A Milestone Beginning

While the world tracked Hurricane Irma and its destructive path over the course of this past week, here a storm was also brewing. Of course, it was not all doom and gloom, however, having children learning and trying to navigate high levels of emotion that encompass both anxiousness and excitement was a test of patience and exhaustion for us parents. Allowing the expression of their fears, stresses and questions and subsequent venting with nervous wacky energy was a necessary exercise allowing us to then offer support, encouragement and hope through Christ. We have every confidence that this school year even with all of its changes will be one of great growth, maturity and another demonstration of God's faithfulness, love and grace poured over our children.

September 11, 2017

On Monday, all of the kids started school. We had to divide and conquer required parental attendance between the boys who both began new schools. Jonathan went with Samuel to Torino for his first day of high school to begin Prima Superiore (9th grade). They left the house at 7:30 to catch the bus to Torino. His first day was from 9:00-11:00. Emma started school at 7:55 and not wanting to walk alone on her first day, Luca and I accompanied her to the gate and then waited until he entered at 8:30. Both middle schoolers finished at 11:55.

Being the middle child has its advantages...like always having a sibling at middle school!

First 6th grader to arrive at school

There was much relief given to Samuel in finally just starting. He was fairly nervous on his first day and even refused the briosse offered to him when he and Jonathan stopped for a coffee before entering the school. The parents and students had an hour long welcome and orientation meeting together before being called and divided into their class sections. Samuel is in 4G and one of seven boys in a class of twenty-three students. He likes the ratio since he has always formed friendships with girls better than boys. His homeroom professor teaches Greek and she made a good first impression on Samuel. One brief hour to introduce the students to each other and then they were done for the day.

Roll call

On Tuesday, Samuel began his regular hours of school, 8am-1pm. He nearly missed the 7:00 bus as he ran to catch it as the doors were closing. It will take us a few days to figure out the right timing of the bus schedule and when we need to leave the house. The bus stop is a good 10 minute walk from our house and Jonathan accompanies him each morning and then starts his day of "bar-hopping"(coffee shops are called bars here, so don't go getting all freaked out!) 

Looking up at my 5'11" son

Samuel had a good second day of school after worrying all the previous night that he might have given a bad first impression by raising his hand and answering too many questions in class. He was so happy to come and home and tell us he "socialized" with three other students. This is so very encouraging for him and us to hear as this was a major area of weakness in middle school. We are thankful for new beginnings and for this opportunity and new environment that he seems to enjoy. He came home on day two needing to memorise the Greek alphabet and do some translation work. Here we go... 

She's nearly eye level with me and checks daily to see if she has surpassed me

Emma, please don't forget Emma! Poor thing has felt like she is being overshadowed and that her year is less dramatic of a change compared to her brothers when in reality it is not. She is in her FINAL year of middle school (8th grade) and has much on her plate as she too will need to research and choose a high school as well as prepare for final exams. My heart almost broke with concern that she is stressing out way too soon over exams when I saw this picture on her bulletin board. Sweetheart, exams are 9 months away! When I asked about whether that might make her more stressed she assured me it is just serving as a reminder. And then my heart melted when I saw the notecard with the verse I wrote out for her on her very first day of elementary school.

Deuteronomy 31:6 "Be strong and courageous...for the Lord your God goes with you;
he will never leave you nor forsake you..."

But ever the prepared and organised studier that she is I guess it should not surprise me. This is a huge year of transition not so much on the front end like Samuel and Luca but on the back end. You've got this Emma!

Still holding my hand and heart

Luca began Prima Media (6th grade) and not only was he placed with one of his best friends but he also received ALL of Samuel's middle school professors. I have a feeling this was done intentionally as three siblings of Samuel's ex-classmates are now Luca's classmates. At least Luca won't be the only one potentially being compared to his older sibling. The very good thing is that we liked Samuel's teachers and they know us. Crazy to think that we will traverse a total of 6 consecutive years with the same professors.

Classmates and besties

Viva 1F...again!

Luca says he loves middle school and has demonstrated genuine excitement about the change so far. He is a social bug and has enjoyed seeing Emma during intervallo and tracking down other friends from elementary school. On his first day during his religion class the prof asked how the world was created. The response was the Big Bang and Luca raised his hand and answered "God created the world!" So proud of him for responding as he did and for the testimony all of our kids are leaving at this school.

We have done our best as parents to support each of the kids, but in all honesty they have been their own biggest supporters of each other. They seek advise from each other constantly, warn Luca of dangers to look out for and teach him swear words so he doesn't repeat them. They run to each other to share their experiences and days and in return receive moral support and encouragement. They love each other and look out for each other as siblings should. 

As the kids head out the door each day this is my prayer over them...

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever he may send you; may he guide you through the wilderness, and protect you through the storm, may he bring you home rejoicing, at the wonders he has shown you, may he bring you home rejoicing, once again through our doors.

We are still in the first week of adjustments as 5:45am rolls around REALLY fast! Luca and Emma will have two weeks of a reduced schedule with days that end at noon and then they will adjust to their days ending at 1:55. The frenetic running out after school each day to track down a new list of school supplies is still yet to end. The hours upon hours of covering school books and erasing all answers written in the books passed down from siblings is still a work in progress. But with each hour wasted--I mean invested--I keep reminding myself of the savings that this is to a month already heavy with steep start up expenses that included a cell phone for Samuel, a one year bus pass, paying for school books for all 3 kids, supplies, etc. I almost want to say "Merry Christmas!"

