June in the Fruili

We have enjoyed a beautiful month here at Aviano Air Force Base, Porcia, Fruili, Italy.  The Region of Fruili is a big farming community, lots of grapes, literally every place you can fit them.  I have added a picture of a winery, note the roses at the end of the row.  The roses tell them what will be happening to the grapes two weeks later, so they can get ahead in treating them.  It makes for a beautiful countryside, neighborhood, and yard's.  The chapel is referred to by the local military as the Chrome dome.  It is a little chapel halfway up the hill that glows with the sun, or hides in the clouds.  We took our Institute class up there last week for a picnic.  Our summer schedule is setup with lesson/activity, so we can add a bit of fun.  They are great kids, and we appreciate them taking time out of their busy lives to come and learn more of our Heavenly Father's love for them.  The beach picture is the Young Adults from the Venice Stake having a conference at Bibione.  We wanted to be sue there was not a language barrier with the Italian/American members.  Not a problem, you can tell they are having a great weekend.  Okay, we needed to set our eyes on the Adriatic Sea we keep hearing about, and it lived up to all the buildup! 

The building on the corner is the reason we take time for walks and workouts.  Gelato truly can fit into your life anytime or anyplace.  Note the different ages and variety of people just relaxing with a little gelato break.  

The Elders here in Pordenone agreed to come to dinner with Beau, the young servicemen we are helping back into activity.  Beau has on the pink tie Elder Martin bought him.  He wasn't comfortable at church in casual clothes, so we got him a shirt and tie.  I mention this for one reason.  We wanted to take it to him at the base, he said,"Just bring it to church"  So we did.  Elder Martin was waiting at the front door when he sees Beau coming in his slacks and t-shirt!  Yep, right in the front door!  Good kid!  He wanted a pink tie, so of course that was the hardest color to find, but he seemed happy, a looks good wearing it.  We of course love our local Elders, Elder Baker from Las Vegas and Elder Aillon from Arizona.  

We have started teaching some less active families and building up the knowledge base of some members here in the Pordenone Military Ward.  We feel most useful when we share our testimonies and lesson that give them a greater understanding of their worth n God's eyes.  We always follow this with a commitment, and love the enthusiasm of those who accept these challenges.  Watching them grow spiritually is truly a blessing to us. Due to transfers,  we have a new Bishop and Relief Society president here and they have huge jobs ahead of them, so we are eager to help lift their burden.  Blending the American ward and branch and the Italian Branches is a huge job.  Our local leadership of Italian Brother's do a very good job of leading and motivating.  Our stake, Venice, covers the whole of North Eastern Italy,  more than three languages, and many new members, Italian, South American, and African.  Can you imagine running a stake in those circumstances?

At our ward conference last week, the Italian Stake Relief Society President asked the ward president why we all had so many comments during the lesson.  That was a new concept to her.

We are very grateful for this opportunity, and thank our family daily for the sacrifices they are making that allow us to do this work.  Thanks to the wonderful lives they are living and helping each other with we can be this far away.