We landed and were taken to the church to gather our materials we ordered and pick up mail. YES we had mail. Our singles ward came through with another bunch of letters, always such fun.  On our walk over to the Mission Home we walked through one parking lot and saw a BULLOCK LOCK on the Steering wheel! Kind of fun.  

 We helped with missionaries coming and going but the Waddoups are amazing. Feeding not just those who stayed at the Villa but many of the drivers and helpers who gathered weary  travelers from bus, and train stations, getting them all to hotels. What a production! This is the next morning ,Tuesday,  they are showed, dressed, feed and ready to leave at 6:45! Some 36 at the Villa!

 Gathering outside the Villa for a Bus to take them to the Convention Room and conference with Elder Bednar.

 Here is Presidente Bullock wearing his LWSOT Tie! (Leland Wells Sons of Thunder!) For that added support. He was able to shake hands with Elder Bednar. I had gone out and when the leaders left for lunch they walked by.  Elder Bednar walked by and then came back and shook Carl's hand.  He asked how he was doing and all Carl could muster was good!

 This is the first wave of missionaries. Sorella McFarland is doing photo ops as old companions show up and have to have a picture!

 Elder Williams our stone man is in the center of the threesome. Getting a feel for being up front. Elder Williams had a doctors visit on Wednesday and since they were close to the , "The Mouth of Truth" a famous spot, the Mission Nurse, Sister Merritt took them to see it. As they walked up, out walked Elder and Sister Bednar from a near by park. It is their 40th Anniversary and they were spending a little time in Rome. It was wonderful for them to have that time to see them again. The Bednars are so very gracious! That coming from the nurse.

 We got to sit by Sorella Arnold for a short time. It was fun to see her and so happy in her new assignment. We opened and before much happened , Elder Bednar said we were going to part the red sea and move all the chair closer, fill all the empty space and get very cozy. So much so everyone was invited to take off their suit coats. If I had to use one word it would be "revelatory" . The whole day Elder Bednar asked questions, expounded on questions and answered personal questions all the way from his calling and family to how important is attraction in marriage. It was a honor to be among all the missionaries serving here and get to be taught with them! 

 At the end of the day, I would say 80% of the time Elder Bednar was teaching, We had Elder and Sister Texiera the Area President for Europe , Elder and Sister Allen the Managing Directors of the Mission Department for the church and of course President and Sister Waddoups. Everyone was so comfortable with each other they would make comment, or Elder Bednar would just have them answer the question. They had done this conference in Germany was well, but not the same things were talked about. What the spirit directs, that is what is done.

 You can see how much the room changed after the parting of the red sea!

 Outside on the patio these are the ruins, which have been tastefully arranged into a garden. 

 Sister Bednar is getting that kiss on both cheeks!

Elder Bednar high fiving.