We Run Rome

Sorella DiFranchi and Sorella Francom

With Sister DiFranchi

Not all here, but this is some of the other's that run officially

Wednesday, December 31, 2014 I unofficially run in the New Year's Eve We Run Rome 10K race. I heard about the race just the day before it was to happen and the entry was sold old. I didn't want to miss out on this opportunity so I asked Sisters DiFranchi and Francom, who I run with in the mornings, if they want to join me. They enthusiastically said YES!

It was a cold 2 degrees and wind blowing day. The race started at 2:00 at Circus Maximus. There were thousands of old neon yellow cladded runners.The three of us joined in about 3/4 in. It was exciting to run with so many people. They were all chanting or yelling. Music was playing and people cheered all along the course. We run through Via del Corso, through Piazza del Popolo and up Villa Borghese and that's where I began to tire. The hills were too much for me. I really felt like I wanted to quit. But the Sisters just kept encouraging me, running along side of me. I felt bad because I'm sure they wanted to go up ahead. But they didn't. Anyway I just kept at it. We went by the Colossium and by that time I just wanted it to be over, but I new we were close to the finish line. One hour and 21 minutes and we were over. Oh I was thrilled. 

We met up with the rest of the group. Everyone was so excited to have just participated in this. Normally we would not be able to, or the young ones anyway. But because it was New Year's Eve and they weren't going to be proselyte anyway the president gave the go ahead. 

Anziano DiDonato made these cool shirts for them to run in. I want to get one as a reminder to the race. Everyone who paid to enter got the neon yellow ones, but some wore the one the Anziao DiDonato made.

I was so grateful that I heard about the race in time to participate in this once in a life time event. And honestly, if I never run another 10k, that will be just fine with me!

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)

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.