We arrived in Rome on Jan 31st, and stayed at the Villa with President and Sister Kelley.
We drove down to Battipagia the very next day after a quick summary of the branch and getting our phone and directions for the three hour drive. We arrived in the afternoon of February 1st met up with the elders. There were two anziani here and they lived right across the hall from us. They were Elder Vitali and Elder Taylor. We got just one picture of Elder Vitali because he finished his mission four days after we got here.
Elder Carr came to replace Elder Vitali on February 5th. He and Elder Taylor were so blessed to have the opportunity to teach Flavia the rest of the missionary lessons and be involved with Flavia's baptism.
Elder Carr went to Malta and Elder Ostler came to Battipaglia on March 21.
In May we had big changes. We were getting three new sisters who were moving into the elder's apartment across the hall from us, and we found another apartment for the elders. Elder Taylor finished his mission, and left to go home. So on May 2nd we got the three cutest sisters you ever did see. Sister Rossell, Sister Wagoner, and Sister Wright
Elder Bandiaky replaced Elder Taylor. They made a great pair!
By the first of June, our cute Sister Wright had to go home because of her health. We were so sad to loose her because she was such a faithful missionary. She was replaced by Sorella Matthews. Elder Ostler went to Sardania and we got Elder Apple. Here we are at Zone conference with president and sister Waddoups.
We enjoyed having the sisters serve here in Battipaglia.
July 16th saw some more changes. Elder Apple left and Elder Skankey came to be with Elder Bandiaky for just a week before Elder Bandiaky had to leave to go home because of problems with his knee.
So on July 25th, we got a surprise transfer, because we got Elder Ostler back and he received a new companion: Elder Phillips.
Also in July, Sister Rossell got transferred to Fogia and that left us with Sister Wagoner and Sister Matthews.
In September, Sister Wagoner finished her mission and headed home, and along came Sister Buckley who loves Soccer just like sister Matthews does and she loves everything outdoorsish including gelato!
Next transfer, in October, we lost Sister Matthews to Messina, and we got Sister Ghio! We had no idea what a treat we were in for with Sister Ghio's incredible tortillas!
We kept these four missionaries all through November and December. In January Elder Ostler was transferred to Sicily and Sister Buckley finished her mission and left us for home.
We got Sister Mitzvotai to replace Sister Buckley. She is almost six foot tall and sister Ghio is barely 4'11". They had lots of fun with that!
Elder Duffin became our new District leader to replace Elder Ostler. These four missionaries were dynamite!
On February 22nd, after serving here for 7 months, Elder Phillips got transferred to Sardania, and Sister Ghio was transferred to Rome.
We received Sister Webster who was tall and new from the MTC.
Elder Line came to replace Elder Phillips.
We really loved these missionaries. They served together for three months.
May 17th they took away Sister Mitzvotai and Elder Duffin.
But we got Elder Sorensen and Sister Knudsen who both had lots of energy and were fun.
Next transfer, June 28th, Elder Line was transferred and so was Sister Webster. Boo hoo. It is so hard to get so close to each and everyone of these missionaries and then they leave our life so soon.
But the good news is that they always replace them with someone we love also. We got Elder Rasband fresh from the MTC and also Sister Williams who is from Canada.
I think they will be remembered for their fun Western party they organized for our English class.
In August Elder Gemmell came. He is from New Zealand. He speaks really good Italian.
And in September, Sister Barrona came. She is new but already speaks Italian like a pro.
At th end of October, Elder Rasband left us for Palermo, and we got a wonderful new missionary from Mexico, who's name is Elder Trejo.
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