February 27, 2008

Buongiorno Tutti! I am doing well. We got our transfer calls on monday at 1:15. I am staying another transfer here with Anziano Breen. Anziano Funk who has been here for 8 months is going to Pescara which is on the other side of Italy on the coast. Anziano Silva, our district leader is staying and is training! yeah! I am so excited. We dont know who it is going to be yet but we know that it is either: Elder Bryant (from Mesa), Elder Mondragon (from South Jordan), or Elder Middleton (from Sandy). We think it is going to be Anziano Middleton but we have no idea. Anziano Breen and I are going to deck out the room and make signs that say WELCOME TO OSTIA and things like that. Guess who is the new AP? Anziano Scoville! My Babbo/trainer. I am so excited. I am super excited to see him again. He will be great. Such a stud he is. Well, everything is going well. I am learning a lot. I have learned many times that the ways we become stronger are through our trials. They are blessings in disquize. We have them for a reason. Our role is to find out the reason, to accept it and learn from it. If we dont do this, then we are just going through pain and heartache but if we accept it and make the best of it we gain so much that we cant gain in other ways. The mission president before President Acerson was here, President Rhein, said that our lives are full of hills and valleys. We are either on the top of the highest hill or in the bottom pit of the lost valley. Through the gospel of Jesus Christ he can help us get to the next hill-- to the next mountain. It isnt determined how long we will be in the valley-- we determine how long it will take us, whether we rely on our Savior or whether we try to do it on our own. I have experienced that these past couple of days. This morning i had a great personal study and a very heart felt prayer. I know that he is lifting me up and strengthening me. When we dont have the energy to go on He aids us as much as we have need and then we have to push and give it all our might. i know that He loves each and every one of us. I do not just say that. I know. I really do. I see every day people who are being helped by the Lord when they trust him and put themselves in his hands. So often we draw ourselves away from his love and then we blame him for our misery and heartache but really he is always there with arms wide waiting to embrace us. I hope you know that and realize that. I have also learned a lot this week about Repentance and Forgiveness. Forgiveness is not just for big wrongs done but for every tiny thing. I need to forgive more and when i do i am so much happier. Sorry if i am blabbing, but i felt that i needed to share that. I love you. Have a great week and remember the things that are most important, those things will bring you the greatest joy. Love, Anziano Brewster