LA VILLA BORGHESE

This past week on our day off we were able to visit one of the most sensational mansions in the world!  This Villa is now a Gallery/Museum.  Some call this a castle!  Construction was started in 1612 and was finished one year later!  We were not allowed to take pictures of the magnificent interiors but we have never seen such beautiful life sized statues before!  The paintings were breathtaking!  On every ceiling in the entire Villa there are remarkable Michel Angelo type frescos/paintings that are so beautiful!  There were innumerable famous paintings!  The statue of David is so wonderful.  He is life-sized and he is in the process of swinging his sling to hit Goliath!  His expression is intense.  If you would like to see some of the statues and paintings, you can google Borghese Gallery.

There are three floors and the doorway you see under the staircase is the basement and that is where the box office, security, book store etc. are located.  Everything in the basement is solid marble.  To go through the main entrance, we walked up the stairs and in through the center archway.  Security is very tight and no handbags or cameras were allowed.  Another statue that is so gorgeous is the statue of Pauline.  Even the cushion she is sitting on looks real and it is made out of marble!

This is a partial side view of the mansion.  It is difficult to show the beauty of this place!  There were even statues all over the grounds!  In the main room upstairs we sat in the center of the room for a few minutes and admired the full sized men who were painted on the ceiling (which was close to 30' high) to look like they were holding the ceiling up!  Just under the men were corbels which spanned the entire room every 12".  At first, we didn't know if they were real or painted.....we had to get up and walk around the room to find they were painted to make the corbels and the men look 3D!

Between the mansion and the sculptured gardens is an atrium!  As you can see it is gorgeous and on the roof you can see two wire shaped towers that were built to house exotic birds!

This is one of two water fountains located in the front piazza on a walkway out to the expansive property!  We never did find out how many acres there are total, but after we left to go home, we found out there is a "lake" that is situated perfectly that we must go back and see!

Even as we were walking back to our car, we saw some amazing and beautiful structures that were very well preserved.  This is a beautiful gazebo that was probably used for entertaining!

We could not see the end of the property in any direction!  The trees were everywhere and they were very green and beautiful!  We came at the perfect time of year when everything is lush and beautiful!  We have had a lot of rain here in Rome!

We are very grateful to be able to have the opportunity to see such incredible master works of sculpture and painting.  We hope you will each have the opportunity to someday come and explore the city of Rome!

Love to all,  Lynne and Larry

THE ROME TEMPLE SITE

The Rome Temple site is about 8 minutes from our apartment.  We drive by almost everyday.  The problem is there is nothing to see because there is a very tall fence (that you can't see through) along the entire property..... so we went on top of a very high building to check things out!  When we first arrived here in Italy in October we couldn't see anything above the fencing, but now we see lots of re-bar and walls going up!  It is very exciting!

This is the Rome Temple!!!  It is an oval shape and there are also three other very large buildings on the property!  So, there is the Temple, a Stake Center, a Visitors Center and Patron Housing.

There are five very large cranes on the site and they are hard at work!  Behind the Temple to the left is the Patron Housing.  The row of Umbrella Palm trees is the entrance onto the grounds.  The Stake Center is behind the trees and the Visitor's Center is behind the large crane.  

This picture allows you to see the Patron Housing a little better.  We are standing on top of a building at the Porta di Roma, which is a mall here in Rome.  We are actually across a highway but this is the best we can do for now!

As you can see, we are standing next to the theatre on top of the mall, but you can see the Temple site in the background!  Everyone here is so excited for this Temple.  It seems like every week someone is talking about it in Church and crying because they are so excited about it!  Larry was very touched and became very emotional when President Monson announced the upcoming Temple being built here in Rome!!!

We will take more pictures and keep you updated on the progression of the Temple!  If you would like more information you can check out
http://www.ldschurchtemples.com/rome/ and
http://www.ldschurchtemples.com/rome/construction/
We have added more information on our blog with updated pictures. 
The Rome Temple Site (Part 2)

Love you all!!!  Love,  Lynne and Larry

BAPTISM OF UMBERTO DI PIETRO

ON SATURDAY, APRIL 14, 2012 WE WERE ABLE TO GO TO UMBERTO DI PIETRO'S BAPTISM!  HE IS ONE OF OUR YOUNG ADULTS! 

WE WERE VERY HAPPY FOR UMBERTO!  HE LIVES IN LADISPOLI, WHICH IS ABOUT 30 MINUTES NORTH OF THE STAKE CENTER SITUATED ON THE COAST!

THERE WAS A VERY SWEET FEELING AT THE BAPTISM!  UMBERTO'S GIRLFRIEND, JESSICA (THE GIRL ON HIS LEFT) INTRODUCED HIM TO THE CHURCH!  WE ARE SO GRATEFUL TO BE ABLE TO BE A PART OF THIS WONDERFUL GOSPEL AND THE GREAT OPPORTUNITIES WE HAVE BEEN GIVEN!  WE FEEL VERY BLESSED TO BE MEMBERS OF THE TRUE CHURCH ON THIS EARTH, AND WE ARE VERY THANKFUL TO BE ABLE TO BE SERVING A MISSION AT THIS TIME!  THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL OF YOUR PRAYERS ON OUR BEHALF!  WE LOVE YOU ALL!

LOVE,  LYNNE AND LARRY

Festa Antica Romana! (Ancient Roman Party!)

THE YOUNG ADULTS HAD A SUPER FUN ANCIENT ROMAN PARTY AT THE STAKE CENTER ON APRIL 14, 2012!  A LOT OF THE YOUNG ADULTS DRESSED UP IN THEIR ROMAN COSTUMES!

