tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20457612823894846782024-03-13T16:23:15.063-06:00Paulsen Italy Rome Mission BlogAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13413555387667043912noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2045761282389484678.post-37311743050227812762018-04-14T11:02:00.000-06:002018-04-14T11:02:23.802-06:00Dateline August 2017: Villa D"Este, TivoliTivoli is a small city not too far from Rome. Villa D'Este is a 16th century mansion and garden famous for its profusion of fountains. It is a UNESCO world heritage site. And even more important, it has the Paulsen stamp of approval. <br />
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Enjoy the views!<br />
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This structure houses an organ that is played by the flow of water</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13413555387667043912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2045761282389484678.post-38022302759120496622018-01-01T14:00:00.000-07:002018-01-01T14:00:40.696-07:00Dateline: August 2017 Ferragosto/Ferie<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Italy is closed, come
back in September</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
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I don’t know where they go; I think to the beach and to the
mountains. But then what would the value
of a vacation to the beach or mountains be if everyone in the country were
there at once. All I know with certainty
is that they are gone. Most shops are
closed for all or part of August - not the large supermarkets, not the main
tourist attractions, but the thousands of small shops spread across the
neighborhoods. Ferragosto is a specific
one day holiday on August 15<sup>th</sup>.
But more generically, Ferragosto or Ferie refers to the vacation period
of August. Driving in Rome is comparably
pleasant during August because the traffic is markedly lighter. If only the Ferragosto traffic lasted all
year. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Add caption</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13413555387667043912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2045761282389484678.post-72899108206975022692017-12-31T13:08:00.001-07:002017-12-31T13:08:11.635-07:00Fort Knox<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Fort Knox<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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I don’t know if the Italians all horde gold in their
apartments but you might think so from the doors to the apartments. And keep in mind, within the cities everyone
lives in apartments. Some apartments
like ours have one lock and one key, others like our office (which is in a
residential building – our office having been converted from a residence) have
two locks and with two different keys. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The keys have a unique inner pattern not a cut edge like in
the states. Adding to the Fort Knox
imagery, you cannot quickly insert the key into the lock. There is a movable outer ring that does not
align with the key. You have to insert
the key an eighth of an inch and turn it up to 180 degrees till you get the
right alignment to insert the key into the lock. You then have to turn the key 720 degrees for
each lock. At our apartment, the one
lock turns 4 different dead bolts. The
two office locks in total turn 9 deadbolts one of which is on top of the door. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The knob on the outer side of the door does not turn and
strangely enough, the knob is on the middle of the door. Because there is no knob to turn, even if the
deadbolts have not been turned, you cannot leave your apartment unlocked and
re-enter. The metal door jamb edge of the
doors has bullet shaped protrusions that align with holes in the metal door jamb. The doors are made of wood and metal; they are
thick and heavy. I am guessing that the
