A Birthday and a Baptism, and a Visit from our Daughters! What Could Be Better!

We are grateful that the lives of senior missionaries permit occasional visits from family and loved ones.  Darryl had a big birthday a few days ago, and his two oldest daughters felt the need to come over and help him through the trauma and turmoil that affects anyone who moves out of one decade into another.

So, Kristine and Kathleen flew over to spend about a week with us, celebrating life and keeping Darryl from doing anything rash as the big day approached, and then passed.

Waiting "patiently" for the plane to arrive 

Mom's first big hug!

Great to see these two daughters!

They flew into Milan, so we drove up there and picked them up.  We decided that on our way down, we would show them the beauties of the Cinque Terre region, as well as Pisa and Lucca.

The weather in the Cinque Terre was a bit unsettled, but the rains stayed away for the most part and we had pleasant temperatures and not too many tourists.  We walked around Monterosso al Mare one night, eating outside at a fabulous seafood restaurant right on the main square.

They had to get their feet wet

The sun setting on a cloudy day

Monterosso at night

The next day we took the train to Manarola, and then to Vernazza, where we enjoyed the sea and the scenery, and most especially the company of these two great kids.

Shopping was a contact sport

Exiting with their treasures

Manarola on the side of a hill

Manarola again, with the swirling sea

The waves were crashing

Vernazza and its little harbor

That evening we drove down to Pisa (a city where both Darryl and Kristine served as young missionaries).   We walked the streets at night, enjoying the views of the Arno, admiring the shops with the Italians as they took their evening passagiata (stroll) through town, and then we ate a late pizza at an outside restaurant.

The Arno at night, running through Pisa

The next morning (which was the fateful day of Darryl's entry into a brand new decade), we climbed the Leaning Tower and checked out the other sites in Pisa's famous Campo dei Miracoli (Field of Miracles).

At the top of the Leaning Tower

The Leaning Tower

Pisa's Duomo

Statue of a fallen angel

Next, we drove to the nearby town of Lucca where we enjoyed a picnic lunch on the city walls.  We then rented bikes and rode twice around the large, medieval walls that completely encircle the town.

Ready for the Tour de France

A beautiful garden of an abbey close to the wall 

A tower in Lucca

We then drove to Siena, because we had a most important date with an investigator who had decided to enter the waters of baptism.  Our sister missionaries had done a great job finding and teaching an Italian lady from Siena who lives just a few blocks from the church.  Daniela progressed in her understanding of the gospel and her willingness to obey the commandments.  She quit smoking, and decided to get baptized.

Sisters Andromidas and Remund, with Daniela 

Sisters Remund and Andromidas, Daniela, Elders Warnick and Garner

A group photo at the baptism

It was a wonderful experience to participate in her baptism on Darryl's birthday, together with our two daughters.  It was a special evening.

On Sunday, Darryl confirmed Daniela a member of the church and bestowed upon her the gift of the Holy Ghost.  Kristine and Kathleen gave powerful talks in Sacrament Meeting, and all in all it was a great first few days to their visit.

The gospel of Jesus Christ has the power to bring change into people's lives, and can make us happy as we journey together down the path toward eternal life.  We are enjoying our small part in the growth of the vineyard here in Italy, and we are thankful for the support and love we receive daily from family and friends.