THE GOOD BYES HAVE STARTED

October 13, 2015

Started saying my good byes. These missionaries come to Rome 2/6 wards for the DDM every Tuesday.

We gave Fratello Calabrese a statue of the Savior. He has been volunteering in the Mission Office for 17 years. What a wonderful, faithful man.

I met Chiara shortly after I got here. We became friends. She later moved back to Milano, but we skyped after she started the Pathway program.

Carolyn Fenn designed this beautiful plate and then artisans in Deruta painted it. This is an original and it's mine. Will find a special place in my home for it.

I've been training the new Office Elders. They'll be just fine. I've been doing the activities for the YA Family Home Evening. I taught the lesson and then did the game. Great turn out. Such good kids.

10 SENIORS DEPARTING

October 17, 2015

These are the departing missionaries who went home around my departing day.Elder and Sister Anderson, Elder and Sister Millet, Sister Day, Elder and Sister Clark and Elder and Sister Shinny.

We went to a nice restaurant. Then back to the Villa for testimonies, mission hymn, pictures and some good byes. 

It's slowly coming to an end. I'm worried about my suitcases, that I won't be able to fit everything in. Might have to buy another one.

My last pot luck dinner at the villa with all the Senior missionaries.

SAN FILI DAY 2

Chiesa Santo Spirito. Same young man took us to this other church. He rolled back the carpet to reveal a glass floor. Bones of people who lived centuries ago are buried down there.

Thursday, October 15

Federico gave me these pictures of when he was in the military police. I think this may be in Afghanistan. A bomb went off just yards from where there jeep was. Luckily no one was hurt, but he was hurdled in the air.

My great grandfather Federico.

Federico has a passion for mountain biking.

I promised Federico and Lucia that I would be back to say good bye to them, and I kept my word. It was good to see them again and to see San Fili. They picked me up from the train station in Paola. It was raining all the way down, but stopped once I arrived. I visited with Maria Louisa again. We went out for dinner that night; Federico and Lucia and I. Lucia's sister came as well. She was very curious about the church and asked a lot of questions. I gave her a temple card and told her to go on the church website for more clarification. My Italian isn't good enought to explain things clearly, I'm afraid.

FAREWELL SAN FILI DAY ONE

These pictures are out of order. But, I can't figure out how to undo this. Beautiful inlaid wood.

Inside the sacristy. Off limits to people, but our friend took us in.

Chiesa Madre where my parents were married. 

This church is the largest in San Fili, but one has to climb a lot of steps, so the elderly don't attend this one much.

October 15, 2015

I wanted to see the church my parents were married in, Santa Maria Magore (Chiesa Madre), but it was closed. Federico was able to get a key from someone (only in a small town would this happen). As we entered, a young man followed and asked if we were interested in going to to the bell tower. This is a 14th century church, that is being partially restored. 

Streets of San Fili

Maria Luisa Palermo is my mother's cousin. She has always been very hospitable to me. Her brothers, (5 of them) through the years have restored their parents home in which they all lived in.

The man on the right, is one of my father's buddies.

This rose came from my grandmother Rosina's house. Maria Luisa tenderly takes care of it. It's a very old plant

We both made it.

Entering the bell tower. There is rock falling around us and Federico didn't want us to continue. Not me, I wanted to go all the way to the top.

Up and up I went with Federico following me against his will.

BAD LUCK DAY

October 13, 2015
What a bad luck day. I was putting on my beautiful Murano glass bracelet that Catherine bought me and it slipped out of my hands and onto the ceramic floor and broke. I was very saddened. Then at the office Elder Millet's I pad and laptop was stolen from his office. Then I heard that the Clarks in Catania are really sick and they can't make their flight back to Rome.
If this was Friday the 13th, I'd be a bit more suspicious.
Post note to my bracelet. I took it back to my friends, Rafele and Massimo, and they were able to fix it. The had a little kiosk in an outdoor market close  by the Mission  Office that was only opened on the weekends. I bought many pieces from them.

FAMILY HOME EVENING

October 12, 2015

Great turn out for Young Adult Family Home Evening. This was the last one for the Millets. I gave the lesson on Testimony and Conversion and then directed them on a game suggested by Elder Millet. 

They put a piece of blank paper on their heads and then with a marker they had to draw the scene I was describing. It was hilarious. They loved it. Such a good bunch of kids.

HYRUM IN ENGLAND

After a plane,bus and train ride, Hyrum reached Manchester where he met Cameron Wilkey, his old mission companion. Hyrum will be staying with him until Jeffrey gets there on October 26.

LAST ZONE CONFERENCE

At CAPI Conferenc, just before my last Zone Conference, I got to see Sorelle Thorpe, Pinkston and Defranchi again.

October 8th, 2015

The young lady holding a song sheet up is Emily Gee. Here dad wrote the mission Hymn. So cool. The whole Zone got to sing to her and she video taped it to show her dad when she goes back home.

I spilled tomato sauce on my shirt,can you tell?:)

Anziani Pingree and Borden, latest AP's

Bearing my final testimony

Rome West Zone

I'VE BEEN REPLACED

Ocotober 5, 2105
Anziano Calvagna and Gavaz were called as the new Office Elders. I have been busy training them. They are doing great and will be a nice transition. Three weeks left!

TOURING ROME WITH HYRUM

The many cats roaming Rome.

A sample of the graffiti on the trains. Graffiti is really everywhere.

At the farmers market, the fish section. That is a sword fish in the background

October 2nd, 2015

Just before Hyrum arrived I got shingles. Then when he arrived I got the worst cold. I have been such in good health up till then. But no shingles or cold stopped me from showing Hyrum around. 

My favorite butcher at the market 

St. Peter's in the background. Tried to go in twice, and twice it was either blocked, or way to crowed.

Piazza Navonna

Bernini's statue of the four seasons in Piazza Navonna

Sipping fresh water from one of the many beautiful fountains

On Hyrum's last night he met up with the young adults to go sing karaoke. Had a late night and then the next day was off to England.

I will miss the fresh outdoor markets.