Arrivederci Sorella Lofley

We had a zone training meeting this week and found out that Sorella Lofley finishes her mission in less than two weeks.  We met her at our very first zone conference in Florence when we had been in Italy less than one week.  She is a super missionary and we got to know her better since she has been a Sister Training Leader in Rimini for the past five weeks.

 The Sisters of the Ravenna Zone, l to r:  Sorelle Ervin (Centralia, WA), Strong (Chandler, AZ), Lofley (Elmo, UT), Gjika (Albania), Andromidas (Utah County), Jameson (Indianapolis, IN) and Jefferies.  The four on the left serve in Rimini and the three on the right serve in Forli'.

 I asked the Sisters if they would be sad when Sorella Lofley left the mission.

I asked the Sisters how they would get along without Sorella Lofley.

Valentino's Baptism

Last night Valentino was baptized.  He is eight years old and his two older brothers, Maurizio and Michael, were baptized a year and a half ago.  Since then, Valentino has been attending church and he is just about the cutest and smartest little eight year old you will ever meet.  The Sister missionaries taught him the lessons and he wants to go teaching with them because he wants to prepare to be a missionary someday.

Valentino with Sorelle Andromidas and Jameson.

Valentino with his Dad and brothers.

We think that Valentino will be a wonderful missionary.

Ariele baptized Valentino.

Mila made this fruit cake for the baptism.  Wow, was it good!

Francesco will have his 1st birthday next month.

Buon Compleanno Sorella Jefferies

Tuesday was Sorella Jefferies birthday.  She made it clear that she did not want a surprise party like last year so I got the word out to the members of the branch.  The Sister missionaries fixed lunch for us.  Brother and Sister Garcia came to our apartment with a gift.  In the evening we went to help Agnese finish sewing her pajama pants but when we got there, Laura had prepared a birthday cake.  The Rossi's were supposed to come to our apartment to wish her a happy birthday later that evening but they were there too and Ariele had also prepared a birthday cake.  Sorella Jefferies thought I was in on this but I assured her that I didn't know about it.  Oh well, I tried.

Sorella Jameson made potato soup and Sorella Andromidas fixed a salad.

It was a delicious meal.

The Garcia's gave Sorella Jefferies chocolates, they know her well.

She had to take a taste of each different type of chocolate.

 Agnese gave her a candle.

Ruth's Baptism

Tonight we had a baptism.  Ruth, who is eight years old, was baptized and confirmed a member of the Church.  Her mother, Rosemary, asked me to baptize her.and Brother Rossi confirmed her.  The missionaries invited several of the people they are teaching to come and see what a baptism is like .  After the service, Rosemary provided food for everyone.

 Sorella Jefferies and Ruth.

 Ruth, Rosemary and Anziano Jefferies.

 Ready for baptism.

 Sorelle Andromidas and Jameson serving the food to Xavier.

 Brother Gsarcia with his grandson, Francesco and daughter, Maria Jose.

 Sorella Jameson talking with Nancy and Edward.

The newest member of the Forli' Branch.

Elder Teixeira at Zone Conference

Yesterday we went to Florence for a zone conference which included the Ravenna, Florence and Bologna zones.  Elder Jose Teixeira, a Seventy and the European Area President presided at the meeting and he and his wife and President and Sister Dibb did the training.  It was excellent training.  You would think that after meeting for 5 hours the missionaries might be tired but they were energized and ready to work even harder and more efficiently.  We also got to see some missionaries we had worked with before.  It was a great day.

 President Dibb asked us to sit at the table with Elder and Sister Teixeira.  They are such wonderful servants of the Lord and very humble and dedicated to missionary work.

 Elder Christensen was serving in Forli' when we first arrived over a year ago.  He is now an assistant to the Mission President.

 Elder Iacovelli served in Ancona, which was in our district.  He is in Reggio Emilia and finishes his mission in about three weeks.

 Elder Smith was in Forli' as a brand new missionary and is now serving in Florence.

 Sorella Jefferies with Sisters Jameson and Andromidas.

 Sorella Jefferies with a sweet missionary from Albania, Sister Gjika.  The Forli' Sisters are hamming it up in the background.

 Elder Anderson, Sisters Andromidas, Jameson, Elders Quinton, Lloyd, Sisters Montagnoli and Russell.  Sister Montagnoli was with us in Forli' for 6 months and is now serving in Reggio Emilia.

Sorella Jefferies really enjoyed talking with Sister Teixeira.  They shared stories about their children and grandchildren, which they both miss very much but know that their sacrifices are are bringing forth blessings.

Talent and Taco Night

Last Friday night we had a Talent and Taco night Branch Activity.  We had about 17 friends of members at the party and a total of 50 in attendance.  Several shared their talents and then Sorella Jefferies served up tacos and Mexican rice.  There was also a dessert table.  It was a beautiful evening.

 Paolo played a piano solo.

 Narcisa read a poem that she had written.

 Adriana and Marisa did a skit as two little old hard of hearing ladies.

 Xavier and Ariele did a funny skit.

And everyone enjoyed the good food.

YSA Halloween

On Halloween night, the Young Single Adults hosted a party for the Young Men and Young Women.  There was a dinner and dance and some fun games.

There was the Addams Family.

These guys were more goofy than  scary.

We introduced them to the doughnut on a string eating contest.

Sorella Jefferies did quite well.

Agnese enjoyed the party.

Anziano Jefferies had a slow start.

But once he got the hang of it, he was off to the races.

The apple bobbing got a little intense.

Agnese really liked Morticia.