Sweet Sixteen

Sweet Sixteen
February 18, 2019

Oh, my dear first-born son, you gave me the name Mamma over sixteen years ago. I fell in love with you even before I set eyes on you. That little baby boy I first held in my arms with your wrinkly little neck and spikey hair has now become a young man who stands strong and towers over me. How can I possibly put into words the love I have for you and the joy you have brought to our family? 

I have always been amazed at how your mind works. You have a knack for retaining random and interesting facts just about everything. I pray discernment for you as you continue to learn and research the world around you and that you will increase in your amazing ability to communicate and teach others about your Creator and his creation.

This past year has been a rough one for you. You have quietly and bravely endured so much more than one should have to at your age. Anxiety is a horrible thing and something I wish I could take away from you! However, I see how this battle has drawn us closer to each other and to the Lord. It is my great privilege and honor to be a stabling force, a person of safety for you as I walk beside you in prayer and support. God is going to use this in your life for a greater purpose than we both can see right now and for His glory. I am confident of that because he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. (Philippians 1:6) God made you ever so special and he has a wonderful plan for your life that I cannot wait to see how he will guide you and use you.

Turning sixteen is a BIG deal...in America. Here in Italy, not so much. This is most likely due to the fact that in the US you could be a legal driver and here in Italy you have to wait until you are eighteen. You are totally fine with the idea of not driving at this point, and well frankly it's a good thing you are very self-aware about your ability behind a wheel. haha!

We celebrated in typical fashion with just our family with cake and pizza from Centro. You were delighted that my first cheesecake attempt was a total flop and that I had to make two cakes for your special day. 

Your primary gifts were books...lots of books...and your very own DSLR camera. Photography is one of your growing passions and huge stress relieving activities in your life. We love to see your enjoyment and interest grow in this area, taking great inspiration from your Aunt Jennie. We look forward to seeing the world through your lens!

Happy 16th Birthday, Samuel!

I love you always and forever, no matter what!

Munga always drawing a ridiculous picture on birthday cards, warranting of only groans 

He saved his allowance money to buy himself a Super Nintendo

P.S. My greatest apologies, Samuel, for such a long overdue post! Your birthday was followed by a week at SHARE, then Nano's visit, a trip to Spain etc. Hopefully, that gets me off the hook a little bit for this year.

1 piggy...2 piggies...3 little piggies...

...and stop!

It was Christmas week and our suspicions were confirmed with obvious signs that Cocco was indeed pregnant. There was no mistaking that her pear-shaped belly was moving when we held her.

Samuel and I immediately commenced some heavy research on "what to expect when expecting guinea pigs". Of course, I was relying more on my farm animal experiences growing up when I helped deliver lambs, and there were baby kittens and rabbits born on the farm. Samuel went way beyond the basic necessities and soon was full of statistical information for complications, signs to look for indicating distress, length of normal labor (10-30 minutes by the way), and even measuring Cocco's hips to determine how close to delivery she might be. I was just sleepless and stressed out with the fact that Cocco could get pregnant again with 30 minutes after birth!

Samuel deserves a badge or something for his vigilance and watch-care that ensued over Cocco for the next couple of weeks. Thankfully we were on Christmas break so we were able to keep a close eye on her.

It was January 4 at 3:15pm and we were about to head out to the store when Samuel peered into the upstairs house and saw a dark mass next to Cocco. He said "I think Cocco had a baby," and all of us immediately rushed to look for ourselves. Sure enough, there was a wet brown little fur ball! We must have just missed the birth because it was "born fresh" as a little Emma from long ago would have said.

Our first look at baby

Pure fascination over pure tiny perfection

We watched and waited to see if she would give birth to another baby, but it was clear when a while later Cocco was eating the placenta (thanks for that observation, Samuel) that she carried just one pup. It was fitting and special for Samuel to be the first to see the baby. It was a very emotional experience for him.

So proud!

It was love at first sight! And the pup was a photocopy of her dad, Rambler.

First human contact several hours after birth

Birth weight: 105 grams

Photogenic on flannel

Rambler was immediately separated from mamma and baby (whew!) and a few weeks later had surgery. After his recovery and a five and a half week separation from the ladies, he was finally reintroduced to the herd and could not be happier.

It took a couple of weeks to be sure of the baby's gender so we called it "baby" before confirming that it was a female and then naming her Lakota.

LAKOTA
January 4, 2019

She has grown so quickly and is absolutely thriving. She is spoiled as Cocco still allows her to nurse but I'm sure mother nature will take care of that soon. Watching her growth has led us to believe that maybe we adopted Cocco and Rambler at 3-4 weeks old instead of 8 weeks.

Her ears were kind of floppy after birth

Tiny but actually big for a pup...the advantages of a single litter

24-hours old and already learning how to eat hay and fresh veggies

Growing so fast!

