Off to Frankfurt for YSA training!

After a busy week, we hopped on a plane to Frankfurt. All of the YSA couples in Central Europe (88 of us) were brought together for a magnificent training!

I won't lie - I was most excited to go to Germany to eat a pretzel!

The funniest thing happened when we landed. Our luggage, and luggage of a few others did not come off the belt. Luckily, Cliff put airtags in our suitcases. He was able to tell the airport staff the location of our bags, which kept changing - from terminal to terminal. The airtags saved the day, especially for an Italian couple who was so distraught over the whole ordeal, which took a couple of hours. They didn't speak German or English and were so upset. Cliff calmed them and helped them. I was able to meet and share the gospel with two German young adults whose bags were also lost. We ended up becoming fast friends and all had a little celebration when they finally found and delivered us our bags!

These are some of the finest people you'll ever meet! We were in the MTC with the Spackmans, who are serving in France. The Petersens are over all the YSA couples in Central Europe, and they are modern day superheroes! They are so skilled, are excellent communicators and leaders, they have vast Church and professional experience, and they are true visionaries! They are innovating processes, creating efficient procedures, providing solutions, getting everyone on the same page, and are igniting the Lord's work in Europe! They were so inspired as they put together this uplifting, inspiring, and informative conference, which was a game changer for everyone!

As I walked in and saw this, I couldn't help but feel the Lord's personal love for me.

We hope those reading our blog feel the depth the Lord has for all of us.

We felt the power behind President Nelson's words, “These surely are the latter days, and the Lord is hastening His work to gather Israel.That gathering is the most important thing taking place on earth today. Nothing else compares in magnitude, nothing else compares in importance, nothing else compares in majesty.”

Something so powerfully tangible was felt down to our souls as we worshipped in the Frankfurt temple together! God loves the "rising generation" and has called this beautiful group of missionaries to love, mentor and support them!

Church leaders came from around the globe to train us.

We were trained about the latest resources available in Family Search/Temple work, Welfare/Self-Reliance, BYU Pathways/English Connect, and Seminaries and Institutes.

Leaders in their fields taught us on how we can teach our YSAs leadership principles that will bless them in their lives and as future leaders.

We left with tools and an understanding of how to build strong YSA programs in our areas.

We were humbled to be asked to present a little training on how to put together an area book.

The combined years of professional, educational, life, and Church service experience of the servants of the Lord in this group picture equals power and purpose. As we got to know these beautiful senior missionaries, our hearts were so touched. Everyone comes to the table with hearts wide open - to give, love, and serve far from home. Many are learning a foreign language (we were fortunate to both already speak fluent Italian.) All have left children and grandchildren, hobbies and careers. We pay our own expenses. Why do we do it? Love for the Lord and his children. "Here all that the Father hath can be given unto you. But not without cost." Elder Boyd K. Packer "For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required."(Luke 12:48.)

These are all of the YSA senior couples serving in Italy (except one, the Lowes).

Oh how we love the Petersens! They are one power couple - who have made ALL THE DIFFERENCE in us knowing what to do and how to do it. We will forever be grateful for their love, support, leadership, efforts, trainings, and sacrifice in our behalf.

As we flew home, gazing out upon the clouds, contemplating the wonders of heaven, we felt a great sense of peace and purpose - knowing we were doing the right thing, at the right time, doing the will of the Lord.

It was not a coincidence that right after we got home, we were invited to President D'Andolfo's home. He is the new Stake Presidency counselor assigned to oversee the GANS (YSAs) in our very, very large stake - which covers a few wards (church units) in and outside of Rome (2-4 hours away), Campania (the area where we live) and the island of Sardegna (a very long boat ride or flight away). He and his wife Stefania are our dearest friends. Their daughter Josy is one of our GANS, and we are so excited to help with her wedding to Tayor in October! They have a GANS daughter (Zaire) about to return home from a mission.

They live in such a beautiful area about an hour south of Salerno, which is the end of the Amalfi Coast. We had the most delicious meal and lovely afternoon/evening with the D'Andolfo's (and Stefania's mother) - as we talked for hours about our GANS program and passed on information/training we had received from the Europe Area.

We are so grateful for President D'Andolfo's kindness, friendship and leadership. He is helping us accomplish our missionary purpose, under his priesthood keys and direction.

It's an amazing time to be serving a mission!

All our love forever,

La Coppia Montagnoli

Martha and Cliff