Transfer Week in June 2010

This past week has been transfer week, so we were anxious to have the sisters over for a last dinner with Sister Stephenson. Angelo, standing next to Will, is a new convert and was receiving a last after-baptism lesson at our apartment after dinner.

The “dying dinner” was held at the Mission Villa. This transfer 12 missionaries were returning home after serving an honorable mission. A delicious lasagna dinner was served, complete with salad and tiramisu.

Several parents and siblings came to pick up their missionary, so Sister Acerson made dinner for about 35 people.

Each transfer, Will makes a "dying DVD" with 20 or so favorite pictures from each missionary that is returning home. It ends up being about a 20 minute slide show of missionary life in Italy. Each missionary receives one of these treasures to take home with them.
A highlight of the evening was the singing of the mission hymn.

Then we took lots of pictures with those missionaries whom we love so much. What great service they have given to their Savior and to the people of Italy.

The missionaries really look up to Elder Sommerfeldt. We thought this silly picture with Elder Stanfield was hilarious.

This dying dinner with the missionaries was also the last transfer for President and Sister Acerson to be involved in. What a tremendous duo they have been to lead this mission.

A wind-down for us after transfer week was a visit to the beach.
Beaches come in two types in Italy:
Mostly sandy

or mostly rocky.

The beach we found on Saturday near Ladispoli had some of both.
The sea was sending in good sized waves.

We continue to love our experiences in Italy: the missionaries, the people of Italy, the sights and sounds, the delicious food, and this spectacular country. Italy Rome Mission is the best!
PS - Did I forget to mention ....... yummy gelato!