Hey Summer.. Want To Play Me?

Dear family and friends,

Why you so sweaty? I've been practicing. Practicing what. Some dance moves.

Easter was bitter but sweet. I suppose it was an Easter where I really got to appreciate Jesus Christ for his sacrifice. It was more applicable. So Easter was pretty good.

Nothing really happens here. It's extremely slow. There is a reason why there are only thirteen members here. But yeah we found the Albanian guy I talked about. The two things we mostly have been doing is passing out the Easter pass along cards. And talking to people at the station. So that's what we've been up to.

Fabio. Who is a younger guy who I saw miss his train. After a bit of time I went and talked to him. He was extremely nice. He works in Bologna and was going to be late to work because he missed his train. I talked to him about religion and it was something he cared about. I told him he was awesome for that because most younger people don't care. And he agreed with me on both accounts. We gave him a Book of Mormon. And we got his number. Really cool guy. He had these tattoos which goes to show don't judge the book by the cover.

We found a referral to Bologna. This guy from Bangladesh. He has been here in Italy for six years and is a metal mechanic. He is Hindu. Which is unusual. Most people from Bangladesh are Muslim. We talked about the Book of Mormon etc. And we gave him a copy and got his number for Bologna. He was pretty nice.

Last guy was a younger guy studying in Urbino. He is studying fashion advertising more or less. I didn't know when I first started talking to him. I'm not too experienced with this. But he's gay. We also gave him a Book of Mormon and got his number. And we'll maybe go see him. Everyone needs Jesus, the gospel, whether they know it or not. But yeah that's all the tiny success' we had this week. Nothing to write home about. (That was a joke. But yeah not much happens here. And I wasn't allowed to be outside longer to do more so here we are).

We ate with the Peruvian family. Thanias family and Woret. They had four different courses. The first was this Peruvian cold water vegetable dish that was spicy. Which was different for me. The next was a potato sandwich with celery and tuna in the middle. Then there was lasagna which was really good. And then rice and chicken. Peruvians know how to cook. We ate with them for Easter and it was Woret's birthday last week.

I gave a talk about the fall of Adam brings spiritual and physical death. Kind of a hopeless talk. But if we understand how bad that is. We'll understand and have more appreciation for Jesus. Basically I explained how we can't ignore God because... Because of Adam we can choose right from wrong. And when we choose the wrong that's sin. None of us are perfect and sometimes we sin. Even if I'm a really good person and I change and don't do bad things anymore. I still have sins in the past. And sometimes I still mess up a little bit. Not winning more makes if we have a white shirt not more dirty. But it's still dirty from the past. We need a completely white shirt to return to God. Because he's perfect and is completely clean. We need a way to clean the shirt. Which is Jesus. He's the washing machine that we have to use to clean our shirt. In this example. So we can't run away from God or these things we all need it. My talk went pretty good.

I'm doing alright. Trust God. Thanks for the love and support.

Hey what were you doing again last summer. I went up to Alaska hunting wolverines.

I salute you,
Anziano Gridley

Do Not Panic.. We Simply Require That You Hand Over To Us Your Goods... Or Your Lives.

Dear family and friends,

I am a pirate. Why can't you accept that?

Elder Christofferson came to Italy last week. He came to our stake the stake of Florence to attend the stake conference. He and his wife talked as well as one of the seventy who is Italian. It was spectacular. Just what I needed. I feel so much better after stake conference. Which also happens after church recently. I've liked those things more just cause I feel so good after words. I took some notes I'll share those.

Faith is good with clear precise actions. Only when we follow the commandments and change our will do we see a change. Open our hearts when we pray. The Spirit accepted your sacrifice. Pray for the stake presidency = blessings. We have a new start every stake conference and general conference. Someone who really repents puts aside his sins. Is willing to be obedient to God. When we go to church / temple we offer a better person a repentant person a humble person, we give that instead of a "sacrifice". We should look inside ourselves and see what we can do. He hoped we felt we were a worthy sacrifice. When we go to the temple or church, we leave our burdens outside, and then when we leave we pick them back up again and they are the same, but we are stronger, we feel we can do it. He talked about fathers. I want to make my father proud. He blessed us with strength, with enough to sustain us and a little extra strength so we can help others. When we pray sometimes God helps us in different ways, but we can trust he will help us in the best way for us. If we remain faithful to him his grace will be enough. Jesus Christ loves you.
Firenze was super cool. We got to see a little bit before we had to take a train back to pesaro. The members didn't have room in their cars to take us. So we took three freccia Rosas. And another good train. It was awesome. My only problem with those is that they don't want you talking too much. It's meant to be quiet. It was an amazing conference.

