La Puglia never disappoints!

Bari is our special place. I finished my mission there; Cliff served 7 months in Bari, way before I began my mission. The Valentini family was our common link, and they are the reason we have had a beautiful life together, for 35+ years! Our daughter Lucia is even named after Lucia Valentini (green top next to me). Francesca and Rhett's son is named Avi Gustavo, in honor of Gustavo Valentini. After my mission, Lucia and her brother Ettore came to visit me and invited Cliff to a welcome barbecue for them, at my grandmother's home. So, he literally knocked on my door, and it literally was love at first sight! Ettore's daughter Valeria was an exchange student and lived with us for a year. The link runs deep! Not only do we love and cherish every member of the extended Valentini family, but we are also still so very close to the members in both wards.

Bari is famous for their panzarotti, and they did not disappoint! Our Lucia was in heaven!

Speaking of Lucia, I absolutely love Lucia Virgillio (polkadot dress) - and my heart leaps with joy every time I see Grazia Casa di Bari (in pink). I was her missionary!

I love the Belluomo family! He was the Branch President when I served, and we did so much missionary work together! Grazia Casa di Bari was their neighbor. It is so fun to see them when we visit Bari.

I walked into the nursery and saw Naomi Zapata, who was one of my young women when we lived in Rome in 2009/2010. Since then, she grew up, served a mission, has 2 kids and lives in Bari! I just love her!

Gabriella was so happy to love on Molly! She will be such a wonderful nonna one day!

We loved that Patrick felt at home enough to take a nap at Anna's house after Church!

Two of our dearest missionaries, Sorella Demmerly and Gillins had served in our area (on either side of me). It ended up as one of those tender mercy/divine signature moments that we were in Bari that Sunday. Both of our beautiful sisters had needs we were able to fulfill. God is good that way. It makes me think of my mission scripture when I served my young mission. D&C 84:88 - "And whoso receiveth you, there I will be also, for I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up." Sometimes heavenly angels we can't see bear us up; sometimes it is angels on earth. You never want to pass up an opportunity to be someone's angel on earth. On a fun note, Sorella Gillins' companion (end opposite of Cliff) is now serving here in Castellamare!

Bari is also known for it's focaccia. We literally think about it and miss it!

We were fulfilled.

And of course, the gelato is heavenly.

And Bari Vecchia is so charming and quaint. Lu and Pat took a stroll while we sat and did the "dolce far'niente." (The sweetness of doing nothing.)

Next stop - Locorotondo, a little town of trulli outside of Alberbello. And yes, we stayed in a trullo! It was also one of those fun bucket list items.

The trullo met any expectation!

Our next stop was the beach were Lucia learned to swim when she was 4. It is just outside of Monopoli. This was top on her list to show her family.

Yes, senior missionaries are allowed to swim. We can do anything that any temple worthy member can do.

Our little Lulu was SO HAPPY about this day!

After the beach, we stopped in this little town, Martina Franca, because Lucia has a friend who said we couldn't miss it.

They were having a festival, and the streets were all decorated, a band was playing, and they were getting ready for a concert in the main square (piazza).

Of course, we had panzarotti for dinner!

We hadn't expected this, and Lu and the kids were still dressed for swimming, so it was a bit embarrassing, so we didn't stay for too long - but we had to take a peak!

We loved our night in the trullo, and our fun little breakfast.

By the way, this is my new modern muumuu I bought in Sicily. Lu wishes she would have bought one!

Staying in a trullo is now crossed off the list!

We highly recommend the experience!

As we were heading out, we had to stop and get gelato and see a few more sites.

When we are out and about, we love to stop in every cathedral that is part of the 2025 Jubilee year pilgrimage of hope - since we are on our own missionary pilgrimage, so to speak.

We were driving out of town and were so touched by this outdoor art display. This is what the world needs, hearts and hands linked together in peace. It makes me think of one of our favorite scriptures in the Book of Mormon - Mosiah 18:21 "And he commanded them that there should be no contention one with another, but that they should look forward with one eye, having one faith and one baptism, having their hearts knit together in unity and in love one towards another." Mosiah chapter 18 is one of Cliff's favorite chapters. https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/mosiah/18?lang=eng

We testify that Jesus Christ is our greatest source of peace. Because of His great atoning sacrifice, we can repent of our sins and one day be resurrected and have the opportunity to live with him. He is the reason we are serving a mission. Teaching His Gospel message of "good news" is worth the sacrifice of being away from our family for a season.

We love Him and we love you!

La Coppia Montagnoli

Martha and Cliff