doors weigh in the neighborhood of 500 pounds. To access the gold from the balcony the burglar would have to first unlock a metal bar door – thick bars like a jail cell -
and a locking french door. The metal door has a 1080 degree lock. </div>
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With such doors, your gold is kept secure. </div>
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Office Door </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgStrAxJhobX-7KhTbmssBFGyRJ0zH12p8T3aSp22RPhuf2D2IyyXEB8SHikDTSVD7tDC9P2SrlTIkw2rwwygdP4lBuxxeTS72bhiL9BkH3S4SKeM8WUk_26Az0zc6r49MK2MJT5nGtAA/s1600/Office+door.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgStrAxJhobX-7KhTbmssBFGyRJ0zH12p8T3aSp22RPhuf2D2IyyXEB8SHikDTSVD7tDC9P2SrlTIkw2rwwygdP4lBuxxeTS72bhiL9BkH3S4SKeM8WUk_26Az0zc6r49MK2MJT5nGtAA/s640/Office+door.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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Open Office Door</div>
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Door Jamb</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV02R8_8DpY5s0Fk0yAnKcFwve-OQL3eHXGZOHoGacgIRASismENyA0UOQntGFR-Jnn9GlcZLXY-8x0KNR0wRqY9AykASrOwKnrqs6FXaYt-6d1xcEWCrVT_AXkNoIKWMDOE8f6a0XmQ/s1600/IMG_0149.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV02R8_8DpY5s0Fk0yAnKcFwve-OQL3eHXGZOHoGacgIRASismENyA0UOQntGFR-Jnn9GlcZLXY-8x0KNR0wRqY9AykASrOwKnrqs6FXaYt-6d1xcEWCrVT_AXkNoIKWMDOE8f6a0XmQ/s640/IMG_0149.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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Side View of Door</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVrl7kiBaIzQ967CZzFgobLOU8joQwQGCgC8iqGKZi0oSXtg_svPPdJ2PlDfZiuaI9g_1bVwlU81HdO5rGObEAaVWsFoo_akXDk84AoFbWDjP716o_CWuMxcUkWwHQFyfgeYIymKrtIw/s1600/IMG_0152.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVrl7kiBaIzQ967CZzFgobLOU8joQwQGCgC8iqGKZi0oSXtg_svPPdJ2PlDfZiuaI9g_1bVwlU81HdO5rGObEAaVWsFoo_akXDk84AoFbWDjP716o_CWuMxcUkWwHQFyfgeYIymKrtIw/s640/IMG_0152.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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Gate to Balcony</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgklDxKw_4GnLSUjcU6RDg_PCV82v_qt8wHfZojqxV38kM_lmeOX49B772tTjK0uGmBzvIC_4mOfkX4Zt9WzEpTeDf7Lx7Y18Jno41HLQPj6xqkZoPePeOvti0VauatPvRnNTq-d_lPVg/s1600/Office+gate+to+balcony.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgklDxKw_4GnLSUjcU6RDg_PCV82v_qt8wHfZojqxV38kM_lmeOX49B772tTjK0uGmBzvIC_4mOfkX4Zt9WzEpTeDf7Lx7Y18Jno41HLQPj6xqkZoPePeOvti0VauatPvRnNTq-d_lPVg/s640/Office+gate+to+balcony.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13413555387667043912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2045761282389484678.post-91590444395166924222017-09-04T13:57:00.002-06:002017-09-04T13:57:56.044-06:00Dateline: June 2017, Saint Francis and Assisi<div class="MsoNormal">
We are in the office Monday - Friday and some Saturdays. Saturday is our day to shop, clean, take in the sights or just sleep in and relax. One Saturday some weeks ago we visited the city that Saint
Francis made famous, Assisi. As I
understand it, he was born into a wealthy family but after a vision he renounced
the riches of his family and took upon him a life of poverty and obedience. We toured a house where tradition says his
father locked him in a room to try to force him to return to his family and
wealthy lifestyle. Every city in Italy has a patron saint. The country of Italy has two patron saints, Francis of Assisi being one of them. </div>
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Assisi is one of
dozens of hilltop cities in this part of Italy; built upon the hill to keep
invaders at bay. We walked by many
churches. The last
church dedicated to St Francis is huge with two levels and many frescoes. We took a Rick Steves walking tour of the
town and the main cathedral starting near the top of the town.<o:p></o:p></div>
