New Missionaries and Halloween; a Formula for Success!

With the departure of Elder Garner for home and Sister Andromidas to Verona, we welcomed two new missionaries to the great city of Siena.  Sister Remund was asked to be a senior companion (after just 12 weeks in Italy), and she is teaming up with Sister Salmond who is in that same group of young missionaries.  They are a bit anxious in their new assignments, but they are striding forth with faith and enthusiasm.  It is wonderful to watch the Lord mold their lives and support them in their efforts.

Sister Salmond joining Sister Remund in Siena

Elder Warnick became senior companion and district leader in one fell swoop, and he also is teaming up with a young elder, Elder Johnson from Maine, who has been in Italy for just 18 weeks.  They are moving forward with faith and trying to find those who will listen to the good news of the restored gospel of Christ.

Elder Johnson wearing many hats

We have a new district here in Siena, and we enjoy rubbing shoulders with these young missionaries who love the Lord and are working hard to help this part of the Lord's vineyard grow!

Elders Warnick and Johnson, Darryl and Bonnie, Sisters Remund and Salmond

Our missionaries were in charge of the branch's Halloween party.  They did all the organizing and put together a fun night for everyone who came.

Elder Johnson as Frankenstein and Elder Warnick dreaming of facial hair, some day

Sisters Salmond and Remund following the prophet's counsel to "look up"

Our four missionaries organized a successful Halloween party

We had a number of investigators at the party, as well as some of our less-active members.  Actually, all of the young kids that came are nonmembers, and are children or grandchildren of investigators or less-actives.

The sisters with Brother Natale and his grandkids, together with Francesca

The "older" ones sitting and watching the youngsters

Our Primary President, Bianka, with two of her charges

The kids decorated cupcakes

Bianka and Hella, two of our great members

Enrique, behind the pirate's mask

Brother Natale and his twin

Davide ready to take the plunge

Two of our investigators, Azzurra and Kleis, wrapping up in the mummy race

We are visiting our members and providing whatever service we can.  We are assisting a less-active sister with a wedding celebration she wants to hold in the church.  We are visiting and encouraging one of our sisters who will be having her first baby in January.  We are working with our stake leaders and Family Search personnel from Salt Lake City in preparation for a genealogy event here in Siena this week.

In addition, we are responding to special assignments from our mission president; one of which took us to Milan this week, but this time only for one day.

We continue to stay busy and support the work in any way that we are asked, or that we are inspired to pursue.  Time flies on wings of lightening, and we are enjoying almost every minute of our time here.