Rome - Pasta, Pizza, Pictures and People and the Temple

So we are just in the airport, ready to leave Rome, Italy.  We have been here for the past 5-6 days, including one P Day.  This blog is entirely dedicated to our experience here.  When we arrived last Friday, the first site that we saw was the very best of all, the Rome Temple, which is still under construction.

Photo taken from a shopping mall nearby.

Outside work is stopped, while upgrades are going on inside.

As we visited with members of the Church over the past several days, many talked about this temple. It will be a blessing to the members of Italy.  After viewing the temple, we spent the afternoon with Ether Simoncini, our Self-Reliance Services manager, discussing the challenges and successes in Italy.  We have been in Italy before with Ether, but we have never run out of things to talk about.  He is creative and dedicated and doing all that he can to help the Self-Reliance initiative to succeed in Italy.  That evening we attended a Starting and Growing My Business self-reliance group, that was facilitated by Ether's wife.

Starting and Growing My Business self-reliance group

The next day we went with Elder and Sister Simoncini to the Naples area of Italy to spend the next two days.  Elder and Sister Simoncini are the parents of our SRS manager and a full-time Self-Reliance missionary couple.  Elder Simoncini speaks fair English, but our communication is certainly limited with them.  However we feel their wonderful spirit for this work and are inspired by their dedication.  They were both among the early members of the Church in Italy, being baptized over 50 years ago.

On the way down we passed Mount Vesuvius, the most active volcano in Europe.  It's most famous  eruption in 79 AD totally destroyed three nearby cities, which have all since been rebuilt.  Today this is the most densely populated volcano region in the world (per Wikipedia).  Since it was raining, the following photo only shows the base of the volcano as it disappears into the clouds.

While in Naples we gave some leadership training to one of the branch presidents.  The five wards/branches in the Naples area are part of the Rome West stake, which is based more than two hours away.  This training took place upon their request.

After finishing the training we drove to a nearby town, Castellammare di Stabia, which is in a beautiful setting on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea and on the side of a mountain.  We finally got our first meal since breakfast at Mamma Mias restaurant.  This photo is with Elder and Sister Simoncini at the restaurant. 

The following photo is taken across the street from the restaurant, showing the Mediteranean Sea at night.

After dinner we went to a hotel up the mountain, actually into a different city, the city of Gragnano.  This city claims to be the birthplace of Italian pasta.  In fact in the city, it was previously outlawed to have a building over 2 stories so that there would not be too many shadows which would disrupt the drying of pasta on the streets.  As we prepared for bed, we heard fireworks.  When I tried to look out the window, I found that we had a nice terrace outside of our room with an amazing view of the Mediterranean Sea and the city below.  Unfortunately, we were still experiencing cloudy and rainy conditions, but the following photos taken the net morning still show a little of the beauty.

Panoramic Photo from our terrace at the hotel, rainy morning, Mediterranean Sea in the background

With this beautiful setting, we went to our Sunday meetings in the local branch.  We had translation help from a young missionary.  I assumed that he was an American, but when I talked to him I found that he was from Northern Italy.  He spoke perfect English.  After the block meetings we had a branch lunch, which was served in Italian style, with four courses.   First the risotto, second the pasta, third the meat and finally the desert.  We were certainly well fed spiritually and temporally.

After the meeting and the meal, we proceeded to hold our My Path Devotional.  Elder and Sister Simoncini were masterful as they followed the booklet perfectly.  While one was facilitating, the other was helping the members.  It was a small group of about 12 members, but it went off very well.  At the end of the devotional, it was decided to hold one Starting and Growing My Business Group for the branch, primarily made up of the leadership of the Branch, including the branch president.

During the Devotional (Workshop)

Completing theSelf-Assessment

Forming the Group

On the two and a half hour ride back to Rome, we were able to review the successes and challenges of the weekend.  We often find that time in the car is some of the most productive time of our visits as it gives us time to talk about everything that needs discussion.

The next day we took a P Day and decided to visit the tourist sites of Rome.  Ether dropped us off at the train station, then we took a train for 40 minutes and transferred to the metro for another 15 minutes, finally arriving at the Colosseum to see this overwhelming site:

Needless to say, the Colosseum is amazing.  We spent some time in lines to buy tickets and get in, but it was worth it.  The following are just a few of the photos that we took in and around the Colosseum.

