. They're funny guys. On Friday, my trainer got out of the hospital and got on a train to Milano, which then I met him, and we got a train to Vicenza. That was the adventure of the week.

Cool thing about my trainer, since he's amazing. When President explained my situation to everyone, he said that I was getting the best missionary in the mission (he told that to everyone! The trainers and trainees!), and he's been a Zone leader down in Firenze during the summer. He actually told me that twice. My new Collega has two transfers left in his mission. Overall, he's going to be spending his last twelve weeks with me. Again, it's crazy. His name is Anziano Collins and he is from Virgina. A sprite 21 year old.

My first area is in Vicenza!!! It's a wierd little city. I like it a lot better than Milano. We're somewhat next to the mountians (hills) and the nature is really beautiful. Super green. We have to take care of two branches. The Italian and the English because there's a military base here. When I went to church on Sunday I didn't understand a word during the Italian branch. Not a word. And the Italians want the new missionaries to bear their testimony (there's two of us being trained. We're staying with another copia.) and my testimony was really short. The English branch I liked a lot better because I could understand it. Collega was freaking out because he never had church in English while in Italy. Actually, this really scares me. I was taking out my American money and putting it somewhere safe, and when Collega saw it, he goes, "whoa...this is really weird...American money." We had dinner with a senior english couple, and they had syrup out, and collega stopped in his tracks and starts muttering, "That's syrup. That's actually syrup..." He's looking at it like he's never seen it before!!!

One thing I've learned while I've been here is organization. Organization is important. I forgot to tell you but we didn't know we were opening up a new area. Collega also didn't know he was District Leader. So we spent a few days collecting things for the Apartment and stuff like that because we had absolutley nothing. Absolutely nothing. We also had to split up the area between three copia because the Sorelle are here too. It's taken a while to everything settled. Also, it's super important to work the members so we met with the Italians to figure out in-actives and stuff and we met with the English branch. The English branch is SUPER organized like none-other. Military, obviously, but we sat down for branch council and they STAYED on topic. They have a LASER-LIKE FOCUS when they discuss missionary work. It's amazing. Collega was almost jumping out of his seat because he has said that he has never seen anything like this before. I would even say that they're more focused than any Utah ward. They already have plans set out for us and families to visit. It's crazy. Collega leaned over to me and said that I'll never see this in an Italian branch. If they were organized then they wouldn't be branches. They would be wards. The image I get from the Italians is that they're more like little children when it comes to the gospel. They're still trying to figure it out.

That's everything right now. I'm still trying to get used to living here but I'm sure not in Kansas anymore.

Love you all and I miss you!!!

Anziano West

Anziano West has arrived in Italy!

This morning, Shauna received a phone call from Italy with news that Anziano West had arrived safely, had eaten his first Italian pizza, would spend the night in a hotel and meet his new companion tomorrow.  His first area in Italy will be Vicenza.  (map included below).  His P-Days are on Wednesday so we'll have a new update next week.

Now the real work begins!



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Almost time to leave the MTC

What up, Fam?!

So, this past week went by super fast. It was insane. Mom, I haven't got your DearElder but I hope I do because I wanna hear from you. I'll keep my eye out for the letter. Tell Laura thanks for her letter. And did Ben really quit Papa Murphy's? Because Aubrey's letter said that he was still working but I got a letter from him saying he quit (he only gave Andrew a 10 min. notice...typical) and that he now works at Wal-Mart. But I don't really know...

A lot of things have happened and I'm going to put in the important things obviously. So, here it goes...

