To Explore Inside the Vatican

 Vatican "Swiss Guard" in still used Renaissance uniform.

 

 Jane and Pops taking in the grandeur.

 

Peter's intrigue in the Latin language increases ...

 

Interior view of the dome ...

 The magnificent Pieta. How marble can look soft and liquid, I'll never know, but we all stood transfixed by the emotion represented in Christ's body.

 Another dome, because they were just so cool.

Pops trying to get yet another photo where it looks like the children are holding up some piece of architecture.  

This was right before the children became so tired of all the marveling and sat down on the floor and we were reprimanded sternly by a severely faced Italian guard that there was no sitting on holy floor no matter what your age. The kids stood back up.

  ... and the view below as we began our climb upwards towards St. Peter's basilica ...

Stand at the crossroads and look ...

 I have been contemplative, of late. Upon the growing list of things I feel compelled to mind-wrestle, is ... the blog. Do I continue? Do I dedicate time to this mode of self-expression? One that has provided a platform for showing myself what my days do really accomplish.

I am not sure, to be honest. I truly cannot commit the time that I once did, as I simply do not have as much of it. It has been allocated to many other good things, but one can only do so much, no?

But yet, I am reticent to stop completely. Scared, perhaps to lose the connection to myself, my life, and the intentionality that comes with examining what God has brought to me today to think upon.

 
When we were in Rome, this spring, one of the excursions we truly enjoyed was our time at the Vatican. Regardless of your spiritual leanings, it is a place to marvel. The magnitude. The grandeur. The history.

But in spite of the reverential feel, both Pops and I felt a bit of a disconnect between the intention of honoring God and truly cultivating a relationship with him. Does God's presence reside more fully in the Vatican than in a country church, or a village prayer meeting?

 
A rhetorical question, to be sure. But one to remind me to be seeking God where I am at, today.

 
To glory in the opportunities of the day. 

 
Be it strolling the paths of the ancients before me,

 
Or walking the path of the Ancient One.

To blog or not to blog? No commitments either way. We shall see. But intentional reflection reminds me that my mind is a noisy place. It forces me to chew through the chatter of my thoughts.

And this always, always leads me back to is the knowledge that He is worth pursuing. He is worth my time. He is what quiets my spirit and gives direction to my steps.

And this is good.

Stand at the crossroads and look;
    ask for the ancient paths,
ask where the good way is, and walk in it,
    and you will find rest for your souls.

Jeremiah 6:16

Rooftop in Florence

 This is where you dry your clothes when staying in a medieval villa in Florence.

 And where instead of journaling, you do watercolors of the places you've been ...

 ... and the things you have seen. 

And this is the view of the Tuscan countryside from that very rooftop.

And you are happy.

 The Colosseum in Rome is still fresh in mind.

 

 And you smile.

And paint more of what you see.

 And again. You are happy.

Proof of Accomplishment

And we're off. School is well underway, rhythms being reestablished and confidence renewing itself that "we can do this!" Life is such a team effort for families, isn't it? It's a good thing.

My mother brought over a bag of "we-have-way-too-many-of-these" plums and into jam they went. Plum jam has a surprising tartness amongst all the sweet. A very nice alternative to the still-delicious blackberry, raspberry, strawberry goodness that was also sugared into jars earlier this summer. (I was kind of jam-crazy there for awhile).

So even though the jam is ready to be put away in the cupboards, I have opted to leave them on the kitchen sill for a little while longer. They seem to be beauty and accomplishment in a jar. Like a little wink and thumbs-up every time I look at them while I'm racing to do the next oh-so-important task ... like making lunches or taking out the trash.

Sometimes I need to be reminded that proof of accomplishment comes in many ways. Sometimes that is a clean house, or a jar of jam. But frequently, for me, it's in remembering that proof isn't always tangible. And all the mothers smile and give a sigh of relief ...

To Celebrate Jane, Because She's Seven

 Our Miss Jane had a birthday last Friday. Seven years old! My, my. How the sweet years fly.