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A narrow road leading down into the middle of the town.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8kuzQMKzSeM0q4XlkKzVVnDljv6LIVYVbJR05epEZB48BIt0j9KNBO9523OVCK4VGW_KuANahHoJHiOhmqb36NBKukVi66GnAFJotUfbVNbx2N6_twVdkyv4VvkuRt9MybP27mkqimg/s1600/IMG_0099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8kuzQMKzSeM0q4XlkKzVVnDljv6LIVYVbJR05epEZB48BIt0j9KNBO9523OVCK4VGW_KuANahHoJHiOhmqb36NBKukVi66GnAFJotUfbVNbx2N6_twVdkyv4VvkuRt9MybP27mkqimg/s400/IMG_0099.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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We just happened to stumble past this out of the way but beautiful doorway.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgebI8ebwzycywaoEqh2CRDiZ1HKM0UNq330y_7dDa6gWF0G1tc2U0ihs-tTAqpSOZN5HViO6EidsNi5eAq959cccI-S3bPTdoEy7iYcgoCXmLO70OUUbzqNOesoCjZZnEfTRJ1weZslw/s1600/IMG_0098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgebI8ebwzycywaoEqh2CRDiZ1HKM0UNq330y_7dDa6gWF0G1tc2U0ihs-tTAqpSOZN5HViO6EidsNi5eAq959cccI-S3bPTdoEy7iYcgoCXmLO70OUUbzqNOesoCjZZnEfTRJ1weZslw/s400/IMG_0098.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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This was in front of one of the churches. According to Steve Ricks, a lion eating a Christian.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzsvtDQo-3LZQKC9UwUJ0BdVja4LM8XFra0pTD2D0PMlL03ceaqzBJRbdlPYiXAEPvoMwCricFkLyZQ20pyJV9JbngNwwAz9kWnub7kxlbYXnx83pslUCONzz-RjtM633qF7bGlFc5HQ/s1600/IMG_0101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzsvtDQo-3LZQKC9UwUJ0BdVja4LM8XFra0pTD2D0PMlL03ceaqzBJRbdlPYiXAEPvoMwCricFkLyZQ20pyJV9JbngNwwAz9kWnub7kxlbYXnx83pslUCONzz-RjtM633qF7bGlFc5HQ/s400/IMG_0101.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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A lot of the notable churches in Italy have bell towers. </div>
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It was surprising to find two of them in such a small town. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3UuPbFNv1Gtq8y1M0-3eypLcPf8H7hJC6QafyEtVe6dboLezcxW8WkIaxaCYirps-eml9hyxIJm4zhNANYwEH-c-pj29dq4UbJaNZsh_64lygOIo-qq9ZF39lyQVIO8cb4nZW9_3DCQ/s1600/IMG_0103.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3UuPbFNv1Gtq8y1M0-3eypLcPf8H7hJC6QafyEtVe6dboLezcxW8WkIaxaCYirps-eml9hyxIJm4zhNANYwEH-c-pj29dq4UbJaNZsh_64lygOIo-qq9ZF39lyQVIO8cb4nZW9_3DCQ/s400/IMG_0103.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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Last, but not by any stretch least, the cathedral of Saint Francis.</div>
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I am afraid it is difficult to grasp just how huge this cathedral is.</div>
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When they were doing some restoration work years ago, </div>
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one fresco fell from an upper wall and killed two of the workers.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwUUCtUz75mSDWjuUBIC9NIGbGHaWskkCklGCr2QyhGQqfzb93PbPMy3RUZUx6fJ6aHPZT6h3C-jujAmASroma45IxKMr5IQam7VnojKOLKHtYc5vrdDkq2es6rd-h-fJMm-wCvOl0EA/s1600/IMG_0108.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwUUCtUz75mSDWjuUBIC9NIGbGHaWskkCklGCr2QyhGQqfzb93PbPMy3RUZUx6fJ6aHPZT6h3C-jujAmASroma45IxKMr5IQam7VnojKOLKHtYc5vrdDkq2es6rd-h-fJMm-wCvOl0EA/s320/IMG_0108.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13413555387667043912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2045761282389484678.post-4812096107759713102017-09-02T12:59:00.000-06:002017-09-04T13:58:46.888-06:00Dateline: September 2017, Big Bread, Big Smile<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Every once in a while, you meet someone exceptional, someone
who sticks out from the crowd. Italo
(eat-ah-lo) is one of those individuals.
He stuck out because of remarkable friendliness, and because he always
has a warm, sincere smile on his face.
He told me what I already knew, he told me that his last name, Panone
means big bread. But I don’t think big
bread when I think of him, I think big smile.
