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!