Typical Rome street with small motorcycles and small cars
Our 45th Anniversary Dinner in Rome, Italy at La Lampada
On Rome, Italy Temple site with Mission President Acerson
Rex in front of Trevi Fountain (3 Coins in a Fountain)
Beginning of the Roman Forum
Vicky inside the Pantheon
Rex beside the Colosseum
Roman Forum in the background
Inside the Sistine Chapel Museum
Vatican Square
Roma Countryside in front of Villa in Frescati
Zone Conference was Wednesday and one of the Zone Leaders tore his shirt and used it as a “Title of Liberty” committing the elders and sisters in our zone to commit themselves to complete obedience and dedicated service to the Lord. Everyone in the zone signed the shirt and we have it as our zone flag now. It reminded me of Kyle and his freshman year at BYU doing this in his ward. Kali talked about it in Kyle’s farewell sacrament meeting. I love that story.
Key City Meeting was tonight and we had much to evaluate after a full month of May. We were busy with BYU Young Ambassador Tour, MHH project, European Neighbor Day, temple tours, working on publication of the Swedish Family Enrichment Program manual.
As we served in the temple on Thursday, Sister Pedersson read a quote from a temple president that said “as we serve in the temple each day, our sins are forgiven.” What a beautiful blessing and promise as we do the Lord’s work and try to live a righteous life.
We flew to Rome on June 5. Trevi Fountain is a huge attraction and we walked there after finishing our anniversary dinner. We toured the Colosseum where the gladiators fought. It holds about 50,000 people and is considered one of the greatest marvels of the Roman civilization. It was built between 72 and 80 A.D. Gladiators were trained to fight to the death, while wild beasts of every sort increased the horror of the show. They estimate 9,000 wild animals were killed during the hundred days of festivity to celebrate the dedication of this building.
Sunday was definitely the highlight for us. We got a taxi to take us to church. The mission president is in this ward and he offered to take us to the temple site and let us walk around a while. He took us to the site where we were able to get pictures and a souvenir pine cone and olive branch on the property. He said miracles are happening in Rome and surrounding area with the growth of the church. The Lord’s hand is definitely in the work. Pres. and Sis. Acerson held a youth conference a few months ago and had 55 of the Italian youth attend. They held the testimony meeting on the temple site. The spirit was powerful as we visited with him. We felt this was definitely the neatest thing we could have done here in Rome. I am so grateful to Pres. Acerson for his kindness and generosity in sharing his valuable time with us.
We walked around the Roman Forum and climbed the Spanish Steps. We also saw the Pantheon, Piazza Navona Square and dozens of statues, churches, etc. The President’s Palace was enormous and as we looked inside the guarded gates, the gardens were elaborately decorated with flowers, bushes, trees, etc.
Monday we went to the Vatican, Sistine Chapel, and ate some of the best ice cream ever at “Old Bridge” by the Vatican Wall. In the afternoon we took a countryside tour up into the hills above Rome. It was a 3 ½ hour tour as we saw the Pope’s summer home, Nemi where the world has some of the best strawberries (extremely small and wild), then on to Frescati known for its wine, The bus took us through forests, along the Appian Way and up to these elaborate homes built on the side of an old volcano. We passed gorgeous lakes surrounded by brilliant green forests and in the distance you could see the Mediterranean Sea. What a fantastic afternoon. One thing that was amazing was the number of mopeds or motorcycles everyone was riding. Women in dresses, high heels, and helmets, along with men in suits, dressed for work cutting in and out of traffic like wild people.
On Tuesday morning we packed and said good-bye to Rome. We are busy but very happy and loving every minute of the mission.
We completed and sent our BYU Young Ambassador report before leaving on our trip and when we returned here are two of the comments that meant a great deal to us:
A great big thank you, with a warm e-mail hug, to all of you who planned and carried out and performed on this trip. With 8090 in total attendance and 3975 reported as non-members - that is a success. Wow! I assume that a big portion of those non-members were Young Single Adults - our focus group in Europe for missionary work and four our Outreach initiative in Centers for Young Adults.
A special note to Elder and Sister Lewis. You are shining jewels and your work has been highly valued and appreciated, not only as it relates to this tour but in each and every aspect of Public Affairs' initiatives! We have been truly blessed by your outstanding, insightful and valiant service!
Again, many thanks to all of you, and best personal regards,
Elder Per Malm
and
Dear Vicky and Rex,
Thank you very much for sharing the final report with me. You have done a fabulous job in helping to organize the PR aspects of the tour. You are stars!
With warmest regards,
Gabi
Needless to say, we feel blessed and thankful to work with such great people and to have had this wonderful assignment.
Vicky's birthday at Mission Office. Sister Wright made a delicious strawberry torte.
Surprise Party at Outreach Center.
Cake made by Sister Cherrington for my surprise birthday party.
Back Row: E. Tomyn, E. Czuba, E. Larson, E. Christiansen, E. Langston, S. Cherrington, E. Breeze. Front Row: S. Williams, S. Bishop, Vicky, S. Nilsson, E. Abalos. (Missing is E. Ahola who was talking to his parents) Streamers were from a roll of toilet paper.
At baptism of Rong Wan on 26 June 2009.
Vicky on famous shopping street in Vaxholm.
Fortress in background with Rex on the pier at Vaxholm.
Eva Akebrand and Vicky swinging on beach at Saltjobaden.
Vicky and Rex on shore of sea at Saltjobaden.
Moose on the side of the road on our way home from Akebrands on 27 June 2009. He had traffice stopped with 6 police cars trying to get him back through the fence and off the freeway.
