THE #20 TURNS 20!!

Buona bellissima giornata famiglia!

Where to even begin from what has happened this week. This work is incredible. I can't express to all of you how much I am thankful for your prayers because they are being answered with every step we take here in Brindisi. Last night, after a week without seeing them due to a trip they had planned, the Brancasi family returned. We went there and talked for a while and shared with them our message of the Restoration to make sure that they had comprehended it all before we moved on to other lessons and principles. As we began to talk the Spirit came into the room like an absolute fire and pierced my heart like never before. How the Spirit spoke to me was within a simple verse that President Anderson shared with me before leaving in the mission. President Anderson always asked where to find that verse. I could never find it! So I asked my companion for his Bible and opened right up to Acts 2:37-38. I love it when that happens. The scripture ends with a "What shall we do?"... as I read those verses in regards to how they can receive their answer, the very words came out of Lina's mouth, "We just don't know what to do." There was my answer. I can't even begin to tell you how strong the Spirit came flowing into each one of our hearts as we invited them to be baptized, as it Peter explained in Acts following the people's question. Giuglio said he would is ready to show his God that he will be baptized. Lina spoke of the necessity to our baptism, in which Giuglio turned to her and explained the importance of our authority and the Restoration of all things. Wherever you are President Anderson, thanks for planting that seed for me. We spoke also of the First Vision and the incredible manner of prayer that a young boy showed to each one of us of how we can receive an answer to every question that we have. How grateful I am for a boy that acted on a prompting to pray! I guess you can say that my message to you this week, in the moment that I have passed 20 years of my life is that this stone will roll forward to fill the entire earth, just as Daniel prophesied. There truly is nothing that will stop this work if it isn't ourselves. We saw this again Sunday evening with a woman named Vita. I truly wish I could describe to you family the feeling that I get when we first sit down with someone that we have never been with before and there is a love within me burning to share this Gospel with them with all the Italian vocabulary that I know. Vita expressed to us something that there is missing. That has always been missing. We told her why she was feeling this way and expalined to her the Restoration. Again, the power of the First Vision. She expressed to us that the "empty part of her heart" is starting to fill up again. My heart did the exact same. We asked her what she thought about Jospeh Smith's experience. She looked at us and said, "Anziani, why shouldn't I believe it? Everything that I feel in this moment is telling me to believe it." The Spirit prompted us to invite her to be baptized. She said with a resounding voice, "YES". She is reading right now and praying to know for herself if these things are true. Tomorrow we will set a baptismal date with her and from not too long I'll send you a picture home from her baptism, as she continues to prepare to enter the Rome Temple also. Family... This Gospel is so true. The Lord is doing everything that He possibly can to bring it to all of His Children. This is a bit of discourse, I know. Bus as Ammon exclaimed, I stand with him in expressing that I cannot explain the slightest part of what I feel. And that's what it all comes down to is that feeling. In the season of San Valentino we find ourselves in a perfect situation for a "February of Love". I think of all the small gifts, cards, and sweets that I have thought of throughout the years to show towards a special loved one during this time of year. I guess I have finally realized that there truly is only one way to show our love to our brothers and sisters and that's to share with them the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the true and endless love that He has for each and everyone of us. I am so thankful for all of your love and your prayers. I love each and everyone of you. As I spent a couple of days with an Anziano in my district that has recently received his "Dear John" just a transfer and a half into the mission we both saw how the losing ourselves for the good of others heals any heart. I am so thankful for the Healer that we have in our life, the Physician that can heal any ache, I promise you all that I am doing everything I can to let Him work here in Brindisi. Thanks for the birthday wishes, you all sound great at home. I love you, have a great week!

con 20 anni,

Anziano Gatchell

Pictures!

Message from the Mediterranean!

Buona giornata famiglia mia!

Like a river the weeks roll on by, the only way to go with the flow is to jump in! And is it finished there? Then we survive by paddling our way and avoiding all objects ahead. I'm finding the objects to be a bit more than a stuck-out branch, but more of the likes of a whirlpool or an under-current. But at the end of the journey, when we finally hit the calm, peaceful, and big open sea, why is it that all we can do is look behind us and talk about those difficult moments? Because that's where the memories we're made. That's where the lessons were learned. I learned a lesson this week about finding joy and peace in the voyage. I am so convinced that it is through our difficult journey that we can come to the knowledge of our Commander, the Prince of Peace. It all comes down to receiving the direction from Him for not only the objects ahead, but those objects that are weighing us down in this moment. Last week I left with you a story about the Brancasi family and receiving the Lord's direction. I love the beginning of that word direction..."direct". When I think of that I do not think of a map that we used to make our trips through the Arizona Strip, but I think more of the direct GPS that we find in locating a store for Hayley to buy shoes in the chaos of Las Vegas. The direction of the Lord, not to be confused with a shopping spree at Vegas, is direct. Sometimes our problem is to ask for an answer in a direct manner. This week we really looked to receive his direction in every aspect of His work and to see what would happen because of it. Last week as we met with the Brancasi family we had a wonderful lesson with some members that came to help us from Taranto. It went really well and we left the lesson happy, uplifted, and progressing. They are reading the Book of Mormon and the wife, Lina, is beginning to find every hole that she has ever had in heart filled. It's incredible, the Book of Mormon. Giuglio (Giorgio) is absolutely incredible. He worked as a secret defensive agent for the Italian Marines and I'm trying with every part of me to pry a story out of him! They're absolutely incredible and we ask for your prayers in their behalf. With the blessings of baptism, eternal marriage, and the Gospel going to all of their family waiting in the balance, I would ask all of you to pray for one simple thing... and this goes for all of my friends that I'm trying to help. Pray that they will know the Book of Mormon is true. Please I plead with all of you to pray just this simple fact. It's direct, and the Commander will show them the open waters, I promise! I saw it at Napoli, and I've seen it here. Our Lord uses that Book for all of the answers of life. To avoid all of the many obstacles now, and in the future, all of the answers are included in the Book of Mormon. I test it daily, I try to prove it wrong, but the Gospel of Jesus Christ is the ship that never sinks.I'm so thankful for all of you and I hope my e-mail can be somewhat of a booster for this week. I love you all and am safe and happy here. Pray hard, act quick, let Him direct.

con affetto,

Anziano Gatchell

Family, we found them!

Buon giorno famiglia!

When we spoke at Christmas I pleaded with all of you to pray for us to find someone.. From the moment that I arrived here in Brindisi there was someone waiting for me, I felt it from the second I stepped off the train.. For weeks we have been searching and searching and searching.. We talked with a lot of people, received a lot of numbers and interest, yet there was still a hole.. I left my home for two years to find this person and I knew that he was here somewhere.. About two weeks ago in a lesson with Sorella Jones she shared with us her story of conversion and the miracle that it was of how she joined the Church.. The Spirit was so strong and it nudged me to ask a referral from her.. Sorella Jones isn't from here, nor speaks the Italian lanuage.. I asked anyway and she began to cry that the only friend she had, lived at San Vito and had passed a way a few months ago the very week that she was to give him a Book of Mormon.. There was our answer. San Vito. As this small city is outside of Brindisi and it takes a little hurdling to arrive there, we planned for about a week to head that way.. We didn't know the city, but took the bus and went for it.. On the bus ride I prayed.. I've never prayed so hard in my life that we might find that person.. It had been a long time and a lot of slammed-doors and I invited the Lord to show us where to go.. So we got off the bus and found a map.. A certain area stood out to us so we headed that way.. The first door was a man who yelled at us and exclaimed that he is a convinced Catholic and not a single soul could change him from that path.. After a slammed door my companion and I looked at each other and we said that we know we are there for a reason.. The next woman we stopped on the street invited us into her home.. We ended up teaching the Restoration to them and the sister really took to our message and agreed to pray about it.. After leaving there with a plate full of pasta that they gave to us we started our way towards the bus stop.. My companion said to me that we had found who we were meant to find.. I don't know family, but there was something still there in my heart.. That hole was not yelled filled and the Spirit told me to do something.. As we were only a half hour from our bus time I suggested to knock doors at one more palazzo that stood out to me.. We hid the pasta in a bush and began to knock doors.. A woman invited us up and at first she seemed alone.. As we entered her home she expressed that during this week she and her husband had been praying for Christianity to come to their home.. As I asked if we could sit down and talk for a moment she called for her husband to come into the room.. When Giorgio walked in that hole in my heart began to burn like a wildfire as I knew that I was there.. After eight weeks of searching I FOUND HIM!!! And I thank you for your prayers that guided us there.. We taught them the first lesson.. As I recited the First Vision the Spirit came into their home and testified to each and everyone of us the truth of these things.. We expressed directly to them that the Lord had sent us there to find them and that this message was what they have been searching for their entire lives... they agreed. The lesson was absolutely incredible and these people are some of the most humble and prepared of the elect.. As we invited them to read the Book of Mormon they both exclaimed with resounding, "We'll read it and we'll pray about it!" Following, we knelt in prayer in which my companion prayed for this family and for the Lord to give them an answer.. We all began to cry and they thanked us for having found them.. The husband asked to give us a ride to the bus stop in which this point the amazing story turns as I remembered of the pasta that we had hidden in the bush!! After all this, I thought, they will think we are crazy hiding our dinner in a shrubbery outside of their palazzo so that we could go up!! To be short, all went well and we made it out of there without them seeing us as Giorgio walked us down there my companion blocked his vision while I darted into the bush to retrieve the goods.. With that being said, I just want to let you know that the Lord lives.. That He loves us and that this is His true and living Church.. He guides us according to the prayers that you have all offered in our behalf and according to the action we take to follow a prompting.. As we road the bus back I poured out my Heavenly Father for having guided us there and a feeling came over me to about say, "Ian, you knew they were there, you knew I would lead you".. The promises of the Lord are real family.. It may take eight weeks, may take a lifetime, may be in an instant, but He always fulfills His promises.. Family, tonight we will go back to San Vito where we will invite them to be baptized and prepare to be married in the Rome Temple.. Again, I thank you all so very much.... We found them, family.. There's work to be done, but we found them...

