August 2017 Happenings

Or in other words the month of two senior missionaries as they work together to serve their God by being with His children and enjoying His wonders.

One of the wonders we enjoy is the delicious flavors of food. Sicily is loaded with flavor and food, amazing food! Luckily we love to eat.

Now that is a watermelon! 35 pounds of juicy sweetness

Cassatelle - warm sweeten ricotta cheese with chocolate fried in a soft pastry - my favorite, in Castellamare del Golfo

Pistachio Gelato is the still the favorite - in Cefalu

 A favorite part of the eating is preparing the food with our Young Adults and missionaries.

Learning how to make Capanota - a favorite Sicilian "salad" with eggplant, served warm or cold with or without bread

Antonio and Salvo taste tasting for our GANS eggplant fiesta

Macedonia salad, pulled porked sandwiches, and pistachio cake for pranzo with our Zone Leaders and Sister Training Leader

Cookie dough truffles making for treats with Veronica

And we love sharing our table full of food with the young missionaries, either in our home or district lunch.

Palermo District 1 lunch at Nino Ballerino

End of the month Sunday pranzo with the Palermo missionaries

After a sorelle p-day hike up Mount Pelligrino we felt we earn a gelato at a favorite Palermo gelateria - Brioscia

Although food is a great way to bring people together we do more than eat. We enjoy exploring this little island of Sicily.  We explore with our young missionaries on P-day; also know as preparation day.  We feel it is a necessary missionary experience to know and see the beauty of this island whether made by God or man.

Discovering the wonder of these Greek Temples in Agrigento at the Valle dei Templi

Oh the amazement and beauty

Cefalu harbor with its clear blue water, sunny beaches, and the Cefalu Cathedral in the background

On the hottest day we hiked the Rocca di Cefalu with these strong missionaries, Anziano Anderton and Anziano Battaglia serving in Caltanisetta

And a quick side trip visit to Enna, a mountain village in the middle of Sicily

In Enna, Hades kidnapping Persephone to be his bride the cause of winter and summer

Sorella Ricks, Sorella Groll, Sorella McDonald, and Sorella Acerson reigning with beauty at Santa Rosalie Sanctuary in Palermo

We also explore and see the wonders with our young adults - GANS - while talking about purpose and encouragement becoming as God wants us to be.

Capo Gallo Reserve with our beautiful Suzy

Mountains seen by us and cows the backside of Giacalone

Salvo, Anziano Garrett, and Antonio were our explorers this day in Giacalone

A visit to San Vito lo Capo to see Adjei where he works long hours for his summer job earning his college money

And sometimes we wander on our own, wanting to discover every corner of the north west side of Sicily and Palermo City.

The Meditterranean Sea breaking on the rocks of Capo Gallo Reserve - east side

Sunset at Capo Gallo Reserve - east side, perhaps a failed YA activity where we were the only 2 who showed up, but we enjoyed this beauty nevertheless

Castellammare del Golfo harbor, fishing boats waiting for their next turn to catch the life sustaining pesce - fish, for food and livelihood

La Torre, a castle tower in the outskirts of Palermo, converted as part of a wall around a private residence - during a morning exercise walk

Palermo Harbor at sunset

And the simple beauty of life in a part of Palermo, chairs outside a door to sit, relax, and drink in the evening cool air

We feel the reverence and respect dedicated to God and life in each's own way by monuments, art, and objects.

Christ Pantoktator - reminder of who we center our lives on - in Cefalu Cathedral

Almost life size art called the "Mysteries of Trapani" depicting the Passion of Christ made by Trapani artists

A simple church in San Vito, candle holders - be a light to the world

A moment of silent in the Church of Santa Chiara for lives loss in World War II, these are tombs of soldiers from Enna and British and America, names unknown

In Palermo with this priest who has dedicated his life to serving the weak, tired, hungry, and homeless

Friday nights are for being with these amazing young adults and missionaries, sharing a few thoughts about Heavenly Father and His words, with lots of crazy fun thrown in.

Favorite uplifting scripture of the day

Rock, paper, scissors with a twist - you lose you might get wet

Anziano Parkinson lost

And we see our missionaries in action - finding people to teach in Palermo or learning better ways to share the gospel at zone conference.

Sunday night finding along the lungomare with Sorella McDonald and Sorella Groll

August Zone Conference in pink - a small tribute of love for Sorella Pickerd who we missed that day

"Faith is to believe the Book of Mormon is the true words of God, Hope is to trust God, Charity is the pure love of God, shown by Christ dying for us and atoning for us. All these work together for the Plan of Salvation." ~ thoughts from Brother William, Sunday September 10 2017, Third Branch Palermo