Toronto Family

Here and There. . . .

2009-11-18T14:17:00.000+01:00

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

2009-10-31T15:02:00.000+01:00

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

2009-09-28T16:16:00.000+02:00

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

2009-09-19T09:58:00.001+02:00

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. . . .

2009-08-18T17:50:00.000+02:00

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?!?

2009-08-08T12:11:00.000+02:00

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

2009-08-08T12:00:00.000+02:00

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

2009-08-08T11:48:00.000+02:00

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

2009-07-15T11:32:00.000+02:00

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

2009-06-16T18:09:00.000+02:00

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

2009-06-04T15:44:00.001+02:00

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

2009-06-04T15:09:00.001+02:00

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

2009-03-30T15:41:00.002+02:00

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

2009-03-30T15:31:00.001+02:00

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.

Sites Around Sicily

2009-03-30T15:09:00.001+02:00

What another beautiful day in Sicily!! Here is a shot of Mt. Etna with the city of Catania in the foreground.
Palermo--on the other side of the island and the boat dock. This is the city Jim's great grandfather was from.
This is a picture taken from the top of Erice looking down at Trapani.
One of my personal favorites--Here is what retired men do in Italy!! I think their wives kick them out of the house and they all meet at the park and play cards until it is time for lunch.

Roots in Italy

2009-03-30T15:00:00.000+02:00

After most of the family left we went with Rick and Marilyn in search of her ancestoral roots. Cirella (the town where Marilyn's granfather was from) is in the Calabria, up in the mountains. We followed a narrow and worn out road acrossed the tops of the mountains into the little city of Cirella. There we were met by many of Marilyn's relatives. It was so fun to be with them all!
Rick also has ties to Italy. The last name Toronto was originally spelled Taranto.

This is a view looking down from the mountains at Cirella.
Here we are in the Cirella cemetary recording information about Marilyn's family. Marilyn (green coat, cousin Giuseppe, Diane, Rick). A wonderful experience.

Catania Maxi Conference

2009-03-30T14:47:00.001+02:00

Mar. 20-21
The Sicily Maxi Conference included Malta, Catania, Palermo, and Ragusa zones. We had lots of food, training, skits and sporting events. This was a modified sack race (we used garbage bags).
A skit with an alligator??
Good missionaries, good times, good memories!

Maxi Conference in Taranto

2009-03-30T14:38:00.000+02:00

Mar. 6-7, 2009
They may look a bit scraggly, but they are some of the best missionaries ever! We had a maxi conference in Taranto with Bari, Cosenza, and Taranto zones all meeting together. We had "sports"-some serious and some not so serious, food, skits, food, training, food and testimonies. It was fun to see them all together and feel of their energy, love and testimonies.

I started to take this picture with about three missionaries. Others saw and jumped into the picture. We love them all!
The field in Taranto may look green, but there are some rough spots there when you are playing soccer. Ouch!!

Christmas Eve Fieldtrip

2008-12-25T20:08:00.000+01:00

This is Caltagirone. They are famous for their ceramic work and nativities. The view from the top isn't so bad either. Of course, it was a beautiful day as well.
The side streets and path were interesting inside the city. Here is Jim's backside as he explores a very narrow passageway.

On our way home we stopped at the Commonwealth War Cemetery.
There were over 2,000 British troops that died in Sicily. This was the beginning point of the Allied invasion into Europe. The British came up from Siracusa, the Americans from Gela. Both cities are on the south side of Sicily.

I even found a headstone the reads like the British spelling of my maiden name.

P-days are great!

Christmas Eve Fieldtrip

2008-12-25T19:50:00.001+01:00

Here is yet another photo of Etna. Isn't she beautiful. She does have snow on her and if you drive up to the tourist area, you drive into snow! Please notice the orange trees in the foreground and the spring green grass. It is a sight to behold.

Pic 2, We took a fieldtrip with our office couple, the Stinebaughs, to Caltagirone. This is a castle along the road. Sicily is hilly everywhere.

Caltagirone has many, many nativity scenes that you can go see. This one is animated and so beautiful! No, I did not buy another nativity--I already had one:)
We climbed steps to see the cathedral at the top--but the view down was pretty amazing, too!

Mission Home Conferences

2008-12-25T19:39:00.000+01:00

This December we had a Mission Tour with the Area President and his wife (Robert C. Oaks). So we did the whole mission (3 combined Zone Conferences and 2 firesides) in about about 4 days. We covered a lot of country, saw a lot of missionaries and had amazing training and teaching from Pres. Oaks and his wife.

