Short & Sweet! July 27, 2011

Well, I tried sending pictures again, but for some reason the computers refuse to read my memory card half the time.... so, maybe next week.

So, this week we had another AWESOME ward activity, where we made a ton of progress, expecially with Luca and his two kids. Luca's two kids (Ana and Marco, 13, and soon to be 12) normally stay with their mom, but for these couple of week they're with him, and he was able to convince them to come to this activity, despite the fact that they're fairly against us as misisonaries, and this church in general. When they arrived at the church at 8:30 in the morning they were wayy tired, and just looked not happy, at all. Responded with one word answers, and just gave us nothing. The good thing though, was that fairly quickly, they warmed up to us, and were laughing and having a blast by the end of the day! Luca is still on track to be baptized on the sixth of August. Unfortunately our branch president and several others are on vacation in the USA for several weeks, so they're going to miss it, but he's ready for sure.

Nick and Omas also have baptismal dates for the 27th of august! So we're super excited for them.

Umm.... not much else to say.... everything's going good in Ravenna.

Sorry it's really short today, I've been trying to figure out this picture thing, and it's not working... I'll make sure to write more next week though!

I love you all, take care!

Anziano Bushman

The field is white! July 20, 2011

Wow, things are goin great here! I love hearing from all of you guys!

Well, let me update you on Luca. Luca, is a freaking stud. He has accepted everything, and is trying everything that we tell him. We talked to him Sunday after church, and set a baptismal date with him for August 6th! He is just awesome. We talked to him last night about it, and he shared some experiences he had. First he told us about his mom, who is super catholic, and has started to bring Luca into Catholicism now that he's talking with us. He told us that she has started coming over and reading the bible to him, and Luca told us that after she read the bible with him, he read from the Book of Mormon with her! He's told us tons of other experiences too with him doing missionary work like this. And he's already working on inviting his kids and mom to his baptism, it's awesome! It just amazes me at how quick he is to share the gospel, when a lot of members are wayyy timid about it... And even further, Luca we feel still doesn't have a testimony about the gospel. He follows all the commandments, and is changing his life to the gospel, but hasn't seen a change yet. And regardless he's still being patient. He's just super bravo. That's all I can say. The only thing is, the reason he's not seeing the blessings yet is because he's not asking. He's super honest with us, so when something comes up that he struggles with, he tells us. And he's told us for a couple weeks now that he doesn't really feel the need to pray. He feels that because God's Will will be done regardless, what's the point of praying and trying to change it? So we explained last night that the purpose of prayer is to align our will with the Will of God, and also to ask for the blessings that God is just waiting to pour out upon our heads, but can't until we ask for them. So we committed him to at least get into the habit of praying, even if he doesn't feel it, to just get  in the habit of praying morning and night, and he said that he'll do it! We're going with him tomorrow to each lunch at the Branch President's house, so we're way excited about that as well!

Eddie is also doing awesome! His wife (Ester) is still not coming to church, but Eddie has started to make a more concerted effort to come to church, and came at 10:20 instead of his usual 11:30! So he got to experience Gospel principles class and sacrament meeting, and it was a way good experience!!!

Nicolas is another man from Nigeria, and he started coming to church I believe 4 weeks ago because one of our members told him it would help (he was kinda depressed, and out of work) and the tuesday after he came for the first time, someone in our ward found him a job, and he's been working ever since! He's also come to church every week since. We finally were able to meet with him and his wife for the first time on saturday, and we talked about the first vision, and the restoration of the church. They loved it! Anziano Bona and I were about to invite him to baptism, but the memebr that we had with us (Colombus, also from Nigeria) mentioned that we will not rush anyone, and that we will take things piano piano. So if we went and invited him to baptism that kind of would've made a liar out of Colombus.... BUT after the lesson Nicolas walked us out to our bikes, and asked us what he needed to do. We looked at him a little confused and my companion asked <<need to do for what?>> Nicolas responded <<for baptism>>. So we quickly told him that we would love to talk about baptism the next time we come over. And in fact, Anziano Mendel and I (on a scambio) went and talked to him yesterday about baptism, invited him to baptism, and he accepted it! We left him with a baptismal calendar, and he said that he will talk with his wife to choose when, but yeah, he's super legit. The only thing now, is we need to figure out how to get his wife more on board. 

