I am finally over being sick!

The last few months have been really hard despite the fact they have also been wonderful. I have been sick most of the time. I only missed a couple of days of work the whole time. Anziano Marcucci has also had his time with illness and we now feel the worst of it is over. His malady was more serious and he was probably probably 2 days away from surgery. Mine was more chronic and lasted the whole time. So at the moment, I feel like I've been run over by a truck.

In the meantime we have ordered supplies, checked the mileage on all the cars and seen that the repairs have been made, began managing the cell phones and referrals as well as tracking baptismal statistics, conducted the grand tour of Rome with "dignitaries", fixed and found apartments for the missionaries, delivered carbon monoxide detectors and fire extinguishers all over the mission, taken missionaries to the doctors and helped fix meals for new and departing missionaries and zone conferences, delivered supplies  all over Italy, done English classes, trips to the airport and taught lessons. I am sure this is not a complete list, especially since new tasks come up nearly every day. 

A New Missionary Apartment

As the work goes forward from time to time it is necessary to close one apartment and open another. The missionaries assigned to work in the Ostia area, a sea-coast city some 35km south or Rome, were living in an apartment near the Vatican. They were traveling to and from their work area by train and bus which used up over 2 hours per day.

In Italy, when you rent a place you have a choice of ammobiliato (fully furnished - which we normally do not do), or non-ammobiliato  (completely empty)  – possibly no kitchen cabinets, sink, appliances, etc.

An apartment was found in a more convenient location, only a 10 minute ride to their work area. This new apartment had been just restored (cleaned, painted, etc.) but had no light fixtures - just live wires dangling from the ceiling in each room. The kitchen was an empty room with pipe stub-outs for gas, water and a vent pipe for an exhaust fan. 

We acquired the necessary fixtures, appliances, kitchen sink and cabinets and went to work. The results are shown below.

It was an enjoyable process and the Anziani learned much about what it takes to set up a new apartment. Hopefully they can draw upon their newly acquired skills when they have homes of their own someday. A more immediate benefit might be the enhancing of their respect for their present living quarters.  

Busy Week

11 new missionaries came in this week. They bring such energy to the office. Though it makes for a very busy week we love it. But by the end of the week we let out a loud collective sigh!!! The senior missionaries are "all about" transferring their luggage, meeting them at Termini station (which is really where all roads lead) getting them together with their new companions and back on the train to wherever they are supposed to be. They all know where the pickup place is and they guide the newbies who are exhausted from the flight and look like deer in the headlights. Parking at Termini station is like everywhere else in Rome ... non-existent. So Anziano Marcucci just keeps circling the perimeter until they come out. I went into the station to "make" them get a move on which of course didn't work, because they are seeing each other after a long absence. There was a flurry of old and new companions. They have so much love each other. It is hard for them to drag themselves away. There were probably at least 30 people there, including the new missionaries, their new trainees and their trainers and their old companions. Needless to say there are endless details and people to manage. At least half of the new arrivals we had not met before, but somehow it all gets done.
The next day the Missionaries that are finished go home. President Kelly Interviews them all - old and new. Sister Kelly fixes all the meals - breakfast, lunch and dinner (Do you know how much Elders eat????) for the missionaries and sometimes friends and family. She never knows how many are going to be there. The pictures show all the comings and goings. You will recognize Grandview's very own Sister Miller who finally got to the city of Rome for her last transfer.

Bernini

Yesterday we spent three hours with an art teacher whose thesis was on Gian Bernini. Our teacher's family has spent several centuries in Rome. We studied two pieces of art.The ecstacy of Saint Teresa found in the church Santa Maria della Vittoria, Rome sculpted in 1652 and the Triton fountain in Berberini square.Bernini like so many of the Italian artists was sponsered by various Popes and wealthy families. He became a "rock star" of art. He was well known in his own day. When he came into various towns the townsmen filed along the roads to catch a glimpse of him. He was a child prodigy creating masterpieces at the age of eleven. Bernini was very much influenced by Michaelangelo who was a renaisance painter. But Bernini went a step further and created a whole new school of art known as the Baroque. His figures were energetic, the bodies were active and appear to move. He was able to catch their emotions The statue of Saint Teresa was commisioned by a very wealthy family. In their time the way to immortalize your family was to build a chapel. In this case no expense was spared. The gold rays that are behind the angel are pure gold. This work memorialized the point of death of Saint Teresa who was in religious ecstacy at the realization of being raised to heaven by the angel. The rarest and most expensive marbles were used. It was an incredible experience to view this beautiful piece of art.

Christmas Season in Rome

This Christmas season is one of the calmest we've ever had. No gifts to buy, no rushing around. The Elders and Sisters drop by the office and all are happy and bring such fun with them. I remember when my kids were out in the mission field, I worried about their Christmas - if they were being taken care of, etc. - but now I realize they were busy taking care of others and were completely happy in doing so. We had a new bunch arrive and a few going home. Posted below are the "newbies" and the "old folks". 

Rome is all dressed up with lights that are beautifying an already beautiful city.

I have also added some pictures of Christmas Eve open house with the missionaries singing, playing games and of course eating.

