Welcome Home

After a one day delay because of heavy fog in London, we finally made it to Phoenix on April 2.  Some of our kids had been in Phoenix on April 1 to see us at the airport but because of the delay, they had to go back home and missed us.  But we did have Ty, Rebecca, Jack, Jennie, Porter, Brock and Seth D'Addabbo at the airport to greet us.  We were very tired and hadn't been able to change clothes for a couple of days, but we made it.

 Porter gave Sorella Jefferies a hug.

 Rebecca gave me a big hug.

 They even made us a sign.

Seth D'Addabbo worked with us in Forli' for six months before he came home to Queen Creek.

A Tribute to Fratello Rossi

On Thursday, March 27, 2014, Fiorenzo Rossi passed away.  Today we had his funeral.  It was a beautiful meeting with two musical numbers and talks by his daughter and son-in-law, Erica and Xavier Raveau, President Caramia, the Rimini District President and President Dibb of the Italy Milan Mission.  If you have looked at our blog, you have seen many pictures of Brother Rossi.  He has been a member of the Church for almost 40 years.  He has served as Branch President, District President, Counselor in the Italy Milan Mission Presidency and a Swiss Temple worker.  He was a pioneer for the Church in Italy.  He was a shoe repairman his whole adult life.  He saved soles and he saved souls.  He had a keen sense of humor and his friends and customers loved him.  He was honest, humble, and always happy to talk to anyone about the Church.  He will be terribly missed by his family and all who knew him.  

 His funeral program.

 Visiting the cemetery on All Saints Day 2012 with Sorella Jefferies and Erica.

 Fiorenzo with Adriana, Elodie, Ariele, Erica, and Sorella Jefferies in the town where he grew up.

 Christmas wasn't Christmas without eating dinner at the Rossi's.

 We traveled to the Swiss Temple together.

 With the Benvenuti family.

 Service project stacking firewood for a widow.

 Merry Christmas from the Rossi's.

This is my favorite picture of Brother and Sister Rossi.

Jeanne and Gaylen Visit

My sister and her husband, Jeanne and Gaylen, came for a visit during our last two weeks in Italy.  We saw some sites with them but the highlight for them and us was to have them meet the members in Forli' and our neighbors.  They also loved the missionaries we work with and they even were able to attend one of our district meetings.  We played games with them every evening.  The people here in Forli' fell in love with them and they were very sad when they left.  They wished that Jeanne and Gaylen could take our place.

 On our balcony when they first arrived in Forli'.

 At the open market.

 Enjoying gelato.

 Jeanne and Gaylen in Gradara at Il Bacio restaurant.  Bacio is kiss in Italian.

 Laura teaching Jeanne Italian cooking.

 We had Family Home Evening with Laura's family.  We divided into two teams.  This was our artwork.

 The other team's artwork.  S is for Sorella Jefferies, A is for Alberto and G is for Gaylen.

 Stefano and Daniela invited us for lunch.

 The Garcia's had us over for dessert.

 Francesco won their hearts.

 The dessert was delicious.

 Jeanne with Gloria.

 Jeanne with Erica.

 With Celeste and Sorella Rossi.

 We had dinner on Sunday with the Rossi's and the Raveau's.

 At district meeting with Sorelle Lemos and Andromidas.

 Sorelle Bucco and Gijka are Sister Training Leaders and they were at our district meeting and did a role play teaching exercise with Jeanne.

 Saying goodbye to Elodie and Celeste.

 At the train station.

Boarding the train for Florence.

Forli' Sites

We finally took a few pictures of some of the sites in Forli'.  Unfortunately many of the sites were bombed during World War II.

 The inner side of the arch, the north entrance to the city during medieval times.

 The outer side of the arch.

 A part of the old wall of the city.

Another portion of the old wall of the city.

Forli' Branch Nursery Leader

For the last 14 months, Sorella Jefferies has been the Nursery Leader in the branch.  Celeste started nursery (nido) in February 2013 and Francesco joined her in January 2014.

 Francesco

Celeste

Last District Meeting

We attended our last District Meeting yesterday.  Next week there is no meeting because that week there will be a Zone meeting and the next week we will be with my sister Jeanne and her husband, Gaylen.  The next Monday we will be in Milano getting ready for our flight home.  The district leader had us share our testimonies at the end of the meeting.  We have loved meeting with the young Elders and Sisters.

Anziani Lloyd (Bancroft, Idaho), Taylor (Plainsville, Utah), Jefferies, Lefler (Houston, Texas) and Garcia (Rome, but originally from Argentina).  Sorelle Lemos (Cordoba, Argentina), Jefferies, and Andromidas (Eagle Mountain, Utah).

Pizza Night for Young Single Adults

Last Saturday evening we went bowling with the Young Single Adults of the Rimini District..  I forgot to take my camera to the bowling alley.  Emanuele had the highest score.  Then we had pizza at our apartment.

 Yuliya, Marco, Elena and Mila waiting for the pizza to arrive.

 Mila, Yuliya, Emanuele, Marco and Elena, all ready to chow down on the delicious pizza.  That's me with my head cut off.

 Clowning around.  Looks like Elena ate too much pizza.

It was Women's Day in Italy so Emanuele made a cake especially for the ladies at the activity.