He always has a big smile, enough so that I talked with him about
it. He told me that the church and the
gospel of Jesus Christ was the reason behind his smile. He said he wakes up every day with that smile.<o:p></o:p></div>
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This is his story as he related it:<o:p></o:p></div>
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Italo was born in Berlin during WW II into a very religious
family whose values were anchored in the Bible and in their diversity of
faith. His father and grandfather were
Italian and Catholic. His mother was Protestant. His grandmother was Jewish from a large and
wealthy family. He related that many of
her family died in concentration camps during the war. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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When he was just a young boy, five or six years old,
Catholic priests introduced him to Jesus Christ. Christ became the center of Italo’s
faith. Some years later his mother
convinced him to become Protestant. As
an adult he still had unanswered questions and continued to research different
religions and philosophies. He was
attracted to Buddhism but could not commit to it because Jesus was
missing. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He moved to Italy and developed a successful business in
film and television. But despite
financial success he said his spiritual life was at an all-time low and he was
not a happy man. He would enter the beautiful
churches in Rome and pray to be guided to the truth and to happiness. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One day, two young missionaries with black nametags rang his
doorbell. Like so many of other faiths
before, he invited them into his home.
Over a period of many months, he listened to their message and asked
them question after question – questions he had accumulated over many
years. He said they worked together
intensely. As he met with them, he felt
that the Savior accompanied them, that He was there beside them.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Through his prayers and through reading the Book of Mormon
he was convinced that he had found God’s church and the church for him. He had searched for many, many years and
finally found what he was looking for.
Upon being baptized he said he felt like he had been given a new life.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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That is his story.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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I enjoy a good piece of bread, I am fond of big bread; it is
hard to beat warm homemade bread straight from the oven with honey on it, but each
Sunday I find Italo’s ever present, big smile even more compelling.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2N9fyat6mFvjWubPPu5DoQuNjyE5O_0hb7C3Bd8RZMgh6XhWZyX90aJNSMZWcQ3kxP3J5SKfHCrF6d5oEgdWgjQo7Q65h_WMQ6UYHeCdlOQvn1W9sL2tsFlygQIP5DlF_r2VKeF690A/s1600/IMG_0127.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2N9fyat6mFvjWubPPu5DoQuNjyE5O_0hb7C3Bd8RZMgh6XhWZyX90aJNSMZWcQ3kxP3J5SKfHCrF6d5oEgdWgjQo7Q65h_WMQ6UYHeCdlOQvn1W9sL2tsFlygQIP5DlF_r2VKeF690A/s400/IMG_0127.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13413555387667043912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2045761282389484678.post-32586575158665227862017-07-09T11:41:00.000-06:002017-09-04T13:59:06.496-06:00Dateline: July 2017, Rome - A land flowing with . . . garbage<div class="MsoNormal">
Sad but true, flowing in garbage. Ok, not all garbage, actually garbage and
recycle. Well, at least depending on the
day of the week. Picture Manhattan when
there was a garbage collector’s strike years ago. Or simply picture it below. Substantially everyone lives in an apartment
building. Garbage, including recycle is
centralized throughout the city. Everyone
pays a garbage tax for the privilege of walking out to the street, across the
street or down the street to dispose of their garbage (or you can drop off
garbage as you drive by – tough luck for the cars that will inevitably be
stopped behind you because there is too much traffic to drive around you). </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I recently paid the garbage tax for a “villa”,
our Church’s mission home in Rome that houses the mission president who is responsible
for all the young and not so young missionaries. The villa houses two people except for 3
nights every six weeks when there are missionaries coming or going. On those occasions, there could be an extra 8-20
people. The garbage tax, based on square footage, is a mere 2,200
euros per year, so about US $200 per month.
