We have had a busy two weeks since our last post. We have traveled a bit around Siena to visit
with our members and to provide service and comfort. It is always wonderful to meet with our
members in their homes. We get a much
better feel for who they are and what their challenges and struggles are, as
well as their joys.
With the departure of Simone, Darryl's first counselor and
stalwart in many other areas, we have picked up the responsibility to teach the
Book of Mormon Institute class to our young single adults, as well as to others
who wish to participate in the class. It
has been a joy to discuss the doctrines found in the Book of Mormon in a bit
more depth with these wonderful members.
However, we have to cover two full Institute lessons that can encompass
10 - 20 chapters of the Book of Mormon in a one-hour session. So we try to see what doctrines and
principles have impacted our students the most, and build on that.
We have been working closely with one less active family,
and they were the ones who made the pizzas from scratch for us at our Carnavale
festa last month. After performing some
service for this family, the father invited us to dinner at their home on
Sunday. We spent a pleasant afternoon
with them, met their son and his girlfriend, and played with their two very
cute grandkids.
We then spent a few hours with a part-member family where we
provided counseling and assistance with some delicate family issues. Darryl also spent an hour or so with their
11-year-old son helping him with his English homework. We feel the closest to Christ when we are
able to provide meaningful service to these great members in our little Siena
branch.
On Monday, March 3, Sister Boscia returned to Siena from her
short stay with the Sister Training Leaders in Pisa, along with her new
companion, Sister Roth. Sister Roth was
transferred to Siena from Bergamo to take Sister Hunter's place while Sister
Hunter is recuperating at home in Colorado.
Sister Roth had spent some time in Siena as a student a couple of years
ago, and she is very excited to return to Siena as a missionary.
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| Sister Boscia returning to Siena |
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| With her new companion, Sister Roth |
With transfers and Sister Hunter's emergency hiatus, we have
a new district now. We are always
impressed with the enthusiasm and energy of these young missionaries, and their
willingness to get out every day to preach the good word of God.
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Back row, Elders Burr, Axson, Locklear and Robb
Front Row, Sisters Roth, Boscia, Jarvis, Yost and Lee |
We had another tragedy in our little branch this last
week. The husband of one our less active
members passed away suddenly during the night.
To make things worse, our member and their 13-year-old daughter were out
of the country for a few days when it happened, and because of cell phone
problems and other issues, our member didn't find out about her husband's death
for a day or two. As soon she found out,
she made all the arrangements for a quick flight back home from Germany. One of our members picked up her and her
daughter at the airport in Florence and brought them to the hospital about
11:00 p.m., where we met them. At that
time of night, the morgue was closed, and despite all our efforts, we couldn't
get anyone to open the morgue so our member could see her husband.
The morgue opened at 7:00 a.m. the next morning, and we
picked up our good sister and arrived just before it opened. However, to her utter dismay, the state
officials who control funerals had sealed the casket. The doctors explained that the casket had to
be sealed for health reasons. This poor
sister and her daughter didn't even get to see the body and say their final
goodbyes.
Our sister, who even though less active now had served a
full time mission in her home country of Bolivia, wanted the Church fully
involved in the services for her husband.
While his family had made many of the funeral arrangements with their
local catholic parish because they couldn't get ahold of her after the death, our
sister arranged for us to meet with the priest at the church where the service
was to be held, so that we could be a part of the ceremony.
It was quite clear during our meeting with the priest that
he was uncomfortable, but he did say that his part would take about 15 minutes,
and that when he was done we could sing a few hymns, the wife could speak,
Darryl could speak, and we could pray.
With these assurances, we worked closely with our missionaries and
members to prepare the two hymns that were the favorites of our sister's
deceased husband, "I am a child of God" and "How firm a
foundation" to sing at the funeral.
Darryl prepared some short remarks about the plan of salvation and the
need for all to comfort those who stand in need of comfort.
Our sister wanted a printed program, which we prepared. Our elders made copies of the program and the
music and our sisters purchased a beautiful flower arrangement as a gift from
the branch.
We arrived at the old catholic church in the center of old
town Siena about a half an hour early.
Many friends and family were already there. The priest came out early, not dressed in his
priestly garb. He began talking to some
of the family members of the deceased family.
Then our good sister joined the priest in the discussion.
The bottom line is that he claimed he was a real jam because
he had talked with his "superiors" who advised him not to allow
another church to perform services in his church. Another slap in the face for our good
sister. But, there wasn't much we could
do, other than to "turn the other cheek" and be good examples in our
comportment.
The priest did allow our good sister to speak after he
concluded his remarks. And we were so
proud of her as she stood in front of about 200 people and declared that she
was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, that her
husband was very attached to the Church, and that she had been denied the privilege
of participating in the funeral of her own husband in the way she (and he) had
desired. She went on to read the words
of "I am a child of God" to the entire congregation, and bear a
strong testimony of the eternal plan of God.
We all went to the cemetery, and there our missionaries and
members did sing the songs they had prepared.
We also offered a prayer consecrating the tomb as the final resting
place for the mortal remains of this good man.
Many of the mourners had left by that time, but the deceased parents and
his sister were there, and they seemed very touched by the music, the
dedicatory prayer, as well as the love and support that we provided to this
good sister and her 13-year-old daughter.
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| Singing at the tomb |
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| The casket slides into the cavity in the wall of the cemetery. |
We left many copies of the music and words to both hymns in
the church, and who knows, maybe some good missionary work was done by both our
example and the small ways we were allowed to participate in the services. God moves in mysterious ways, his miracles to
perform.
Yesterday we had this good sister and her daughter over to
our home for dinner. We invited our
sister missionaries to join us, and we had an enjoyable evening as we try to
provide the love and support needed in these trying times.
Darryl made his now famous (at least in his own mind and to
those who have eaten his dish) "Penne Senese alla Presidente
Lee". It may not be as great as
his famous lasagne, but it is close!
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| Start the sugo with sweet and spicy sausage, onions, shallots & peppers |
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| Add olives and a good tomato base |
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| Add artichokes |
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| Then add fresh tomatoes right before serving |
In a small interlude in all this activity, we did find time
to take half a day and drive through the beautiful countryside of the Bella
Toscana. Spring is definitely coming,
and we can't wait for the beauties that spring will bring.
We visited an old abbey that was started in the 1100's. This abbey and the church on the hill next to
it celebrate the life of Saint Galgano, a soldier who buried his sword in a
stone when he gave up worldly things to answer his divine calling. The abbey fell into disrepair over the
centuries, but it is still beautiful. In
the summer there are now concerts performed on its grounds.
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| The abbey of San Galgano |
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| The church of San Galgano |
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| The sword in the stone |
During these past two weeks we have learned some valuable
lessons. First, life is a precious gift
from God, and we should never take it for granted. Do what is right and enjoy the ride. Second, always tell your loved ones that you
love them and cherish them, because you never know when you will be able to
tell them again. Third, service to
others brings us closer to Christ than anything else. And last, boldly stand for the truth at all
times and in all places, and proclaim your discipleship through your words and
your actions.
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| Spring is here! |
We are indeed grateful for the opportunity to learn these
invaluable lessons as we serve together in this beautiful part of the Lord's
vineyard.
