Christmas No. 2 in the Bella Toscana

We have just finished celebrating our second Christmas in the beautiful Toscana, nestled in our medieval city of Siena.  As we have described earlier, the Senese are very much attached to their annual Palio races and are dedicated to their own contrada (neighborhood) even more so than to their own church affiliation.

But until we saw the Nativity that is displayed in Siena's provincial government building, we really didn't understand the biblical significance of the seventeen contrade of Siena. 

The manger scene; but look to the left, what are those??

As we gazed at the usual scene of Mary and Joseph with the Christ child, the shepherd and the wise men, we just couldn't recall the verses in any the four gospels that describe the seventeen contrade of Siena arriving at the manger to worship the little babe.

Its the seventeen Siena contrade coming to worship the Christ child!

But now our eyes have been opened, and we realize that the seventeen horses, with their riders and the banners of the seventeen contrade of Siena must have been an integral part of the Nativity.  We just don't understand why any of the writers of the four gospels didn't see their way into documenting such a monumental event.  They must have been paid off by the hated Florentines to exclude such a great event from the holy book!

Our day before Christmas was spent inspecting the young missionaries' apartments.  But on our way back from one of the cities we stopped in the little hill town of Radda in Chianti, right in the heart of the rich Chianti region with miles and miles of vineyards stretching in every direction.  In Radda we found a little restaurant that was just perfect for a Christmas Eve meal.  The pasta was exquisite and the cheesecake was divine!  (We can always diet in the new year!)

Christmas Eve meal in Radda in Chianti

On Christmas morning we prepared a brunch for our four Siena missionaries.  We cooked crepes and an egg/sausage casserole.  We ate well, and enjoyed the company of these four wonderful servants of God.  We tried to give them a little taste of home as they prepared to make their Christmas calls to their families later in the day.

Getting the table ready for crepes and all the fixin's

Sisters Salmond and Remund, Bonnie, Elders Johnson and Moa

We exchanged some gifts and had some fun.  Then it was off to visit investigators and prepare to make calls home.

Sisters Remund and Salmond enjoying the gifts from their Secret Santas

We learned that Sister Remund loves elephants!!

Elders Johnson and Moa with ties and scarves

Sisters Remund and Salmond opening their treasures

After the missionaries left, we got busy preparing the food for a senior couples' conference that was scheduled for the next day in Florence.  We just had the assignment to make some "snacks" for the break in the afternoon session.  But when such an assignment comes Bonnie's way, she knows how to do it right.

So we ended up making mozzarella, tomato and basil sticks; a vegetable tray; a fresh fruit tray; a cheese plate; homemade dressings; and a carrot cake to boot.  She also made trail mix for the tables, because we didn't want anyone fainting for lack of nourishment on their way from their chairs to the refreshment table.

It was great to gather together with most of the senior missionaries in the mission for some instruction, inspiration and fellowshipping.

The "elderly" elders and sisters of the mission

We went out to dinner that night and learned more about each other.  

Elders Rose and Fry, Sister Fry and Bonnie

Elder and Sister Harmer, Elder and Sister Pederson, and Sister Keefer

Sister and Elder Simoncini, Elder and Sister Hyde and Sister Dibb

Then the next day we bundled up and went to San Gimigniano to see the city of towers.  It was freezing cold, and the wind was blowing, but we couldn't pass up on the award-winning gelato that is sold there.

Freezing for a group picture in front of the well

Then eating gelato with our gloves and coats on!

We did have the opportunity over Christmas time to Skype with all of our kids and to see all fourteen of our grandkids.  We also got to talk with our mothers.  We miss spending this special time with our family, but the second best is to spend it with our mission family here in Italy.

The gospel of Jesus Christ brings joy into the lives of those who believe and follow Him.  May we all seek this joy and bask in His light, and try to be a little bit better in 2015 than we were in 2014.  That is all He asks, improvement with each passing day.

Christmas is Coming! Christmas is Coming!