Maurizio has been doing okayish. We are trying to help him gradually to quit smoking and follow the word of wisdom. He wants to quit A. to save money. B. It's not good for him. To save money is not going to be strong enough. Recently we tried a few things to help him. We helped him buy gum which he was chewing a lot instead of smoking. He went two days without smoking. Part of which was due to the gum and the fact he had no money. But he hasn't done that in a very long time. And then he smoked three cigarettes. We created rules and a goal for him now. The rules. I won't write them word for word. But he's supposed to follow the following. To not go over the goal. And if he wants to he is to call us first. And to call us before doing anything stupid. The goal right now is 2 cigarettes a day and one coffee a day. Which is decently reasonable. When he called us to let us know he had smoked three cigarettes. The first thing he said was that he sinned. He said he didn't call us before because he knew the answer to what we would say. Don't smoke three. If he isn't willing to follow this stuff I'm not sure if we can help him.

We met with a less active lady from Peru. She is about thirty and is very nice. Anziano Reyes and her joke around a lot. She is very small. She was baptized in Peru when she was younger. She was forced to be baptized by the missionaries. Which I guess was a thing in South America a long time ago. Which is not good (don't do that Kyler (btw ciao is spelled ciao. Italian is a very serious language). But she has been coming to church every once in a while here in Italy. She doesn't really have a testimony and has lots of doubts. I was very sure with her when we talked. And she said she thought I was very solid with what I said. She was very nice. We got the best gelato ever after we had talked. Hopefully her testimony will grow and she'll be able to know the truth.

I ran into an Albanian the other day. For those of you who have watched taken. The crazy guys are Albanian. If you know Albanians in makes sense. They are pretty wild. It's awesome. This younger guy twenty-one I think has been here in Italy about a year. He is here with his older brother because his brother has cancer. They are waiting for help so he can have an operation. We were right by the sea and I saw the rocks that are right poking up on the water and I wanted to know how to say that in Italian. So I asked my Albanian friend. He said he didn't know and asked me how to say it in English. I'm still not sure how to say it in English. So it was not a very though through question. Some missionaries asked a while ago. What's a good way to start a conversation with a stranger. The answer. It doesn't matter. What matters is what happens after the conversation starts. But he has seen missionaries in Albania and he has some potential. We got his number and we'll hopefully see him again if anything to help him a bit with English. But more for the spiritual. He's just busy taking care of his brother.

I did a training on chastity. I included the best charity things from the scriptures etc. Charity is super great. As we learn from mother bear.
What is charity?

9 Now, it came to pass that when I had heard these words I began to feel a desire for the welfare of my brethren, the Nephites; wherefore, I did pour out my whole soul unto God for them.
10 And while I was thus struggling in the spirit, behold, the voice of the Lord came into my mind again, saying: I will visit thy brethren according to their diligence in keeping my commandments. I have given unto them this land, and it is a holy land; and I curse it not save it be for the cause of iniquity; wherefore, I will visit thy brethren according as I have said; and their transgressions will I bring down with sorrow upon their own heads.
11 And after I, Enos, had heard these words, my faith began to be unshaken in the Lord; and I prayed unto him with many long strugglings for my brethren, the Lamanites.
12 And it came to pass that after I had prayed and labored with all diligence, the Lord said unto me: I will grant unto thee according to thy desires, because of thy faith.
13 And now behold, this was the desire which I desired of him--that if it should so be, that my people, the Nephites, should fall into transgression, and by any means be destroyed, and the Lamanites should not be destroyed, that the Lord God would preserve a record of my people, the Nephites; even if it so be by the power of his holy arm, that it might be brought forth at some future day unto the Lamanites, that, perhaps, they might be brought unto salvation--
14 For at the present our strugglings were vain in restoring them to the true faith. And they swore in their wrath that, if it were possible, they would destroy our records and us, and also all the traditions of our fathers.
15 Wherefore, I knowing that the Lord God was able to preserve our records, I cried unto him continually, for he had said unto me: Whatsoever thing ye shall ask in faith, believing that ye shall receive in the name of Christ, ye shall receive it.
16 And I had faith, and I did cry unto God that he would preserve the records; and he covenanted with me that he would bring them forth unto the Lamanites in his own due time.
17 And I, Enos, knew it would be according to the covenant which he had made; wherefore my soul did rest.
18 And the Lord said unto me: Thy fathers have also required of me this thing; and it shall be done unto them according to their faith; for their faith was like unto thine

What are some of the biggest things that can be given that are charitable?