With my humble appreciaton,

Anziano Gatchell

One Step at a Time

Buon giorno!

Good to hear from everyone this week.. Thanks for the letters and all that you do. Big congrats again to Tanner.. Three kids by the time I'm home is my bet...any takers?? Grandad? Anyway, the work is moving along here very fast.. It seems to be a common theme to take two steps forward and one step back, seeing that all of life is based upon progression maybe that is a good thing that it's always two steps forward.. We had a few wonderful experiences in this past week that I would like to share.. Just yesterday we had planned to go out to another city, Mesagne.. In years past there were missionaries that served there and we felt that there was someone still there looking for us.. We took a bus out there yesterday morning and this bus left us truly in the middle of nowhere where we wanted to be or had planned to be.. So we decided to start our work there.. Moving through palazzi and the homes we kept feeling that there was something more.. After much rejection and a lot of slammed doors, it was just about the hour of lunch where everyone goes into WWII hiding and a great hibernation after their pasta.. We tried one more palazzo before we had to head back and sure enough it was the one.. On the third floor was a woman named Luisa who had lost her husband and was in a time of difficulty when we arrived.. As we sat at her doorstep and explained to her our message she told us that she knew our message that she was just waiting to talk to us.. Turns out she was ready to join the Church about thirty years ago in Germany when she had to move back to Italy for her family and with her husband.. We expressed to her that we came to this city today to find her and now that we had if we could return to share more of that message she once knew.. She agreed and we will head back that direction next week! I was definitely strengthened by the Lord's ability to place His imperfect servants in the perfect situations to help His children receive His help.. It's incredible to hear the amount of stories by the members of the Church and the boldness that the missionaries had in the past.. It strengthens my testimony every single day of the miraculous work that this is, not only here in Italy but in all the world! Just the other day I received a package of letters by all of the youth and some leaders back at our home ward in Tonaquint.. Absolutely melted my heart to feel of their love and their support for us missionaries.. Tell them all thanks and for Sister Schaffer for pulling that together for me.. Also tell Kameron Kershaw that our number one goal right now is to find a Catholic Cardinal to be our next Branch Mission Leader here at Brindisi, if he has to know.. I'm so thankful for all of you and all that you are doing.. Please pray for my good friend Sara.. She reminds me exactly of Hayley and we're working with her right now to find that identity that she is a daughter of her loving Heavenly Father.. A simple knowledge that we have had for our entire life and a love that can sustain someone into eternities.. I thank all of you again and I'm so grateful for all that you do.. I love you, let's all keep making these two steps forward, the step backward will always come.. But when a step goes backward, a knee goes down and we find that strength through prayer to that loving Heavenly Father.. Have a great week!!

con felicità e amore,

Anziano Gatchell

Staying Here!

Buon giorno famiglia!

Good news all around. Tanner that's awesome that you are asking her to marry you, you know my criteria... Is she cool with me bumming it on your couch from May 31st 2012 to August 10th 2012 to watch every single re-run of the Jazz and Patriot games?? She'll say yes, that's for sure. As for us... We found our own amount of yes's and no's during this past week.. No to a baptismal date, yes to a pizza, no to a ride to Church and yes to teach someone in their home.. The rollercoaster of life goes on.. This week has been one of the craziest in the mission, with transfers and all sorts of other stuff.. I ask you all to pray for my companion's family as they are dealing with and issue with his grandma.. I had to translate for him with President Kelly during the week and with the issues that were coming up and I can just say this.. President Kelly is called of God! Talk about having solutions and being guided.. Anyway, all is well here.. I must have done the right thing by talking with him and figuring out this situation for my companion because shortly after he re-called me to tell me I had been assigned to be District Leader of the Puglia.. Humbling, but I'm excited for more opportunities to serve.. Right after my companion said, "Oh yay, you're mother would be so proud of you!".. So there you go, Mom, from Anziano Errante.. I'm starting to find myself in my work.. It's incredible in this work how one finds themself while losing themself to find others.. It's been pretty tough and not really pretty to try and find someone in this city, but it's incredible the opportunity to rely on the Spirit and go where He prompts.. You all sound great at home.. Thanks for the Dixie Elders.. DIXIE ELDERS: Shout out from Italy, we're praying for you, keep the success stories coming from your part of the vineyard, I show them to my district and other missionaries all the time so we can find that strength and that power you're bringing to all the people on the other side of the world.. And to Anziano Eames, I'm packing it on big guy, not so sure where I stand in pounds but I'm floating in the Adriatic at about 90 kilograms right now. Thank the pizza and my Italian companion.. Anyway, family.. This week has been really good and Sunday was an incredible day in which our friend Maria Grazia found her answer about our Church and found a family in us here.. The work is all over the place right now, members of 40 years that don't know Thomas S. Monson, and leaders that pass out tithing receipts during Sacrament meeting, however! The Church is young and we are all doing our very best.. I proposed that we read the Book of Mormon together and prepared all of the things to accomplish it, including firesides and such.. The Branch really took to it and we're already seeing the power of the Book of Mormon change the lives here.. Want to change your life? Read the Book of Mormon, it's really that simple.. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is simple, family.. That's one thing that baffles me in Italy.. All of these people that pray to these saints, to the madonna, that believe we won't be saved, that we are already saved, that God is a little man, that the Godhead is a giant man.. As soon as a question that is asked such as, "How do you know God loves you?" all knowledge, experience, and influence falters and the testimony comes out. Truly we are seeing daily the "small and simple things of the earth confound the great".. I love each and every single one of you and I'm so thankful for this Church, the only true Church of Jesus Christ on the earth and the only true means in which we can all be together forever.. If it's okay to say, I top off a mazeltoff for Tanner!! The road begins for you big guy, thanks for the example.. Even though Nana keeps letting me know that I promised when I was little to be a doctor in Scottsdale without a wife, I'm glad you're being such a good example for me.. All of you are such great examples and thank you for your prayers.. They don't go unanswered and they don't go unused.. Love you!! Have a great week!

Con felicità,

Anziano Gatchell

Happy New Year!

Famiglia mia!

Wow it was incredible to talk to you all at Christmas and I want to say thank you for all of your cards, gifts, and prayers!! It has really been an incredible Christmas for me and one that I will always remember.. You all sounded great and I hope the hour lasted long enough to get you through for the next call.. I know it did for me!! I will have to be somewhat short today, but I just wanted to let you all know of the wonderful work that is going on here.. We are working with our friend Maria Grazia right now.. Just the other day we had the most incredible lesson with her where we felt the Spirit of the Lord uplift and testify to all of us.. Following the lesson Maria Grazia offered up a prayer in which she recognized us as representatives of the Lord.. I've been in the mission for a little bit of time now, I've been studying the lanuage, learning the doctrines, doing my best to be the best representative of the Lord in all that I do.. At times it's hard, at times it's the most difficult thing in my entire life.. When Maria Grazia said that the other day and thanked her Father in Heaven for having sent us there everything else in this world just hit me like a blind-side crack-back.. I have never felt such happiness and joy in my entire life. Without fail there has never been a moment more rewarding, self-satisfying, and ultimately humbling in my entire life. I felt there for a moment what truly comes from the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the great opportunity that we all have to become like Him.. That He is the Master, the Captain, and He set the perfect example for us and as we continue to strive to change and alter our lives through repentance and following the commandments, we truly do begin to taste on the happiness that He has for each and every single one of us.. Being that this week is the week for reviews and for resolutions, I invite all of us to put the Savior and what He would think of our decisions in each of the goals and evaluations we make for this upcoming year.. Each and every year we become amazed by the fact that our resolutions and our goals are those of the same from the year before.. I promise by doing this that not only will you find the goal more easy do to the fact that it was made with the consent of our Savior, but that throughout this upcoming year we will have the continual help and guidance from Him, our Brother.. We know thoroughly that the Lord gives us commandments and obstacles only with that relating to Spiritual matters.. Make this New Years Resolution a spiritual matter by putting the Lord first through a prayer, the scriptures, and the commandments and this following year will be one that not only will you remember for the rest of your life, but will change the rest of your life entirely.. Again, I'm so thankful for all of you and for all that you do for me.. I'm humbled for your help and your prayers and for the amazing opportunity we had to talk.. I love you all and I wish you all a Happy New Year and a Buon Anno!!

