Fwd: transfers

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Benjamin Jolley
Date: Wed, Feb 23, 2011 at 3:22 AM
Subject: transfers

My dear family, transfer calls have come again. I'm off to the south of the mission, to Pesaro, on the coast of the Adriatic Sea. I'm whitewashing (both of the missionaries there were transferred out), and I'm training a new missionary. That's intimidating. Especially knowing that 3 other cities are doing the same thing, and the other 3 trainer/whitewashers were Zone Leaders this transfer. This is my address, I think:

 

Anziano Benjamin Jolley

Strada di Borgheria 15

Pesaro (Pesaro-Urbino) 61100 Italia

 

I'll confirm that next week. If you want to be sure to get me a letter, just send it to the mission office in Opera (MI), the address of which I already sent.

 

Anyways, summary of my week, On Thursday, we did a bunch of finding work, and we taught Sorella Armilotta. I learned probably 50 new words in that lesson. She has a HUGE vocabulary. We also taught English. Not a very exciting day.

 

Friday, We did our planning session, and then we did a scambio with Lecco, me and Anz. Anderson here in Merate. We had a cool day. In the afternoon, we just did a bunch of casa, and didn't get in. As we were leaving a palazzo, a romanian guy named Vassile yelled "Hey did you ring?" yeah! Then we taught him and he was super interested. He was a Badante (old person helper) to an OLD man named Carlo. It was a good lesson. Gave him a Book of Mormon. Then we taught the Madafferi's, to whom we gave a book of Mormon, but they weren't super interested. That evening, we taught the Muçe family, and Brixhilda said that she'd be baptised the 5th of March by her Uncle, so our goal now is to try and get the rest of them ready for baptism by then. It was a sweet lesson. We talked about the temple and Baptisms for the Dead. I told them that my little sisters just did it for the first time, and it was super cool. Also, as we were going home, we gave a book of mormon to a guy that wants to go to Utah to ski. His name is Giuseppe. (Joseph).

 

Saturday, we riscambioed, and then I went with Anz. Ballif to teach Alfredo, who was a contact from a month ago, who was touched by who we are, but won't read the Book of Mormon, so we left him with, Maybe we'll call you. That afternoon, we biked to Calco Alto, where we passed by the Dallaris, taught a short lesson to them about prayer, and then casa'd right by their house. Of course, the first person we talk to is interested, and says all sorts of stuff that just is screaming "PLAN OF SALVATION! GIVE HIM A PAMPHLET!" Of course we don't have one. So we give him a restoration pamphlet, and he said that the next time we're in his area to give him a call. He literally is the next door neighbor of the members. Awesome. We then go down to Carnate and do some casa, not finding anybody, and then we go to the Pogettis and teach them and eat Aglio, Olio e Peperoncino (Garlic, Olive oil, and hot pepper, with a little parsley in it too.) Excellent day.

 

Sunday, we go to church, all of the Muçe's come, and Brixhilda brings a friend, named Roberta. Super brava, her. Then that evening, we go do some finding work, then we go back to teach Giuseppe from the scambio, with his wife. They're interested, and give us a return appointment, and we give the wife a russian book of mormon. Then Anz Ballif says, "let's go knock that palazzo." The door's open. We go up, find a guy that gives us his number, and then we knock another door and the man answers, I say "Piacere, sono Anziano Jolley" (Nice to meet you, I'm Elder Jolley) and he just says, Come on in! so we do. He's catholic, but super open. We give him and his wife a Book of Mormon, and they say come back on Friday and we'll talk about it. It's so exciting!

 

Monday, we make up a baptismal calendar for the Muçe's for next saturday, and then we go and go some finding, and then we go to the Muçe's who take us down to the Dicataldo family for a FHE, we teach a short lesson, and then eat food and go home. During the day, as we're knocking doors, another missionary calls us and says President is making transfer calls. So we were really distracted. We were super depressed that we didn't get a call after about 6, resigned to do another transfer together.

 

Tuesday, we go to Vimercate and knock some doors when President calls. He says "Is it going to be a problem for the Muçe's baptism if you get transferred?" Nope. Then he tells me I'm off to Pesaro, training and whitewashing, and we head home to Merate. Then we eat lunch, and go out to work some more. As we're knocking in Robbiate, Anz Ballif says, Let's go knock that door. So we do. It's a villa, with a camera and everything. NO CHANCE we're getting in. Surprisingly, the lady says, yeah, come on in, let me open the gate for you. we go up, thinking NO WAY! and who answers the door, but Giuseppe and Lucia, our english students who do genealogy in the church. We find that they have a massive collection of nativities, and are super open to religious discussion. We teach a good lesson, and get their phone number, and we go home, in awe at the power of God. Why? 1, that's the first time Giuseppe's been at home that time of day in years, practically. 2. We'd planned that area to do casa 4 or 5 times, and never did. 3, they're awesome. I feel super good about leaving this city now. I've left it in a good place.