We had some lovely gifting and peach-caking (more to come on that later), but the true fantasticness of the birthday celebrations was the giant outdoor movie theater we set up in our backyard.

 We borrowed a digital projector from a friend and Pops set up an massively-impressive movie screen made out of lumber, rebar, rope, a paint drop-cloth, and clothes-pins. It exceeded my expectations. As usual.

We watched The Love Bug, drank lemonade out of mason jars and feasted on skillet popcorn in paper bags.

 
We had twinkle-lights and tea lights, balloons aplenty ...

... and happy masses of family and children and babies galore.

It was so wonderful, I have visions of future summers and outdoor movie nights all season long. 

But until then, we are content with the evening we had and so thankful for the dear one who inspired it all.

We love you, Sweet Jane. Happy Birthday.

Joyful Days

After a happy time of expectation ... Baby Silas is here! I've never seen my brother so proud and joyful. As he should be. His beautiful wife and beautiful son are worthy of his pride.

There is nothing like the arrival of a new baby, is there? So, so happy for them.

Another First Day

 Ahh, my babies. Growing. Still.

Today was the first day of school, full-day ... all of them. Peter 6th (gulp!), Lucette 4th, and Little Jane 1st.

 

 I already miss our summer days together. But my heart is so happy for all that is before them.
Growing up is hard ... for all ... but it truly is a good thing.

 And mamas will always be mamas.

 And Pops will always be Pops.

We're a 'special' family. And I love it.

Having a Moment

Have you heard the phrase, "Having a moment" ? ... I've been having plenty of those lately. Lots of transitions of late. Some difficult, some good, and some just normal life stuff. You know the deal. And with the stuff I have my occasional meltdown. Sometimes quiet and tidy and sometimes noisy and messy. It happens.

But amongst my "moments" there are the bowls of honeyed strawberries with mint and almonds. And those are the moments that remind me to get a grip and appreciate the bounty in front of me.

Having any moments yourselves, these days?

Strength for Today and Bright Hope for Tomorrow

 My grandfather's service was this week. It was hard, as these things are, but so very good, as well. His was a life transformed by and devoted to Christ. What a legacy for us to inherit. What motivation to move us forward.

I spoke at his service. It was not planned ... by me, anyways. But the day before, I had a pressing from the Lord. With trepidation, I decided I was willing. Willing if the Lord did the work. If He gave me words and if it was with purpose. He did, and I believe it was.

I was very emotional, but emboldened. Never before have I spoke with such conviction and strength. I can say that, because it was the Lord at work. Truly. And it is my prayer that His truth stirs hearts towards Him. No better way to honor my grandfather.

"If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. For the Scripture says, “ Whoever believes in Him will not be disappointed.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him; for “ Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Romans 10:9-13

A Together Opportunity

I love summer entertaining. There is an ease and casualness that appeals to me. Plus, I love to eat outside. 

Recently, we had my brother and sister-in-law over for an evening of chatting, nerf blow-dart wars (more to come on that) and excited anticipation of their baby due later this month. We had a tasty dinner of salmon, watermelon and salad, but aren't the appetizers always the best? I almost always just yank odds & ends from the cupboards. 

Pull out the wooden cutting board that Uncle Kelly made and add a couple of sharp knives, a hunk of salami, a couple of cheeses, bread and crackers, and some jam. And if it's on hand, some vino or Pellegrino. I was also pleased to use two of my hammered brass bowls I picked up at a little flea-market in France. Perfect for pistachios ... one for the nuts and one for the discarded shells.

The spread? It feels fancy, but it's really just grown-up snacking.




This next week will be full of family moments as we anticipate my grandfather's service. Perhaps not as easy or as casual as the evening with Peter and Allie, but it will be good nonetheless. And isn't it interesting that after emotional events, we like provide a chance for dear ones to sit, eat, visit.

An opportunity to slow down and participate together.