Here and There. . . .

It is "slice and dice" time around the kitchen table just to help with "Mexican Night" for Zone Leader Council. You can see Sorella Taranto, Anziano Tate, Anz. Kinnear, Anz. Foster and Anz. Bitseedy. What fun! What good food!










The Hammonds (from the Sigonella Branch) are on their way back to the States (San Diego, CA). We are sad to see them go.

The three Stoog--er ah no, the Three Nerds--and just in time for Halloween in the Catania branch. Anziano Carli, Anz. Swensen, and Anz. Hervey. Aren't they cute???

October Happenings

October 2009 Happenings
The Palermo District Presidency: Pres. Mannino, Presidente Nudo, Pres. Virgillito. We have a District Conference with Elder Causse' in November. This District Presidency will take over and run the whole thing--just like a Stake!!









The troops in Malta: Anz. Smith, Perkins, Hancock, Sister Beresford, Presidente Beresford, Anz. Jones outside of the chapel in Malta.
Waffle breakfast with the missionaries from Agrigento, Trapani, and Sciacca. They came in for interviews--but mostly for waffles! Anz. Lewis, Halverson, Robinson, Bailey, Osmun, Wilkinson, Anderson.











October 27, 2009 The departing missionaries: Top row: Anz. Robinson, Anz. Roach, Anz. Teran
middle-ish row: Anz.T. Clark, Anz. Barlow, Anz. Fullmer, Anz. Clawson
Bottom: Sor. Christine Lewis, Sor. Whitney Andersen. They will be the best member missionaries ever!!!

Memories

Here is another missionary "Flat Tire". Remember those days when it was raining so hard and you were trying to keep your feet dry and your shoes together? Ahhh the good ole days!








September has been a month of changes in the mission office. Both the Stinebaughs and the Nudos have finished their service here in the office. We love and appreciate them for the wonderful service they have given. The Stineaughs left for Northern Idaho just this morning. They are anxious to see family, football and go fishing. The Nudos will now be able to put more effort into the Palermo District as they work on becoming a Stake.

A door in Bari--ring any bells?

Joseph and Kerry Visit Sicily

Joseph and Kerry came to visit us in Sicily. We went to Taormina one day to visit the Greek and Roman Ruins. Joseph tells me we (Jim and I) killed the tourist in him during our family life of traveling and visiting sites together (poor thing).
Then we visited Etna, but this time we went up further on the volcano: first by car, then via Funivia (tram) and last by some kind of big bus. It is an amazing site to see. This is one of the top craters of Etna. There is a sulfur smell in the air as the volcano vents constantly. It was a bit cold (two coats for me) and windy, but a perfect day.
Kerry, Diane and Joseph on Mount Etna. Joseph got sunburned. . . .












This is a crater that opened up in 2002. It buried the bus booth in ash and lava. It is still steaming. That is a good thing, as it means the pressure is being released, so it won't explode!

All in a Day's work. . . .

This is the chair where President Toronto sits (sometimes) to read President's letters (about 100 each week). The missionaries write a letter each week reporting their stewardship to him, asking questions, telling experiences, and explaining tough situations. He says it is sometimes "quite the ride". He reads the letters and feels everything that the missionaries go through.













This is the close up the the nightstand beside the chair where President Toronto sits. Notice the pile of letters (2 days worth) and the phone.

All in a Day's Work?!?

President has many hats that he wears on this mission (unfortunately we forgot the real hat to shade his poor head). This is the "change the flat tire" hat.
We were headed to Taranto for the maxi conference. We were on the narrowest part of the road where they have lots of detours because of the road construction, when we heard this noise. There was no where to pull off, so we slowed to take the first turn out we could. We finally found one. Did I mention it was noon on the hottest day of the year? Our tools were not the best, but with President's brute strength and perservance he finally loosened the lug nuts and was able to change the tire.
He was a mess afterwards--but nothing that another shower and a washing machine with strong soap couldn't take care of. And we made it to our maxi conference on time! Whew! Another journal entry. . . .

Changes, changes

Every 6 weeks we have changes. Change is always good they say. Here are our new assistants; Anz. Roach and Anz. Hervey. You can tell their smiles brighten our day! We love and appreciate the good work they do for the entire mission.






Here are the newly departing missionaries: bottom row: Anz Orlando, Sorella Swiss, Anz. Daugherty, Anz. Sawyer. Second-ish row: Anz. Stubbs, Anz. Andrizzi, Anz. Ipson, back row: Anz. Mancuso, Anz. Pfeiffer, Anz. Whinery. What fine missionaries. We appreciate so much the service, leadership, and energy they have provided in the last two years. We miss you already!
Just looking at this carrying on luggage and SMALL personal item makes me want to go travelling. I think these two items weight more than his checked luggage!!
Did you actually make it all the way home without going to the doctor to get your back put back i n place, Anziano Stubbs?