 

I then packed last night, and had trouble sleeping, like I always do when transfers come. And now I'm doing email. I'm excited for the future. I love you.

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Fwd: Tough but excellent week

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Benjamin Jolley <benjamin.jolley@myldsmail.net>
Date: Wed, Feb 16, 2011 at 2:58 AM
Subject: Tough but excellent week
Dear family,

 

This week has been a good one, but pretty tough too. On Wednesday, we taught Alessandro and his family, explaining the first lesson, and they were pleased to have us over. Also they said they'd come to church in 3 weeks. Because the dad shouldn't be working that sunday. He works as a rent a cop. tough hours. apparently.

 

Thursday, we did a lot of casa, with little success, after which we had english class, to which we had 3 people come. We were expecting 12. ouch. After, we passed by the Muçe's who passed the illness to another one of them, so we gave them a movie to watch again.

 

Friday, we did a lot of member work, passing by fratello Carcelen, who apparently needed the visit. His family seems to be in a tough position. That evening we ate a delicious meal with Fratello Pogetti, of lasagna, followed by a short lesson about prayer.

 

Saturday, we did some casa in Vimercate, trying to buy tickets for our bikes, but not being able to, so we got off free with that. We taught Marcell a short lesson on prayer, (actually all of these members were "practice lessons" them pretending to be investigators), and he said to pick him up for church the next morning. Slla Armilotta we then passed by, teaching the same thing, during which I learned a lot of new vocabulary. She uses big words. Afterwards, we had the opportunity to put into practice the things we had practiced (huh, not expecting that), getting into a BEAUTIFUL family. At the door, I said to Anz. Ballif "This family will be our next baptism." And then we got in. When we left, his jaw was on the floor. So was mine. They're the Pozzi family. Incredible.

 

Sunday, we went to pick up Marcell, and he couldn't come. darn. The Muçe daughters came to church, and then we studied and went to a member baptism, at which there were lots of nonmembers. I didn't know how to talk with them about how they felt, because they all left super fast. But Brixhilda and Albert came to the baptism too, and quite enjoyed it.

 

Monday, we had District Meeting, after which we taught Evelin and Alexandra, two ecuadorian girls. With a member. YAY! Then, immediately after, we went with another member to the Pozzi family, who are really good folks. They belong to a part of the Catholic church called CL (communione Liberazione), unfortunately, they're busy until two weeks from now. They also gave us a Catholic Gospel CD. (Catholic Gospel is not as fun as black gospel. not even close to close). After that, we taught the coolest lesson ever to the Muçe's. we talked about the baptismal interview, and then all of their needs just came out. And we taught. At the end, we found out that 1. Albert started smoking again. 2. All three of the others want to be baptized soon, but not super soon. I asked Brixhilda and Klara to be baptised next Saturday, and they didn't respond, except Brixhilda saying "And I was like, Are you kidding me?" (in english.) Seriously though, super powerful lesson.

 

Tuesday, we did a lot of casa. And then we read Alma 32 with the Muçe's. and then we went home. boring day. I got sworn at once by an old lady as we were knocking doors. That was surprising. Old ladies can have quite a mouth, I've found out.

 

Today, we came to do email. woot. I love you!

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A slow week

Date: Wed, Feb 9, 2011 at 7:21 AM

Subject: A slow week

For some reason, this week has dragged on for a long time, it feels like. We did a lot of casa and traveling, I think. I don't know. It's been a long week. On Thursday, we did casa for a LONG time, with very little success, and then we had English class. We had one of the biggest english classes I've ever had, with 12 students. People are just coming out of the woodwork interested in it. We should have even more people this week, because a lady from several weeks ago said she'd come back this week. In the morning, a drunk bolivian stopped us saying he wanted to change. He didn't show up the next day, and his phone was off. oh well.

Friday, we planned, did a lot more casa, and we found one guy. We set a goal to speak italian out of the apartment during planning, and we've done it about 99% successfully. It's pretty cool. That evening, we taught the Muçe's again, we taught about tithing with the Bishop there, and he helped a ton, and Albert had been thinking about tithing the whole week that we didn't see them, and decided, "If I'm going to join this church, I'm going to join it like a crazy person." Now it's just a matter of when.

