August 26, 2018

Going to try to get this post out quickly (obviously not too quickly), to get us caught “up to date” on our timeline.  As we write, today, marks our two months to go.  Where has the time gone.  It seems like yesterday that we entered the mission field.  So many wonderful memories and experiences we have had over the past 16 months.  We still have 2 glorious months to go and intend to work our hardest until the very last day.  The temperature has moderated somewhat, especially compared to back home.  Generally, the high 80’s is as hot as it gets now, and we look forward to it getting into the 60’s this week.  Reports from back home indicate that it is still very HOT!  That is one of the many reasons to remain over here.  Let’s see…don’t think so! 

Our last post brought us up to the end of June.  Since then, we made a fantastic Saturday trip to Cerveteri, which is a city founded by the Etruscans around 700 B.C..  The main attraction are the tombs which have been dated to 400 B.C. discovered in 1847.  They cover a massive area and have had no need for restoration, since discovery.  Hopefully we will be able to post pictures of our visit.  You may walk unrestricted down stairways into the various tombs that are carved into the rock.  You are overcome by the immensity of the site and the fact that what you see, is what they saw 2400 years ago!  There were only one or two other couples that we saw on our visit, which meant we had “the place” to ourselves.  One of us was like a “kid in a candy store”, climbing in and out, up and down, running from one tomb to the next.  Never tiring of this amazing place.  Back home, you can’t take a Saturday and drive 1 ½ hours and see sights like this! 

In July we had a fantastic visit from Eric, Kerry, Emma and Davis Johnson from back home.  They are from our home Ward, oh wait, since we left they split our Ward and they are no longer in our Ward.  Eric and I have been home teaching companions for several years and have developed a mutual love, respect and admiration for one another.  Their visit to Roma got off to a rocky start, as their plane trip from Paris was cancelled for some undisclosed reason and they were detained for over 24 hours.  That “messed-up” our previously organized travel plans a bit, but we just moved everything back a day or two and fit in everything they wanted to do.  Emma and Davis were very “good sports” as they joyfully did everything asked of them in spite of the fact that they were all exhausted from their travels. 

On August 17^th, the Knies’ and the Heyman’s made a train trip to Venice.  We had a delightful time in this amazing ancient city.  It was crowded with tourist, so our choice of time was not the best, but we made the most of it.  On Friday night we ran into a street vendor that was selling his paintings.  He saw our name tags and introduced himself as a member of our Church.  During the discussion, Anziano Heyman told him that he would be spending Saturday night with another local member whom he baptized 40 plus years ago.  His eyes lit-up as he informed Anziano Heyman that that individual baptized him several years ago!  Anziano Heyman melted at that comment and it “made the trip” for not only him but for all of us.  They next day we took a water taxi around the entire city of Venice and saw the important sites like, where they filmed “The Italian Job” and other historical places like that.  We then toured the island of Murano, which is famous for its hand-blown glass.  Cynthia couldn’t leave Murano without leaving cash behind!  We then water taxied over to the island of Lido and biked the island for a couple of hours.  We then left, Saturday evening to make the trip back home and arrived exhausted around 11:30 p.m..  It was a most enjoyable trip, which further “cemented” our relationship with the Heyman’s. 

The Knies’ and the Balzotti’s have been making road trips to various destinations within a couple of hours of Roma.  Generally, our trips last from between 4 to 6 hours and we are checking off the sites that Cynthia has put on her top 10 list of places to visit before we leave.  Since we have only 7 more Saturdays to go, we are having to plan each one most carefully.  Sorella Balzotti is fully engaged in the planning process and having lots of fun with Cynthia picking each destination.  Yesterday, September 1^st we went to the medieval town of Viterbo.  It is considered medieval but dates back to B.C. with Etruscan ruins (dating back to B.C.) around the city.  We visited one church that was constructed in 1080, one of the oldest surviving “original structures as a church” in all of Italy.  Also, another church that dates to 1271 wherein one of the Cardinals of the church was murdered shortly after completion.  This town is a “must see” if you are here for an extended period of time.  On our way home fortunately we “got lost”.  We say fortunately, because we found a large community of Etruscan ruins in the town of Sutri.  We briefly stopped in to get information and walk through some of the ruins to determine that we MUST go back and completely explore this site.  More on that when we go back.  

