Bella Toscana - God's Gift to Mankind!

There are some jobs in the church that just have to be done, no matter how difficult or boring.  And we suppose one of those is trying to find a great spot for a branch picnic somewhere in the Toscana countryside.  Someone had to draw the short straw and go around our region in search of such a place, and it looks like we drew that short straw.   Oh well, it just has to be done!

So we hopped into our trusty little Opel Meriva and went to find the perfect spot.  And here are a few shots of the countryside that we were forced to drive through.

As we were driving in the very rural parts of the Toscana, surrounded by olive groves, vineyards, and fields of all types of crops, we were very surprised to drive around a bend and see two very large, and very strange sculptures.  We aren't sure what they are doing, but I guess they are hiding from each other or they have fallen in love with a tree.

Here is the plaque that accompanies these sculptures.  It seems a Chinese artist felt this was the best spot to exhibit has work.

The sculptures are called "Metropolitan Ostriches"

We didn't find the right place this day, so we enrolled the help of a couple of our members who said they knew some great places for a branch picnic.  We loaded them in the car on Saturday and let them show us around.

Here are some of the places they showed us.  So many great places to choose from!

Lucy and Francesca helping us find good picnic spots

This past week we said goodbye to two of our seasoned missionaries, Sister Roth and Elder Axson.  (See last week's blog.)  And we have now been blessed to receive a sister right off the plane from the MTC, Sister Remund who hails from Midway, Utah; as well as another experienced Elder, Elder Garner from Mesa, Arizona, who will be finishing his mission here with us in Siena over the next few months.

Elder Garner joining Elder Reese in Siena

Sister Remund and Sister Andromidas get off the train

On Saturday we took the Sisters to Poggibonsi where we were able to make three visits to some of our wonderful members who don't come to church all that often.  It is wonderful to visit them in their homes and leave a message and a prayer.  We are always encouraging our members to make the changes necessary to receive the full blessings of the gospel in their lives.  But we acknowledge that the choice is always theirs to make; thanks to the great gift of agency that our Heavenly Father has given to all his children.

Because we had two new missionaries join us this week, we decided to have a missionary coordination luncheon at our apartment on Sunday after church.  Darryl made his now famous Penne Senese alla Presidente Lee, and Bonnie prepared a classy apple tart using Kristine's yummy tart crust!  They enjoyed it all!

Elders Reese and Garner, Bonnie, Sisters Andromidas and Remund

 August is really the month where most Italians simply leave the heat and humidity of the city and escape to the beach or the mountains.  We had only 12 members in church last Sunday.  But August will pass, and we will continue pressing forward, with an eye single to the glory of God.

Notwithstanding the dog days of summer, we do believe in miracles, and our sister missionaries had two miracles today.  First, this morning they met with an investigator and Sister Remund, who has been in Italy only five days, challenged this good sister to be baptized.  And she accepted!!

Then, we took the sisters to Roccastrada, a town about an hour's drive from Siena, where we ate lunch with a member, her husband and their 4 year-old son, and Eunice, a good friend who the sisters have been teaching.  After lunch, while Darryl was keeping the 4 year-old occupied in the living room with all sorts of fun games, the sisters, Bonnie and Doris taught Eunice another lesson.  This time, Sisters Andromidas and Remund gave Eunice the challenge to follow Christ's example and be baptized.  And Eunice accepted the challenge.  Two baptismal dates set in one day!  Miracles!!  

Bonnie with Sisters Andromidas and Remund, with Eunice who just agreed to be baptized
Daniele and Doris, our members, look on with big smiles

The sisters basking in joy as we walk down the ancient road near Doris' house

We are grateful for this chance to serve the Lord full-time in Italy, with such great young missionaries and strong members.