Christmas Mail

We received 3 letters on Tuesday, December 28.  One from Monica, one from Stephanie and a letter from our stake, written by one of our high councilors.  Wonderful pictures of Monica's and Stephanie's families. 

Dinner at Cataldo's

I have been going with Elder's Bellini and Marcello to teach Cataldo about 30 minutes from Bari.  He has a baptismal date and is making steady progress.  He fixed us squid.  It was very good.  Glad it was broiled and not raw.  

Merry Christmas - Part 4

We enjoyed having Christmas dinner at the Santoro's.  Their son, daugther in law and granddaugther were here from the Milano area.  They are such a missionary minded family.  We also enjoyed the 5 course meal we had with them.  But they were so kind to acknowledge that we don't eat like the young missionaries do.  

And after church on Sunday, the 26th, Dawn and I had lunch with Sister Giuliana Equatore and her husband.  Another five-course meal, I might add.  We also enjoyed our conversation with them very much.  

Merry Christmas - Part 3

We received presents from two of our young adults, Mario from Brindisi and Stefy from Bari.  We love these young adults and their dedication to the gospel.  

Sorella Cannariato and I gave each other a new sweater.  We bought them from the same stored and coincidently, they cost the same amount.  A pretty simple Christmas at our apartment in between our lunch appointment with the Ramunni's and our dinner appointment at the Santoro's.

  

Merry Christmas - Part 2

 Christmas Day was filled to the brim.  We had a lunch appointment with the Ramunni family who live about 15 minutes away in Triggiano.  Brother Ramunni earned two degrees from BYU and Sister Ramunni served a mission to Milano.  Her parents, the Palmisano's joined the church in the 80s.  Brother Ramunni's muscular dystrophy is taking a toll on his body, but he is an amazing example of living the gospel.  Their daughter, Ludovica, is one of our faithful young adults and is planning to serve a mission this spring.  We enjoyed a marvelous afternoon eating a wonderful 5-course meal and singing Christmas hymns together.

 

Merry Christmas - Part 1

It wouldn't be Christmas without Christmas sugar cookies, and Sister Cannariato had a great assembly line going.  These cookies traveled with us to Lecce, where we shared them at the branch Christmas party. 

Christmas eve, the Anziani from Foggia came to Bari for District Council.  Then we went to our apartment for a wonderful Christmas eve dinner, followed by games and the Christmas story in words and music by reading from Luke and Matthew and singing corresponding Christmas hymns.  

This was the zone Facebook post.  Each person was asked to describe Christmas with just one word.  I picked "Speranza" (Hope) and Sorella Cannariato picked "Gioia" (Joy).

President Oaks Visits the GIRM

 A special Christmas concert was recorded at the visitor's center.  Among the performers was Jenny Oaks Baker and family.  President Dallin H. Oaks, Sister Oaks and President and Sister De Feo came to visit and we had the privilege of gathering as an entire mission to spend an afternoon with these wonderful leaders.  

Elder Oaks wanted to shake everyone's hand.  So we figured out a way to do that with each missionary getting a squirt of santizer before the handshakes.  

This day will be one of the choice experiences of our mission.  We were spiritually fed by all of the speakers and President Oaks did a wonderful session at the end where he asked the missionaries to share how they get revelation.  Roving mics were available and after each response, President Oaks did some teaching and complimenting.  It was a great format.  

Christmas is Coming!

 We had a fun young adult activity watching the First Presidency Christmas broadcast at Valeria's home enjoying focaccia, panettone and hot chocolate.  

We also prepared Christmas stockings for all 22 missionaries in the Puglia Zone.  We'll take some to Rome and the rest we can deliver locally.  Merry Christmas! 

Christmas Service Project

We got a call from a couple in Liberta` ward needing us to help them deliver wrapped gifts to a catholic church we partnered with for some needy families. "Ask the missionaries, they can help you."  

Young Adult Christmas Stroll

Our young adults love each other so much.  They gathered for a Saturday evening stroll around downtown to see the Christmas lights and be together.  We kicked things off with hot chocolate and treats at our apartment.  

We had young adults from Lecce and Cosenza join in with our Bari young adults in this fun evening.  The next morning, they all went to church together where one of them, Carmen, gave a talk.