Lakota is a talker, just like her dad and so we have a lively and noisy bunch of pigs at feeding time and playtime.



So glad it was just one pup AND that she was a female AND that we decided to keep her! She is a blessed addition to our family for sure!

Lakota, Rambler and Cocco
February 12, 2019

Emma's Fourteenth Birthday

Fourteen - November 2018
photo credit: Samuel

Our beautiful daughter is growing into such a lovely young lady and we are so proud of her. If you know Emma, you know that she has a smile that lights up a room, radiating joy and love to all whom she greets. People often comment or ask her "Emma, you are always smiling! How?!" 

She is one of the most genuine and honest people I know (maybe a little too blunt at times) but you never have to wonder where she stands on issues or with you. I have my little box of letters saved from you, all doors to greater conversations, and I am so thankful that you don't keep stuff hidden or locked inside. It is a blessing to us as parents that you open up your heart--crazy teen hormones, amygdala speak and all!

Emma, you have a compassion and heart for others, always seeking to help, serve and be an encouragement to those around you. It's no wonder your classmates constantly reach out to you for private tutoring help. You find it a joy to help them and it is becoming more obvious that God has gifted you in a unique way--you would make a remarkable teacher!

You cannot go a day without reading your Bible and praying. It is your habit before bed each night, no matter how late or how tired--you just must! Truly it has been a joy and inspiration to see you faithfully reading. You received a coloring journal Bible for your birthday from Munga and Gramma and it was the best gift. May God's word continue to be treasured and penetrate your heart as you grow in your love for Jesus and walk faithfully with him.

This year you have continued to grow and develop your passion for music. From the piano to ukelele, guitar and now electric guitar aspirations, your voice is an added beauty to everything you play. Maybe this coming year will be your "big debut" for your family to hear. We are so proud of you for taking voice lessons and the courage it takes to be vulnerable in that way. Again, we are so excited to see your growth in this area. Keep up the great work! You are amazing!

Thank you for your grace towards your Mamma in taking nearly a month to write this birthday post! Your special day was on November 4, and even though it was a long holiday weekend we spent it quietly at home and celebrating with just us and our church family. It was what you wanted in the end instead of a party with friends.

Your birthday cake request was for an Italian cake. So I made Pan di Spagna for the very first time, filled the cake with Italian Vanilla Crema and chocolate chips, then covered it in "the good" buttercream, and topped it with a chocolate ganache and sprinkles. You were right, it was one of the best tasting cakes I've made.

Your brother, Samuel, gave you a special gift by doing a photo shoot of you on your birthday weekend. Thank you for being a willing model. It was a special bonding time for you both and warmed our hearts to see you together. Photography and nature are so relaxing and stress relieving for him, and adding your company just made the experience all the more life-giving. Samuel returned with much enthusiasm ready to edit pictures of his beautiful sister. Here is a sampling...

Emma, we love you so much more than words can say! You are special, treasured, and loved always and forever, no matter what!

One Year of "Insieme" (Together)

"Your kingdom come,

your will be done,

on earth as it is in heaven."

One year ago, we officially launched "Insieme", the first Christian Evangelical Church in Caselle.

[Well, technically it is the 2nd, as we did have a church plant going from 2010-2012, but that dissolved with circumstances out of our control.]

During our furlough, Jonathan began our presentation with much enthusiasm about there now being an evangelical church in Caselle. The audience's reaction was generally the same everywhere we went...silence...or maybe a softly spoken "Amen". Of course, we would have loved to hear hoops and hollers and loud shouts of Amens! Those came after the explanation that, as far as we know, in the 2000+ years of our city's history this is the first presence of an established evangelical church in our community. When you stop to think about that, it is sobering and exciting at the same time. There are thousands more towns and cities that still have no gospel presence. The need is SO great here!!

We began our services when the Italians we have been ministering to began to ask and desire to see a church established. Everyone was all-in from the beginning and the enthusiasm and participation have not diminished. Our first service on October 1, 2017, was a humble beginning. Since then we rejoice in three baptisms, new regular attendees, occasional visitors, and that we have an Italian man already sharing the preaching ministry! This is ALL God and it is our joy and great privilege to see GOD building his church.

We are excited to see all that God will do in our second year...

We host the Sunday services in our home. This is our multi-purpose taverna room.

Jonathan teaching from God's Word. 

Baptisms: June 17, 2018 

Baptismal service with many first time guests in attendance.

Dalida

Guido

Sara

A gorgeos day for outside baptisms and fellowship on our front porch.

And as always, plenty of food...

...and cake.

Agape meal to celebrate the one year anniversary.

A beautiful and encouraging day to have 2 long prayed over and anticipated visitors join us.

If there is something to celebrate, there is a reason for cake!

4-layer spice cake with cream cheese frosting. It's fall y'all!