Tuesday, June 22, 2010

On The Other Side

We are approaching our two week marker of being back in the US.  Our flights all went well and thankfully the airline strike ended the day before our departure.  However, we were notified 48 hours prior to departing that our flight out of Milan was canceled.  They rebooked us but with a 7:58am departure instead.  Leaving your house at 4am versus 8am makes a big difference!  Out of the 24 hours of traveling time Samuel and Emma slept 2 hours and Luca 4.  We only had one major melt down from Luca in London, while Jonathan had to have a body scan.  Samuel was randomly selected for a full search there as well, but once we got on the plane it was all good. Apparently I forgot to pack my voice as it was lost for four days before returning to me.  Samuel was up all night on our third night back vomiting.  But thankfully the bug was not passed along to anyone else.
 

Enjoying all the goodies given by the flight attendant

Enough entertainment kept these two awake the entire flight

Konked out before take-off.  Luca slept the first 3 hours of the flight.

Our first week can be summed up in one word:  "RECOVERY".  The effects of jet lag were very much present this time around for everyone.  We enjoyed our 9 days with Munga and Gramma in Michigan.  Bike rides, pool time, bubbles, side walk chalk drawing etc. were enjoyed by the kiddos.  Jonathan and I got our first date in, had several doctor appointments and made the mental transition to furlough ministry.



A natural hoola-hooper!
Reading to Gramma
Brothers

This past Saturday we hit the road.  We drove six hours down to Chardon, Ohio and the kids enjoyed some great pool time at the hotel after the long trip.  Sunday morning we ministered in the morning service at Chardon Baptist.  Jonathan gave our ministry update in Sunday school and then preached.  We had lunch with the pastor and his wife before driving 1.5 hours to Lagrange, Ohio to present at First Baptist in the evening.  After that we drove 2.5 hours to Cedarville where we will call "home" for two weeks.

A rare moment to have ALL 3 nap!

The two older kids are enjoying attending the VBS here in the mornings this week.  More on that later.  For now that's the brief summary of what we have been up to since touching down in America.  

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Italian Anniversary


Today marks FIVE years for us in Italy!  Once again we thank God for His sustaining strength and faithfulness to us this past year.  With joy and confidence in our calling we continue to labor for the Kingdom here, looking to the one who daily bears us up.  As you continue to pray for us (and serve as a vital life line by doing so), pray for this end...

May God be gracious to us and bless us
And make his face to shine upon us,
That your way may be known on earth,
Your saving power among all nations.
Let the peoples praise you, O God;
Let all the peoples praise you!   

Psalm 67:1-3 

Saturday, June 5, 2010

Happy Birthday Jonathan!

Today my precious husband turns thirty-one!  I'm so proud to be his wife.  And I'm so thankful that God has given me such a godly life pattern to run this life with and to share such milestones together with.  He is a treasure to keep! :0)

Tonight he will be out for a film discussion night at the center.  Therefore, we went out last night to celebrate.  Eating out at restaurants just doesn't happen much with our family (and McDonald's doesn't count!) One reason being that dinner hours start at 7:30/8:00pm.  And still keeping to our cultural routine with the kids in bed by 8:30, going out for dinner just never happens.  The only exception would be if we had extra hands on site to entertain tired kids...i.e. grandparents visiting.

Well, I think we have finally found the ideal family eating place.  BamBam Ristosauro.  It opened maybe a year ago and is right next to the airport.  So many positives I don't know where to begin: 1) They open up at 7:00. 2) Prehistoric and dinosaur themed decorations (think Fred Flintstone) 3) Indoor play area and entertainment provided for the kids by a clown 4) A huge selection of pizzas (they even had Hawaiian pizza).  The kids had a great dining out experience needless to say.  Luca even ventured to eat a whole plate of french fries and was pleasantly surprised that they were "berry good!!!!"  You have no idea how HUGE of a thing that was for him and us.  He never touches anything served in a restaurant no matter how familiar he may be with it.

Here are some pictures from our fun times celebrating...

    Not exactly Rain Forest Cafe, but close. Click on the link above for more pictures.

The birthday boy

The view from our table, looking at the kids playing in the play room.

A slide...need I say more for this boy?!


Emma was quite upset with us when we had to leave.  

Cake time

A perfect afternoon to dine outside.