So- that's the news.
I AM MOVING TO JERUSALEM! I am going with the Fiore's so Sam can go to seminary for a semester.
I will still be back in America on December 7- actually maybe earlier if Israel doesn't let me in ;)...but here's hoping that doesn't happen.
Sam is moving to Jerusalem tomorrow morning, so he can be at orientation Saturaday. The kids are going to go back to school on September 5, and then sometime after that Michelle, little Sam, Mia, Margot, Lydia, and I will be getting on a plane. I am not sure of the exact date yet, but definitely sometime in September.
I am REALLY excited. I love living in Geneva/Peillonnex and I will really miss all of the people I have met here- but since this city is such a transient place, some of my close friends have already left..so it isn't sooo bad. Plus, I am just trying to stay over-excited about moving to get through any sadness/difficult work that is going to take place before the big move. Since Sam is leaving before us, that means it is just going to be me and Michelle tag-teaming the kids...which might get a little overwhelming for me, seeing as I am just used to having them from 9-7ish.
But, it's going to be awesome. And, seriously, how many people have this sort of opportunity in their lives? Ummm- not many. This job might be the best one I ever have.
Alright- it's been a long day, so I am going to get some sleep.
Have a great day!
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
crazy times.
Alright- before I say anything else (like about my wonderful trip to Roma or Margot's really scary seizure), I have to say this: I HAVE BIG NEWS.
Unfortunately, I can't tell you what that big news is yet...but just wait. It will be worth it. Don't even try to guess what it is though, please. I am not pregnant or engaged- so just throw those ideas away. I just wanted to tell you I had big news, because I am utterly horrible at keeping secrets, and this one is burning a hole in my esophagus. (I don't know where that turn of phrase just came from.)
Some of you know what my news is pertaining to, if so, to you, I say: IT'S HAPPENING!! I can't say when yet. I can't give details.
For those of you who don't have any clue what I am talking about, just hold your breath- because it's exciting.
On a much less mysterious note, I went to ROME to see my parents! It was incredibly hot there, which was kind of breath of fresh air for me. Okay, yes, the heat did get a little oppressive as I was marching around the city standing in massive crowds at one of the biggest tourist destinations in the world. But, it reminded me of my wonderful Georgia! I miss Georgia summer. I love the heat. I love the warm nights. I love walking outside and feeling that humid warmth get in every pore. Yeah- I am probably romanticizing a bit, but just a bit. It was VERY hot walking around though.
Thankfully, I got really lucky when it came to lines. Usually, one has to stand in a really long line to get into Vatican City- but dad went early and stood in line for me and mom (such a gentleman). And then, the last day, I decided to spend the morning by the pool, seeing as I didn't want to be completely exhausted when I went back to work, and my parents had stood in a ridiculously long line in the oppressive heat for a ticket to the forum. When they looked on the ticket later, they realized it was also to the coliseum. So I used their ticket to get into the coliseum, and then mom had said it might work for the forum again b/c it was some sort of group ticket. So I tried...and it didn't work. But, when I saw the light go red, I wasn't really paying attention, so I kind of hesitated and then tried to go through the gate anyway...and obviously it didn't work. BUT, the woman who had checked my ticket hadn't been paying attention either, so she just thought I had waited too long and then gave me a really frustrated look and pushed a little button on the side of the machine and let me in. When I realized my luck I did a little hop and then skipped away from the turnstiles before anyone could realize I had gotten in illegitimately.
What frustrates me about being in Italy is that I don't speak any Italian. I can't stand being unable to communicate. French I can handle myself, German I can eek through, but Italian- I've got nothing. It makes a horrible dent in my pride.
On the way back to Geneva I stopped in Milan to see the Schaafsma's for a few hours, and then I went back to the train station to get my train to Geneva. As I was walking to my platform, this guy started talking to me in Italian. I know what you are thinking: oh no. You are right. Not only did this 23-year-old, Tunisian-Italian not speaking any English, he also refused to leave me alone. I guess I am just too nice. I literally don't know how he kept a conversation going seeing as I know maybe 10 words in Italian and he was even worse in English. When I told him I was going to Geneva he said: me & you go to Geneva. me and you go to Geneva. me and you go to Geneva. Some people just don't know when to quit. I wasn't really scared. I mean, I didn't think this guy was actually going to follow me onto my train after I said "no" about 10 times...but HE DID. I was like "WHAT ARE YOU DOING? GO AWAY? CIAO!!" And he just kept following me. Praise the Lord (seriously, praise the Lord), they have assigned seating on the train and I had a the last seat in a group of four seats facing each other. When I started to sit down and he realized he couldn't sit next to me, I just turned around he left. But, SERIOUSLY, what is the matter with people?
The rest of my trip home was pretty uneventful except for some really drunk old men dancing and screaming and taking their pants off in the back of my bus back to the apartment. It was a bit horrific, but I was too tired to notice.
