Samy Hamed is baptized December 16, 2012

We have had the wonderful opportunity to participate in helping teach Samy Hamed from Egypt!  He is very interesting and we have really enjoyed getting to know him!  He asked for a Book of Mormon in Arabic, which opens from the opposite side of the book, and the words read in the opposite direction! 

On the right page, you can see "The 10 Commandments", and it is interesting to see how he marks his scriptures with a circle around some of the symbols.

Samy asked Larry to baptized him!  His baptism was so beautiful, and he asked two new converts, Stefano Rossetti and Alberto Garcia to bear their testimonies.  They were both awesome!  Samy even bore his testimony!  We feel very thankful and very privileged to be a part of this wonderful work and glorious Gospel! 

HAIL TO KRISTEN "THE AMAZING PACKAGE SENDER AND EMAILER"!!!

Kristen, our daughter, has been absolutely wonderful and amazing!!!  We are so thankful for the countless and daily emails!!!  The packages have been so wonderful and the postage for just one package is so expensive!!!  That hasn't stopped her from sending us anything we need including heavy vitamins, taco seasoning,  even Instant pudding.....you name it and she has sent it!!! 
She made the bracelets I am wearing, and I am not displaying everything that was in my birthday package.....because there were sooo many things!!! 
Thank you, Kristen for your diligence and love!!!  YOU ARE AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!  WE LOVE YOU SOOO MUCH!!!!!!!

 Aria, our grand-daughter made us this "pop-up" Christmas card!!!  Very clever and cute!!!

 Kristen, our daughter made me a very stylish apron for Christmas!!!

Kristen is so clever....she puts stickers of Jesus to let the postman know these packages are going to missionaries!!!

Above, I am holding my birthday package which was filled with so many amazing things!!!  Below are our Christmas packages...which had everything from medicine to candy to homemade items!!!  Thank you, Kristen and family!!!  We love you!!!

Leandro and Alan Garcia received Mission Calls!

This is Leandro (left) and Alan Garcia.  They are brothers and they have been coming to our Center/Institute classes for over a year!  Alan is the younger brother, and received his call first, to the Milan, Italy Mission, which is in Northern Italy. Alan reported to the Madrid, Spain M.T.C., October 26, 2012.   Leandro was called to the Rome, Italy Mission!!!!  He leaves for his mission in January, 2013.

This picture was taken at Alan's setting apart to become a full-time missionary!  He gave a long hug to his girlfriend, before being set apart!  Ha ha!

We are very proud of Alan and Leandro!  They are great examples to all of the young adults!

We have a great group of young adults!  They are very supportive of each other!  (From the left) Jarome, (Sisters of Leandro and Alan), Denise, Leandro, Alan, another sister, and Stefano (their really close friend).

This is Alan with his proud parents!  They are a great family, and we are so privileged to know them!  Congratulations to Alan and Leandro!

Fireside with Fighter Pilot, Dan Gillespie

Dan Gillespie and his family of six children and his wife just moved here from the United States.  We were able listen and watch his Power Point presentation on some of his accomplishments which includes a PhD, and all of the aircraft he has been able to operate over the years.
He had a very interesting presentation, and the young adults loved his stories and experiences!  We had a great night!