Le Conferenze di Gioia

The end of November and December have been filled with all kinds of conferences.  Zone Conferences for the eleven zones were held in six locations.  A specialized training (Couples' Conference) was held for the fourteen married couples of the mission.  We also had special "firesides" with Spencer Nelson, a professional basketball player in Italy, President Osguthorpe, General President of the Sunday School, President Ridd, a Counselor in the General Presidency of the Young Men, and Elder Kearon of the Area Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Spencer Nelson talking to an investigator after speaking to a group in Siena

The missionaries with most of the Nelson Family 

December Consiglio

Sister Training Leaders December 2013

Zone Leaders December 2013

Getting ready to begin the Couples Conference

Discussions of  materials given at the Couples Conference

Taking pictures at the viewing of  The Last Supper

Some of the couples in front of the Duomo

The fourteen couples in our mission

The first Zone Conference was held in Milano for the Est and Ovest Zones.

Milano Ovest Zone

Milano Est Zone

The next day was the Firenze Zone Conference.

Role play at Zone Conference

How to Begin Teaching Role Play

Zone Leaders teaching at the Firenze Zone Conference

The Firenze Zone - December 2013

Two days after Firenze we went to Rimini for their Zone Conference.

Rimini Zone - December 2013

The next day we held the Venezia and Bologna Zone Conferences.

Sister Keeffer preparing the tables for  the fabulous lunch

Some great ward helpers at the lunch

Bologna Zone - December 2013

Venezia Zone / December 2013

Special musical numbers and caroling were held after the meeting.

These four hatted Anziani pictured above live and sing together. They brought a lot of joy to many people at Christmas time with their caroling.

We Give Thanks for the Missionaries

The day before Thanksgiving, thirteen new missionaries arrived - all from North America and all at one time.  We were very grateful that it was a more "normal" arrival this time (they all arrived on the same flight with all of their luggage).  Twelve Anziani and one Sorella joined the mission and they already doing the Lord's work here in the land of Italy.

Some of the Office Anziani with President Dibb waiting to pick up the new arrivals and their luggage

Here they come!

Still smiling after a long flight

Looking very business-like

He's here

And another one from Hawaii

More "arrivi"

President Dibb and one of the Assistants welcoming two of the new missionaries

Coming out of the Airport 

More exiting the airport

Preparing to load the luggage in the van

All thirteen at the airport before departing to the mission office

All kinds of pizza were awaiting the new missionaries at the mission office

Then it was off to the center of Milan for some proselyting

The lone Sorella at the Duomo

Talking to people on the Metro (subway)

Part of the new group stopping for a photo in the metro station

Thanksgiving Dinner the evening of arrival at the Mission Home

Walking into the room to meet their trainers on  Thursday

The Sorelle immediately knew who their companion was

The Anziani are still wondering who their trainers might be

Receiving more training from the President before they are matched up - trainers on the left, trainees on the right

Standing to recite "Il Mio Scopo"

Sorella Dibb giving some training

All of the new missionaries with President and Sister Dibb

New missionaries with their trainers

Four generations of trainers

As the new arrive, the departing missionaries reflect upon their mission service

We give thanks for those who returned home in November

We are full of gratitude for the dedicated, true and strong servants of the Lord which fill our mission.  We have Senior Couples who work hard each day to fulfill their responsibilities in the mission in many capacities and young missionaries who take seriously their calling to find, teach and baptize those the Lord has prepared.

Below are just a few more photos of companionship introductions.

A candid shot of companions meeting each other for the first time

The announcement of the last two sets of trainers/trainees

Preparing for a picture with Presidente and Sorella Dibb