Change is the only constant!

It has been wonderful returning to Siena among our members and missionaries in this fine, medieval city.  We really missed our small branch and the good people who strive each day to follow the Savior's example and to share their testimonies of the restored gospel with others.

Soon after our return Sister Boscia, a fine sister missionary from Palermo who has been with us since she started her mission in January, received notice that she was being transferred to Lugano.  Lugano is the one city in our mission that is not in Italy!  It is in Switzerland; right on the Italian/Swiss border, and most of its residents speak Italian.  It is a beautiful city!  How fortunate she has been so far, being able to serve in two of the most picturesque cities in our mission.

We took Sister Boscia and her companion, Sister Roth, out to Montepulchiano to visit one of the families in our branch.  We sat down with them and taught them about the restoration of the sealing authority through the prophet Elijah, as restored to the world again in 1836 in a miraculous vision in the Kirtland temple.  We talked about family history work and what we can do to bring the saving ordinances to our kindred dead.  They were excited about continuing this work.

Bonnie, Sister Gori and Sister Boscia

Darryl, Sister Gori, Sisters Boscia and Roth, Chiara

Saying Goodbye to Sister Boscia

Our branch will be taking a trip to the temple in Bern, Switzerland in September, and all our members are working hard to find names that we can take with us to the temple.  It is always more meaningful to do saving ordinances for those in our personal lines.

With Sister Boscia's departure, we received a new sister missionary, at least new to our little city.  Sister Andromidas joined Sister Roth to continue the great work that the sisters do here.  Sister Andromidas has served in three other cities in the mission, her mother is first generation Italian, and Italian was the first language she learned.  So she is going to help us greatly here in Siena.

Sister Andromadis joins forces with Sister Roth!

Our American family in our branch, the Nelsons, left for the States this week.  Spencer Nelson is a professional basketball player and played this season for the Siena team.  They made it to the Italian championship series and pushed Milano to Game 7, before dropping a heartbreaker to come just inches short of their goal.  We had to support him in his efforts, so we sat at a little outdoor pizzeria in Siena's famous campo and ate a late dinner while we watched Game 7 in its entirety.  Even though they lost, we enjoyed a gorgeous evening, as the sun set over the Torre della Mangia, the tallest civic tower in all of Italy!

 

A beautiful evening at Siena's campo

We visited the Nelsons for the last time before they flew home to the States.  We will miss their example and the wonderful times we had with their three kids.  Bonnie won't know what to do with herself on Sundays, as she won't have any American kids to teach in Primary.  But we are reactivating some of our Italian members with small kids and grandkids, so she will just have to continue her good work in Italian.

Bonnie, Tommy, Hannah, Julie, Spencer, Logan and Darryl

Logan and Hannah taking one more jump over the sprinklers

We had three young missionaries from our district get transferred last week, so we had new faces at our district meeting today.  It is always wonderful to meet new missionaries and learn from them as they carry the work forward here.

Elders Reese, Kekoolani, Giles, Axson and Lee
with
Sisters Lee, Andromidas, Hamblin, Roth and Jarvis

Time is flying by as we reach the halfway mark of our service here in Italy.  We are enjoying this time we have to work together and to serve the great people in this city.  We feel your prayers, and receive strength from your support.  Thank you for all you do!