Zone Conference and Other Adventures

Zone Conference – Thursday, October 22, 2009

We admire the elders and sisters we have the privilege to serve. There are many things that are uniquely challenging to serving in a mission; hence there are many ways to become discouraged. Zone Conference is a shot in the arm for our missionaries, an opportunity to be taught, inspired and encouraged to do the work. Zone Conferences were held throughout this past week in four different locations – Naples, Florence, Rome and Sardegna (the island). We greatly admire our mission president and his wife who spend so much time traveling to preside at each.

We assist the Sommerfeldts in preparing lunch for the Rome Zone Conference. Other than that we get to learn and be taught by Zone and District leaders and by President and Sister Acerson.

A highlight is hearing the missionaries share faith promoting experiences and to hear the soon to be released missionaries bear their testimonies. Elder Jackson bore a powerful testimony. He said, “You think you have painful days in the mission… but the most painful day will come when you have to take of this name tag for good, when you can no longer put on the name of Jesus Christ as an official representative of Him. The movies and music and the stuff of the world that you think you miss – it is not going anywhere – it will all be there when you get home and you will wish you could have your time back in the mission. Stop wasting time! Go out and work.”
Other great quotes from Zone Conference – “Whatever your problem is – get over it! Put your whole self into the work.” “Discouragement, doubt, fear is like a rocking chair, it gives you something to do but it doesn’t get you anywhere."

And this from Elder Oaks’ visit to Rome (before we arrived) – “The Lord has put into our hands the most important work of the world.” We feel so blessed to be immersed in this work.

Special Musical Number ~ Where Can I Turn for Peace

Saturday’s Adventure – October 24, 2009

Since reading The Agony and The Ecstasy (the biographical novel about Michelangelo – quite inspiring) we are trying to see everything Michelangelo has carved, painted or designed during our time in Italy – gratefully, Rome has much of his works. We bought tickets to Michelangelo – Architect to Rome hosted at the Capitoline Museum. We saw original prints, drawings, and part of the surviving wooden model for the dome of St. Peter’s. It was all quite amazing.
The Capitoline Museum claims to be the world’s oldest, founded in 1471 and it has tons of OLD stuff. Here’s a sample.

Beginning our adventure by walking up the Cordonota (stairs) designed by Michaelangelo. It has a form almost similar to a flight of steps, but allows the transit of horses and donkeys saving countless hours of manual labor in hauling needed materials to the top. Brilliant!

Massive chunks of Constantine's hand and foot. When intact, this giant held the place of honor in the Basilica of Constantine in the Forum of Ancient Rome.

Ancient Chariot ~ wooden wheels

Dying Gaul ~ A first-century B.C. copy of a Greek original, this was sculpted to celebrate the Greeks' victory over the Galatians.

The original Spinario sculpture (many copies throughout the world).

Dates back between 5th and 4th century B.C. !!!

Pope somebody

Look at the detail in this marble tassel!

Look at the detail in this marble lace!

River God in Palazzo Nuovo courtyard

A view from the top of the Museum ~ some of the many domes of Rome.

St.Peter's is the furthest away in the middle.

Ancient Rome ~ another view from the top ~ amazing!