Family is coming!

Today I am cleaning a few things (again) and finishing some ironing (normal weekly thing) and trying to stay cool with some fans.  All in great anticipation of FAMILY!  Danny and Lizzie arrive tomorrow morning- all the way from St. Louis- on the 4th of July!  (which you all know is NOT a holiday here in Italia!) 

I am sure they will be tired and jet lagged- but we will drag them around town and let them sleep a bit, wake them up abruptly and drag them around some more.  This will go on for a week- even while we travel together in the BmVoo.  A roadtrip will begin on Sunday morning and end on Saturday afternoon and we will go to Austria, Germany, France, Switzerland and back to Italia!  Fun, huh?

We miss our kids and their spouses (what should these “spouses” be called- we love them like our kids! Any ideas??) 

I’ll post some picutres of our adventures when we get back…..in the meantime, have a wonderful 4th of July and enjoy some fireworks for us!

Love from Italia-

Jen and Billy

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.  Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is- His good , pleasing and perfect will.  Romans 12:2

Travelling is tiring….

You may disagree, but I think travelling is a bit tiring.  Seeing new and fun places you have never seen before is great, but it takes its toll on your mind, body and resources!  And not to even mention the laundry and ironing that has to be taken care of! 

London, by the way, was wonderful!  We arrived safely on Thursday evening and followed my sisters amazing directions- she really could be a tour director! Her flat is beautiful, her kitty cat Callie was a charming little poppet, and her new city home is busy, full of charm, history, diverse people, all kinds of fun food to eat, theatre’s to enjoy and places to see!  We did not realize how HUGE London is!  We loved taking the tube, the bus and walking everywhere.  We ate in Chinatown, at pubs, French food, at Harrod’s …so many choices!  (They do have a LOT of Italian food, but we avoided that!) We were tourists on the Big Bus- that was fun!  We went on a couple of walking tours- there are fun books that have these.  Many of the museums are free!  The weather was cool, windy and sunny on and off- We went on the London Eye, walked across the big bridge and wandered through historic neighborhoods- the gardens are beautiful with flowers everywhere!  The people say “sorry” for excuse me and are very quiet while riding the tube!  (Well, except for late at night!)  There are pubs on almost every corner, and even though we tried, we never ate fish and chips! We will visit again soon!   My sister, Susan, is the perfect hostess- she made us feel so welcome in her flat! 

We went to two shows at the theatre- 39 Steps on Friday night and Jersey Boys on Saturday night- both were very good!  There are so many things to do, things to see, places to explore- you would need a week or two or three to see this big city!  The crowds at night were especially entertaining~  Billy and I had the opportunity to worship at Holy Trinity Brompton on Sunday evening- it was a joy to worship in such a vibrant church!  

We have lived here over a year now……a big milestone……two years until we leave…..hard, but good….God is teaching us so much through this experience He has given to us.  How to trust in Him alone, how to love each other as a couple and how to support one another, how to pray about everything (even the small things) , how to have joy in the midst of trials, how to sing praises to Him despite frustration, how to travel without getting all worked up, how to love others that He places in our path and in our lives (even if only for a season) , how to let go of the past and agendas, how to see others through His eyes, how to laugh at ourselves, how to read maps correctly, how to enjoy the life He gives, and how to talk about Jesus, even when we don’t feel like it!  What is He teaching you?

In less than two weeks, Danny and Lizzie will arrive from St. Louis!  We are looking forward to spending two weeks with them.  We have planned a fun week of travels to Austria, Germany, Switzerland and France!  Then we will send them to Cinque Terre for a couple of days alone- They will arrive on the 4th of July!

On a final note, the above memorial  was one of 20 or so on a wall in a churchyard.  Each one represented selfless acts of kindness that resulted in the death of the individual named……how humbling. 

Love from Italia, Jen and Billy

Be devoted to one another in brotherly love.  Honor one another above yourselves.  Romans 12:10

Fingerprinting fun and last week’s trip!

This morning we were up and at the Questura (Police Station) to meet our relocation person to submit our paperwork for our permesso- After fighting for a place in line (no numbers to take) our name was called and we think everything is in order.  We were fingerprinted twice, in two separate places, and were told that we may have our permesso in 4 months or so.  The filing system at the Questura was amazing- stacks of papers everywhere- floor to ceiling- and handwritten signs taped all over the place- very chaotic and seemed very stressful for the Polizia as well…..patience in all things!

Una settimana fa (one week ago) we were leaving for Monte Carlo- it is a three hour drive and very lovely.  No traffic problems, and we (5 couples from America, and two families from Italia along with two more Italian men that came without wives/kids) arrived safely- one family even brought their Shar-pei, complete with at sparkly purple collar and leash- just right for Monte Carlo and a 5 star Hotel!  This is so funny to see-

Our room was lovely, the hotel was great- beautiful sea in front, 4 pools, workout area, amazing food, and very attentive staff.  The seafood was the best we have had! We took a tour of the Jacques Cousteau aquarium and walked around Monte Carlo- and mostly ate a lot of food!  Our dinner Friday night was at a restaurant on the edge of the sea- and every dish was a seafood treat- with a full moon over the water, it was a lovely evening! (yes, the dog came too- she was very well behaved)

Saturday we drove to Nice, France- which is about a twenty minute drive down the coast from Monte Carlo, and spent the day and night there, just us!  After driving around the city, trying to find the hotel, we finally found it!  Across from the hotel was a big red circus tent….so, we bought tickets for the evening show!  We had a great day walking around Nice, walking along the seaside, eating outside on a street full of flower vendors, and getting blown around in very strong winds!  There are some HUGE yachts in Nice and Monte Carlo- many were from London.

notice our hair- quite windy!

After a nap, we walked across the street to the circus!  It was so much fun!  the seats were very close to the ring- What would a french circus have?  Good question!  Lions (10 of them) a Zebra, trained horses, tiny trained horses, camels (yes, very large camels that could run fast!) trained geese and ducks, llamas, acrobats, clowns, tightrope walkers, crazy motorcycle guys in a huge metal cage (ball)- it was a family owned circus and even the kids were performing and working.  Billy and I were impressed!  It was clean, well organized and even though we could not understand what they were saying, it was really a fun night!  Two and a half hours of circus! 

It was a nice long weekend- but good to be back home!   We will be leaving for London a week from today to visit my sister Susan !  Thanks for checking in with us from time to time- we miss our friends and family- and it is so great to read your comments! 

Love from Italia- Jen and Billy

 

 

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.  Romans 12:9