I'll start out with the fun stuff. I realized I haven't been doing that lately but some recent events finally convinced me to let you know how we spend our nights. So, we do a lot of different things for entertainment but last night, I have to say, was one of the best. A rap battle (don't worry, it was clean) was staged between Anziano Larson and Anziano Wilson. Now, the reason why we got to a rap battle was because last week we had the Mexican missionaries move onto our floor. It used to be empty for about four weeks and it was nice because it was just us Italians and there were more showers to use, but for some reason, some of the Italians aren't gettin' along with the Mexicans...so this is what happened. Anziano Skinner, who is from Treemont, Utah (he is a total cowboy. His cowboy talk is amazing!) dressed up like a G and strutted down the hallway in our Residence Halls and did four pull-ups with the Mexican missionaries watching. He totally acted like he owned the place and strutted back to our hallway. All of us were laughing so hard because he looked like an idiot with aviators, a bandanna wrapped around his arm, and dog-tags hanging from his neck. So funny! We then sent down two more Anziani dressed like G's and they did pull-ups, acting like they're all tough and everything, and all the Mexican missionaries just watched. It was so funny because the Mexican missionaries didn't say a word! Anyway, two of our Anziani decided to have a rap battle and this is how they set it up last night. Anziano Skinner grabbed his suit jacket and stuck up the collars to look like an officiator, Anziano Driggs was something like an announcer. You know how in boxing matches and stuff you have the announcer go, "Round Twooo!"? Anziano Driggs was the announcer for each verse. Anziano Dean, Anziano Warnick, and some other Anziani would lay down the beat. Ya, it was pretty cool. We then had the audience we consisted of the other Anziani (including me) and we just all acted like we were G's watching a rap battle. And the rap was terrible (it actually made the whole thing hilarious because the rhymes were horrible. Just smack talk) but it was the funniest thing that has happened here among us Italians. Loved it.   

Last night we had Elder Anderson come talk to us. Ya, I know right! Another apostle! And he talked about Love and Sacrifice. He said a phrase that he wanted all of us missionaries to remember. I'm going to paraphrase it: "You sacrifice for the things you love and you love the things you sacrifice". Perplexing, right? Anyway, his talk was thought provoking, but he promised us that we would have blessings if he stick out the trials and the afflictions. He connected that with Love and Sacrifice and what Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father did for us. It was top notch. One thing I noticed about Apostles lately, and I thought that it was interesting, is that they know how to take control of the situation and direct it anyway they want. They'll cut people off, or insert a comment, something. But it isn't impolite how they do it...they're just assertive. If they want something to go the way they want they assert themselves and get the job done. They know how to lead the situation. Just an observation.  

I got my travel itinerary!! We're supposed to gather at the travel office at 5:30 in the morning on Tues. Sep 3. We leave SLC around 10:45 and head to Chicago, which we then leave later in the afternoon on a direct flight to London and then we end up in Milan around noon Italian time. I think. But ya, exciting!!! And I got a letter from my Mission President and, I thought this was weird, but he promised me that I would confront a variety of challenges. He promised me that. Not really comforting but, you know, I'm a missionary. He also wants me to write down my goals as a missionary. And that got me thinking about working to be outward. I still freeze up when I'm trying to decide to talk to a stranger or not! I just don't know what to do! So I might put down the goal of reaching the point of casually talking to people. To anyone. I really want to do that.

Teaching this past week has been tough!! Collega and I have been a little rocky ever since I got the musical number. One of our teachers, Sorella 'Momma' Urban, because she really is a mother to all of us, made Collega and I sit in a room to figure things out because our lessons haven't been the best lately. I finally decided that I like doing missionary work but I don't necessarily like being THE missionary. It's hard to work with someone, especially when they share some personality characteristics, but they don't share the things you think is important that can reach the same end goal. I don't like it. And if it's also how marriage is like...I'm not looking forward to being married either. I might buy a dog instead. Anyway, we finally got things figured out and we're doing better on our lesson plans and stuff. Things are looking up. 

So, I love you and I miss you guys! In fact, you're the only people I write. No one else writes me, expect Ben did once. Shows who your friends are. I saw Spencer a few times here and he seems excited to be going to Iowa. One of the very first things he told me was that he has been getting two page DearElder's from his girlfriend every day. I started laughing because that's not going to last long. I even told him that but he seemed too high in the clouds. One thing I'm grateful for is not having a girlfriend. I honestly don't know how elders do it when they have one. The environment doesn't allow something like that. But I don't have to worry about it.

Love ya!!!

Ethan and part of his MTC district on a "temple walk."

Ethan and his companion, Elder Pinnock

Ethan and all of his buddies from American Fork High School....so far....

