Happy New year

2013 is over and 2014 is here.  We were amazed at the amount of fireworks that went off on New Year's Eve.  It truly sounded like world war 3 had begun.  About 7 pm the bombs starting going off.  With all the tall apartment buildings everywhere, the sound would bounce from building to building and shake the windows and pierce your eardrums.  At midnight the fireworks were going off in every direction.  From our fourth story window, we had a panoramic view and saw no less than 30 huge displays of fireworks in the sky that lasted for more than an hour.  They were beautiful.  The bombs kept going off every five minutes or so.  By two in the morning, we were able to put earplugs in our ears and go to sleep.

New Year's Day, we drove up to Rome, to the Mission president's home, which is called "The Villa". We had a yummy pot luck lunch with 18 of us senior couples.  There were a few couples who are overseeing the building of the temple.  We enjoyed getting to know everyone and talking with them.  Each couple is wonderful.  I only wish we could rub shoulders more often and get to know them better.

We had decided on staying over night at the Steuer's apartment. They had an invite to dinner from a family in their ward.  The dad had been their bishop and was recently called into the stake presidency.  They said we were invited to come along.  So we went.  Two other couples went who were also in their ward, who are working on the temple.  We really like them...the Finns and the Wilkins.  

This family, whose home we went to, has 6 children...5 boys and the last is the cutest little girl, who is two.  The oldest boy is serving a mission in Scotland.

As we arrived, the dad asked us if we would mind bearing our testimonies about the blessing of being missionaries.  He wanted his boys to hear and feel the spirit.  So we all sat down in a circle and had an hour of sweet testimonies.  We all felt the spirit and were filled with joy.  What a wise father, to think of doing that.  Three of his sons are teenagers and were very very sharp.  They all spoke English very well.  Their 18 year old son, was just called as the stake executive secretary.  In Italy you have to go to high school until you are 19.  So he has one more year before he goes on his mission. What a fantastic missionary he will be.  

They live in a four bedroom apartment which has a very small kitchen and living room.  They said they moved there two years ago when their little girl was born.  Up until then they lived in just a 500 square foot apartment!  With five boys!  Imagine!!

After testimonies we had dinner, and visited for several hours.  It was a wonderful night....a wonderful start to the new year.

I hope that we all have a great 2014!