Just to prove that we were there

The sun came out all day for a day that was supposed to be rainy.  What a tender mercy!

Inside the Colosseum

The area that was under the floor of the Colosseum where the animals and prisoners were kept

Photos of the Roman Forum and other sites looking from the Colosseum:

Part of the Roman Forum from up closer

We finally left the Colosseum and got onto he Hop On Hop Off Bus and saw other sites on our way to Vatican City.

Circo Massimo

Piazza Venezia

Piazza Pia

As we got off of the bus for Vatican City, we were approached by a tour guide who invited us to join their group, which skips the lines and would get us to the Vatican Museum and the Sistene Chapel more quickly, of course for a price.  We agreed and then had to cover close to a mile at a quick pace to join the tour that was ready to go.  After wearing ourselves out, we joined the group and then were able to enter into the Museum, go through the tour and finish at the Sisten Chapel in a little over 2 hours.  There were so many people and so many things to see, there was no time or opportunity to sit and ponder, but we did see incredible art, sculptures, relics, etc.  The following are just a few of the photos that we were able to take:

Outside Door to the Vatican Museum

This ceiling painting was done by Michelangelo.  It is one dimensional but is painted to appear 3 dimensional

The ceilings in the museum were amazing and went on and on

A little more close up of this ceiling

Part of an old Greek sculpture  the Belvedere Torso, found in Rome in the 15th century, dates back to the 1st Century B.C.

One of many tapestries that were woven of the life of the Savior.  Each took 30 years to complete.  One of Sister Rueckert's favorites

Inner court of Vatican Museum

After going through the Vatican Museum, we were able to go into the Sistine Chapel.  It was amazing, but no photos were allowed.   Michelangelo painted this ceiling over a period of 5 years and other paintings in the chapel later in his life.  There is much more to the paintings in this chapel than I had ever imagined.  Here is a sample of the ceiling from the internet.

  After leaving the Sistine Chapel we were able to go through the Basilica of St. Peter and the courtyard.  This is where the Pope appears when he makes his public appearances.  A few photos of the Basilica and part of the courtyard

When we finished all of the viewing in the Vatican City, I was impressed with the relics and art, but did not feel that all that we saw was appropriate as a religious monument.  It seemed so worldly and full of grandeur, but not the simple images that I would relate to our Savior.  I return to my comments at the beginning of the blog, the most impressive thing we saw in Rome, was the temple that is under construction.  I am glad we saw the rest, but it did not bring the peace and joy that the temples of our Lord bring to me.

As we finished our day, we saw a few more sights on the way out that we wanted to share:

Orange trees in the streets of Rome

We enjoyed this street entertainment with no faces

One of many of these super small cars that we have seen all over Italy. 

That evening (Monday) we participated in a Family Home Evening with Ether and his family.   What a joy it is to see young families living the gospels and teaching their children.  The photo below shows their three year old son, Jared, conducting Family Home Evening.  It was a wonderful evening!

We finished up our visit on Tuesday, participating in a Skype self-reliance group and a visit with the new Area 70 in Italy.  This was surrounded with additional visiting and discussions with Ether.  On Wednesday we got caught up on our work in the morning and left for home.  We feel that we have had enough pasta and pizza to last for awhile and are happy to be back home.

Worn out in the service of the Lord and loving it

This blog entry is different than most.  It is our effort to identify the variety of tasks that we work on in a given week, at least in the past four or five days.  This week was an unusually busy week and we wanted to record the events and our feelings before we embark on our next adventure in Rome, Italy.

When we left the office last Saturday night, after final preparations for our Sunday My Foundations class, we met a new missionary couple that had just arrived the day before, Elder and Sister Proctor.  They arrived to serve a mission with the Publishing Services Department.  We had a wonderful time getting to know them in the parking lot.  On Sunday, we felt that we should invite them to dinner to get to know them better and to help them in their transition to the mission.  The only evening we had open this week was Monday, so the invite was made and accepted.

