And the Beat Goes On!

We love learning and living in Italy!  We enjoy the differences between how Americans do things, and how the Italians do it.  A few months ago we wrote about how the Italian police stop people by standing on the side of the road and holding up little stop signs.

What really intrigues us is how the Italians catch speeders.  You hardly ever see a police car chasing someone down.  What you do see, however, are speed trap cameras along the highways and freeways.  If someone gets caught speeding,  they get a ticket in the mail, and then they pay the fine.

However, Italian law prohibits the use of these speed trap cameras without posting signs that these cameras are coming up. 

Says "Electronic Speed Control"

Then, they have to post a sign right on the camera.

 

The Electronic Policeman

What this means is that if someone is paying attention at all, they know that a speed camera is coming up, and then there is a sign showing you exactly where it is.  So, no real surprise, so no real "trap".   People (not Darryl of course) go as fast as they want between cameras, and slow down only for the cameras.  We aren't sure if these are really effective, but we are glad we have the signs and know where they are.

In addition, with the GPS technology we have, most (but not all) of the cameras are noted on the GPS system, so if you don't see the signs, the GPS beeps and that also reminds us that a camera is coming up.

And because we drive back and forth to Florence at least 4-6 times a month, we know where all the cameras are and can drive that road with our eyes closed (but we don't close them, of course).

Last Monday we had a Zone Conference in Florence.  It is always great to get together with the Mission President and other leaders to recharge our batteries.

All the great sisters in our Zone

Yesterday after Church we had our elders and sisters over for lunch, together with Angela, an investigator that the sisters and Bonnie have been working with.  Angela loves the sense of community and love in our small branch, and loves Bonnie and the sister missionaries, but she says she was born and raised a Catholic, and she can't betray her traditions.  We will simply continue to love and fellowship her, and invite her to read the Book of Mormon and pray, and let the Spirit work its miracles, if she will allow it to.

Bonnie, Sisters Roth and Boscia, Angela, and Elders Robb and Axson

Today we drove to Grosseto, trying to find our lost sheep.  We have a number of members who live in that area, and haven't graced the church's doors for many years.  We had some success in finding these folks at home, but most of them really didn't want to see us.  We did find an older lady that had been baptized about 39 years ago, and she didn't even remember ever joining the church.  She was very gentle and kind, however she may be suffering from some type of dementia.  We left her with a prayer, and we will visit her again.

"A city on a hill cannot be hid"

When we got back to Siena, we held our first Branch Family Home Evening.  Bonnie has been called to lead this effort, and she did a great job teaching a short spiritual thought (mostly in Italian), and leading us through an object lesson that went well with the spiritual thought.  Those who came were spiritually fed, enjoyed themselves, and ate some great refreshments.  What could anyone want more?

Bonnie teaching about yokes and oxen!

Sister Roth helping with the scriptures.

Building a tower with just an elastic and teamwork!

The sisters, Bonnie, an investigator and our Relief Society President

A nice spread

"When you are involved in the work of the Lord, the power behind you is always greater than the obstacles before you."  Elder Dallin H. Oaks.  This was the theme of our last Zone Conference.  We do find obstacles at times in this work, however we also witness the "power behind the work".
Darryl leads our little branch well.  On Sunday, one of our branch members shared her love for "Presidente Lee" and the good work he is doing.  We try to lift one another and work together.  We are moving forward and "pulling together" with all our missionaries and our branch members. ..."And the beat goes on..."