YM/YW singing at Ward Christmas party

Christmas day at Crawfords. Dinner fixed by Elder Sapio

New missionaries

"Adult table" Sorella Marcucci and Crawford Anziani Cardiff & Crawford ,Ryan Kelly,Sorella Kelly,Anziano Burt

Missionaries playing Christmas  Chimes

Sorelle singing Christmas Carols

Christmas in Italy

“La Befana” is  an old witch lady with a big red nose and slight hunch, dressed in a jacket of colorful patches. She is often pictured with a broom. Every year, on the night of January 5th, “La Befana”, will travel on her magic broom, to every house in Italy in search of the baby Jesus bringing gifts. Climbing down the chimneys, she brings candy (“caramele”) or fruit to the children that were good and black coal (“carbone”), onions or garlic to the children that were naughty.   The children will leave out their stockings, and even their shoes, hoping to awake on the morning of January 6th to some “caramele”.   Similar to the Santa Claus tradition, many of the children will write notes to “La Befana” and even leave out food  for her (sausages and broccoli in some parts of Italy).   It is a tradition that is still strong in Italy with many stores selling stockings, mostly red, but sometimes even sand-colored, for the children to leave out for “La Befana”.   It is a fairy-tale story of the good witch / bad witch, depending on how you behaved during the past year.   After her arrival, there are many parties and Italians will celebrate going from house to house celebrating the bonds of family and friends.  

Villa d'Este, Tivoli

I sometimes hesitate to put pictures on the blog where we have been in Italy because it looks like we are on a vacation. Believe me a mission is work, fun work but work. much more than 40 hours a week) But because Italy is so beautiful. I have to show you the photos or  I would never post.

Recently we went to Tivoli a small town northeast of Rome. While there we toured a Villa d'Este. Villa d'Este was built in 1550 for Cardinal Ippolito d'Este, the son of Lucrezia Borgia and Alfonso d'Este. It occupies a stretch of hillside below the town of Tivoli, with spectacular views over the plain towards Rome. Built around an earlier monastery, the building is lavishly decorated with frescoes, reliefs and literally thousands of beautiful internal fountains. The most striking part of the Villa d'Este, however, is its garden; a terraced extravaganza of shady trees and show-stopping fountains.

Other highlights include the Fountain of the Dragons, a many-breasted sculpture of Diana, the long path of the Hundred Fountains and the massive cascade below the Water Organ. The Water Organ periodically offers musical entertainment to visitors.

Missionaries Departing December 2010

Grandview's own Sorella Miller

We met with Sister Miller in Bari. What a great missionary! Of course she has grown up since I last saw her.I remember  her as a spritely teen in young womens with Gina efficiently organizing the group of them.We also met her companion for that evening, Sorella Jones who  was doing a "scombie" better known as a split off. We had  dinner  and reminisced  about the Grandview Ward. Sorella Miller is known as a wonderful missionary and President and Sister Kelley told us to let her parents know that she is loved.

Bari Zone

Describing the Elders and Sisters is almost impossible. I can’t tell you how we admire them. They couldn’t be in a better place. They each have brought their individual gifts and talents to their callings and are as unique as our own children. It is inspirational to see these young men and women serve in this area. It is a wonderful place to be but it is not the Rome tourists see. The culture is very different and takes awhile to learn ( I am not sure Anziano Marcucci and I are adjusted yet). It is hard and tiring…..But joyous and wonderful, or as the missionaries would say “awesome”. They face challenges and are rejected everyday! But I know they would say they wouldn’t trade their experience for anything else. They are seeking the “one” who will welcome their message.

We visited several missionaries this week (and traveled 1223 miles) and delivered them a “gift”… A fire extinguisher. I am sure they were thrilled. We were inspecting their abodes for spiritual and physical security . To a person their apartments were spotless. The slide show that follows shows some of the highlights of the visit.

Bari Missionaries

Amalfi

Amalfi Coast is one of the most beautiful drives in the world and probably one of the most filmed. We had been on it one other time with a native and professional driver. This time  after inspecting several apartments and working with Elders. Anziano Marcuccci decided to drive it himself (Bad Idea). The road is a lane and half around a cliff with a 500 ft drop off,straight to the ocean, that combined with crazy Italian drivers traveling at "wicked speed", makes the drive extremely dangerous. I was biting my nails the whole time.We arrived at Praiano after a very nerve wracking drive.

Teaching English in Bocchignano

The classes have been exciting to do - we are learning Italian as we teach advanced English. "Advanced" is defined a the ability of a native Italian speaker to understand some English and be able to compose simple sentences. Our teaching consists of having the students read an Italian sentence (chosen by us), then doing his/her best in translating it into English. The text is normally out of the Liahona or other uplifting publication. Another method is the ask a person what they want to do in life, or describe their family or their favorite pass-time.  The pics below are one of village where we and the missionaries are teaching.

How do you describe a typical senior Missionary's week?

