Hello!   So after some shenanigans (yes it's found it's way to Italy, one of the YSA here asked me what it means and how to translate it!) involving rescuing my companion who was stranded in Venice and broken elavators, as well as a meeting with a Jehovah's witness or two, the week is over! Something that I've learnt alot about this week is personal accountability, both to ourselves and to the Lord. It's really been driven home how it can affect our relationships when we don't have it. When we hold ourselves accountable, we grow, we become stronger, we become what the Lord needs of us. We are what we need to be. As we hold ourselves to account we become able to act, and not be acted upon, and become the world changing people that makes a difference in other people's lives. We become the beacon on a hill that cannot be hid that Jesus says we are. I would really exhort each one of you to hold youselves to account for everything you do each day, and show the Lord that you appreciate what he's given you. As you do so, I promise that you'll improve and become the servants that He asks us to be!   I love you all, and hope everything is going well! Anziano Nelson

Hello! So it's transfer time again, and our companionship is breaking up. We've both worked really hard these last few months, and we've both really changed and matured. The growth has been a little painful, but we've been seeing great results. We've both been breaking our personal records, and apparently even some others too. Something I've learnt alot is the value of sacrifice and growth, the link between the two, that brings us so much further along the path to God and success. We've both had (bad) parts of our personalities fly off, as we've tried to shift ourselves in order to what's best for the city. And as a result, three things have changed. Me, my companion, and the city. I hope that the changes will continue to happen in all three of us.  Sometimes change is hard and difficult, but it's also necessary. We didn't come to Earth to stay the same as when we left Heaven. Our choice is how we can accept those changes, and use them for our benefit.  I love you all! Anziano Nelson.

Hello!   So this week Johnson was Baptised! He was a miracle find. I was sitting in Priesthood one day, and there was an African standing outside looking at me. I went out, and he explained that he was here to worship with us! I quickly took advantage of the situation! Throughout the last few weeks we've been teaching him, and he made it into the Baptismal font! It's so interesting to see how the Lord gave us this success without us even looking for it. That we literally did nothing, and he was landed in our laps, saying "Baptise me!" When you work for the Lord and you do the things that he asks for, even if the results seem like they are not coming, God is preparing the way for you, and in a way that you can't help but recognise that it comes from God, and not of yourselves! Look out for those times!   Vi voglio tanto bene!   Anziano Nelson

Hello!   So this week has been great! We've been learning alot, and trying new things! There is a new meeting that we have to do as Missionaries, Zone Meeting...we're all confused about what we're meant to do, I'm greatful I'm not running it, but it could really help, if it ever works the way it should!    So on monday we did an exchange, and I got lucky, I got the car :) I'd chosen a road to do house to house on the night before, and felt the Spirit confirm it. I went with my echange companion, and....it was empty. When I mean empty, there wasn't a house in sight, it was a farmers field. Wondering why the Spirit told me to go there, I started thinking of where I wanted to go next, when Anziano Jeter shouts "Casa mecca!" I look up and there's a bunch of big pilazzi in the middle of nowhere, obviously never been knocked before in a city with bikes. We go there, and after a little confusion with the satnav, we arrive at the pilazzo next to the one we wanted to do and accidently do that one instead. When there was only 20 minutes left of finding time before an appointemnt, we finally find someone interested! After a GREAT lesson, we leave with a lesson taught, a return appointment, two new Italian investigators, and a crazy dog that won't leave us alone!   It's so interesting how the Lord tries our faith. He always follows through with His promises, but sometimes he makes the situation look bleak, to show us how strong our faith in Him really is. I've learnt so much recently about faith, and also about sacrifice, the need to do it, and be willing to give up everything for the Lord. But more about that next week! Just remember, keep the faith, God always keeps His promises, no matter how bleak the situation!   I love you all,   Anziano Nelson

Hello!   So I was teaching a Frenchman, and while explaining about the Sabbath day I said "Non devi lavorare sulla domenica" Translation: You must not work on sundays. He responded "perchè no? Cos'è sbagliata con sud America?" Why not? What's wrong with South America? That caused A LOT of confusion, he didn't understand the word "domenica" and so insisted on understanding "sulla domenica" as "sud America", or South America! After remembering schoolboy French, I managed to help, but my colleague was just confused (he doesn't speak a word of French so isn't able to help very much). It's interesting how distorted things can get when we insist on bringing our old understandings to new things. The Judaizers for example in New Testament times destroyed their understanding of the role of Christ in Salvation because they insisted on using their Jewish perceptions of things. I've been working hard this week to leave old things be, and take a new fresh look at things as they really are, right now.I think that is something that can help everyone!   I love you all!   Anziano Nelson