Spumanti or panettone

wonderful thing for Thursday, Jan. 1, 2015: Brother and Sister La Russa invited us and Sisters Gunnerson and Gregg to "pranzare" with them. Pranzo is the middle meal, and is often the big meal of the day. Sister La Russa suffers from MS and from fibromyalgia, but it doesn't keep her from full activity in the church. She is a great example. Fratello La Russa is the High Priests Group Leader, and is joyfully and anxiously engaged in his calling. They are a pleasure to be around. He's the cook in the family; the meal was simple and good, just what we needed after the feed the night before - apropos, Sorella De Robertis texted us mid morning to say that everyone who had been at the party the night before, had decided to meet again for pranzo because there was so much food left, and wanted us to join them. We would have enjoyed that, but were kind of glad to be able to decline the invitation! Brother La Russa shared some wonderful stories of faithfulness, blessings, and answered prayers. He and his wife have been members all their married life and raised their two children on the teachings of the Restored Gospel. It doesn't matter where you are; when you meet somebody who is devoted wholeheartedly to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, in all they say, do and think, it is a stupendous blessing to be in their presence. It was so for us. fun thing: Okay, this was actually New Year's Eve. We had taken goody plates to our neighbors across the hall, and above us on the next floor, on Christmas Eve. So in the afternoon, the doorbell rang - which is always odd, because usually people have to ring at the gate first, then you hit the button that lets them in the gate, and you open your door so that they can come in when they get there, so there's hardly ever a need for the doorbell at your own door - and we looked at each other in surprise. It was our neighbor from upstairs, who handed Blaine a bottle of Spumanti, explaining that it is a traditional way to celebrate New Year's Eve. We both immediately thought of what we usually drink during the holidays, sparkling grape juice, and we were so pleased...but it only took a second for it to register in Blaine's mind that this is probably not sparkling grape juice...we're in Italy...so he says, "Umm, I think there might be a little problem ('un piccolo problema') - we don't drink alcohol." He explained that it is a matter of the practice of our faith, and we both thanked her sincerely for the sweet thought. She said, "Wait here," and disappeared into the elevator, returning moments later with panettone, another festive tradition. That, we could accept. We are glad to be building a good relationship with our neighbors. We took the occasion to apologize if we make too much noise sometimes when our GANS are in house, but she said they don't hear us. I hope not. One night, I heard someone upstairs walking around, and it sounded like it was in our very bedroom. I woke Blaine up, too. It was just the folks upstairs, though; really, we hardly ever hear them, a nice change from our previous place. She said there was no problem even when the elders were there. Nice.