Then we had mission home conferences during December where the missionaries came to us.
Pic.1 shows the amount of food it takes to feed missionaries for these conferences. Thank goodness I have help (Roberta Battezato and Sorella Stinebaugh).

Pic 2 Show the first time through the line. . . . Anz. Stubbs, Anz. Pfeiffer, Azn. Ipson, Anz. Viehweg, Anz. Wilkinson are loading up. A mere four hours after this meal, the "snack bar" had to open. There were those that were hungry again! Amazing!

The aftermath--There are still 3 more loads of laundry in the other room. It was a lot of work, but soooooooooooo enjoyable. We loved hearing the testimonies, experiences, and feeling the energy of these amazing missionaries.

October 2008

2008-10-25T18:11:00.000+02:00

Spontaneous hugs happen around this mission--but not just with one missionary hugging another! Here is a group hug at Zone Leader Council in front of the mission home.
The Island Country of Malta is in the mission. We were there on Thursday/Friday of this week. It is truly a limestone rock in the middle Ocean between Africia and Sicily. There are limestone buildings everywhere. This was the view from our Hotel window. A lovely little place.
We went to Malta to say goodbye to the Eagars (the missionary couple) who left on Oct. 25th. They have been a wonderful blessing to the people of Malta and to the branch. We hope the roads in Arizona are prepared for Elder Eagar to return, as he has been driving on the other side of the road for 18 months!!

Zone Leader Council

2008-10-25T18:00:00.001+02:00

This was at the most recent Zone Leader Council in October 2008. We have a fine group of leaders helping move the work forward here in this part of Italy.
They are (in no particular order): Anziani Krivanec, Morello, Rancie, Clements, Whiting, Andrizzi, Smith, Zanetti, Carley, Daugherty, Leggieri, and Hafen.

The Assistants are: Anz. Stubbs and Anz. Armillei

Couples' Conference

2008-09-22T22:01:00.001+02:00

This past weekend we went to The Couples' Conference outside of Palermo. It was at a hotel near this Norman Tower. The temperature had dropped considerably because rain had moved in. So we had cool wonderful weather, beautiful vistas, inspiring sessions, ate amazing food, and enjoyed each others company. There were couples and parents from all three of our mission Districts-- About 90 people all together. It is so nice for members to get together like this to support one another and learn from each other.

One of the events at the Conference was a talent show. At the end of the show, they asked if President had a talent he would like to share. So he got up, told about an Italian song that he had learn after his mission, put on his shades and sang it. He has a great voice--he just doesn't often volunteer to share it that often. He was the hit of the show! Wish you could have been here to hear him!!

Tidbits of our Lives

2008-09-22T21:46:00.002+02:00

Picture 1: I should have taken this before I ate most of it. Yes, it is pink and purple and has suction cups--It is octopus! It is a special dish of the southern Italians. They serve it with a nice lemon and olive oil dressing. I like it, but it does give me pause--I keep think I shouldn't be eating anything that is pink and purple, but I also worry about those suction cups. I'm afraid they just may stick to my tongue one of these days!!!

Picture 2: This shows a few of our missionaries and what they eat at zone conference. It is called panzarotto. It is sort of like a pizza folded in half (either oven baked or fried). They are huge. (Missionaries: Anz. Vieweg, Anz. Niccoli, Anz. Wilkinson)
Note: The missionaries in the middle is Anziano Niccoli--from our home Stake. First Jim was is Stake Pres. and now his Mission President. He just can't get away from us!!! We love having him here.

Last week we were on the Island country of Malta with the Young Single Adults--it is part of our mission. This picture was taken at the service part of the conference. We were at a refugee camp. We were scraping the plaster from the walls exposing the rock underneath. It was hot and sweaty, and wonderful!! The Young Single Adults began singing as they worked. What great young people!!

We discovered a bit of home on Malta and took the missionaries out to dinner with us. Note--we didn't have pasta! Anz. Orton, Anz. Armillei, Anz. Tilini, Anz. Gann

August in Italy

2008-08-16T21:16:00.001+02:00

August still finds us at the airport either sending off missionaries or greeting new ones. Recently the airport in Catania frosted the big windows that separate the waiting area from the arrival area. That makes it difficult for us to spot our new missionaries as they come into the airport. But they didn't frost the windows all the way to the top, so we can still climb the stairs and watch for those white shirts to come down the ramp. Then we wave to them to let them know that we really are on the other side of those windows waiting for them. Here is Presidente Taranto with Anziani Tilini and Armillei watching for white shirts and tags to appear!

