Rome

Sharon and Lani at Fontana di Trevi

We reluctantly, but gratefully, left the B&B outside Florence today via Julia.  She's the daughter of Alessandra.  She took us to get something to eat at a local store for our train ride back and then dropped us off at the train station taking us all the way to platform 1 to be sure that we found it (there's only two platforms in Rufina, so this was so sweet).  We had an uneventful two train rides back and enjoyed eating our grain and olive salad on the train.

We arrived in Rome a little after 2:30pm and found our accommodations.  We rested for awhile and then headed into Rome.  Rome is beautiful. Very big and spacious.  We walked to our accommodations to the Collesseum.  As we walked it was hard to imagine that people walked these stone roads so long ago.  And it's very special to me to think that the apostle Paul walked here as well.  The greenery and remnants of building around the Collesseum were so beautiful.  And there weren't that many people around so it made our time leisurely.  We took the metro to the Fontana di Trevi, which is a famous fountain built in the 1400's at the end of an aqueduct.  That in itself was an experience.  People everywhere crowded subway cars.  But when we got to the area around the fountain, it was very clean, old buildings, and shops all around.  Of course there are trattorias with tables outside.  We walked around, took some pictures by the fountain and found a cozy place to eat.  We enjoyed our last night in Rome and Lani so sweetly bought me my dinner to celebrate my birthday early. She's been such a good travel companion and I've gotten to know her better.  She and I will part ways tomorrow morning.  She'll stay in Rome for a day, then she's off to Spain and Paris, then back to Germany.  I'll fly to Amsterdam tomorrow.  I've so enjoyed her company and I'm anxious to see what God does next in her life.  But this may not be the last time that I see her, she lives in Vancouver, just a few hours away from my aunt and uncle in Seattle.  No matter where our paths lead, friends born of faith are not quickly forgotten.

Florence

 In front of the Duomo (Lani taking the picture, of course)

I woke up to a beautiful sunrise, read outside before breakfast, and then had breakfast with a couple from Canada. Alessandra (I had her name incorrect as Alexandra) offered to take us into Florence because she needed to deliver some of her wine.  We took about 12 cases of wine and had a lovely conversation on the way there.  Having a farmhouse, vineyard, fruit trees and a bed and breakfast is hard work.  You could tell that she and her husband worked a lot.  She`s been so kind to us here.  We met her daughter Julia at the pool yesterday and her mom dropped her off at the train station on our way to Florence.  She`s a thin dark-haired 18-year-old with beautiful curly dark hair.  And she was as kind as her mother.

On the way to Florence, I took in the Italian scenery with the rolling hills, vineyards, and fruit trees.  Italy is more untouched.  Meaning that is more natural and just old.  The farms aren`t as fastidious and square as some other countries.  We found out more about the Il Pezzatino winery.  Alessandra and her husband make 25,000 bottles of wine each year and the winery has been in her husband`s family for 200 years.  We had the rose wine last night and it was exceptional.  She talked more about her daughter and her university training and her son, who is working in Florence.  We arrived the back way to the Florence city center amongst the crazy Italian drivers.  We helped her load some of the wine onto a cart and then she pulled it right into Florence.  She stopped at a restaurant and butchery where she needed to deliver her wine.  I never saw so much raw meat hanging.  We parted ways and started on our tour of Florence.

We used a self-guided tour of Florence for part of the time.  We started at a piazza, went into a museum that was previously a monastery.  There were many smaller rooms with one window and wooden shutters and a fresco painted on the wall.  We toured the museum and then headed to the Duomo, or a famous church built in 1436.  We walked through the art district taking in statues and very ornate buildings.  We continued on, beginning to melt a bit because of the heat, but walked over the Ponte Vecchio bridge built in Roman times.    We then found a stationary shop where the owner was the fourth generation.  We spent an hour in there just talking with him and browsing the books and stationary that he makes.  He was so nice and even told us the only place to eat in Italy -- Casalinga.  So walked just around the corner and down the block and found the trattoria (restaurant).  It looked like nothing from the outside, but inside it was quite quaint.  I ordered a frittata and Lani the ravioli.  I was still hungry so I ordered in salata di carote.  Literally, it was shredded carrots, but once I squeezed the lemon and drizzled olive oil on them it was amazing.  Lani and I laughed that I could impress my friends at home by making in salata di carote (lol). 

We just walked around Florence the rest of the day getting gelato, which melted as fast as we did, but thoroughly enjoyed browsing the shops.  I have to admit, it was much different than I expected.  When cities are so old, it`s hard to comprehend us walking the same streets that people have for thousands of years.  We left by train at 6:00pm, but it wasn't without some challenges because the train was late.  But we found it just fine and headed back to the farmhouse, where Alessandra picked us up at the train station.  Lani and I spent the rest of the night eating a leisurely dinner and chatting.

Tomorrow is Rome and dinner in the historical center.

