Transfer 2

Today is the beginning of my 2nd transfer in the field! I'm over halfway done with training. At this point last week I wouldn't be able to believe that but this past week I've seen the most growth I've ever had. In everything. 

The week didn't start out great and I wasn't looking forward to it. We had nothing planned to shake up our schedule. No trainings, no big p-day, no going to Milano, not even an exchange. And there was a lot of silence. Hours of it. And I'm not a typically silent person. Don't get me wrong I can enjoy it at times, and I learned to appreciate it more during college. But hours walking around not really talking or not really communicating when things like studies and meals start/end can be hard. It's like I used to always say to Carson "use your words", I'm not a person that likes to communicate in grunts or guessing. But as the week went on I turned my longing to talk into talking to people on the street. Which it should have been from the start. And we saw some amazing miracles. Our goal for the week is 8 finds because last week we exceeded our previous goal and got 7. And in the first day we got 6. People had never talked to us so much. And people seemed genuinely happy after we would teach them about having a prophet today and about what the Book of Mormon is. 

Anyway, the week continued and we'll now arrive at Tuesday. I like Tuesdays because we have district council so I get to see some more missionaries and get to talk to other people. And it shakes things up. We had a good (but long) meeting and after got some pizza (yum). And then we wanted to do a little exchange/blitz in our town. So instead of just the 2 of us we would have 8. And I was put with Anziano Palmer (a different one) a missionary that has been out the same time as me. Now I'm not sure but I think that might not technically be allowed....at least there is a safety zone video about it but I mean I said that and was told it was fine and I trust my survival skills. Anyway we start off and there was a lot of big talk, but not really actually doing anything about it. So finally we starting talking to people. Our first guy we had a very rough ~10 minute conversation. Lots of awkward pauses didn't get anywhere but he was really nice. And we talked to plenty of other people and didn't get to far with them but we were actually communicating, I was impressed. And then I see one girl and I start talking and we end up having a 15 minute conversation, some broken sentences but for the most part we had a full dialog back and forth. Who knew I could describe where our church was, explain that sister missionaries can serve 18 month missions but elders serve 2 years, and answer some other questions. It was a huge confidence boost. So I went to Family Home evening with huge hopes. And I did speak more than ever and yeah it was very broken at times but they said they understood and like to see me wanting to learn more and speak more. I seriously love our ward they are so kind. 

Although sadly I couldn't turn it off when I got home. I just laid in bed for over 2 hours having an inter italian dialog and I just wanted it to stop. I think I woke up trying to conjugate verbs even after I feel asleep. So a blessing and a curse. 

Anyway this p-day was very very actual p-day ish. We went on a bike ride went to a shop owned by a less active. Went to the mall and bought some gloves and a hat to prepare for winter. 

I hadn't prepared a spiritual thought for this email and quickly running out of time so I'll copy and paste what I shared in District Council and if you want to read it you'll have to translate some parts but the quotes are English. And it's really not that much italian because I didn't have time to prepare alot of that either haha:

"Oggi ho studiato le parole del nostro profeta in conferenza generale. Lui dice:

"Dear brothers and sisters, my message to you today is that because Jesus Christ overcame this fallen world, and because He atoned for each of us, you too can overcome this sin-saturated, self-centered, and often exhausting world.

My plea to you this morning is to find rest from the intensity, uncertainty, and anguish of this world by overcoming the world through your covenants with God. Let Him know through your prayers and your actions that you are serious about overcoming the world. Ask Him to enlighten your mind and send the help you need."

Per capire di più ho letto nel libro di mormon [terzo] nefi tredici: dicinove a ventuno 

Dice:

19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and thieves break through and steal;

20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal.

21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

poi ho letto un discorso di Bonnie L. Oscarson. lei dice:

We all need to seek to have our hearts and very natures changed so that we no longer have a desire to follow the ways of the world but to please God. True conversion is a process that takes place over a period of time and involves a willingness to exercise faith. It comes when we search the scriptures instead of the Internet. It comes when we are obedient to the commandments of God. Conversion comes when we serve those around us. It comes from earnest prayer, regular temple attendance, and faithful fulfillment of our God-given responsibilities. It takes consistency and daily effort"

So che se abbiamo fede nel Signore, possiamo trovare pace e riposo. Perchè la fede è la prima cosa che ci aiuta a vincere il mondo. 

Nel nome de Gesù Cristo, amen."

Talk next week! 

-Anziano Puzey

Pics: A bit of the beach from today, The store talked about, My favorite store in town has a picture of Chicago and I never noticed!