After a 14 day TRANSATLANTIC crossing we are now in Florida enjoying time with grandparents.  The kids were super surprised at our mode of travel as they expected to get on an airplane.  Out of the 14 days we were at sea we only had one day where Emma and I had to sport the sea bands.  We had a blast and there is no way I could share the whole experience in one post.  So I think I’ll just sprinkle a little of our adventure into the posts where I tell you how we are dealing with being back in America. 

We went to church with Dad and Yvonne on Sunday and boy was it a good feeling to sit down and not have a child whisper in my ear that the sweat stains under my arms were huge!  This was not because it wasn’t blazing hot outside but because we rode in a car all the way and parked in the parking lot just outside the front door.  You might be surprised at how riding in an air-conditioned car and not on a super hot metro lowers one’s stress level.  At the end of the service I committed my first culture blunder.  I leaned over and asked Yvonne where we were suppose to put the Lord’s supper cups…I about fell out of my chair when she said, “Oh, they just throw them away.”  Yep, it’s going to be a fun filled American adventure!

See this face?  She could hardly believe we were going to America on the Disney Cruise!

As we were waiting in the terminal we snapped one of the millions of character pictures we would take throughout our journey.

 

We were chosen as the very first family to board the boat.

      

After planning, saving, and preparing for this surprise for a year and a half Charlie and I were almost as shell shocked as the kids.  The first thing we did was eat lunch!

After the mandatory emergency drill we joined Mickey and his friends on deck to celebrate our sailing away from Barcelona.

   

My favorite picture of day 1

There’s been so much happening and I’ve wanted to sit down and write it all down but just haven’t had time.  After trying to make a phone call and realizing the phone company has suspended our phone line three days early, I figured if I don’t write now it may be too late later as I have no idea when the internet is going to go.  It has taken me 2 5 hours just to write this sentence, this is how life has been this last week.  It’s kind of like Christmas but without all the gifts!  Everybody wants to say goodbye so there has been lots of phone calls, last dinners, and pop in visits.

 

I’m not complaining, I Love the fact that God has given us so many friends, it’s just that a simple task takes a little longer than what it should!  We actually had a good conversation over our last real pizza about how much God has given us these last 3 years in Naples.  Emma and Micah came home from playing downstairs and the minute Emma closed the doors she broke down in tears.  When she could finally talk, she said that she was so excited about going to America but she was sure going to miss her friends.  We then discussed our first year here and how we prayed for friends.  He is faithful.  We decided that crying about going to miss your friends was a whole lot better than crying because you have no friends!

We have finally finished packing, and closing down house.  The washing machine put a little kink in the whole process as I had to hold the tube for quite some time as it wasn’t draining.  But, the last load is done and we are ready for the beginning of our adventure.

                                                                                 

 

  Remember this post?

 

Well, sometimes DREAMS do come true.  I’m sure I’ll have many a story to tell about this next 14 day Worthy Adventure.  Until then, go hug a friend.

is a little sassy,

loves to make and create,

is an artist,

can roll her eyes like nobodies business,

loves, and I mean loves to eat,

watches out for her sisters and brother,

loves to pose for pictures

and loves when teams come to town.

July 2011-World Changers

It had been a tough day. I had to keep Emma home from going with the World Changers. Pneumonia has a way of making you feel like you feel O.K. but the minute you get to moving you feel horrible. We know this because the day before we had met up with one group that was down at the park bay. Emma sat on the bench and just watched and by the time we got home she was worn out. Wanting her to get better we decided staying at home, much to her disappointment, was the best option.

Staying behind while a team was here was a new experience for Emma. Micah and Emma, our two oldest kids, LOVE when teams are here, even more when the teams consist of teenagers. This was World Changers week which meant a ton of teenagers!! The kids love to be around the “cool, English speaking kids.”

While the rest of the kids and I stayed home, Micah and Charlie went out with their team. Micah hooked up with some of the girls and off they went to find the kids they had been talking with all week long. Someone snapped these pictures of Micah that day.

 

When she came home she excitedly told me the story behind this photo.

“Mom,” she began. “I got to help someone know Jesus.”

“Wow! that’s great,” I said. “What happened?”

“You know, Mom.” “He asked how to believe in Jesus.” “And then we helped him ask Jesus into his heart.”

“Did you do all the talking,” I asked?