Con felicità e una preghiera,
Anziano Gatchell

Snow in Brindisi??

Buona sera famiglia!!

Well, another week has passed here in the beautiful city of Brindisi.. What is new?? Well it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas that's for sure.. At least that's what everyone is saying.. For me however?? This is the first time that I've spoken and thought in English in two weeks and I can say it feels nothing like Christmas! It's incredible how the Lord turns you upside down to get you right-side up sometimes.. I'm figuring this out right now.. Anyway, I was sort of rushed from last week due to our crazy schedule.. I'll let you all in on a little more details of the place here at Brindisi.. It's all going really well here, there's just a lot of work to do.. I'm so happy to be with my companion.. It is SOO different to be with someone that speaks the language and is from the country.. It makes all of the difference!! It's been a struggle to say the least and at nights I just leave my head under cold water to cool off my brain from the days work, but I couldn't be more happy to be here.. He is a convert of just over a year and is absolutely incredible.. We are learning and doing so much together.. The cultures butt heads at times but we don't let that get in the way because we're focused, I pray we keep this focus throughout the Feste.. Here in Italy it isn't the Holidays, it's the parties.. Beginning now and ending in mid-January there are holidays just about every other day, celebrating another "miracle" that a "saint" did to pull people "away from Christ".. (I try to hear out the beliefs of these people, I really do!) This last week has a been a little bit more settling.. Sunday was quite the experience to begin with.. To teach Priesthood, Gospel Principles, arrive early to set up chairs, pass the Sacrament, give a talk, and then close the building up afterward gave a whole new outlook on the scriptural reference to "A day of rest".. I'm happy though, that's for sure.. The language is coming along really quickly as you might suppose, being that I am speaking it all the time.. Today we went out in to the country side again to help a Sorella gather her olives.. Believe it or not, in southern Italy, we received snow for about a period of twenty minutes!! You should have seen the people in awe of the whiteness falling from the sky.. Of course many believed it to be a miracle credited to San Francesco, my companion and I were too busy laughing to think twice.. Once that brief "blizzard" had passed, I was able to think about and reflect on the Atoning Sacrifice of our Savior a little bit during our morning.. Surrounded by a garden of olive trees I pondered about the importance of this season and what role our Savior can play in our life.. I'm slowly finding out the importance of all that He has done for each and every one of us.. I'm humbled by His Atonement, I truly am.. It's infinite and incomprehensible, however, that doesn't mean we can't use it each day of our lives.. I can't hardly believe it's another Christmas and another time to reflect on the year and the love that our Savior has for us and our families.. Yesterday we had the opportunity to go to the city of Taranto to meet with a family that has been called to serve as missionaries in our branch here at Brindisi.. The Casti family had us in their home to talk about the work and our plan for Brindisi.. Their son, Stefano, came out with his missionary agenda from his mission and showed us the very page where he met with a "Claudio Errante".. Sure enough, that very same Anziano Errante was now sitting in his living room with a name tag on just four years later.. We talked for a long time about when they met and everything that happened to led up to my companion's conversion a year ago.. Just a pretty incredible story and a testimony to my heart of the importance of this work.. Stefano also served with Tony Nelson and we had a good long talk together.. Anyway.. Miracles happen.. I'm excited to hear from all of you this upcoming week and I hope all is well at home right now in this Christmas season.. I would like to ask all of you to pray for a "White Christmas" here in the mission of Italy and for all of the missionaries in all of the world.. I love you all so much and I will HEAR from you next week..

Con amore,

Anziano Gatchell

Ian's letter this week

Buon giorno famiglia!!

I'm definitely a few days late this week.. Let's just say I have yet to find the internet point in this new city!! Where to start off... It feels as if it's a been a month since I was last at Napoli!! Hard but rewarding week.. My new city is beautiful and I am still trying to get used to it being a normal city.. Due to the fact that Napoli was chaos for a few months of my life, this city is wonderful and smaller, but still a city.. There has been so much that has happened in this last week.. From the move to the arrival to the Zone Conference we had yesterday with our Area Seventy in Elder Causse'.. I don't have much time because we have to leave to go out into the countryside for an appointment.. My new companion is great and we're working through this language barrier like Wyatt through the defensive secondary.. I'm really enjoying it here to tell you the truth.. A very hard week that has resulted with me seeing my best friend in the world Anziano Dugdale yesterday at the Zone Conference.. From when I entered the mission I had not seen anybody from my district and had always wondered how they were.. Wish I could express how much it meant to get a big hug from that stud yesterday.. Anyway.. For the Branch here at Brindisi.. This situation is going to be a test.. There are about 10 members and all are retired.. They are all really great and nice, just tired!! I love each of them and our first Sunday here was Fast and Testimony Meeting and again my own testimony was strengthened by the Spirit of the Lord to dwell in all places of the world.. Having talked with President Kelly yesterday about this area here at Brindisi there is definitely a change that needs to be made and my companion and I are doing all we can to help that change take place.. My companion is fun to be with.. The cultures are so different!! So many little things we do differently!! It's a learning experience for both of us, in which patience is being developed in every step.. I love him dearly and we are having a lot of fun as we work on this part of the vineyard for the Lord.. My first day here included of gathering olives in a TRUE olive garden.. Many hours we spent doing that, unfortunately.. However there will be a bottle of oil that I hand-picked that I can hopefully send your way!! Everything sounds great at home, I'm happy that all of you are happy.. This Christmas will definitely be one to remember.. I ask all of you to prepare for these people at Brindisi.. Pray for that soul that we can find and I promise that we will do our best to find them.. This city is rich with history, being that it is where the Appian Way exits into the Adriatic Sea and is called the Roman Gate to the East.. From Mussolini monuments to an incredible country side of olive trees I couldn't be more excited to be here.. Change is change and it takes patience and diligently striving forward as President Uchtdorf explains.. I suppose you all are wondering why I am writing on Saturday also, rather than Wednesday.. Well, turns out that we had planned on our regular schedule for our preparation day, however on our way out of the house we received a call from a member of the Church.. She is from Texas and lives clear out in the country with her husband, who is from Whales.. Anyway, their electricity had been out for almost two days and neither of them speak Italian and cannot talk with the company to get it turned back on.. After a few hours of trying to "explain" to the power company the situation we decided it would be best if we just go out to their small little farm house and try to solve it ourselves.. For the watered down version, the very moment that we stepped foot into her small little barracks in the fields the light turned back on and all things regained order.. She expressed to us her thanks and to her it was a miracle! I don't why I felt so inclined to share this story with all of you today, perhaps because I have wondered for this last week if what we have been doing is our absolute best and not just good.. I learned from this experience that nothing can turn out badly when we just drop all of our plans when the occasion arises and just serve.. It was a testimony to me that although we may have important things to do in our lives and that we all have a schedule to maintain, there's another agenda that we need to pay our attention to at times and that's the prompting of the Spirit to serve others.. I challenge us all in this Holiday Season to find an opportunity to drop everything that we have that seems important to us and "go out into the countryside to find someone in need of your help".. I love you all, thank you so much for all you do and for your letters!! Untill next week, arrivederci!!

Con tutto del mio cuore...

Anziano Gatchell

Una bella settimana!

Ciao famiglia!!

