September 24, 2008

I have seen countless miracles these past 2 days and i know that i am called of God and he guides this work. Two days ago we ran, trying to catch the train and there we met members from Spain who are actually from Argentina. We spoke in english, which they knew a little of. It was so great because they went to visit his relatives who are not members. They were able to do a lot of missionary work and now they have my number and email address. They were telling me that they had a lot of opposition trying to go on this trip because the advesary knew what a great difference it would do. It was a miracle that we met because they missed their first train, thanks to the hand of the Lord. That made my day, seeing them. I know that Jesus Lives and guides this Church.

September 17, 2008

I learned this week to admit my faults, that that is the first step to humility and to change. We have investigators that are really wanting to know the truth for themselves. We had 5 in church. 2 adults and 3 kids. It was wonderful because i havent been able to bring an investigator in church since i arrived. We also have an activity this wednesday and friends and investigators are going to come. Yeah! I have to prepare a dolce, as usual. I am famous here for my brownies and cheesecake... and giving peanut butter. If you could send some more there would be very happy investigators. I love you dad. I dont say that enough. I hope that all is going so well. I know that God answers prayers. I have seen it, when i thought that it probably wouldnt happen. I was in Napoli for a scambio (exchange) and it was incredible. But one experience i had was watching the restoration in tagolog with an inactive sister and her friends/relatives. She went out to see something outside or talk with someone and i was praying so hard that she would come in for the first vision and it was answered. She walked in right when it started. I am learning so much and am changing. I love the power of repentance and the ability to change only with the help of the Lord. I love you! I will definately pray for you all. Love, Elder Brewster

September 10, 2008

This week i had 2 scambis (exchanges). One with Elder Garofalo and one with Elder Hoopes. Elder Hoopes is exactly like Braxton. Identical. With double the energy. Ha ha I know it seems impossible, but no... i am dead serious. From elder Garofalo i learned how important it is to teach with authority, love and how to read exactly what they need to be taught. I learned that i cant teach everything all at once. I need to choose and follow the spirit and use wisdom. Also that i need to be bold and cast out all fear. I learned from Elder Hoopes how important it is to build trust with them and listen to what they have to say. I also learned to show my energy and use it. To fill their hearts with the excitement i have of this gospel. I have to say that i missed my Son. He has taught me the most while we talked about things that went well and things that i can do better. I am also learning that i need to be a strong, confident leader. Friday was a growing experience for me. From that day on i am a different leader. I am open to ideas but in the end i make the decision with prayer, fasting and wisdom. We have a new investigator Rita that is golden. She does have a problem smoking and doesnt believe that she can quit but she will be a wonderful member and will have the power to quit. Miracles happen when you believe. I dont know why we as humans cast out believe but it does nothing! I met another man with elder Garofalo that was very impressed by my cordialness, love and kindness. He is very effectionate and we are teaching him. He is 69 and seems a little old so we dont know if there is hope but i am going to keep going with it and see what i can do to invite him to Christ. Love, Elder Beau Brewster

September 3, 2008

Beau has been called as a District leader and has been very busy. When he does not have time to send an email to the Blog then I will write one from his email to me. Thayne Brewster This week we worked so hard and i saw the success that followed. We got 4 new investigators this week Tita, Carmine, Nicola, and Giuseppe. I 'fear' at times that they are not fully interested but i need to have faith that God will change their hearts. We saw Giuseppe and he is reading the Book of Mormon every day. He likes it historically and the story of it but at this time he is not recieving the spirituality from it as he does from the Bible, but he will. We asked him to pray about it and he will recieve an answer. I have had a lot of neat experiences this week and here are the most promenient. Saturday there was a baptism in Castellemare and we worked so hard to go to it. We invited everyone and 2 people said they would come, Tita and Alessio (who we met the day before the baptism who is from the north). We could not find rides. We asked everyone! We planned the best that we could, praying... but not really listening. I felt a heart ache the night before and the day of. Something was not right. We planned to take the train at 3 when the baptism was at 6 because it took an hour and 15 minutes and the only other train was at 5. That was too much time for Alessio, so he couldnt do it. We then tried calling Tita many times and his mom (Giovanna, the greatest noptan lady) told us that her cousin, who is a member was at her house but had to leave so she told us to come right away. It was during our lunch but i was desperate so we left. Elder Manwaring wasnt too happy because it was so speratic and not set. I probably wouldnt have been so happy either. But we went and we talked with Giovanna and Tita, and Tita told us that she couldnt come and she was having problems with her husband. Giovanna told us that Antonia (her cousin who is a member) went home but she wanted to show us where it was so we followed her on our bikes and we went to see this inactive member from Milan. We had the best lesson with her. She told us that she met the church through a bishop of a friend who invited the inactive and her to a church activity. She loved the activity and after a few years she missed the feelings she felt there. One day the missionaries knocked on her door and she let them in whole heartedly which is unheardof but happens with the hand of the Lord. 15 days latter she was baptized. She has been inactive for a few years but has not lost her faith. She doesnt agree with the members and doesnt feel the love from them. We invited her to church but she didnt come but i feel that that meeting was vital. Heavenly Father wanted us to go there. I was so grateful afterward when before my heart ached because we couldnt go to that baptism. Another experience i had was monday night at the D'Andolfos. I felt a week before that Elder Garofalo needed to be there and share his conversion story, so we all 4 went there and God used us as his instruments. We were able to all bear our testimonies of the gospel which helped Elvira, Sorella D'Andolfo's mother to open up and express to us her concerns. I felt so strongly to ask her to pray about these things and i was too afraid so Elder Manwaring beat me too it and invited her to come to church with great power and boldness and then i invited to pray about these things. YES, she did decline both of them but she opened up and i feel that she had a spiritual experience that will lead her to search and lead her to baptism. Sorella D'Andolfo looked devastated and so down. I felt awful. They asked us to give them blessings. I felt that i was going to give President D'Andolfo his blessing and that Elder Garofalo was going to give Sorellla D'Andolfo hers. That is why i felt to bring the other Elders last week, whether it was a scambi or all 4. Elder Brewster