“No, I just translated.” “But Mom, after he said the prayer, he said thank-you.” “Do you think he believes now?”

“Well, Babes, I think you helped him begin to believe and have a real friendship with Jesus.” “I’m so proud of you for being willing to translate and help lead someone to Jesus.”

“Yeah, Mom.” The conversation ended there as she found her sister and told her all about the day.

I had to bite down a bit of jealousy at first as I was not there to see first-hand my child have a part in helping lead someone to Jesus. But as I reflected back on the conversation, I realized how thankful I am for my children and their willingness to go out and be translators for the “cool, American teenagers who love Jesus,” it doesn’t really matter if I’m there or not. I pray that she, as well as the other four, will always be bold in their witness no matter what language they are speaking.

The Bible says in Timothy 4:12 “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.” My prayer for the World Changers, especially the other four in the picture with Micah, is that they will continue to set an example for others and that they will continue to share their faith. I thank God that my 9 year old daughter, along with the World Changer kids, was able to be used to further His kingdom.

We have 9 days left before heading to America for a couple of months.  I have a 4 year old with fever and a stomach ache.  Better now than next week.  Right?!

      

“Oh yeah, he did it, Daddy passed his test,” is the song that was sung by 4 happy kids and 1 super proud Mom as Charlie walked through the door this afternoon. After a long 5 months of studying and taking and retaking the Italian driving theory test and then the wait to take the practice test, Charlie now holds in his hand an Italian drivers license. Thank you to all who prayed over this. Perseverance took on a new meaning during this time and through your prayer support Charlie ran this race to the finish.

         

When was the last time you looked inside a nose?  Or had the opportunity to look?  If I had known I was going to get such a detailed look inside Micah’s nose this afternoon I would have begged Charlie to cancel his appointment in order to go with us.  Dr. visits do a little something to me, especially when new procedures are done.  It doesn’t matter if I’m the patient or not.  My heart starts to beating a little faster, my languages mix up (meaning no telling what language I’m going to ask my questions in!) I break out in a sweat and I say the dumbest things. 

Micah has had some snot trouble and continual sneezing attacks among some other symptoms so I decided to take her to the ear, nose and throat specialist.  This Dr. is very sweet and gentle with kids (I know this because she has seen all 4 of mine at one point or another)  Anyway, we get there and she asks Micah some questions and does the routine looking in the ears, nose and throat exam.  THEN, she pulls out this contraption.

       

This is a rhinoscope.  A fishing rod looking item with a teeny tiny video camera on the tip.  It is “snaked” through the nose in order to explore the nasal cavity.    She explains to Micah that she is going to put this in her nose and that it is not going to feel very good (actually, like little ants nibbling) but she will be very fast.  Micah sits in my lap with tears in her eyes and gets ready for the procedure.  The Dr. “snakes” the rhinoscope through one nostril but doesn’t get very far because of swelling of one of the turbinates (we have three in each nostril).   She then turns to the other nostril and goes a little deeper in but has to pull out because of snot rendering the picture on the computer no longer visible.  After cleaning the little camera off, much to our dismay, she says she need to go a little farther.  At this point I wasn’t sure who was sweating more profusely, me or Micah.  The Dr. tells Micah to count to 5 (real slow like) and she would be finished.  She “snakes” the camera in again and I begin to count for a crying Micah..1….”hang in there,” I whisper ..2… “breathe”.….3…”we can do it”….4….”almost done now”…..5…” I’m going to buy you that big eyed stuffed animal you saw when we’re through……and the rhinoscope comes out.    As Micah is calming down (and I try to get my heart to stop beating so fast) the Dr. preps the video.

She walks us step by step through each nostril explaining what each thing is and what it’s job is.  The computer screen shows us an image like this one. The swollen looking bell thing is a turbinate and it’s purpose is to humidify and filter the air that is inhaled through the nose.  When a cold causes severe congestion (you know the dreaded stuffed up nose), it is usually this inferior turbinate structure that swells.  

          

The little camera made its way all the way back to the adenoids which are located where the nose meets the throat.  These things help keep your body healthy by trapping harmful bacteria and viruses that you breathe in or swallow. Adenoids also contain cells that make antibodies to help your body fight infections

While watching the images of my daughters inner nose, all I could think of was God, Elohim, the Mighty Creator.  I was looking at an intricately designed nostril where everything fit and it’s components all have a job to do in order to give our lungs the clean filtered air we need.   He didn’t just plop a nose on our face, He carefully designed one of the many aspects of our bodies.

