Well, last week it seemed like everything was going great, 2 investigators were getting ready for their baptism and things were just up. But, things changed, starting on friday. First thing, i got really sick, just some bad flu or something, and i've been battling that since friday, but, it starting getting better today, so, it should be gone soon. Then, friday evening we went over to Paquale and Angela's house (the two who were getting baptized) and they told us that they didn't want to be baptized because they weren't going to be able to pay the full 10% of the tithing. We talked to them for a while about it relying 100% on the spirit and finally Angela decided to call Bishop, so she did. They spoke for a while as we spoke to Pasquale and Angelas mom (a long time less active member) the mother complained and said that they shouldn't need to pay it and that it wasn't a big deal and she got upset with Bishop and took the phone from Angela and stared arguing with him. Then after about 10 minutes, she got off the phone and we just talked. I felt like saying a few things, so, i did. I told them that i dont know how they are going to get the money to pay tithing or how they will be able to be supported. But that God does, and that he has made us a promise, that if we pay the titihing, that we will be supported, and not only supported, but rewarded in ways that we cant immagine. Also that God cant lye, and that they need to put him to the test and experiment on his words, and that Satan is doing all that he can right now to put you down and push you away from this baptism becuase he knows how much this is going to bless and change your lives. Then Angela said, okay, lets get baptized tomorrow, lets put him to the test, but Pasquale was not sure. Anyways, we left with a prayer and we told them to think and pray about it.

The next day, as we were making preperations for the baptism, we called them to make sure that everything was well and they said no. They said that God doesnt need this money and that we dont want to be baptized.

This absolutely killed me inside. I couldn't honestly beleive that it was over and that they were not going to be baptized. I got down and prayed and asked Heavenly Father why? why this had to be? We had prayed our hearts out for weeks and fasted many times for them, and they had overcome so much to be at this point. But then i started praying th God to have Pasquale and Angela feel the absense of the spirit and the need of this church in their lives... This definitely was one of the saddest, most disappointing moments of my life. Then i read a letter that dad sent me when i left home to go to the MTC that remined me to not get discouraged and to get right back up and work. So, thats what i tried to do, and it was tough. But, I just said to myself over and over again that they will get baptized sometime, i dont know when, but they will.

Tuesday morning, we went to church to talk to Bishiop and he was crying... He said that that Pasquale and Angela want to be baptized. YES!! wow, i cannot describe at all how i was feeling there, it was awesome!! So, last night we went to their house with bishop and we talked about some things and they would be getting baptized this saturday, but, we have conference, so, next week we'll do it.

Never lose the Faith!

I love you all,
Anziano Lane

Alrighty, its been a pretty weird week. I'll first start out by talking about Caterina and Luca... Caterina's been doing really good and she just hit the ground running when she got baptized, however, this week, we got news from Luca, and it wasn't good, he told us that he hates the church, the Joseph Smith wasn't a profet and that the book of Mormon comes from the adversary and a bunch of bad stuff, he said that the word of wisdom is false and that before he baptized Caterina that he had still been using drugs and he baptized her unworthily and he lied to Bishop during the interview for the baptism. So, pretty bad, and he convinced Caterina to fall away as well, and from what we knew as of saturday, they were long gone from the church. Then me and my companion did a fast for them and monday we got word from Caterina that she prayed and read a few scriptures and the spirit told her that this church is the true church of Jesus Christ, and she is back!!! Man i am pumped!! So, that was good. Also on Monday, me and the District Leader went to Pasquale and Angela's house and he interivewed them for baptism and the did good, the only problem is Pasquale is still smoking 2 cigarettes a day and he needs to be cleared by the baptism. He told us that he would try to stop on tuesday and by the baptism for sure he would be done with smoking, so, we're praying for him and Angela so that they can be ready for their day on Saturday. They are incredible, their spirits are so strong and they really are ready for their day. I love them so much. We also got a few referrals from the mission office and the assistants, so, we're excited about that. Not much else is going on over here, we're doing a ton of finding and just working. Yesterday we saw 4 jets fly above us that were going to Libya, they left from italy apparantly. Today, we're going to San Giovanni Rotondo, which is where Padre Pio is. He died about 50 years ago, i think, and he's some false profet that the catholics beleive in. Its really funny, btw, Catholics beleive in the bible and the bible says clearly, like 10 times, beware of false profets in the last days, who will work might works, but, apparantly, they accepted him and according to them, he paid the price of 1/3 of our sins, while Christ another 1/3 and Mary the other 1/3... (Only in Italy.. haha) well, we'll go check that out today. Ciao tutti, Vi voglio un sacco di bene, buona settimana. from your Anziano

