Rome Day 5

We began the day trying to find the LDS Church.  It wasn't too bad.  We did get a taxi driver who didn't have trouble finding it using his GPS in his little Fiat.  (Most of the taxi's we have been in have been Ford Focus'.) We arrived early enough to introduce ourselves and meet several of the members and missionaries and a couple of members.  I was surprised at how many English speaking members there were.  There were 3 senior couple missionaries (one just coming and one leaving) and the translator (which didn't work very well) was an Air Force instructor at a NATO facility here.  We also met the Rome Temple Project Manager and the Rome Temple Architect.  (He was an interesting man; he has been designing temples for the Church for 20 years, his first being the Frankfurt Germany Temple.)  The Project Manager was from England.  He was very nice. 

The members were very nice and welcomed us well.  There were lost of babies.  One of the sister missionaries told me that there were 11 babies born in 2011 and so there are a lot of little children here.  We came on Fast/Testimony Meeting day and many shared their testimonies.  It was tender.  I was also asked to play the piano in Relief Society.  I got a cute picture of the RS President. 

One the way back to the hotel we asked the driver to take us by the temple site.  I got a picture of that too.  I was excited to see the place where it is being built so Ed accomodated me. 

We met back up with Roger & Joyce and had some lunch and then walked over to the Villa Borghese Park.  We had 5PM reservations to go inside the Museum and see the beautiful home and art treasures inside. It was breathtaking.  No photos allowed inside so can't share any, but much of what is there can be viewed online.  Even Ed was impressed with the vibrant colors of works that were so old. The sculpture was impressive as well. 

After the Borghese we found Giolitti's for gelato and then went on to Piazza Navona.  We finally found it, thanks to Roger, and after some photos, a view of the church and with some hunger starting we decided to eat close by. 

Members at the Ward in Rome.

Sister Missionaries chatted with us while we waited for the taxi.

Loved seeing another Bernini fountain in Piazza Navona.

Ed and I on an evening walk around Piazza Navona.

The Villa Borghese Museum

Lots of families together enjoying the Villa Borghese Park grounds on a lovely Sunday afternoon.  It was great to see families together.

A view of the construction of the Rome, Italy Temple.  The members I spoke with were so excited to have this temple here.  I am excited for them too.  A wonderful little ward.

We called Ashley after catching a cab back to the hotel and then we went to bed.  It's our final night in Rome so we enjoyed the sites and the people.  Tomorrow we go back to St. Peter's with Roger and Joyce and then head to the ship.  It will be fun to finally unpack everything for the next 21 days!