                          

The real answer is - you don't. Every day is different. We have taught some lessons with the help of the Elders. We are certainly not fluent yet in Italian but we understand quite a bit and we can bear our testimonies. Fortunately, many people understand English. We taught two different doctors yesterday and the day before. One said he had his happiest days when he was active in the church 30 years ago and knows the church is true. We told him outright that the church in Rome needs him and he will be blessed when he comes back. We bought new clothes washers (Lavatrice) yesterday to replace junkers in two Elders' apartments.

Anziano Marcucci has repaired doors, gates, windows - whatever - as we make our rounds of apartment visits.

One man we visited also bore a strong testimony and is agonizing over joining the church because his family has Catholic bishops and cardinals who are pressuring him not to do so. He states that he knows the church is true and has read the Book of Mormon twice. His wife is a Catholic missionary. He is afraid that joining the church will break up his family. Anziano Marcucci promised him that his family will eventually understand and he will be blessed if he gets baptized. He has gone to all three hours of church for many weeks. He spoke a little English and we spoke a little Italian. The spirit was there and the lesson went seamlessly. It was almost hard to know who was speaking which language The Sisters were with us, but they let us do much of the discussion because the investigator was responding. Tonight we are going to a dinner to welcome four new missionaries. We have driven many missionaries to and from the airport. Tomorrow we will say good bye to six "old" missionaries and it is transfer day and misionaries will be coming and going at the train station, bus depot and airport. The next day we will have 3 English classes to teach. That will be a 12 hour day.

Put it this way - we are never bored and always blessed.

                             Missionaries Marcucci, Peschi. Burt & Mack

                                            A.P. Herrick going home!

                              Ready to serve the Missionaries potatoes




 

Ostia Antica Visit

Last weekend we took a trip about 40 miles south of Rome and explored the ruins of the 1st Colony of Rome, the very ancient city of Ostia. It was a port established at the mouth of the Tiber about 400bc. By 100 AD there were over 100,000 inhabitants. These are better ruins found in this town than in Pompeii and there are more of them. We spent the whole day there. It is a delightful day trip away from the hustle and bustle of tourist spots in Rome. It would be a perfect place for children as they can run their legs off and there is lot for them to see and they can do everything even climb the ruins.

Ostia Antica

Life is good

Part of our responsibility is visiting all of the Sorella’s and Anziano’s  apartments. They give a spiritual thought and a prayer. There are no words to describe these great missionaries. They are the finest of the finest. We never cease to be amazed at their depth of dedication and their optimism. They show great respect and love for each other.The custom here is to give great "abbracios” or hugs. When they get together it like a big party. They are so glad to see each other.I am sure there are probably some problems but I honestly have yet to meet anyone who is not of the highest quality.They are from all cultures,economic groups and countries. So far we have become acquainted with native Italians, Ethiopians,Canadians Peruvians and ofcourse many from the United States. Last week we visited with Elder Tinoco born in Peru but living in Genoa and Elder Cooper from Tooele, Utah    It was obvious that they were great friends. Elder Cooper is the senior companion and training elderTinoco. Two days later ElderTinoco had appendicitis and had his appendix removed the day before yesterday. Elder Cooper sat by his side all night and cared for him. I have enclosed a picture of these good young men. 

Apartment Fix

Just so you don’t think that our mission is all fun and games, I thought I’d show you some pictures that show you the mess we found ourselves in. It was not easy to find an apartment in the first place and we could never have done it without the help of Brother Calabrese and Anziano Burt.  It took a day and a, half to clean it and another to move in, gather supplies  etc. We had been staying in the mission home while looking for a place. This was great and the mission president and his wife are not only fun but very gracious, nevertheless we needed to get settled. The day after we moved in, our downstairs neighbor mentioned that there was water on their nursery ceiling and they had to move the babies crib. Long story short we had to move back into the mission home and then they jack hammered up our whole bathroom……so much for the cleaning!! It had to be done again.......

A few things we have learned from our mission so far -

You can’t help but love missionaries.

Everyone we have met have been incredible people. This isn’t really a big surprise. Everybody has been so nice from the young missionaries to the old. Our trainers and the our fellow senior missionaries in the zone were kind and considerate. They were from everywhere and were from late 40’s to early 80’s  and from every walk of life. The young missionaries were inspiring. The office missionaries are wonderful. They drop everything to help us. They are fun and dedicated. There is one local member who works full time for the church …Gratis.

The Senior missionaries  are all dedicated and most of them are out in the field at great sacrifice. They all have numerous grandchildren and weddings and babies on the way. (Actually, one senior couple has had a new grandbaby since we have been here, their fifth new grandchild while they have been on their mission!)

Rome…even when it is ugly…… is beautiful. Despite graffiti and more than a little dilapidation the buildings are beautiful.

There is no sense in hurrying….nothing is going to happen quickly in Italy.

The whole month of August is a holiday. The shops are mostly closed. The streets are actually empty.

Terni Falls

Terni is another beautiful town. The elders are working hard. Elder Lane is a "greenie" and looked a little scared and tired when he first came in from the MTC.But he has a good trainer in Elder Wood (who is going home next month) and is in the full swing of things now.

Terni: Largest waterfall in Europe