Last weekend, August 25^th we visited the town of Nepi.  Another cool place to visit.  We parked our car under one of the ancient aqueducts and “stumbled” on to an annual fishing event.  The fishing poles they use are probably 20 feet long and they fish with a tiny hook and catch minnow sized fish.  The largest one we saw them catch was the size of two silver dollars.  To attract the fish, they have sling-shots that they shoot a large “pinch” of maggots into the water.  Each fisherman has a box full of live maggots that they keep.  YIKES it was disgusting, but we were fascinated by what was going on, so we started our tour watching them for about 45 minutes.  Within that town they have a medieval castle that dates back to 1472.  You know, “in 1472, Columbus sailed the ocean blue.”  Oh, wait a minute, that was “in 1492 Columbus sailed the ocean blue.”  The castle was used by the German army in the 1940’s for its strategic location.  As a result, much of the castle (about 50%) was destroyed by a fierce battle that took place.  We love that World War II stuff!  It makes me feel very close to my Father.  Also, visited some catacombs dating back to 400 a.d. and got their DNA all over us and even saw a few bones.   

Next weekend we have scheduled a trip to Herculaneum.  The other city that was covered by  

Well, that should be enough for this Post.  We trust everyone is doing well back home.  We are doing GREAT out here.  We love and miss you all, but will be home very soon.  Have a wonderful day in the neighborhood, because it’s a wonderful life!

Love,

Anziano e Sorella Knies

In front of St. Mark's Basilica in Venice

The streets here aren't paved with gold, but they sure are fun!

Knies' and Heyman's 

 

 Water taxi ride throughout the city of Venice.  Perhaps not as romantic 

as a gondola, but we got to see everything! 

 Took a ferry to a neighboring island where we toured a beach and...

rode bicycles for an hour! 

 Next we went to the island of Murano, famous for its glass works.

For over 750 years they have been "blowing glass" on this island.

The catacombs in Nepi

Castle in Nepi that was damaged in WWII.  Built on ancient Roman ruins.  A 2,000 year old 

Roman street runs through the bottom of the Castle.

On top of the Castle

The fishermen discussed above.  Look closely at the sling shot used to catapult the maggots from the 

container next to it.  I think I am going to be sick!

Fishing poles at least 20 feet long and the catch fish no longer than 3 inches!

Its no wonder these structures last millenia.  The walls are 10 feet thick!

Everyone knows I bleed RED WHITE AND BLUE, but you don't see a lot of these back home in America. 

Viterbo church that was bombed in WWII.  All that was left standing were these columns dating back to the 1200's

Medieval streets. 

Viterbo is known as the city in Italy with the most preserved medieval structures.  Very COOL!

Not going to get your F250 through these streets.

Annually, 100 men carry this structure through the streets of Viterbo in celebration and blessing.  It weighs 10,000 lbs.  

This is one of the oldest original churches that has not been restored in Italy.  Completed in 1071. 

Another original church, not reconstructed dating back to 1250.  One of the Cardinals was murdered in this church around 1271.

On our way home we discovered these Etruscan ruins.  Hopefully going back to spend more time there.

Etruscan burial site

A church that was completely dug into this side of this rock.  

Cynthia had to check this out.  This is a bakery that closed for Ferragosto.  They had a sign posted out front that said in Italian (duh), Closed for Ferragosto, August 1st through August 31st.  They know how to holiday in Italy!

This is the refrigerator in the Mission President's house.  On it are pictures of all the Senior couple missionaries serving in Italy.  You start on the bottom and work you way to the top then you are on your way home.  Cynthia is pointing to the picture on top...US!

August 24, 2018

We will let you figure out how far we are behind in publishing this blog!  The delay has been that we have not been able to upload the pictures.  Turns out they are in the “cloud” whatever that means.  We looked out today and saw that there were no clouds in the sky and figured that the pictures are GONE.  So here is this Blog without pictures and we will quickly put together a more up to day Blog and find a cloud where those pictures are hiding.  Anyway, here it is. 

