November Wrap-up

It was a busy month that passed all too quickly, but here is a look at some happenings in November.  Yes, we did carve our pumpkin a day late, but the traditional still held, so better late than never.  As our family in Michigan received record levels of snow this month, we have been enjoying our temps in the 50s and are still waiting for the first freeze of the season.  I have enjoyed my roses into the fall which makes me happy.  Our fall colors reached their peak mid-November.  Thankful for it all!

CD Release in Italian

I am so proud to share that Jonathan has finally released his first CD in Italian, Lux Aeterna.  No record labels or deals and no desire for profit, just the satisfaction of knowing that people are listening to your music is reward enough for him.  

Jonathan has been composing music since before the time I met him and amusingly enough it was his first song titled in Italian, Noella Mia Bella, that captured by heart hook, line and sinker.  Let's not forget the fact that he also composed ALL the music for our wedding.  I have been on the receiving end of his amazing talent with songs written at defining moments of our relationship and I am truly blessed.

After years of dedication to learning the Italian language he has composed his first CD in Italian.  I am in awe of his ability to communicate at a level that expresses the heart.  For those that have learned a second language you know exactly what I mean.  This project took him a year and a half to complete.  Countless hours were invested in the composing, recording and mixing.  I only ever heard pieces of the whole project--like the same line 500 times over and over, hour after hour--but when I finally heard all the pieces together it was truly moving.  My mind can't even comprehend how he makes music, but I praise God that he gave my husband this gift.

The first printing of 300 CDs arrived the end of October and since then he has been passing them out to everyone who will take one.  People have been amazed that he would just give them away and have been really touched by the gift.  One school mom said she hasn't taken it out of her car's CD player since she got it.  The barista lady liked it so much she gave it to her friend to listen to.  Another missionary friend has asked permission to play it on their Christian radio station in Perugia.  We continue to pray for the words of the songs to impact hearts, to cause reflection and to open more doors for us to be able to share the gospel.  Will you pray too?

Just as soon as this project was complete he was on to the next.  His current undertaking is to put 52 Psalms to music for the church.  The idea is one Psalm for each week of the year.  Just this week he has begun the recording process for the first 5 songs.  

We give praise and glory to God for the things He has done and will do through Jonathan's passion for music and the church.

If you would like to hear the CD yourself, please head on over to his website: jonathankleis.bandcamp.com  

You can make a donation to download the CD or simply name your own price of $0.  Again, he just wants his music to be a blessing to others and isn't looking to make a profit. So pass the word! Oh, and there are actually TWO versions of this CD--one in English and one in Italian.  Thank you to many of you who purchased the English version of the CD this summer.  Your gifts were used towards the printing of the Italian version. 

Party Time

Turning 10 is a big deal, a really BIG deal! We got a good laugh when Emma said "now I am double digits--next up, triple digits!"  Sweetie, I won't be around to throw you a party in nine decades, but the celebration of your first decade was truly a blast!

On her birthday we spent four hours as a family at the local charity in the afternoon and she was a trooper having to wait until afterwards to open presents.  She was delighted with every gift, oo-ing and ahh-ing over each one.  She is so fun to watch opening gifts as every word on a card and every gift is just the best ever.  Luca was too cute making her a money holder card all on his own in which he gave her $3 and 50 cents (everything in his wallet).  Emma kept getting the money count wrong by saying "thank you, Luca for my $3" and he would respond "and 50 cents!" My heart sings for joy when I see the sibling love come out in unexpected ways.

Emma's birthday meal request was a steak dinner.  I was thankful not to have to cook that meal as we headed out to our traditional birthday restaurant of Bam Bam.

This girl loves parties and maybe the planning of them just as much.  However, she was kind of stumped on a cake theme this year.  To me, the obvious choice was to highlight her rainbow loom craze with lots of colors.  Emma got busy making cupcake pencil toppers out of rubber bands as party favors.  Everyone was super excited about the little gift since favors are not a part of Italian party customs.  I had to frantically make the final few as we had last minute confirmations and man, do I have more appreciation for her work and the hours of patience she has to pour over a project.  I had more rubber bands flying around the room than I could count.

We hosted Emma's party the day after her birthday and even then it was a bit crazy trying to fit it into our schedule as we had to make a turnaround transition from party to Bible study within an hour of each other.  But we did it and it was a great success.

Emma invited her entire class and eleven of her classmates and four siblings came to celebrate.  Three of the siblings are in Luca's class so that was a special treat for him too.  The kid count was 18 and the house was rocking.  The kids brought their elastic cords to play the same jumping routine game I played in elementary school.  I can't even remember what we called it, but it is funny how the same games get passed on from generation to generation.  At one point there were three separate games going on, then it was on to Twister.  A few of the moms stayed and we amazingly had really good conversations despite the decibel levels being through the roof.  A couple are seriously interested in a Bible study with us! Be praying.

Presents and cake rounded out the evening.  What a fun week of celebrations!  Happy 10th Emma!

And more rainbow colored food...

Double Digits for Emma

Happy 10th Birthday, to our little Principessa!  Our little girl, is growing and maturing into a young lady and it is totally overwhelming to think about how quickly these past ten years have gone.

