January 10 & 11 - The Journey

I have been unworthy in keeping a record of the countless miracles that have transpired in getting us to Italy. We know the prayers of many have made this possible and we were the receivers of the daily miraculous happenings along the path to Italy.

Chicago Airport for Visa

The Swiss Alps

We stand corrected, you can request to come to Italy but few are being sent here. Our Presidente Waddoups, would be happy to request anyone wishing to come, but the need for Seniors around the world is great and the response is few. With his help you have a better chance.

 The Temple in Rome is undergoing some changes and there is a great need to finish. We have been asked to fast on January 25th for help with the changes that need to take place. If you are able, we would be grateful for you faith and prayers. Completion is sometime away and we are already above cost and beyond completion dates.

On our way to Crotone we saw many small villages and lots of smoke. The mountain folk use wood and coal for heat so it was hazy traveling through the valleys. As we reached the mountain tops there was a welcome sight of snow. The pine trees have never seen the dreaded pine beetle and so the trees were thick, lush and beautiful with snow nestled on their boughs. It was comforting and a tender mercy. 

For the Arizona folk, we have large cactus all around us down here in the city. It gets very warm and dry in the summer. Right now we are loving the fresh fruit and veggies. There are fresh produce street markets each day but Sunday. Carrots are so sweet and yummy they taste right out of the garden, along with oranges, mandarin, many types of apples and pears, and we have to say they taste so wonderful ( Dare we say, better than back home!) 

Our first day here the Elders and Sisters greeted us. They said they had been praying for a long time for our arrival, the extent of the challenges in the Branch would be overwhelming for an adult with much experience, let alone new missionaries. Anyway they welcomed us and took us on our first shopping trip. Elder Mika is 6’9” and played for BYU out for 7 months, Elder Kiser is 6’ 3” the Branch President and has been out for a year. The store we went to is similar to our grocery stores, but with a huge produce section double ours at home, huge cheese section, quadruple ours and huge Sausage section 10 times ours at home. You can tell what they love to eat.  The store is called Auchan. Because we had a long list we split up with different items to gather.  I was left in the produce section. I had a feeling of danger come over me. I noticed a man kept appearing around me. I then became aware of another man who seemed to move where ever I went. A feeling of panic set in, not just danger. As this registered I started to look for help but saw no missionaries. As these feelings of panic took hold, to my surprise and GRANDA relief Elder Mika appeared out of nowhere and the men scattered. It was well into the night before I put the pieces together. We had just arrived in town and we had all of our documents in my purse. Those same two men were seen together when we went to the cash register and they seemed to be well acquainted. I was their target and my purse the prize.  Thank heaven for divine intervention, and Elder Mika, who just thought he should come check on me. He will be missed as he will be transferred Thursday.

27 steps of prayer in Rome, the devotion of those on the steps is no small task.