ANOTHER OPERA

 

Anne Shinney, some young aduls, Ruth and Michael Stevens

Some of the young adults from the Rome area wards, work for an opera company, that hold concerts in St. Paul Inside the Walls. It's an Anglican Church, not as ornate as the Catholic churches, but still very beautiful. The company likes to hire young adults from the church because they say they are trust worthy. They go around handing out flyers to tourists and talk to them about coming to their concerts and then they do the ushering. This is the second concert that we attended. And I think I enjoyed this one more than the first. We actually got these tickets for free because they were not able to sell enough of them, because of the low tourist season. Lucky for us!

JULIA'S BAPTISM

On Saturday, February 7  at 11:00 my first granddaughter, Julia, was baptized. I was sad that I was not able to be with her, however, Jeffrey arranged to have it Face timed. So, it was the next best thing. Julia looked pretty and a bit nervous. Her grandma Virene spoke first and then a musical number by Brynn and Jenny. Then she was baptized. Her uncle Tom gave the next talk and then Jeffrey read Hyrum's and I testimony, that we wrote. I was thankful to be part of the program. 

Gerald was Face Timing with me. Jo Ellis bought a yellow rose to give to her from me. I thought that was such a sweet gesture. When Julia changed into dry clothes she put on my niece's , Alissa, dress. It fit perfectly. The room was packed. There were so many who came to support her. 

I bought Julia a Swatch watch from Italy. I wrote her a letter to go with it about using her time wisely; give time to serving her family and God.

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Cousins at the baptism

DERUTO

All made of ceramics

I bought a beautiful large vase in this pattern but not this shape. I wish I had taken a picture of it before I had it wrapped. 

One Saturday I called Carolyn Fenn to see if she wanted to do something. (Most of the seniors were going to a Rockwell museum and I wasn't interested to go). She said that her and David were going to a small town called Deruto, 11/2 hours east of Rome and invited me to join them. Of course I said yes, and oh my I was so glad!
Deruto, is a small town that specialize in ceramics. They mostly reproduce 15th century pieces.I could have spent a fortune there. There are shops after shops of ceramic stores. Each artist selling their wares.
It was a cold day and not a lot of people around. In fact it was like a ghost town. It certainly was not tourist season. But a plus for me, because I could barter with them. They were glad to make a sale. So I bought oil and vinger set, 3 cheese (for Parmesan) trays, a large vase, a small pitcher, a gravy boat and I can't remember what else. They are all wrapped really well so not to break. It will be so much fun unwrapping them when I get home. My large vase will have to be a carry on, it's that big. Oh but I love it! I had such a good time.
I'd like to go back in the summer, because it was such a nice town to walk around - and maybe pick up some more pieces!

GRANDKIDS

I love Face timing with my grandchildren. They usually don't have much to say. But, just seeing their sweet faces makes my day. I really miss them. I spend nights thinking about the things I want to do with them, when I get back.
When I talk with Kennedy, she likes taking the phone with her as she walks around the house. Sometimes I see more of the ceiling than I do of her. Sofia hasn't forgotten me. She runs to the phone or monitor, if we're Skyping, and kisses the screen.

Two cuties!

 I discovered this cute pottery place just down from the Mission Office. They will paint any colour and design you want on things. They have these small little cups that I'm going to buy and have them colour them to whatever favourite colour the kids want. That will be their cup when they come for tea parties. When I purchase them I will take a picture and post.

Julia sending me kisses

FASHION

Blue classic coat - a fav.

Love my orange loafers

I'm calling this page Fashion. There are so many cute clothes, boots and shoes here. I don't know if I'm just noticing it more, but I feel I want to buy everything. I don't think I'm going to have enough room in my suitcase to take it all back with me.
So far as of today, January 14, 2015, I have bought 5 pairs of shoes, a pair of boots, 6 coats/jackets, and I don't how many skirts and tops. And I still have 10 months left. I knew I would end up buying winter clothes, because I didn't bring any. But, does one really need 6 coats, I guess I do. I realized new clothes really makes me happy. I like looking stylish, and I get bored really quickly with my stuff. Most things I got at a pretty good price. Except for my purchase of last night. I bought an orange coat that is stunning. I paid way more than I should have. It was on sale, but even on sale was a crazy amount of money, that I dare not pen. But it makes me happy!
So when I buy something new that is worth noting I'll take a picture and include in on this page.

I probably need to retake this picture, because I look fat in it. This is a wool coat I got at a market. It's a mustart colour with a hood.

Bought this sweater for Christmas for Hyrum. It has patches on the elbows.

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)