Rainvenna December 3, 2014

Ciao tutti.

Well, it's been raining literally for the past week straight. It's not super fun. I'm very wet. Good thing we're on a new month, so we have a new set of kilometers for the car. Now we can use it instead of biking in the rain, like we've been doing.

It sounds like you guys had a great Thanksgiving day weekend. Ours was pretty good too. We preached the gospel. haha. We did have a Thanksgiving day party that was a good success. We had twice as many nonmembers as members there. Talk about awesome. They was literally enough dolci to sink a ship, like Anz Polson always says. I didn't end up eating anything that night though because there were literally always people around the food table and the whole reason we did that activity is to meet new people, so I went around and talked to a ton of people. Our members said that it was the most successful activity that they have ever had. Awesome, right?

We also went and played some calcio this week with some of our investigators. It was super fun. I know it doesn't really matter, but I totally killed it. I played really well. I'm getting a lot better. I also played against an ex pro soccer player....maybe....still not sure about that one. But I did beat him. hehehe..get schooled son.

In random news, we've been trying to get our car fixed ever since before I got here, when the anziani before me got in an accident, and we just now are getting it fixed this week....maybe. And then we just found out that we need an oil change. I'm tempted to just do it myself, but I don't think the mission will let us. Everything relating to cars here is super expensive. Holy cow. Over 1000 euro for just two plastic parts. It's a total ripoff. 

We also had some success this week with social media finding. We are really focusing on getting our members to use social media to share the gospel. We had a member come to teach a lesson with us, but unfortunately our investigator didn't show up. So we decided to watch He is the Gift with him, and then we asked him if he knew of anyone that would benefit from this Christmas message. He immediately pulled out four or five names and that very night, sent off this video to his friends. It was great. We will be following up on these friends of his shortly.

Speaking of that video. you should all go watch it. I also want you mom or Lizzy or someone to post that video on my Facebook with this status:

Christmas is such a special time of year. It's not because of the presents or the fact that families are usually together. It's because the whole world, regardless of their circumstance, career, or belief, turns their heart toward the first and ultimate gift of Christmas; the savior, Jesus Christ. He is the gift that keeps on giving. We can find more happiness and satisfaction in our lives thanks to Him, then we could ever find on our own. He lives. I testify that He loves every one of us. Discover what He offers you. Embrace His loving grace. Share the joy it brings with everyone. #sharethegift

I'm so grateful that our Heavenly Father inspired men throughout history to create the technology that we have today, like the internet, social media, smart phones. I know that this is a fulfillment of the ancient prophecy that every nation, people, and tongue will hear the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.

I love serving the Lord. I can't believe I have only 6 months left to serve Him here in Italia. I truly am blessed in more ways than you can imagine. I love this country. I love these people. I love the gospel. I love my savior.

Anziano Langlois 

Christmas Came Early November 26,2014

Ciao tutti!!!!

Well, I guess I got this from dad, but I'm already excited for Christmas. We've been listening to Christmas music for weeks now. haha. And Anz Polson likes country music, so it always makes me think of you dad. Whenever he asks me if he can turn on music I always say, "slaves need music too". Of course, I had to kinda explain that one to him at first, but now he's used to it. haha.

Alright, so basically this weekend was awesome. We went up to consiglio, which was really fun. It was Anz Andersen's birthday, so I got to wish him happy birthday in person which was really fun. Then the next day, we went to Prato (yes, I made it back!!) for the Saturday session of stake conference. It was literally the best thing ever. We had some time, so I took Anz Polson on a giro of my old stomping grounds. I love that city. It is so pretty. Then I just got to see member and member and talk to them and you should have seen the smile on my face. I was literally the happiest man alive. I. LOVE. PRATO. I miss the members soooo much. They literally had to pull me out of there to go home. I didn't want to leave. The really cool thing was that this one member family's son (who's not a member yet, but we were super good friends) came only because he heard that I was going to be there. When he got there, he started looking through the crowd for me (I saw him first) and we he saw me, he had the biggest smile on his face. It was so awesome to see him. I love that kid!!! (If all goes well, and my pictures work this time, he's the one with curly black hair and his arm around me). Anyway, it was literally like Christmas for me. So great to see everyone. I basically already have some appointments set up for us when we go to visit Prato. haha.

 

That's all great and fun, but now it's time for such a hugeeee miracle!!!!

We are teaching this family where the wife is atea (aethist) and has been really hard to work with, because she believes in all of the commandments and in the bible and the Book of Mormon, but she doesn't believe that God exists. I know, its kinda weird. But during the past few weeks, she's started to pray and she feels really good when she prays. And then, after we invited her to literally ask God if he exists in a prayer, she had a dream that night, where her brother who had passed away and was really close to her told her to keep reading the Book of Mormon and to keep following the path that she is on. She then had this same dream the next night. We testified about the many different ways God answers our prayers and last night, she told us that she actually believes in God now. She said that she's had too many proofs lately to say that God doesn't exist. We couldn't believe our ears. Miracles really do happen!! Even the coldest of hearts can be softened by the power of the spirit.

We had a baptismal interview for the 9 year old kid and he passed, so he'll be baptized on the 6th. Super awesome. This family that I just mentioned above have their interview on Saturday, so we'll see what happens. Hopefully we are going to have a very white Christmas, if you know what I mean. (hint: baptismal clothing is white) haha.

OK, in other news. Congrats on Regiment's finish. That's a good score in WBA. Way to go and not to fall to silly gimmicks. It's called MARCHING BAND, not run around and cover up your bad marching with "jazz running" and props. Sorry dad. I guess I'm kind of a purist. haha. Thanks for the pictures. I really like the new uniforms. They are sweet. They are also very Blue Devils. Oh BP. hahaha. Speaking of him, he needs to write me sometime and tell me when the jazz CD will be done (if that ever happens). 

That's so cool that you thought of Shelise to help out at work. She's super brava, so tell her I say hi! Don't worry dad, when I get back, you'll have your runner back. I love driving way too much. haha.

That's really crazy that everyone is coming home right now! It makes me remember how fast the end is coming. I'm not ready!!! haha

That's really cool about Josh's mission he gets to go on. I was actually wondering how he was doing. He must be doing better. Send him my love and support.

Well, I'm going to try and attach some photos. So let's hope it works.

Oh yeah, now like I'm counting or anything, but less than a month until Skype on Christmas. WHAT?!?!? That's crazy.

Well, I love you all so much and I love hearing from you all! Hope you have a great week!! Remember, Facebook for the dead and then I invite you all to post a Mormon message on your Facebook page this week. It's such a powerful way to share the gospel!!! We are going to flood the earth with the message of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. It is true. Joseph Smith is a prophet. I am a witness of this.

Siate fedeli,

Anziano Langlois

 

Anziano Andersen