Final full day in Italy, temple dedication

Monday marked exactly 18 months from when we entered MTC. I got up early and washed the sheets and put new ones on the bed. Just making the bed completely wore me out. I had to sit down and rest for a while. I will sleep on top of the cover tonight so that the Motts will have fresh sheets. 

In the morning I walked down to the Chinese store for one last time, buying a salt shaker because I accidentally knocked it off the shelf the night before, sending glass and salt all over the kitchen and hall. I also bought another Gatorade at Conad. After all that, it was definitely time for a nap, which lasted well over an hour. 

Just before 1pm I headed over to the temple for the 2pm dedicatory session. There were two lines, one for Italians and one for everyone else (much longer). After standing in line for a while, I saw Anziano Simoncini who was helping there. It was good to be able to say goodbye to him and his wife, with bacietti of course, and he said that I could go to the Italian line if I wanted to. 

As I walked up, there was Ugo, so we went in and got seats together in the first endowment room. On the other side of me was Daniele and Norma Salerno. I also saw President and Sister Dalzotto, whom I knew from the 1970s. They are now in the temple presidency. She remembered that I had taught Seminary for her in her home in 2007 so that she could see how an American did things. I also saw lots of other folks I knew, including Sorelle Wyatt and Ricks, who flew back for the dedication. 

The ceremony was wonderful, with Elders Holland, Soares and Uchtdorf speaking, followed by President Nelson. His talk was completely different this time, and there was no cornerstone ceremony. A different choir sang. Brother Valentini, who sang in the one on Sunday morning, told me that there was a different choir from a different stake in each session, which is cool that so many got to learn that wonderful music. He said that it was a huge highlight for him. He also sent me the Italian translation of the Hosanna Anthem:

Osanna, osanna, osanna al

Padre e all’Agnel. Amen, amen, amen

Il Tempio è ormai completato, il Tempio è ormai completato.

Possa Dio accettar quest’offerta, possa

Dio accettar quest’offerta. Amen, amen.

O Santi, gioiam, la fede e il gran lavor hanno eretto il Tempio

Dove oggi siamo; gioiscano gli spiriti defunti,

poiché un sacro Tempio adesso abbiamo.

Gioite allor, avrete redenzione, voi, prigionieri avrete libertà;

grazie al Signor pel Suo eterno amore, grazie al Signor per

questa libertà, grazie al Signor per questa eternità.

(Parte con la congregazione 2 volte)

Soprano/Contralti

Osanna, osanna, osanna nel più alto, amen e amen.

Tenore/Basso

Osanna nel più alto, osanna nel più alto, amen e amen.

Cantiamo anche noi con l’armata celeste,

osanna al Padre e all’Agnell!

(Oh) Sia gloria in eterno nell’alto dei cieli,

sia gloria in eterno al Padre e all’Agnel.

Amen, amen

Afterwards, Ugo and I hung our for a little bit and took a photo in front of the Christus status in the visitors center. I gave him a big hug and headed home.

On the way home, I stopped to rinse and vacuum the car, so that it will be presentable for the Motts when they arrive Friday. I was still feeling pretty weak. On the way into the apartment, I can into Paolo and said goodbye, with bacietti of course. He is such a great guy. I chatted with Dee on the phone for a few minutes. Things seem to be a bit calmer there with a little bit of help and some pain and sleep meds for her dad. She is coming down with a cold, hopefully not the same one that I am getting over after three miserable weeks!

The rest of the afternoon and evening was spent at home, packing. I had more stuff that I thought, so the suitcases are very full, but I am easily under the weight limit. I dropped off the thermometer the Sorelle had loaned me and gave them some used clothes to put in the bin down the street, since I won't have time in the morning. Being on my feet much of the evening wasn't bad, and I feel stronger right now that I have in a long time. Hopefully that will augur well for my trip home.