Thanksgiving

This year we fed 24 missionaries for Thanksgiving--there were hardly any left-overs! We had a lot of fun and think we filled them all up.

We had all the traditional trimmings, even the mincemeat pie, thanks to Sister Larabee. This shows just the dessert table with the "older" missionaries cutting the pie to make sure the sizes were equal:).

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This is what you do when you spill something on your tie (according to an old Italian remedy). You throw flour on the spot and make a frowny face!

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Proof that turkey makes you sleepy!

Visitors Arrive!

The Torontos, Rammells, and Balls visited Etna but couldn't see her because of clouds and snow! We did see this roof which is all that remains of one house after Etna erupted.

Jenna and Andrew and Kate and Andy Ball arrived in Sicily. We played tourist with them by visiting Greek and Roman ruins and Etna (of course).


We went to church in Mistretta and had a wonderful lunch with the Branch Pres. family.

Everyday Life

We went to England for a few days in August for a Mission President's Seminar. Jim was busy making transfer calls while we toured a little village.

The missionaries doing the "Haka" for a talent number. We won't miss BYU football too much now!!

Our neighbors the kitty cats--No I am NOT adopting any of them!!!

This the on a tram going from Erice (an ancient city) to Trapani.

Trapani is the city in Sicily where Jim's great-great grandmother was born (Giuseppe's mother).

Mt. Etna Blows Her Top!!

This is Etna on a normal day. Note the white smoke--always present.

It was almost sunset when we first noticed the black smoke and lava!!

The lava shot up high in the air. Note the flow of lava half way down the mountain. Pretty Cool!!

The Ferry and Transfer Day at the Bus Station

We took about a 20 minutes ferry ride to get to the mainland (Italy) to visit part of the mission.


Transfer day brings in missionaries from all across the mission. There are bunches of white shirts hugging each other at the bus station for several hours every six weeks.

Touring the Mission

The road to Mistretta, lots of roads on "stilts" and tunnels.














The view of Mistretta--beautiful!










Members and Missionaries in Consenza (below).

A Baptism and a New Chapel-Palermo

This is the new chapel in Northern Palermo. They have a strong branch there.


This sister is the first baptism in the new chapel. She was an "eternal" contact. Her daughter (to the right) has been a member for a year.

Meeting the Missionaries

Picture 1: Palermo missionaries meet Torontos for the first time and get a lunch treat.

Picture 2: The Anziani showing off their very clean living quarters in Monreale.

Picture 3: The meeting place of one branch in Palermo--the real bread of life is offered to the left.

MTC to Preston, England

Three people from Declo, Idaho--all in the MTC together. Jim and Diane Toronto, John and Susan Darrington. Jim is not from Declo. . . .



Preston, England Temple


We had a couple of days of meetings with the Area Presidency in England.

MTC Missionaries

MTC missionaries meet the Torontos. We have 18 new missionaries coming in August. We are so excited!!!

Here is a picture we think you will enjoy of our special afternoon we spent with Elder Holland, Elder Oaks and Elder Falabella. See our missionary contact info below.

Jenna arrives from Indy

Andrew & Jenna abandoned us for Indianapolis this Summer. Andrew is working for NorthStar Alarm selling security systems and Jenna works for Nordstrom.

Jenna came back to visit for a week of mourning before we leave her for three years, something she isn't too thrilled with! Andrew couldn't make it because of work and we missed him and pug, too!

We had a fun week with the family: Jim, Diane, Joseph, Kerry & Jenna. We ate Indian, Middle Eastern, Mexican and Japanese food....we had to get it all in before we get our fill of pasta!

Ciao For Now!

We head to the MTC June 23 and will be there until the 28th. Then we fly to Preston, England where we will endure more meetings :) After two days there it's off to Sicily on the 1st of July. We're excited to be on our way! Here is our contact information:

Presidente e Sorella Taranto(we've gone back to the original Italian spelling)
Italia Catania Missione
Via G. Corsaro 84/7 (Parco Inglese)
95030 S. Agata Li Battiati
Catania, Italia
toronto.diane@gmail.com
toronto@byu.edu

If you need to contact us by phone please call Jenna @ 801.735.3417, she will have our current phone number.