It's all about family

Wonderful thing for ... let's just say, the day I'm writing - Monday, 23 March:

Saturday evening the GANS in our Prato ward sponsored a multi-ethnic event for the ward.  There were booths for each of the various countries represented in the ward (minus one, China; our Chinese GANS member just returned from a trip home and didn't have time to prepare anything):  Italy, Nigeria, Peru, Albania, Honduras, Mexico, and the USA.

Our GANS and some of our ward members prepared foods from their various countries, as well as presentations/entertainments.  I learned that Nigeria is separated into three main sections, with completely different languages; that Peru was ruled long ago by two benevolent rulers, with only four basic laws; that Central America used to be one big country, then divided into five, then seven.  For the US, Blaine put together a slide show and Elder Christensen played Scott Joplin's "The Entertainer".

The potato-whatever-else-it-was dish from Nigeria was great; the spinach torte and stuffed peppers and tomatoes from Albania were fantastic; the Italian chocolate sausage and apple cake were super (I only ate a tiny piece...), as was everything else.  We made sloppy joes and the sister missionaries made brownies; I'd call that quintessentially American, wouldn't you?

The wonderful thing about it was that it was just what this ward needs, another opportunity to come together; and just what our GANS need:  opportunities to come together and to serve.  Our Nigerians especially appreciated it, I think; Italian is a little harder to pick up for them than for the South Americans.  I don't know how easy or difficult it was/is for the Albanians; they all seem to have done quite well.

Fun thing:

We got to face time with Matt and Bergen and the girls, as well as Mom and Dad, all at the same time; M&B were in St. George for a family event on Bergen's side.  Her great grandfather loved golfing so much, he built several courses, and died playing golf in St. George, so they have a yearly commemoration of his life by - what else? - playing golf in St. George!  

We also skyped with Ben and Bonnie and the kids, who were picnicking in their backyard - 70 degrees in March in Rexburg?

It is such a joy to have the opportunity to touch base in real time with family.  On that subject - Amy and Lawton and the kids will be here in one week!!!