MARCH COMES IN LIKE A LION . . . .

DEAR FAMILY AND FRIENDS,                

My time is not "my own" and I feel like the MADHATTER (or is it THE RABBIT??) ANYWAY as he scurries around looking at his watch and muttering "I'm late. I'm late". . . . .  But I still have much to share as we are marching along. from February . . .into March. . . .and we are a week away from the 2-week Temple Maintenance Break and all sorts of plans and ideas in the works.  But it's a rather sad time too--as we say FINAL GOOD BYES (at least for us) to non-Missionary Full Time Ordinance Workers who have been with the Temple for a very long time (some upwards of 2-3 years) serving  as if it were a Mission Call. They have apartments in the Foresteria (Patron Housing) where they have lived—some going home briefly for a week here or there. Many from the southern part of Italy—Bari, Palermo, Sicilia—it’s almost too far to go home for a short time—so they have gone for a month and then returned for many more months. Some are from northern Italy, Bergamo, Verona, Venezia, Genoa and tho they can get home easier—it’s still hard. So these are the kind of workers we have been blessed to servve with since we got here. They know everything about the Temple and they are great leaders. We will miss the security they give many of us who are still “new”  even tho’ we have been here for over a year. And now their service, their sacrifice is about to end and we will miss them so much!! There will still be Workers coming from the Stakes around Rome—coming for maybe a week at  a time—but that constant Turn-over is so hard for the Presidency and Matrons to keep the Temple running smoothly and Ordinances being performed with utmost exactness and verity. So—I know as they have been looking ahead, knowing this was coming—they have been working hard to get others trained and able to assume some key roles in the Temple infrastructure of workers. 

We commemorated in a Fireside on March 10, 2024--the 5th Anniversary of the Dedication of this beautiful Temple here in Rome, Italy. And, in a way, a whole new wave of Temple workers will be stepping forth to keep this Temple operating as smoothly as possible.

DEAR FAMILY AND FRIENDS,                

My time is not "my own" and I feel like the MADHATTER (or is it THE RABBIT??) ANYWAY as he scurries around looking at his watch and muttering "I'm late. I'm late". . . . .  But I still have much to share as we are marching along. from February . . .into March. . . .and we are a week away from the 2-week Temple Maintenance Break and all sorts of plans and ideas in the works.  But it's a rather sad time too--as we say FINAL GOOD BYES (at least for us) to non-Missionary Full Time Ordinance Workers who have been with the Temple for a very long time (some upwards of 2-3 years) serving  as if it were a Mission Call. They have apartments in the Foresteria (Patron Housing) where they have lived—some going home briefly for a week here or there. Many from the southern part of Italy—Bari, Palermo, Sicilia—it’s almost too far to go home for a short time—so they have gone for a month and then returned for many more months. Some are from northern Italy, Bergamo, Verona, Venezia, Genoa and tho they can get home easier—it’s still hard. So these are the kind of workers we have been blessed to servve with since we got here. They know everything about the Temple and they are great leaders. We will miss the security they give many of us who are still “new”  even tho’ we have been here for over a year. And now their service, their sacrifice is about to end and we will miss them so much!! There will still be Workers coming from the Stakes around Rome—coming for maybe a week at  a time—but that constant Turn-over is so hard for the Presidency and Matrons to keep the Temple running smoothly and Ordinances being performed with utmost exactness and verity. So—I know as they have been looking ahead, knowing this was coming—they have been working hard to get others trained and able to assume some key roles in the Temple infrastructure of workers. 

We commemorated in a Fireside on March 10, 2024--the 5th Anniversary of the Dedication of this beautiful Temple here in Rome, Italy. And, in a way, a whole new wave of Temple workers will be stepping forth to keep this Temple operating as smoothly as possible.

     So this is Here Here for the beginning of another wonderful era for this Temple, and Rome and Italy and this very large Temple District. 

