Happy Thanksgiving to One and All!

We had the privilege last week to attend a zone conference where Elder Fingerle of the Seventy toured the mission and taught the missionaries how they can work more diligently in hastening the work.  We learned that even though our young missionaries don't have IPads yet, they can still work with members with the members' technology to spread the good word of God and make sure more people are invited to events where the gospel is lived and spread.  We learned that we can and should invite our friends and family members to be witnesses to special events in our lives and the lives of our children, such as baptisms, priesthood advancements, and even sacrament meeting talks.  When we think about it, there are many life events that can be shared with friends and loved ones.  We can and must use technology to reach more than the one.

We helped another senior couple serve a pretty good American Thanksgiving feast to the missionaries for lunch during the conference.  Our missionaries can really put it away!

The day after the conference, on our P Day, two of Darryl's clients and good friends were in Italy on business.  They took a day to visit Firenze, and we met them in this beautiful city and showed them some of the famous sites. 

Doug and Connie Murray came to visit

We marveled at more of Michelangelo’s masterpieces.  These are some beautiful marble statues that the great artist carved for the funeral chapels of some of the Medici family.  The Medici's were the most powerful and rich rulers of Firenze, and funded most of the great artists that made the Renaissance explode, including Michelangelo.

As darkness fell, we visited Ponte Vecchio, the only bridge in all of Firenze that the Germans did not blow up as they retreated at the end of World War II, and the Allies did not bomb.

Ponte Vecchio at night

A view of the Arno river from the middle of Ponte Vecchio

On Saturday we left Siena early for another trip to Firenze.  This time we were privileged to attend the baptism of a young man that Darryl interviewed for baptism.  Giovanni will add great Priesthood strength to the Montevarcchi branch.

Giovanni's Mom, Giovanni, Elders Keekolani and Taylor

This past weekend was the first Stake Conference for the Firenze Stake since its creation in May of this year.  We attended training meetings on Saturday where Bonnie had to step in at the last minute to play the piano for the Stake Choir.  The pianist missed the train, and was substantially late.  It is so great to see Bonnie step in confidently and share her talents.  The choir didn't miss a beat with her at the piano.

On Sunday, Darryl was asked to give one of the addresses.  He talked about the importance of the temple, and shared some experiences from the Siena branch's September trip to the Swiss Temple.  The bottom line is that we cannot go wrong if we all have the doors of our homes facing toward the temple as we listen and implement the guidance that God gives us through His ordained apostles and prophets.  The temples give us the further light and knowledge God has promised to all who follow Him, and provide opportunities to serve others.  A temple-centered life is a life built on a firm foundation.

This week we have been working with members and assisting our missionaries with their teaching.  We also provide language and gospel instruction to our missionaries in Siena at our weekly district meetings.  Three of the four missionaries in Siena now are quite young in the mission, so Darryl has been helping them with some additional language training.

This week we had our second Thanksgiving in Italy.  We miss our own children and grandchildren, and our extended families very much, especially during the holidays; but we appreciate that our young missionaries may miss their families even more.  So we try our best to make the holidays something special for the missionaries that serve in Siena. 

The table set for a Thanksgiving feast!

We prepared a classic Thanksgiving spread today for our four missionaries, as well as an American study-abroad student that attends our branch, and our English member who experienced her first American Thanksgiving with us last year.  We stuffed and roasted a big turkey, and had all the fixings.  Bonnie made her "melt-in-your-mouth" rolls and a beautiful pumpkin pie.  The sisters made a chocolate brownie pie, the elders made au gratin potatoes, and Emily, our English friend, brought a leek bake.

Darryl carving up the bird

We started out our Thanksgiving celebration by watching a Mormon Message about giving thanks, even for our trials.  We all shared some things that we are thankful for at this time of our lives.  

Sisters Remund and Salmond, Lacey and Emily, watching the Mormon Message

Elders Johnson and Moa doing the same

And then we ate.  And we ate, and ate, and ate.  I think we may have been guilty of the sin of gluttony; so we must be thankful for repentance.

Elder Johnson, Sisters Salmond and Remund, Bonnie, Lacey, Emily and Elder Moa

We hope that our young missionaries felt a bit of home as we shared a wonderful meal together.  We do know that they left full, and ready to carry on!

At this holiday time, we are so thankful for our ten children, our five and the five "crazies" that married them.  We are also very thankful for our fourteen grandchildren.  Five grandchildren have been born since we left for our mission, so we have only seen these five via Skype or FaceTime.   Kara just had a healthy bouncing boy three weeks ago, and Tara, Daniel's wife, delivered a set of healthy and happy twin girls a week ago today.  We have been blessed with healthy and whole grandchildren, and we thank God everyday for these tender mercies.  We know not everyone is so fortunate, and we are humbled by God's blessings in our behalf.

We are grateful for our mothers who are keeping the home fires burning and are a strength to our brothers and sisters.  We thank the Lord that he continues to preserve them and lengthen out their days.  We look forward to a happy reunion with them in the spring of next year.

We are grateful for the chance to serve the members of the little branch of the church here in Siena; one of the most beautiful spots in the Lord's vineyard.  They are so strong, amid great temptation and with very few other Saints to lean on in the times of trial.  We marvel at their dedication, and we learn from them every day.  It is a privilege to serve among these wonderful Saints.

We love the young missionaries that we have been privileged to work with here in Siena.  They all have strong testimonies of the gospel and work hard to spread the word and invite others to come unto Christ.  They are the leaders of the future, and we believe the kingdom will be in good hands as they rely on the inspiration and revelation they received from a loving Heavenly Father.  Challenging days are sure to come, and they are building foundations that will help them weather the storms.  May we all be so strong.

And we are thankful for all our friends and loved ones who support us by their examples of selfless service.  Let us all press forward and lift where we stand to raise the light of the gospel high and let our light shine forth!