MAY TRANSFERS

Anziano Romano and I in our matching shirts

Tryng to be serious

All such good guys!

Anziano Bethkie and Jones

Anziani Bethkie, Romano and Kiser

Anziano Graham

I met Sister Mary Pinkston at the MTC. We hit it off right away. Later in the mission, she was transferred to Rome and she lived one floor below me. We became good friends. This is one missionary I will keep in touch when we go home.She has been transferred to Napoli.

Elder Busdicker's family came to pick him up. Here he is coming back from his travels before heading home. Elder  Line is next to him.

CATHERINE'S VISIT -San Giovanni and The Holy Stairs

The guy looking out with a cap is self portrait of Rafael

Catherine Jones came to Rome  and was suppose to stay a few days but, ended up spending the whole two weeks with me. I was so happy to have her here the whole time. I went to the office everyday during the week and we met around 3:00 to go sight seeing. We covered a lot of ground. She arrived on a Sunday afternoon. Early the next morning I got a call that I could have two free tickets for a tour of the Vatican and St. Peters. I woke Catherine up and we quickly headed to the Metro. A lovely nun, named Berni handed us over to a guide and we were able to skip all the long line ups. We went through the back way, passed the residence of the Pope. Both tours were very good and detailed. The tours took all day. I wasn't prepared to spend the whole day, so my feet were killing me by the end of the day. But, so glad we had the chance to do it. Catherine sure lucked out. First full day, was great!

One of these windows is the Pope's bedroom

In front of the Jubilee doors.

Catherine touching St. Peter's bronze foot

Stairs leading up to the Vatican

Medieval legends claim that the Holy Stairs were brought from Jerusalem to Rome about 327 by Helena, mother of Constantine the Great.

Statues of the apostles in San Giovanni

ASSISI

Had lunch in this restaurant where the servers were dressed in costume and we the menu had food from that time. They even traded our money for mead evil coins to pay for our meal.

Just about the whole town participates in the shows.

With the Millets.

St. Frances is buried under this alter.

Statue of St. Frances coming back from war.

Saint Fransis of Assisi real name is Giovanni di Pietro di Bernardone, but he was nicknamed Francesco by his father.  He became an friar and preacher and founded the men's Order of Friars Minor, 

His father was a prosperous silk merchant. Wile going off to war in 1204, Francis had a vision that direct him back to Assisi whee he lost his taste for his worldly life. On a pilgrimage to Rome, he joined the poor in begging at St. Peter's Basilica and that experience moved him to live in poverty. He died in 1226.

He was proclaimed a saint by Pope Gregory 1X. He is known as the patron saint of animals and the environment. 

Had a great overnight stay in Assisi with the Millets, Stevens and Shinneys. We were there for the Calendimaggio Festival.

JEWELRY

Bocca della Verita

I found this booth at the market by Conca d'Oro station that sells Murano glass jewelry. I've gone quite a few times and have taken many people to them. He gives me discounts now. This is one of the pieces I've recently purchased.  I'm taking some back home as presents. It's hard not to keep it all.

ELDER BEDNAR CONFERENCE

Elder Bednar

Anziani Bethkie and Line

Anziano Hatch

Sorelle Hansen and Di Franchi

April 28 Elder Bednar came to visit the mission. A lot of work went into organizing getting 197 missionaries there. I worked a lot of hours with the assistants and Elder Millet. It rained really hard the day most of the missionaries came in. Elder Bethkie and Line walked back and forth in the rain getting missionaries from the office to the hotel where they were staying.
Elder Bednar gave fantastic advice and counsel to the missionaries.

Elder Bednar instructs

Getting comfortable and asks all the Elders to get comfortable too.

It was still raining while during the morning conference. However, during our lunch break we had a window of sun and were able to eat outside, because there was no where to eat in the hotel the conference was held. It was good to see missionaries who are no longer serving in Rome, like my good friend Anziano Hatch.

All 197 Italy Rome missionaries under one roof!