Alessio's baptism, faith, fun and feasts!

What a beautiful, eventful week with our GANS, our missionaries, and our ward member friends! Let's first talk about Alessio's baptism; it was such a mission highlight! He is truly a fantastic addition to our GANS program in Napoli. Everyone loves him and is so happy he is part of our ward family!

Speaking of family, we had such a fabulous in-person district meeting, followed by lunch together. The Napoli district/family includes missionaries from: Napoli, Castellamare, and Salerno. We love teaming with the Castellanos to provide meals and treats, not only to the missionaries, but also to our GANS. Even though their assignment is Family Search, they really are part-time GANS cheerleaders! We are so grateful for their help and support!

By the time we got home, since the sisters were coming over for dinner anyway, and it was close to dinnertime - they just worked at our house while we prepared food. Sorella Barcellos and Sorella Köcher are marvelous missionaries! They work so hard and are so in sync! It's always a blessing to be with them.

Our most wonderful upstairs neighbors, Monica and Irineau (Brazilian) had invited us and the sister missionaries for dinner. We had been wanting to do the same to welcome them home (they have been traveling much of the time we've been here), so we decided to combine our efforts. We enjoyed delicious food and a most wonderful visit together. These are some of the finest people you will ever meet!

It's nice to have them home!

It was apartment inspection week, and we challenged everyone to impress us! Those who had the cleanest apartment and sent us a video, won gelato. We were so proud of Anziano Gill and Anziano Garff in Pozzuoli. They did a top notch cleaning job!

I'm not sure if I've mentioned, but the water here makes your hair fall out! Sorella Castellano and I have been pretty desperate to stop the madness. We now have special shampoos and conditioners, a special spray, and as of late a special shower head that filters whatever it is that causes hair loss. We decided we each needed a good hair cut.

We asked Kekko's nonna, Maria, where she got her hair cut. She was so sweet; we met her by the salon, and she waited with us for at least an hour and a half (standing outside in the heat) until her friend could fit us in. Usually, he's not busy, but because it was August, and everyone goes on vacation, this was his last day working until the end of the month. We had such a delightful time visiting together! She told us wonderful stories, we got to know her better, and we also got to meet some members of her family.

Can I just say how much we LOVE these wonderful GANS! We were so thrilled that Samantha (works for the Navy as a civilian, from South Carolina) was back with us for a few weeks! We also had two new friends join in on Institute! We are always so happy when Rebecca's boyfriend Luca comes, as well as Dulanka - and of course, Justin, whose baptism date is August 20th. Our regulars (Angy, Rebecca, Alexandra, Anna, Martina, Roberta, Paola, Luisa, Isamar, Michele and now Justin and Alessio) fill our hearts with so much love and joy.

We see the light of Christ in them, and we know they are destined to do great things in their lives!

Angy and Anna are so funny. They say they don't want their pictures taken, but I secretly think they are as happy as we are to have our time together documented.

They LOVE karaoke after Institute - or actually, at any time!

Going back to Alessio's baptism... we couldn't have been more pleased with the way our missionaries have taught him and the way our GANS and the members have loved and supported him. That's what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself." - Matthew 22:37-39

So many wonderful ward members and GANS attended. We felt such a beautiful spirit of unity. It feels so good to increase your faith and spiritual commitment. Doing so has always given us such peace as a couple and as parents. Baptism is truly a renewal, and we could see the change and great light and confidence in Alessio. D&C 88:63 states, "Draw near unto me and I will draw near unto you; seek me diligently and ye shall find me; ask, and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you." We know this to be true and have proved this miracle formula over and over in our lives.

We continue to be blessed as missionaries. We loved the bonding time this week; enjoying meals together was definitely a theme. I've always felt something magical happens around the table. If you know the Montagnolis, you expect to be asked questions while you're eating, like - "What was your favorite part of the day? What touched your heart in Church?" I love the biblical symbolism of this form of connection. Eating together is a tangible expression of service, love, and unity. In a Church setting it brings about true fellowship and offers each person a sense of community.

We always tell our precious GANS that they are our WHY? It is our constant prayer that they each feel loved, strengthened, and important - to us, to each other, to their Church community, and to divinity.

We hope they know they will be in our hearts forever!

With all our love,

Sorella & Anziano Montagnoli

Martha and Cliff