Marching Along

Well, here we are in March already and now it is almost over!  We have been marching along at a fast pace with nineteen new missionaries arriving and only thirteen missionaries departing.  We are definitely trying to keep up with the "Hastening of the Lord's Work" here in the Italy Milan Mission.

  

Please have a look at these great new young people.  They have been working hard already.  We are so excited to serve with them as missionaries for our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Presidente Dibb is greeting our new Sorella who arrived from the Spain MTC.

This new Sorella is from Southern Italy.

March 4, 2015,

the missionaries from the Provo MTC

arrived and were greeted

at Linate Airport.

We have smiles and at least one "thumbs up."

Then began

the "march" to the bus,

along with much luggage.

An office Anziano is all smiles

as we continue along to find the bus (the taxi line is in the background).

We found the bus!

We are looking back from the bus to see a line-up of the future of the Italy Milan Mission.

 President is showing the missionaries where to put their luggage.

Then President talks to them about

leaving all of  the "drag" (as in airplane drag) of worldly things behind 

and commit to be full-time missionaries to share the Doctrine of Jesus Christ, our Savior.

Italy Milan Mission Class of March 2015

are giving a "Hurrah" for the greatest mission, people and country in the world!

What a happy group to be on the bus to Cimiano Chapel for interviews and training.

At Cimiano Chapel, we ate a light lunch of mezzaluna (panzarotti) and fruit.

Then the Sorelle go out right away to meet people 

and to teach and share their testimonies

of the Doctrine of Christ.

Public transportation is a great place to talk to people.

As we come out of the subway, we see

the picturesque Milan Duomo and take a photo of the Sorelle.

After their interviews and training,

the Anziani go to the Duomo.

On the way,

they find and teach.

The next day, we met back at Cimiano Chapel (it was still quite cool in Milan and in the church building).

The trainers are reciting Doctrine and Covenants Section 4.

The trainers are lining up and getting ready to meet their new companions.

Two companionships have been introduced and the others are waiting with anticipation.

The new missionaries with Presidente and Sorella Dibb - March 5, 2015

The new missionaries and their trainers - March 5, 2015

After sending the new missionaries to their first city of service, we go back to the mission home to say farewell to the departing missionaries.  It is a time of reflection and joy as the departing missionaries look to new heights of testimony, love and service in their lives.  We wish each one a fond "arrividerci" and pray for their continued success.  

Departing missionaries with Presidente and Sorella Dibb in front of the Mission Home - March 5, 2015

Three Super Sorelle

Ten Amazing Anziani

What a fantastic group - we will miss them!

We need to give a special "shout out" and "thank you" to the Lee Coppia.  They were such a blessing to the people of our mission, especially those in Siena, where Anziano Lee served as the Branch President.  All the missionaries in the Tuscany area felt of their wisdom and love, and continue to mention their appreciation of the Lees.  In addition, the mission as a whole was blessed by Anziano and Sorella Lee as they served in Milan for a month in 2014.

Anziano and Sorella Lee also departed in the month of March.

On March 30, 2015, the Gipson Senior couple arrived after spending four months in the European Mission waiting for the completion of the move of the Verona Archives to a new building.  We are glad they are here to facilitate the work in records preservation in Verona.

Anziano and Sorella Gipson in front -March 31, 2015

We hope that we will "march" to the voice of The Shepherd,  We strive to share with all His gift to us, as we invite the people of Northern Italy "to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end." (Preach My Gospel, page 1.)