We added twenty-six bundles of joy to our mission this month, but subtracted twenty dedicated and strong missionaries. We look forward to serving with our new missionaries, but are feel the loss of those who strengthened , uplifted and inspired people all over Northern Italy. The beautiful thing about a mission is that, as they serve, the eighteen month to two year period of time helps each missionary become the true servants that Heavenly Father knows they can become. Our mission is truly blessed with wonderfully caring and striving-to-learn missionaries, old and young.
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| Elder and Sister Mann departed on December 12th |
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| Elder and Sister Rose (left) arrived December 6th and Elder and Sister Harmer (right) will depart soon |
On December 9th, we received three new missionaries from the Spain MTC. We are grateful for these missionaries who already are very fluent in Italian.
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| Our Anziano from Italy |
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| Our Sorella from the United States |
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| Our Sorella from Italy |
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| Here are the Spain arrivi with President and Sister Dibb |
Then, on December 10th, we received twenty-two more, ten Sorelle and eleven Anziani. As usual they were glad to be here after a very long flight. They arrived on time and with all of their luggage. HOORAY! Sorry about some of the blurred pictures - we get so excited!
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| The twenty-two Provo MTC "arrivi" just out of the airport waiting for the bus and giving a cheer for Italy |
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| Giving the Linate Airport and Italy a first look over |
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| And then we take luggage to the bus |
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| We are on our way to do the greatest service so far in our lives |
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| Glad to "get going" |
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| Is this a stop for a rest or a picture? |
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| Missionaries and luggage ready to go to Cimiano Chapel for their first training |
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| Doing some finding while waiting for the train on the first day |
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| More finding |
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| And more finding |
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| And even more and we have not even gotten on the train! |
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| Now we are on the train doing some finding |
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| And we are enjoying it! |
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| And so are those we are talking with! |
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| Action shot of train and missionary |
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| More finding while waiting for the second train |
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| Now we are on the second train |
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| Coming up out of the subway |
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| And the assistants are not far behind |
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| Meeting some new people in Italy |
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| And trying to talk in the Italian language - we know that some communicating was done, if only with a smile |
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| These Sorelle came prepared to sing a few Christmas carols at the Galleria |
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| And attracted some interested listeners |
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| And some more finding |
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| and more for the next two photos |
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| The December 2014 arriving Sorelle in front of the Milan Duomo |
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| Now we continued to find on the way back to the Cimiano Chapel |
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| This encounter resulted in two referrals |
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| The Anziani in front of the Milano Duomo - but it is getting dark and the camera is not focusing correctly |
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| But the Anziani were working hard at finding as well |
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| Then it was off to dinner |
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| and getting to know each other a little better |
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| The pizza is good! |
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| All twenty-four young missionaries outside the restaurant |
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| Entering the room the next day to meet their trainers |
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| Trainers and trainees in the same room |
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| Being instructed before the match-ups |
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| And then the match-up and pictures with the President |
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| President talking to a new missionary about his great new companion |
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| and here they are together for final permesso instruction |
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| Italy Milan Mission Class of December 2014 |
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| And here they are with their trainers |
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| Lunch before departing to their first areas of service |
The afternoon and evening of the 11th of December was spent in sending off the departing missionaries. They will be sorely missed!
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| December 11, 2014 - Departing Group |
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| On the evening of December 12th. we took this Elder to the Malpensa Airport to depart to his home in Australia |
Just before Christmas, we enjoyed two days of new missionary training. We talked about finding, teaching, planning, presentation, apartments and finances. We hope that the new missionaries received helps for a great start to their missionary service so that they may be the best instruments in Heavenly Father's hands to share His doctrine with the people of Northern Italy. The training was held in two locations - Padova and Milano Lampugnano.
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| Singing the opening song in Padova |
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| Asking a new missionary what this is used for (in the apartment) |
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| Answering a question |
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| Sharing thoughts |
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| Giving a "soft" bump |
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| The assistants doing some training |
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| Body language says it all |
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| The last of the Padova images |
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| On to Milano! |
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| New Sorelle learning new things |
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| Elder Harmer talking about finances |
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| Taking it all in |
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| More Sorelle at the new missionary training |
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| And a few Anziani in Milano |
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| The Assistants "cleaning up and doing dishes" after Christmas Dinner |
We had a wonderful 2014 and pray that we might have an even better 2015 as we seek to have a mission culture of being obedient "Preach My Gospel" missionaries. We ask for your help in this "Work", as friends and family of missionaries in Northern Italy. We appreciate your prayers, your encouragement and your support - that we may show a greater focus and an increase of love of our service here and for the people of Northern Italy.
BUON ANNO A VOI! (Happy New Year to You!)
