Our Mission - 2001

New!  Christmas Day, 2001

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  Before we leave for Italy, we need to show you where Italy really is.  This is the traditional MTC photo before you depart for your field of labor.  Taken June 28th, 2001.

  In the Chicago Airport Admirals Club, the five mission presidents and wives took this last picture before leaving the United States of America for three years, on June 29th, 2001.

  Once we departed from the MTC, we arrived in Birmingham, England, for a weekend of training with the Area Presidency.  There were five new mission presidents in our group, including  us.  The picture includes:  President Bowen (Leeds, England), President Brighton (Dublin, Ireland), Elder Hillam (our Area President as of August 15, 2001), Elder Kerr (our Area President before August 15, 2001), Elder John Maxwell (2nd Counselor in the Area Presidency), President Packer (Malaga, Spain), and President Henderson (Milano, Italy)

  On Monday, July 2nd, we met the President Lee & Sister Jane Curtis at the Venice airport about 4:00pm.  We had only a few hours together to hand off all of the affairs of the mission.  We will be forever grateful for the legacy they left for us in the great Missione Italiana di Padova.

  Our first office staff:  Elder Pasto (Assistant), Elder Strieby (financial secretary), Elder Pack (mission secretary), Elder Ditto (Assistant) -- the best office staff in the world!

  Elder and Sister Oaks visited us while on their vacation.  It was a wonderful Sunday for all of us.  We held a private Sacrament Meeting in the mission home Sunday afternoon with 12 of us and then later had a missionary meeting at the Padova Ward chapel.

  President Jensen in front of Padova's famous Church of San Antonio.  San Antonio, a famous Catholic Saint, was known for healing and serving the people selflessly in the late 1200's.

  What our dog, Toby, dreams of when he sleeps... If only he were here!  (In front of San Antonio)

  Our first Zone Leader Council was held on Friday, August 2nd, with 22 Zone Leaders (11 zones).  We taught them about member-missionary work and hope to see some great things happen in the months ahead.  We have terrific zone leaders!

  My two counselors in the mission presidency are Roberto Asioli (left) and Maurizio Ventura (far right).  Great men who have been members of the church for almost 30 years in Italy.  Pioneers in every sense.

  Our newest missionary.  He's already given out two copies of the Book of Mormon and a video...  really!