How are all of you?? Everything is good here in Napoli.. Very rainy
and wet today.. I never feel more like a missionary than when it's
raining, that's for sure.. I'm loving the work here and I love this
city more and more everyday.. Thanks everyone for the e-mails and the
updates.. Letters are trying to find their way home, but there's a
little problem called the Napoli and Italian mail system.. Oh well,
there's always e-mail.. This week was a really good week here in this
incredible city.. Last week had a Branch Pizza Party (which is quite
common here in Italy).. We were doing some less-active work in the
most brutal part of Piscinola and we weren't having much luck.. Street
addresses here in Italy sort of don't exist at all.. So when we
finally found the correct palazzo, it was to no surprise that there
were no names on the intercom.. We decided to go up anyway and try to
find this woman.. When we knocked on the door she just became
stunned.. "Chi vi ha mandato qua??" Which means who sent you here.. We
began to tell her what work we were doing, she immediately recognized
as her missionaries, and that we felt that today was the day we would
come and see her.. Let me explain a little more about Piscinola.. A
Christian missionary doesn't search for broken down palazzi at
Piscinola past daylight.. It's the most brutal part of one of the
worst cities in the world.. But circumstance led to circumstance and
we found ourselves there well past the sun going down.. With 550
members in our area and a whopping 25 active, it's really hard to know
who to see and where to go.. She told us how she hasn't been to church
in over twenty years but just that morning her grandaughter, a member
from Milan, was visiting and asked her about church.. Something surely
touched her about that conversation and she prayed for the
missionaries to come to her house that day.. The night ended up with
all of us going to the Branch Pizza Party and having an amazing
evening.. It's those small little miracles that I love about this work
and that I'm learning so much about.. We've had quite the success here
in Napoli and with Zone Conference yesterday it was only that much
more motivation to be better.. I'm learning a lot here and I
absolutely love this city.. There is no more of a better place be in
this world! You all sound great on the other side of the world,
however.. Make sure that all of the Dixie Elders know that I love them
and their experiences in their spots of the vineyard strengthen me
every single day.. Right now in Napoli it's beginning to look a lot
like Christmas.. Christmas in Napoli is a party to say the least..
Everyone from Italy comes here to walk the streets and see the amazing
decorations, events, and collections.. We walked around a little bit
today for P-day and I was blown away at the amount of effort they put
into all of this! Christmas is called Natale here, with Papa Natale
being Santa Claus.. Anyway, I know that it is a bit short this week
but I want to let you all know that I love you and I'm thankful for
each and every prayer that you give in our behalf.. We feel them every
single minute of every day and what a great blessing you all are to
us.. This work is the work of the Lord.. He's in the details of not
only this work, but in each and everyone of our lives... Let Him take
the wheel through sincere prayer.. I love you all, have a wonderful
week!!

Anziano Gatchell

In His Hands

Buon giorno famiglia...

How blessed we are to have the Gospel of Jesus Christ.. How incredibly
watched after, cared for, and completely encircled in the arms of the
Lord's love each and every one of us are.. The Lord is in the details
of each and everyone of our lives, and will direct us in every
decision if we let Him.. I'm learning a lot out here.. It's amazing
how I can be so far away from my family but yet learn so much about
each and every one of you and especially where we are going.. I'm
caught up a little bit by the comment about Justin Ence's dad.. My
heart goes out to him and their family.. I think back to pregame of
senior year against Pine View and just wanting to do anything in my
power to make that the worst day of Justin's life.. I've come to
realize that the little things like that really don't matter in the
grand scheme of things and how much my prayers go out to his family
right now.. How blessed we are to have the knowledge of this Restored
Gospel and the little reassurances in our lives when things go
unexpected.. This week was an incredible week here in Napoli and we're
doing our best to share the opportunity to have these reassurances
with all people that we come in contact with.. I want to tell you all
about the Lucchesi family.. This is a part-member family that the
other Anziani in the city are working with.. Absolutely incredible
family and the Mom is a member from Peru.. For weeks they had bounced
around from house to house, job to job, with the result of being
thrown out of their most recent apartment on the street.. The dad,
mom, three boys (21, 9, 7), with no where to go.. The Church was
quickly there to find a roof to go over their head, but long-term
solutions were scarce.. It has just been a really hard situation and
these people have brought so much joy into my life in the short time
of knowing them.. After many fasts and prayers, they received their
miracle of both work and a house in the same day.. This past Sunday I
had the most incredible opportunity to hear Israele, the
nine-year-old, bear his testimony in Church.. The Spirit that that
little boy brought to that pulpit, as a non-member who speaks broken
Italian, was as strong as I have ever felt in my entire life.. He
shared with the entire congregation his knowledge that God is in
control of our lives.. That He has a plan for each and everyone of us
because He loves us.. It truly hit me how much we need to strive to be
as this stud little boy is.. It truly all comes down to that family..
That God loves us.. That He is that loving Heavenly Father that ONLY
wants the best for us.. It's against his character in each and every
way to not do what's best for us.. What peace this brings to each and
everyone of us as we go through this life and encounter the many
heartaches and hardships that come.. Surely they come, and surely His
love will attend us afterwards.. What an opportunity each of us have
at this time of the year to truly show how much we love Him by serving
those around us.. There truly is no greater joy.. It's indescribable..
I'm absolutely loving being in His service at all times and I'm
finding this joy to be never-ending.. The seasons are changing here
and Christmas is slowly starting to show.. The city is more fun than
ever, the people are just as wonderful, and I feel each and every one
of your prayers everyday.. So thank you!! I'll write more next week
and be sure to send pictures.. Know that I love you all and I will
talk to you again soon!!

Anziano Gatchell

What a week...

Buon giorno la mia famiglia!!

Another wonderful week in Napoli.. Everything from rainstorms to a baptism this week, and maybe my hatred towards the holiday Halloween has changed!! Everyone sounds great at home.. Wyatt that's awesome that you are taking care of your Eagle, I remember when I did mine.. There was just so much joy, so much satisfaction, nothing better! But really, way to go.. I hope all is well at home, that's great news about the Pheasant Run house, go out and celebrate for getting that taken care of! How was the trip with Nana and Grandad? I sent them a post card so hopefully it was waiting for them when they got home.. As to my week this week... Where to begin! So last week was the baptism of Anna Pernozzoli Di Martino.. We found her the last week of my first transfer and I could not be more happy for her and her family right now.. Her husband was killed just a year ago.. She is the most wonderful Naptan woman and she has a heart of gold.. We joke nonstop with each other and to say that the Gospel has changed, is changing, and will change her life is to say the least.. When we first met her she was so distraught, overwhelmed, and stressed about life.. We tried talking with her about everything, putting every teaching principle to the test and hoping that the Spirit would help her along the way in understanding and finding peace in her life.. She has a condition with her eyes, though. We couldn't find her a Book of Mormon in Italian that was bigger.. When we finally went to great lengths to spend the thirty euro and make one at a copy center, everything changed.. I want to share with all of you my testimony of that book and the absolute power that it has in the lives of each and every individual that reads from it.. Anna was distraught, she has three girls, no income, and no one to help her....Then she began to read the Book of Mormon.. 1 Nephi, 2 Nephi, Alma, Helaman... Within only a few short weeks she had finished the entire thing and has just restarted it to comprehend more fully.. Anna bore her testimony that the peace she was searching for, the broken heart she never thought would be fixed is now the strongest aspect of her life.. As I sat there and listened to her share with us about her experience I felt the most miraculous feeling in the world.. For a moment there I felt a little piece of joy that I had never felt in my entire life.. This work is the work of the Lord and He is in the details.. He has prepared Anna for many years, He showed her along the way, He brought that peace into her life.. Please, family, I plead with you to read that book. I'm starting it for my fifth time in the mission right now and there are so many blessings to take from it.. It truly is the "most correct book on the earth" and " a person can get closer to God by abiding by it's precepts".. It's the truth.. Just yesterday we were meeting with our friend Alessandro who is about twenty years old.. He explained to us how he doesn't know why but when he reads this book he has joy.. He feels something that there is no where else in his life.. Alessandro will be baptized in the upcoming weeks.. Because of this book I know my Savior.. Because of this book I know that we can be together forever.. I know that I can have my own family someday and have more happiness now and for eternity because of this book.. I can't express to all of you the power that it has, and it's so real.. Please continue to feast upon those words! And when you have eaten the whole thing, keep your fork and call for seconds because the Lord will guide you in ALL aspects of life through the teachings in the Book of Mormon and through the Spirit of Revelation that we are entitled to each and every day.. I'm so thankful for all of your love and your support.. Know that I am doing great and that I have never felt so much joy in my entire life.. Elder Neal A. Maxwell said that "the first principles of the Gospel are for the last days." President Packer also described a miracle as "putting the basic principles of the Gospel into practice." I know this is true and I am seeing the miracles every single day.. The Italian people are ready for this message, they need your prayers.. I love you all and I'm thankful for your prayers.. I feel them every single day and I couldn't help in the Lord's work without them.. If there's anything that anyone at home needs from me let me know!! I'm only a soccer throw away (wait what?? soccer??) Arrivederci!!

Con amore,
Anziano Gatchell

La Settimana Scorsa

Buona sera famiglia!!

