May 27, 2009

I baptism and 2 to go

As you can tell from the subject line, Carlos just got baptized on Sunday! It was an incredible experience. Let me set the scene telling you all that happened. Well, right after church the church leaders started turning on the water to see how the temperature was… and to our surprize the water heater was not working at all. The water was freezing. They were talking about postponing the baptism to another day. We did a lot of praying so that we would be able to overcome the obstacles that stood in our way. We said to our leaders, HECK NO, TECHNO, we’ll go through with the baptism. Wecalled Carlos asking if it was ok doing the baptism in cold water. He was definately for it. Well, we went home to eat and then came back at about 3:45 to fill up the font. We realized that we should have came earlier to fill it up because it was taking a long time to fill up. Infact at around 7 when the baptism was suppose to start the water seemed very low and we were debating to have Brother Lloyd baptize him on his knees. Another challenge was that Carlos has really bad knees and back pains and couldnt bend very much. We all met together and prayed to recieve inspiration on what to do. And then at the perfect time it clicked what we needed to do. We came up with a way that he could still stand but put one behind and put that knee on the ground. It worked perfectly. After the baptism we asked how the water temperature was because it was freezing. Brother Lloyd said that it was cold but because of the spirit they couldnt feel it. I wish you could have seen the best part of the night when Janielu (Carlos’ 23 year old daughter) gave the closing prayer and was bauling with joy. After her prayer everyone was in silence as they embraced for a good minute straight. The spirit was powerful. Thanks to this baptism Maria Cianni (Elders Pittson and Pace’s investigator) is going to be baptized on Saturday. She loved the meeting and really wants the same thing. Tonight she and Giovanni Tatti are going to be interview by President Acerson so that they can be baptized this weekend. Giovanni will be baptized on Saturday and Maria will be baptized on Sunday.  We are very excited for them!

Love Elder Brewster

May 20, 2009

we taught all of the commandments to Carlos and he had his baptismal interview and it went so well! He talked with President Acerson about things he had to work out and he is ready for his baptism on Sunday. Brother Lloyd is going to baptize him (who is an american member from Idaho), Brother De Plano speaks Spanish and is going to confirm the gift of the holy ghost to him, Elder Sponseller is going to give the talk on the holy ghost and baptism and i am going to sing I am a Child of God in Spanish. Last night we had an incredible apointment with Giovanni and the District President, President Sanna. The spirit was so strong. It was on the atonement, faith, repentance and baptism. Giovanni has a testimony of the Book of Mormon, the word of wisdom and other commandments. He feels good when he comes to church and meets with us, but he has doubts and fears to be baptized. While he was doing the fast with us he was playing soccer with a few friends. One friend told him to read some things about us on the internet and when he did doubts came to his mind. Satan knew that he was so close to baptism and tried to stop him from making the most vital decision in his life. We told him that and he felt the spirit. He is sooo Close! We told him that the time was to now exercize a particle of faith and put God to the test. He read Alma 32 before he came and his doubts were pushed to the back of his mind. President Sanna shared an example using indiana Jones the 3rd when he is in a situation to find and save his dad. He is on one side and has to cross the other. He doesnt know what to do because it looks like it is impossible to cross but he puts forth his faith and takes a shot in the dark and realizes that there is a little path and he was able to cross and save his father. It was an incredible example with so much love, sincerity, passion and concern. I love that man. So, we set a baptismal date. Giovanni wasnt as sure. He tried to procrastinate it but we wrote down the 30th of may. He is praying about this date and is going to let us know on Thursday when we meet with him. Pray for him. he knows he wants to do it he is just too afraid to do it too soon. He has already told some of his friends and he is going to tell his parents in a few days when he goes to his village for a couple of days. We had a great district conference. President Acerson's talk was incredible! Sister Acerson is such a loving and kind woman. We had all 16 elders at our house saturday night which was a blast and very stressful at the same time. We had an amazing exchange in Oristano on Monday. We found 5 different families which was great. They all live on the same street except for 1 of them. I am loving the mission. I am so blessed to be serving here with the people that i am serving with. My companion is in the Navy so he is helping us use our time wisely and always living on a tight schedule. I have never ran so much in my mission! ha ha I love it! The Lord knows what i need! Love Elder Brewster

