Outing with the Girls

On Friday, October 25 Dixie, Carline, Patee and I went sight-seeing. Patee has the book that has 24 walking tours in Rome. So we are going to do each one about twice a month. Our first one took us to St. Clements Church, built in the 3rd century. We went to these underground ruins that dated back to the 1st century. They were these Roman houses. Some frescos were still on the wall and fractions of old statues. Unbelievable. We visited San Giovanne again and across the street to the sacred stairs, where Constantine's mother brought back the stairs Jesus walked up in Pontius Pilots house. Today people crawl on them as part of their devotion and penance, I think. Was interesting to see people's faith showing like that.

Daniele and Fausto

I met Daniele when I first came to Rome. He dressed as Paul for the photo shot that will be shown at the Visitor's Center. We became fast friends. He is a very intelligent and good humored young man. I see him each Thursday after Pathway. Daniele went to Calgary on his mission and so he speaks English very well. He has returned to Canada for a visit and to apply at a few different Universities including some American ones. He was kind enough to take back some packages for me back home. I was so grateful for this because now I have more room in my suitcase when I go back home.

This is Daniele's brother Fausto who I just met last week. He is engaged to Jasmin Lowe, small world eh?

Segway and New Friends

Wade and Jodi Innis, who I went segwaying with, Ruth Stevens and Paula Heath

When Paula and Tom came to Rome, their friends Wade and Jodi came along as well. They are the nicest people. I took the day off to be with them. They rented these Segway's, which at first I didn't think I would like. But they were quite easy to figure out. The best thing about the tour was our guide. First he was this cute young man, but he really new his stuff. We went on a three hour tour around Rome at night. Even though I had been to some of the sights, Leo, our guide was able to fill in a lot of detail about the area. We went to the (former)Jewish Ghetto, Pantheon, and more. This was one of the highlights so far. The next day I invited them over and made them a nice lunch. They were going to head to Catania next.  

Wade, Jodi, me, Paula and Tom in front of the Pantheon

Jenni and the girls

Plaque I had made on the way to Sorrento. "As for me and my house we will serve the Lord", in Italian.

Anne and Lyn Shinney



 



Al Rounds

Artist Al Rounds Visits Rome West Stake Institute

 This internationally acclaimed church artist was asked to present a fireside to the young adults after Institute Graduation on Friday, September 26. Brother Rounds was in Rome to view the now under construction Visitor Center at the temple grounds. He has been commissioned by the church to paint two murals which will be placed behind the Christus.

Invited by Ugo Perego, Director of the Rome Institute, the young adults were privileged to listen and watch Brother Rounds in action. Brother Rounds began his presentation by taking a blank canvas and etched a simple landscape. With each brush stroke he added color and the painting begun to come alive.

Upon completion, a more elaborate painting was projected on a screen behind him. He then compared the simple image he just completed to that of the much larger and detailed landscape. It took him four months to finish the projected landscape. A lot of work and thought went into it.  He explained how we can accomplish great things if we continue to work hard throughout our lives. If we allow the Lord to help us He can make a beautiful picture of us at the end of life. We sometimes see life very simply, but the Lord sees the details in our lives. 

A Series of Unfortunate Events

Last Thursday, October 17 I went running with Sister Riveros like I usually do at 6:30 in the morning. We decided to try a new route on the way home. Well it's still pretty dark out and the side walks are bad with the tree roots pushing through the asphalt, that I didn't see this particular one and I stumbled and fell. I landed quite hard on my left side of my body. I caught the fall with my left had a got quite the cut. I had road rash on my shoulder, hip and along my leg. But, I was able to run the rest of the way home knowing I would feel the pains later. And I did. I was bruised and sore for a few days. There is still some tiny bits of asphalt on the palm of my hand and for a while I thought it was infected. But I think it's healing alright.

Two days later I notice my wallet missing and came to  the conclusion after I searched everywhere that someone had stolen it. After cancelling my cards I went to the police station and they gave me a paper verifying that it was stolen so I could go to the train station to replace my yearly bus pass that I paid 288,00 euros. I had to pay 7 euros to replace it. My  new visa and debit card arrived in the mail in 4 days. I was very impressed. I was angry at first and then just went to work trying to replace and renew things. I lost about 60, euros and the Couch wallet Daniela gave me.

On Saturday 7 of us; Kay, me Anne, Dixie Caroline, Patee and Florence went Silvia Guidars's for a cooking class. We made squash blossoms, zucchini lasagnia, roasted peppers and egg plant, stuffed mushrooms and a meat dish. The we made a chocolate, ricotta torte. While the lasagnia was cooking, Manuele took us to a 13th century town, Quite lovely. Than we came back and ate outside. Really nice day.

Manuele explaining the process to make olive oil. He gave us a bottle of oil pressed from the olives from his garden.



