Un Anno Piú (One Year More)

This past year we have been asked by the members and friends from the kids' school, "Do you leave this year?" "How much longer do you have?" The reply was always, "Un anno piú" – one year more.

However, President Acerson and I were just realizing yesterday that today is July 1st. After today, we can no longer say we have one year left. Of course we can say, "Almost a year" or "just a little less than a year" but not for long. At the current rate at which time is speeding by, those phrases won't even be valid for much longer.

After a wonderful mission tour and visit by Elder Kopischke, we have been inspired to set some new goals. We are trying to work harder and be more efficient and effective with our time. Especially since we are running out of time.

With all due respect to our family who is waiting for us to come home, I just wanted to take this opportunity to share some pictures of things we love about being here (in no particular order). We will enjoy these things for "almost" another year.

Remember that you can click on a picture to enlarge it. Clicking on the Back button will then take you back to the blog.


Beautiful families with strong mothers (this one said about sharing the gospel with others, "I cannot stay silent any more.")


Hard working (and beautiful) sister missionaries


Zone Conferences





Picking up new missionaries


Lots of luggage



New missionaries with boundless energy and excitement in spite of jet lag!


Dropping off departing missionaries (my least favorite part – the only thing that makes it bearable is knowing what it's like to be a mom on the other end waiting for them to come home)


Grateful members who come to the airpot to say good-bye



Amazing and happy senior missionary couples who leave grandbabies behind (this couple represents five couples we have serving here)


Missionaries who smile


Napoli Pizza


Knowing you are in the presence of great men


Watching the departing missionaries try to figure out how they can take it all home!


Watching new missionaries head off to their new cities


Missionaries who sing


Preparation Day fun!




Knowing that your son has had amazing examples of how to be a great missionary!


Young Women who stay strong – even in an R-rated world



Missionaries who bring their eternal companion back for a visit


Amazing missionaries


Flowers and flowering trees and trees planted in rows





Weathered–but charming–old buildings


Adorable children



Things that don't match – love it!


Happy missionaries




Food





Great leaders


Beautiful families (the first couple met in the Switzerland temple as they were each accompanying brothers who were going through the temple before their missions – they were married a few months later – VERY unusual here in Italy). She’s expecting their fourth child. Beautiful.



Solid missionaries!


Good friends



Three-Month Conferences


Italians and their beloved dogs (yes, that's a real dog with a real hat and real sunglasses)



Guests for Sunday dinner






Stalwart Youth


New members who get involved


Young women who are striving to dress modestly






Christmas dinners




Good families



Sunsets


And baptisms!











And so much more.

Stay tuned. It's going to be a busy year but I'll try to find time to post a story or two once in a while. Buona giornata! (Have a good day!)

Who Woulda Thought?

Yes, it's late and yes, I know I should be in bed. But there is little time--and it's getting shorter by the minute. Little time to say good-bye.

Yes, Scott is leaving us soon--in less than two weeks now. He will fly home with Marianne and Stephanie, spend a month at home (trying to beat Mark at a game of chess, most likely) and get ready for his mission (but I'm sure my sisters have that all under control!). Wow, will we miss him! We'll miss his teasing, his laughter, and his fun.

But who woulda thought . . .
that a boy from "happy valley" in Utah would be graduating from Marymount, an international Catholic school in Rome, Italy!

Who woulda thought . . .
that a boy who didn't really learn about different peoples of the world until coming to Italy would become so socially conscious and even take on "poverty" as his theme for his IB art projects.


Who woulda thought . . .
that a boy who had completely fallen arches that were somewhat corrected with some kind of pins implanted with surgery when he was five or six would be named as MVP on the boys' varsity basketball team and Most Improved on the boys' varsity volleyball team. Or that he would be one of eight students on the "Dream Team" and that he would be named "Sportsman of the Year."


Who woulda thought . . .
that a boy who didn't learn to read until 4th grade would be wearing the National Honor Society insignia when he graduated.


Who woulda thought. . .
that a boy who once asked his mother how to make friends would make friends from all over the world.









Who woulda thought . . .
that a boy who went through some very difficult times when he was young would turn into such a loved and respected young man.

