The Mullins made it to Italy!

It took a lot of courage on the part of Francesca and Rhett to cross the ocean with their littles, but they did it! We were able to spend almost two weeks with them and our beautiful grandchildren Avi (6), Kailani, and Leticia (twin girls). Traveling to the grocery store is a feat of bravery for a young family with almost three-year-old twins. These two beauties are a hand full in their own home, where they are in familiar surroundings. Traveling internationally to the other side of the world is next level heroism. In our eyes our kids are heroes anyway; but this just proved it even more. Lucia has done it two times. Words can't express our gratitude for the sacrifice of time, energy and patience it costs for them to come visit us.

We had butterflies waiting for their plane to arrive. The looks on the girls faces says it all. They were troopers and got happy pretty quickly after the first minutes in the airport

Welcome to casa Montagnoli in Pompei Italy!

Gulf of Napoli w/ Sorrentine Peninsula in the background - First time the littles had seen the ocean.

Castellamare is a beautiful seaside town near where we live. It has a wonderful boardwalk, beach, great food, GELATO, and a wonderful place to take a walk and play with children.

They loved it!

And we were SO HAPPY to have them with us!

The beach was a hit with the kids. Good look at Mt. Vesuvius in the background.

Watching them run into the sea for the first time was magical!

We had missed them all so much, and our hearts were so happy to see each one of them!

We thought we'd start out big and show them something magnificent! We headed down to Salerno, then drove out to the ancient Greek town of Poseidon. Rhett is a history buff, and we knew he would love it! And we were so excited to show them the beautiful beaches nearby.

HISTORY: Paestum's history began around 600 BC as the Greek colony of Poseidonia, a significant port on the Tyrrhenian Sea and cultural hub in Magna Graecia. It later fell to the Lucanians and then the Romans in 273 BC, who renamed it Paestum. The ruins of Paestum are famous for their three ancient Greek temples dating from about 550 to 450 BC. After declining due to malaria and swamping in the early Middle Ages, the city was abandoned. It was rediscovered in the 18th century and is now a USESCO World Heritage site famed for its exceptionally preserved Doric temples. That's 2500 years ish ago! These temples are on par with ones we have seen in Greece. It's one of those hidden treasures not yet discovered by all of the tourists! The temples are so well preserved, and you can walk all around them.

Avi was most excited about finding bugs and catching lizards. Yes, he is a 6 year old boy - and the best one ever!

The picture tells it all; pure joy being together again!

The twins had really grown up since last September and had so much to say! Avi had gotten taller and was like this wise little man, know knows SO MUCH - thanks in part to parenting, Church and school, but for the most part, his vast knowledge comes from Wild Kratts! We were so happy the special bond we have together was still there.

Lettie and Lani were a crack up. They are the first twins in the family, and they are not identical in any way!

Our first day together couldn't have been better!

We were amazed at how well they all did with the jet lag.

After the heat of the Greek temples it was time for a little beach fun! The kids all had a blast.

We had a blast watching them all be so happy!

I love the quote, "Absence sharpens love, presence strengthens it." from William Shakespeare

Author Virginia Woolfe once wrote, "In case you ever foolishly forget: I am never not thinking of you." That's how we feel about our family - as we are serving our mission here in Italy.

The kids had all just finished swimming lessons. Good thing - because the twins were fearless in the sea!

Rhett has so many huge responsibilities with his work, and it was so nice to see him so relaxed and having fun with his family.

The twins melted us in their cute sunflower swimming suits!

This beautiful couple needed some good R&R, and we were so happy to facilitate their much needed vacation. Rhett powered through his PhD program in Idaho, his residency in Ohio, then jumped into a very meaningful, but demanding job. Our kids hadn't had had time relax and play for a long time.

As you can see, Italy brings a smile to the face. Over and over again, Francesca kept thanking us for bringing her back "home." Just as a refresher, we lived in Rome as a family when she was 16/17, then she served her mission in Milano. Italy is in her soul!

We went back and forth, but in the end, she choose to drive in crazy Southern Italy in a rental car with Rhett, and the kids rode with us.

Everyone needed TIME together.

As jr. missionaries neither of us suffered much, if any, homesickness. It has really surprised us how emotionally hard it has been to be away from our family. In the past, even with the distance of multiple states, jobs etc. separating us, we were together often. We are absolutely crazy about all of them, but we know we are fulfilling both a lifetime dream as well as a call from our Heavenly Father. We are serving with all our hearts, might, minds and strength to assist in the gathering of Israel. Matt 19: 29 "And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life." We know we are are on the Lord's errand and are doing the best we can to bless the YSAs, young missionaries, and all those who will hear our voices and receive our love. We believe missionary service yields generational blessings.

We love you,

Anziano e Sorella Montagnoli

Cliff & Martha

(written by Cliff)