Our Foundations lesson this week was Use Time Wisely, so we were conscientious to prioritize our daily tasks, confirm them with the Lord and report back each evening.  We are also taught to be open to promptings from the Holy Ghost as we go about our day.

When we arrived at the office on Monday morning, the Welfare Manager asked Sister Rueckert to organize a farewell and welcome social for Elder and Sister Sharpe that were leaving this week and Elder and Sister Healy and Elder and Sister Proctor who had arrived in the last few days.  All serve with us on the 3^rd floor of the office building.  After moving the social from Thursday to Tuesday, Sister Rueckert made necessary arrangements with many employees and missionaries helping out so well.  Our days on Monday and Tuesday were loaded with nine videoconferences with senior missionary couples and others, but we did have time for a luncheon social on Tuesday.  We also had a meeting with visitors from outside and needed to get ready for our Area Self-Reliance Committee meeting on Thursday morning.  Throughout the week we were working to get our first  reports to stake presidents ready after a few glitches the prior week.

Monday night we had a wonderful dinner with E/S Proctor.  One of the true blessings of our missionary service is to associate with other missionary couples.  Their consecration to the Lord is so inspiring.  After dinner, Sister Rueckert made chocolate chip cookies for the social the next day while I worked on summarizing our Jobs Initiative in Cape Verde for our Thursday meeting. 

The social went well on Tuesday, thanks to the help of so many, especially our administrative assistant, Constanza, who made wonderful croissant sandwiches for everyone.  We had a few misses with some of our missionaries this week, which was too bad, but gave us some important time to deal with other pressing issues.

On Tuesday afternoon, I was committed to go with Sister Rueckert to the weekly German class that was at a nursery to see and purchase flowers and vegetables.  This turned out to be a bigger experience than planned. We not only bought flowers and a large tomato “tree” we also had to purchase flower boxes to hang on the walls of our balcony.  After returning home to put together some dinner we had our weekly German Zoom session with Sister Peterson, a wonderful sister in Provo who is helping us with our German.  After finishing with her, we then set up our flower boxes and planted our flowers.  Once again, I had to spend a few more moments later on working on our monthly reporting of Self-Reliance activity.

Sister Rueckert with our flower boxes hanging on our balcony

We got to bed early enough to be able to get up and go walking/jogging in the cemetery on Tuesday and Wednesday.  This is our goal each day, but it is not always possible. I had been told about a Christus Statue in the cemetary on Tuesday and found it on Wednesday morning.

Christus Statue in the Cemetery

Wednesday our day was more open for final preparations for the Area Self-Reliance Committee the next day.  However first, I had to teach the weekly Book of Mormon class taught at noon with the missionaries.  This had occupied most of my personal study time the last few days.  With the help of the Lord, it went well and we were onto finalizing the presentation for the Area Committee.  At the end of the day, right after Sister Rueckert went for a hair cut, we facilitated our Finance Management Self-Reliance course at the Church, which is always a joy.  We love this course and even more we love the members who are in this group.  They inspire us with their friendship, creativity and desire to improve their own situation.  The course is also making a difference for us.

After the course, we went back to the office with Kiever, Constanza’s husband to finalize some issues with our reporting to priesthood leaders and to get one more graph for our presentation to the Area Committee the next morning.  After finally returning home, preparing and cleaning up after dinner, I prepared the final slides for the presentation and we feel into bed exhausted.

Thursday morning started out early so that we could be in the office before our 8:00 a.m. committee meeting.  We are blessed to be able to meet monthly with Elder Timothy Dyches in this meeting.   After the meeting, he spent an additional hour with Thomas King and ourselves discussing many of the issues and challenges in more detail.  Thomas King commented afterwards on how amazing it is to spent two hours with a General Authority.  We agree! 

As soon as we got back to our offices, we were invited to go with another couple to pick up our German drivers licenses according to letters that we had received. , We found out that we cannot pick them up until we have been in Germany for six months and returned home empty   We spent the rest of the afternoon, preparing minutes of the meeting, processing our expense report for our travel in April and May and preparing for the evening activities.
handed.

