February brought fifteen fresh new faces to the Italy Milan Mission. Seventeen missionaries were released from their full-time missionary service. Included in that number were one new senior couple and one departing senior couple. Our first two missionaries were from the Spain MTC on March 2, 2016. The other eleven came the next day from the Provo MTC. The new senior couple arrived a couple of days before the young missionaries and the departing senior couple left on February 25th. The young departing missionaries flew away on February 5th.
We look forward to serving together in Northern Italy with these outstanding new missionaries as they each have made a wonderful impression on our mission already.
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| Our darling Sorelle from the Spain MTC |
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| One is from Italy and the other from Columbia |
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| And here come the missionaries from the Provo MTC |
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| Then we go out of the airport with the Assistants to the President happily leading the way |
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| Once outside the airport we park the luggage with an office Anziani watching the bags |
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| President spending a moment talking about leaving their "drag" behind |
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| and soaring to new heights as a missionary for Christ |
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| Italy Milan Mission Class of February 2013 |
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| Excited to begin preaching repentance and baptizing converts in Northern Italy |
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| Then we take a short walk out to the vans and cars |
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| To load our luggage and head for the mission offices |
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| Included in the group are our two Sorelle from the spain MTC |
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| After lunch we begin proselyting in the mezzi on our way to downtown Milan |
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| The Sorelle come up out of the subway |
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| to see the largest Duomo in Milan |
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| And we capture a photo of this first day experience |
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| It was quite a rainy day, but the Sorelle were all smiles |
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| They continued to find and talk to people while returning to the mission offices |
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| Then it was the Anziani's turn |
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| Another memorable photo of a first day in Milan |
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| The new missionaries waiting to meet their trainers |
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| The trainers turning to see the new missionaries come into the chapel at Cimiano Ward Building |
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| President Dibb giving some training |
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| The new missionaries standing to recite "Our Purpose" in Italian |
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| The training missionaries standing to recite Doctrine and Covenants Section 4 |
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| The trainer tells a little about his city |
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| And then the person being trained is announced |
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| Two outstanding Assistants to President Dibb |
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| The Italy Milan Mission departing class of February 2016 |
On February 5, 2016, the departing missionaries come to the mission offices for their last interview, preparations for travel, dinner and a testimony meeting. What a special experience this is to see the spiritual growth in these beautiful souls!
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| A couple of the departing missionaries with President Dibb at the Mission Home |
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| We are delighted to welcome a new couple to the Mission Office |
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| Anziano and Sorella Hoopes |
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| We were sad to say goodbye to a couple serving with YSA (GANS) and Pathway in Toscana, Anziano and Sorella Hyde |
A few weeks after the new missionaries arrive we again meet with them and their companions for specialized training for new missionaries. We did this in two locations - Milano Cimiano and Firenze on February 18th and February 28th. It is quite an adjustment, but these sharp missionaries learn quickly when aided by great trainers.
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| At Cimiano, the new missionaries with their trainers |
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| At Firenze, the new missionaries with their trainers and the Ferrara Senior Couple who are new to Firenze |
We thank missionaries around the world for their dedicated service and express much appreciation for all, especially, who have served in Northern Italy! What a joy it is to share and testify of the doctrine of Jesus Christ through obedience to His full-time missionary plan. Thank you for your continued support and prayers for the Italy Milan Mission of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
