The Same Yesterday, Today and....

 

After visiting the sister missionary apartment in Piacenza, we took a quick detour through Grazzano Visconti to visit a medieval village (think Gardner Village). It was a full circle moment when we were able to reenact some pictures Steve took over 30 years earlier when he served in Piacenza. We were amazed at how much was the same, even if we had clearly changed.

Moroni teaches us that God is the same yesterday, today and forever. And since he was a God of miracles in the past, he is also a God of miracles today:

9 For do we not read that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and in him there is no variableness neither shadow of changing?
11 But behold, I will show unto you a God of miracles, even the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob; and it is that same God who created the heavens and the earth, and all things that in them are.
19 And if there were miracles wrought then, why has God ceased to be a God of miracles and yet be an unchangeable Being? And behold, I say unto you he changeth not; if so he would cease to be God; and he ceaseth not to be God, and is a God of miracles.

                                                               -- Mormon 9:9,11,19

 

We testify that He is a God of miracles as we have seen them here in Italy.

Things looked so similar at Grazzano Visconti that we had Laura stand in the picture to help us remember which one was most recent. We were surprised to see that even these cow tables on the road leading out to Grazzano Visconti were still there. Steve's rodeo form, on the other hand, has not aged quite as well.

Our comfort level and ability for scaling private property has definitely changed over the years. We felt like we were going to get escorted out as we reenacted these photos and we felt the scrapes and bruises for several days after.

This week we had to say goodbye to the refrigerator in the apartment of the Piacenza sorelle. Fortunately, Amazon was able to deliver a new one in just 2 days and for an extra $10 they installed it (plugged it in) and took the old one away. Based on this picture, they owe Sorella Gardanier a cut of that $10. 

We checked an item off the bottom of our bucket list when we tried a panino at the AutoGrill gas station restaurant. We were always surprised to see so many cars at these restaurants that we figured they must have good food. If they do, we can confirm it isn't the sandwiches.

A few hours into our wait for an oil change, Laura volunteered to carry all of our groceries on a 60 minute bus ride and then walk home. Miraculously, as she was walking to the bus stop, a lady we had never met before stopped, introduced herself as a member and offered to drive her home. Karma! Steve, on the other hand, continued to sit and wait for a few more hours. Karma?

They take their dairy very seriously here in Italy. We even found a 24/7 milk, cheese and egg vending machine for all those times when you can't resist that middle of the night Italian Frittata craving.

Sorella Gardanier continues to show her love to the missionaries through haircuts. Based on the length of the hair trimmings on the floor, she must really love Sorella Cromar.