Interesting Travel Days

Generally when I travel, something entertaining occurs... sometimes funny, sometimes frustrating. Here is today's adventure so far...

It began at 4pm yesterday when the shuttle service I generally use if my flight is before 7am from Rome emailed to say that they could not take me this morning. So I scrambled a bit and found another shuttle service that would take me at 4am this morning. The hesitancy is because of the snow that fell in Rome over the past week.

I got to bed last night around midnight... and fell asleep around 2am... got up at 3am... got the shuttle at 4am. After the plane was de-iced by one of the 3 de-icing machines at the airport, we took off.

We landed in Zuerich (which was covered with snow) and I waited for my next flight that would take me to Amsterdam. I had about 4 hours to wait... Almost enough time to to see friends in the area.. but not quite.

As I waited for the flight we were told the flight was delayed with more information coming in a 1/2 of an hour.

1/2 hour later, we were told that unfortunately, the the flight was cancelled due to a suspicious activity sighting in the Amsterdam airport.

So... I have another 4 hours to wait for the next flight. this is when I thank God that all the flying I have done in the past few years earned me frequest traveler status so I get to use an airport lounge.

Snow in Rome. Neve a Roma

One week ago it snowed in Rome. Just enough to shut down the city. And just yesterday it warmed up enough to melt it away finally. There are no snow blowers or rock salt/gravel trucks here. Instead, the mayor has put 2 36-hour restrictions on driving. No driving unless you have chains on your tires... the problem is that chains for your car tires are not a commonly sold item here. Ah Roma...

I asked for a shuttle to go to the airport Monday early morning.. but they cannot confirm until Sunday because we are not sure what the weather will hold.

Then tonight it started snowing again.  I have read that not since the record setting snowfall of February 11, 1986, has there been the 20 centimeters of snow accumulation that happened last week. We shall see what this snowfall that began this evening will result in. And we shall see if I can get to the airport.

As it is, I have been at home sick all week anyway...

Sun in Spain, Snow in Rome

 Two days after I returned from Southern California, I went to Spain for a gathering of ICS and STINTers from a few of the areas we serve in. It was a time of being with long time friends and meeting new friends, worshiping in English and hearing from the Word. It did my heart good.

      There are very few things which bring peace to my soul as quickly as the ocean does. I am instantly captured by the greatness of God and the smallness of myself. As the sand, the stones and shells are tossed by the ever approaching waves, I see the beauty and refinement that is produced.
      Similarly, without the Holy Spirit's prompting, re-directing and reminding; I would be unrefined. When I see the beauty in nature I have to surrender yet again to the work of the Lord in my life.

     When I arrived back in Rome... it was snowing. The first real snow since the mid 80's. The whole city is slowed down. There is a 36-hour ban on driving in the city without chains on your car.
     As I arrived in Rome, I debated which mode of transportation to take back to my apartment. I decided on a taxi, joined the looooong line and waited. As I got to the front of the line, people were discussing a problem with the metro that was impeding the travel of cars. hmmm...
    I was rejoicing in the way the Lord cares for me as the woman behind me in line shared that she needed to take the taxi just 1km from my apartment. We shared the taxi and thus cut our costs in half!  God is good!

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. :-)