ALSO, another super legit find on monday. Anziano Mendel was at Ravenna wih me, and the lesson we had planned fell through. So, we just rode around for a little bit until we found some palazzi that looked promising. So we knocked on all the doors, and got absolutely nothing. Tried the one next to it, and still nothing. BUT at the last floor there was a girl sitting on the staircase, so we started talking to her, and found out that she had already been talked to. Even further, she had had a baptismal date, and told us that she just got too scared. So, we asked if she'd like to talked some more, and figure out what happened, and so she gave us her number and we went on. When we got home, I checked our area book and found her progress record. She was investigating the church in 2008, and from what the missinoaries wrote, was super golden!! But, just like she told us, when it came down to being baptized, 5 days before the scheduled date, she just got too afraid, and the missinoaries didn't write anything else. So now we're in the process of trying to get ahold of her, but I'm super excited! It didn't look like she had any problems with the gospel, just got afraid, so yeah. 

Like I mentioned, I did a scambio with Anz Mendel yesterday, and it was way fun! I probably mentioned him before while I was in the MTC, but he was in the group that I helped welcome into the MTC, so he got here to italy  weeks after me. But yeah, he's a wayy cool guy! And it was wayy different being companioned with someone that has been out less time than me. But, things went way well. 

But yeah, this zone, is the best zone in the mission. I also saw Anziano Ramjuoe (sp?) and Anziano Free at interviews on monday, so it was fun getting to catch up and everything (both of them were also in Anz Mendel's group)

SO, yeah! Life's going great! Finally figured out how to work this dang oven without burning suff lol, and now I'm working on repairing the rest of the apartment lol. 

And thank you so much mom for the package! I love it! And the music is super awesome too! My companion also wanted to thank you for the song <<One Day>> hahah he loves that song!

I love you guys all so much!

Stay strong, and scegliete il giusto!

-Anziano Bushman

Some of our members here in ravenna at that activity where we gathered up in the mountains and read and sang together!

Me and my comp, Anz Bona!

Me and our 2nd counselor, Colombus.

The view that we had on all sides of us - it was awesome!

Me and Luca, our investigator. 

We visited a new convert that lives near the beach! Man, I miss the beach....

Heading to climb up that tower (Bologna) for p-day! 

Inside the tower, Anz Bona and Anz Dunshee
(our zone leader, and Anz Bona's MTC companion)

On top of the tower, super legit! 495 steps to get to the top!!!

The view outside of the tower, for 360 degrees!

Working hard, Feeling Good! July 13, 2011

Heyyyy! So, I didn't realize how many times i used the word <<legit>> last week until mom and dad both quoted me in their emails saying <<legit>>... lol mah bad. COMUNQUE, to answer a couple of questions, the verb <<scappare>> means to leave/escape/get out of somewhere. So when I say we scapped, it's just like english italian saying that we got out of there. When we travelled to ravenna, we took the first like 2 hr train ride with about a dozen missionaries, and then the final hour stretch to ravenna was just me and anz bona. I have started exercising again, now i just have to get my companion to go running with me! The physical area is about the same size, but the only work we do is in the city of ravenna itself, whereas in muggiò we had a bunch of cities way close to us that we were able to bike to and what not. Here we only travel outside of ravenna every now and then to visit members. It isn't quite as hot out here as it is in AZ, but the humidity is pretty uncomfortable, and we're constantly sweating! 

We do have another progressing investigator, his name is Eddie. Eddie is from Nigeria, and has two daughters and one son. For a while it didn't seem like anything was going to happen, but then Friday, he brought his three kids to our ward barbecue, and they loved it! His wife didn't come cause she was way tired, and just wanted a break from the kids haha, but everyone loved to see them there, and it was awesome! Unfortunately Luca did not come to the barbecue because he went to the dentist earlier that day and had a huge cavity, so he couldn't necessarily eat anything... BUT we also then had a lesson with eddie the next day, and we feel that he is making some huge progress! He finally read the chapters that we have been leaving him, and this time his wife actually sat in on the lesson! (His wife had originally heard that LDS are  some kinda devil worshippers, and so she was afraid to even listen to us) So now even she is starting to make some progress! We left her a Book of Mormon, which she was way excited about and said that she would read it for sure! But, she said that she won't start coming to church until she sees some changes in <<this man>> (pointing to her husband). Hahaha and Eddie's response to that was kinda funny, he asked her <<What do you want me to change? Do you want me to be white?>> lol So we tried to convince her that she would be supporting her husband a lot if she came to church with him, but she wouldn't budge. Vediamo. But Eddie did come to church again, granted he came super late, and only caught the last 30 min of Sacrament meeting, he still came. He told us Sunday mornings are the only opportunites he gets to play soccer with his buddies... so I'm afraid that's the reason he keeps showing up so late....