okay, last wednesday when we played golf, some old guy picked us up and took us to his practice range, it was nothing great, and we had some cheapy clubs to use, all irons were grafite shafts and the balls were pretty cruddy, but, it was golf, and i loved it! The guy also put in 4 holes, so we went out on his course and we played the four holes, each was about 350 yards except 1 par 3. I was striking the ball pretty well for not playing in 8 months. It was a lot of fun. Then these 2 rich guys came out and started playing with us, they had pro bags and nice mizunos, but, awesful golfers. They own the McDonald's here in Foggia, and it was funny, they thought that i was like a pro, so they want to take us to a nice golf course down in the Bari area, but, i dont know if we can do it. They also invited us over to lunch today, so, we'll see them later, but, one of the guys doesnt have any interest in the church, and when we see him today, we'll share a message with him, and if he doesnt want it, we'll tell the guy we cant see him any more, b/c our purpose here in italy is not to play golf...

As far as the work, we did a ton of finding this week and we're going to try to start working a lot more with members, we just need to get more investigators because as of right now, we have 2, i wanted to drop the others because they weren't progressing, so, these 2 are great, they have baptisimal dates on the 27th of March and they are a young married couple. The man is trying to quit smoking and coffee. We gave him a program that is great and we're putting all of our faith in God to help this guy. They have a young 1 and a half year old girl and previously they have had 3 miscarriages, so, this little girl is a miracle and the parents want this girl to have a hopeful future and they have tesimonies that this church will give her what she needs. They're awesome!!

Yesterday we had a zone conference and we talked about working with members more and getting them involved in the work, because as members, we are inclined to be missionaries as well. We have that responsibility to always share the gospel, not just as misisonaries. And we cant deny a friend or aquaintance from the possiblitly of accepting the gospel, we cant choose for them, so we need to give them that chance. This member misisonary work is something that i've been big on ever since i was with Anziano Wood and even before with the missionaries in Sweden. It works. Then after conference i got to talk with Anziano Nelson from down in Sicily, just over the phone. It was pretty cool, he's doing good.

Well, thats about it, not much else happened this week, we're going to keep working hard and we'll find some more investigators pretty soon i feel and hopefully Pasquale and Angela (the couple) will be able to continue pushing hard and they will be baptized on their scheduled date.

Anziano Packer broke a glass cabinet here at the internet shop a few minutes ago on accident and the people here in the shop are freaking out, even though its not a big deal, but, whatever, i think he needs to pay for it, they're taking all of his information and its like a CSI case, rediculous. Anyways, hope you all have a good week. Just be happy, and if you're not happy, smile and then you will become happy.. I dont know how it works, but it just does.
ciao, vi voglio bene

okay, last wednesday when we played golf, some old guy picked us up and took us to his practice range, it was nothing great, and we had some cheapy clubs to use, all irons were grafite shafts and the balls were pretty cruddy, but, it was golf, and i loved it! The guy also put in 4 holes, so we went out on his course and we played the four holes, each was about 350 yards except 1 par 3. I was striking the ball pretty well for not playing in 8 months. It was a lot of fun. Then these 2 rich guys came out and started playing with us, they had pro bags and nice mizunos, but, awesful golfers. They own the McDonald's here in Foggia, and it was funny, they thought that i was like a pro, so they want to take us to a nice golf course down in the Bari area, but, i dont know if we can do it. They also invited us over to lunch today, so, we'll see them later, but, one of the guys doesnt have any interest in the church, and when we see him today, we'll share a message with him, and if he doesnt want it, we'll tell the guy we cant see him any more, b/c our purpose here in italy is not to play golf...

As far as the work, we did a ton of finding this week and we're going to try to start working a lot more with members, we just need to get more investigators because as of right now, we have 2, i wanted to drop the others because they weren't progressing, so, these 2 are great, they have baptisimal dates on the 27th of March and they are a young married couple. The man is trying to quit smoking and coffee. We gave him a program that is great and we're putting all of our faith in God to help this guy. They have a young 1 and a half year old girl and previously they have had 3 miscarriages, so, this little girl is a miracle and the parents want this girl to have a hopeful future and they have tesimonies that this church will give her what she needs. They're awesome!!

Yesterday we had a zone conference and we talked about working with members more and getting them involved in the work, because as members, we are inclined to be missionaries as well. We have that responsibility to always share the gospel, not just as misisonaries. And we cant deny a friend or aquaintance from the possiblitly of accepting the gospel, we cant choose for them, so we need to give them that chance. This member misisonary work is something that i've been big on ever since i was with Anziano Wood and even before with the missionaries in Sweden. It works. Then after conference i got to talk with Anziano Nelson from down in Sicily, just over the phone. It was pretty cool, he's doing good.