Well... Good news.. All around.. From the last time I e-mailed you my fever
has dropped from 102.3 to a perfect 98.6.. I went to the most incredible
soccer game and a night that I will remember for the rest of my life... To
making preparations for the baptism that will be taking place this
Saturday.. To having the Prophet make an appearance here in Italy for the
ground-breaking of the Temple.. To seeing one of the most beautiful Italian
cities called Sorrento today.. The work just moves forward!! Let me rewind a
little bit, though.. The soccer game.. The security guards, the mad-masses
of fans, the fireworks, bombs, and chants went back and forth for ninety
minutes and there was only one thing that came to mind.... Utah State
Basketball. The game was incredible, it was truly something I will never
forget and the fans for soccer here in Italy and to be more exact here at
Napoli are more passionate than any other fans in the entire world.. With
that being said, the Utah State basketball games can contend.. They truly
can!! Although with less individual bomb-making, and there's no need for the
nets around the opponents' fans so that they don't get hit with flying
object.. But the game was incredible.. More importantly though was what
happened Saturday at Rome.. President Monson visited the temple site where I
stood not three months ago and dedicated myself and my two years to building
the temple.. He gave an incredible talk about the fact that we are doing the
work that Paul and Peter commenced so many years ago and that there are
saints in Heaven right now that are counting on us.. It was so crucial to
hear the very first thing he said, that the missionaries are the most
important part of this Temple being built.. What a work that must go forward
and how much better I need to be! Anyway... Surrounded by members of the
Church at the building where Paul landed at Pozzouli, it was an incredible
evening to have spent and the joy that will be brought to each of these
members as the temple is being constructed.. To have a temple in Rome..
Think about it for just a moment.. It truly is phenomenal.. This work is
true, this IS the only true church of Jesus Christ on the earth today and we
as members everywhere should be so grateful that the wonderful people of
Italy and of Rome can have this wonderful blessing.. Each day we run into
people on the street that ask us if the world can be saved, where has the
truth gone, and is there still light for this dark world.. The answer is
yes!! The answer is the Restored Gospel.. The answer is Jesus Christ.. The
work will begin to light like wild fire as this message gets brought to the
homes of these wonderful people, but they definitely need all of your
prayers.. Italy is ready family.. The Prophet has declared it.. What a
blessing it is to be serving here at this time.. You all know that it is my
favorite time of the year....Halloween. Let me be the absolute FIRST to
say.. Italy does NOT celebrate Halloween and for that I can be even MORE
grateful for serving here.. Anyway, today we went to the beautiful town of
Sorrento.. Mark it down for somewhere that I will bring all of you back to..
An absolutely incredible town on the Amalfi coastline where tourists come
from all over the world to see.. The entire town was exactly like what I had
imagined Italy to be.. Being born into Napoli, with the streets on fire and
the buildings awake all night, it's been a bit different for me here in
Italy during these first few months.. Needless to say, Sorrento was
beautiful and we'll definitely return.. I got the Dixie Elders and I
absolute LOVE hearing from the other Elders.. What a bunch of ballers, I'm
praying for their success, I'm thinking of them all the time.. I'm grateful
for such great friends and the example they have on me, something I haven't
been entirely grateful for in the past.. But even more so, I'm thankful for
all of you.. I love you family.. Thanks for always being there for me..

Con tutto del mio cuore....

Anziano Gatchell

Sick Anziano

Buon giorno famiglia...

Well, this week could have gone a little bit better than it did.. I got sick Sunday.. I don't know how, or why, but oh well, I've been sick.. I completely slept through Tuesday entirely, never even saw the day.. Being sick in the mission is absolutely no fun whatsoever.. Oh well, we have our tests for reasons and I just need to be more obedient and get better.. Don't worry Mom, everything is fine here, everyone is taking care of me and while it's not home, I'm doing just fine.. The time here in the mission is absolutely flying and it's sort of scaring me.. It's already been five months...I don't wanna talk about it.. Anyway, everything at home sounds really good and I'm happy to hear from all of you.. Tell Wyatt to tear up this last game and to not take his pads off after.. Tell him to take that extra time alone with him and his pads.. He will never get another opportunity like it in his life, I think about the moment in the Mountain Crest locker room almost every day.. Wyatt, do something tomorrow to remember forever.. Whether it be three touchdown catches or absolutely working your butt off every down and needing to be carried off that field at the end, just work hard and enjoy every second of it.. I'm jealous that Nana and Grandad are out there right now! Tell them hi for me.. I was going to send them a post card but I guess they won't see it for awhile anyway! Oh well... So tonight is the Napoli vs Liverpool soccer game.. We bought tickets and the entire city is just buzzing about it.. As of last night I wasn't going to go.. But this morning I feel great and it's a tender mercy from the Lord because He knows how much I would love this game.. Anyway, that game is tonight and I'm really excited, but still feeling a bit under the weather.. I'm still a little confused on if I should go, I think it would be a selfish move on my part to go to the game and get more sick and make our work suffer because of it.. I hope I make the right decision.. I'm really beginning to love this work everyone.. The language is soooo difficult but soooo much fun to learn.. There's truly nothing better than actually being able to communicate with people! For the last few months I've been in the absolute dark and the light is starting to come through.. It's such a relief but I can't get complacent.. Anyway... This past week we set a baptismal date with Anna DeMartino.. She's as Naptan as they come and is an absolute crack up.. I love her dearly and we found her the end of my first transfer.. She will be baptized in the next week and I could not be more happy for her!! It's been an incredible story with her and I wish I could just talk to all of you about it for hours but I guess that's why we have so much time together after the mission.. Anyway, weather is starting to change here and I absolutely love it.. I forgot what it felt like to actually be cold!! It rains here alot, too.. Hopefully not tonight for the game though! Sorry I'm not writing a ton today, still a little under the weather and it's not too fun to write.. I hope you all know that I love you and I'm praying for you.. Tell Jess I'm glad she's home and to give each one of you a hug from me, she's been closer to me geographically than any of you for the past couple months save it be Nana and Grandad!! I love you, I'll send pictures next week and I'm sure I'll have much more to say!! Don't worry about me, I've never been better..

Con amore,
Anziano Gatchell

I'm staying here!

Buon giorno famiglia!!

Well.. I'm staying here!! I'm very excited for it too.. At times it's difficult because I'm still in my "Greenie city", but I don't let it get to me.. Coolest city, in the coolest zone, in the coolest mission, in the world! Not trying to brag... Just sayin'! I'm staying with my companion, Anziano Mikesell.. We're going to try and be a lot better this next transfer, I'm looking forward to the challenge! Everything seems to be rolling along at home just nicely.. I'm so thankful for the e'mails and the love that I feel all the time.. I miss all of you and pray for you.. This past week has been incredible.. From Capri last Thursday, the confermation of Antonella Sunday, the announcement of the Rome Temple Ground-breaking!!!!, Zone Conference at Pozzouli Monday, and here I am now.. The weeks just fly by!! I don't know what to do about it! But all is well.. Just about a month ago Elder Ballard and a couple other General Authorities made a stop at Rome to make some last remarks regarding the Rome Temple.. They left a message with us and Elder Ballard said something that really stuck with me.. All the time we are exhorted to come unto Christ, to learn of Him, to walk in His ways, and to literally know Him better.. Elder Ballard took it from the other perspective.. As we do these things, we are allowing our Savior to know us.. We are showing Him how much He can trust us with His precious things on the earth.. We show to Him that we are dedicated servants, that we will keep His commandments, and will be an example of the believers in all things.. I loved what Elder Ballard said and it really was just what I needed.. The work continues to go forth here.. There's so much to do and so little time.. The Lord needs more missionaries and not only that, but He needs more stud missionaries.. The ones that won't come home because it's still a little early, the one's that talk to the person sitting next to them even though they're tired, the one's that take obedience and look at it more as a challenge, rather than a burden.. I promise I'm trying to be this type of missionary.. Today I restarted reading the Book of Mormon.. Chapter two, verse three.. Obedience... The Prophet Joseph Smith also said, "I made a rule for myself, when the Lord commands... do it!".. How happy we would be if we would take this at face value and do the things that He asks of us.. Namely, tithing, scripture study, FHE, prayer... All the things are necessary for our own well-being! President Monson even said it this past week, "It's easier to be 100% obedient than it is to be 98%." I'm learning a lot out here.. I would be crazy to say I don't miss you all, but I can't believe I'm rounding my 5 month mark and it seems like I just hit the MTC.. Oh well!! So the Temple Announcement.. So incredible!! They will break ground in two weeks and President Kelly is trying to get approved that all missionaries can attend.. President Monson and I think the entire First Presidency will be there.. That would be incredible if I could go.. We'll see what happens.. On another temple note.. Hartford, CT!!! Do Nana and Grandad know that if they won't come back to Utah that we'll just come to them!!?? That's so awesome though, I was smiling from Italy when I heard that.. Today for P-Day we are going to try and see all that Napoli has to offer.. There are so many castles and museums that we walk by daily during our work that we never have time to stop and see, so we are trying to deal with all of that today.. I'm loving the work here, I'm trying my absolute hardest.. Days take weeks and weeks seem like a day.. I'm adjusting just fine to this culture, the Italian people are the most wonderful people in the world... hands down.. I miss you all and I love you.. Although, I don't miss you that much because you're going to be on a houseboat next week listening to Toby Keith and Fleetwod Mac.. Buon viaggio!!

Con amore,

Anziano Gatchell

Best week yet.. but really? It's October??

Buon giorno famiglia!!

