Miracle choir & Ylenia’s return!

When we were asked by our Stake President Daniele Poli to organize and prepare a GANS (YSA) choir from Napoli, Pozzuoli, Caserta, Salerno, and Castellamare for Stake Conference, we felt very under qualified. Neither of us had ever been in a choir, much less organized one. When we presented the invitation to our GANS to sing for this special occasion, they actually laughed at the very idea, because they too were not musical. The response from a few was, "You'll have to tell President Poli no, because we don't sing." For those musically inclined, you may find our initial overwhelming feelings a bit dramatic, but for us they were very real. Knowing our inadequacies, in humility, our response to the GANS was, "If President Poli felt inspired to ask this of us, then we will do it." With faith and courage the Campania GANS set out to become a choir.

The experience ranks as a mission highlight and stirs beautiful emotions just recalling our feelings about our GANS choir and their valiant efforts! Last Sunday, 46 GANS and missionaries sang like angels and touched the hearts of the Rome West Stake. President and Sorella Walker even came to sing with us. These valiant young adults from 5 different cities in Campania came together in unity to sing their testimonies. They had not yet sung all together until the day of the Conference, and watching these small groups swell into a sizable ensemble was impressive beyond words. Oh how we love each of them!

The spirit was so powerful and deeply affected each of us, as we bore testimony of our Savior Jesus Christ in the words of the hymn, "I Know that my Redeemer Lives!" Members of our stake in Campania gathered in the Grand Hotel Vanvitelli in Caserta; others were in Rome and Sardegna, participating through video technology. Matched by the promise of grace, our choir was indeed successful, as they brought their best, looked their best, and tried their best! We were also blessed by Sorella Fairbanks, a professional violinist, our dear friend Melanie, who is a pianist, and the lovely Rebecca, who directed us.

The Lord made up any difference. Perhaps the greatest gifts were not in the touching and memorable performance at Stake Conference, but more so in the life lessons of obedience, unity, and trust in God. The words of that hymn will forever run through our minds and be tied to our testimonies.

Thinking back on this assignment, it reminds us of others who received a big ask from a divinely appointed source: Fisherman to become apostles. Nephi to build a ship. Noah to build an ark. Uneducated Joseph Smith to translate ancient records. In each of these occasions, these obedient servants of the Lord found the courage to rise up and do the will of God. They were stretched, yet supported and instructed. As they exercised their faith, they were taught from on high and were able to fulfill their assignment with confidence. Cliff's life motto, which sums up this experience, is found in 1 Nephi 3:7: "And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto my father: I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them." The Lord prepared a way for our little choir, and we are so humbly grateful! The joy of the event lasted all throughout the day and will remain with us forever.

We were so happy that Anna's mother Rita came to hear her speak and sing in the choir.

Both Marco and Anna spoke, and we couldn't have been more proud of them! Our beautiful Lydia from Castellamare also gave a talk, and she was incredible too! We loved the great focus Stake Conference placed on our GANS - the "Rising Generation."

These amazing young adults took trains and walked long distances to practice.

They rose up and answered the call to sing.

We were all out of our comfort zone - but this stretching really brought forth fruits. I used to say all the time to our MTC missionaries, "There's no growth in the comfort zone and no comfort in the growth zone." Good life lessons came through this experience!

The morning of the Conference my beautiful bouganvillea had new blooms. I knew it was going to be a good day!

This is the sweetest pic, taken after one of our choir practices in Caserta. We had just learned that Alessio is moving to Perugia to help his aging parents. Michele came up and gave him a hug and told him it had been so nice to know him.

We loved watch the Saturday session of Stake Conference in Caserta all together. President and Sorella Walker spoke and gave phenomenal talks. Sorella Walker is learning Italian, and she really did so well!

Afterward we ate pizza and enjoyed being together.

We were sad our Caserta GANS - Emanuela, Elena, and Oscar weren't able to join us for the choir practice and pizza. But we loved being with them the Sunday prior at Church.

A few days later we finally got to meet the infamous Ylenia! We met the kindest florist on the way to the airport.

Ylenia is Roberta's sister and finished her mission in Lyon France.The anticipation to welcome home a returned missionary (or as we now say, an onward missionary) is so tender and sweet.

We loved that so many of our wonderful GANS joined in to greet her!

They all made signs and were so adorable.

I love Roberta's smile in this photo!

These are two of the finest men we know - Peter and Pasquale.

Ylenia's parents are salt of the earth, stalwart members, and we just love their whole family!

What a joyous day!

We met at the church afterward to enjoy a meal together! Pizza Napoletana is always the happy meal of choice.

We LOVE these beautiful GANS (YSAs)! Luisa, Roberta, Ylenia, Paola, and Isamar.

This was the only day - of all the many many days we are at the Church in Napoli, that we weren't in a hurry. The kitchen (especially the fridge) needed some serious love. It was a good time to do some service.

Roberta and Ylenia helped us, and we "Martha cleaned" the fridge. Part 2 will happen on Saturday.

That evening, our GANS joined the missionaries to teach some lessons. We love their enthusiasm for sharing the joy they have found living the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

As we were driving thru Napoli, for your viewing enjoyment, we tried to capture the chaos of combat driving in a photo.

When a loved one passes away, they post signs in the neighborhood.

Since we still were not in a hurry, we drove up to take a look at this fortress we always see on the top of the hill, while driving into Napoli.

We decided to wait and visit Castel Sant'Elmo when our next visitors come.

We really loved the picturesque drive up to this castle, so we snapped a picture of the road up hill. We love the parallel to the beautiful roads we navigate in life. We have almost been a year on our "mission road." It has been a meaningful journey of peaks and valleys, triumphs and struggles, joys and discouragement - and always so much love.

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf perfectly sums up our feelings. "Yes, the road [of this life] has bumps and detours and even some hazards. But don't focus on them. Walk confidently and joyfully. Focus on [and] look for the happiness your Father in Heaven has prepared for you in every step of your journey. Happiness is the destination, but it's also the path." ... "You are not alone on this journey. Your Heavenly Father knows you. Even when no one else hears you, He hears you. When you rejoice in righteousness, He rejoices with you. When you are beset with trial, He grieves with you. Heavenly Father’s interest in you does not depend on how rich or beautiful or healthy or smart you are. He sees you not as the world sees you; He sees who you really are. He looks on your heart. And He loves you because you are His child.

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2013/04/your-wonderful-journey-home?lang=eng

We invite you to read/listen to his talk, "Your wonderful journey home," look for this happiness and count your blessings! Doing so fills our hearts with so much gratitude.

With love always,

Sorella and Anziano Montagnoli

Martha and Cliff