As we get ready to celebrate the birth of our Savior, may we all strive to do as he taught and demonstrated throughout his ministry.  May we visit the sick and afflicted; lift up those who are feeling depressed, and minister to the needs of the flock.  In trying to do just that, we have been very busy visiting all of our members in this small branch of the church here in Siena.  Bonnie had a great idea for a Christmas memory for our members.  Our oldest daughter, Kristine, is a great bookmaker, and she makes these small books that are also ornaments that can be hung on a Christmas tree.  She made a special one for Darryl for his birthday in October.

We asked Kristine to make about 30 of these little book ornaments and bring them to us when she visited us in October.  She made some very beautiful ones that we have now been giving to our members as a token of our love and appreciation.  We have written a personal note in each one of them, and we have encouraged our members to continue the work of strengthening their own testimonies as they help build the branch here in this beautiful part of the Lord's vineyard.

We have had a great time visiting our members, and inviting those who are less active to come back and enjoy the fellowship of the Lord's church. 

We decided to hold our Christmas feast on Sunday this year, and make it a lunch that we could all enjoy together right after our three-hour block of meetings.  In addition, for the third year in a row now the small Siena branch has performed a live nativity.  We invite all our members and investigators to come and participate, as we act out the Nativity and sing together the hymns of the season.  We decided to do the live nativity activity right after our Christmas lunch. 

So, needless to say, Sunday, December 21, was a very busy day!!

The first hour of meetings did not start out very well, as there were only the six full time missionaries and 4 or 5 members.  However, as the day progressed, more and more members starting showing up, including a number of less active members and some friends and family of some of our members.  By the end of the block, we had eight less active members in attendance, and about 6 - 8 investigators, in addition to our faithful members.

We had a great lunch, starting off with crostini and other antipasti, followed by homemade lasagna and cannelloni.  Then we had roasted chicken and vegetables, followed by salad and fruit.  We capped off the lunch with scrumptious desserts, and everyone left the table filled with happy thoughts and much food.

Brother Natale taking his creations out of the oven

Simone, Darryl's 1st Counselor, donning his candy stripe apron and directing the creation of antipasti

Bianka, Moreno, Redi (hiding), Lorena and Sonia enjoying the feast

Eugenia, Enrique, Eole and Paolo doing the same

The whole group at the end of a great meal!

We then moved back into the chapel where we put on the live nativity.  For the third year in a row our sister missionaries have reprised the rolls of Joseph and Mary, with the taller sister performing flawlessly as Joseph.  Our members then filled in the other roles, and our two elders were, once again, wise men.

Sisters Remund and Salmond

Sharon and Bianka as beautiful angels

Mikki as our littlest shepherd, with his grandma

The shepherds make it to the manger

Our shepherds

Elder Johnson, Paolo and Elder Moa as our Wise Men

Brother Rotelli narrated the event, reading much from the sacred story as found in Luke.  At appropriate intervals throughout the play, everyone joined in singing the hymns of the season.  It was a touching display that brought the true meaning of Christmas into each of our hearts.

The entire cast

The cast and the choir (everyone)

They talked Darryl into getting out from behind the camera

On the following day, we had a special branch family night where we went to a rest home in Siena where one of our members is now living.  Since she couldn't come to our Christmas lunch and nativity play, we took some of that to her.  We sang a number of Christmas carols to Francesca and some of her friends on her floor.  She was happy to see us and we were happy to bring some Christmas spirit to the lives of these elderly folks, many of who have few if any visitors.

The sisters singing to Francesca 

Bonnie and the elders doing the same

A great FHE activity!

Today we had to drive to San Giovanni to inspect the apartments of the missionaries living there.  On the way back we drove through the beautiful Chianti region, which consists of rolling hills covered with vineyards and olive groves as far as the eye can see.  As we crested a hill we were greeted by a spectacular vision of pillars of light piercing through the clouds and descending to earth. 

What a great way to ring in Christmas Eve and remind us all that the greatest gift ever given by any father to any child was the great gift of a Savior that our Heavenly Father gave to all of us.  He gave us His Son, who brought light and hope into the world.  A Savior whose light burns brightly and shows us the way to life everlasting. 