Ethan - MTC Letter Week 3 -- Spelling intact :-)

First thing first. I have Laura's charger but I can't find mine. Are you sure you put the gray one in the backpack? Because I can't find it... And yes, I did get the letter from Grandpa. I actually keep it close to me because I love the experience of the piano player. It helps me to stay focused. Tell Grandpa thank you!! Also, the snackage is amazing!!!!! That granola saved my life on Sunday because the cafeteria for breakfast is just sugar cereal. And those almonds are so good!! Where did you get them? Tell Cari thank you for the cookies. Those are a life-saver too. You would not believe the weight problems here. 

I know! Three more weeks! The days are somewhat long but the weeks do go by fast. I'm somewhat excited and also nervous. I mean, I'm going to be living in Italy for the next 22 months...and speaking Italian. Hopefully. Also, we got a new district leader! And guess who it is? Collega! I'm so proud of him!  

The language is coming along. We can actually have a conversation with everything we've learned within the past three weeks. Even better, to teach a lesson. Pretty good, right? Collega and I actually got to talk to an Italian native from Genova! He spoke so fast that both of us just stared blankly at him but then he realized we've only had three weeks to learn the language so he slowed down. A lot. Still had trouble understanding him but it was a good experience.

Last night we had Elder Scott talk at the Tuesday Night Devotional! It was so cool! And I've been singing in the choir so that was a cool experience too. But here's the best part. Elder Scott gave the missionaries at all the MTCs around the world an apostolic blessing. Twice. And both blessings were for the gift of tongues. Flippin' sweet!! It was such a spiritual experience! He also added a cool thing about sisters serving missions. He promised the sisters that for their service they would have eternal families and the right husbands. It's a big promise. A side note for the lil' sis.

So, today, we got to go to the temple!! And the new temple video is amazing! You'll like it. You need to go if you haven't yet. After going through the temple, I've felt so much comfort and peace, and I'll explain what's been happening this past week. So remember when I bore my testimony about serving a mission when Austin told me that our song was going on the radio? Well, one of the Branch Presidency members was present at that meeting and I guess my name went to the top. Now, they want me to do a special musical number this Sunday! And I haven't really played these past few weeks! All I've really been doing today was practicing an easy arrangement of "Nearer My God To Thee". Okay, it's not easy but more intermediate. I don't have that much time to learn a good arrangement so...I even changed up the ending so it sounded better. More professional. Collega isn't really happy sitting with me while I'm playing the piano. Actually, he's fine with it. He just reads the scriptures and stuff. Anyway, I've been nervous since last Sunday because these public performances don't go very well for me. But going through the temple helped me a lot. I just learned I needed to have faith and God will bless my piano playing. It's like the piano player Grandpa wrote to me about. 

Thank you for the letter you sent me earlier this week! I knew you would agree with me about Elder Bednar's talk. I'm still trying to shift my whole perspective where I can be outward. I guess I need to talk to more people. At least get comfortable with it. As a missionary I'll have to talk to more people. I love your thoughts, mom.

There's something that's really satisfying I want to talk about. Everyone in my district has been experiencing some kind of trial that really backs them up to the wall of faith. I had one a few weeks earlier but some other fellow anziani have been experiencing hard things too. When I first got here I didn't know my collega or anyone else. In fact, only two anziani knew each other before the mission in the district. One of our teachers told us one day that she sincerely believes that our district was formed in the pre-earth life. Now here gets the interesting part. Several of the anziani in the district said that everyone looked familiar when we first met each other but none of us but two have ever known or seen each other!!! We've only known each other for three weeks and within those three weeks every single one of us have experienced all kind of emotions on the spectrum! Not only that but we've also given blessings of the afflicted and comfort (according to the situation) to each other simply because we feel the bond of friendship and love! It's such a crazy way to live!! I'm not even sure who I'm going to be when I get home or if I'm going to be emotionally wrecked. There's only so much a man can take...

Tell dad that I'll try write him if I have time. I've still got to do laundry so I'll shoot him an e-mail. And I'll still send the charger. Also tell him that I'll try to send some pics. My money situation is fine. 

Tell the fam I love them and I miss them!!

