Saturday June 2, 2016
Dearest friends and family,
We have had a busy schedule since our last writing. Saw new sites, participated in several
activities, made new friends and deepened relationships with old ones and felt
the Savior’s love each and every day! As
we approach June 8th, which calendar date marks only 5 months
remaining in this amazing chapter of our life we call our Mission, we see the
time quickly flying by. We were speaking
of it the other night and committed to each other that we would make the most
of every day. That we would strive to be
all that we can be and that we might do our best to reflect the image of Christ
in our countenances.
On Monday, May 31,
2018 we piled into the car with Tom and Anita Herway and traveled to the
coast city of Talamone. It is approximately 2 hours north of Roma, of course
still within our Mission boundaries. The
Herway’s found this “hideaway” several months ago and have been keeping it a
secret so as not to get it overrun with tourists. It is a small 12 room hotel, literally
perched on the edge of the ocean. If you
didn’t value your life, you could almost jump into the ocean from our
balcony. Since we haven’t had a lot of free
time, it was a wonderful retreat. The
time we spent together helped endear us to the Herway’s forever. They complete their mission at the end of
July and that will be a tearful goodbye.
Cynthia received a call on Thursday from a very concerned
daughter that works in the Church’s medical department. Her parents had been on a Greek cruise and
her mother fell and broke her back at the end of the cruise. Cynthia listened to her questions and
concerns and then made a few suggestions regarding her mother’s medical care
and then asked if she could contact her parents. She of course was grateful for the offer and
said YES! Cynthia contacted her father
and had a heartfelt conversation with him and then asked if he would like for
Fred and Brother Fenn to come by the hotel and offer a prayer of healing for
his wife, to which he said yes, but added that he would like one too. So, on Friday night the four of us, the
Fenn’s and the Knies’ went to the hotel and ministered to this precious Brother
and Sister. The Brother stated that when they were in the hospital waiting for
care, he felt so helpless and alone, perhaps more so than ever before in his
life. As we prayed together the comfort
and presence of the Savior was felt by all and confirmed to this good Brother
and Sister that they were not alone and indeed very much under the watchful
care of the Master Physician. When we
entered their hotel room we felt the love of the Savior, as we departed we felt
it even more.
Speaking of the Fenn’s, they have been here in Italy for 6
years working on the Temple. They too go
home in July. We have been to dinner
with them several times and developed a sincere love for them. Another very tearful goodbye awaits. YIKES, July could be a tough month!
On Sunday, May 15th,
the Day of Pentecost, the Knies’ along with the Balzotti’s, the Paulesn’s and
the Paulsen’s sister and brother-in-law, went to the Pantheon for a church
celebration of the Pentecost. The
service began at 10:00 and Cynthia was told that we needed to be there in line
at 8:00 as they would only allow 850 people to enter. So, we all met there and patiently waited outside
for over an hour until they opened the Pantheon. Once inside we continued to less patiently
wait. Cynthia performed “her magic” and
got us all seats almost front and center.
Actually, the Balzotti’s were seated in front of us and as the service
began they were asked to vacate their seats to make room for the clergy. Though they had to give up their seats, they
still were positioned well to see everything.
At the end of the service 5 men at the top of the Pantheon dropped
thousands and thousands of rose petals from the hole in center of its
roof. It was thrilling to be there.
Because I am so far behind and I have had this ready for over two weeks, I am going to quickly publish this and start on our next blog which will include Kathryn, Manly, Jaxson, Harrison and Madilyn's visit as well as my brother Bill and Elaine's visit.
Remember and never forget, have a wonderful day in the neighborhood because its a wonderful life! We love you so very much. Till next time...Ciao
Love,
Anziano and Sorella Knies
Waiting outside of the Pantheon to get into the service for the Day of Pentecost celebration.
Our group of eight!
A really cool picture I took inside the Pantheon.
Same picture, different filter.
The rose petals falling.
Thousands and thousands of rose petals.
We made it!
The Herway's and the Knies'
Our balcony overlook.
In front of this wonderful B&B
View of the city from a distance.
