Celebrating w/family & our GANS!

We had a beautiful week in May, full of meaningful experiences, discovery of beautiful and historic places, and so much fun with my sister Becky and some of her family, and our amazing GANS group!

We loved introducing senior missionary life to our family!

Becky, Shane, Katie, Lottie and Emma fell in love with the charm of Napoli, and everyone in Napoli fell in love with our little blond haired blue eyed angel Lottie!

This has happened a few times now...Cliff has a tender heart for the elderly, and he walked this sweet woman down the hill so she could attend mass safely :).

Napoli is one of a kind. The city has it's own flavor, charm and culture.

(AI history overview) Artisans have been making nativities (presepi) in Naples for at least 900 years, with documented evidence from a 1025 church mentioning a nativity scene. While the tradition dates back to the Middle Ages, it significantly evolved in the 15th century with wood-sculpture artists and truly flourished in the 18th century, when artisans began incorporating elements of daily Neapolitan life into the sacred scenes, creating the unique blend of the divine and the everyday.

Castel Nuovo, originally built between 1279 and 1282, is a must see Medieval Renaissance fortress located next to the port of Naples. We are always in a hurry, trying see lots of things quickly, so we usually pull over, and the drivers wait in the car while the castle lovers run take a peak!

We don't really live in a town; we are on the edge of three: Pompei, Castellamare, and Torre Annunziata. Our balcony view is a fish market, and we have no complaints - because we absolutely love our little apartment. We do love going down to Castellamare (Castle by the sea) to walk along lungo mare. It was fun to show that to the Hintze clan!

Just down the street from us is the "Maradonna della Pizza." I've talked about him before. He is 67 and dresses up like the famous, beloved soccer player from Napoli. He loved meeting our family.

At the end of lungo mare, before you get to the port in Castellamare, you see all these big, beautiful yachts!

This waterfront is closest to our apartment. It's actually in Torre Annunziata.

The playground in Castellamare along the boardwalk is so happy and filled with local children. Placed along the way is exercise equipment, to help you work off the gelato, pane (bread), pasta, pasticcini (pastries), pizza and graffe (fresh donuts).

Castellamare is known for "graffe" - big fresh donuts they fry on the spot, then fill with your choice of yummy!

This picture is forever etched in our minds and is a place we will surely miss!

Thanks to the Castellanos, we know what places to take our visitors. Paestum is another must see!

(AI history overview) Paestum began as the Greek colony of Poseidonia around 600 BC, named for the sea god Poseidon. After being conquered by the Lucanians, it was Romanized and renamed Paestum in 273 BC. The city thrived as a commercial and cultural center until its importance declined in the early Middle Ages due to malaria and swamping. Abandoned for centuries, it was rediscovered in the 18th century and is now known for its remarkably preserved Greek temples and Roman ruins, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

(AI history overview) The sea played a vital role in Paestum's history, as the city (originally Poseidonia) was a significant port in Magna Graecia, founded by Greeks around 600 BC to honor the god of the sea, Poseidon. It flourished as a commercial and cultural center, benefiting from its location on the Tyrrhenian Sea. However, the sea's influence eventually led to its decline; river silting created swamps and malaria, eventually causing the city's abandonment after a Muslim raid in 871 AD.

Maiori is a little town at the end of the Amalfi Coast. Sometimes when we go to Church in Salerno, we drive home the long way and pass by this waterfront area. It's never crowded, has benches, and is so peaceful and charming. We love the views!

We brought the Hintzes to our favorite picnic spot, which was just perfect - because as we were enjoying the sunset, Mike and Micah called to tell us they were officially engaged!

(AI history overview) Maiori has ancient Etruscan and Roman roots, originally named Reghinna Maior, and served as a vital port and center for the Amalfi Republic with shipyards and customs offices. It was a wealthy mercantile marine center until it was sacked by the Pisani in 1268. After the fall of the Amalfi Republic, it saw an economic recovery and was appointed a royal city by Philip IV in 1662. Today, it's known for having the longest beach on the Amalfi Coast

Can I just say, I love this good man! Every day (and sometimes several times a day) he says to me, "Have I told you yet today how much I love you?"

