The Magnificent Seven

This transfer, we received 7 wonderful anziani!  We are so excited for them to join our ranks and be able to witness and participate in the myriad of miracles in the Milan Mission that are happening EVERY DAY!  Here are some photos from the first day of these great missionaries...
 

 

Anziano Sanacuore, Anziano Ibba, Anziano Modugno, Anziano May, Anziano Mustafaraj, Anziano Gessel, and Anziano Murphy

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Then, as always, we sent three of our beloved missionaries back into the anxious hands of their families.  I recognize that this picture is not crystal clear, but I hope that you can see what I can in their eyes. 

The greatest miracle is a change of heart.  As missionaries leave, it is hard to say goodbye.  But it is rewarding to be able to look into their eyes and see that they have come to know their Savior more, trust their Heavenly Father, and heed the Spirit.  That gleam in their eyes is joy.  The kind of joy that lasts forever.

D&C 18:10-16

Anziano Snedaker, Sorella Ryan, and Anziano Healey

Ready or Not!

Can you believe that it’s been six weeks already?  We sure can’t!  Ready or not, we picked up three marvelous missionaries three weeks ago.  We had a wonderful time with Anziano Moh, Anziano Hatch, and Sorella Soh!  We went to the Duomo, the Bone Church, got some scalp massages, ate delicious panzerotti and delectable gelato, talked to a great variety of people, and placed copies of the Book of Mormon!

What a great day!

Anziano Moh, Sorella Soh, and Anziano Hatch

And then we were forced to give up three missionaries the next day.  Talk about heartbreaking!  We are so grateful for the examples and service that these three GEMs have rendered in the time they have spent devoted to the Lord.

 

Anziano Patullo, Sorella Baranova, and Sorella Alexander

Sani e Salvi

The last week of September brought with it a new half dozen missionaries!  We are so excited to have these wonderful missionaries here with us.  We know they will be able to accomplish incredible things—miracles assuredly await them wherever they go.

   

 

 

Anziano Nelson, Anziano Droghei, Anziano Roisum, Sorella Oakes, Sorella Nilson, and Sorella Hanks.

We are going to miss these three wonderful missionaries who have left us this transfer.  They have done amazing work and I think it is safe to quote Joseph Smith: The Prophet of the Restoration on their behalf as they look back on their mission.

“The Lord did build us. And in wonderful ways.”

 

 

Sorella Manning, Anziano Aranda, and Anziano Wright

Who We Are

I recognize that you may be getting tired of hearing the mission hymn.  You have to understand and appreciate the genius, however, of this musical combination inspired by President Wolfgramm and performed by Anziano Jeter.

HYMN OF THE ITALY MILAN MISSION

By R. Gee

We will never tire of serving the Lord.

We will serve him with great faith,

Giving all our heart.

If we are faithful, the prize we will have,

The Gospel restored in Italy will blossom.

On the mountains and in the cities,

From Milano to Torino to Padova,

Our voices we will raise and

All will hear the truth,

All will hear the truth.

Now onward, brothers,

let us go to serve The Lord,

Laboring with great faith!

Let us give him all our heart!

Already the land here is ready and

Zion will rise, will rise, will rise in Italy.

Achieving the Impossible

We compiled a slideshow of pictures for Zone Conference and thought that you might like to view it as well. Some people might say that we are dreaming an impossible dream in Italy, but we are achieving the impossible. The work is hard—as with all good things. But with the Lord at the helm, all things are possible and we know that we will reap success and everlasting joy.

Whistle While You Work

The mission hymn--as you can see from previous posts--is very dear to our hearts.  We love it!  Consequently, many missionaries try to apply their creativity in making the hymn their own.  Here we have Sorella Ryan and Sorella Simkins whistling in two part harmony.  Enjoy!

Postcards from Italy

We don’t want to make you too jealous about how incredible being a missionary is here in Italy.  We meet marvelous people, marvelous friends, marvelous food, marvelous sights, and most importantly, there is a marvelous work and a wonder here as well.  Italy is incredible!