Anziani in Arrivo di Aprile

During April we received seven new Anziani from the Missionary Training Centers in Madrid and Provo.  These Anziani were full of excitement for the work and are well on their way to becoming great missionaries for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and super servants of their Heavenly Father.  We thank the Missionary Training Centers all over the world for the care and training of the missionaries who come to our mission.  We look forward to serving with these young Anziani for the next two years.

Our Anziano who arrived from Madrid on April 1st 

Checking out the new missionary nametag

From Sarssari to Milano

Then came the April 2nd arrivi from the Provo MTC

Arrival with a big "thumbs up"

The perfect "arrivi" picture

A couple of new Anziani with President Dibb

Getting to know one of the office Anziani

Still smiling!

The Assistants (one new and one departing shortly)

Spain and Provo arrivals getting to know one another

Starting to load the luggage

We are in Italy!

More arrivi after filing lost luggage claim

Loaded with luggage

Bonding with the President

More bonding with the President

Smiles with the Assistant

We are all together now -  the APRILE ANZIANI ARRIVI

and we are mostly cheering about it

We then went straight to the subway to Milan.

We had some great finding experiences.

We ate lunch.

We saw the Duomo.

We also find in the subway station.

We continue finding on the subway train.

That evening was dinner at the Mission Home with the Assistants and the President

Because this was the first time since President and Sister Dibb arrived that we had a group of missionaries under ten in number, we could have the trainers and trainees come to the mission office and depart from there.  We found that we had enough room and could get the missionaries to the field more quickly and easily and not spend so much time traveling (the office people and the missionaries).  It was also a good preparation for when we might have fewer missionaries arriving another time.  

Role playing at next morning training

Waiting for the trainers to come in

Watching the trainers come in

Trainees and Trainers  together for some training 

President Dibb teaching before matching up 

The match-ups begin

Telling about area and announcing companion

The hug

The last two at one time

Announcing the last two

Then we went into the President's office and companions could show on the map where the missionaries first area would be.  The new missionaries could also pick out themselves and their companion on the transfer board.    They all then sang the mission hymn together in the President's office and were off to teach the doctrine of Christ.  

On April 15th, the new missionary training was held at the Lampugnano Chapel building.  This is where the missionaries can ask questions and learn new things after having been in the field for a little while.  We ended with a picture of the new missionaries and their companions all together.  

April 15th - New Anziani and Companions with Presidente and Sorelle Dibb

April 3rd through 5th Departing Missionarie

As soon as the arriving missionaries left the mission offices, the departing missionaries came in.  After interviews with the President, the departing missionaries came to the mission home for dinner and a testimony meeting.  We will greatly miss these missionaries and they will always hold a special place in the hearts of President and Sister Dibb, the other missionaries in our mission, and most especially the members and people located within the boundaries of the Italy Milan Mission.  

Thank you all (previous, current and future missionaries) for your dedicated service.  

We love you!

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.