The Best two years...

Alessandria Zone Conference

We were blessed to have Elder and Sister Gerard of the Seventy do a tour of our mission this past week through four combined zone conferences. We were asked to attend each conference in order to help with logistics behind the scenes.  We were filled both physically and spiritually at each stop of the tour as we heard inspired messages about "faith not fear", "Patterned after the Doctrine of Christ", "Unlocking God's Power through Faith", and "Lifelong Discipleship".  

It was exactly what we needed to hear to help our mission continue to grow in higher and holier ways. We testify that these leaders receive revelation from God specific to our mission at this time. We particularly loved a quote from Sorella Wood that "these are not the best 2 years of your life... but the best 2 years to prepare for the rest of your life".

Of course the highlight of zone conferences is always getting to interact with the young missionaries. Their faith, love, energy, and smiles always make us want to be better. We are humbled by this next generation and know that Christ's kingdom on earth is in great hands until he comes again... "in a coming day."

The night before the zone conference in Bologna we made a return visit to a cute little homemade pasta restaurant and the best gelateria we have found so far in Italy.  Laura even discovered a new favorite flavor called Mascarpone.

One evening we were invited to dinner with President / Sorella Wood and Elder / Sister Gerard. We are inspired by these two incredible couples who are such great examples of being humble, lifelong disciples of Jesus Christ. We capped off the evening by going out for gelato after dinner. Laura was excited to try her new favorite mascarpone flavor at a different gelateria, while Sister Gerard was happy to not try to figure out the different flavors written in Italian and instead just order whatever Laura was having. Much to their surprise, the mascarpone flavor at this gelateria was combined with coffee. 😳 Does that mean we 'capped off' the evening with a 'night-cap'? Needless to say, that was the last time we were invited out to dinner.

After the conference in Padova we couldn't resist taking a quick peek at the beautiful Prato della Valle before heading home. It is strange to think that Padova was the home of an entirely different mission when we served here 30+ years ago

Of course it wasn't all fun and games (and coffee) at the zone conferences. The Senior couples in each area prepared amazing meals for the missionaries and we tried to help wherever we could. Here Laura jumped into the panini making line in Alessandria with Sorella McCullough (also our mission nurse)

‼️ Nerd Alert ‼️ 
Laura caught Steve working on 2 different computers at the same time with his hands criss-crosssed on opposite keyboards..."That's hot!!" 
You may also notice the mission-leisure wear Steve is piloting...Less hot 

Steve and Anziano Low are part of the modern day fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy... "Spare not" (Isaiah 58:1). In this case, licking the chocolate from the cream puff box.