Leaving Ravenna



Anziano Thomas, Marino, Presidente Gresta & Family

More Earthquakes & A Transfer

Ciao!
This week has been another great week. Yesterday during personal
study we had another earthquake and it was pretty scary because this
time it felt alot stronger than the last two. It was really weird
because we had absolutely no control and we grabbed a water bottle and
our backpacks and ran out. We stayed outside for an hour and walked
around the city, everyone was out. What was also scary to was that
our phones didn't work so we were without connection. But everything
is alright and that's all that matters! For last P-day we went to
Ferrara with the 4 other missionaries and had a "sport day" so we went
to a stadium and played football, baseball, and calcio (soccer) it was
really fun and they even had catchers gear so I got to play catcher
haha. Last Sunday was great because right after church we got to have
lunch with members in the branch and the food was great! We had alot
of fun and it was nice because I'm getting transferred to a new city!
I'm going to Bergamo! It's a city close to the Alps and pretty close
to Milano. I'm really excited to go but I will miss Ravenna and
especially the members they are amazing and am so thankful I was able
to serve here! I feel that I've grown so much here and am thankful
for the time that I spent here. Thanks for everything that you all do
for me and my family!
Vi voglio bene
Anziano Thomas

Yeah Pictures!!!!

Ben in San Marino

Ben, Anziano Collins & Ravenna's Branch President and his family

Dante's Tomb right outside of Ben's apartment

San Marino

Earthquakes and Bike Wrecks

Ciao!

This week has been pretty crazy. This last week we had 2 earthquakes. The first one was around four in the night and both of us felt it and it woke us up. We were pretty lucky because the earthquake started near Bologna so it wasn't quite as strong but it was definitely strong enough to wake us up! The second one was during lunch and it was funny because it was during when we were praying for the food so it just shows the power of prayer! Everything ended up being alright so we were grateful that! The work he has been going great as well especially with Yebou and Ester we have to move back their baptismal date so we can teach them all the lessons and prepare them for baptism! We had a miracle this week. We've been meeting with Davide a 29 year old guy from Nigeria. We met him at the station and he said he wanted to show us somewhere we could me every time so we were following him on bike. He went to turn across the street and didn't look and got smashed by a motorcycle. He went flying and it was pretty scary but luckily nothing was broken but I felt bad because his bike was messed up but was glad that he said by the grace of God he was saved! Faith! It was a miracle though that nothing broke because the motorcycle was going about 40 mph. Today we are in Ferarra and will play baseball and soccer so I pretty excited for that! Thanks for all that you do Love you all!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY TO ME!

On May 13th Mother's Day, Ben got to call/skype us.  It was the best! I had worried all week long about our computer and skype working or the connection.  Everything was great and we got to talk to him for a long time.  He looked amazing, he was happy, his companion and branch president were so kind and he is enjoying the work and the country.  Ben also gave us part of the first discussion in Italian.  What a beautiful language. 
Seeing and hearing Ben was the best Mother's Day gift.  I am so thankful for a son who is an example to me and has a strong testimony of Jesus Christ.  WE LOVE OUR BEN!!!!!!!!

May 2012

Ciao Tutti!
Things here in Ravenna have been going great! This last Sunday I had
the chance to talk to my family for mother's day and was so happy to
see them all!! I really do have the best family in the world and am
so thankful for everything that they do for me! These last few weeks
we have been working hard. We had a miracle with one of our
investigators who we had to drop because all he wants to talk about is
politics. He came to church (because he's been coming to church for
about 12 years now) and had a check for £ 1,000!! We were so confused
one because he's a little crazy but he said he wants it to go towards
the building of the Rome Temple! We made sure that he didn't think
he could buy his way into the temple and he said it's the least I can
do for what this church has done for me! Other news this week I
learned how to make INDIAN FRY BREAD. I've been taught well by Sam
Little and Pinachee. So good I have to be careful though it is
really fatening. But things here are great and the ward here is
amazing we love working with them. This week was funny because we met
with 2 brothers who are from Pakastan that wanted to meet with us but
when we ended up going to thier house we sat down and they pulled out
all of this Anti Christian stuff and refered us to thier Muslem
missionaries if we wanted to know more. They had all this stuff like
100 questions about Christianity. It was funny. Our purpose is to
bring others unto Gesù Cristo. I'm thankful for you all especially
the prayers!
Vi voglio bene
Anziano Thomas

Teaching lots & Giving Service

Cara famiglia e amici-
This week has been great! We've been working hard and meeting a ton
of people. We are still working with Yaboah and Ester but right now
the problem is Yaboah has to go to Ferrara for most the week so that
makes it tough to see them. We would like to see them twice a week
but right now are only able to see them once. This last week we have
really been working with the Less actives were excited to see some at
church also! Also our Brach Presedent organized a <<Helping hands>>
activity where we would go and do service and go to a park and pick up
trash. It was pretty funny. So the ward showed up to the park that
was in the middle of the city and we all had our helping hands shirts
on and started to pick up trash. The problem was the park was already
clean so what we had was people wandering around looking for anything
to pick up. It was funny but it was a good activity helps gets the
name of the church out in Italy and service is always great. We had a
great time and after we all got some gelato! Also this week we had
another exchange and I was in Ravenna with Anziano Portolano who is
from Marselles, France. It was fun its cool meeting with people from
all over the world! Today we are going to see the Mosiacs again so
looking forward to that! Thanks for all the prayers and thoughts!
Vi voglio bene!
Anziano Thomas

April 25, 2012

Ciao tutti!
This week has been great! I got a new companion his name is Anziano
Marino and he is from Pisa, Italy!! He is 26 years old and has been a
member his whole life and so far we have been getting along great and
have been seeing many miracles! This last Monday we went to Bologna
for district meeting. From Ravenna to Bologna it usually takes about
1 hour 45min. So after district meeting we took a bus back to the
train station and saw our train wasn't leaving for about 45 minutes so
we went to McDonalds!!! Hahaha it was weird eating American food and
it is way expensive for a meal I payed 7.25 £ which would be between
11-13$. I wasn't able to write yesterday because it was independence
day for Italy and they close everything. Here they have hollidays for
everything. Also we have been working really hard with our 2 baptism
dates Yaboah and Ester and thier 2 year old Gideon are a family from
Ghana. They will be baptised the 26 of May so we are looking forward
to that! Yaboah doesn't know how to read but his brother in law who
also cannot read gave him CD's of the Book of Mormon so he can listen
to them! We are working with many people and also an Italian family
this week we are teaching them the Plan of Salvation so we are looking
forward to that! Once again thank you all for your thoughts and
prayers! Vi voglio bene! Love - Anziano Thomas!