Luca is still super awesome, came to church again for all three hours, but still isn't feeling anything. He trusts us, so he does the things we ask him to do, cioè read the scriptures, and follow the commandments, but he doesn't see the blessings. aaaand so yeah. Also, he doesn't like to pray on his own. He prays when we're there, but for some reason he won't on his own... And I'm about 95% sure that that's the only thing he's missing. So keep him in your prayers!

Well, right now I'm in Bologna, at the end of a 2 day scambio, so we've got 6 missionaries here and we're all wanting to go out and do something fun, so sorry this letter's kinda short.... 

The missionaries here are super awesome! It's so much fun, and i'm learning a ton! Also, every single new missionary that I meet and do any work with has complimented me several times on my italian, so I guess the language is going pretty well! Well, I will try and write more next week! 

Prendete cura e divertitevi!

-Anziano Bushman

Ravenna! July 6, 2011

Well, my companion is way legit. His name is Anziano Bona. He was born in Italy (his dad is italian) but grew up in Provo. He was sick the first couple days, so that was kinda rough, but we're pickin it up now and it's goin great! The branch is awesome! There were about 40 people in church on sunday, and they were all super legit! Also sunday night our branch had an activity where we went up to the mountains and read the scriptures together, and then prayed togther. It was wayyyy cool! And we had an investigator with us there, and he loved it too!

Ravenna is super small, but it's way legit. All the people know who we are here, some even by name. My companion told me that we are about a 30 min bike ride to the west of the beach, and I've been feeling the beach breeze, and I'm lovin it! It feels so nice here! My comp thinks it's hot, but he's from utah.

Our investigator that came to the mountain activity with us is named Luca. He's Italian, about 35 yrs old, and is separated and jobless. But unlike a lot of jobless people, he's not just looking for religion to fix his temporal needs, he knows he needs the spiritual healing as well. He's already accepted baptism, but he doesn't have a testimony yet, but he's close. We talked about recognizing the Holy Ghost, and he's starting to realize that the holy ghost has been guiding his search lately, and so we're wayy excited for him! Luca reminds me a lot of like a mix between Uncle Jerry, and Getty Lee (sp?) at least as far as appearances go. He has long hair that he puts back in a pony tail every once in a while, and glasses, so ya. lol.

Umm... anything else... Oh yeah, some more about Anz Bona. He's way legit, and way spiritual and takes things way seriously when it comes to studies and everything, but during our two hrs of lunch time, and any other free time, he's way relaxed. President has changed the music thing again to being whatever music so long as it's not bad, and so long as everyone in the apartment agrees on it, so Anz Bona has a TON of music. It seems kinda strange, because I've noticed that the rules we're asked to follow as missionaries are the same as those asked of members, it just seems more enforced as missionaries.... Idk, I may not be making sense, but like with the law of consecration, we should be devoting our LIVES to the Lord. But so often misisonaries, and even our leaders have rationalized it, saying that it's not reasonable for us to not ever have a break. And I know we don't need to be running at all times, but, idk, I just feel a little weird about it. None of the music we listen to is bad, but it's definitely music from home. Idk. I think I'll be fine so long as sundays and study times stay sacred...  Also, because we had a lot of dead time when Anziona Bona was sick, we've played a lot of chess. And we have a competition going on now lol. It's fun. Keeps us sharp.

Well, that's all I've got for now. Our apartment is way lacking in a lot of things. It's way spacious, but the only work out equipment is an excercise ball and a pull up bar, and their cooking equipment is virtually nonexistent. SO I'm gonna be getting pretty creative here lol. I do have a double bed though, (two twin beds put together) so that's super legit. I'll try and send pictures next time. I need to buy a card reader first...

Well, i gotta go. I love you guys! Take care!

-Anziano Bushman

P.S. Almost forgot to tell you about my last day in muggiò! It was intense. We passed by our neighbors, Abelle and Lucia, who have fed us twice on sundays, and who say hi to us everytime we leave our apartment, and they were wayy sad. They're an older couple, and they even started crying a little bit... But they were confident that the two new missionaries would be good as well. We also gave out pictures of us to a couple people, and we wrote notes on the back and what not. We then went by our Egyptian amici and told them the news, and he was way not happy. We left them a picture as well, and he told us he was going to hang it up on the wall lol. He then made sure that we gave him our email addresses. It was pretty sad. Then later that night we saw Carlo, and then biked about 40 min. through some intense rain to see the Ligas family. We had a great night with them, we taught a little bit, then they fed us one last dinner, and then we took pictures and what not and then Marco gave us a ride home. Man, those missionaries are so lucky.....Muggiò is freaking awesome. I'm gonna miss it there.