Who woulda thought . . .
that he would be named "a true ambassador of America" by the American Women's Association of Rome. And might I add, he has been a true ambassador of our church as well as he has answered many questions about our beliefs and why he will be serving as a missionary for the next two years of his life.


Like any mother, I could go on, but I know I've already embarrassed him enough. I distinctly remember when we told our children that we had been asked by our church to move to Rome, Italy for three years. I especially remember Scott wiping tears away as he said, "It's OK, I'll be fine. I'm really OK."

I knew he was disapponted. I knew that he wanted to play basketball for the school team. And he did -- just for another school. He played hard and he played with heart. He loved his teammates and his coaches. And not only did he play basketball, but he was able to also play volleyball. As part of the sports program, he traveled around Italy and participated in the European finals in Germany where they won second place in their division last year. And young boys on the junior high team looked up to him. Cool.


I knew that he wanted to try out for a student government position because he had watched his older sister as she led the studentbody at PGHS. He loved the fact that she loved everyone and wanted to make things fun for them. He was able to experience some of that as studentbody secretary at Marymount. He certainly loved everyone and definitely made things fun!






I knew that it would be challenging for him to finish his school year in another country without his friends. But I know that he would honestly say that things happened exactly as they should have -- and he was most definitely amongst friends.

To sum up just who Scott is, I want to end with a story that happened a week or so ago when some friends of ours were visiting. Scott had only one class during the day and told them that when he finished with class he would ride the bus and meet up with them to tour some parts of Rome. In Piazza Venezia, there is a very large government building called Il Vittoriano. At the top of this building is a great place for taking pictures of the Roman Forum and Colosseum. They climbed a lot of stairs to the top -- only to discover that the gate was locked. As they started back down the stairs, the father of this family said that he was going to run around the front (keep in mind this is a Huge building) and take pictures. As the mother, her two daughters, and Scott were about halfway down the stairs, they heard a woman screaming. Scott realized that there was a woman huddled on the ground across the street with two large men threatening her. He took off without thinking about what could happen and told the men (in Italian) to leave her alone and that they shouldn't treat her like that. They yelled at him to leave and said that she was Romanian and didn't belong there. He said, well, maybe not, but it was no excuse to treat her like that! They roughed him up a bit and threw him against a wall. About that time, a police car pulled up and they hustled the woman into the car. Thinking that the incident was over, he started to cross the street back to the mom and two daughters (who were very much hoping that the father would come back!). The men had other ideas though and were mad. They ran after him, grabbed him and tried to put him into their car. He fought against them and said that he would not go with them. They said that he had no business getting involved and that the woman was an illegal and they were trying to take care of it. They finally flashed a badge, telling him that they were police and again tried to put him into their car. He didn't know for sure, even then, if they were really policemen, but even if they were, he knew that he could be taken somewhere and beaten or worse. He thought that perhaps someone would have understood the situation and would come to his rescue, but no one did. He was very scared. As it turned out, they were undercover cops with an unmarked car. Our friend (the mom) worked up some courage and went across the street, pointed to herself and said, "Me, mamma." They started asking for "documents" (such as a passport or any type of ID) and she said they didn't have his with them. They insisted on it, thinking that he was illegal as well and was working with this woman from Romania. Some street vendors who could speak both Italian and English finally stepped in and helped with translation as Scott explained that he was just trying to protect a woman from being beaten and that they should understand. They finally backed down and, after taking down his address and phone number, let him go.

Keep it up, Scott. We're so proud of this kid. He continually does what is right. There's not a time that I visit the school that I don't hear something good about him. At graduation, I overheard a student from one of the younger grades say, "You'll never go wrong, Scott." He has certainly made the most of what was given him. Yes, this has definitely been a wonderful experience. Who woulda thought things would turn out the way they did?

You're right.

God did.

He knew all along.

How grateful we are for His foresight, guidance, and protection and all the many blessings, big and small, that He gives to to us every day. And for this life-changing experience.

Scott in the Italy Catania Mission!

Today after our stake conference, we hurried home as fast as we could so we could talk to Mark and Aersta in Utah, Kimberly in Milano, and Lisa in Kawagoe, Japan. After talking to the kids for a while (Kimberly and Lisa sound great, by the way), Scott opened his mission call which he had received in Utah last weekend.