In Colorado you could get better service for under $40 per month. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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I haven’t been attentive enough to know what days garbage is
collected. I was told it is collected daily but I don’t know
how accurate that is. Some days the
garbage bins look like this.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz4HSXssRtZMVZS91He9mpEDCf8wl0HyLmU-jilzfsJ0hYyIUKH-u6JqrqCbgoY7l9YYOl3j9yptEXWMA15wG-mqQFscgSigBII7mCVUdvHBojxMMnTZ1OxebKisrP7HpDMuG_4oL4vQ/s1600/IMG_0111.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz4HSXssRtZMVZS91He9mpEDCf8wl0HyLmU-jilzfsJ0hYyIUKH-u6JqrqCbgoY7l9YYOl3j9yptEXWMA15wG-mqQFscgSigBII7mCVUdvHBojxMMnTZ1OxebKisrP7HpDMuG_4oL4vQ/s320/IMG_0111.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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Other times (a day later), the garbage bins look like this. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjtHmSSqpalITl0m6QfmVTkHI_lh-uKuH9rix3qCeKAZgZLt-jQ7C1aIjkbe6AEeGMI24LxbQlxlna91Dxaii2Ve3CpXr5bmz3Rdt60VlnG7h1j05GNID3VV4NS8UEGXmJpwYSIBlg4A/s1600/IMG_0118.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjtHmSSqpalITl0m6QfmVTkHI_lh-uKuH9rix3qCeKAZgZLt-jQ7C1aIjkbe6AEeGMI24LxbQlxlna91Dxaii2Ve3CpXr5bmz3Rdt60VlnG7h1j05GNID3VV4NS8UEGXmJpwYSIBlg4A/s320/IMG_0118.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now the curious thing is that the day I took the first
picture above, I carefully ventured over and opened two of the non-recycle garbage
bins. They were no more than 20%
full. So, what’s with all the garbage
piled up in front of the bins? I cannot
give an accurate answer. There are
several possibilities. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One possibility is that the bins were all full and people
left their garbage/recycle on the ground.
Then, the trucks came and emptied the containers but their job does not
entail and in fact they may not be permitted to pick up any garbage off the street – unions have
significant pull here. I have heard
support for this theory from one of the other senior missionaries. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Another theory is that Romans want to create and maintain
jobs through every possible means. So,
people leave their garbage on the ground knowing that the city will hire or
continue to employ people to clean up the garbage left on the ground. This theory goes hand in hand with the theory
that Italians perpetuate every possible inefficiency to maintain or create jobs. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
An additional theory is that Romans are slobs who don’t care
about beauty and cleanliness. The symbol
of Rome is Remus and Romulus and the she-wolf – if that is not a story you are familiar
with, check it out on google. Underneath
the symbol are the letters SPQR. An old,
not so kind joke is that the letters stand for “sono porchi questi romani”
which is interpreted, these romans are pigs.
<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I prefer to think that one of the first two explanations is
accurate. <o:p></o:p></div>
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</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
How does the garbage then get tossed into the bins? There are street sweeping personnel, independent
of the garbage bin personnel, who come and clean up. Regardless of how they look on any given day, I hold my breath as I walk by.<o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13413555387667043912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2045761282389484678.post-23451547281672921062017-06-28T13:12:00.000-06:002017-09-04T13:59:21.527-06:00Dateline: June 2017, Rome - A land flowing with milk and honey or at least with water<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXbbVfit_cnkwk6OZxUhf882Gi0P4d3_lVMhDEczCXpy_UEk890qGm6xo_-cBr_6cZIeQKmirFdhcWMetQ41sDmlZzJfFXL4ATmy5Ax-eFINIVlw0-nKyTccPElzzhCk3V4DeFtINd9Q/s1600/Water+pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXbbVfit_cnkwk6OZxUhf882Gi0P4d3_lVMhDEczCXpy_UEk890qGm6xo_-cBr_6cZIeQKmirFdhcWMetQ41sDmlZzJfFXL4ATmy5Ax-eFINIVlw0-nKyTccPElzzhCk3V4DeFtINd9Q/s320/Water+pic.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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When Moses led the children of Israel out of Egypt, they
were promised that the Lord would lead them into a land flowing with milk and
honey. Happily, you can buy milk and
honey in Rome. But that might not quite
qualify it as a land flowing with milk and honey. However, it is a city flowing with
water. Everywhere you go in Rome there
are water fountains (for lack of a better description) constantly flowing with
drinkable water, frankly quite tasty water.
