We checked into the hotel and then went on a bus trip to downtown and the Coliseum. 

This is the monument to Victor Emanuele II 

 It looks like a building but no it is just a monument! So many things have changes since our visit 25 years ago. There are now fences all around all of these places.

 So you can get your picture taken with a ROMAN SOLDIER.

 Headed down to the Coliseum are all these other ruins and work is going on the uncover more, from the guide sheet it appears the whole area is called Areo di Tito, which includes all the separate tributes to this person and that one. 

 It was rather a Zoo to get to the Coliseum, street sellers trying to sell anything and everything you can imagine! The panels tell the story of Rome.

 The place was peppered with tour groups and sells people, we took our shots and left. MANY spring breakers from the states, We visited with some and they were nice kids. It does not look like it in this picture but it was a little crazy.

 Back side of Victor's memorial 

The size of these columns are hard to realize, standing 100 to 200 feet away they looked like they were at least 6 feet from one side to the other. 

This is the Daughter of a contractor section. 

 The buildings are so beautiful and the detail is wonderful. Sorry the carvings on the white blocks do not show up on the house.

 The garden next to the house.

 Looking from the street up to the house.

 The craftsmanship of the marble in this hotel is beautiful. This is brown marble.
OKAY , we were on our way to the airport and hit traffic. SO bad we were on the freeway for 1 hour 20 minutes in a 5 miles stretch. (There was an accident.) We missed our flight and ended up staying at the hotel. These are pictures from that hotel. Everything was very nice , but the life and energy at the Villa is tons better.

 Floor of the breakfast room.

 This is in the basement, the breakfast dinning area,. can you believe it?

 The elevators framed with marble!

And the entry to the hotel, marble what a wonder to behold!

 
 We came back from the conference in a down pour, it does not look like it but the stone driveway is sheets of water.
We went out for dinner with all the mission leadership, when everyone in up there, there are about 38? in a tiny loft, even the owner couldn't believe it and took pictures!

 The couple we are sitting next to told President Bullock, one of the sisters he helped into the waters of baptism is still active, is doing marvelous, and has remained faithful this whole time. We will get to meet Christina on our next trip to Rome. President B called and talked to her and she called him her jewel and treasure. Just to hear someone was still faithful was worth the mission. When we came 25 years ago no one knew any of the people PB worked with. Christina lives outside of Rome.

 Breakfast at the Villa, this morning, Wednesday, it was MUCH less hectic, 

 The last time with our Sorella Arnold and Anziano Kiser-- It is so amazing how quickly those bonds of loves encircle these missionaries. They both head home this month. "Well done thou good and faithful servants."

The Bags that will not die, they rolled all over Roma, we had our worries with all the material we packed inside them but we rolled them all the way home no problems!!They are 8+ years old, no new ones in that size.

I got this video from the back so it is poor but there were some very happy Missionaries that got to Shake Elder Bednar's Hand.

 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.

  Monday , April 27, was Sorella McFarland's Birthday!!! So before we took off for Roma, we celebrated!

 You have a Birthday, shout hooray! Darling Birthday Sister!

 Happy Birthday Gift, a trip to Roma, and see an Apostle !!!

 Airport hang out! The Airport is officially closed, but the workers continue to keep the place open. Only Ryan air flies in and out of here.

 Elder Williams has been playing a game with us  for weeks. We have been finding little stones about the apartment, really glass that has been broken and then ground and smoothed by ? and they turn into these stones that look like clear green stone. I thought it was Sorella McFarland all this time and one of her Island traditions. BUT no it was Elder Williams, We we made necklaces out of them and worn them to Rome.

 Loading on the plane for departure!

 Arriving into Rome, wonderfully fast trip with a tiny bit of turbulence. When we landed the people on the flight erupted into clapping and hooray. It is windy as you can see , but not Bad, we were all surprised!

Elder Nessen the 'let me help' man. He is great to have anytime and anywhere!

 It has been a while since our last blog. It seems like weeks but not so. This is our apartment across the street and they are painting the rails. Not sure when but the building was painted. Now it looked like they are putting the finishing touches on.This is about 10 days ago. Today they were mixing up new cement. ??? AND today May 1st,  a huge Holiday, Labor Day, we were very shocked that they were working on the apartment. We were told everything closes up so we were very grateful to get back to Crotone from Rome with enough time to get groceries. We got home at 7:45, store close at 8:30. We JUST MADE!
 The Pictures below will be from days back. 

 Arm in arm is a way of life here. Mom and daughter,

 Husband and wife, and Friends 

 There was another Holiday for Children last week , this was a street puppet show.

 Sail class again.

 We were waiting for a member to come home from work so we could visit with her. She lives by the Lungo Mare (long sea) it is a lovely walkway on the beach. The shoes are common attire on this day. Nylons and dress shoes at the beach. They really dress up for holidays.

 This is another common sight-- Men Groupies,-- (my term) 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 men visiting and walking but mostly 5 in a group.

 There is a sailing class just getting their boats into the water.

 Another groupie of 5 men.

Symbol of Crotone

 City of Crotone , translation ---wow I can read it!

The sail boats that are still getting ready to go out on the water.