There was a nice write up in one of the latests editions of The Church News on that Fireside. So that's the "recent' happenings--now to the things--great things--that have been happening during February AND THE FIRST PART OF MARCH. We had a most excellent visit from Lincoln and Hollie and 5 of the kids that are home (Elder Field, of course, is still serving in Peru--but we were able to participate in his weekly

 call Home and that was so nice.)  We had a lovely few activities in the Temple--as soon as they got here. Since they checked no bags--just Carry-ons and backpacks--getting out of the airport was a breeze for them. And they came straight to the Temple--even though they had made appointments for afternoon Baptisms and Sealings. So I was not expecting to see them until our shift was over--maybe about 2 pm--as I  thought they would come to the Visitors' Center (VC) and change their clothes--leave their bags there and maybe grab some lunch just down the street from the Temple and be waiting for us to come out. Well-I am in the middle of Training a new Ordinance worker and I have just left her in a room while I went to get some materials to help clarify what we were doing. Walking down a hall and this dear Sister Barone, who is frantically looking for me--spots me and in her best Temple voice and limited English--while using hand signals says--"Sorella Mumford--you must come with me--your family--they are here--pointing down-- Come quick." Well, i hesitated--but only a split second--and then off I go--leaving my Trainee not knowing WHERE IS THAT SORELLA MUMFORD??" The Greeting at the Temple Foyer was a reverent as an excited Grammy could make it. But I was teary and sobbing so not much sounds was coming out--but to see those darlings after almost 15 months was just "indescribable"!! . But af the Greetings and finding out the next step in the Plan--i ran to the kitchen and retrieved the Lunch I had packed for them (and us for when we met them just before we started the afternoon ordinances) and then remembered "Oh No, Sorella Peterson-(my Trainee)---she has no idea where I am (and I have now been gone for 10-15 minutes. So--I say my good by and leave to get back to my tasks. We kept the original appointments and so I met them in the Baptistry after I finished my shift and was dressed--and took little Quincey (8) and Libbie (4) to entertain them while Abram, Anslea, Hattie--along with Lincoln, Hollie and Papa--got ready to do Baptisms. Then we had another "changing of the Guard" when Baptisms and Confirmations were completed and the 3 older children met me at the VC and took the little ones and I hurried back to the Temple to dress and be ready to do Sealings with Linc and Hollie. Oh it was a glorious day. They were certainly Troopers as we use that name in our Family for those who work through hard things. We enjoyed 5 more days with them, managing to get to Florence—1.5 hours to our north/northwest by Train—to see Sara and Giuseppe Bruno and Vittoria (15) and GianMarco (12). Sara came to our home in Clifton when Missy was a Senior at West Side and lived with us for that entire school year—and we’ve kept in touch all the time since —which has been about 34+years since. It was glorious to see and be with them. Giuseppe made pizza for our whole group. 

Delicioso!!! We walked into the center of Florence via the old bridge —the Pointe Vecchio—and it was a delightful evening!! We stayed right in town-center Piazza with the Duomo of Firenze as our backdrop. Then we took in a few sights of Florence, met up again for lunch with Sara and did some more shopping and caught a Train back to Rome. The next day ( their Final day of the trip) the Guys (Ron, Linc and Abram) went golfing and ended up at the Marco Simone course where the Ryder Cup was played last fall. They had a wonderful time, made some memories for sure!! What did “The Girls” do you ask—what we are pretty good at!! We rode the bus to the Porta di Roma mall—right across to the street from the Temple and did some fun shopping!! And had our last Gelato!! We hated to say “Good Bye” as Ron took them to a hotel close to the airport early that evening as they had a very early flight next morning. Below are just a few of the many pictures that were snapped during their brief visit.

Gathered in the kitchen of Sara and Giuseppe in Florence (Firenze) BELOW where we were treated the the very BEST artisan pizza made by the hand of Giuseppe Bruno and Company . He really is  Master at it--it was so delicioso!!

GATHERED AROUUND SARA AND GIUSEPPE'S KITCHEN FOR PIZZA

 

  HERE WE ARE ON THE FAST TRAIN TO FLORENCE                                                                            

IN FLORENCE (MAIN CENTER PLAZA) WITH SARA AND FAMILY

L TO R: Linc, Ron, GianMarco, Giuseppe and Sara Luciani Bruno, Anslea,

tall Abram, Hollie (holding) Libbie Hattie (in parka) ,Carol and Quincey

THE DUOMO OF FLORENCE

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, PAPA!!