Well, that's about all I got. It was intense trying to carry all of our luggage through the bus and then the metro lol. Normally it's not too bad because only one person is leaving, and the other person can help carry your stuff. But like whenever we hit the stairs, we had to make two trips up and down the stairs to get all our stuff. BUT we survived. Transfers happen at Milano Centrale (the train station) and we just met there, like 40 of us misisonaries, and ate burger king, and waited for our trains, and then scapped. I saw about 10 of the missionaries from my group (those that came here to italy with me) at transfers, so it was fun hangin out again.

Well, that's it. Pace!

Transfers! June 29, 2011

Well, I'm gettin shipped off to Ravenna. It's in the Bologna zone, and on the east coast of Italy. It's a beach city, so it's one of the places where everyone will be going for these next few months. The only thing is, they will probably all be there just for vacation. So we'll have to meet them, teach them, and baptize them relatively quickly =) My companion will be Anziano Bona, who everyone is very jealous of, so it should be fun! I always said I wanted to stay in Muggiò (which is still true, Muggiò rocks!!!!), but I also had gotten to the point where I wouldn't mind leaving, and I would be able to trust the area to Anz VanAuker becaue I've gotten to know him pretty well, and he's earned his stripes by now. But, when we got the call last night, literally this was the one thing I did not want to happen, we're getting whitewashed. Which means Anz VanAuker is also getting transferred. A friend of Anz VanAuker, Anz Delloso will be training a new missionary in muggiò. Which means they will know nothing about our exceptionally large area (except what we can communicate through sticky notes before we leave) and none of our investigators or ward members. So last night I was very, very, unhappy for at least an hour. And my companion kept telling me that it's for the best and whatnot, and then an hour or two later we switched and I was trying to comfort him lol. As of now I'm just going through the motions. Packing up, and getting ready to say goodbye to everyone. Still not too happy, but we're movin on. Man, I know that the Lord knows what he's doing, and that he's not going to let anyone miss their chance to be baptized, it's just wayyyy hard to trust missionaries that I've never met, with people that they've never met. 

ANYHOW, F.llo Romani is doing great. We weren't able to see him again last week, but he did finally come to church! Haha and they even asked us if we could come over to have dinner with them on thursday, so the new missionaries are going to have a dinner appt their first night. Lucky.

We saw Marco and family again saturday night, and this time with F.llo Alaimo, our recently called Ward Mission Leader. F.llo Alaimo always tends to ramble, and take over the lessons, and kind of just says whatever he thinks is important, so that's always interesting. But, we were able to steal some time to explain the last half of the plan of salvation, cioè what happens after death and what not. We did not get a Baptismal date set yet, and in fact when we called earlier the wife told us that she thinks that it's a little early to be pushing a baptismal date, but Marco seemed totally chill with it, so we think she's just a little crazy, but yeah haha. 

Hmm... not sure what else there is to say... my brain is a little mixed up today with trying to get everything done before we leave... We have been seeing a lot of success with talking to people at the door, and getting in, so that has been good, oh! and we had some pretty positive interactions with J-Dubs (Jehovah's Witnesses, JWs, J-Dubs) that I wanted to share! The first one was sunday when we were going door to door, we met a young italian man, of about 19 yrs or something, and he started talking to us in english because he recognized that we were american, and he had studied english and been to america and whatnot. But anyways, he kept us there, at the door, for about 20min and just kept on asking us questions, and essentially trying to prove to us that our religion is not logical. He started pulling random interpretations of Bible scriptures about what a shepherd is, and who Jesus's other flock was, and thus <<proved>> to us that his other flock is not in the america's, or even on earth, but in heaven. Or something like that. But anyways, we remained fairly calm, and when we were just plain tired of standing there, and needing to leave, I decided I wanted to bear my testimony, and then scap. (Oh, and background info real quick, I have been trying to work on asking questions lately, and even went all day thursday just asking questions, the entire day, in attempts to get in that mindset). And so as I was about to bear my testimony, a question came to mind, and so I asked him <<How did you come to know that the bible is the word of God?>> he responded by saying he has analyzed it, and has seen proof, and talked about how logical it is, and so I interupted and asked him if he has prayed about it. He quickly responded saying he has, and then I told him that we have too. And that we also have prayed about the Book of Mormon, and that we know, deep down in our hearts that it is the word of God. His entire countenance changed, and he realized that he was not going to be able to convince us of anything. He accepted our biglietto, and we told him about the website, so hopefully one day he will check it out, and remember how he felt talking to us that day.... Idk, we just felt good after talking to him. The spirit bore witness of our message. It was awesome. 