Love,

Anziano West  

After 1 week at the MTC

Here are some highlights from his next letter on July 31.  One week after entering the MTC...this is proof that the Lord wants his young men serving missions.


So, this past week has been insane!!!!!! We've been teaching in Italian (sort of. Its more like caveman style) but I've realized its the Spirit you need in the lessons. Not the language. Oh, and you need to see a talk by Elder Bednar called, The Characters of Christ. It will blow you away. A lot of the Elders have said it changed their lives! And it certainly will go in hand in hand with what you and I have been talking about. Especially about opening our hearts. You just need to see it!!!! It was a Christmas MTC devotional a few years ago. So, if you can find it!

I'm not going to lie the past four days have been the hardest days of my life!! But when Sunday came around and we took the sacrament...its almost as if the Lord or I don't know! I felt like I was given comfort and filled with the Spirit to face the next two years!....

I feel like I need to share this small trial I had these past two days. I certainly feel changed by it. So earlier this week I got a letter from Austin. Remember that song we wrote in Cali. Sorry about the punctuation. The keyboard is in Russian or something so bear with me. Anyway, Austin knew this guy in High School who signed onto one of the largest studios in LA! Austin ran into him at a mission farewell and invited him to his house for a recording session. Austin showed him our song and he wants to take it and put it on the radio!!!!! As a girl and rapper duo duet thing. But a song that I helped to write is going to be on the radio later this year!!!!! Its like a dream come true for me!!! I was so excited! But then it sunk in that I'm barely on a mission and I wont be there with Austin to see it happen. I was so bummed out. I wrestled with myself because that's what I always wanted to do! But I also knew that I needed to be on a mission. I was hating life!!! I didn't know what to do. Last night was the Tues. night devotional and we had a former General Seventy talk to us and I don't remember his name, but he said something important that sunk into me. He quoted Winston Churchill and it was about one moment in time when someone is tapped on the shoulder to do what they needed to do. And if they didn't do what they needed to do, and shirked from their duty, then amen to that man. What we do now will echo in eternity. Even if its one person in Milan that I help then I have done what I was called to do. I shared my experience with my district last night after the devotional and I was crying when I bore my testimony. I'm okay now but a little tender. Funny thing is that when I shared my experience and everyone gave me a hug and stuff, it was more like our district was growing more closer together then they giving me comfort. A few of the Elders even said they loved everyone in the district. Anyway, I don~t know whats happening to me but I'm sure everything is going to be okay.

Here's the latest from Elder West after three days in the MTC.

"....I've been so busy!  Everyday I wake up, get ready for the day, and get to work.  It's crazy!  Can't even stop to get a breather.  My whole district feels insanely tired after each day with Italian phrases swirling around in our heads...

I love my district.  They all contribute to get through the day.  I guess we have each other to lean on.  Anyway, we started to teach our first investigator, name Dina.  This was, of course, role-playing...Elder Pinnock and I taught our first lesson with her on Friday (July 26) and it was terrible.  Spirit was not there, we could not understand her, and we could not communicate.  Later, during our daily planning session, we decided to have better preparation in our lesson plan because our first lesson was finished in five minutes!  We were supposed to teach for 20!  We also decided we needed the Spirit, big time, for our next lesson the next day.  That was they key goal.  So we had our next visit with Dina the next day (July 27) and we taught about the Restoration.  We had an opening and a closing prayer, which, in Italian, it's kinda different to say, but that helped to set up the Spirit.  Then, when Anziano (Elder) Pinnock read the First Vision....BAM!  The Spirit raised the roof!  Dina believed our testimonianze and we even committed her to come to church, read the Joseph Smith History, and to pray to see if Joseph Smith was a true Profeta and if the Book of Mormon was true.  It felt so good to teach and have someone accept it!  It was amazing!  I was actually feeling kinda homesick that morning but after teaching I was on a spiritual high.  If I can do that throughout my mission, I know that I can enjoy it....

Off to the MTC today!  Had a big lunch with the family at Brick Oven and then had to kill two hours until my MTC check-in time.

Danielle was the only one who had enough time to "pose" for a picture at the MTC.  Everything moves pretty fast in the drop-off zone.