We left the office at 4:00 pm to head to Kaiserslautern, an English speaking military stake a little over an hour from Frankfurt.  With traffic it took us right up until our scheduled 6:00 pm meeting with their stake self-reliance committee.  They have a new missionary couple that has been called as their stake specialist, who was also in attendance.  After this meeting, we held a facilitator training session with this couple and another couple that are acting as facilitators in one of the wards.  In both of these meetings, we were assisting our German SRS manager, Günter Borcherding.  We will become the primary contact with this stake going forward.  After additional discussions with Günter, we finally left for home at 8:45 and with less traffic arrived home a little before 11:00 pm.

Beautiful fields of yellow rape seed plants, part of  the landscape on our trip to Kaiserslautern

This did allow us time to sleep before arising early and preparing to leave for our trip to Italy.

It has been an incredible week with so may different activities.  Our days and nights have been full.  Hopefully our time has been used wisely in the service of the Lord.  We are blessed to have a mission that has so much opportunity for us to serve.  We pray that we can truly make a difference in the lives of those that we work with and serve.  We have learned to take one commitment at a time, planning the very best we can.  Sister Rueckert is amazing at moving from one priority to the next.  The second we have finished one major task, she is preparing for the next.  We know that the Lord gives us strength and direction.  This is His work and we are on His errand!

Missionaries, Muslims and Mothers

Another week  comes to a close and we have grown and been edified.  The primary activity this week was our trip to the Senior Missionary Conference for the Adriatic North Mission in Bosnia.  We were asked to participate and lead a discussion about Self-Reliance with 16 senior missionary couples, the mission presidency and other district leaders.  These also represented many of the branch presidents in the mission, which covers 5 countries (Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and Montenegro).  These countries were all part of the former Yugoslavia when it was under communist control, until the early 1990s.

First of all, we are learning so much about the history of the different regions of Europe.  This was no exception.  We come away with a greater idea of what has occurred in regions that we had hardly recognized before.  These countries were mostly independent before World War 1 and became united into one royal dynasty.  They became recognized as the country of Yugoslavia in 1943 and were put under communist rule shortly after World War II.  After the communist collapse, the countries again became independent of each other in the early 1990s.  As such, many of the people were raised in a communistic society and the challenges of entitlement are major obstacles for the Church. This brings our self-reliance initiative into a different perspective from the challenges we face in other regions.

This entire area was part of the Turkish Ottoman Empire which brought the religion of Islam to the region for several of the countries.  Today, Bosnia is about 50% Muslim, which is the major religion.  When the Ottoman Empire came, the people of Bosnia embraced Islam and the people of Serbia resisted.  Religion continues to be a major factor in the strife between countries.  The Serbian attack on Bosnia in the 1990s was essentially an effort to eliminate the Muslim population.  We still have fond memories of a Sub for Santa that we did for a refugee family from Bosnia in Utah.  This was from this Serbian conflict.

During the conference we were able to hear from a local Muslim, who shared with us much of the history and culture of the people of Bosnia.  It was a very open discussion that taught us much that we had not previously understood.

On the way to the airport in Germany, we talked to the taxi driver who is Muslim.  This conversation with a Muslim who has been in Germany for years was similar to others that we have had.  They are all feeling the prejudice against them because of the radical terrorists.  They continually tell us that the Islam faith does not teach or support this activity.  We have learned that theses are good people, that are very misunderstood in the world today because of choices made by a few radicals.

Also, during the conference we went to the site where the country of Bosnia was dedicated by Elder Russell M. Nelson in 2010.  It is located near the World War II memorial.   However, that memorial has been significantly damaged through the ensuing war war between Serbia and Bosnia which ended in 1995.  We went to the same spot and listened as a group while President Grant, mission president, read the prayer for all of us to hear.  This was a special activity during the first day of the conference.

President Grant (left) reading dedicatory prayer for the country of Bosnia and Herzegovina

President Grant with his wife and Elder Charles (Area 70)

Elder and Sister Rueckert with Sarajevo, Bosnia in the background

Better view of Sarajevo in the background from the dedicatory site

Remains of World War II memorial

Outside the memorial

Inside the memorial

The conference was held at a hotel in the mountains above Sarajevo.  This was a beautiful setting near the site of the Winter Olympics of 1984.  The greenery was beautiful.