Okay... Where to begin.. I'm a day late because we had to change our p-day due to some permesso stuff.. How is everyone?? Sounds like all is going well.. Can you believe that it's October?? Absolutely incredible.. Well I want to tell you where I spent my P'day today, but I think you would all just become extremely jealous and not want to send me letters anymore.. Anyway... Okay, so we went to Capri.. It's the island off the coast here.. The most incredible, beautiful, exotic, and rich island in the world!! There have been like twenty Bond movies filmed there, hundreds of others.. It was so unreal.. So we got permission from Presidente Kelly to go there and we took advantage.. Taking a boat out for about an hour.. When we arrived we didn't know what to do.. We had three hours or so to just explore.. While we were looking at postcards and maps a little Italian man comes up to us and swings us a deal to take us around the island for twenty five euro a head... GREATEST THING EVER!!! Two hours on this small little Italian gandola on the waves of the sea going in and out of caves and natural made archs.. He has lived there since he was four and knew everything!! The island is now inhabited with persons such as the President of Ferrari, hundreds of Italian writers, and movie stars galore.. It was incredible to say the least.. I will send some pictures and the entire time I was just thinking about how much I wish my family could have seen all of this.. Next to Fenway Park, most unbelievable place I've ever been at.. However, as to the work... Transfers are this week.. I really hope I get to stay here.. I'm in the greatest mission in the world in the best zone of the mission.. I will be devastated if I get transferred, but I will go where He wants me to go.. Napoli is my home! It's all I know is little Fiat cars and Motorini blitzing the streets and Naptan guys yelling at Americans on the street.. Anyway, we'll see how that goes and you'll know by next Wednesday.. As to the baptism this last week.. It was incredible.. More so than Capri.. I'll send you the picture included with this e'mail.. To see the change in her life, the joy, the hope that she now has just fills my tank.. At the end, it's beautiful to sit back and say that it was nothing that we did.. It's just more evidence that it is the Lord's work.. That the Italian people are prepared and our part is being as obedient as possible to have the Spirit with us and to find and teach them!! It's all just so surreal right now.. I'm so happy for Antonella I can hardly stand it.. The second week I was here we met with them in church.. Maybe you all recall this story, but she saw the picture of our Savior in the red robe.. She just absolutely lost it and began to cry.. So I decided to give her a framed copy of the picture at the baptism.. Again, same result.. And again, it hit me that I have looked at that picture my entire life.. I have seen it daily, weekly, whenever.. Has it ever once at any point in my life meant that much to me as it meant to her last Saturday?? Has this Gospel?? We are so unbelievably blessed.. Watching Conference from the bay at Pozzouli this last weekend was an experience that I will never forget.. It just doesn't get better.. We weren't able to see the Sunday afternoon session, so for us the entire Conference started and ended with one thing... Gratitude. Wow.. How important it is to be grateful.. How ungrateful I have been all of my life.. Mom, Dad... I love you so much.. I am so thankful for all that you have done for me in this life and all that you are doing now just so that I can have it better.. Just so I can live a little better, a little more easier.. I'm so thankful for all that you do.. And most importantly, I'm thankful for you holding it a standard to be on this mission right now.. Elder Holland talked about his mission and how it means everything to him.. His emotion used during his talk about a year ago has just stuck with me and is just impressed in my mind and my heart in all that I do.. But I'm so very thankful that you are providing and supporting me in being here.. I truly mean it.. I'm so blessed and I have been for my entire life.. Thanks so much for all that you do.. As a family we are so blessed to have this Gospel.. General Conference really just made me feel at home again.. Lost and confused in a country for two months takes a toll of about a year.. This Conference just brought me back home, in a good way.. What an incredible opportunity we had, and as you said in your e-mail Mom, I think we could all take into practice the talk by President Uchtdorf and the importance of simplifying.. Everyone tells me that they want to hear a little more about the culture.. I'll just tell you a watered-down version of my day and the things that happen on the street and such.. Wake up at 6:30, work-out, studies, breakfast.. Leave house at 10.. My house is in a big gated complex with like six or seven 8 story buildings.. Right as I walk out the door there's a really nice Italian woman that hangs out her window all day long and just waits for us to leave and come back, she really says that's why she's there.. She's incredible.. We leave the complex and walk down the streets with everyone yelling a "Ciao Bello!!!".. It's the Naptan way.. On the corner sits our favorite group of people that make food for us every Thursday night.. They're incredible and we go say hi and make fun of each other.. All goes well.. We go out and work, return at 1 for lunch and study.. Leave again for appointments for the night.. Usually with investigators, sometimes with less-actives because of our area.. The Italian people just LOVE to talk.. So does my companion.. So I'm constantly the one that has to say we need to go! Anyway, it's always fun.. We ride the subway all the time here, you know that.. It's always a blast down there, packed, I love it! I always talk with people about soccer games and how the team is doing.. They love it.. It's all about showing them how much you care for them, then they return the favor.. The Italian people are so loving and anyone and everyone you can go talk to.. I like to think of it that way anyway!! The food is always unreal, just out of this world.. At Capri today we ate a sandwhich that was the best in the world.. On the boat in middle of the Sea, talking with an Italian about the island where Pinocchio was sent away too (yeah that's Capri!).. Just wonderful.. Best mission in the world, nothing like it, and I'm working hard to earn it every day.. I love each and every one of you.. Keep choosing the right.. We know what's right, we know what's wrong.. Like President Monson said, "Decide today!".. It's easier to be 100% obedient than 98%.. It's so true.. I'm so thankful for all that you do, every one of you are in my thoughts and prayers always.. Tell all my friends that I love them and am thinking of them.. Untill next week... Arrivederci!

Forza Napoli,
Anziano Gatchell

Climbing to the Top Starts with the First Step

Buona sara famiglia!!!

How is everyone?? All is great here!! Just got back from climbing Mount Vesuvio today.. It was incredible!! Dad has a couple of photos of that.. I felt back at home with the lava rock everywhere.. I was telling some the other missionaries up on top about how there is lava rock all around my house in St. George Utah and none of them believed me.. But it's true! The air was so thin up there also.. It was pretty incredible.. The better part of the day was getting there though.. It was just a classic Italian old school van that took us through this windy little road untill there was just a parking lot (Italian parking lot, consisting of five spaces for a Smart Car) and a trail going to the top.. It was a blast though.. This last week was one of my favorites yet.. Weird how that works? Things just get better and better?? I'm learning a lot about the language and about this work.. I'm growing everyday and recognizing areas that I need to work on every second it seems like.. The most important thing that I'm understanding is that simple obedience is the key to this work, and that all other things are in the hands of the Lord.. It's such an a amazing experience.. This Saturday we have a baptism.. Her name is Antonella.. She is absolutely incredible and we've worked with her for some time now.. She's ready, the Lord has prepared her.. Especially now.. We are first hand seeing the amazing trials that she is being put through to get to this Saturday.. Just as always, the night is darkest before the dawn, and how sweet that daybreak will be for her.. Please keep her in your prayers.. The work is moving foward like wildfire here.. There's so much work to be done and such little time.. On top of all of this, I'm trying to learn what the people are saying!! Sure enough, the Lord won't let me fail.. Everything sounds great at home.. Of course it's great because this weekend is Conference!!! I hope you all spend a lot of time around the TV this weekend.. Isn't that wierd? It seems like yesterday we were sitting down for April Conference.. Strange.. Anyway.. This time I'm not going to be in our basement on the Lovesac, I'll be at the church of Pozzouli.. Which is the exact place that Paul landed when he came to preach the Gospel to the Italian people.. Pretty amazing if you ask me!! The view there is incredible and I've never been so excited to listen to these wonderful talks.. Couple of birthdays this week, too! Wish I could send you something, I guess it will just have to be my love for now.. I'm thinking of all of you daily and are always in my prayers.. A story from this last week that was pretty incredible happened on Sunday.. We were clear across the city at the Branch President's house having lunch after church.. We received a call from a Sister of the church that was in the Hospital at Policlinco... Which is about a solid hour, hour and a half away.. So we left and headed for her.. Understand what I mean when I say "Italian Hospital", because it's nothing like America.. Feels more like an ancient ruin than it does a place to get well.. Anyway, we arrived there and began to talk with her sister who isn't a member.. We proceeded to give her a blessing in Italian.. After the blessing, her sister was just bawling.. She said she has never felt something like that before.. We continued to teach her about the priesthood, about how we have been blessed with this power, and how it is used.. It was just an incredible day.. I had been waiting for that for a while in the mission.. At times it seems like we are so caught up in appointments and things to do that we never have the opportunity to just go and serve.. I recognize that it is always service for these two years, but I don't know.. Something was different this last Sunday.. I felt like a missionary.. Anyway.. I love you all.. Take advantage of this Conference weekend and relax.. It's so necessary.. The time is flying by here and I can't believe where it goes.. I'm loving this work more and more every day, and more importantly I'm loving the Italian people.. Untill next week with photos from the baptism, arrivederci!!

Anziano Gatchell

Last weeks letter

Buon giorno famiglia!!