We were so happy to hear that Scott will be serving in the Italy Catania Mission as of July 15, 2009!



Even though we won't see him while he serves, we consider it a real blessing to have him serving in the same country we are serving in. Such a blessing!

It was such a nice Mother's Day!

Update on L'Aquila

Today was a national day of mourning for the victims of the earthquake that happened in L'Aquila earlier this week. Some have had private funerals while many others were part of a mass funeral ceremony yesterday. Our prayers are with their families. How grateful we are for the atonement of Jesus Christ that we celebrate this Easter Sunday which makes all things right and whole again and which gives us hope and comfort that we will all be redeemed and will live again. My favorite talk from Conference last Sunday morning was by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland. (If you go to the BYU.TV site, click on Sunday Morning session, then click on Elder Jeffrey R. Holland.) What a beautiful message reminding us of our Savior's sacrifice and how it touches each of our lives.

Many of you have written or called and asked what you can do to help. We've even had many returned missionaries who served under past presidents ask if they could come over and help with the cleanup. How sweet everyone has been all around the world in wanting to come and help their fellow brothers and sisters in L'Aquila!

The stake has asked local members to donate goods that can be taken to the residents who now live in tent cities, hotels, and sleeper cars on trains. These items will be collected at the stake center this week. Because it is difficult and expensive to send items to Italy, members who are not in Italy can donate money instead to the church's humanitarian fund, give extra for fast offerings, or specify on the donation slip that you wish the funds to be used for L'Aquila. The church always does a beautiful job of assessing the needs of those who are in need and then helping them with the basic essentials. (I'm not asking for donations, just suggesting a way that you can help if you wish.)

The church will continue to meet with the members and those on the rebuilding team to see how we can best help. Thanks for the outpouring of love and concern.

Earthquake in L'Aquila

At 3:32 a.m. this morning, we awoke to a gentle shaking that lasted about a minute. It was my first earthquake, but not President Acerson's. He had experienced a couple of earthquakes while serving his mission in Udine, Italy over 30 years ago (one 6.9 and 7.4).

We received a call a few minutes later from the missionaries in L'Aquila who said that it had hit much harder there (we later found out that this was the epicenter of the quake) and was measured at 6.3. They were fine and visiting with other residents of the city. They later dashed back inside to get warm clothing then walked to the bus station to see if the buses were running (they aren't as they have closed all roads so they can check the stability of the many tunnels and bridges that surround that area).

We have been in contact with the parents of the four missionaries who serve there (Elder Wheeler, Elder Brothers, Elder Grigg, and Elder Brock) but cannot call all parents to reassure them that their missionaries are fine. We hope this will help reassure those who need more information.

These missionaries will have many service opportunities over the next several days. We ask you to join us in prayer for the residents of L'Aquila and the surrounding cities who have lost loved ones.

These are some of the pictures taken by my sister Ellen James last summer before any of the current damage. We will post pictures from our missionaries there when we receive them.






Click here to see more pictures of L'Aquila. It is a beautiful old city and we pray that there is minimal damage, death, or injury to the people who live there.

Sister Jessica Wilkey

Meet Elder and Sister Wilkey. When we came, we learned that they would be coming to serve in our mission for a second time! They had previously served in Siena where Elder Wilkey was the branch president. When they put their papers in for another mission, they were once again called to our mission and we were blessed to know them.

President Acerson sent them to the southern end of the mission to Battipaglia. Here's a picture with the missionaries who were there when they arrived. Just to give you some perspective of the passing of time, Elder Welch was fairly new at the time and will be going home in a couple of days.


Elder Wilkey served as a counselor in the branch while they were there. They worked closely with members, helped missionaries with lessons, and fed everyone! They added a bright spot to the mission.

While they were there, Sister Wilkey discovered cancer in her jaw. They found out that one of the best places to treat this type of cancer was in Milan. President and Sister Dunaway of the Italy Milan Mission hosted them at the mission home during some of their surgeries and treatments there.

It was truly amazing how dedicated they were to the mission and did not want to go home. Members and non-members alike rallied around them and it seemed to bring them all a bit closer. However, after a while, the cancer returned and they decided it would be best to go home and continue treatments there.