Well, thats about it, not much else happened this week, we're going to keep working hard and we'll find some more investigators pretty soon i feel and hopefully Pasquale and Angela (the couple) will be able to continue pushing hard and they will be baptized on their scheduled date.

Anziano Packer broke a glass cabinet here at the internet shop a few minutes ago on accident and the people here in the shop are freaking out, even though its not a big deal, but, whatever, i think he needs to pay for it, they're taking all of his information and its like a CSI case, rediculous. Anyways, hope you all have a good week. Just be happy, and if you're not happy, smile and then you will become happy.. I dont know how it works, but it just does.
ciao, vi voglio bene

Not too much happened this week, but, i want to share an experience i had, a learning experience..

Friday afternoon me and Anziano Packer were doing some finding work andi wnted to go to an apartment building saw and knock doors. So, we did, the door was opened and we just went in (normally theres an intercom and someone needs to let us in). As we walked up the steps, a lady told us to leave the building, so, we did, and we just started rining the intercom of everyone that lives there. After about 5 rings, some guy came out of the door and he told us to leave, i said no, because he cant choose for the other 100 poeple that live there,he can ony choose for himself, so i kept ringing the intercom of different people and this guy was not leaving me alone. He told me to leaveagain, then my companion tld me that we shoul go and i said no again because we have the rigt to b there and that guy had n right to tell us to go, all wewere doing was ringing the intercoms, but, he got out an walked up to me, this 70 year old guy and he said, im going to hurt you, and i knd of laughed to myself but i said, yu're going to hurt a servant of the Lord Jesus Christ and he said yes... so net thing i knew, i got whacked in the back of myhead by a 70 year old man with a Padre Pio pole. I cannot tell you how angry i was. I turned around, saw he was trying to hit me again, so i grabbed his arm, looked into his eyes, and i was about to do something really dumb, but as i looked at him, i just couldn't do it, especially as arepresenative of Christ, but, i said some things and we left.

Me an Anz Packer went and did another apartment building and we had to say a prayer because there was no spirit and i felt really angry, so we did,and i apologized tomy companion, he was a little scared i think, but, i was a strange night.

Other than that, theres not much new here in Foggia, we're trying to get some new investigators because we lost of ofour baptisimal dates because the guy is gay and he was not meeting with us for the gospel, so, he's gone, but, we do have some potential now and we're working really hard to get some new investigators because we need them, and we know that there are people here in Foggia that are praying to find the truth, people who are searching for it, and we're going to find them and baptize them.

Now me and my companion are going to go golf, or practice at least, there's a place about 10 miles away and we are getting picked up by the guy who owns it. Im excited, havent golfed in 8 months.

Ci vedremo e vi voglio un sacco di bene! buona settimana

Its been a recovery week. I tried to completely forget about the passing of Grant and i tried to focus only on the work, and it helped a little bit...
Anyways, not much happened this week out of the ordinary, our investigators are doing okay. I really wanted to drop 4 of them last week because i just wasn't doing good, i wasn't happy and it was just bad, and to make things worse, they weren't progressing, so, i just didn't want to deal with them any longer, but, on sunday, me and anziano Packer decided to give them another lesson and chance and, so we did, with 2 of the 4, we set a baptisimal date and they seem to be sincere, but, the other 2, i dont know, i want to drop them, but anziano Packer doesn't, so, if they dont start making progress within the next week, we'll let them go, because there are people here in Foggia who are ready, and searching for the true church of God, as we read in D&C 123. They just dont know where to find it. So, i really want to go out and find those who are ready, and who are will ing to make changes in their lives. That's pretty much it as far as the work is concerned...
I've been thinking lately, alot about the importance of Christ in our lives..
With Adam and Eve in the garden, they were immortal, they were with God, however, they couldn't have children and they didn't have a knowledge, but, after the fall, they became mortal, they could not stay in the presence of God, but, they could have children and they had a knowledge of good and evil. Our Savior came into the world to redeem all mankind, because of the atonement, we will become immortal someday, and we will live with our Father in Heaven and our Savior iand our families in a glorified state of happiness.
This is incredible, this life doesn't end after death, it continues. We dont need to worry, we dont need to be angry. This is all part of the Plan of Salvation, the perfect plan from the perfect being. This life is only one tiny part of his plan, times out love you all