We had two maxi conferences in our mission. One in Taranto and one in Catania. We had meetings at the beginning of the day and again at the end. But after lunch there were outside physical activities (so hot!!) and then watermelon for a treat. Here are a few of those enjoying the treat. Did I mention we have wonderful missionaries? We love them all!!

Zone Leader Council had supper at the pizzeria in Gravina up the street here. Johnie loves to see us come. I rather enjoyed it too!! No dinner to prepare and no dishes--and everyone got just what they wanted! What a fun evening and a fun group!

July in Sicily

2008-07-30T16:38:00.000+02:00

Here is a picture of the lastest group of missionaries to leave us (including a picture of Sorella Hunter who had to go home a a few weeks early for medical care). What an amazing group of missionaries! We love them and wish them well!

A new group of 14 excited, wonderful missionaries came just hours after our other missionaries departed. The first evening they were in Sicily I took them on a "fieldtrip". We walked up the hill into Santa"Agata to a spot where we could see the lava flow down the side of Mt. Etna. It was great fun! Looking at this photo though reminds me of Mr. Popper's Penguins. . . .

On our way back to the mission home we stopped for gelato (yum)! We also made a new contact with the people who ran the gelateria. So this served several purposes: 1) to keep the missionaries awake, 2) to have gelato, 3) to do missionaries work, and 4) to see Mt. Etna and real live flowing lava!!!

It is Hot!

2008-07-20T19:32:00.001+02:00

These are the fine group of scouts that gathered above Siracusa for scout camp. The temperature was 45 degrees C. (that is over 100 degrees!) They did have a stream, some tents, a grove of trees, mosquitos, and watermelon. That's all you need for a scout camp isn't it??

We brought them ice cream to cool them down! Did I mention it was a hot day. . . !

Diane got a day at home. Since she was 6 months behind on her scrapbook, she worked all day to catch up--in the cool basement!

July in Italy

2008-07-20T19:23:00.000+02:00

Jim takes the couples (Stinebaughs and Eagars) to a local ice cream place (Ernestos). We taste all the vanilla flavors until we find just the right one, and then we order glasses and make rootbeer floats with real A&W rootbeer! Happy 4th of July!!

You don't think you can get away without another shot of Etna, do you? Etna continues to "leak" from one side. If we are in the right spot in the evening we can see the orange glow of lava coming down the side. This was at sunset. A beauty!

Diane is having a "shoe shining party" with the missionaries. Their shoes were looking a little gray. . . .

Food, Fun and Scenery

2008-05-15T16:41:00.001+02:00

Torontos made Tacos for dinner for the Foggia Anziani. They were so excited with the event they took pictures of the food before they ate it.

The missionaries from "the continent" at the maxi conference in Taranto. It is always lots of fun to get them altogether.

The scenery along the Lungo Mare in Catania.
Notice Mt. Etna in the background and the lava
that flowed right to the sea.

2008-04-25T13:06:00.002+02:00

Diane with her friend and Italian teacher, Roberta. Don't get your hopes up too high. I keep working on Italian, but we only get a couple of hours a month to work together! My Italian stinks!

The missionaries after the maxi conference in Taranto.

The Tarantos fixed tacos for the Foggia house. They were so excited they took pictures!

Another Transfer

2008-03-20T11:10:00.000+01:00

This was just an informal discussion with the missionaries in the mission office. We love to hear comments from missionaries that show some real thought about life in general or about the gospel. We are blessed with top-notch missionaries. They are eagar to be obedient and serve to the best of their ability.

Ahhhh, another group of wonderful leaders from our mission depart. This is by far the hardest thing to do. I love new missionaries coming, but I sure hate to see the other ones go home. I am comforted in that a good portion do go to the Y or live in Utah. So we will have a chance to see them again in the future.

Anziano Tilini (from Hawaii) is the new assistant. We are thrilled to have him here and to serve with him. He and Anziano Belforti will do great work together.