33 And again, I remember that thou hast said that thou hast loved the world, even unto the laying down of thy life for the world, that thou mightest take it again to prepare a place for the children of men.
34 And now I know that this love which thou hast had for the children of men is charity; wherefore, except men shall have charity they cannot inherit that place which thou hast prepared in the mansions of thy Father.
35 Wherefore, I know by this thing which thou hast said, that if the Gentiles have not charity, because of our weakness, that thou wilt prove them, and take away their talent, yea, even that which they have received, and give unto them who shall have more abundantly.
36 And it came to pass that I prayed unto the Lord that he would give unto the Gentiles grace, that they might have charity.
37 And it came to pass that the Lord said unto me: If they have not charity it mattereth not unto thee, thou hast been faithful; wherefore, thy garments shall be made clean. And because thou hast seen thy weakness thou shalt be made strong, even unto the sitting down in the place which I have prepared in the mansions of my Father. (Ether 12)

How do we show charity.?

20 Wherefore, there must be faith; and if there must be faith there must also be hope; and if there must be hope there must also be charity.
21 And except ye have charity ye can in nowise be saved in the kingdom of God; neither can ye be saved in the kingdom of God if ye have not faith; neither can ye if ye have no hope. (Moroni 10)

44 If so, his faith and hope is vain, for none is acceptable before God, save the meek and lowly in heart; and if a man be meek and lowly in heart, and confesses by the power of the Holy Ghost that Jesus is the Christ, he must needs have charity; for if he have not charity he is nothing; wherefore he must needs have charity.
45 And charity suffereth long, and is kind, and envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, and rejoiceth not in iniquity but rejoiceth in the truth, beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
46 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, if ye have not charity, ye are nothing, for charity never faileth. Wherefore, cleave unto charity, which is the greatest of all, for all things must fail--
47 But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him.
48 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure. Amen. (Moroni 7)

28 Behold, I will show unto the Gentiles their weakness, and I will show unto them that faith, hope and charity bringeth unto me--the fountain of all righteousness. (Ether 12)

8 And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.
9 Use hospitality one to another without grudging.
10 As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. (1 Peter 4)

2 That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience. (Titus 2)

10 But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,
11 Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me. (2 Timothy 3)

22 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. (2 Timothy 2)

1 Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth. (1 Corinthians 8)

13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity. (1 Corinthians 13)

Who can we show charity to? Who is more important?

Charity

The highest, noblest, strongest kind of love, not merely affection; the pure love of Christ. It is never used to denote alms or deeds of benevolence, although it may be a prompting motive (1 Cor. 8:1; 13:1–4, 8; 13; 14:1; Moro. 7:47).

16 Behold, I say unto you that because I said unto you that I had spent my days in your service, I do not desire to boast, for I have only been in the service of God.
17 And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.
18 Behold, ye have called me your king; and if I, whom ye call your king, do labor to serve you, then ought not ye to labor to serve one another?

19 ¶There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:
20 And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,
21 And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.
22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;
23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.
25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.
26 And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.
27 Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father’s house:
28 For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.
29 Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.
30 And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.
31 And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead

31 ¶When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:
32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:
33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
42 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:
43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.
44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?
45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.
46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal

19 I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first. (Revelation 2)

For finding. We need to be finding more. We need to use time wisely. With this the time needs to be quality or it also doesn't work.

Treat people like a friend. Try something else. Less time. But I did more finding with some companions. If I'm outside for an hour I'm going to get a lesson in that hour. Quantity and quality of people talked to. For me strada (Street contacting) has worked some but it is really hard if

Have a great week.

We can patch her up, there is hardly a scratch.

I hailo,
Anziano Gridley

Tell Me Before You Do Something Stupid. That's the Rule.

Dear family and friends,

By the sea Mr told that's the life I covet you. You and me in a house that we almost own down by the sea. Anything you say. Wouldn't that. Be smashing.

Pesaro is a nice place on the sea side. It's a bit smaller of a city. Like Vercelli status. There are quite a lot of Jehovah witnesses here in Pesaro. We have really crummy bikes. Which is fun. But we have super sick helmets. The best helmets ever. So I guess you got to pick your battles. There are generally about twelve members in church each Sunday. Which is by far the smallest I've ever been to. Or I guess in Trento there were twenty-something. But still. A good portion of the members here are from Peru. I've been trying to bring up my Spanish. Peruvian food is really good.

Anziano Reyes is my companion. He is really awesome. His mom is from Porto Rico. And his dad is from Mexico. So he speaks Spanish and is from Orem, Utah. He knows Lindsey. He likes to joke a lot. But is really nice when he wants to be.

Selheni is a new convert here in Pesaro. She is from Peru. We have met with her twice since I've been here. She and Anziano Reyes joke around with each other quite a bit.

