Christmas

Carolling - Piazza del Popolo

Sister Marsh

Elder Budd, singing Silver Bells

Microwave snowmen covers

Rome 2 and 6 plus Sarour and Shayla

Sister Hassall

Norma Salerno

December Zone Conference

My first Christmas in Rome has been wonderful. The office has been receiving parcels from parents every day for over a month and some late packages are still coming in. There were so many packages that there wasn't any room in the cupboards. You could barley walk in our office because they just spilled out taking over the office floor space. You could see by Sorella Marsh's expression how thrilled they were as they came to check if they received anything. The assistants made a Christmas run to many zones delivering Christmas packages and supplies.

During the Christmas Season I was able to connect with Stefania, Deborha and Bruno. Here Bruno and Santina are toasting me a Happy New Year.

For Zone Conference in December Sorella Waddoups had us in costumes reenacting the Christmas story.

I made the missionaries these cute microwave popcorn covers. I got the idea off Printerest.

I helped organize a breakfast for the Rome area missionaries. It was so fun and once again, just like the Thanksgiving lunch, they just love being together. I had each zone prepare a musical number. Sister DiFranchi and I sang "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas". I gave the seniors the recipe for McDonalds in a pan and we made that while the young missionaries provided the fruit and drinks.

I went Christmas Caroling with the missionaries and the young adults in the Stake. We sang in Piazza del Popolo. A lot of people stopped to hear us. They took pictures and seemed to enjoy the songs.

Christmas Eve all the seniors left for a two day outing. I stayed behind because I wanted to make sure I could speak with Hyrum the next day. I was invited to have dinner at Norma and Daniele Salerno's home. It was a really lovely evening. They have a beautiful apartment. From their kitchen window they have a great view of the temple site. We had a typical Italian Christmas Eve dinner just like I would have had growing up.

Christmas morning I had Rome 2 and 6 district over for breakfast. We did a secret Santa. Elder Perry had my name and he got me a cute necklace. I just love being with them.

The rest of the day was spent skyping with Hyrum and family and friends. It was great to talk to Hyrum. he opened his gifts from me and seemed to like everything I sent. He talked to me about his plans for when he finishes in September. He would like to come here and start school in January. I think that would be a great opportunity and really probably a once in a life time opportunity to see Rome and area because I could show him around. He can even meet up with Andria when she comes in October for her research on her book. He also would like to go to London to see Elder Wilkie who will be off his mission. Once again, much more fordable to go their from here that from home. So he said he would pray about it and see.
I've seen some pretty lights around Rome. The lights at Via del Corso and international flags along the street for 3k. There was a huge tree in front of the Colosseum. The Fendi store was magnificent. And nativity scenes are everywhere. Except they all depict the nativity, which they call presepio, with village people, like the baker,butcher, ladies hanging their clothes. People doing their every day chores, somewhere in this big scene is the manger scene.Some are just spectacular. We saw one from the 1700's.
This has been a wonderful experience. I'm so blessed to be here at this time with so many wonderful people.

Example of a presepio (nativity scene)