So, yeah. I want to issue a challenge to all of you. In every moment, wherever you are, remember that you are a disciple of Christ. Don't waste time bible-bashing, or arguing. If someone tries to argue about you and your beliefs, say a quick prayer, and follow the spirit. Usually the spirit will tell you to testify and walk away. I know this church is true, with all my being. I am so grateful for this opportunity I have to dedicate two years of my life to building up God's Kingdom here on earth. I know that God loves each and every one of his children, and that our older brother, Jesus Christ will always be there for us. I say these things in the sacred name of Jesus Christ, amen. 

vi viglio un saccone di bene,

Anziano Bushman

My district this transfer! in the front there is S.lla Chambers and Walton, then me, then in the back Anz and S.lla Rampton, my companion, the our Capi- Anz Lesa and Anz Maughan.

Carabinieri, with swords!!!!

Our amazing Family Ligas! With Marco on the left next to Anz VanAuker, then Giorgia (shorter) and Alessia and S.lla Ligas.

Making our last pizza at Rami's place.

Ups & Downs! June 22, 2011

Well, I don't have too much time to write today, my companion wants to get out of here early so we can go spend a load of money eating at burger king, and then more money to go take a tour through an opera house. Sounds exciting, right?

No, i'm not that bitter about it. COMUNQUE, this week was pretty awesome!

F.llo Romani's new dream was even better. He had a dream that there was this HUGE tree, and two farmers. They noticed that the tree wasn't giving any fruit. Then one farmer said to the other that they need to water it, and give it some time. And then the tree was awesome, and bore fruit and everything. Well, he immediately recognized himself as the tree. And then he said he started thinking to himself, well what does this water represent? What do I need? And he realized it was baptism! But then he also remembered that the farmer said that it also just needs time. SO he's convinced that he just needs some time. When he told us that, I asked him what we could do to help him be ready (I even asked that one in spanish, I was pretty content with myself lol) and he told us that he was already ready! But that he just needs some time, he doesn't want to right now. So naturally, as missionaries, we're frustrated right now.

We also saw Marco and family again, and had a great time! First they treated us to some delicious homemade pizza (which was actually the first pizza I have had made by an italian, and not an egyptian lol) And then he even taught us how to make pizza, and then we taught them a wonderful lesson about the Vision of the Tree of Life. We also gave the two daughters each their own copy of the Book of Mormon, so this lesson served two purposes. First, to get them familiar with reading the Book of Mormon (we read 1Nephi 8:9-34). And then we talked about all the symbolism therein, and also read 2 Nephi 31:17 where we learn that repentance and baptism make the entrance to this path. And then we challenged them to baptism, and they accepted! We don't have a date yet, but they all want and know that they need to be baptized! Whoot! And then the next day they all came to church again, and we saw the two daughters carrying their copies of the Book of Mormon, and it was way touching, and then after church was all over they asked if they could take pictures with us! Haha so half the ward saw that, and they were all smiling, and we were all happy, and it was just great. I love this family, and I do not want to get transferred, but then again, I know that there could be another missionary that's needing a good loving family like this to teach... SOOOO I'll go where He wants me to go.

Muggiò rocks.

Allora, vi voglio tutti un sacco di bene! 

-Anziano Bushman

6 months well spent, only 18 more months to convert Italy! June 15, 2011

Ciao tutti!

Man, life is so intense! I wanna start this email by saying how ridiculously grateful I am to have this AMAZING opportunity to serve the Lord, and gather his children! It is really a unique opportunity to be able to not think about one's self, and focus everything on the needs of others! I am so grateful for the mercy the Lord has had on me in placing me in such a loving family, and with parents who are firm in the gospel of Jesus Christ! I know this church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is true. Sono reso conto. And I can see the truth of it in the eyes of every person we meet.

