GANS 2017 Year in Review

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.

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...

Learning Qwirkle

One of our favorite games Qwirkle

Dodge ball GANS style

Making balloon animals

Steal the friend

Do as I am doing not as I say

Charades

Charades

Well, maybe, it definitely was a few fun and games. Sometimes the fun and games had a spiritual purpose behind them.

Making origami swans

To make origami swans you have to follow the directions, the scriptures give us directions in our life

Talent balloons

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.

Dario and Carolina our MCs at the GANS talent show

Guilia dog training

John and Suzy sharing their musical talents with piano and song

Veronica's artwork

Watching the artist in practice

After all that we can get a little bit hungry so....
We also eat a little bit too.

Making the famous Sorella Garrett chocolate chip cookies together

Making truffles to give to friends

Enjoying the best granita at Chantilly

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.

Hiking Monte Capo Gallo

At the top of Monte Capo Gallo

A little volleyball

Sledding at Mount Battaglia

Hiking Mount Battaglia

Tree climbing at San Martino della Scale

Cave exploring at Grotto Mazzamuto

Hiking south of Palermo where only cows have seen this beauty

A little water fun at Lido Sporting in Altavilla

There was a few celebrations too... baptisms and temple trips and institute graduation.

Marco's baptism

One of our Young Adults Veronica's mom's baptism

October Temple trip to Switzerland Bern Temple

While at the Temple a sidetrip to the city of Bern

Palermo Stake Institute Graduation

And just to round things out we had a few service and missionary activities.

Balloon animal making at Carnival

Candy lei necklaces for the rest home residents

Delivering Valentine wishes to the rest home

Missionary service in Sciacca

Teaching the Plan of Salvation at Sciacca's center plaza

 And since we are an Institute program we did some scripture studying

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.

Palermo Stake GANS Super Saturday

Palermo Stake Super Saturday photo scavenger hunt

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.

With Carolina at the Monreale Cloisters

Antonio, Gabriele, and Clara in Bagheria

Dinner with the Aloisio

Palermo City Lights with Salvo and Rey

Church with Dennis, Papon, Simone, and Luca

Church with Salvo

Melissa, Anita, and Elizabeth

Church with Ruth, Vita, Elizabeth, and Doris

Visiting Adeji in San Vito

Birthday gathering with so many

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.

A little loving hug