Saturday, we didn't have a baptism, because of various problems, primarily that two of them got sick and we couldn't teach them for a week. But we passed by them right after lunch and started a fast and gave the mom who was still sick a blessing. We also did a scavenger hunt as we were going around that day, and I had to stop an african as part of mine. I saw one, and just started following him. He was walking WAY fast, so it took a long time to catch up. I eventually did, and he had seen us before in Rome, and wanted to find a church to join and seemed just this genius contact, and it turns out he lives in Brescia, in a different zone. So I passed his phone number to Anz. Duersch, a good missionary. I hope he's a good contact. His name was John. We also taught Marcell, our peruvian less active, and asked straight, why don't you come to church? My dad went back to Peru, and I've been gone so long. He couldn't come to church the next day, but we're hoping to see him in church this sunday. We'll see. He's a good kid. That evening, we also went by the Pogetti's, but since we were fasting, didn't eat with them. We taught a lesson and looked at some of their old photoes of missionaries. One was from Anz. Ballif's stake.

Sunday, only the daughters could come to church, because Valentina was still sick, and Albert stayed home to take care of her. but we had a good lesson, and then we had lunch to break our fast with them. Afterwards, we did a lot of casa, and didn't see much success, unfortunately.

Monday, we did a LOT of casa. all day. we didn't get in once all day until late in the evening, when we started to get in like crazy to Romanians. two of them became new investigators. It was cool.

Yesterday, we had district meeting, and then I stayed in Lecco with Anz. Malku, for a scambio. we taught a lady who doesn't want to be pushed into baptism, but wants to study with us, it was odd. There was a good member there, though. Then we did a lot of casa. little success. We gave a man a Book of Mormon, so that was good. In the meantime, Anz. Ballif taught one of the best lessons he's ever taught to the Muçe's, trying to fix a baptismal date, for the 19th of February, but Albert wasn't there, so it didn't really work, but they understood, apparently.

This morning, we did some of our Pday with Lecco, and I woke up oddly at 6:30, without an alarm. we played some ping pong. It was fun. I love you!

Illnesses and a fun p-day

Date: Wed, Feb 2, 2011 at 8:13 AM
Subject: Illnesses and a fun p-day

I'm not sick. Neither is Anz. Ballif. Klara (Clara from earlier emails. You spell it with a K, as it turns out) is sick. She had a 102° fever on Monday. So we didn't teach the Muçe's that day. I'll get to that later.

This week, we had 4 new english students, who also seem interested in the church. We'll probably try to pick them up as investigators later on this week. After english, we tried to teach the Muçe's about tithing, and the dad had a question about tithing and a very specific part of Italian tax law called 8 per 1000. What that means, I don't know, but apparently you can send part of your taxes to goodwill organizations like churches. He wondered if that was paying his tithing. So we... SORTA retaught tithing. We also realized that he hadn't been there for the lessons on the Book of Mormon and the Restoration when he said, It doesn't matter which church my money goes to. They understood the fast, and Klara asked if she could fast now. Of course, we said.

Friday, we taught Alexander, the Ghanan from last week. He's an interesting guy. More on him later. We also watched the restoration movie with Saydi and Valentino, the peruvians we're sorta teaching. And then we went to an Elder's Quorum activity, and firmed up our member relations a little, and got a couple of appointments. Also ate delicious food. Pizza, Lasagna, Chili, Salad, and very cold water.

Saturday, we did a lot of casa, with little success. We also taught Sorella Armilotta, a less active, and Robert and Tuba, a couple that are a Pole and a Turk respectively. Cool people. Robert is very... Catholic? He very strongly defends the Catholic church. And Tuba is muslim. The Muçe's cancelled on us that evening because Klara was sick.

Sunday, we had church, to which Brixhilda (spelling correctly) and Valentina came. Klara and Albert didn't. bummer. That afternoon and evening we did some casa, and we found Toure, a Costa D'avvoriano, (Ivory Coast) who was pretty interested in our message. We had been intending to go to Arcore to meet with Alexander and a girl we found named Jessica, but there was a strike on the trains, so we were stuck in Merate.

Monday, we had district meeting, to which the Zone Leaders came, so I saw Anz. Petersen again. That afternoon, we went to Arcore, and we taught Alexander, finding that he wants to teach us, not the other way around, so we left. enough said. Then we did some finding work, and then we took banana bread and The Testaments to the Muçe's, who didn't want us to get sick.