Well, I'll start off with an update on Marco and family: We met with them again last thursday, and when we got there, Marco immediately sat us down on the couch, then pulled up a chair right in front of us, and began firing questions away. I was hesitant to start because we wanted the whole family to be there, but sure enough S.lla Ligas (wife) came in within seconds and made sure her two daughters (Alessia and Giorgia) were sitting and able to pay attention. She also made sure we started with a prayer, so that was awesome. After the prayer we got a little glimpse by S.lla Ligas at how interested her daughters already are in learning the gospel. The oldest daughter (Alessia, 11yrs old) has already gone through catoclysm (I think that's what it's called...) and was way impressed at the difference of how the kids behaved, and the reverence they all had for the Lord at our church. Apparently Sunday after church when they went home to eat, she even asked if they could pray <<like mom's church prays>>, so S.lla Ligas asked us to give a description of prayer, and had us give several demonstrations (for the lesson, and also the meal that they fed us) so that her kids would hear it from someone who was <<use to praying>> (S.lla Ligas went inactive when she married Marco). Other than that, we taught the Restoration lesson, and it went great, but only because they're so awesome. We spent way too much time just trying to answer all of his questions, when we should have had him save his questions to the end and told him that a lot of his questions will be answered in this short message. And also, my companion kinda went crazy. My companion isn't the greatest at speaking. Even in english at home, he doesn't make sense half the time.  BUT he's great, and I love him anyways. But also, Marco has had a hard time with understanding Anz VanAuker. When he speaks he doesn't do it with confidence, and spends half the time looking away trying to think of how to say something, or what to say, even though he definitely already knows this language like the back of his hand. But anyways, ever since we met Marco, Marco pinpointed my companion's problem, and has told him on several occasions to <<just speak, at worst you'll mess up>>. So my companion I guess felt that he had to prove something that night, and kind of took over the entire lesson. I tried occasionally to butt in, but each time I said something, my companion would take two seconds to listen,and then go trucking on again. I thought it was kind of hilarious, because there was nothing I could do about it. But it also was a little frustrating. But anyways, I talked to him after and he realized what happened, and is gonna try harder next time. Sweet. We haven't got to see them again yet,  and although the wife and daughters were able to come to church, Marco and Oscar got called into work. I'm going to call them again today and try and set up a friday or saturday appointment.

F.llo Romani we have met with two or even three times since the last email, and he's doing great! He's got some misconceptions that will need to be cleared, such as he believes in reincarnation, and he still doesn't quite have a testimony of the Book of Mormon. And we did have quite a regrettable moment the other day when we were with them... So Santos (F.llo Romani) is a big believer of dreams, and that they mean something, and so he asks us each time what we think about his dreams. This last one he had was pretty epic (at least for us). Oh, and just another piece of background info, they weren't able to come to church on Sunday because S.lla Romani was way sick. So this dream: The first thing he described to us was that there was this water coming out of the floor like a fountain, and this water was the purest, cleanest water he has seen, and so he decided to start washing his face in it. The other piece was that he was at church, and got a signed piece of paper, and then he had to sign it as well. This paper somehow told him, or at least reminded him that he needed to come to school, and he recognized that as he needs to come to church, so he's recomitted himself to next week for sure. So hearing this as a missionary, I immediately thought- baptism is ridiculously clean water that washes us clean! His dream is telling him to get baptized! But, I brushed it away thinking that it was just my over-eagerness. So when we left their house Anz. VanAuker turned to me and shared with me his interpretation of the dream, which was the same as mine as far as the baptism part goes (confirming in my mind even further that we should have shared our opinion when he asked us) and then he also pointed out that after the baptism, he went to church where he was given a signed piece of paper (baptismal certificate). So, I'm pretty sure that was God wanting us to interpret that for him, but we failed. Miserably. Oh well, hopefully he will have another dream for us today when we go over there!

Yesterday we had a zone conference, and all the birthdays from June 1st to August 30th were celebrated, so I got to go up to the front and choose a toothbrush (lol) and a candybar, and then people got to talk about how much they love me. Haha and Anz Scheurn was one of the first to raise his hand for this one, and he made sure everyone there knew that I'm awesome, a stud, and that he loves me haha. That guy is awesome!

That's awesome that Zac has already made the official decision to go on a mission, and that he has that strong desire! Make sure he knows that our stakes mission prep class is freaking amazing! Way better than mission prep any where else, and if you just study Preach My Gospel like they tell you to, you will have such an incredible advantage in the mission field!

Well, I'm just about all out of time.... So I will just leave you guys with this last testimony that gives me goosebumps everytime I think about it-

<<Behold, I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I have been called of him to declare his word among his people, that they might have everlasting life.>>

I love the people of Italy, they are so awesome! And I love all of you at home, and I hope you are all doing great: staying healthy, going to school, and making good decisions every day! I pray for each one of you every night!

vi voglio bene!

il vostro missionario italiano,

Anziano Bushman