Outside of the hotel

In front of the hotel

Conference room and the conference

The last night, we were to be entertained with Bosnia culture.  In fact, the counselor in the Mission Presidency, from Slovenia did some dancing and encouraged participation from all.

Mission counselor and his wife, from Slovenia

Other missionary couples joining in the dancing

Overall, we were instructed and edified.  In a short time we learned to love these wonderful missionaries.  The challenges that they have in these countries are immense, but their attitudes are so positive and they love the people so much.  Self-Reliance was a continuing topic throughout the conference, it is needed so much in their small branches!

Photo with all those at the conference. Wonderful missionaries and leaders!

We came home and really enjoyed a Saturday that we could use as a clear P-Day, time to wash clothes, clean the apartment and relax from the previous days and weeks.  It was also time to prepare for Mother's Day which is today.  This is a little different situation, being far from our children.  The photos below show Debbie's mother day presents.

Flowers and Chocolates, always a safe Mothers Day gift.  Also replenishing the nylons and . . .

a German Mother's Day stone heart.  Mama is a international word!

This morning we once again went to the Frankfurt 1st Ward (German speaking) and enjoyed their Mother's Day program.   After the meeting, they had the primary children come to the pulpit and deliver roses to all of the women in the congregation.  We thought that this was a wonderful experience. The children were so cute and excited to deliver flowers.

After the meeting, we met a young couple who were visiting with their missionary parents.  They said, "Rueckert, we have a bishop named Rueckert".  It turns out they are from a ward in South Jordan where my brother David is serving as the bishop.  Small world!

Later in the afternoon we went to the Frankfurt 2nd Ward, english speaking.  When we arrived the bishopric asked me if I could be the last speaker for Sacrament meeting, since the planned speaker could not be there.  After the other planned speakers, there was just 10 minutes left and I had the privilege to talk about mothers, which is an easy topic.  It seemed to go well.

Summer is finally arriving.  It is getting warmer and the skies have been clear the last few days.  A few months ago, I posted a photo of some heavily pruned trees near our apartment building.  In the photo below you can see that they are finally starting to sprout.

A few photos that I have been waiting to share.  Each morning as we eat breakfast, we see a large group of pigeons flying together outside our window.  It is amazing how they stay together.  The photos below show them in a bit of clarity.  We love the familiar scenes that are part of our home!

He is in charge! miracles, tender mercies and beauty

This morning we decided to make our first visit to the Frankfurt 1st ward (German speaking).  They meet in our same building in the morning while our English speaking international ward meets in the afternoon.  We have felt that this would help us to improve our German speaking and understanding if we actually participated in a German speaking ward.

Well as we arrived we sat down and were greeted by a few members.  One gentleman looked at our missionary badges and said "Rückert, that was the name of one of our first members".  I told him that Leonhard Rueckert was my grandfather's brother.  He was excited and went to get us a copy of a history that he had helped put together when the Frankfurt 1st ward celebrated 100 years in 1994.  As I opened the history, under the title of "The Founding of the Ward", it started with the name of Leonhard Rückert.   I was aware that he was the first known member baptized in Frankfurt, but was unaware how much of this history was known locally.  I was overwhelmed as I looked at the history with the name of Leonhard throughout the first few pages.  What a way to feel welcome in this wonderful ward.

The Founding of the Ward, beginning with Leonard Rückert

100 year history of the Frankfurt Ward

Last week we held one of our monthly video conferences with several other self-reliance missionary couples throughout Europe.  This has become one of our highlights of each month.  We love each of these missionary couples and are inspired by their service.  It is wonderful to see them interact with each other over our "Zoom room"  each month.  We leave the video conference feeling uplifted.

We missed a couple that had a visit from family going on and our Italian couple that were traveling, but appeared briefly.

On Wednesday we had our quarterly zone conference with all of the Europe Area missionaries.  The conference was centered around the theme of D&C Section 100.  It was wonderful as we listened to four couples who are completing their missions and Elder Paul Johnson of the Area Presidency.  One of the deep insights that I received came from verse 1:

 "Verily, thus saith the Lord unto you, my friends Sidney and Joseph, your families are well; they are in ^amine hands, and I will do with them as seemeth me good; for in me there is all power."

