It is getting downright spring-like around here. The high was about 60F, though there was some rain. In the afternoon we went out with overcoats on but didn't really need them. Winter may be coming to a close, though we'll probably get a few more dips in temperature.
I stayed at home most of the morning and afternoon, except for a trip out to fill up and wash the car. The rain washed away much of the mud from the other day, but the car still needed a good scrub, so I did it anyway. Otherwise, I worked on my Sunday School lesson and some paperwork things to catch up for the week. Dee made a fairly substantial shopping trip on foot down to Conad and the Chinese store.
Dee writes: I spent the afternoon looking at Elder Ferrara's family history. His father and I talked later that night about it. It was really fun to show him some Italian genealogy goodies. He's going to see what he can accomplish at home, and then wants to go to their ancestral towns with his son next year when he finishes his mission. Due to the time difference, I stayed up really late to talk with him. This allowed me to get in yet another load of laundry! Good times.
By mid-afternoon we started our fast, and then headed out to stake conference a bit before 4:30pm. It wasn't for our stake, but we had been invited by our friend Barbara Ventura because she expected some of the GANS from their stake to be there who don't often frequent the Institute. That didn't work out, but we did get to sing in the stake choir led by Lorenzo Rossato and Pam, both of whom we know from Institute. We sang "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing" in Italian, which we had been practicing in our Tuesday choir class. The evening meeting was very enjoyable, with an Area Seventy from Portugal, Elder Moreira, as the main speaker, after President and Sister Pickerd and the two counselors in the Stake Presidency. Elder Moreira spoke in English, which was translated into Italian; the prior part of the meeting had been in Italian, translated into English via wireless headsets. He was very energetic and fun, and it was an inspiring talk, encouraging leaders to think outside the box in terms of reaching out to less active members. We did get to see a number of our GANS there, which was fun, and four of them sang in the choir with us.
We got home about 9pm. Sunday will be a busy day, so we are happy to have had some time at home during the day.