THIS IS FAUSTO (LEFT), ANDREA AND DANIELE! THEY ARE SUPER GREAT AND WE HAVE REALLY ENJOYED GETTING TO KNOW THEM AND ALL OF THE YOUNG ADULTS!

WE DID HAVE SOME SWORD FIGHTING GOING ON AND WE ALL HAD TO MOVE BACK!  THIS IS LEANDRO  (RIGHT) AND JAROM.

 WE ARE SORRY TO REPORT, WE DID HAVE ONE CASUALTY!

OH!  AND ONE OF THE GIRLS HAD TO BE BEHEADED.....BUT BESIDES THAT WE HAD A REALLY GREAT NIGHT!  THIS IS DENISE, DALILA, VALENTINA AND EUGENIA!

YOU DON'T WANT TO MESS AROUND WITH THESE ROMANS!  THEY ARE REALLY SERIOUS!  THIS IS DAVID (RIGHT), SIMONE AND SIMONE'S FRIEND, (NOT A MEMBER), RODOLFO!

WE SURE HAD FUN!  THIS IS MELISSA (LEFT), SAMMY, DALILA, VALENTINA, DANIELE, DAVIDE AND DAVID!  (WATCH OUT DAVIDE!!!)

WE PLAYED GAMES!!!

THIS IS PART OF OUR GROUP!  WE HAD A LOT MORE YOUNG ADULTS COME AFTER WE TOOK THIS PICTURE!

WE EVEN HAD AWESOME D.J.'S AND GREAT MUSIC!!!

WE HAD GREAT FOOD!  PASTA FRESCA (COLD PASTA), PULLED PORK AND FOCCIA!!!  YUM!!!

WE EVEN HAD A FAMOUS ARCH RIGHT IN THE STAKE CENTER!  THIS IS SISTER ASHMAN (LEFT), EUGENIA AND SISTER MILES (RUSSELL M. NELSON'S GRANDDAUGHTER)!

THIS IS ME WITH SISTER ASHMAN AND SISTER MILES!

THESE ANCIENT ROMANS WERE DANCING UP A STORM!!!

THEY DANCED AND DANCED AND DANCED!!!

AS YOU CAN SEE WE ARE MAKING A LOT OF GREAT FRIENDS AND HAVING A LOT OF FUN TOO!!!

LOVE YOU ALL!!!

LYNNE AND LARRY

Tour of Rome!

We were able to go on a double decker bus and go on a tour of Rome on Larry's birthday!  Wow!!!  There is so much to see!!!

This is the first view we saw from on top of the double decker bus!  On the right is the main train/bus station in Rome, called Termini!  It is a hoppin' place!

We were able to wear headphones and there were 8 different languages to choose from!  Larry is ready to go with his headphones on and we are passing Termini to start our tour!

Some of the buildings are so beautiful, I couldn't resist taking a picture!  This is not a famous building, but is sure is beautiful!!!

This is a gorgeous church that took up an entire city block!!!  It was a beautiful day and we were lucky it didn't rain!  We have had quite a bit of rain this winter along with snow!

This building was right next to where we were sitting, waiting for the bus to leave Termini!  I love the architecture here!  

The statues inside the walls and the details are extraordinary!!!  There are buildings and churches like this all over Rome!

Some of the buildings have a wonderful piazza in front!  I couldn't stand up in the bus, but this gives you a pretty good idea of how beautiful the buildings are!  Notice the statues on the roof above the columns!

This is some of the original architecture that is built right onto the new architecture!

The Monument to the State is in the background and you can see some original architecture right behind these famous Roman Umbrella Pine trees!

This building is very close to the Colosseum and as you can see is original dating back to the early Roman times!  Inside the arched ceilings are beautiful engravings!

If you look closely, beyond the arches you can see some of the beautiful designs and engravings on the ceiling for the original and gorgeous artifact!

You can see the original columns and archways on the other side of this building also the adjoining wall that has a lot of detail and beauty!

You might be thinking that I am a little crazy for putting another picture of the Colosseum on our blog!  But, I think there are many more pictures to come!!!  So, I will say, sorry!  But, I think it is fascinating!

Still to this day, they have concerts inside the Colosseum!  We saw a segment of Andrea Bocelli performing there with a full orchestra!

Do you know how tall the Colosseum is???  Well, it's really tall!!!  And they are in the process of cleaning it and it looks so much better!!!  In some areas the walls of the Coliseum are black from the pollution and weather for so many hundreds of years!

Do you know how many arches are in the Colosseum???  (Jeopardy music playing in the background),   answer........"a lot"!!!!

Very cool angles to look at....especially way up on top of a double-decker bus!!!

Here is a secret entrance!  The double walls are so interesting and a lot of people don't realize what a wonderful structure this is!

This is one of the most popular tourist spots in the world!

The Arch of Constantine (Italian: Arco di Costantino) is a triumphal arch in Rome, situated between the Colosseum and the Palatine Hill. It was erected to commemorate Constantine I's victory over Maxentius at the Battle of Milvian Bridge on October 28, 312. Dedicated in 315, it is the latest of the existing triumphal arches in Rome, from which it differs by spolia, the extensive re-use of parts of earlier buildings.  

I know I sound smart, but I borrowed this info!  Shhh!

 This is right pass the Arch of Constantine and this is an original structure, with only one wall of the building left to admire! 

We will submit more pictures later of our cool tour of Rome, Italy!  Love you all!!!