We are on our last week of this 18 month mission. It has been a time of great love for these young adults we are with. We count them as our Italian sons and daughters with a few South Americans and other Europe countries thrown in.
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| First day of Institute and Anziano Garrett's birthday celebration |
This last year has been with many celebrations and a lot of fun. I mean you have to have fun with everything. But it wasn't all fun and games...
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| Learning Qwirkle |
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| One of our favorite games Qwirkle |
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| Dodge ball GANS style |
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| Making balloon animals |
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| Steal the friend |
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| Do as I am doing not as I say |
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| Charades |
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| Charades |
Well, maybe, it definitely was a few fun and games. Sometimes the fun and games had a spiritual purpose behind them.
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| Making origami swans |
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| To make origami swans you have to follow the directions, the scriptures give us directions in our life |
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| Talent balloons |
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| Write your neighbor's talent on the balloon and pass it on |
And just in case you wondered we didn't just write about the talents but demonstrated them also.
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| Dario and Carolina our MCs at the GANS talent show |
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| Guilia dog training |
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| John and Suzy sharing their musical talents with piano and song |
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| Veronica's artwork |
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| Watching the artist in practice |
After all that we can get a little bit hungry so....
We also eat a little bit too.
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| Making the famous Sorella Garrett chocolate chip cookies together |
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| Making truffles to give to friends |
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| Enjoying the best granita at Chantilly |
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| Frosting Valentine sugar cookies |
You can't have too many sweets. And if you eat too many sweets then it is helpful to get outside and move your body.
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| Hiking Monte Capo Gallo |
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| At the top of Monte Capo Gallo |
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| A little volleyball |
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| Sledding at Mount Battaglia |
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| Hiking Mount Battaglia |
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| Tree climbing at San Martino della Scale |
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| Cave exploring at Grotto Mazzamuto |
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| Hiking south of Palermo where only cows have seen this beauty |
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| A little water fun at Lido Sporting in Altavilla |
There was a few celebrations too... baptisms and temple trips and institute graduation.
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| Marco's baptism |
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| One of our Young Adults Veronica's mom's baptism |
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| October Temple trip to Switzerland Bern Temple |
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| While at the Temple a sidetrip to the city of Bern |
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| Palermo Stake Institute Graduation |
And just to round things out we had a few service and missionary activities.
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| Balloon animal making at Carnival |
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| Candy lei necklaces for the rest home residents |
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| Delivering Valentine wishes to the rest home |
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| Missionary service in Sciacca |
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| Teaching the Plan of Salvation at Sciacca's center plaza |
And since we are an Institute program we did some scripture studying
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| Institute exam |
Although most activities were with the Palermo Young Adults there were a few gatherings with the whole Palermo Stake Young Adults whether in Palermo or Pesaro for the National Italian GANS Conference.
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| Palermo Stake GANS Super Saturday |
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| Palermo Stake Super Saturday photo scavenger hunt |
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| Palermo Stake GANS at the National Italian Conference |
But this.....is what it is really all about the people. Sometimes one on one and sometimes with the whole gang.
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| With Carolina at the Monreale Cloisters |
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| Antonio, Gabriele, and Clara in Bagheria |
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| Dinner with the Aloisio |
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| Palermo City Lights with Salvo and Rey |
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| Church with Dennis, Papon, Simone, and Luca |
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| Church with Salvo |
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| Melissa, Anita, and Elizabeth |
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| Church with Ruth, Vita, Elizabeth, and Doris |
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| Visiting Adeji in San Vito |
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| Birthday gathering with so many |
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| Hot chocolate and Christmas with Alessandra and Suzy |
I think this last one might sum it up on how we truly feel about each other. Just a little love hug to follow the example of Christ's love.
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| A little loving hug |