ON THE ALL DAY TOUR OF ROME

PAPA'S HAPPY BIRTHDAY DINNER IN ROME

THE SIGN SAYS IT ALL---ABE MADE A MEMORY AT THE COURSE WHERE THE RYDER CUP WAS PLAYED  (USA vs EUROPE)

. 

IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL DAY (IN FEBRUARY) FOR GOLF

it was a very fun time and we loved our "Family Visitors" to see us in Rome.

I have one more thing I want to share--as much as possible, I like to include something from our service here. This one comes from a Training Experience I had the opportunity to participate in. I was asked by one of our Assitant Matrons to Teach the Sorelle Lavorante di Tempio (Sister Ordinance Workers of the Temple) in our Formazione Meeting.(Prayer Meeting)

This was my topic:      SERVING THE PATRONS WHO COME TO THE TEMPLE
 The opportunity to enter the temple--the House of the Lord is a sacred privilege. There should be an atmosphere of love and peace. I want to show you some ideas of what us Serving Patrons should include.
-TEMPLE WORKERS
Our conduct should be characterized by an attitude of service and reverence,

We should not take for granted that we have been asked to serve in the house of THE LORD.  Realize that not everyone has this wonderful opportunity that we have  to serve in the temple.
TEMPLE workers should avoid BEING CASUAL in our Temple Service.
 Serve so that our service never becomes ROUTINE
What does this mean?
I think it could mean we should serve the way we can see our Lord and Savior has served.
 Try to have the best possible influence and help.
  Treat Patrons with kindness, patience and love

- TEMPLE ATMOSPHERE
TEMPLES have been built and decorated with much care in hopes of creatiing an atmosphere of holiness.
WHAT  KINDS OF THINGS CONTRIBUTE TO AN ATMOSPHERE OF LOVE AND PEACE?
The temple should offer the Holy Spirit the opportunity to strengthen and teach those who come.
Remember Our VOICE and Dress have an important effect in inviting the Spirit.

PATRON EXPERIENCE.
PATRONS are essential to this work in the temple., THIS WORK OF GATHERING
We need their time and effort to get the job done.

IT MIGHT BE HELPFUL TO UNDERSTAND some different types of Patrons
.
Many come with heavy hearts, and/or burdens. They seek peace, healing and strength.
we can help them by recognizing they might need to have calm and solace.

Others come with a spirit of joy because they have the opportunity to do the work for their loved ones who have passed away.
Some have tender hearts, receptive spirits, and high expectations.
Can we be the ones who can accentuate that joy by taking an interest in them? Feel their grateful hearts and spirits. Contribute to their experience with our attitude of gratitude. Realize how FULL IS THEIR JOY!

It was only a few months after we started serving here that a sweet sister from Malta came to the Temple with 2 special reasons: a Family Temple Ordinance card to do her grandmother's work and another to do her mother's. She had found them and came to perform ALL THE ORDINANCES. She shared a piece of her journey with me, I physically felt her love and desire to give them the opportunity to be part of this gospel  and I knew she was so excited to share it. One day that week she was there-she came and did ordinances her grandmother-from start to finish. Then, when I happened to meet her as she came from the Heavenly Celestial Room, she, with as much reverence as possible, said, I'll be back tomorrow to be my mother. I hope she is ready." We hugged: I felt her tears and realized that she was grateful to share with someone who could really understand and  appreciate her work and her genealogical journey. And I was happy that I had grasped the need to share her ecstasy with someone, A someone would understand and fully appreciate her journey.

President Russell M Nelson, just a few days ago, described one aspect of LOVE - the second great commandment, that of actively LOVING OUR NEIGHBOR.
He said that giving help to others is what brings joy. . Especially, he said, when it's not convenient and when it takes us out of our comfort zone.
I know that we, as Temple Workers, are such an important part of this work that is done in this Temple. And I think we're doing a great job. But WHAT IF WE Indulge in some self-disclosure and see how we can do better?.
I love serving here with all of you“ it's a truly beautiful experience and I thank the Lord for calling us here.
And that was just an example of the many things we can receive as we go forth to serve.

I am very late "Posting" this but I hope you'll still enjoy reading "late news"    More to come . . . . .

With our Love,

Sorella Carol and Anziano Ron

HURRAH FOR ISRAEL!  HURRAH!!.png