The end of the sweetest chapter!

We LOVED having the Pollocks visit us! Having memories with our family in our apartment is very happy. We got extra special "nonni" time, while Lucia and Patrick took a little "love trip" before they all headed home.

We took the kids to the Naples zoo, which is actually in Pozzuoli, right next to Edenlandia - where we had a GANS activity.

It was super hot, so not many people were at the zoo.

The landscaping was gorgeous, especially the bougainvillea!

We all loved the white tiger. It was almost eerie as he came up so close to the window.

Next we took the kids with us to Rome for a GANS temple visit.

Anytime any child goes in the room with the Christus, they run toward Jesus. It reminds me of this scripture in the New Testament. "And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me." Matthew 18:2-5.

Going to the temple in Rome, seeing the Christus - never gets old. We are always in reverent awe of Him - our Savior and Redeemer Jesus Christ.

This was a jackpot whirlwind trip! We saw our beloved Mission President (from our young missions). Cliff started his mission in the MTC (June 1986) with President Vincenzo and Sorella Carolina Conforte. I served under their direction in 1988 and 1989. That's alot of years of love for this good man and Patriarch. He and his dear wife - and their extended family have played a very pivotal role in the Montagnoli family.

Cliff and I took turns in the temple with our GANS. Luke and Molly were right at home in the Visitor's Center.

I loved seeing beautiful Greta from Salerno. She was part of the video from the Salerno members to Miranda Preston, who was in the terrible Amalfi Coast vespa crash and was life-lighted to a hospital in Salerno.

I love this photo with Rebecca and Anna with Molly. They love Molly and Luke so much, and that truly fills my heart!

Cliff had a fantastic experience with Rebecca, Kekko, Anna and Rosa at the temple, then later in the evening with our dear friends Marco and Giorgia. You can just see their light and goodness!

We also got to see our beloved Alexandra from Rome! She was one of my young women when we lived in Rome. She was so instrumental in Francesca and Lucia's experience living in Rome. We love her and her husband Michele so much; in fact, I came out to Rome and did her wedding. That's an incredible story for another post.

Our sweet Anna will one day be the best mother; she is so good with kids!

One of our very favorite parts of our mission is going with our GANS (YSAs) to the Rome Temple. Our prophet, President Russell M Nelson has said,"I promise you that the Lord will bring the miracles He knows you need as you make sacrifices to serve and worship in His temples." He has also promised that, “Increased time in the temple will bless your life in ways nothing else can”. "The temple will become a place of safety, solace, and revelation." We have seen the fulfillment of these promises - in our own lives, and in the lives of others.

As we headed back home to Pompei, it was hard to think about the kids leaving.

We took advantage of all of the last moments. Luke loves to print and color his favorite images - and thus we have Pokémons as decor in our apartment.

We love the memories of the kids in our home. It kind of feels "right" and makes our apartment more a home. Lu and Pat had an incredible trip to the Netherlands and Belgium.

On their last day, we cherished time together, ate graffe and stoped by Mago del Gelo for a final gelato in Castellamare.

We got our last hugs and kisses.

And we may have shed a few tears.

All good things come to an end, and the sun finally set on our time with the Pollocks. I love this quote, “Children will not remember you for the material things you provided, but for the feeling that you cherished them.” —Richard L. Evans.

We are so grateful for the TIME had with Lucia, Patrick, Luke and Molly and will forever treasure all the wonderful memories of their magical visit.

All our love, forever -

La Coppia Montagnoli

Martha and Cliff