Maurizio is an investigator that I think Anziano Delgado told me about. Over a year ago. He has had a very hard time with addictions. They have taken over his life in the past and have not rewarded him well. A couple years ago he was very depressed so he cut his hands off and tried to die. But he is still alive and his hands are sewn back on with minimal use. It's pretty sad. He is an example of what happens if we give into addictions long enough. It just steals everything. He is trying to quit now and we are trying to help him. But it's a hard thing. We have been spending a fair bit of time with him but hopefully something will give here soon with him.

We are teaching a younger guy now Jesus. He is from Peru. He is about fourteen years old. He has come to church about eight times. He met the missionaries by the English class. He is preparing to be baptized. He is really humble and thoughtful. Basically one of those prime people you meet. He really likes clash of clans. He is level 54. I'm not sure if that's better than Jacob. But anyways. He should be getting baptized here pretty soon.

President di Nuzzo is the branch president here in Pesaro. He is very nice. He is a lawyer for the Italy IRS. He is single. He comes to the English class. And he has us over every Tuesday. Saturday he invited us and an investigator named Moret to go on a small trip with him. We went on a mountain in Russia and then went to a city called Urbino. Urbino is where Raphael the painter and turtle were born. We got to go in a castle and all of the old city is still there. It was pretty great. It's really nice here in Pesaro. The members really like the missionaries and are really involved. We had dinner with President last night and it was really good. He had the tv on in the background. And I was humbled by the tv. I've still got a while to go to be fluent. We normally don't watch tv or music so I'm a bit weaker in that way with the language.

Moret is the guy who we went on the small trip with. He is from Peru. His sister is a member that is not the best example for her brother.. He works a lot and is pretty tired. He really likes photography. We got to go see him on Sunday the day after we went on the short trip and we got to talk to him etc. He's got potential.

I see you Johanna.. Do they think that walls can hide you. Even now I'm at your window. I am in the dark beside you. Johanna. And are you beautiful with hair. With yellow hair like wheat. Is want you beautiful and pale. The way I dreamed you were Johanna.

I greet you,
Anziano Gridley

All Hail Anziano Razor. A Sith Lord.

Dear family and friends,

Do it you won't.

Guess what I just got to do. I just rode in a red nimbus two thousand.. It was incredible. I'm traveling from Vicenza to Pesaro. My new home. I rode a Freccia Rosa.

Which is pretty much the nicest train in Italy. I didn't get to cherish the experience like I would have liked to. But I will never forget being a wizard for twenty minutes. Now I'm on a less nice train heading Ancora to Pesaro. This city is south of Vicenza about three hours. It's as south as Florence. But east by the coast. I'm not talking to anyone now so I can write a bit. I have been packing and trying to clean up the house as much as possible for the new missionary. We are doing transfers on pday so they can't blame me for not having everything perfect.

Anziano Esmay and me played settlers of Katan quite a bit this last transfer. Normal game. But first one to 25 points. He beat me a few times but we haven't played since last weeks one game because he was tired of it. There was one game that was the best game. In this form of settlers you have to be able to build enough to get 25 points and if you can't build enough no matter what you lose. Anziano Esmay was totally destroying me. He had twice as much of everything as I did. I almost stopped playing two times cause it was embarrassing. I was losing so bad it didn't even hurt. But I kept being very specific with what I did as I could only do half as much as him.. I focused on getting a good hold of the map and getting cards instead of expansion because I was losing so bad. I ended up beating him because he could only get 24 points and then 22 points later. The lesson was. Even if I can't do a ton. It's more about how I do things. How I live my life. And I can still beat someone with twice as much opportunity. It was just so odd I won that it was awesome.



Hielo has made some great improvements. He had his interview with president Dibb and he did great. He should be getting baptized on the 19th of March. He is one of the coolest guys I got to work with because he changed so much. He changed from a more shady life to a life of God. Obviously he isn't baptized yet etc. But he has progressed a lot. He shows that we should not judge. Because if I had know his cover story up till that point. I probably would have talked to someone else at the park. We got really close to each other before I left and I hope everything works out for him. He took us out last week to an African restaurant. I wasn't feeling so good so it was less good. But he paid for us even though he doesn't have a lot etc.

The future is as bright as your faith.. Is a quote from Thomas s Monson. That I've been liken.