Most of the fountains look like the one pictured above. They are used by tourists and Romans
alike. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You might even say the water has gone to the dogs – I dare
say; however, that the fountain was here before the dog park.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrmzzJsNtiAn7zi2zJABidPpGNnAp6_tuuVxixkwMZOknNArBzZuqCsmYSSVr_tvZN_R6og90GyiEId8odOEZ9CZLc1c-yoy2xDTx59vF9nOAUqli1V940I1LNWh7fvc3uHpTk1THpWA/s1600/IMG_0074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrmzzJsNtiAn7zi2zJABidPpGNnAp6_tuuVxixkwMZOknNArBzZuqCsmYSSVr_tvZN_R6og90GyiEId8odOEZ9CZLc1c-yoy2xDTx59vF9nOAUqli1V940I1LNWh7fvc3uHpTk1THpWA/s320/IMG_0074.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Sometimes the fountains are effectively hidden in a remote
overgrown part of a park, seldom used.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguOVcp_k5l-8jNk18OqE70vSZc6oYBLyb9ztDIrkYbE7_ToDcWGW1qR7ID093qczNBnY1FWWStLejRnwS5ystFxsnkoJrDpZBEYLweBqkGjuKf_Dl_80rg8QtcCDHouQ6VJ-h85KurAA/s1600/IMG_0070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguOVcp_k5l-8jNk18OqE70vSZc6oYBLyb9ztDIrkYbE7_ToDcWGW1qR7ID093qczNBnY1FWWStLejRnwS5ystFxsnkoJrDpZBEYLweBqkGjuKf_Dl_80rg8QtcCDHouQ6VJ-h85KurAA/s320/IMG_0070.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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There are more picturesque versions like Trevi fountain
(perfectly drinkable but not accessible directly) or the boat shaped fountain
sculpted by famous artists Bernini & Lorenzo at the foot of the Spanish
Steps. It is not uncommon to see people
leaning over the fountain below to fill their water bottles from the water
flowing from the side spouts. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6cxXJNt77TzihOIG1RcqDRhr7rAKu6RCz7rsC4EQvtbSu2OoV15w4AP1F4p0BzOXopr564p_a8Pzulyq85TEHSknCUxD3Y3xtE3qf5YFwdKDPu0-movFDaLlatI5FcZr0X6P29TN5sw/s1600/P1020964.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6cxXJNt77TzihOIG1RcqDRhr7rAKu6RCz7rsC4EQvtbSu2OoV15w4AP1F4p0BzOXopr564p_a8Pzulyq85TEHSknCUxD3Y3xtE3qf5YFwdKDPu0-movFDaLlatI5FcZr0X6P29TN5sw/s320/P1020964.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">When
you are here visiting us and touring the city, you will never have trouble
refilling your water bottles. These
fountains are not just in the center of the city, they are everywhere. </span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13413555387667043912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2045761282389484678.post-6696174173469435782017-06-25T12:54:00.002-06:002017-06-25T13:01:56.817-06:00Dateline: April 2017, The Office (since when do these need to be in order)<div class="MsoNormal">
Each day, Monday - Friday (and some Saturdays) we walk (30-35 minutes) or drive to the office
(10-15 minutes). Since we may need the
car on any given day, at least one of us drives. The office is on a dead-end street next to a
park. It is one of the few spots we
frequent in Rome where there is almost always a parking spot available. I pay bills – almost all electronically
either through a church system or directly via the bank website. I even make journal entries. It is an accountant’s dream mission.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKHgutBGKo5JfBMr9QWKtiRSC9EShdPF4tSGipZe-JvX8aZPOPCxlQQ8V5XiCeYc-xY07rcJbFTMZqZAMQwhbTUE5-W4Ih06gxgmkkYzMNgJYNBl4kD3_5YzoFduzD4rY-HImZWUc7lg/s1600/IMG_20170417_1736022_rewind.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKHgutBGKo5JfBMr9QWKtiRSC9EShdPF4tSGipZe-JvX8aZPOPCxlQQ8V5XiCeYc-xY07rcJbFTMZqZAMQwhbTUE5-W4Ih06gxgmkkYzMNgJYNBl4kD3_5YzoFduzD4rY-HImZWUc7lg/s320/IMG_20170417_1736022_rewind.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Shauna is the mission secretary. She handles certain correspondence with
missionary parents and the missionaries’ home church leaders. Much of her time is spent tracking the legal
permission (Permesso di Soggiorno) to stay in the country that each missionary outside the EU must
apply for and maintain. This permesso is in addition to and in many ways more significant than the visa that each missionary obtains prior to
coming into Italy. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
