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?

Transfer Time

Here is the mission home fleet complete with missionaries (our favorite!). It is amazing how we move missionaries and their luggage every transfer with such ease. It is like we have done this once or twice before. . . .
Presidente Taranto is at the wheel here with missionaries headed to the station to go back to their cities to train new missionaries. Anz. Foster is in the front seat, Anz. Weston in the back with new missionaries Anz. Carrington and Tingey in the middle seat.

Visitors and Maxi

Kirk and Hannah Belnap (newly graduated from high school and accompanying her dad) came to visit at the beginning of the month. They were not here nearly long enough. We loved seeing them and taking them to a couple of places in Catania before they were on the road again.




John and Jeanne Welch from BYU were visiting Sicily and "volunteered" to do a fireside for the saints in Palermo. They drew a large crowd and the saints loved hearing their message. They did a wonderful job using some of the historic sites within Italy to share their message of the truthfullness of the Book of Mormon. Thank you for sharing!
Anziano Fullmer accompanies President Taranto in one of his favorite Italian songs for the talent part of the Maxi Conference held in Catania July 13-14. What a duo!!

Zone Conference and Life

We just finished presenting at six zone conferences, plus Malta--which would make seven. We love seeing the missionaries and feeling of their spirit. What a wonderful group of young men and women! Pictured here is Jim in teaching mode in the Palermo Chapel. He does such a wonderful job teaching and guiding these missionaries.
We have had a busy several months with unusual things happening, but it is keeping us on our toes. We have had a mission tour with Elder Kopischke, the organization of the Districts in Sicily and in the Calabria, zone conferences, a change in the branch presidency in both Malta and Sigonella, and trying to get everyone's temple recommend digitalized. Change seems to be the name of the game lately.
The Palermo District seems to be functioning very well. They are making so much progress and I think they like being together again. They are able to see dear friends in the church more often and they are having a lot of fun activities. I am still hoping they will become a stake before we leave. They will have to hurry though--we are at our two year mark, with one more to go.
We have some work being done on the mission home right now--inside and out. The workers are all members of the church. They go about their work whistling and singing church songs all day--they are so pleasant to be around. We are still dusty and in a bit of a mess, but those activities hopefully will be finished before our new group of missionaries go home next Monday.

Odds and Ends

Okay!! This is a strange photo. But you have to see these amazing Italian shoes with the wonderful pointy toes, the glittery stuff on the shoe, and the high heels (which I have never been able to wear)! I am just jealous, that all!





Anziano Clawson and Anz. Halverson have just set up the mostra in Bari and are using it for part of their teaching. Isn't it amazing!!
Here is the Bari zone (plus a few members who helped with the teaching). We been honored and blessed to serve with many wonderful, creative, humble servants of the Lord! We love these missionaries!

New Leaders and the Mostra

The Cosenza District was reorganized on May 24th. Presidente Ranieri (who is also the branch president of the Catanzaro Branch) was released as District President. President Oliverio from Crotone is the new District President with Anziano Harris (senior missionary) serving as a counselor.
The Ranieri family just might get to see their dad a little more often now!




This is the new mostra. Each city could choose what they wanted on the panels. There are three panels.
They look very professional. They fit in a case--for easier
transport and look magnificient! Finalmente!
The Malta Branch was reorganized on May 31st. President Kiley flew back to Australia today to be with his wife and family. They sold their kayak business and are trying to sell the house. The new branch president is Elder Beresford (from England). Elder Beresford and his wife are the missionary couple on Malta.

Pictured here are: Eddie (past 1st conselor) and President Kiley. We will miss them on Malta!!

Quinn Andrew Rammell Arrives

Quinn Andrew Rammell made his appearance on Dec. 31 about 10 minutes before midnight!! A perfect tax break and beautiful little baby boy! He was about a month early and so had some problems breathing and eating. We are grateful that he figured out how to do both of those soon so he could go home to Mom and Dad in Pleasant Grove, Utah.
Three months later
Quinn has lost some hair and has "filled out" nicely. What a cute baby!! (And his parents aren't bad either!!) We love them all. This was Quinn's blessing day March 29, 2009.
Quinn is looking quite handsome in his blessing outfit. I guess this makes us grandparents--finalmente!!!
Little Quinn has wonderful parents who are taking very good care of him, until we can get home and begin spoiling him!

Torontos in Sicily

All of Jim's brothers and sisters and the spouses and Diana came to Sicily to see us and to become acquainted with their Italian heritage. Front row: Rick and Marilyn, Ken and Linda Cox. Second row: Sharman Toronto, Diana Henrie, Ruth Flake, Diane.
Back row: Roger and Jim. This picture was taken in Taormina.
Okay, imagine moving 10 people through this open market in Catania!! Scary thought huh? We did do it and didn't even lose anyone--that we know of!! There were lots of "sights" and smells and sounds here that you just don't find anywhere in America!

Marilyn and Diane came out ready for our day of travel--looking alike! It means we were ready for fun and good luck (I think). It was amazing to have our family all here with us for a few days.