Tuscany

Sharon and Lani at the farmhouse B&B in Tuscany

Yesterday I was in Austria, Germany and now I am in Italy.  It`s hard to believe.  Simon, one of the "older" students (he`s 29) drove me to the Munich airport and also took home Kerstin and Stefi to Germany.  Both Simon and Kerstin will be back to Tauernhof in a week to work for the summer there.  And Stefi took a nanny job for two months.  We started the drive off in silence just reflecting on our time at school.  After a bit we chatted, but were all so thankful that we were able to leave school together and for all that God taught us.  I was so appreciative of the ride and seeing Germany.  They dropped me off at the Munich airport for my flight to Rome and said our goodbyes.  I will miss all of their laughter and fellowship.

Once flying, I had the most amazing experience flying over the Alps.  So incredible to see how grand and magnificent they are.  I flew into Rome and after a bit of confusion in the Rome airport, Lani and I found each other.  I was so happy to have found her. We took a taxi to the hotel in Rome so that we could get a good night`s rest before going to Florence (our flights just worked out to go to Rome first).  We found all of our trains....except the last 30 minute train to Rufina, where our bed and breakfast is located.  We got on the wrong train.  You should have seen our faces when the train attendant looked at our tickets and told us that we were on the wrong train.  Of course, this was not a simple dialogue because he only spoke Italian.  But Lani knows some Italian, so we managed to find out when the next train would take us back.  We made it back and found the right train an hour and a half later.  The confusion happened because a train was late and arrived on the platform that we were to catch out train.  But now we have the system figured out.  You can only imagine how happy we were to get to the B&B farmhouse and swim in the pool.

Alexandra, the owner of Il Pezzatino was so nice to come to the train station twice to get us.  She and her husband have owned the farmhouse fro 30 years.  She brought us to the farmhouse and showed us our room.  It`s old with uneven wooden beams for the ceiling, a circulating fan, and the bed is dressed in very old linens.  The windows have old aqua shutters, the floors are wooden and the walls are white, but you can tell that the walls are so old because of the uneveness.  But it has it`s own charm.  They even make there own wine.  The dining room has a stove and a long wooden table about 20 feet long, solid wood.  Their wines are displayed.  Alexandra asked if we wanted to walk into town or order pizza and we decided on pizza.  She even took us to town to order the pizza and we waited at a very cozy pizza place -- Pizzeria Spaghetteria.  Very nice staff.  We went back to the farmhouse and enjoyed some of their chilled rose wine with pizza, a salad, and a light cream dessert.  Alexandra even gave us some of their own homemade olive oil to enjoy with our dinner.  We chatted the night away eating outside under the Tuscan sky.  I so enjoyed every bite of the food and the conversation.

Tomorrow we`re off to Florence.

We spent the afternoon swimming and relaxing.

Leaving tomorrow

Dinner at the hut

Dodo (Germany), Kerstin (Germany), Sharon/me (USA)

We walked 30 minutes up the mountain to get to dinner at a hut.  All the staff were present and we had a fantastic meal and fellowship, complete with an accordian player throughout the night.  I even had a glass of Austrian wine (though after two months I couldn't even drink the whole glass).  It's hard to believe that tomorrow I leave for Italy to spend 4 days in Florence and Rome.  It's been so nice to have these days here after the students left to process all of what's going on.  Today we were able to sleep in and could help ourselves to breakfast.  I couldn't believe that I slept until almost 8am.  But I really like the girls in my new room -- Kerstin, Stefi, and Megan (my desk mate in class).  We had a barbeque at the Protestant church for lunch and I spent the afternoon leisurely packing.  I also went on one last walk along the river.  It's been a bit cloudy and cooler for the past week and half, but as I was on my walk, the sun started to come out.  I so enjoyed hearing the river, reflected on all of God's creation, and thanked him for being able to go on this trip.  It's so crazy to think that I just spent 8 weeks in Austria and now I'll get to travel to Italy, the Netherlands, and Germany. 

It's also been great to see that when I've trusted God, that plans seem to go so much smoother.  Like my travels for example.  For one, my camera broke the week before school ended and when I told one of the staff girls that I liked her camera -- that it was just like the one that I had, she offered to lend it to me for my travels.  And literally, it's just an older version of mine.  She's German, but bought it when she lived in America.  So my USB cable works.  So amazing.  And I fly out of Munich to Rome tomorrow, and instead of having to take the train, one of the German students is going to take me to the airport in half the time.  And there are so many other instances like this.  While I am excited to travel, I'm more excited to travel with Lani in Italy, visit the couple in the Netherlands that were so instrumental in my decision to go to school, and visit the other student in Germany. 

As I get packed up, and think about all that I've learned, I think that if I had not left work, I would not be here.  While I don't know where the path leads next, I have so much peace that if I had such an amazing experience that drew me closer to God and brought the reality of Christ to me, how can I worry about what's next?

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus."