     

The Dr. used all kinds of vocabulary I was not sure of (remember, she is an Italian Dr. therefore speaks and explains all things in Italian.)  Because language learning is ongoing and I have no problem telling someone I don’t understand and would they please explain it to me, she did.  Now, I know in my head that I understood her explanation, but to explain what I know to be true in Italian in English is a little difficult.  I do know that Micah has swollen turbinates and adenoids (Micah was so brave as that little bity camera “snaked” its way all the way back to look at the adenoids) due to allergies.   But by far, the most important thing both Micah and I know and were reminded of again in a new way this afternoon is this:

       “You created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.  I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful (even swollen turbinates and adenoids) I KNOW THAT FULL WELL.      Psalm 139:13-14

Shopping is one of Micah’s favorite things to do.   When she is excited about an upcoming shopping morning she trails your every move talking the WHOLE time until you are in the stores.  Once in the stores every piece of clothing has to be touched and those in her size are tried on. 

Emma, on the other hand, loves to tag along.  She doesn’t go for the clothes, she goes for the company but mainly for the treats she’ll have along the way.  The warm graffa (doughnut), the fresh french fries, and a coke were the treats I was talked into buying.  I take her along to help with Micah’s excessive talking! 

Benjamin dunked his “horsey” (you know the one he has to have to sleep?!) in the bidet.  Seeing that he had begun the bathing process I threw horsey in the washing machine thinking that the hot sun would have him dry before naptime.  The washing machine chose to stop draining.  I now have sopping wet clothes and a very wet horsey.

Charlie spent all day out on the balcony scraping the grime off the shower planks.  (you know the kind of shower that you pull the plastic planks closed around it?! )  At 12 p.m. I learned how to caulk.   I now have a shower that looks brand new.

Alessia got in trouble at bed time and had to move to her own bed to sleep.  (she and Emma had moved back to sleeping in the same bed).  I’m betting she’ll be in my bed before the night is through.

 

This picture has nothing to do with Tuesday, I just sure wish I could have a drink from this cold mountain stream fountain.

             

Let me introduce you to the parking lot owners.

           

When the “citofono” (doorbell) and/or telephone start to ring at around 10 a.m. and again at 4p.m. it’s a sure sign that we’ll be spending some time downstairs in the parking lot playing.  Now, don’t get me wrong, I am thankful my children have a place to play and that we don’t live in an apartment that opens up to a busy street, however, sometimes I like to be able to actually accomplish something before heading down to supervise play time (actually, my job is to call “machina” (car) in order to let the kids know they have to get out of the street.  Much to the kids delight the “gang” is slowly trickling back from their vacation which means we are frequently outside.  This is what “parking lot” play looks like.

            

A couple of the kids descending upon the lot.

           

Doing the “toco” to see who’s it.  The game of choice is “nascondino” (hide and seek)  The “toco”….everyone throws in a number of fingers after chanting, “si buttano giu.”  The total of fingers is the number you count around the circle.  You count out around the circle of players and if the chosen number lands on you, you’re it!

           

When that game grows old, they play “cane”.  They take turns walking the “dog.”

Sometimes they get brave and play in the grassy section.  I personally prefer the asphalt play, the risks are lower.

             

The sign says, “It is prohibited to use the pathway and the grassy area for the dogs’ business.”  One might translate that as meaning, “don’t let your dogs poop in the grass” or “don’t leave your dogs’ poop hidden in the grass.”  However, many read this as “grassy area….let your dog poop here and don’t worry about picking it up.”

          

           

Bubba has stepped in his share of hidden poop, therefore, his courage runs out and he cries until someone gives him a lift across the dangerous grass.

           

Alessia leaves her mark on the street with her choice of pink chalk while Bubba prefers spitting a trail of water. (lets be  honest, it could be worse)

Excuse me, the “citofono” just rang….it’s time to go play.

We were late to church.  Mainly because one certain little girl decided to paint her fingernails.

         

           

         

 

And then while cleaning touching her nails up, a certain little brother followed suit.

  

While cleaning him up somehow I missed the toe.  He went to church with a painted toenail.