This entire section was likened to us as senior missionaries, but we took special comfort from knowing that while we are serving "our families are well".  However, we recognize that the Lord knows what is best for them as he said  "I will do with them as seemeth me good".  We certainly trust him above our own desires.

The following photo shows our missionary group at this conference.  We are finding it difficult as beloved couples go home, but we look forward to getting to know the new couples that are arriving.

On Wednesday night we facilitated our first Financial Management Self-Reliance group.  Our group was small (5 individuals) but our experience was amazing.  Even though we had read through the materials a couple of times, it really comes alive when we learn it in a group setting.  Personally, I really understood so much better that I don't have any earthly funds or assets that are truly mine.  They all belong to the Lord and I have been entrusted with earthly blessings as a stewardship.  I am to use them according to the desire of my Heavenly Father.  It has given me much to think about and added to my personal study priorities.  It is also consistent with the language of my patriarchal blessing.

On today (Sunday), we also facilitated our first My Foundations group in a Sunday School Class.  With that, we (with our other facilitators) have started all five of the self-reliance groups that were formed in our My Path Workshop the previous week.  Initial reports are very positive.  We had a few no shows, but with only one exception, all are committed to continue this week.  We are so pleased to see the support of an amazing ward, but even more important is to see all that are involved, from strong, active members to new members and investigators and a few less active members.  It seems to be working as we have preached it, it feels good to be part of it at the level of the members.

While being in town this week we seem to find so much to do each and every day.  This is a wonderful work that we are called to.  It is wonderful to feel useful and able to contribute to building the kingdom of the Lord.  We certainly love our mission and love serving together.

At the end of the day on Friday, we received an invite from our dear friends, Elder and Sister Bausman, to accompany them on a visit to a castle on Saturday.  We gladly accepted and had an amazing experience with them and with the castle.  The castle is in Hohenzollern, a little over 2 hours south of Frankfurt.   This was the major castle of several kings during the history of Prussia.  The existing castle was the third castle built on this site and was completed in 1860 by King Friedrich IV.  This is the same king that had the summer palace that we had seen near Berlin a few weeks ago.  We did get to do an English tour of the inside of the Castle, but no photos were allowed.  We were impressed in the first room to see a family tree of royalty from the 1100s until today.  The following are some of the photos we were able to take of this amazing castle.  It certainly is the best castle that we have ever seen. 

Majestically on the top of the mountain

little bit closer view

Entrance into the castle

Entrance way into the castle

Next level of entrance

View of some of the inner courts, perhaps a meeting place of Romeo and Juliet?

Additional inner courts and walkways

In the true inner court of the castle

With our friends, Elder and Sister Bausman

One of the higher rooms up high; "Rapunzel, Rapunzel, let down your long hair!"

On one of the sides of the castle

View of another side of the castle

Panoramic view of the beautiful country side and villages below

Another panoramic view.  They were all beautiful and I learned to do panoramic photos

One of several statues around the castle.  This one is of Friedrich Wilhelm IV, King of Prussia, who was responsible for the rebuilding of this castle

After returning from the castle tour, we were able to enjoy a special dinner that evening, celebrating 17 years that we have been sealed together.  I love my eternal companion!

Sunday evening, we were able to go to the home of another missionary couple, Elder and Sister Baker, who shared with us an incredible family history story.  It was presented by a man in Seattle, Washington who was able to identify his ancestors in Montenegro, part of the former Yugoslavia.  After many miraculous occurrences, he ended up in Montenegro, not knowing the language or what he was pursuing.  After a few days of frustration, he ended up meeting a man who was his second cousin.  This man had prepared the total genealogy of the family since the 1100s, but was lacking only one descendant.  This man from Seattle was that one descendent.  He went to Montenegro hoping to find his relatives.  This story was full of so many miracles.  In the end he received a family history document with 2,600 relatives that he was able to take to the temple.

The story was amazing and the timing was perfect.  On Wednesday of this week, we will be in Bosnia, with missionary couples from the former Yugoslavia, including Montenegro.  We will be pleased to be able to share this incredible story identifying individuals in Montenegro who were miraculously able to assist this member of the Church from Seattle.   Hopefully additional good comes out of it.