It is our prayer that we will all walk toward the light, grasp it and never let go.  And as we do, may our light so shine that we too may be lights to the world as we help our brothers and sisters along the stony path of this earthly sojourn.

We wish all who might take a moment to read this blog a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!

Remembering Him is Not Just a December Thing

December is here and we have been busily preparing for Zone Conference and visiting our members during this holiday season.

On December 1 we had a family night at the church.  We pulled out our Christmas tree and everyone had a great time decorating the tree for our little branch!

Daniela and Eole getting started

The missionaries helping

Paolo looking on

Starting to look like a Christmas tree

Bonnie and the missionaries admiring their great work

 One of the services Bonnie does for the missionaries is an occasional haircut.  The Elders thought they ought to get their hair cut before the Zone Conference, so Bonnie got out her shears and went to work!  She trims the Sisters' hair on occasion as well.  Anything we can do to serve is fine with us!

Cutting Elder Johnson's hair first

Then Elder Moa

We (meaning Bonnie) were in charge of the refreshments for this December Zone Conference.  Since it was just before Christmas, we thought that all the missionaries should have a "goodie bag" to take with them when they left the conference.  So Thursday was a baking day!

Banana Cupcakes, with buttercream frosting

Getting ready to feed the missionaries

Our missionaries received some great training from our mission president and the zone leaders.  Then they broke up in groups and did some role playing to better learn how they could use the social media that most people now have as teaching and finding tools.

Elders Johnson and Moa doing a role play

Sisters Salmond and Remund doing the same

Since our mission president wanted the missionaries back on the road by 1 pm, he decided not to have a lunch for them, just a dessert to accompany a half-hour Christmas caroling event after the training.  Bonnie made some scrumptious brownies and her famous banana cake cupcakes.  We served that with some crema ice cream at the conclusion of the conference.

 

The "Goodie Bag"

Then, for the "goodie bag", Bonnie and Sister Hyde put together rice crispy treats, peanut butter/chocolate bars, congo bars, chocolate covered pretzels, and some clementines (so they would have something healthy) to take with them.  Bonnie tied them all up with a ribbon with some pine boughs and cones she found on one of her hikes, and she included a quote about Christmas from President Monson.  It was a lot of work, but we are sure the missionaries appreciated it.

And always a message to teach the doctrine

After the Zone Conference we took our elders with us to visit some members that live far from Siena.  We visited a sister who is from Brazil, but has moved to Italy looking for work.  Her friend is from Romania, and isn't a member yet, but he wants to learn more.  We hope the elders will be able to teach him the gospel.

Bonnie, Nena, Daniel, Elders Johnson and Moa

On Saturday Siena held its annual Christmas Fair.  There were about 150 booths set up in Piazza del Campo displaying their wares.  We walked through the Fair and enjoyed the atmosphere.  We even bought some goodies to share with our members and missionaries.

An old-fashioned book press that Kristine would appreciate

Later that afternoon we held a Baby Shower for Lorena, a member of our branch who will be having a little baby girl in January.  The sisters in our branch decorated the Relief Society Room in the way that only the Relief Society can, and everyone had a good time!

A cake made of diapers and socks

Lorena enjoying the gifts for her little baby

We continue to struggle to get our members out to church on Sundays.  Yesterday we only had nine members in church.  Some were sick or had to work, or had other excuses for not coming.  It can get discouraging sometimes, but we need to remember that it is our responsibility to teach correct doctrine, to be an example of the believers, and to invite people to participate in the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Then we can only pray that they will accept the invite and seek to gain and/or strengthen their testimonies in the restored gospel.

As we continue to celebrate this festive season, may we all commit to be a little bit better today than we were yesterday, and to be a little bit better tomorrow than we were today.  May we be a light set up on a hill and may we shine forth as followers of our Redeemer who was born into the world as a babe in a manger, who grew into the God he always was, and voluntarily took upon himself our sins and sorrows in the greatest selfless sacrifice of all time.  It is because of him that we will rise again, and have the opportunity to enjoy eternal life with our families forever.  That is the message of Christmas!