Buon Natale! ~ Merry Christmas!
This photo above was taken inside the Carrara Marble Quarry.
Blake and I had seen the marble mountains from a distance in March 2025 when we were traveling with my brother, his wife and their two daughters. We were driving on the Autostrada from the Genova Province down towards the Pisa Province which is in the Tuscany Region of Italy.
In October 2025, we were in the La Spezia Province to research my
Italian Grandmother's Maternal Family lines.
While in that area, we took the opportunity to
go see this mountain range which is in the Massa / Carrara Province, Italy.
There were two types of tours available. One was outside and one was
inside the mountain. We took a tour inside the mountain
quarry!
Location:
Found in the Apuan Alps between the towns of Carrara and Massa, Tuscany.
History: Mined
since antiquity, with significant development by Etruscans and Romans,
becoming vital for art and architecture over two millennia.
Marble Types: Produce prized varieties like Bianco Carrara (Statuario, Calacatta) and other streaked marbles.
Artistic Legacy:
The source material for masterpieces like Michelangelo's David and Pietà , inspiring artists for centuries.
Modern Operations: Still a major source of marble, with both open-air and internal quarries, using modern techniques alongside traditional methods.
We
were traveling with our new friends Murray and Nadine Low. They are
serving as Young Single Adult Leaders in the Italy Milan Mission. We have worked
with them in food preparation and set up and take down for several mission conferences. They were wonderful
traveling companions. We really enjoyed sharing this trip with them. It was a working and an educational vacation for a few days.
We had asked them to travel with us into my maternal ancestral cities so Murray could be our interpreter. They both really helped us establish some wonderful new friendships and relationships with 2 priests in two of my ancestral cities and helped us find a fellow genealogist and historical researcher. These three relationships are wonderful and helpful as we will continue to research on return trips to the area. In these communities the people we have met have become more than friends, we have discovered how we are related as cousins/family.
As we had learned from our precious travel times with Ken and Pam King into my ancestral cities, we knew that becoming friends in the communities where my ancestors live is a huge blessing. The people in these Italian communities have been so kind and gracious to us since our vacation here in Italy in February of 2024 and all throughout our mission which began in May of 2024 and will conclude in April of 2026.
To continue to trace my ancestors prior to 1866 it is necessary to search the individual Catholic church archives often stored in the churches or homes of the priest. We are so thankful for the miracles we have witnessed together as the Lord has opened the doors for our relationships and research. These places that we have visited feel like home. My heart just soars as we walk around in these small little mountain communities. My family angels are excited to be with me on these journeys. Please watch for our next blog for the most recent family research miracles as we share with you the maternal family miracles!
When we visited Italy for the very first time in February of 2024 with our daughter Katie and her Italy loving hubby James, we visited the Rome temple and the visitors center. It was a very reverent experience to see this beautiful statue of Christ with his twelve apostles while he lived on the earth.
The statues of Christ and the Twelve Apostles at the Rome Italy Temple Visitors' Center are carved from high-quality Carrara marble, sourced from the very same quarries in Italy used for Michelangelo's David and other famous works, ensuring a connection to historical artistry. These replicas of Bertel Thorvaldsen's original Danish sculptures were created using digital mapping and hand-finishing by Italian artisans, making them authentic in material and spirit. The Apostle Paul replaces Judas Iscariot, who betrayed the Savior, among
the 12 statues, as is generally depicted in similar collections of the
apostles in Rome and throughout Italy.
The First Presidency and Quorum of Twelve Apostles
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
December 2019
February 2024
We visited Florence in August of 2025 and saw The David statue and
museum on a walking tour with our mission friends Michael and Beth
Castellano who are also serving a FamilySearch mission in the Rome,
Italy mission. He too has family ancestral ties to Italy.
We also visited St Peter's Basilica in the Vatican City in November of
2025. We loved seeing the famous Pieta sculpture by Michelangelo.
Seeing these beautiful statues was a very reverent experience! Living in Italy in the year of Jubilee has been so educational for me as I learn about the traditions and beliefs of my Catholic family and ancestors and dear friends.
I am touched beyond words with love and compassion for Mother Mary and thankful for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! As we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ this special season of Christmas may we remember that We are all God's children. May the Holy Ghost touch your heart and help you know this truth!
With our love, Jodie and Blake Rindlisbacher
