Memories

Two years ago today near Labarro.  Time flies by much too quickly.

Departing Missionaries - April 1, 2014

March 31, 2014

D&C 100:112

Therefore, continue your journey 
and let your hearts rejoice; 
for behold, and lo, I am with you 
even unto the end.

* * * * *

Another group of missionaries successfully completed their missions.  It's amazing to see the continual spiritual growth each of them experiences.  We only hope their family and friends at home see the remarkable change that has taken place in each of them.  Most of them are apprehensive about returning home to a place that is just a memory.  Everything is different after 18-24 months.  Most of all, they are different.  Their teenage years are gone forever and each of them is now an adult.  It's a whole new world.

These missionaries who are now returning are part of the group that was here when the hastening began and now they return home to become part of the movement where missionaries and members come together.  They know how to do missionary work and they know the importance of member involvement in that great work.  It's exciting to  anticipate how the how the work of the Lord will move forward with this new army!

* * * * *

"Bee the best you can bee!"

Confirmation

March 30, 2014

Since we had been to the baptisms the day before, we decided to return to Ladispoli for the confirmations the next day.  We hadn't been to Ladispoli to church for quite a while.  When we got there that morning, one of the newly baptized members asked Michael if he would do the confirmation.  We had met him briefly a few days before and knew who he was, but Michael was surprised when he asked him to do the confirmation.  He is a refugee from Nigeria who fled to Lybia and was then put on a boat and sent to Italy where he hopes to stay and live.  Italy is a tough place to live right now because the economy is so bad.  We pray he will be guided as he listens to the promptings of the Holy Ghost.  It's something he desperately wants.

* * * * *

Last Sunday before departing for home.

Springtime at the Villa

March 29, 2014

This is the sight that greets us everyday.   The redbud trees and wisteria are in full bloom.  I love springtime.

The villa

The villa

The villa

Now this is the cutest blossom of all!!!

There are lots of feral cats that hang out in the yard.

Baptism in Roma 2

March 29, 2014

The brother of a young man who was baptized a few weeks ago was baptized Saturday night.  The elders were thrilled with the baptism, but not nearly as much as the brother who cried the whole time.

Baptisms in the Sea - Ladispoli

March 29, 2014

The anzioni in Ladispoli had two baptisms on a Saturday afternoon.  The church isn't equipped with a font so they did the baptisms in the sea.  They held the meeting portion in the church and then everyone took a 5 minute walk to the sea to watch the baptism.  There were a lot of curious stares as we paraded down the street.  Wish we had been able to talk to people and answer their questions on the way.  Hopefully, some of those same people will see the missionaries in the future and ask them questions.  Occasionally baptisms are held in the sea here, but this was the first one we were able to witness.  It doesn't really matter where the baptism takes place, what is really important is the covenant that is made at the time to keep God's commandments.

Franciscini's

March 24, 2014


I have to admit, I don't always know what's going on.  As we were driving home from the airport after having been gone for nearly a week, we got a phone call from two couples that were expecting to stay at the villa that night.  Somewhere along the line, they were told if they came to Rome to do a fireside, they could stay at the villa.  But . . . nobody told us.  We had been gone for several days and during that time had twelve missionaries staying at the villa because of complications with travel after the all-mission tour.  We asked one of the senior couples to stay at the villa and help because we had to fly to the next meeting.  They are always ready to help us and took great care of the missionaries.  However, it takes a lot of food to feed that many missionaries and so they lived off of whatever was in my cupboards and freezer.  That meant we were coming home to not much of anything in the cupboards.  It was late Sunday night when all of a sudden we found out we were having four extra guests for the night.  We called the same couple who had stayed at the villa and told them of our predicament and they graciously provided some of their food for us to use for breakfast the next morning.  Sometimes we just have to put our trust in a higher source and miraculously it all works out.  I love the feeling of knowing someone is watching out for me.