And a Happy Anniversary to Mom and Dad!! Has it really been 25 years?? I guess how would I know? But congratulations!! Like I wrote to Dad, that really is incredible.. Especially being out here in Italy and seeing the different families successes and failures, it all depends on the foundation the parent have set for their children and I'm so thankful for both of you.. Not only have you given each one of us kids the opportunity to grow and to succeed in this life, but you've been carefully trying to help us along the way.. I'm so grateful for both of you and for your love for us and for each other.. Granted, it's never easy, but hearing that you spent your 25th Anniversary eating Bombay at Sundance?? Yeah...things are going just as planned.. As for me?? Well the work moves forward.. It's been a crazy week, like usual.. The city of Napoli never sleeps and I'm happy for that!! Unfortunately, it's lights out at 10:30 for me.. So we have a baptism next week! Great news I know.. It was incredible the other night hearing Antonella tell us about how she received her answer.. What a testimony to my heart that the Lord is in this work and that this is the true Church of Jesus Christ.. He's always the same, for now and forever.. Just as He answered the question of Antonella He will answer the questions that we have throughout our lives if we just pray and ask Him, but even more important is to listen for the answer.. But anyway, the work moves forward and Napoli continues to grow! I truly am loving being in the service of my Lord and I can't believe it has already been four months!! Crazy, I know.. The language is hard, but a blessing.. Everyday seems to be a new language to learn and I'm thankful for that, it keeps me working hard.. However, I would like to just be able to understand everything!! Oh well... With time it will come.. This last Sunday there were some amazing people in Church.. A couple Special Intelligence guys from Utah that were here on business, who both served in Italy.. We talked for along time about the Church here in Napoli and the growth around Italy.. It was amazing to hear the blessings that came from their service so many years.. Then there was another couple that didn't speak Italian and were from Idaho.. And like so many people say, "Oh, you're so lucky, two years in Italy is a vacation on the tithe-payers money!".. If this is a vacation then I wonder what actually working means! They were wonderful though.. And then a man that is from Napoli, now lives in Orem and owns a Pizzeria near University Mall.. You have to go try it out!! It's completely genuine Napolitano food and you would absolutely die.. He's great and if he's working ask for the owner and tell him I'm the Elder he saw in Napoli this week!! Our week has been really busy and this week there has been a conference at Rome for all of the leaders so I'm here with Anziano McBride and Anziano Bahr for a couple days.. It's always fun to get a fresh face for a couple of days, but totally different.. I'm so grateful for all of you though and for the letters, e-mails, etc... Attached will be a couple of photos of the food, the streets, and such so that you can sort of get an image of what I do everyday!! The food is like that every day.. The streets are just like this everywhere, except for that picture is of one that is pretty spacious, usually they are just little alley-ways and such.. It's awesome though and I'm really losing myself in the work.. Sounds like Dixie Football is struggling a little bit.. Wyatt is really number one in the state?? That's INCREDIBLE!!! What a stud.. Tell him to keep it up and I wouldn't mind hearing from him hear or there.. I miss you all but you can't take the miss out of missionary... I'm so happy that all of you are doing well and that we are blessed.. Share it with others.. It's when we start to look at our blessings as the means to help others is when we truly find the happiness that our Heavenly Father wants us to have.. My companion has a list of quotes with about 200 phrases of how to be happy.. At the end I just asked, "Why don't any of them just say, 'Go on a mission'?" But it's true.. Serve others and find sure happiness, worry about ourselves and misery will surely come.. I love you all and I'm grateful for all that you do.. Have a wonderful week and I'll hear from you again in a few days.!

Con amore,

Anziano Gatchell

Almost fall in Saint George

Buon giorno famiglia!!

Another week under that big ball of mazzarella in the sky!! How are all of you?? All is well and crazy here!! So I told you last week were transfers.. I'm in my second transfer now.. Just doesn't seem real!! My new companion is great.. Anziano Mikesell from Lone Peak.. We're complete polar opposites, he's the gelato to my margherita pizza but oh well, it's the Lord's work not ours!! He's great, we're working hard.. Sounds like the family is doing great.. Wyatt, way to tear it up your freaking stud!! I told my companion your stats (like I would always do with Anziano Ehorn) and he looked at me and said, "Does that mean he did good?".. We're in for a fun transfer to say the least!! But good job.. I want a picture of your jeep, too! Speaking of pictures.. A couple things I wouldn't mind receiving in the mail.. A picture of my baptism, the pictures from the Temple in San Diego, and any basketball and other good Utah photos!! I want to share more about home and the Italian people love pictures and LOVE Utah photos.. Anyway.. Like I said, this week was crazy.. I don't know how there are transfers happen so regularly because it's just madness for a week or so but we're getting back settled down now.. There's a lot of work to do.. We have so much to do with the branch, with less-actives, with members....but we can't even get to it because we have so many investigators and are meeting people every day!! The field is white and we need more missionaries to harvest!! It's wonderful though.. I'm learning a lot here.. The language keeps coming along slowly and slowly.. I make friends with little kids everywhere because they can teach me all the words I need to know and make fun of me while doing it! Last night was English Class and a lot of people attend every week.. But I spent the night teaching slang English phrases to an 8-year-old boy named Machilo.. It's so much fun this work.. I'm falling in love with it more and more every single day.. Nothing comes easy though, I'm definitely learning that.. But just because it's hard and it's work, doesn't mean it can't be enjoyable.. I love that quote that says, "Do what you love for work and you'll never have to work a day of your life." Right now I'm finding out that no matter what it is that you do, just find the good in it and fall in love with it, just as I'm falling in love with the people here in Napoli.. So the weather is beginning to change, however, I want to emphasize the beginning part.. Just when I thought that Summer had finally said, "Arrivederci", the humidity laughed and the heat came right back.. Oh well, it's all for the better I guess?? Sounds like things are hot at home, too.. Oh how I miss that STG heat! Today for P-Day we were able to go to the most incredible mansion in the world!! It was used for filming one of the Star Wars, and is absolutely incredible!! We were able to meet some wonderful people there, also.. It also sounds like everyone is back in the swing of things at home also.. School, work, football.. Don't forget to always read and pray.. Do the important little things.. My companion used a wonderful example.. Life is full of memories and memories come through time.. Just like our watch keeps time and is constantly moving through the days, the smallest part of the watch is a gear on the inside that makes it all go.. Our prayers and the scriptures is that gear.. I want to challenge all of us to continue to put our life into gear, allow our time to work for our benefit by putting the small things first.. We can all do it.. I know that's why our schedule here in the mission is to study and read in the morning, because we have to put our life into gear before we can effectively go.. Know that I love you all and I'm thinking about you.. You are all in my prayers and if there's ever anything I can do to help I'd love to.. Also, I want to invite all of you to read "Continue in Patience" by President Uchtdorf for Family Night this week or sometime soon.. Don't ask me why, but I'm soo excited for General Conference!! More so than any Sox-Yanks game.. (Don't quote me on that) I love you all, con tutto di mio cuore...

Anziano Gatchell

Ian's email

What another unbelievable week in the service of our Lord.. Where to begin.. This week has been incredibly crazy, due to the fact that transfers are taking place.. Anziano Ehorn leaves in the morning and it's hard seeing him go but a wake-up call to say the least to see that eventually that will be me.. I remember hearing some advice from a return missionary who told me to not wish away any time at all.. I'm beginning to find this to be true.. At times I want to have learned the language, not be a greenie, and have more influence on the work.. And then I remember that phrase.. "Don't wish away a moment, to get through the time".. I love it.. It's helped me so much.. We are put through the little situations each and every day for a reason.. When we pass up the moments we pass up the experiences.. Ultimately it all comes down to accepting that our Father in Heaven is in the fine details of our lives and when we embrace that, the joy of this life is truly found.. I'm striving to put this into practice by practicing patience through these things.. It really makes every day an adventure!! How is everyone at home? I didn't receive an e-mail about the football game so I guess I don't have the chance to brag about my stud brother.. Oh well, I'll find an excuse anyway.. Last Sunday I received a call from President Kelly telling me where I was going and who I was going with.. I'm staying here in Napoli and I am serving with Anziano Mikesell from Lone Peak.. Anziano McAllister knows him and says he's a stud and our apartment is going to be awesome here in Napoli.. I'm excited to meet him tommorrow.. In the upcoming weeks we have a couple of baptisms that are taking place and the work is moving forward.. Please pray for the people of Italy, they need your prayers so desperately.. We learn from Doctrine and Covenants that every prayer of the righteous is decreed in Heaven for our Heavenly Father to answer.. I love that word decreed.. Believe it and expect it, because it's true!! So, I may or may not have bought a suit last week.. It's so fly!! However, now I get to carry it around with me for two years and bring it home.. Oh well, totally worth it.. I'll send pictures in the future I guess.. We are working with an investigator named Damien right now.. He is my absolute favorite.. He speaks Italian and French and is teaching me French (as if I need another grammar principle to get after).. He is such a stud and asks so many questions and it's amazing to see his progression.. It's miraculous, this work.. No man can do this work.. I'm learning this so quickly.. Everyone claims that you grow up on the mission, but it's different than that I think.. We are slowly figuring out to become like a child.. Obedience is so key.. The little things, and fully submissive to Him brings about success here.. Not only in the mission field, but in life.. Obedience is so important.. I like to think of it this way.. If He can't trust with you the little things (getting up on time, reading the scriptures, attending church) how can He trust you with the big things?? I know this sounds a bit like a talk, but I didn't receive many e-mails and I have thirty minutes to write anything!! Anyway, Ezra Taft Benson said, "When obedience ceases to be an irritant and becomes our quest, in that moment God will endow us with power." I know that to be true, and I've made that my focus for my mission.. I hope that all is well at home.. Everything seems so be going great and I couldn't be more happy.. I can't believe that I have been for an entire transfer, it just seems unreal.. I'm so thankful for all of you and for your support in all things, but don't worry about me, pray for the people of Napoli.. I love them so much and they need you.. Until next week....Arrivederci!

