Happy Anniversary!

This post is written by the Kelly children. On Sunday our parents celebrated 36 years of marraige, and we want to wish them a happy anniversary! We are grateful for their mission service which has blessed our lives so much. And we are thankful for all the missionaries and members in Italy that have taken good care of them these last three years.

Thank you, Mom and  Dad!

President David O. McKay's 10 Rules for Happiness

We are in the midst of a round of Zone Conferences in the mission. We have or will be having conferences in Malta, Sardegna, Rome/Napoli, Sicily, and Bari.

Part of our training is on the "10 Rules of Happiness" by President David O. McKay, who was president of the Church from 1951 to 1970. President McKay was the Prophet during our youth. He was a great leader who inspired others to rise to new spiritual heights. 

President Kelly carried this list with him when he was a young man serving in the Italy North Mission 40 years ago. Pondering the list brought him greater purpose and joy. Here is David O. McKay's inspired rules for a happy and abundant life:

1.  Develop yourself by self-discipline. 

2. Joy comes through creation--sorrow through destruction. Every living thing can grow: use the world wisely to realize soul growth.

3. Do things which are hard to do. 

4. Entertain upbuilding thoughts. What you think about when you do not have to think shows what you really are. 

5. Do your best this hour, and you will do better the next. 

6. Be true to those who trust you.

7. Pray for wisdom, courage, and a kind heart.

8. Give heed to God's messages through inspiration. If self-indulgence, jealousy, or worry have deadened your response, pray to the Lord to wipe out these impediments. 

9. True friends enrich life. If you would have friends, be one. 

10. Faith is the foundation of all things--including happiness.

President McKay

President McKay at the London Temple Groundbreaking.

For many years, the leadership meeting for a mission has been called the "Zone Leader Council." With the great influx of sister missionaries, we are now instructed to hold "Mission Leadership Councils." As you can see from the photo, these councils now include sister training leaders. We are so excited about this change! Our sisters are full of great ideas and provide valuable counsel to the mission. Here is pictured our Rome/Napoli Mission Leadership Council which was held last week. Now the meeting will include the mission president and his wife, the assistants to the mission president, zone leaders, and sister training leaders.

Palermo Stake Conference

Yesterday we flew to Sicily for the Palermo Stake Conference. We love the Saints in Sicily. They are loving, faithful, and enthusiastic. They make us feel so welcome.

This is a photo of President Nudo and his lovely wife. President Nudo is the Stake President of the Palermo Italy Stake. The Stake was created in 2010. We are grateful for President Nudo and all the members in Sicily who have supported and helped our missionaries.

Here is a photo of missionaries at the Palermo Stake Conference. We love these amazing missionaries.

Rome Italy Temple

We pass the Rome Temple each time we travel to the airport. It has been exciting to witness its progress. It will be such a blessing to the Latter-day Saints in Italy.

Rome Temple. May 18, 2013.

Anziano and Sorella Kimball

A few weeks ago, we welcomed Anziano and Sorella Kimball to the Italy Rome Mission. Anziano Kimball served with President Kelly in the Italy North Mission 40 years ago. He was also the Bishop in our son's ward in Salt Lake this past year. We are grateful for all of the senior couples that have sacrificed much to serve in the Rome Mission.

"I will hasten my work in its time." (D&C 88:73)

This past month has been an exciting time for the Italy Rome Mission. We have welcomed 24 new missionaries to the Italy Rome Mission, hosted Elder and Sister Tad R. Callister (who were in Rome for the reorganization of the Rome Italy Stake Presidency), and are now working through a new round of Zone Conferences. We also had the opportunity to visit Malta, a beautiful island that is part of our mission.

With the surge in missionaries, this is an exciting and unique time to be a full-time missionary. We are so impressed with the new missionaries that have entered the Italy Rome Mission. They are prepared, capable, and full of light. It is such a joy to see them work and grow as they devote everything they have to serve the Lord.

20 New Missionaries from the Provo MTC! May 2013. 

And 4 New Missionaries from the Spain MTC! May 2013. 24 missionaries
in one transfer. Wow!

April 2013. We were blessed to have some of our missionaries taught by
Elder and Sister Tad R. Callister, who were in Rome for the reorganization
of the Rome Italy Stake Presidency. Elder and Sister Callister are  gifted
teachers of the Gospel. Their visit blessed the Rome Mission.

Sweet is the Work. Reaching a Goal is SWEET! We are so
proud of our missionaries who worked hard to acheive
a mission goal. Keep up the great work!

Zone Conference in Sardegna.

Springtime at the Mission Home. Spring is our favorite time of year in Italy!

The Bay of Napoli. A beautiful view from where the Napoli Branch meets.
We were here for the Napoli District Conference in April. 

Elders in the Bari Zone. 

Sisters in the Bari Zone.

Elder Budd Arrives!

The Blue Grotto in Malta

Departing Missionaries. May 2013. We love these missionaries and
are so grateful for their excellent service.  

Sister Missionaries serving in Sicily. 

Sicily Zone Conference. May 2013.

Conference for Sister Missionaries at the Mission Home. 

February 2013. We were so blessed to have a mission tour with
Elder and Sister Kent Richards. Our mission learned so much from them. 

Seven new missionaries from the Spain MTC! February 2013. 

March 2013. New Missionaries from Provo MTC.

Map of Italy in the Mission Home. We use this map when assigning new
missionaries to their first area. 

North Meets South

One of our favorite things about our mission service has been the opportunity to associate with President and Sorella Wolfgramm of the Italy Milan Mission. They are wonderful people and dear friends. We have loved learning from them when we get to visit with them at Mission Presidents Seminars. 

President Wolfgramm served as a young man in the Rome Mission and President Kelly served in the Milan Mission, so they each have now served in both Italy Missions. 

President Kelly With President Dave Wolfgramm of the Italy Milan Mission
at a Mission Presidents Seminar. 

North meets South. Discussing missionary work in Italy :-)