March 12 - 24, 2019

Rome Visitor Center

Rome Italy Temple

First Presidency and Quorum of Twelve in Rome Italy
Rusell M. Nelson, Dallin H. Oaks, Henry B. Eyring
Ballard, Holland, Uchdorf, Bednar, Cook, Christopherson, Anderson, Rasband, Stevenson, Rendund, Gong, Soars

The First Presidency is comprised of President Russell M. Nelson and his counselors, President Dallin H. Oaks and President Henry B. Eyring. Members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles are President M. Russell Ballard, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Elder David A. Bednar, Elder Quentin L. Cook, Elder D. Todd Christofferson, Elder Neil L. Andersen, Elder Ronald A. Rasband, Elder Gary E. Stevenson, Elder Dale G. Renlund, Elder Gerrit W. Gong and Elder Ulisses Soares.

“I love these brethren with whom I serve,” said Elder David A. Bednar. “We are together each week in the Salt Lake Temple, on many other occasions, but today, to be in Rome, to be here for this, and to be all together is a once-in-a-lifetime experience I will always remember.”

First President Nelson shared five things to know:

• Know the truth and stand for it, even if the truth is not politically popular. “As the world grows more and more secular and less spiritual, your growth should be more and more spiritual and less secular. Strive to stand for principle instead for popularity.”
• Know and see yourself as the Creator sees you. “You are created in His image — male and female. You are divinely created. … Take care of your body.”
• Know you are accountable for your deeds and for your desires.
• Know your true identity. “You are the seed of Abraham, the seed of Isaac, the seed of Jacob.”
• Know your purpose. “You were sent to earth for a reason. Find out what that is. .. Apply your knowledge to the benefit and blessing of other people.”

Attendees listen to President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints during a devotional in Rome, Italy, on Thursday, March 7, 2019. Photo: Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News

President Nelson also shared five things to do:

• Prepare for marriage. “Prepare continually to be a wife or a husband. Prepare now to be a mother or a father.” If marriage doesn’t come immediately, “increase your education, your experience and your emulation of the Lord so you become more desirable with each passing year.”
• Prepare and pursue your education. In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, “education is a religious responsibility.”
• Feast on the words of the Lord. “It doesn’t matter what your career is or what your circumstances may be…. If you will read the scriptures daily, you will have spiritual life insurance.” Pray about all of your matters. “Constantly consult the Lord.”
• Pay your tithing. “You learn to pay your tithing when you are young.”
• Honor your parents. “Learn from them. Learn from your grandparents.”

The future generations of the Church

With his grandson, Elder James Huntsman of the Italy Rome Mission, serving as his translator, President Ballard promised the youth they will never forget this time in the history of the Church.

“Look around and see how many there are of you — the future generations of the Church.”

President Ballard shared “simple suggestions” with the youth. “If you will remember these simple things, you will stay true and faithful to the Church your whole life.”

President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and President M. Russell Ballard, acting president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, meet with youth in the Rome Temple Visitors' Center prior to a youth devotional in Rome, Italy, on Saturday, March 9, 2019. Photo: Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News

• Think deeply and often about the Lord Jesus Christ and His Atonement. “Love Him.”
• Read the scriptures every day. “Be sure you don’t get so busy that you can’t take time to read the word of the Lord.”
• Pray every morning and every night. “It will help you all the days of your life.”
• Attend your meetings, and keep the Sabbath day holy. Pay special attention during “time the sacrament is being blessed and passed.”
• Never, never give up. “Never give up your beliefs or your love for the Lord Jesus Christ.”
• Stay mentally and spiritually clean.
• Avoid unclean things — especially on your handheld devices. “Be careful what you watch and listen to.”
• Get as much education as you can. “Study. Do the best you know how.”
• Be careful with your time. “Time is important; you can waste a lot of it if you are not careful.”
• Limit time spent on cell phone and your video games.

President Ballard concluded: “I want to testify of God’s love for you, my beloved young people. It is real. You are His sons and daughters. He loves you. He wants to bless you. He will forgive you. He will strengthen you as you strive to keep the commandments of his beloved Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Aloha OE to Sister Flake.  After closing the VC they say goodbye.  A very touching activity.

Hibiscus on the way to the temple

Came home one night and found this guy on the floor.  I quickly sprayed him and he went undeer the fridge.  Next thing I know he is on a shelf.  He finally succumbd to my spraying.  Orkin came out on Monday.

Elder Stonehocker.  Paul plays racketball with him Monday, Wednesday and Fridays

Found this gecko on the inside of our bathroom window

Josh asked his mom to take him to the temple and he was smart enough to know you never go alone.  You always bring friends with you.  Way to go future missionary.  Leave no one behind. 

The Scott Springer family invited us for St. Patrick's Day dinner.  They are from Camarillo and also invited Tessa Sullivan over also.  What a wonderful Sunday.  

My friend Leslie gave me these beautiful orchids.  She is so generous and kind.  She lives at the Assisted Living home we visit Sundays when going for Just Serve.

Robbie went snowmobiling at Island Park.  Had a little run in with a tree with his Grandpa's machine.  All is well.

Sweet Sarah and Jaxson in Virginia.  Such a great Mom

Sister Stonehocker.  They serve with the PCC young people, feeding and encouraging them.

This weekend was the Cultural Celebration at the University.  What fun.  Many clubs, it takes two nights three hours each, for them all to perform and tell something about their country or club.  It is a wonderful event.  We went over Friday night after the temple and then got over early on Saturday so we could actually see better.  

One of our Sister Missionary homes got broken into Saturday night.  Elder and Sister Allen brought them all their home for the night.  They live in Kahuka by the beach.  They took credit cards and such.  It shool up the girls.  We need to all be more careful.  Not that they could have done anything.  The theives broke a window to get in.

 
Paul gave the Priethood lesson today.  It was Elder Stevenson's talk on "Shepherding".  He spent a great dear of time on seeing as he didn't find out until Friday night and did a great job, as usual.  Saturday we escoted a wedding.  Such a great couple.  They met just six months ago at work.  Both have served a mission.  She in Portugal and He in Papa New Guinie.  They are from here but are moving to Lehi.  

Today we have been invited to two dinners.  The Hopkinsons invited us last night as we were leaving the cultural event and Emily and Stu had said something about getting together Sunday and so hopefully we will be able to get to both.  Some weeks there is nothing. 
We had a nice visit with the Hallstroms this week going over things that we can do better.  They are very loving and kind and happy people.  We are fortunate to serve under them.  We have been serving in the baptisstry on Thursday mornings.  It has been very busy.  This last week we didn't get out until 10:30.  The baptistry closes at 9 and it took that long to get everyone out.  Which is a good thing.  We then come back at 2 for our shift.  We have had lots of visitors.  Many places have spring break.  

Rimpy Varial