Emma, the day you were born you were welcomed not only by your parents and big brother, but by your grandparents who were ecstatic to have their first granddaughter.  You were such a tiny and petite little baby, that so easily fit into the crook of your daddy's arm.  You had him wrapped him around your finger from day one and nothing has changed since.



You were just 7 months old when we moved to Italy.  You have since embraced the culture and language of a place that is more home to you than anywhere else.  Your ability to communicate and gesture like an Italian never ceases to amaze me.  Thanks for correcting me (almost always) in my Italian--it surely keeps me humbled and challenged.  You are learning to correct with more grace, and I appreciate that.

Emma, you are my creative genius.  You keep busy with your hands and creating art all around you.  I am so glad to have a crafting buddy.  You have no fear of just heading right into a project: using permanent markers instead of pencils, foregoing a tutorial and just creating it your own way, and seeing the end results even before you begin.

You are full of life, joy, love and enthusiasm.  Our hearts desire is to continue to watch the working of the Holy Spirit in your life to transform you into a woman after God's own heart who loves him above everything else in this world and desires to serve him with your life.

We love you precious Memmies more than you will ever know! Happiest of birthdays to you on your celebration of 10 years!

Here is video throw back from your 6th birthday celebration since I didn't have time to compile your first decade...

Economics & Health in Italy

Just wanted to share an article with you that will help you understand the scary reality of the economic situation Italy is facing.  Life is hard and getting harder for so many...pray for us as seek to minister to the impoverished in our community and share the message of hope and a security that can only be found in Jesus Christ.

Italy's in terminal decline and no one has the guts to stop it

This second article made me laugh as it gives you a cultural insight into how Italians view and obtain illnesses.  We often get a raised eyebrow if we don't adhere to the preventative measures mentioned in this article.

How to avoid getting 'hit by air' in Italy

Karate

The kids are all enjoying their new venture in Karate this year.  Jonathan, too is enjoying his return to martial arts after a long hiatus.  He took Karate as a kid and got pretty high in his belt color and then our first year of marriage we took Kung Fu together.  The kids could hardly believe that this Mamma knows how to wield nunchucks and deliver a powerful punch and kick.  Unfortunately, I don't think we have any pictures to back up my story since that was before the age of camera phones and the need to document every moment of one's life.  I guess they'll just have to take my word for it!

My little karate kids head out with their dad on Thursday nights for lessons.  Kids and adults warm up together for the first hour and then are divided by rank to work on their moves.  The kids are catching on fast.  Jonathan says it is like riding a bike, as the moves came right back to him and will no doubt quickly advance out of his beginner white belt.  The second hour is the adult class and the kids sit around to watch and wait until their dad is done.  

As for me, I get nearly two and half hours of me-time.  I have been strictly ordered by my husband not to pass the time with housework.  So far I have been good and use the time to knit or read (or fall asleep) in their absence.  I am happy...they are happy...what more could one ask for?

In a few weeks I will tag along to class and get some video because the kids are all anxious for you to see their moves.  So stay tuned for more karate action...

Mamma & Sons

As we have hit our stride and new routine of a new school year, I am seeing some special moments ahead for some one-on-one time with my boys.

Samuel arrives home from school each day at 2:00.  Twice a week we cross paths at the door as he enters and I exit with the other two kids who need to go back to school for the afternoon.  Samuel is becoming quite the independent young man, who is learning and really liking to make lunch for himself.  He has mastered the art of preparing pasta and seems to be quite satisfied with himself because of the fact.  One day I left the kitchen uncleaned from lunch #1 so when he came home he did a bit of cleanup too without being asked.  I do have to admit that my heart did skip a beat when I saw him washing my empty soup pot (he hates soup!) thinking he poured it down the drain.  No, oh mamma of little faith, he actually had already transferred it to the refrigerator.

Now that he desires to get in the kitchen more, this also benefits me as I have an extra pair of hands in dinner preparation and a conversation pal while Emma and Luca are at school.  Yesterday, Samuel helped assemble the lasagna or "lasagnas" as Emma always calls the dish (in Italian the dish is referred to in the plural form of "lasagne").  I smile every time when I hear third culture kid-ism phrasing.  So anyway, as we were working together in the kitchen I told Samuel I was thirsty and asked him if he could pour me a cup of lemonade.  The next thing I see is my lemonade measure out to precision in a measuring cup.  I laughed and have to keep in mind how literal Samuel makes things.  It can be like living with Amelia Bedelia sometimes.

On Fridays, Samuel and Emma have piano lessons from 4 to 5.  This gives me an hour and half alone with Luca.  Thankfully, he seems to be willing to get homework done during this period without distraction all with the hope of finishing his weekend homework before his siblings.  Fridays are breakfast night around our table, so I get an enthusiastic helping hand from Luca because it is the one meal he looks forward to all week.  He's quite good at cracking eggs and demands to do everything himself.

It is nice to have little individual moments throughout the week with the kids.  I guess Emma and I just need to make some special time to escape the boys.  We'll work on that.