Yesterday, we went to Vimercate, outside Arcore, and then to Arcore. We found a Jehovah's Witness from Togo, who was interested in having a french Book of Mormon, named Julien, and then we passed by an ex investigator who's still not interested, but fine with a passby, named Gianluca, actually, story. We knew the man's address, but we come to find out that he lives in a giant palazzo, with about 100 names, and we only knew his first name. We start ringing G's at random, and we find him. Cool story. Later on, we found Alessandro, a man from Rome who had come to church there where the Temple is being built. We gave him a Book of mormon to read, and got his phone number.

Today, we went to Lecco, and then went up the Funivia (gondola?) to the top of a mountain. Literally, we were at the top of the alps. It was awesome. We wanted to hike to the top of a nearby mountain, but the snow made the hike too dangerous. But I got some sweet pictures. And we met an old man named Alberto on the path. He invited us to his house. We went there a little later, and he invited us in, giving us delicious salame and bread, and we gave him a Book of Mormon. He said he'd read it. I taught a lesson at the top of the Alps. Cool? cool. Then we came back to Merate, and came to do email.

I love you all!

Anz. Benjamin Jolley

Conferences and Interviews

Sorry -- forgot to forward this after we got it last Thursday.

Thanks for your support! Carrie

Date: Thu, Jan 27, 2011 at 3:15 AM
Subject: Conferences and Interviews

This week, obviously, you're getting my email a day later than usual. That would be because yesterday we did interviews with President Wolfgramm.

In any case, here is a short summary of my week. Last thursday, we had Zone Conference, to which more than half of the mission came to, with Elder Erich Kopischke, the Area President, and Elder Wright, from the first and third quorums of the seventy, respectively. We got back, and we taught the Muçe's about the Law of Chastity. They understood, and commited to continue living it. An idea that Elder Kopischke asked us to apply was in every meeting of the church, to come with a question. Then listen intently to the words spoken and the promptings of the Holy Ghost. And the answers will come. I got the answers to my questions. He then made us promise that if we did, we'd always invite our investigators to come to church with a question. And promise them the answer'll come. Try it. It works. every time. Without fail.

Friday, we planned our week, and did lots of casa. We got in 3 times, to various different people, including a Romanian, and an Albanian. One of them gave us a return appointment.

Saturday, we did casa getting in 4 times and getting a return appointment from 2 people, after also teaching the Armilotta family, asking why the husband was never baptised. In the evening, we taught a lesson to the Muçe's about stopping smoking, and blessings, giving a blessing to Albert at the end. He smashed his cigarettes, and said, I'm done smoking. Forever. That was one of the coolest experiences I've EVER had. And one of the best days I've had in my mission.

Sunday, we had a good sacrament meeting, and a questionablely good Gospel Principles manual. All I have to say is if you are assigned to teach Gospel Principles, USE THE MANUAL! It's written in a way that is easy to understand, and helps foster discussion. USE IT! Obviously, our teacher didn't. oh well. it happens. We did some casa that evening, and we found another person to teach. The weekend was ridiculous. We got in doing casa like 10 times, getting 4-5 return appointments and phone numbers like crazy. I love it when this happens.

Monday, we went to Carnate and did some casa, getting in twice to Franklin, and to another man. Franklin is the first Nigerian we've taught together. I'm kinda excited about it. In the evening, we taught the Muçe's again, about the law of Tithing, and Albert hadn't smoked, drank coffee, or in any way broken the Word of Wisdom. YES!!!!!! Success! And they accepted the Law of Tithing with no problems.

Tuesday, we went to Arcore, did some casa and a scavenger hunt, finding Alexander, a Ghanan man who is very interested in Jesus Christ, and says "He is God. We must trust him". I love Africans. That afternoon, we taught Sorella Armilotta again, and then explored some random place called Lesmo, that we heard was good for casa, but it's not true. Oh well.

Wednesday, we had interviews, where we reviewed the Zone Conference, and talked about how important a baptismal calendar is. among other things. I tried Elder Kopischke's ask a question thing again, and it worked... again. In a surprising way. We also finally received our Christmas packages, which we were very excited about. Anz. Ballif got 5 packages, and I got 2. We brought suitcases. We then had Christmas in January when we got home, and then went out for some work, after moving out our washer to the street to be taken to the dump. It's gone. WOOT.

Today is Pday. I had trouble falling asleep last night, but I woke up at 6:29 this morning, applying Elder Kopischke's other invite to imagine for one minute our replacement, and then go find them during the day. Why? because Europe needs more European missionaries. Switzerland and Greece don't give visas to non EU missionaries, and less than a third of the 3000 europe missionaries are european. So I'm gonna find a missionary to take my place.

I love you!