We're in the Zone

     March 17th to 24th, 2014,  Zone Conferences were held in five locations around the mission. After having asked the missionaries to prepare for the conference by reading the first 13 chapters of the Book of Mormon, Presidente Dibb led a discussion regarding the first 31 pages (Italian Book of Mormon) in the Book of Mormon and how these particular scriptures relate to Preach My Gospel, the life of a missionary and the teaching of investigators.  Sorella Dibb then taught regarding Chapter 8 in Preach My Gospel emphasizing that preparation day needs to be exactly that so that the rest of the week can be spent in full-time missionary service and in using time wisely.  She concluded her presentation by pointing out how accountability in the use of time by missionaries influences their whole mission experience.  Instruction was also given regarding medical services and health insurance cards were distributed for working within the health insurance system now used in our mission.  This program began April 1, 2014. 

     During the afternoon session, if there was a stake presidency member present, they were invited to speak to the missionaries.  Following those testimonies and teachings, the Assistants to the President and some Zone Leaders instructed the missionaries in working with members on how to invite their relatives, friends and neighbors to meet with the missionaries. We did a "role play within a role play" which was very cool!  President Dibb then gave more insights on working with members by having a family mission plan and the growth of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Europe (including our Missione Italiana di Milano).  President Dibb closed with an excerpt of the Dedicatory Prayer offered by then Apostle Ezra Taft Benson, November 10, 1966, at Torre Pelice, re-dedicating the land of Italy for the preaching of the Gospel.   President Benson invoked, "We pray that Thou wilt bless the saints with a spirit of missionary service that they may join with the missionaries in giving them referrals and leading them to their friends and neighbors and associates and loved ones that the message of the gospel may spread into the hearts of thousands upon thousands of Thy children in this blessed land" (bold added).  

President Dibb leading scriptural discussion at the Milano Est and Ovest Zone Conferences

Birthday recognition at the 

 Milano Est and Ovest Zone Conferences

Listening intently

at Milano Est and Ovest Zone Conference

Our three Anziani from Albania wanted a photo with President Dibb

Milano Ovest Zone - March 18, 2014

Milano Est Zone - March 18, 2014

Alessandria Stake Leader over missionary work addressing the Torino and Alessandria Zones

Listening intently at the Alessandria and Torino Zone Conference

Role play in the Alessandria Ward Building

You can tell this Anziano is speaking in Italian

Alessandria Zone - March 17, 2014

Torino Zone - March 17, 2014

Birthdays in the Verona Zone

Role plays are important in preparing to teach the gospel effectively

Role playing in Verona Zone Conference

More role playing in Verona

Bergamo Zone - March 20 2014

Verona Zone - March 20, 2014

Modena Zone - March 20, 2014

Lunch with the Venezia, Rimini and Bologna Zones at Conference

Birthday song for Venezia, Rimini and Bologna Zones

met in the Padova Ward Building

Bologna, Rimini and Venezia Zones

More listening with real intent

Rimini Zone - March 21, 2014

Bologna Zone - March 21, 2014

Venezia Zone - March 21, 2014

New Sorella introducing herself in Firenze Zone

Firenze Zone Birthdays

A couple of happy Sorelle in Firenze

Zone Leader conducting the Firenze Zone Conference

Each conference had a wonderful musical selection to begin the afternoon session - this quartet sang in the Firenze Zone Conference.

Firenze Zone Anziani doing the role play 

Anziano Tonon is a Counselor in the Mission Presidency.  He and Sorella Tonon also serve in the Prato and Firenze Branches as GANS (Young Single Adult) leaders.

The Firenze Zone March 24, 2014

The Sorelle in the Firenze Zone

Anziani in the Firenze Zone

Anziani excited to to teach after Firenze Zone Conference

     The Work of Salvation is going forward in the land of Italy.  We missionaries of the Missione Italiana di Milano are grateful to "join" with the saints here and to be a part of this great work of our Heavenly Father.

Dirigenti della Missione di Milano

On February 25th and 27th, 2014, specialized training sessions were held in Milano and Bologna.  All of the leaders of the mission (except for the trainers) were invited, including Sister Training Leaders, District Leaders and Zone Leaders.  The Assistants to President Dibb and President and Sister Dibb instructed regarding mission leadership responsibilities.   

Sister Training Leaders at the Milano training session

District Leaders at the Milano training session

Zone Leaders and the Assistants to the President at the Milano training session

A candid shot before pictures outside the newly-refurbished church building in Bologna

Sister Training Leaders at the Bologna training session (after much rain, we were so glad to get outside
in the sun)

Zone Leaders at the Bologna training session

District Leaders at the Bologna training session

The Italy Milan Mission has the best missionaries in the world!  We are striving each day to help one another in our callings as missionaries.  The dirigenti (leaders) are a huge part of accomplishing this task.  We thank them for magnifying their leadership abilities to assist  other missionaries in addition to having their own vibrant proselyting areas.  What a delight it is to serve with all the missionaries and to watch them grow in their talents to learn the language, work with members, get to know new people and become the missionaries that Heavenly Father wants (and will guide) them to be.

We Love our February Arrivals and Departures

On the 19th of February, 2014, nineteen new missionaries arrived from the Provo MTC.  Eleven of the missionaries were Sorelle and eight of them were Anziani.  Although it was a very rainy and cold day, all arrived safely and on time and with all of their luggage.  We had some time to get to know these missionaries by going to downtown Milano to do some finding work, President's interviews and first-day training.  The Milan Italy Mission and the Italian people will certainly be blessed by their excitement and willingness to serve here the next eighteen to twenty-four months.

Bright-eyed and cheery even after a long voyage

"Arriva" with  her luggage

Looking forward to a great mission

Grateful to be on Italian soil to begin service

A big "Thumbs Up"

More are coming

So much potential for good here in the land of Italy

Inside shot of the whole group of "arrivi"

Outside shot of the whole group of "arrivi" with President and Sister Dibb

Half of the group at the train station going to the Duomo

Getting through the turnstile to the subway

Ready to board the subway with the Book of Mormon in hand

A rainy day at the Duomo

But these new missionaries' spirits were not dampened

On their way back to the mission office after some successful "finding"

The new Sorelle at dinner (notice the Italian flag on the far wall)  We truly are in Italy!

The Anziani table at dinner. 

The "Trainers" are watching as the "Trainees" enter the room

The Anziani entering the room

All together for training before the match-ups

Anticipation

The "announcement"

The "hug"

The "thumbs up"

And again

Again

And again

And then there was lunch

Ready to sing and then off they go to their areas of service

The arrival of the new missionaries also means that we have to say good-bye to those who have completed their missionary service.  

A former Assistant to the President completed his mission and returned to Coolum Beach (Australia) weather

Later, others returned to Germany, Southern Italy and the United States

We rejoice in Christ and His Atonement and in being able to serve our Heavenly Father, who directs His work upon the Earth through His living Prophet.  We thank Him for our opportunities to teach and testify of the Doctrine of Christ, of the restoration of His Church to the Earth, of His great "Plan of Happiness" and of the Book of Mormon.