We would appreciate your continued prayers for our children. They are in dark places where their light might be the only one shining. Pray it burns brightly and that they will be strengthened as they lean on the one who will never leave them or forsake them.

A Day in the Mountains

Since the spring and the increasing restoration of Jonathan’s health, he has been walking to the center of town on a daily basis often both in the morning and afternoon. He will stop in a couple of different coffee shops, sit and read his Bible or write and interact with the baristas and clients as he gets to know them. He has become a known regular as a result. His active presence of just walking in and around Caselle has opened up so many doors for spiritual conversations and only is increasing as time passes. He kind of (ok, really) has a distinct look with his red beard, Bible in hand and toe shoes. Yes, toe shoes have opened up lots of conversations! If they don’t do a double take at his Bible, then you can count on the toe shoes drawing a second glance. He even went out of his way to order a pair on Amazon for the florist who really wanted to try them out. She paid him upon delivery and she cannot stop raving about them.

After a coffee (or two) he makes it a point to frequent other local businesses. He’ll stop in at the bakery and buy some bread or treats for the kids, the butcher to get some meat or the vegetable and fruit store. Although this type of shopping from store to store on a daily basis is common in Italian culture, for our larger family we have in the past relied primarily on the larger supermarkets with lower prices and of which also accept credit cards. However, you cannot beat the quality and benefit of supporting the small business owner, even if paying in cash and higher prices are less convenient. Therefore, our shopping has now become a blend.

The shops are not known so much by their store name on the front of the building but by the owner’s name. For example, we buy fruit and vegetables from Massimo and Sabrina, not “Il Mercatino.” Everyone knows who you are talking about when you just say the owner’s name because they are the sole vendors. Jonathan has struck up a relationship with this couple and they invited our family to join them for a day in the mountains where they escape for weekends throughout the year and vacation for the entire month of August. We have for a long time wanted to explore the mountains surrounding us but did not know where exactly to go. So this was a welcomed invitation to go with someone who knows the area.

Ghigo - Prali

On August 23, in between hosting Munga and Gramma on their European visit, we took the opportunity to visit our friends in Prali which is about 1.5 hours from Caselle and on the border of France. The day was absolutely spectacular with cooler temperatures, clean mountain air and breathtaking views. The warmth extended to us by this family was truly amazing considering they had not met half of us, including myself. They were ready and waiting to take us on a morning hike at 10:00 when we arrived, but only of course after a quick coffee. Massimo knows that we are evangelical and so he really wanted to show Jonathan places in the area significant to the Valdese (Waldesians), the branch of the Italian Reformers that endured much persecution for their beliefs in Piemonte. Massimo loves to talk and his knowledge of the area and its history was fascinating. Our first hike was up above the village of Ghigo.

In 1533, on this open grass field high above the town, the Sinodo Pra Daval
was held to discuss and confirm the acceptance and participation of the valdesi into the Protestant Reformation movement.

"Il giusto vivrá per fede"// The just shall live by faith

A learning from each other lesson in Italian reformation history
 with Jonathan and Massimo

Walking down the ski slopes back to Ghigo

Unfortunately the Valdese museum was closed, but Valdesian presence
and influence in this zone is still very strong.

When we completed our first hike, we went back to their apartment where Massimo’s parents had prepared lunch for us. The kids loved the fact that Massimo and Sabrina’s high school age son is a magician. Oh, the entertainment and wide-eyed fascination of watching our kids try to figure out his tricks. Fabio is super good and he appreciated our interest in his life and hobby.

With satisfied stomachs and rested legs we set out again after lunch to take in the other side of the valley. It rained on and off for this hike which prohibited the kids from taking a dip in the water near the waterfall, but maybe next time on a sunnier day. We walked through each little borough of a community along the mountainside and enjoyed our conversations with locals and seeing lots of animals.

In each borough we saw a building that said "Scuola Beckwith" and Massimo did not know the historical significance, but Jonathan did. Charles Beckwith was an English colonel and is  one of the most important characters in the Waldesian cultural panorama in the 19th century: he is the man who is responsible for organization and education in the "Italian Evangelical valleys", to which he moved in 1827, promoting the building of schools of primary education and at the same time organizing the training of teachers. 

Original furnishings in this Beckwith School.
It is no longer an active school but opened and used monthly
for village meetings.

As Jonathan was explaining this to Massimo some elderly people stopped and started to listen in and were fascinated that Jonathan knew this part of their local history. When he told them he too was evangelical they lit up with smiles. From there the doors were burst open as they began to share their life stories. One woman attended elementary school in this one room schoolhouse back when the Germans occupied the village of Ghigo in WWII. I wish we could have stayed longer to chat with this generation of locals who experienced this part of history and who continue to live this mountainous life.

This man confirms Jonathan's history knowledge 

We spent quite a bit of time conversing with this group.
They still on occasion will wash their clothes on those wood boards
in the mountain spring water.

The locals recounted how this outdoor communal wood oven was used to make
bread on a monthly basis. Everyone cooked their bread on the same day to
maximise the oven heat and resources. They loved baking day because
it was the one day of the month they enjoyed fresh bread.

Any house adorned in flowers is beautiful

After drinking their fill of icy cold amazingly clear water, the kids had
competitions of who could hold their hand in the water the longest
before going numbness forced them to pull their hand out.

It was a full and very special day and one we had to sadly conclude before it got dark so that we didn’t have to drive down the mountain road at night. We have since seen this family regularly around town and in their shop and imagine another mountain visit will be in our future.