Onyeka's friend, Samuel is doing really good. He came to church for the first time and said that this is exactly wants as a church and has been making amazing progress since. The power of member work is incredible. It wasn't very hard for Onyeka to help Samuel. But it has the potential to really help Samuel's life now. And now Samuel introduced us to his friend Gabriel. And we have a big growing from it that could be great. This is mainly how our success was in Vicenza. We found someone who then their friend joined the church. Then their friend joined the church. And we have it happen one more time. On the other hand we have Hielo's friends. Who are not good guys who caused him some heart ache a bit ago. He can [have] whatever friends he wants as long as they aren't influencing him for bad. Friends have a powerful effect. If we want to help others we have to first make more friends and then help those friends.

We went and ate with Godwin and Yike last week. It was really good. I learned how they make fufu etc. I could maybe make it if I tried. It's harder than it looks. I'm going to miss a lot of these people here in Vicenza. And then last week we went to the gym after football with Godwin, Boyobo, and Sylvester..

 Onyeka and silver are baptized.. That's something super exciting and happy. They both have done everything we asked and were baptized. Really humble and awesome guys. We went and ate sushi with them and brother green and a convert from Mali after the baptisms. Onyeka said his baptism day was the best day of his life. Silver and Onyeka bore his testimony I translated into Italian for both. For Brother Green translated from French to English and then I translated into Italian from English. Christian gave a last hour (minute) talk that I helped him write. He did an example of the pen for the gift of the Holy Ghost but he was supposed to use his hat that he had. He left his hat in the other room when he did his talk. Hahaha. I could see him scared for half a second and then he did the example anyways without his hat.

Paris came to church for the first time this last week. So that was an accomplishment for me. It's interesting with him. He can handle things blunt and he needs directness because he talks so much etc. So I tell him exactly what he needs to do In a blunt-loving way.

I gave My testimony in sacrament meeting to kind of say good bye. My voice was cracking like I was crying the whole bloody testimony. I had to think very carefully what I wanted to say because I only had so much time to speak before my voice would shut off. I don't think I cried but boy I sounded like that one guy. I'm still a tough guy. It's a sign to me of how church and God has changed me if even a bit. I wasn't capable of that a couple of years ago. It also shows me how much I do really care about some of the people at Vicenza.

We had a night with brother Leach where we had Christian and Onyeka come over to his house for the evening. Onyeka went with brother Leach to stake conference and it was brought up brother leach lives next to someone who possibly could give Onyeka a job. Onyeka really wanted to meet with Brother Leach. We watched the short restoration film and then we talked about the importance of a testimony. I've been trying my best to help these guys be long time member material. Brother Leach made some really good food with his crock pot.

I feel a lot of joy and happiness for what went well this transfer but I feel so much regret and sorrow for what I have done wrong and how I have failed so hardcore and so many times.. If I dwelt on it I would be eaten up like I was in the past. Now I dwell on it enough to help me improve and then I focus on the good and I'm happy. The secret is acknowledging the bad. Learn from it. And then forget.. But if I do think about it too much I feel like I'm going to get swallowed up.. I let myself down and my companion and some people down in Vicenza this last transfer. I can't give up and raise the white flag. I'm not supposed to. But at the same time I can't just fix things over night. As the font was filling Samuel said that it was filling gradual. And just like everything most things are gradual..

I talked to a guy named Dimitri the other day on a train. He works in a hotel in Padova. He is from Surbia but has been in Italy a long time. He was really nice and one of the humble people you occasionally meet especially if they aren't African. We had a nice conversation. He believes in God but not the church. Which fits perfectly with my church. At the end of the day we want performance. But if we are set up for victory once in a while you while get it etc. So I've been trying to set others up for victory. The performance is important. As is the preparation.

One of the things the branch in Vicenza wants from the Africans is self reliance and teaching that principle. I explained to them that in the church I have a lot of experience. For the new converts they are still baby's in that way. You don't ask a baby to do too much. You help the baby grow and sure you may want the baby to be a bit more self reliant. But obviously what is fair is if the adult gives more and then the child gives what they can. Same principle with God. I'm glad God doesn't shoot me down all the time. Just to teach me self reliance. I try to help others grow but it is my job to make sure I'm self reliant and doing my part not to worry about others. With example with Christian he is so much stronger than he was when I first met him. He is so much more happy and he is now a man of God. He wasn't when I first met him. The gospel and church changes people. Sometimes you have to give more so that they can grow and then be able to handle being self reliant. It's a tricky subject that I hope my boys figure out.


Corre. corre. Batman. La forza per tre.  (Run, Run Batman.  The force for Three)

I greet you,
Anziano Gridley

The best email you ever did see

The boy who cried wolf..

Hey I don't have a ton of time today to write.. But I will send lots of videos... Things are looking up.. I will write a bigger email next week.. The future is as bright as your faith.. I care about y'all.. Have a great week.

Anziano Gridley