Christmas No. 2 in the Bella Toscana

We have just finished celebrating our second Christmas in the beautiful Toscana, nestled in our medieval city of Siena.  As we have described earlier, the Senese are very much attached to their annual Palio races and are dedicated to their own contrada (neighborhood) even more so than to their own church affiliation.

But until we saw the Nativity that is displayed in Siena's provincial government building, we really didn't understand the biblical significance of the seventeen contrade of Siena. 

The manger scene; but look to the left, what are those??

As we gazed at the usual scene of Mary and Joseph with the Christ child, the shepherd and the wise men, we just couldn't recall the verses in any the four gospels that describe the seventeen contrade of Siena arriving at the manger to worship the little babe.

Its the seventeen Siena contrade coming to worship the Christ child!

But now our eyes have been opened, and we realize that the seventeen horses, with their riders and the banners of the seventeen contrade of Siena must have been an integral part of the Nativity.  We just don't understand why any of the writers of the four gospels didn't see their way into documenting such a monumental event.  They must have been paid off by the hated Florentines to exclude such a great event from the holy book!

Our day before Christmas was spent inspecting the young missionaries' apartments.  But on our way back from one of the cities we stopped in the little hill town of Radda in Chianti, right in the heart of the rich Chianti region with miles and miles of vineyards stretching in every direction.  In Radda we found a little restaurant that was just perfect for a Christmas Eve meal.  The pasta was exquisite and the cheesecake was divine!  (We can always diet in the new year!)

Christmas Eve meal in Radda in Chianti

On Christmas morning we prepared a brunch for our four Siena missionaries.  We cooked crepes and an egg/sausage casserole.  We ate well, and enjoyed the company of these four wonderful servants of God.  We tried to give them a little taste of home as they prepared to make their Christmas calls to their families later in the day.

Getting the table ready for crepes and all the fixin's

Sisters Salmond and Remund, Bonnie, Elders Johnson and Moa

We exchanged some gifts and had some fun.  Then it was off to visit investigators and prepare to make calls home.

Sisters Remund and Salmond enjoying the gifts from their Secret Santas

We learned that Sister Remund loves elephants!!

Elders Johnson and Moa with ties and scarves

Sisters Remund and Salmond opening their treasures

After the missionaries left, we got busy preparing the food for a senior couples' conference that was scheduled for the next day in Florence.  We just had the assignment to make some "snacks" for the break in the afternoon session.  But when such an assignment comes Bonnie's way, she knows how to do it right.

So we ended up making mozzarella, tomato and basil sticks; a vegetable tray; a fresh fruit tray; a cheese plate; homemade dressings; and a carrot cake to boot.  She also made trail mix for the tables, because we didn't want anyone fainting for lack of nourishment on their way from their chairs to the refreshment table.

It was great to gather together with most of the senior missionaries in the mission for some instruction, inspiration and fellowshipping.

The "elderly" elders and sisters of the mission

We went out to dinner that night and learned more about each other.  

Elders Rose and Fry, Sister Fry and Bonnie

Elder and Sister Harmer, Elder and Sister Pederson, and Sister Keefer

Sister and Elder Simoncini, Elder and Sister Hyde and Sister Dibb

Then the next day we bundled up and went to San Gimigniano to see the city of towers.  It was freezing cold, and the wind was blowing, but we couldn't pass up on the award-winning gelato that is sold there.

Freezing for a group picture in front of the well

Then eating gelato with our gloves and coats on!

We did have the opportunity over Christmas time to Skype with all of our kids and to see all fourteen of our grandkids.  We also got to talk with our mothers.  We miss spending this special time with our family, but the second best is to spend it with our mission family here in Italy.

The gospel of Jesus Christ brings joy into the lives of those who believe and follow Him.  May we all seek this joy and bask in His light, and try to be a little bit better in 2015 than we were in 2014.  That is all He asks, improvement with each passing day.