Letters from strangers

Hyrum with the Darley boys and Elder Schllemat

Elder Schillemat, Brother Darley and Elder Sutton

On occasion I get these wonderful letters from people I don't, but know Hyrum and they write me these great letters . It makes me feel so grateful to know that he is loved. Hyrum is loving his mission and loves to serve.


Dear Sister Rose Sutton,

I just wanted to catch you up on the good work that your son, Elder Sutton, and Elder Schillemat are doing here in our ward. They are great missionaries and are hard workers. They continue to work with and strengthen Christina Hoberg. They have inspired us to do better and work harder as member missionaries. We have been working on their challenge of visiting with Christina, Erika, and the Covingtons. They have such a great spirit to them. It is so much fun to have them in our ward. Our family delivered fleece gloves, scarves to them. It is beginning to get cooler here so we wanted them to be warm. Is there anything else that you want us to do? We would love to help out. I am attaching two photos. One of them is a photo of the missionaries at church with my husband. The other photo is at their apartment in front of their investigator board with my two sons. You have a great son with a fun personality. Thanks for raising such a good missionary. 

Sincerely,

Annette Petersen Darley and family

Stake Conference and Jeffrey Visits Slave Lake

Outside the Hotel

Bus Load of Saints

On Saturday night, November 8 we had adult session of Stake Conference for the Rome East Stake. It was very well attended. In fact, it was very crowded in the chapel.We had excellent speakers. Of course it's all in Italian, but I understand it well. The next day we met at a hotel near Villa Borghese. It was so beautiful hotel. I was so impressed when we got thereto see  a bus load of people who had just arrived from Pescara to attend.  It was nice tot be in the hotel because we had so much more room. I'm sure everyone can't wait until the new Stake Center by temple site . I wander if I is completed. I hope I will still be here. I hope so.

In the ditch

Also this weekend Jeffrey decided to go up to Slave Lake to visit his brothers and family. He went alone and had a really good time. The weather however, was nasty and he slid and went into a ditch. A family was able to drive him the last half hour to Timothy's house. They later got the car out and there was no damage and Jeffrey was fine. He met up with Andrew as well. Andrew was in St. Albert but returned on Sunday before Jeffrey had to leave.

Timothy took him to the fire hall and Jeffrey got to put on the full gear.

 I was so glad to hear he made the trip and then made it back safely.

I'm also so glad that here in Rome we are still enjoying a beautiful fall season. The high during the days is about 15-19, low 9. Saturday was another warm day. Just wore a sweater. I could get used to this. :)

Surprize Visit

Monday night, November 3rd I get a text from Keri Demitrioff who said her parents are on a cruise and will port in Rome the next day. So I emailed Chris and Brian and I met them Tuesday night. They were staying downtown, close to the Vatican. I called Carolyn and David Fenn for a ride. They didn't even hesitate, I was so grateful for them. I met the Jones at the hotel they were staying. I think it's so crazy that I hardly see them anymore since they moved to the Island and now we meet in Rome!

It was a beautiful fall evening, not cold at all. We ate outside at a near by restaurant. It was nice to catch up and see some familiar faces from home. They are such good people. They have been cruising for over a month.

Chris and Brian Jones

Olivia and her new glasses.

Cooking

I do just about all the cooking. Sine I've come here I hardly use recipes, so when I saw this on someone's Facebook post I loved it. I will miss going to the markets to get fresh vegetables from the farmers.I can walk on my way home from the office and pick up whatever I need for dinner from different vendors. They are all small shops or outdoor markets. It's wonderful. Our fridge is so small you can't keep a lot of things. But it's fine. We also have a small stove, well and a small kitchen come to think of it.
Things I really about living here besides the food is taking the bus or metro to ancient Rome. There is so much to see here. I don't think I'll be able to see everything before I leave. I am seeing quite a bit though. The office is so busy, so I like it when I do get a chance to go out and see or do something, I jump at the chance. Besides, being in this apartment is really boring. The only good thing is that I'm able to get caught up on things like Pathway, lessons and keeping up with this Blog.

News from Home

Porta Italia tie, October. I think Hyrum looks very handsome here and a lot like Jeffrey

Four pretty ferries

Batarina

Who you gonna call - Chase, ghost busters!

Get a load of those hulk'n feet

I've started sending Hyrum a tie each month. I thought it would be something to look forward to in the mail. Since we don't write anymore, but just email it's always fun to get something you have to open from home. So I'll post them as he sends pictures.

Malta Tie, September

Add caption

It's Elders Sutton and Wilkie - they're back, but not for good

About three years ago Italy started celebrating Halloween. We had a Ward party that the missionaries set up for and manded different stations. Kids in the neighborhood trick or treated. There was a block party in the courtyard. Not everyone participates but they say it is slowly getting more popular.

New companion, Elder ?

Biking in Borghese

Fantastic fall day yesterday, Saturday, November 1. It was actually hot. After a nice pancake breakfast at Patte and Jim Fenns, a bunch of us went to Villa Borghese and rented bikes and segways. I rented a bike. It only cost €3,00 for an hour. The park was full of pedestrians, bikers, roller blades, everything. Somewhat crowded, but manageable.
Later we went to have lunch a place called Insalata Rita. Had the best salad. And the went for gelato.

With Anne and Carolyn

David, Jim, Patte, Anne, me, and Carolyn

Fun day with the Fenns, Millets, and Shinneys.

Assisi

Assisi is a town in the province of Perugia in the Umbria region. It is the birth place of St. Francis who founded the Franciscan religious order in the that town in 1208.

Paul and Gerri Scherbel and Tom and Paula Heath picked me up Sunday night and we drove the 2 hours trip to Assisi. We actually stayed just outside of Assisi, in a really nice bed and breakfast (minus the breakfast) in town called Los Angels. Los Angels in the States is named after this town. Outside my window I could see the beautiful and enormous St. Mary of the Angels Church. It was just across the street.

When we woke up we opened the door and there was a street market right outside our building. I bought a pair of leather black boots, a skirt and a sweater.

Then we headed to Assisi, just a 10 minute drive a mountain. It was a very windy day. Assisi is a lovely town with lots of neat shops, churches and a castle. We stayed the whole day. It was lovely.

It was so good to spend another day with these two wonderful couples. Has been a real highlight to have spent time with them and see lots of beautiful areas.

When I came back, I quickly changed and went to help at the villa for the departing missionaries dinner. I said goodbye to Elder Stewart. He's going home to Salt Lake City. He's bringing Hyrum's Christmas package for me. Then Paula will pick it up from him and deliver  it to Hyrum. I'm very grateful for those two for doing this big favour for me.

Town of Assisi

We visited a medieval castle

St. Francis of Assisi Church



They have festivals reenacting mediaeval times. I want to go back when this happens

In front of the gardens of St. Francis church. The T shaped bush is the symbol of the last letter in the Hebrew alphabet and is how St. Francis used to end his signature. This symbol is found in all the gift shops.The other letters mean peace in Latin.

It was so windy up in the castle



Me, Paula and Gerri being silly



I saw this display at a store. I thought it was interesting that both my sisters names were side by side. I ended up buying embroidered aprons for all the granddaughters and my mother.

The view from top of the castle