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).