May 13, 2009

We have had a great week which has been nice and busy. On thursday we had our zone conference which was incredible. One district was having a hard time so President Acerson's training was all on the spot following the spirit. I love how much confidence, trust in the lord and love that he has. He gives his whole heart and soul in his calling. I love that! Our training went really well. We did it on being angels, being christlike, being a rock rather than silly puddy and on the power of prayer. The Lord help us so much. We were dressed in all white and it went so well. We then had an exchange with the Cagliari elders which went so well. I was with Elder Pace who is a greeny and is incredible. He has such a great fire and love for the people. On sunday night we had an apointment with Carlos Gordillo and we set a baptismal date with him for the 24th of May! We are so excited. It is going to be very busy getting prepared for his baptism but it is going to go very well. Giovanni should be getting baptized soon as well. We are doing a fast for him today. Please pray for these men and pray for us to find families to baptize. Elder Brewster

May 6, 2009

We have been preparing for our training that we will be giving tomorrow. I am really excited. Very nervous, so please pray for me. I love the mission and the things that i am learning from it. I have to tell you about my mission hero, Anziano Pace. Elder Pittson is training him right now and he is so great. He has the biggest smile in the world and has so much love for everyone. He is 6 foot 5 and as skinny as a twig. He talks with everyone, spreading his great love, smile and laughter. He is so possitive and has so much faith. It is a pleasure serving in the same district as him. The members love him, even though he cant speak italian well. That's my favorite part because he doesnt let that get him down. It doesnt hold him back because he tries his very best to communicate and teach with all of his might. I love Cagliari. The members are wonderful. i would love to stay here for the rest of my mission, but i will go where the Lord wants me to go. The work is going well. Giovanni is praying to know if the 23rd of May is a good baptismal date for him. He is keeping all of the commandments that we have taught him so far. We only have a couple more to give him. The Gordillo family is doing well as well. Carlos is reading the Book of Mormon and is loving it. We talked with the wife and she wants him to be baptized so badly. I would love to see him and Giovanni baptized. I know that they will be. This last Friday was Sant Efisio who is a famous Saint here in Sardegna. The parade was huge and there were tons of people. We were able to talk to many people, especially families. That day i also cooked a delicious meal... horse heart. i wasnt a huge fan of the texture but it wasnt bad. I also made fried eggplant which was delicious. Well, I love you. I know that this church is true. God lives and loves us. Love, Elder Beau Brewster

April 29, 2009

Right now i am in Rome for our zone leader council and i am loving it! Guess who is here? My Babbo (trainer) Elder Scoville. He is here on vacation. He got in yesterday morning and came to the villa last night. I love my Dad. He is so great. He is studying at BYU to be a doctor. He is running many marathons and is doing great. This morning we ran an hour run and it was a blast. We talked about everything. I am going to see him before i go off to college. He gave me the greatest advice last night. I asked him what i could do to make the best of the rest of my mission. He said that it is the end sprint. He told me to give it all that i got and to step up the pace. He told me to set high goals and acchieve them. He said to find a family and baptize them before i go. I am going to do it. That is my goal. I am going to find a family and bring them to the fold of God. I am going to talk to everyone that i possibly can. I have been striving to do this my whole mission but now i am going to do it with more intent. He said to enjoy it; EAT IT UP! And I am! I love the mission. We had the best Zone Leader Council yesterday. The Spirit was so strong! We laughed, cried, felt united as we strove to think of ways to serve our fellow missionaries. President Acerson's motto is LOVE YOUR MISSIONARIES! And when you're done with that, LOVE THEM SOME MORE. I love my mission president. I truly do. I felt His great love, experience, and care. I love Sister Acerson. SHe is so selfless and hard working. She has a great courage and love for people. She is the first one to go to you and say how are you and then make you feel like the most important person on the earth. Well, i have a lot to do today. My companion, who is amazing--Elder Sponseller, and I are going to the center of rome with jonathan scoville and jonathan. Love Elder Brewster