Jittery With Excitement

Eeeeks! The time is here! In a little more than 24 hours from now, we will be heading off to the airport for our grand European Adventure. Feels a bit like a dream, to be honest. My brain has been such a swirl of planning and strategizing for so many months I can hardly believe the trip is real and not just a magnificent version of imaginary play.

Our travel clothes are laid out and the bags are 85% packed. Lots of lists being made and checked and rechecked.

And the luggage, you ask? This is it, folks! the whole deal for a family of five for three weeks in Europe. All of our clothes are in those three carry-ons and three of the backpacks in the rear of the photo are the kids' carry-ons and zip onto the wheelies for when they get too heavy. In addition, Pops has a backpack, I have the little black messenger bag and the big duffel is our only checked piece of luggage (with room to spare for our found travel goodies!).

Can you tell I am proud of myself?

And so ... if you feel inclined to pray for our family, I would be so grateful. Prayer for safety, health, unity, joy, and a heart to receive all that God has plans to reveal to us. Thank you.

I'm off to finish my busy work and finish reading through the "house manual" for the flat we are renting in Rome. Here is what I am already curious about:

"Cooking machine: press and turn the throttle on the left, press the piezoelectric until the flame lights and hold for a few seconds. To close the gas, you have to rotate the yellow throttle under the sink (on the wall)."

Hoping to post while we are abroad! Stay tuned, and love to all ...