There is another missionary couple in the office. They handle missionary travel - the young missionaries are transferred from one city to another after 3-6 months in one spot. About 20% - 35% are transferred on specified dates every six weeks. They also order and distribute missionary literature supplies, missionary mail and the data for people who have requested information about the church or who church members have asked the missionaries to contact. <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
The view from the office balcony.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEvsBK-IeFlIey9OfIEAYhyphenhyphenJWKThbC7I1Xaxbxt9NQFkt_v92qZ7GYONjPcrdwl_YVBAw5DSranmTyz7Go2CvY98fpC3w88_DCdz29j31R4OJrBo20SG1WFnGOpkqDpVaj-vnPPbX03A/s1600/View+from+office+balcony.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEvsBK-IeFlIey9OfIEAYhyphenhyphenJWKThbC7I1Xaxbxt9NQFkt_v92qZ7GYONjPcrdwl_YVBAw5DSranmTyz7Go2CvY98fpC3w88_DCdz29j31R4OJrBo20SG1WFnGOpkqDpVaj-vnPPbX03A/s320/View+from+office+balcony.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13413555387667043912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2045761282389484678.post-41046874439679525372017-06-04T09:10:00.000-06:002017-06-04T09:11:45.313-06:00Dateline: May 21, 2017, Church Conference<div class="MsoNormal">
We had a semi-annual conference of our church for the members in Rome. It was held at a hotel near Borghese Gardens because none of the Church’s three buildings in Rome are large enough to hold the collective members. Forty five years ago when I was here as a young missionary, there were but few members and just a rented location in which meetings were held each Sunday.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One of the speakers told of taking a walk the evening before, getting lost and soaked in a sudden downpour. He equated this to our spiritual lives. We all get lost from time to time and sometimes we get wet. Because of Jesus’ sacrifice for us, He can find us, He can lift us, He can heal us, we can be cleansed from sin. The scriptures tell us: <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).<o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you; not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid (John 14:27).</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13413555387667043912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2045761282389484678.post-21312399477998039812017-05-25T13:36:00.001-06:002017-09-04T13:59:46.194-06:00Dateline: April 15, 2017, On the ground in Italy, Part II<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The balcony can seat 6-12 people. The picture below does not
show a built in grill and small washing machine. Yes, the washing machine
is on the balcony. The dryer is also on the balcony in the form of a rack
where we hang our clothes. This is standard procedure in Italy almost
regardless of how wealthy a person might be. Unfortunately, the balcony
attracts pigeons - less now that we followed the advice of many and tossed
three unhatched eggs. Yes, I am a heartless pigeon killer. Please don't
report me to the SPCA. Surely they have a special exception allowing
cruelty to pigeons and geese.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Here is the rather small kitchen from its
doorway. Everything is a bit tinier/narrower than an American kitchen;
the fridge (mostly out of view) is quite tall. The cupboard above the sink is a
dish drying rack. It has a grated bottom with a small drip pan
underneath. Rather clever I think. There is a small table in the
corner opposite the fridge. A microwave is mounted somewhat high on the
wall in the corner opposite the stove. </span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The bathtub is unusually tall.
Getting in and out is a challenge, enough so that we have considered
buying a little step stool. There is no shower curtain and the shower
head is on the long side of the tub in the middle (what were they thinking).
There is a movable plastic wall attached at one end of the tub that is
easily knocked out of place. It covers 80% of the side and none of the back;
so, water splashes out the back side/end - nice touch</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">The bedroom is nondescript with floor to
ceiling closets/cupboards along the inside wall and a small balcony on the
outside wall. The bed raises from the bottom frame (almost as if it were
a murphy bed) to reveal storage for extra blankets, etc. below the mattress.
The bed is comfortable - if you like your mattress hard as a rock.