She was told the treatments would be long and painful, but she said, of course, she wanted to fight it. She wanted to live. Sadly, after months of treatments, she worsened and entered hospice around the 23rd of February. At noon on March 3rd, our beloved and courageous Sister Wilkey passed on. Elder Wilkey wrote the following:

Dear Friends,
It is with great regret that I write to inform you of the passing of Jessica at noon today. She has been a wonderful wife and mother and will be sorely missed by all of us who were associated with her.
As you will be aware she has suffered for the past 12 months and although saddened by her passing we know that she has gone to a far better place and that we shall see her again in due time.

We love you, Elder Wilkey and admire your strong faith.

A few days later, he sent the following and I have included it for your information:

Friends,

Thank you all for your messages of condolences and heartfelt love for Jess. I have now arranged the funeral of Jess for Wednesday 18th March 2009 at 11.30am. The funeral will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Forest Hill, Yeovil. You are all welcome to attend but may I request that no flowers are sent and that anyone who wishes to can make a donation to St Margaret's Hospice, Yeovil where Jess was very well cared for in the last two weeks of her life.

Love and best wishes,
Ron


Thank you to Elder and Sister Wilkey for blessing the lives of others. It was an honor to be able to serve with such valiant missionaries!

A Couple of Really Great Kids

We have been blessed with a bunch of great kids (through no fault of our own) and a couple of them are entering adulthood in different ways this week.


Today is Scott's 18th birthday and tomorrow Lisa enters the Missionary Training Center (MTC) to prepare for her mission to the Japan Tokyo Mission. We weren't able to go to the temple with Lisa, hear her speak in church this past Sunday, and do all the other many things that need to be done to prepare for a mission, but we are so grateful for all the many friends and relatives who helped her in a big way. Thanks for all the luncheons, shopping trips, family get-togethers, and late-night talks. And thanks to our dear friends, the Judsons, for being her foster family these past six months!


We often get letters from friends and family that talk about the sacrifices we are making to be on this mission and, yes, missing out on family events such as these are difficult; however, even though some of us are farther apart, this mission has brought us closer together.

Lisa lived here in Italy with us last year and spent three days a week volunteering at the kids' school in the kindergarten and first grade classes. She loved it and it helped solidify her desire to be an elementary school teacher. In the evenings, she put her smarts to good use and was able to help the kids with any homework assignment. She helped out a lot with meals for the missionaries, was always up for an adventure, and made us laugh at her wry sense of humor. We love her and will miss her for the next year and a half, but are so happy that she will be serving the Lord and doing great things!

Meeting Lisa at the airport at Christmas


Under the Christmas tree


Having fun in Florence


Eating gelato even when it's cold!


The Three Musketeers


Lisa & the DeRobertis Family from Pistoia



Lots of love to Lisa as she shares her faith and testimony to those in Japan. God be with you till we meet again. We love you sweetie and know that the people of Japan will too. Just keep smiling and they'll know what's in your heart regardless of how well you speak the language!

Scott is now a full-fledged adult. (Or, as Marianne put it, he can now go to jail if he does something wrong. Oh funny, funny Marianne!) Our time with Scott is limited as he will leave us after school is finished in June and spend a little time in Utah before serving his mission starting in July or August. He will find out when and where he'll serve by May.


Scott is an absolute joy to have around as you can see from the pictures that follow. I would say that he is "all boy," but he still knows how to show love and tenderness to his sisters and mom. It will be a very quiet place when he's gone and I'm not sure we will ever fill the void that will be left. But for now, we will celebrate the fact that we still have a few good months with this happy-go-lucky, laid-back, ever-helpful, ever-teasing young man.

I know some of these pictures will probably embarrass Scott, but . . . well, sorry -- just trying to keep you humble bud! :-)

Scott was part of the school's volleyball team and just finished the season in basketball.




Scott & Stephanie are like playful puppies who nip at each other once in a while!


Scott on the Beach at the Cinque Terre


Playing Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer


The funny thing is, he knows we're watching!


Doing dishes!


Scott loved decorating the tree and the entire house for Christmas, hanging lights and snowflakes in all the windows and paper "trees" around the house. He even wrapped the doors in wrapping paper!




Scott and Stephanie


Happy Birthday Scotty-boy!