Benvenuti Shumakers

We are especially glad to welcome

Anziano and Sorella Shumaker

from Arizona.

The Milan Italy Mission

is certainly grateful you have come.

We promise you will have a rich experience here

as you respond to this call to serve.

Serving in Arezzo as MLS missionaries.

Benvenuti!

Broken ankle

We are so sad to be losing 

Sorella Lo Russo

to a broken ankle.  It was a simple wrong step on

uneven ground to cause a devastating injury.

She still continues to "scatter sunshine all along her way"

in spite of the evident challenges.

These are the kind of missionaries that bless the people of Italy.

What's harder?

Serving or being served?

Sorella Lo Russo is one to meet the needs of others

and finds ways to serve in spite of her injury.

Thanks to her great companion, Sorella Tullis,

for "being there" in the best of ways.

"Where love is - there God is also."

New Missionary Training

One month after their arrival

our new missionaries are gathered again for additional training.

This is a wonderful group that is here

"for the right reasons".

We love them already,

and are so grateful they have come.

"The work of our missionaries

is a magnificent expression of

the Lord's redeeming love."

~D. Todd Christopherson~

We learn by doing in a mission.
It's primarily "on-the-job" training.

This "face drawing" activity related to the importance

of being a patient and caring companion.

We do our best.

Every face was different,

but every one was able to create a very fine face.

Goodbye to the Clarks and Ferraras

What a blessing it has been to serve with these two great couples.

They have won the hearts of all they have come in contact with

through their humble, diligent and focused service.

Because of you, the beautiful Missione di Milano is a better place.

 Anziano and Sorella Clark

Anziano and Sorella Ferrara

 Our lovely meal was peppered with comments like:

"This was the hardest thing we've ever done."

"We couldn't find our apartment."

"Our alternator went out on day 3."

"We were locked in the parking area."

"We did not realize we would love the members so much."

"I love these missionaries like they are my own children."

"We didn't realize how important the Pathway Program is."

"I have been crying for one and a half weeks."

We hope to gather again for another meal - 

in just a couple of years from now.

(We all know how fast time flies ...

and nothing proves it like a mission.)

Thank you! Thank you!

You did not come for our thanks and appreciation,

you came to serve the Lord by serving His children.

We are so very glad we were here when you did.

"Well done, thou good and faithful servants."

Ci Vediamo!

Zone Conferences - May 2017

Every six weeks we spend time in training with each other.  

It is a wonderful opportunity of 

 doctrinal instruction, training, counsel and reunion.  

We need this time of connection.

Sometimes - most of the time - this work is 

just plain hard.  

We are here because we have covenanted with God

to do our part in furthering His kingdom on earth.

Specifically,

 nella Missione Italiana di Milano.

....Missionaries....

 The Genova Zone

 The Torino Zone

 The Verona Zone

 The Milano Est Zone

The Milano Ovest Zone

 The Bologna Zone

 The Venezia Zone

The Toscana Zone

 

The Rimini Zone

What happened in this Zone Conference?

Wonderful special musical numbers that set the tone and touch our hearts.

We also have an inspirational thought - both morning and after lunch.

*President Allen talked about the difference between being anxious

and anxiety.  One helps us move the work forward.  

The other impedes our efforts. 

*The Assistants talked about what makes us happy on a mission.

We can be happy even when we are having hard days/experiences.

"Grateful in Any Circumstance" - Elder Uchtdorf (April 2014)

Breakout sessions - Sorelle with President Allen, Anziani with Sorella Allen

*Slle Allen - My role is to love and encourage the missionaries.

Anziani, have the courage to make the changes you need to be

the very best missionary, then student, husband and father you can be.

"Rise Up, O Men of God" Hymn # 324

Allow your mission to bless you the rest of your lives.

Pres. Allen - They are equal to the Anziani in teaching ability and effectiveness.

Taught the importance of womanhood and motherhood.

Encouraged to set goals - spiritual, education, physical health.

-Lunch-

*Zone leader training - How to conduct an effective English class.

Make it organized, informational and fun.

*Sister Trainer Leaders - How to conduct the spiritual thought

at the end of the English class.

Our goal is to increase the number of investigators that come from

our English classes.

*Final words from President Allen.

*Testimonies of "Twinkling Missionaries"

*Mission hymn.

Prayer.

New District Leaders - May 2017

"Because district leaders can be close to the other missionaries 

and can interact with them frequently,

they fulfill a fundamental role in the success 

of the mission and of the missionaries."

~Mission President's Handbook~

Our newest District leaders.

L-R  Anziani 

Henderson, Tingey, Douglas, Farr, Peterson, Farnsworth, Dalton

This is an assignment of responsibility. 

On a personal note, it is my favorite assignment in the mission.

These great missionaries are expected to prepare weekly for an inspirational meeting and

meet the many needs of their district.  They also conduct interviews with investigators.

They strengthen the foundation of the mission 

in a very significant way as they maintain dignity in the Lord's work.

Moms and Dads - You've raised great men.

Thank you!

Consiglio - May 2017

Called to serve Him, heav'nly King of glory,

Chosen e'r to witness for His name...

Avanti - sempre avanti!

Anziani - L to R

Anderson, Montalto, Esmay, Johnson, Da Ponte, Dohms, Robinson, Reyes, Keller, Pres. Allen, Keller, Wilkinson, Young, Younce, Gibb, Castronovo, Brown, Farneman, Palombo, George, Brooks

Sorelle - L to R

Rabiru', Hernandez, Anderson, Williams, Slle. Allen, Smedley, Arndt, Poletz, 

Perkins, Lo Russo, Tullis

We appreciate our Zone Leaders, Sister Trainer Leaders and Assistants

for their dedicated service in moving the work of this mission forward.

They are just a sampling of the great missionaries we

are blessed to work with.

Avanti, sempre avanti!