quick update

Well, Mailchimp that I use for my Musings is having issues for these hours that I set aside to work on an update. I will try again when I am in the US.  Yes. I am flying in less than 12 hours to California. I will be joining my family as we celebrate the life and mourn the death of my grandfather. I will be in the LA area from Saturday until Tuesday and then back to Rome. Your prayers are appreciated.

Also... I am again working for Agape Europe not just Agape Italy!!!!  I am so excited!  more news on that coming soon.

In other news, my roommate and I are moving out of our apartment the 1st of March, so I have been packing up my belongings again. I just unpacked the last bits of them this past June. It seems strange to be packing up again. Please pray for us. I will give more details on this when I get to write my January Musings. :-)

It is more than the taking down of Christmas decor that makes my apartment feel empty

Not only are the Christmas decorations down, but most of my roommates things are in boxes.

Mine will soon follow.

The only thing that is taking more space on the walls is the mold that continues to advance. 

Two days ago, I sprayed an incredibly powerful mold-stop spray 4 times and there is still a lot of mold in that area.

My dear roommate is in the USA seeking those who would join her financially so she can return to Italy and continue the impact she has had here. 

We are moving out of the apartment by the end of February. It is kind of funny (ironic) to me, that it is time to pack up my things again. Another chance to see what is really important. 

In other news... Students are returning to classes and exams, so ministry is picking back up with them! Fun times. :-) 

Grandpa is with Jesus

Last Christmas time I was with my grandparents in southern California. 

I asked them if I could take this photo. 

In February my grandmother went to be with Jesus and last night on Christmas day my grandfather joined her. 

My grandparents are so precious to me. Grandpa was ornery and feisty even before dementia began to take over his brain... but he also was funny and laughed and taught me many things about life. The last time I saw him was at my grandmother's memorial service in February. 

I am grateful for the moments in the last year of his life, that I got to see him in person. I look forward to one day seeing both my grandparents in Heaven.. with no more pain, sorrow, or sicknesses. 

Sights of the Season

 My mother and I drove up to Kandern a couple of weeks ago and since then, I have been taking in the sights of the season. It was while we were up there that I really felt like the Christmas Season had begun.

 Lights hung all over the place...this is the Via del Corso. 

Christmas colours.. are also the colours of the Italian flag.

 Christmas cookie parties with students. We had a lot of fun. 

Decorating sugar cookies is not an Italian tradition.

 Decorating my apartment a little bit. Last year my Christmas decorations stayed in their storage container so it has been fun to pull them out and decorate... even though I will be packing up all my things to move out of this apartment in a couple months.

 Attending a children's Christmas concert at a church across the Piazza from my apartment. 

Fun to hear Italian children singing Mele Kalikimaka-the Hawaiian way to say Merry Christmas.

Something I love in Europe is the way so many people use Advent wreaths. I carried this one from a Christmas market in France back down here to Rome on the road trip with my mom. The Advent wreath helps me to remember the true meaning of this season.

Deutschland here I come! Deutschland, Ich Komme!

My mom arrived yesterday!  

Yay!!!!!  :-) 

Tomorrow I am driving us up to Kandern, Germany where I used to live. I am so excited for the following:

Time with my mom

the beautiful drive

a haircut by my favorite German hair guy

German Christmas markets

Seeing good friends in Kandern

Maybe we'll get to see some snow!!!
Please pray for us for safety and a sweet time together.