Life Around the Mission

2008-03-13T10:00:00.000+01:00

I see this "spontaneous conversation" happen all over the mission. Two missionaries stop to talk to each other and in the process put an arm around each other. Pretty soon another missionaries joins the group and then another. I love to see their love and concern for each other.
We have "mold issues" here in warm southern Italy. Here you see Anziano Allen with an invention to help with the situation. He taped a spray bottle (with a bleach solution) to PVC pipe and attached strings to the "squirter" part of the sprayer. Then he simply points the spray bottle in the right direction and pulls on the strings. Amazing--now he doesn't have to get out the ladder to tackle the problem!! It is a science project in the making!
Directly outside our driveway there has been a dead palm tree in the middle of the road--until yesterday. Yesterday the "tree crew" from the city came and cut the tree off and then proceeded to cut it into pieces to hopefully be carted off at some future time. It has been in a problem spot because it makes it difficult to back the car out of the driveway. Now the tree is gone, but the stump is still sticking up about 18 inches out of the ground. So we will still have to be careful about backing up--but at least the tree won't fall on us in some wind storm!!

Missionaries are Amazing!

2008-03-13T09:36:00.000+01:00

This was zone conference in Catania. The assistants and President all showed up in purple ties. So I guess they all got a memo!!

Here you see Anziano Develter with a huge knot in his tie. When I asked how he did it. He pulled his tie out and showed me (see below).
We love our creative missionaries!!

More of Sicily

2008-02-15T18:06:00.000+01:00

This is a picture of the Mission Home. It has four levels and a spiral staircase that goes from the top to the bottom (53 steps to be exact). The bottom level is the mission office, the next houses the kitchen, living room and dining room, next a small office 3 bedrooms and two baths, and the last is one large room that our daughter refers to as "the room for Seven Brides for Seven Brothers". It has 13 beds!
As you can see by the palm trees and the GREEN it is warmer than Utah here!

The next photo it entitled "Let sleeping dogs lie". We were walking along a street next to the open market when we happened upon this scene. There were four dogs all in a line against the store all napping. I decided to let them lie!

The last photo shows where the the lava meets the sea. In 1692 Etna erupted and covered most of Catania. We live in the foothills of Etna and see signs of lava
and eruptions everywhere.

Connections

2008-02-15T17:53:00.000+01:00

We discovered a significant Italian connection a few days ago in the mission home. As many of you know Jim is a descendant of Giuseppe Taranto, the first Italian member of the church. (Giuseppe is Jim's great grandfather). Giuseppe Taranto and Lorenzo Snow were missionary companions in the 1850s in Italy. And now we have President Toronto and Anziano Doxey (Assistant) serving together in Italy. Anziano Doxey's great, great, great grandfather was Lorenzo Snow!! It is a small world!

Here is Sister Toronto standing in the doorway of one of the missionary apts. It is affectionately called the Hobbit Hole because the doorways are short and the walls curve into the ceiling. Now Sister T. is all of 5'4" tall. We have missionaries living there who are 6'5" and some in the past have been even taller. We moved the missionaries out this week--not because of the size of the doorways but because the environment is conducive to mold--it is growing very well!!

The last picture is a picture of the daffodils that are growing in our yard. They are beautiful .

Around the Mission

2008-01-01T13:03:00.000+01:00

When Jim was a "young" missionary is Taranto, he had a picture at this site. I made him take another one as a "mature" missionary. He says he doesn't want to compare the photos. I think he as aged much better than the lion! The lion had red spray paint and crumbling limbs!
When we lived in Utah, I used to watch for snow on Timp as the first sign of winter. Now I watch for snow on top of Mt. Etna (when you can see her--she is often covered in clouds).

We were at the Christmas Maxi Conference in Taranto when this line formed. It then turned into a circle with the missionaries all giving each other a massage. We love being around missionaries. There is always something fun and unusual happening in their presence.
Diane helps mend a few rips and tears as the maxi conference. Missionary clothing really gets worn out!

Thanksgiving

2007-11-25T17:29:00.001+01:00

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:).

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!

Proof that turkey makes you sleepy!

Visitors Arrive!

2007-11-25T16:38:00.000+01:00

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

2007-09-26T22:34:00.000+02:00

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!!!

2007-09-26T22:25:00.000+02:00

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!!

2007-09-26T22:02:00.000+02:00

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

2007-07-13T18:36:00.000+02:00

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

2007-07-13T18:21:00.000+02:00

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

2007-07-13T18:16:00.000+02:00

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

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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

2007-07-13T17:47:00.000+02:00

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

2007-07-13T17:12:00.000+02:00

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

2007-06-23T05:15:00.000+02:00

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

2007-06-23T05:01:00.000+02:00

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!

2007-06-23T04:43:00.000+02:00

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.