Town of Farfa, 13 centurey

Pattee adding a piece of cheese in the squash blossoms

Stuff - trying to catch up

d

On Monday, October 13, Wes and Jodi Innis, myself and Paula and Tom Heath rented segways. We took a night tour of Rome. We had the best tour guide. I enjoyed him as much as I did riding on those silly things. It's a great way to cover a lot of ground in a shorter time. The tour was about 3 hours. I loved hearing all about the history. And although I've been to some of the sites before, there were still things new I learned. Here we are posing in front of the Pantheon. Wes and Jodi are friends of the Heaths. Another wonderful and generous couple. I stayed out way too late and had to take a cab home. The next day I made lunch for the 5 of us at the apartment. They dropped me off to work later and I introduced them to everyone. President Waddoups was there so they got to meet him. They left to head back to Battipaglia and then continue to Sicily. Wish I could have joined them for that, but I had plans for the weekend so couldn't, though I was welcomed. Such good people. I love spending time with the Heaths especially.

Friday night Institute. Italians love pancakes

Teaching first Pahway class in the 2nd semester

That wall behind me is the side of an ancient castle in Tivoli

mmm gelato

Tom took this picture of me and President Waddoups

The Three Tenors

On Tuesday, September 30th, the Millets, the Stevens, the Shinneys, Sister Day and I went to see the Three Tenors. They were performing in an Anglican church called St. Paul's Within the Walls. What an Amazing night. They were so powerful. This and Romeo and Juliet are my favourite performances so far. Before the show we ate at a really nice spot that we just happened to discover while walking to the church. It was near Piazza di la Republica. That Piazza is one of my favourites as well.

 I am so grateful I am able to do these fun things on my mission. What an amazing city this is. There is so much to discover and do.

Just saw this on Face Book, Chase got glasses. Tara said he doesn't like them much but apparently he really needs them. What a cutie!

Piazza Spangnia

Chestnuts roasting on an open fire

On Saturday I went to see the Spanish steps. It's almost the middle of October and I thought there wouldn't be as many tourist, but no! There must have been thousands of people there. But still fun to be walking in Rome. Went to the Keats/Shelly memorial home. It's where John Keats and other British poets resided at some point and where Keats died.

Walked along the side streets and came across some nice shops. Bought a beautiful dress, necklace and bracelet. Was expensive but I love it. Met up with the Shinneys and the Memmotts for dinner. Had some really good eggplant parmegiana.



Bust of John Keats

Sitting on the Spanish steps

Portrait of Keats

Hyrum's Birthday

September 2013 - September 2014

On September 27 Hyrum turned 20. In one of his emails he mentioned that he is thinking of attending school in Utah. I wouldn't mind this because I would like him to have an opportunity to go to a church school or a school where there a more members. He will have t decide by the end of January.
I will then need to decide whether I will stay here the whole 18 months or be home the same time he returns. I would just hate to miss seeing him at the airport or hearing his home coming talk. So we'll see what happens.

Catching Up - Lori Ellis Passing

Sunday, October 12

This week I bought a new lap top. I felt with Pathway and teaching Institute I really needed one. Even keeping up with this blog has been tough, because I always have to stay late after working at the office. So now hopefully I can update and write on a more regular basis.

So I'm going to do some catching up.

I last posted about my Sorrento and Capri trip. Unfortunatly on the same day I got to Sorrento I got the very sad news that Lori Lyn Ellis died. Early Saturday morning, (late Friday Alberta time)Jo texted me to call her because she had some sad news. I immediately called her had she broke down and gave me the news. I couldn't believe what she was telling me. Oh, my heart just ached for her and Randy. Lately there have been things happening at home that I wish I were there to help. This was one of those moments I wish I could be there. How I would of liked to be there for Jo just like she was for me for days after Steve died. I wanted so very much to give her my shoulder to cry on. Thank goodness for good friends who called me and said they would be my hands. I'm grateful for Catherine, Heather, Linda and others for being those hands.

Lori Lyn Ellis



Where the green carpet in the background is where Lori was layed to rest.

Cashton, Jo-Anne and dad are sitting on the bench we got on Steve's one year anniversary of his passing. It has a plaque that reads, "Save us a seat". He is buried in front of it.

Amalfi Coast

On September 19 I took a train to Salerno in Naples. My good friends from Salt Lake City Paula and Tom Heath are visiting Rome for 10 weeks. They are renting an apartment in Battipaglia, Naples near their friends, the Scherbels, who are missionaries serving there. I know the Scherbels, but really got to know them better and love them this weekend. What a fun couple. I wish they lived here in Rome.

In front of the ceramic factory

Lunch in Capri 

They picked me up from the train station and we immediately headed for Sorrento. We drove along the Almafi Coast overlooking the beautiful azure colours of the Mediterranean sea.We stopped at a ceramic shop where I ordered a plaque with the scripture, "as for me and my family we will serve the Lord". I had them paint it in the blues and greens of the water.


Paula Heath

Paula and Geri waiting to catch the ferry over to the island of Capri

Each plate is custom painted

All though it was late September the weather was still really hot and tourists were everywhere. We took a ferry to the island of Capri. After walking around a bit, we climbed into a small fishing boat to one of the grottoes. When I was here with Steve we couldn't go in the grotto because of the high tides. So I was grateful to go this time. We sure laughed a lot as 5 of us adults crammed in this little boat. We had to lay flat in order to enter the grotto without hitting our heads.

A tight squeeze. Tom is in the other side.

True colurs. Unbelievable.

St. Andrew's Church

Statue of St. Andrew

Back in Battipaglia, we had dinner at the famous Donna Sofia were I had the best squash pizza.