News from Home

Colouring pages and crafts from Kennedy and Chase. I paste these on my wall at the office. That way I can look at them and it makes me smile.

Timothy makes the Slave Lake Newspaper

Some nice family took these missionaries  out for an Italian lunch. Hyrum has been blessed to have many good members treat him well. Whether is't been dinners, clothes, money and gifts. I guess that is the advantage of serving in Utah.

Hyrum receives my Christmas package via Paula and Tom Heath. They were good enough to pick it up from returning missionary Elder Stewart. They met up with Hyrum, brought him brownies and delivered his package.

New companion in Syracuse

Julia gets her ears pierced for her 8th birthday. One happy little girl.

Alissa and Michael and Buddy

Andrew with his new rescue pup

New companion in Syracuse, Elder Leavit

"All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth"

Mission Stuff

Elder Hatch bought a Panetone to share with those in the office. My first Panetone here and it was a real good one!

Elder Hatch sitting at my desk

Elder Hatch was transferred to Rome in early December because he needed medical attention due to torn ligaments in his leg. During transfers he was called as the new Assistant to the President. He is serving along with the existing APs, Elders Perry and Rasmussen. Elder Hatch is helping in the office until he can be more mobile. He is a wonderful young man. I enjoy having him around. We get along really well. He kind of reminds me of a young Steve. 

Elders Perry and Rasmussen and the four Michaels - Calabrese, Stevens, Millet and Waddoups
Right after our weekly staff meeting President Waddoups announced Elder Hatch as a new AP.

Saying good bye to Geri and Paul Sherbel. They served in Battipaglia, Napels and are going home to Colorado

Brother Calabrese, the sweetest man. Has been volunteering in the office for 16 years.

Elder Millet

Elder Stevens, Finance

Thanksgiving - again and again and again

On Sunday, November 23 the senior missionaries in the Rome area got together for Thanksgiving dinner. We did it at the Villa. President and Sister Waddoups were out of time but coming in later that evening. They were kind enough to let us use their place. A new couple, the Hancocks, just came in from the Provo MTC around dessert time. They will be serving in Malta.

Wednesday, the 26, Sister Day, myself, the Shinneys and the Memmotts invited for Thanksgiving dinner at the Guidaras.  It was the first time Silvia cooked a whole turkey and made gravy and it was probably the best turkey I've ever tasted. Of course being Italian we hand homemade ravioli to start.

I think the most fun was when we shared Thanksgiving "pranzo" with the districts in the Rome area.

Everyone, including the young missionaries brought a dish and it was fabulous. Thirty four of us gathered around 6 tables. The sisters decorated the tables and made paper turkeys. I made the center piece turkeys and cut paper feathers. Each of us wrote what we were grateful for.

The next day a cut out a turkey body and put the feathers around the turkey and hung it on the wall.

All the turkeys were fresh and each one tasted so good. I  don't think I want to go back to frozen turkey again. I loved how the young missionaries loved being together, chatting, laughing, I think it was a nice break for them.