Anziano Gatchell
"Go big, then go home"

Happy September

Ciao Famiglia!!

You all sound great.. What a blessing it is to sit down here once a week and hear from all of you and the wonderful steps each of you are taking right now.. Life moves forward like a tornado doesn't it?? We just need to make sure we hold tight to the rod.. You all seem to be tearing it up in every aspect and every task that you take up.. It's pretty funny, I get a comment about Wyatt tearing it up in football, Tanner with his new calling and football, Hayley speaking French and school, Mom doing it all (as usual), and then Dad....in which case, Mom just bought, what seems to be, a doggy collar for so that when he goes out on his adventures we can locate him.. It's nice to know that nothing has changed! Don't mention that device to President Kelly, I think he'd like the idea for us Elders here in Napoli.. By the way, Dad, I've patented your saying,"It's all part of the adventure!". I use it everyday... whether it be an Italian that just ran my foot over on his motorino (moped) or it raining the only day we made fliers to hand out to people about English class.. I love this work!! I'm having a blast.. At times it's hard, scratch that, it's ALWAYS hard.. But as Elder Holland says... "How dare I ask for it to be easy?". It's a marvelous work, not a simple work.. The work rolls forward here.. In a week is my first transfer, I'm staying here and that's about 99 percent certain.. I'm bummed I'm losing Anziano Ehorn, but excited for a new companion, whoever it may be.. Can you all believe it has been three months? I can't.. Already 5 Sundays in Napoli. I don't even want to think about it.. So Agosto is finally over.. You have no idea how happy this makes us missionaries!! Agosto here, everyone leaves (as I have told you before..).. And I mean EVERYONE.. So upon September's arrival, it seems as if this is a whole new city.. I thought there were a lot of people here before!! It's an absolute madhouse, I love this city.. I wanna be here for two years.. Also, since Agosto is gone, that means Fall weather is here!! Well, almost.. I couldn't be more excited for that.. Changes everything about the work.. More people outside, more energy, just everything.. We're being blessed in more ways than we can even count and I'm thoroughly convinced that it is all due to your prayers at home, so thank you.. On behalf of the Italians... Thank you!! Every Friday night is hard though.. Like clockwork.. And why?? Because of high school football.. My body has been trained for so long to work itself up for those friday night lights and now, I feel it.. From the soccer fields of Italy, I just get pumped up to go hit someone!! It's like there's something in the air.. You know that feeling about football!! Which brings me to my next point.. WYATT!!! You stud.. Way to tear it up.. Don't get beat up about the two losses.. I'm bragging about you to all of the other Elders, they're so sick of it so keep it up!! Anyway, the last couple of weeks have really started to speed up.. We're finding new investigators, setting baptismal dates, and working with the members.. This branch in Napoli is going to be completely done over and we're excited to get started.. More than likely me and Anziano McCallister will remain in this city and really work on strengthening this branch.. Pray for this branch to grow.. They need your prayers because the potential here is unbelievable.. We run into people on the streets all the time that were members, that know members, that used to be investigators.. The field is white!! And we're doing our best to thrust in our sickle with all of our might, but an extra prayer never ever hurt.. So last P-day we went to the Naval Base.. So wierd.. It was like I was in Scottsdale AZ again.. Grass growing, wide streets, parking lots.. So strange!! I've only been here a month too!! I didn't like it one bit, I wanted to get back to the wet streets, alley-way, beautiful smoke filled city of Napoli.. However, since I was there, I took advantage and bought all of the American treats as possible!! I will send a picture of what sixty dollars can get a missionary in Italy.. Anyway, my time is running short.. Off to have the best pizza in the world today.. The finally opened back up after Agosto so I'm excited for that.. Then following I may or may not be buying a suit.. It's completely necessary for fulfilling my purpose!! I love you all.. I think of you daily.. "When there's a prayer, there's a way". I promise you that this is true.. Press forward family.. Be strong, press forward.. Until next week... Arrivederci!!!

Con amore,

Anziano Gatchell

Hi Elder Ian

Buon Giorno tutti!!

I don't have a ton of time today because I'm going to America!!! Wait, that doesn't sound right.. We're going to the American Military Base today.. Some members are barbecuing for us, there's a Taco Bell, Burger King, it's going to be great! Everyone says it's just like walking into America and I can get anything at a Wal-mart there that I want.. Pretty cool if you ask me, however, I'm hooked on all Italian food as you might expect.. How is everyone?? The work rolls forward here.. It's soo much fun, I'm really beginning to get a hang of things.. I'm adjusted to the weather and schedule, but yet each day is an absolute marathon.. I love it here so much.. My companion is the bomb, we have such a blast and work so hard.. It's amazing how much you can know about a person by serving with them.. He's the bomb.. Anyway, WYATT!!!! You stud.. I still remember writing Tanner after my very first game and having him write me back like two weeks later.. Wow, seems like yesterday.. That's crazy.. Way to tear it up you stud.. Keep working hard in practice and be the example.. You're going to own region 9, send my love to Monk.. Tanner, just get married man.. Tie the knot, latch on that ball and chain, and just run with it!! In all seriousness, everything sounds wonderful and I'm so happy that all is well.. Good to hear from everyone this week.. This week was absolutely crazy.. We have a million things going on and that's not including finding people to bring the Gospel to! It's such an amazing work.. Napoli has really struggled.. This city is the third biggest and it's branch struggles bad.. We're really going to go to work with them.. This Sunday is an all missionary Sunday.. We'll all give talks and really try to unite the branch.. Pray for them.. The potential here is incredible.. The Lord knows what He has here and He has a plan, Napoli is ready to flourish.. It just comes line upon line, slowly.. Our investigators are all doing well.. Reno has been searching for an answer and here's a good joke.. I never knew that someone could use a quote from a prophet to delay their baptismal date.. Last night he told us about how he was reading in Our Heritage and went over the quote by Brigham Young that says,"I needed a full two years to fully investigate if I could receive the teachings of the Book of Mormon". (Or something to that effect). Anyway... He says that's how he feels so we respected that, laughed after, and are working and praying for him all the time.. Italia is the absolute best.. I am falling in LOVE with the people here.. They just crack me up.. I am able to understand what they say more and more, it's just being able to respond with all that I want.. Frustrating at times, but it's not supposed to be easy.. Soo good to get the Dixie Elders last week.. Sort of hard because I usually receive mail on Wednesday night or Thursday morning, so I don't get to tell you right away that I got it.. But I did!! Everyone sounds great.. Elder Hicken's letters are awesome, I'd love to get his address cause he's a baller and I miss the guys.. Everyone sounds great though.. I love the mission and the changes that take place.. I just looked at that cover and then at the scripture D&C 33:6 and it truly is coming to pass.. All four quarters of the earth are being gathered.. I love this work! It's hard, exhausting beyond measure, and it shouldn't be any other way.. Can you all believe that it has been three months already?? I sure can't.. I've already been here a month and wow.. Don't know what to even think.. Days take years and a year takes a day in the field.. I don't know how I feel about that!! My babo has only two weeks left.. We're going out hard.. It's amazing to see the difference, being out for a transfer and him going home.. It comes quicker than ever and I'm beginning to believe that.. He's the absolute man and we just bought some worm cheese from the island that is actually illegal in southern Italy.. The cheese will be here in a couple weeks and it has actually worms on it.. Haha I've heard that it's absolutely amazing, I'll definitely be sending you a picture.. Anyway.. I'm so happy that Agosto is almost over, everyone comes back from vacation and things start to cool down.. A lot of the members will return and I'm very excited to meet them all and serve them.. There's a chapter I want for everyone to read this week, if that's not too much to ask.. 1 Corinthians chapter 13.. It has changed my mission.. I never understood charity, and never will.. But it is the answer to all means.. Then read Moroni 7:44-47.. Tanner, read verse 14 I think it is in 1 Cor.. Haha the part that talks about putting away childish things.. You'll think of your mission when you do.. Allora... I love you all.. You all mean the world to me.. Seems as if I was just barely writing you last week and seems as if it wasn't that long ago that I was with you all, because quite frankly, it wasn't!! Pray for Italy.. They need your prayers so bad.. It's incredible the wonderful people that they are and the plain and precious truths that they are missing.. I love you.. Keep the commandments.. It's just.... that.... simple.

Anziano Gatchell