"Hats Off"

I thought that I better begin to share about our European Vacation, at this rate, it will take me years to tell....

We left the Tri-Cities early Friday morning and drove to Seattle, where we were to board a 747 bound for Heathrow Airport in London. The drive to Seattle was a blast, we drove with our good friends, Steve and Bobi, whom we hadn't had a chance to "hang with" for a long while. We laughed and joked about marriage and kids and life, it made the four-plus hour long drive seem like one.

The flight over "the pond" was uneventful......great service by the staff of flight attendants. As we boarded the plane, I instantly realized how nice the cabin crew was, very polite and helpful, as people settled in for the eight-and-a-half hour long journey. "The English sure know how to make people feel welcome on their flights," I thought to myself, until.....One of the flight attendants came up to Mitch, with a very serious face, and told him that there was a "problem." Mitch and I looked at each other, (I was a little worried, if I do say so myself) and then the flight attendant said, "You'll have to leave the aircraft sir, we don't allow Bronco fans on our flights." (Mitch had been wearing his Bronco cap at the time, in fact he didn't take it off the whole flight!) We all had a good laugh, thanks to our friend Robb Myers, who had set us up!

As you can see from the photos I have posted, the "Bronco" hat went with us wherever we went......I asked Mitch to NOT wear it for photos, but he said that if he took it off, the Broncos winning streak would end! Needless to say the Broncos DID keep on winning and they still are!!

Needless to say, Mitch is very excited about his Colorado teams, even the Rockies and the Avalanche are on winning streaks.......so.......hats off to our Colorado teams!

764 Photos-1,000 of Memories.....

The ancient city of Corinth

Our first dinner in Rome

We are back from our trip abroad (I have always wanted to be able to say that) and we had a wonderful time. We were busy from early to late seeing the sites and so I can't say that we had a relaxing and restful time, but it was great none the less.

We feasted our eyes on beautiful architecture and ruins of ancient cities. We feasted on wonderful food and the best gelatto I ever ate! We met new people who quickly became good friends, and we fell more in Love with the Word of God as we saw with our very own eyes the places written about in the book of Acts.

Stay tuned for more...............

Vacanza is Almost Here......

Our "once-in-a-lifetime" Italian-Grecian holiday is almost upon us, so I have been happily getting stuff ready. I don't have any suitcases packed yet, but the top of our dresser is covered with travel size toiletries, ear plugs, bandages, extra eye glasses, electrical converters, and a host of other items for travel.

I have even been reading an Italian phrase book and dictionary, along with a few travel books I checked out from the library.

While in Italia, I have read that we should order menu del giorno, when eating out. It is the least expensive and the freshest food available. I have learned that a coffee shop is called a bar, so I will be doing some bar hopping for sure! I can't wait to taste an Italian caffe latte (I hope that the Italians have soy latte or it will be a caffe nero for me)

I have read that the public toilette costs money to use, a few coins and then you go!

A couple of the tour books even tell you what to do in the off chance a bird does its business on your head. We are cautioned to not try and wipe it away, it will only smear the pigeon's poop into your hair. We are told to just let it dry and then brush it away!

I look forward to lots of fare spese and when I am done, I will be indulging in dolci and a caffe' at a pasticceria.

And, if I do say so myself, the best part will be the canzone of a Venetian gondolier and a bacio from my sweet honey under the stars, as we glide through the canals of Venezia.

Arrivederci for now.....

No Greater Joy

Mitch and I had the privilege of being at the baptisms of our oldest daughter Stephenie's girls, our grand daughters, Bethanne and Rachel. We almost didn't make it, I had a "senior moment" (lately it has been a series of moments) and got the days mixed up. I am so thankful that I just happened to call my daughter Laura when I did or we would have missed it all together!

The day was even more special in that my son-in-law Dave, was the one who baptised them. Both of my daughters married awesome Christian men and I thank the Lord daily for the godly influence that they are in the lives of my girls and of my grand babies. Todd and Dave are the answer to my prayers of long ago and God gave me abundantly above all that I could ask or think!

Before the girls were "dunked," they were each asked to share a little bit about their faith in Jesus. As I listened to each one share her reasons for wanting to be baptised, the Lord reminded me of a portion of scripture that He had "given" to me many years ago...........

Is. 59:21 "As for Me," says the LORD, this is my covenant with them: My Spirit who is upon you, and my words which I have put in your mouth, shall not depart from your mouth, nor from the mouth of your descendants, nor from the mouth of your descendants' descendants," says the LORD, "from this time and forevermore."

And to borrow a phrase from the Apostle Paul....... and if I do say so myself........there is no greater joy than to see your children walking in the faith.

Too..........

For those of you who take the time to visit my blog, you know that I am not very faithful to blog on a regular basis. I have the usual excuses.....too busy, too tired....too lazy is more like it!

Mitch (my very own husband mind you) finally visited my blog and his comment was, "You don't write very often do you?" Well, if I do say so myself.......No, I don't!

So here goes with a commitment to try and write something each and every day......I hope that I am not being too much of a fibber.......

Dreams Really Do Come True......

I have dreamed of visiting Europe for years.......and my dream is about to come true! In September, Mitch and I will be flying to Rome and then boarding a cruise ship for a seven day Apostle's tour of Greece and Turkey. We are then heading back to Italy and then we will spend 3 glorious days touring Florence, Venice, and Rome! I am so excited.......I can hardly stand it....and myself!

The idea of seeing the places that I have only dreamed about is so thriling......to see with my own eyes the cities that the Apostle Paul brought the gospel of Jesus Christ to. To be able to read the letters that he wrote, in the places that he wrote them.....too awesome for words.

Happy Birthday To You....

Today is my youngest daughters birthday..... And if I do say so myself......I am one blessed momma! I actually have two beautiful daughters and no mom could be prouder than I. To watch them serve Jesus, to see them love their husbands, and watch them raise their children in the Lord is a joy to behold.

I love you Laura and I am so thankful that God chose to put you in my life. Thank you for 32 years of laughter, joy, fun, fellowship, tears, love, hugs, and kisses. I pray that God will richly bless you and keep you in His tender care. Your momma loves you ever so much!