It is almost 8:30 p.m. and I sit in the car, while Cynthia is attending a doctor’s appointment with one of our precious Missionaries.  For the last 3 weeks we have been doing “double duty” with very little time for extracurricular activities, which includes composing blogs.  When we get home, we simply eat and CRASH!  Four weeks ago, one of the other office couples was forced to go back to the States for medical reasons, hopefully returning soon.  He was the Mission Financial Secretary and she was the Mission Secretary in charge of incoming and outgoing Missionaries and assisting them with all aspects of their Permesso, which is an extended Visa, as well as a host of other responsibilities.  With their unexpectedly speedy exit, the President asked the two of us to continue with the majority of our responsibilities and take on the other Couple’s responsibilities, which includes the above as well as opening the office at 8:00 a.m. and closing it no earlier than 5:00 p.m. and most days between 5:30-6:00.  We humbly accepted, and all the office couples pitched in.  We received 2.5 days of training and then on the job training…experimenting by trial and error.  Hopefully when they return we won’t have messed up too many things.  I tell them, “the ship may be listing a bit, but she is not sinking.

To pick up where we left off 3 weeks ago, now July 15, 2018 and it was June 27^th.  We are still “manning the fort” but our “hope” of a speedy return of the other couple has faded and it appears now that they will not return and we will continue with our present duties until we go home on October 26^th.  We had a really good week this past week, neither of us cried even one time and we are both settling into our new responsibilities of which have been doing for 5 full weeks.  We have both learned many new things and have faced incredible challenges, but the Lord has mercifully been with us and we have felt His presence.  The Savior promised in His mortal ministry, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 28-30). As we have “yoked” ourselves to Him, truly He has helped lighten our load.  Also we read, And now it came to pass that the burdens which were laid upon Alma and his brethren were made light; yea, the Lord did strengthen them that they could bear up their burdens with ease, and they did submit cheerfully and with patience to all the will of the Lord.” (Mosiah 24:15). We see here that the Lord did not take their burdens away, He strengthened them that they could “bear up their burdens” to a point that they “cheerfully and with patience” were able to bear them.  This last week we felt Him strengthen us to the point that we were much more cheerful and patient and joyful. 

Looking back since our last Post we were able to take a few day trips, received a visit from Manly and Kathryn and our precious grandchildren, Jaxson, Harrison and Madilyn as well as receive a visit from my brother, Bill and his wife, Elaine.  It was a “tender mercy” that “the storm” that we have been challenged with the past 5 weeks, came after their visits instead of before, as we would never have been able to spend time with them and make the wonderful memories we made, had it come prior to their visits.  Indeed, we did make some amazing and wonderful memories!  We of course made the trip to the Isle of Capri and took a private boat tour of the island.   At one point, the boat Captain pulled into a cove by an ancient Roman ruin and the Acker family in total jumped out of the boat into the rather chilly water but incredibly beautiful water.  Too cold for the two of us!  We also stopped by and made a really quick trip to Pompeii.  One of us was “Pompeiied Out” so they sat outside the city, while the rest of us toured the city in record time.  I will let you figure out who? 

With Bill and Elaine, we took a very enjoyable day trip to Villa Gregoriana in Tivoli.  We went up and down every pathway possible, not wanting to miss a single beautiful and/or historic site.  It was so much fun being with my “little brother” in this amazing country of Italy, enjoying the sites of Her remarkable history!  We also went to San Pietro in Vincoli (Peter in Chains Church) and viewed the chains that Saint Peter was shackled with and together marveled at the statue, The Horned Moses, created by Michaele Angelo, one of his masterpieces.  Just another statue to me, but not to Bill, the artist!  On the male side of the family, he got the brains, looks and talent.  The other male got the…hmmmm.  Not sure. 

We also had a weekend visit from the Burns, another Senior Couple which are living in the Napoli area.  He is retired military and they are assigned to the military installation in the Napoli area.  We have spent some time before with them and just adore them both.  They are also a source of American food from the base commissary.  You know, must have’s like picante sauce, Uncle Ben’s Rice, tootsie rolls, Cheetos and Fritos.  We toured a couple of the “must-sees” here in Roma and enjoyed our time together. 

I should have published this post weeks ago, so that is it for now.  Hopefully a more up to date blog to shortly follow.  No guaranties however.  We love and miss you all but are doing GREAT!  Until next time, have a wonderful time in the neighborhood, because it’s a wonderful life.

Love,

Anziano and Sorella Knies