27 Nov 13

First off, happy anniversary Mom and Dad! Youre growing up so fast!

We'll get the good stuff outta the way. Transfer info....I was a little suprised, but im staying here in Muggio with Anziano Atwood. I thought for sure I was gone, but im back for round four! It could be interesting in a few weeks though, because there are some missionaries going home in the middle of the transfer for Christmas, so there could be some "space transfer" news. But as for now, im still in Muggio!

This week was a little exciting, one of the people in our district had to go to the hospital at 1am this past Monday, so we were there with them and our ward mission leader until 4. So im still tired from that, but still doin well.

We were going door to door (citofono to citofono? We dont knock on real doors very often) this week, and a lady said "You cant come in, we have gelatto." First time ive gotten that respone.

So remember that investigator who was reading anti material? Shes getting so baptized. Shes keeping all her comittments, and living all the "big" commandments. Its been awesome to see the change from the Book of Mormon/Holy Ghost in like a weeks time. The Church is so true!

I told you about that conference with President Osguthorpe and Elder Ridd on Saturday. Well, the next Sunday, Elder Ridd and President Dibb came to our ward. They told us the night before they were coming, and I was teasing Anziano Fiorentino because he had the lesson in Priesthood the next day. Pressure's on! Elder Ridd is super nice, it was cool to talk with him a little bit.

So I still havent missed a day writing in my journal. Brother Morgan should be proud!

And on that note, ill wrap up this letter! I hope you all have a happy thanksgiving and stuff (ing haha). I love you all so much!

Anziano Christian Fife McKinnon 

20 Nov 13

So things have been crazy this week! Not exciting story crazy, but 20 minute lunch crazy because were running around taking buses and stuff.

Big news from our ward this week is that we had 27 investigators in church! Part of it was from the Primary program, but we were really excited to have a whole branch of non members with us.

Work is starting to really pick up. We set another baptismal date on Saturday, and were going to set three more this week. We'll see if im still around to see any of these, because we find out about transfers this coming Monday. Im pretty sure im getting transferred, but we'll see. Im hoping to go south, but ill probably go to Bolzano aka the Alps for the winter, but we'll see.

Thanks for all the birthday letters! Crazy that im going to be 20... That doesnt seem like real life, but hey. What are my big birthday plans? Today im buying some cereal called "Crave" thats these ball things with nutella inside. Its probably the best thing ever. And then im buying a can of Dr Pepper. Ive been trying really hard to eat healthy these past few weeks, and im probably ruining all the work ive put in, but I thought id get a little wild. There is also a conference on my birthday, where Elder Ridd of the Young Mens Presidency, President Osguthorpe from the Sunday School Presidency, and Elder Kearon from the area presidency. Itll be at Lampugnano, so hopefully I get to see some of my old ward. PS did I tell you Anziano Matauu is in Lampugnano now?

Not really any big exciting stories this week teaching wise. Weve been running around all over the place and every morning when I wake up I think "I have never been so tired in my entire life" and then I think the same thing the next day! So either im doing something right, or something very wrong. Im hoping im doing some things right.

Glad everything is going well at home! Good job Sophie for making the basketball team! Gresh is a goof ball, I was in his history class one year.

Fun note for ya'll, we had an "apartment council" this morning and decided that we would have pasta only 2 times this week so instead someone is making "potatoe tacos" so that'll be a nice change.

But yeah, things are going well here! Were just pluggin along and doin our best! I love you all so much, and thanks again for all the support im getting from you all! I love you!

Anziano Christian Fife McKinnon

13 Nov 13

We are getting things turned around here!

We had a pretty solid week last week, and this week is set up really well.

Cool miracle that happened. We have this investigator who has studied with every other church that uses the Bible, and knows it inside and out. Shes been asking lots of questions about deep doctrine, and searching on the internet alot. Weve emphasized that shes not going to find the truth on the internet. Last week, we found out she found some anti material. In the lesson, she told us all this stuff she had read. It was some of the nastiest things ever. After she finished telling us all these things she read, she said "Defend it." So I handed her the Book of Mormon and said "Were not going to touch any of that stuff. The only way youre going to know if this is true, is if your read and pray about this Book." She was pretty ticked, but we bore our testimonies and prayed. After the prayer she said "Things just got more serious, we need to meet more often." So last night we had another lesson, and she was a completely different person. She had prayed about the Book of Mormon, and recieved an answer. We set a bap date with her for 25 of January, and were super excited!

As im thinking about it, weve got some really interesting investigators. One guy is Muslim, and is the most elect person ever. It was weird though, we went to the last lesson with him, and he brought his preacher with him. Hes not exaclty a preacher, but hes over the Muslims in this area. So he brought him to this lesson, and what did we have planned to teach? The Gospel of Jesus Christ. That was an interesting moment, but we stuck with our guns, and our investigator comitted to baptism! We dont have a date yet, but hes super cool!

We a guy last week who speaks English! I can teach in Italian, but teaching in English is 100000x easier. I will never take the ability to say things exaclty how I want them said for granted ever again.

