Remembering our first Thanksgiving in Italy!
https://youtu.be/4QHqZP2klEM
Thursday, November 23, 2023
Thursday, September 21, 2023
Sebastian's first day at a new school
It takes a lot of guts to walk into a huge building full of loud, Italian kids and show up for the first day of 4th grade. So-so on his Italian, so-so on his math facts, exceptional in his manners, thoughtfulness and sensitivity to other people, Sebastian is sure to succeed. Go, Sebo!
Texas, USA, Summer 2023
What a blast of a trip to Texas! Time in Alvin. . . time at the Circle K. . . we are blessed by family, old and new! Warmest greetings to the Peseks, our newest family-to-be!
THANK YOU, JANE ROMBS!!! Your pottery hobby is a new favorite of my girls!
Annie's solo in the Byzantine choir
I am re-posting the video of Annie's solo over a year ago, because I realized I had the wrong video up. Here is her beautiful performance!
Tuesday, July 11, 2023
Pilgrimage to Assisi
Francis' clothes
Francis' parents
Francis' home growing up
Confession: Plenary indulgence opportunity
Chapel of Saint Sebastian
Basilica of St. Francis
Basilica of St. Clare
Overlooking Umbria
Portiuncula, built by St. Francis
Our prayer intentions
Place where St. Francis died
Saturday, July 1, 2023
Beautiful Gaeta!
The year wrapped up with incredible blessings, from Sebastian's finishing 3rd grade, to Annie and Leigh finishing the year at the Swiss School of Rome, to Ron completing one year as Associate Dean and Director of Rome. Boy, were we ready to see Mary and our dear friend Abby, and HIT THE BEACH!
I did a two hour hike straight up a mountain, and this view was my glorious reward!
Wahoo! The year is done!
I love my Leigh! What a beauty
Incredible Annie
Mary and Abby meet us on the Italian coast--a happy mama am I
We rented boats and saw Gaeta from its lovely ocean view
Driving a boat
Loving my people
How many thousands of years ago were homo sapiens climbing these cliffs?
My precious Mary
Sunday, June 11, 2023
Angelicum
By a stroke of amazing grace, I have actually completed more than two full years of the STB program in theology at the Angelicum. I just finished my courses on the Old Testament Prophets and Christian Worship (which was a class mainly on liturgy). It has taken me 4 years to take these two years of classes.
I remember several years ago, Ron showing me the full roster of classes I would need to take to get the degree. I cried and said it would be impossible. In fact, it still seems impossible to me! Nine courses per semester for three years, plus two years of philosophy (which I already had), plus comps and a thesis. How would that be imaginable for a mother of 6 who also teaches philosophy at times and who contributes to a nonprofit ministry for mothers? Not to mention the life challenges of living abroad plus all the other hurdles and opportunities life presents.
Yet here I am, one year away from finishing. It will not happen next year, as I have agreed teach philosophy next year. But then the following year, God willing, the STB awaits.
I pray in immense gratitude to God and to my husband and children for all they have done to make this incredible opportunity possible. A pontifical degree in theology! Astonishing.
Sunday, June 4, 2023
A Gift for me from Ron
I am soooo grateful for this gift from Ron! It's the Hebrew Bible translated into English. Why is that so important to me, a Christian?
In my studies at the Angelicum, I have become keenly aware that the translators of all standard editions of the Bible sanitize the original Hebrew. If the Hebrew includes foul language, the Vulgate, the Septuagint, and the modern language translations all do things to clean it up. But then you lose so much of the original, and you miss nuances and even whole major points of God's revelation to humanity.
It is the first translation to be written all by one person (rather than a committee) since the Renaissance! Apparently this translation made a big splash when it came out in 2018.
While I hope to learn Hebrew soon, this three-volume set will tide me over.
Then I'll ask for Ron to get me the Old Testament in Hebrew. . . that'll be another, very exciting day!
Tuesday, May 30, 2023
Driving to the Trevi Fountain
It's really not a good idea to drive to the Trevi Fountain.
Most people in Rome know that, and even we know that, most of the time.
On this particular Sunday, Ron and I were going to visit a new friend at the Greg. Somehow Ron thought that, since the ZTL was not activated on Sunday, we could drive there.
But you have to pass the Trevi Fountain to get there! Not sure how we missed that. . . but suffice it to say that Ron saw the 7,000 tourists, and made the excellent judgement to turn around. How he did a 180 in a one-lane cobblestone street, I do not know. I think physics were against him. Somehow he always manages.
Merry Month of May
Blessed by a visit from Jacob and Gabrielle--Ah, Rejoice my Heart!
Forno Party for the Seminarians
Taco Press for my Birthday from the kids (which I bought myself in advance!). . . Homemade tortillas are a whole new horizon!
Birthday dinner--You guessed it, homemade tacos!
What Monti looked like the morning of May 25th
I stopped in a little Church, plopped down next to Jesus and His Sacred Heart, and prayed my heart out for about 3 hours--Now THAT'S a great birthday morning!
Dinner out with Clare, Leigh, Sebastian and Ron--Braving a new seafood restaurant. Is it marvelous or does it miss the mark? We are still wondering. How I TREASURE my family and where God has brought me on this life's journey! I could not be happier or more blessed.
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