This morning was my first day of teaching online seminary to substitute for Sister Huber while she travels to the US. I think it went well but it's a different situation teaching online with varied internet connections and some students having their video off, and not being sure how to have everyone participate with things. But it seemed to work out ok. 
The lesson was about how Oliver Cowdrey came to know about Joseph Smith and how he received revelation to be part of the work in raising up Zion and being an answer to Joseph Smith's prayer of needing more help. The lesson focused on how we can receive revelation for ourselves and how the Lord will instruct or enlighten us in our lives. Brian said I did a great job, and Nathan said I need to have a less distracting background in my screen. I had the refrigerator and the cupboards behind me.
We left a little after 8am and took the bus into Vatican City to go to the museum there. I was so glad we had pre-purchased our tickets because the line to get in was blocks and blocks long. We were able to walk right in and get into the museum. We walked through many halls and see many artifacts and artistry. I'm always amazed at seeing the Sistine Chapel and the painting of The Creation and of the Final Judgement. They are so beautiful and amazing to see. The tickets we got included lunch so we went to the restaurant and the kids each choose a kids meal. Two had pasta and the other three had hamburgers and french fries. Brian and I were able to choose chicken, hamburger, or sausage with potatoes and peas and pasta and a dessert. Brian chose the hamburger, and I chose the sausage which was absolutely delicious. 
We then left the museum and took a wrong turn to get to St Peter's Square and Basilica. We ended up walking all the way around the Vatican; fortunately, it's not too big, and it was a nice walk and nice weather. We got to the square and basilica and waited in a line to get through security to go inside. Ben expressed his frustration and displeasure with Rome and Italy in general; he has to walk so much and look at stuff. It makes me wonder about the value of taking children to places like this. Is it better to take them when they're older and can understand more? Or is it better to take them from when they are young so they can learn to appreciate art and learn self-control? I don't have the answer yet, but it's an answer I'm looking for.
We walked through the basilica and then walked about 20 minutes to the USO in Rome to use the bathroom and have a rest and have some snacks. I took a nap on the couch and the kids played on the computers there. It was a good break for everyone.
We then took a metro to the area near Trevi Fountain. We were squashed in the Metro so tight it was hard to get out at our stop, but fortunately Preston kept saying, "Scuse me, Scuse me," really loud. We all got out on alright stop. We walked out of the metro and happened upon the Elder missionaries from the Rome 1 Ward. One of the missionaries is from Mexico city and the other elder was from Dominican Republic. We walked through the streets to the Trevi Fountain which was absolutely packed with people, but we were still able to get some pictures. We stopped into a church nearby and they were finishing up a concert with a sing-along of "Ave Maria."
We found a bus that was headed back our direction so we caught it and then stopped for some gelato on our way back to the apartment. Brian talked to Andrea quite a bit about the church and our beliefs. He lives near where the temple is built, and so we want to give him information about the open house. He seemed to agree with some of the beliefs that we hold concerning the baptism of Christ and the unpaid ministry and the lack of the Trinity and views on marriage of clergy. Brian and Andrea had such a good conversation that he even went to turn down the music, so they could hear each other better. And Brian's gelato melted.
Some of the kids struggle with missing their friends which is very understandable. We wish we knew what to do and hope that wherever we end up in Italy that it can be a place where they can make friends and be and answer to someone's prayer.