Fortunately, we have a two inch pad that makes it almost comfortable. We
also have a tiny second bedroom for visitors.<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13413555387667043912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2045761282389484678.post-60447409634084021902017-05-24T13:33:00.000-06:002017-09-04T14:00:10.333-06:00Dateline: April 15, 2017, On the ground in Italy, Part I<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We were picked up at the airport by another missionary couple and brought to the apartment we will occupy for the next 18 months - it had been stocked with a reasonable amount of food. Now if only there had been cookies or cinnamon rolls hot out of the oven. Is that too much to ask? Our apartment is on the third floor, half way back on the right side. We have an underground parking spot. Of dozens of apartments in the mission, this is considered the nicest.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The courtyard between the two identical buildings pictured from the entry way to our stairwell (there are four stairwells). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A nap and unpacking were on our agenda for the afternoon. The apartment is very comfortable. Take a look - dining area and living room from the front door. The curtain covers a large sliding door to the covered balcony.</span></div>
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<o:p></o:p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13413555387667043912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2045761282389484678.post-88484243004805588822017-05-21T12:52:00.000-06:002017-09-04T14:00:36.517-06:00Dateline: April 14, 2017, Salt Lake Airport<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Here we are ready to fly to Rome - strangely enough via Detroit. Some might ask why would we give up a relatively easy life of retirement, travel, family and friends (to say nothing of cookies) to go to Rome and help the missionaries through administrative efforts. We will certainly miss our four children, their spouses and six amazing grandchildren (although we have high hopes of visits from family and friends).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We have been abundantly blessed by the hand of God - that we cannot deny. To serve in this capacity is to show our love for Him and appreciation for His many blessings.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We feel as the apostle Paul said in Romans 1:16 - For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Speaking of Paul, there is reason to believe that both Paul and Peter came to Rome and taught of Christ. In a minor way, we hope to do likewise, if not by spoken word by our actions and example to others. </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13413555387667043912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2045761282389484678.post-44380526321780815642017-04-12T13:14:00.001-06:002017-04-12T13:14:05.269-06:00The Prince of Peace: Find Lasting Peace through Jesus Christ<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Ly9xk59Qkfc" width="480"></iframe>Shaunahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06709169224920371163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2045761282389484678.post-46262791404850466962017-04-10T19:51:00.004-06:002017-04-10T20:07:34.179-06:00Dateline: April 4, 2017, Our MTC Training DistrictWe have spent many hours in training with these couples. Each is headed to different spots around the globe. At the far right is one of our instructors.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13413555387667043912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2045761282389484678.post-71745244799075194792017-04-09T21:00:00.000-06:002017-04-10T20:07:10.176-06:00Dateline: April 3, 2017, Reporting at the Mission Training Center in Provo, UtahI never imagined traveling with so much luggage - count them, six large suitcases and two briefcases. We will spend 11 days here training on missionary service and a mission office software system. <br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13413555387667043912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2045761282389484678.post-89252322477111756462017-04-09T13:10:00.000-06:002017-04-10T20:06:12.006-06:00Dateline: March 24, 2017, It's OfficialPresident Horsley came to our home and set us apart as full time missionaries of the Church. Being set apart is a formal action by the local ecclesiastical leader and includes a blessing of spiritual guidance. Despite our intent to do so, we neglected to get a picture with him. We left the next morning for Salt Lake. There we spent time with Shauna's mother and traveled to Kemmerer, Wyoming to witness the blessing of our youngest grandchild, Tiffany & Geoff's Katelyn (born January 1st, 2017).Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13413555387667043912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2045761282389484678.post-82910109743860664452017-03-17T14:31:00.000-06:002017-04-10T20:09:32.231-06:00Dateline: October 2016, A Mission CallWe came home from a three week trip to find in the mail our mission call signed by a prophet of God, Thomas S. Monson. We have been called to serve for eighteen months as office specialists in the Italy Rome mission. We report to the Mission Training Center (MTC) in Provo, Utah on Monday, April 3, 2017. We are thrilled for the opportunity to serve the Lord, Jesus Christ as missionaries in Rome. Qualcuno parla Italiano? We hope to learn/remember the language.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13413555387667043912noreply@blogger.com0