Italians love soccer; but, Italians in the metropolitan area of Napoli are CRAZY about soccer! Napoli won the national soccer championship (equivalent to winning the super bowl) - and this area erupted in celebration!

On the drive home, this is what we saw!

We drove into Castellamare to take a peak at their celebration, and I got out and took some photos. The energy was electric; everyone, from babies to grandparents were out late at night sharing their zest, zeal, and excitement over this big win!

The next morning Cliff had to go fix a clogged shower in the Napoli elder's apartment. The pastry shops had cornetti in the colors of the Italian flag. This car was obviously modified for the big soccer celebration, but then left abandoned in the street.

We were absolutely thrilled to introduce some of our family to our amazing GANS! Our committee had planned this Saturday activity - bowling, then a few rides at the amusement park next door, Edenlandia. Rosa was in charge; she had worked there in high school, and all the workers were so happy to see her!

Our nieces Katie and Emma fit right in!

Everyone had such a great time!

It was a crack up; Emma and Katie were fan girling over Rosa and her fiancé Salvatore. They thought not only were they the most beautiful, in-love, perfect couple - but according to Emma, Salvatore was the quintessential, model, most attractive man she had ever seen.

We love each of these fantastic GANS so much! We were especially happy that Marco, Denis's brother came; we just love him!

Angie fit right in; she became instant friends with the Hintzes! They even look like family!

Everyone was so sweet; they pooled together all of their bowling tickets and helped Lottie pick out the perfect prize!

All you have to do is look in the faces of our treasured GANS, and you can see why we love them so much!

Leaders of the Church always talk about the "Rising Generation" - the young adults held in reserve to lead the Church and prepare a covenant people for the Second Coming.

They will be in our hearts forever!

Kekko, our stake GANS leader, has really stepped up in fulfilling his role.

Fun!

Fun!

Fun!

We went to dinner in touristy Pompei. Eating dinner in a restaurant takes a very long time, so we never do it, unless family is in town. Katie and Emma picked this place, because they loved this cute old man who was standing outside inviting people to eat at his restaurant. Lemons are huge here - literally!

The food was actually really yummy and beautiful!

We also asked around and finally found a good gelato place near our house. It only took 9 months, haha! We haven't spent much time in touristy Pompei; we really don't need to go over there. One of these days, we will go see the ruins, which are literally less than 10 minutes from our apartment.

We do really love this church, the Santuario. It's one of the jubilee pilgrimage of hope cathedrals.

We ran into one of our YSAs who works at this hotel!

Our highlight was meeting up with Mike and Micah and going to see the Rome temple!

I'll always treasure this precious moment, as my sister Becky was sharing her testimony of temple ordinances and eternal families with her children.

Classic. Driving through Rome never gets old. You can only do it on a Sunday, when the driving restrictions are lifted during certain hours.

We took a ferry from Sorrento to Amalfi. It was definitely less stressful than driving the Amalfi Coast!

We loved seeing the Coast from a different vantage point.

Sorrento is known as the lemon city. The fresh lemon sorbet is so good!

Our whirlwind week came to a close, and our last stop was the little island of Procida.

AI history summary. Procida's history spans from 16th-century BC Mycenaean settlements and Greek colonization in the 8th century BCE, through Roman use as a retreat, and into the medieval period, when villagers fortified themselves at Terra Murata against pirate raids. The island became an important naval center by the 18th century and later a part of the Kingdom of Italy, retaining its distinct culture and charm, culminating in its designation as the Italian Capital of Culture in 2022. 

We loved every minute of our brief time with Becky, Shane, Katie, Emma, Lottie, Mike and Micah. It felt like our days together were blessed by angels. Sharing this area we love and having them meet the people we serve meant the world to us! What a blessing our family is encouraged to visit us, to see and feel the significance of what we do as missionaries. We testify the Lord is hastening the work of salvation!

We close with the words of our dear Prophet, President Russell M. Nelson, "My brethren and sisters, I pledge to you that the most important thing happening on earth today is the gathering of Israel." "If you wish to know how to have more spiritual power, the answer is to do all you can to enlist in the Lord's battalion to help gather Israel." It is an honor to serve as representatives of the Savior Jesus Christ.

All our love, forever -

La Coppia Montagnoli

Martha and Cliff