Things are going good over here! Its starting to get pretty cold. Nothing below freezing yet, but the humidity makes it worse. Im hoping I get transfered south, where its alot warmer, but I have a feeling im going to Trieste. Its one of the farthest north cities, and farthest east in the mission. The wind is so strong there, that have chains on all the sidewalks so that people can walk without being blown away. Just because I wrote this, I probably really am going there, but we'll see what happens!

Thats crazy that BYU basketball started already, and football is almost over. Time is flying!

Well thats it! Hopefully Sophie makes the basketball team and her shoulders hang in there (literally). I loved the photos from Israel, it looks awesome! Hope everthing else is going well, and you all choose the right!

Love, Anziano Christian Fife McKinnon

06 Nov 13

Well this week was different!

First off, it was Halloween this week. Its not as big over here. I think the only reason they celebrate it at all is because the day after is "Day of all the saints" or something like that, so nobody has work. But yeah, Halloween is zero fun over here. We did stop a guy who rejected us, but gave us each a fruit. So that was pretty exciting.

I did a scambio with Anziano Fiorentino this week. Hes 23 and graduated from University of Miami. It was a super fun scambio. They have bikes so I was riding a bike all day. How did I feel the next day? To use the words of Anziano Matau "My booty be hurtin, but were doin work!" Its been forever since ive really ridden a bike, so I felt it the next day.

Anziano Atwood has been sick for the past five days. So Saturday I was on scambio, Sunday we ate with the bishop and his family, then we split the area between us and the other two companionships. We split it up really well, and we no longer have to cover 23 cities! Blessing! Monday we went through the list and had figured out who was in our area and stuff. Yesterday I did a scambio with Anziano Benson, becasue Anziano Fiorentino was sick with Anziano Atwood. So I was on the bikes again (this time on the one without gears) and we were runnin all over the place. So its been a crazy week, with lots of time doing "office work."  Im feeling healthy, so nobody frett.

We ran into one of our ex investigators sons yesterday! We stopped him on the street. His mom thinks that shes a prophet, can stop the rain by drinking lots of water, and that George Bush has another prophet locked up in his secret underground prison. After meeting her son, it is safe to say that it runs in the family! Ill leave out the things he said because they didnt make a lot of sense, and the things I did understand were BEYOND weird.

A cry for help to all those reading this. I need recipes that are easy, cheap, and have nothing to do with potatoes or pasta. If you could send help, that would be much appreciated. I can only take pasta with red sauce, and what I call "Potatoe suprise" for so long.

Thats it for this week! Im glad Mom and Dad are home safe from Israel, and the girls survived! Im glad Scotti didnt bite anyone, sounds like hes making progress! I love you all so much! Have a great week.

Anziano Christian Fife McKinnon

30 Oct 13

Another week.

I dont really know what to say about this one. Ill just say work is rough right now and Ill leave it at that.

On a brighter note, one of the stores here started selling Dr Pepper! Its kinda expensive, but still! So ive got Dr Pepper and crunchy peanut butter. Life is good!

I got Cheryls birthday card! Tell her thanks so much and that I love her!

One cool experience from this week. We were doing strada, and not having a ton of success. Finally, one guy stopped. We went through three gospel principles with him, but he didnt care at all. So I was thinking "This is the only guy who has stopped all night, there is no way hes gettin away." So I tried a "teach to find" that they suggest we use, that ive been wanting to try for forever. I said "This book can answer any question you might have. Try it." And then I prayed he would ask a question that I could answer with a scripture. He said "Look man, all I want is health." So we jumped to Mosiah 2:41. He read it, and said "Hey, thats a good point." Annnnd long story short we have a return appointment with him tomorrow. Pray that it happens.

I dont have a lot to report, so ill answer some "commonly asked missionary questions." What is the question we get asked the most? Why do I have to be baptized again. Solid question. Second most common? How did we all come from Adam and Eve if they only had Cane and Able? Not as solid.

What do I miss most from home? Dryers and carpet. (other than my family and friends of course)

Sorry this is the lamest email yet, but thats whats goin on right now! Heres one more story that I forgot to tell from a few weeks ago.

We found this guy and set a return appointment with him. We go to the appointment, and he has us meet him in the garage. Its super creapy, and the thought comes into my mind "Youre supposed to stand in holy places. You arent doing that right now." He comes, and takes us into his cantina (storage shed thing.) In there, is set up a broken table, two folding chairs, and a crate with a single lightbulb hanging from a wire. The line from Les Mis "Look down, look down, youre standing in your grave" came into my mind. I can say a prayer! "Look down, look down, sweet Jesus hear my prayer!" "Look down, look down, sweet Jesus doesnt care." But here I am, a few weeks later, still alive.

Thats all! Hope Mom and Dad have fun in Israel. Were kind of neighbors right now! Keep on CTRing and reading the scriptures! I love you!

Anziano Christian Fife McKinnon