Philipians 4: 6-7

Graduation

Graduation

Kerstin, Isa, Sharon/me, Daniela

It's hard to believe that 8 weeks of bible school has come to a close.  I actually lived in Austria.  It's been an amazing experience to live in a foreign country, live in community, and to be around students of other countries.  While I was the oldest student, the younger students never made me feel old.  It took me some time to realize that some of the younger girls wanted to talk to me as an older person.  And I can understand this because I have several older people in my life that I enjoy and look forward to talking to -- whether it's about the good or the bad in life.  So as the weeks went on, I found that I loved to talk to a handful of the girls on a much deeper level.  And it was such a privilege to share their heart with me.  Often it was just such a sweet conversation because we're coming from the same place of faith.  As we wrapped up the last day and graduated, I was teary-eyed.  Partly because I've had such an amazing heart experience here, but also because I know that many of the girls and the young men will go on to be very Godly and fantastic wives, husbands, fathers, and mothers.  And I'll miss a few very much who were kindred spirits to me.  But I may see some again.  Some of the girls from Washington invited me to visit.  And a few others from Switzerland, Germany, Canada, and Romania also said to visit.  While it is exciting to think about visiting a foreign country, I would so enjoy just spending time with them even if it's years from now. 

As for the next steps, I've spent the last few days cleaning the school with the staff and 5 other students who stayed.  Tonight, we're headed to a dinner at one of the "huts" for an authentic Austrian meal.  And I think since school is over, we might even have some Austrian wine. : )

New Adventures

So, we wrapped up this week studying the book of Philipians.  Tobi, who once was a professional boxer, taught the class.  I so enjoyed listening to him because he became a Christian later in life and has so many experiences to share on how his life has changed since becoming a Christian.  I've met his wife and three kids (all under the age of 3) and they're very dear.  He focused on how Paul encouraged the Philipians to think about things that were good and noble and to put this into practice.  He also reminded us from the book that Paul said that Christ was sufficient for him.  Paul, who endured beatings, shipwrecks, jail, and was cold and naked proclaimed that he knew what it was to be sufficient with Christ and how to be content in all circumstances -- his joy did not depend on his circumstances.  Tobi himself is a good example of someone who lives simply, always has a smile on his face, and pursues God with all of his life.  Very inspiring. 

At the top of the Planai mountain

We wrapped up the week with a final sports day, a book report, and a test this morning on memory verses.  For the sports day I chose to ride up the tallest mountain behind the school -- called Planai -- on an electric bike.  You still need to pedal, but I wanted to try it.  It was worth the view at the top.  You could see mountains on all sides.  The trip down was a bit precarious because it was dirt winding trails.  I was a bit nervous, but Tobi coached me.  While I appreciated the help, I decided to ride the road the rest to the way back with two of the other girls.  It was nice to be on the mountains one last time before I go and just be in God's creation. 

As we get ready to go, the staff has a nice dinner planned for us tonight and we'll graduate afterwards.  It's been an amazing experience.  I've loved the mountains, the lectures, the fellowship, and most importantly how real Christ has became to me and has changed me.  While it's hard to put into words, the Christian life hass become more clear to me.  And this makes me very excited for the future. 

"Adventures in Austria" will continue and will become "Adventures through Europe."

The last week of school

Last outreach in a nearby town

Front: Trish, Maddy, Candace, Sharon/me, Dogmar Rachele

Second: Dan, Blake, Denis, Simon, Dillon, Naomi, Leo, Whitney

On Sunday we had our last outreach singing at the Protesant church in a nearby town.  After several practices and outreaches, we really sounded like a team.  It was so interesting to see the church members dressed in the traditional garb of a woolen coat with gold buttons and leather shorts and for the ladies, the traditional dress.  It was particularly cold on Sunday and we wore our warmer jackets, but today it is nice and almost 80 degrees.  As we left the church, we reflected that it's our last outreach.  And it's our last week of lecture.  We're all trying not to think of the lasts, but rather enjoy each moment that's left.  We have classes through Wednesday and then we graduate on Thursday night. 

Tonight, we'll have a final family group and our family group is making a Swabian dish because we have a couple from Germany and Austria in our group.  I really enjoy our family group.  The one challenge with an 8-week course is that just when you're really beginning to know other people, it's time to leave.  But it will be a fun evening. 

After Thursday, most everyone will leave after breakfast on Friday.  But I've decided to stay and help clean and prepare for the next group coming in along with a few other students.  I may also be doing some administrative work to help out.  After this I'll be headed for some travel throughout Europe. I'm very grateful to be able to travel with a friend part of the time and visit some other connections in Europe.  Who knew that this would turn into quite the adventure.  Well, I have learned that life in faith is all about adventure, risk, and enjoying the ride however exciting or full of unknowns.  As I live a life in Christ, I am learning to think less about myself and more about how to spread the good news, how to love others as God would, and how to live fully and abundantly. 

I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
John 10:9-11