Now I feel like I have done Margot a lot of injustice because I am waiting until the end to mention her. When I was on my way down to Rome, I stayed at the Schaafsma's for two nights. On Thursday morning we were all sitting in the living room and I was reading "Animal Farm" out loud for Jake, Max & Glori who all have it for summer reading. (I love to read out loud, as you might know). So, I am reading, when the phone rings. It's Sam (my boss) saying that Margot had a seizure while they were at Lake Garda and he doesn't have any idea where the closest hospital is or what to do. It was so intense. Lydia had been sick the night before, so I thought it was something about her at first, and then I was really surprised when Nina relayed Sam's call. Nina was really worried because she couldn't think about who the best person to call was. She is probably one of the most capable people I know, so if she isn't sure what to do, we're all in trouble. But then I heard her on the phone with speaking in Italian to the emergency responders near Cecina. It was a tizzy of emotions and fears and phone calls and prayers. I was probably the one expecting the worst because my mind went straight to Job (how God allowed the devil to take everything away from him except his life). God has really been rocking my world and the Fiore's world and He has really been evident, so I felt like Satan would try to mess with us...so, yeah, bad times. But, thankfully, Margot and the ambulance found each other. And a few sleepless nights later, the Fiore's are back on semi-solid ground. It seems like Margot is going to be okay, though the doctors aren't sure why she had the seizure in the first place. She seemed pretty normal today when I got to hold her in my arms again. But just keep her in your prayers..if you pray that is.
To close, a quote from Tozer: We cover our deep ignorance with words, but we are ashamed to wonder, we are afraid to whisper "mystery."
That is all for this evening. I apologize for keeping some of you from your very important office work.
Much love, Kelly
Unfortunately, I can't tell you what that big news is yet...but just wait. It will be worth it. Don't even try to guess what it is though, please. I am not pregnant or engaged- so just throw those ideas away. I just wanted to tell you I had big news, because I am utterly horrible at keeping secrets, and this one is burning a hole in my esophagus. (I don't know where that turn of phrase just came from.)
Some of you know what my news is pertaining to, if so, to you, I say: IT'S HAPPENING!! I can't say when yet. I can't give details.
For those of you who don't have any clue what I am talking about, just hold your breath- because it's exciting.
On a much less mysterious note, I went to ROME to see my parents! It was incredibly hot there, which was kind of breath of fresh air for me. Okay, yes, the heat did get a little oppressive as I was marching around the city standing in massive crowds at one of the biggest tourist destinations in the world. But, it reminded me of my wonderful Georgia! I miss Georgia summer. I love the heat. I love the warm nights. I love walking outside and feeling that humid warmth get in every pore. Yeah- I am probably romanticizing a bit, but just a bit. It was VERY hot walking around though.
Thankfully, I got really lucky when it came to lines. Usually, one has to stand in a really long line to get into Vatican City- but dad went early and stood in line for me and mom (such a gentleman). And then, the last day, I decided to spend the morning by the pool, seeing as I didn't want to be completely exhausted when I went back to work, and my parents had stood in a ridiculously long line in the oppressive heat for a ticket to the forum. When they looked on the ticket later, they realized it was also to the coliseum. So I used their ticket to get into the coliseum, and then mom had said it might work for the forum again b/c it was some sort of group ticket. So I tried...and it didn't work. But, when I saw the light go red, I wasn't really paying attention, so I kind of hesitated and then tried to go through the gate anyway...and obviously it didn't work. BUT, the woman who had checked my ticket hadn't been paying attention either, so she just thought I had waited too long and then gave me a really frustrated look and pushed a little button on the side of the machine and let me in. When I realized my luck I did a little hop and then skipped away from the turnstiles before anyone could realize I had gotten in illegitimately.
What frustrates me about being in Italy is that I don't speak any Italian. I can't stand being unable to communicate. French I can handle myself, German I can eek through, but Italian- I've got nothing. It makes a horrible dent in my pride.
On the way back to Geneva I stopped in Milan to see the Schaafsma's for a few hours, and then I went back to the train station to get my train to Geneva. As I was walking to my platform, this guy started talking to me in Italian. I know what you are thinking: oh no. You are right. Not only did this 23-year-old, Tunisian-Italian not speaking any English, he also refused to leave me alone. I guess I am just too nice. I literally don't know how he kept a conversation going seeing as I know maybe 10 words in Italian and he was even worse in English. When I told him I was going to Geneva he said: me & you go to Geneva. me and you go to Geneva. me and you go to Geneva. Some people just don't know when to quit. I wasn't really scared. I mean, I didn't think this guy was actually going to follow me onto my train after I said "no" about 10 times...but HE DID. I was like "WHAT ARE YOU DOING? GO AWAY? CIAO!!" And he just kept following me. Praise the Lord (seriously, praise the Lord), they have assigned seating on the train and I had a the last seat in a group of four seats facing each other. When I started to sit down and he realized he couldn't sit next to me, I just turned around he left. But, SERIOUSLY, what is the matter with people?
The rest of my trip home was pretty uneventful except for some really drunk old men dancing and screaming and taking their pants off in the back of my bus back to the apartment. It was a bit horrific, but I was too tired to notice.
Now I feel like I have done Margot a lot of injustice because I am waiting until the end to mention her. When I was on my way down to Rome, I stayed at the Schaafsma's for two nights. On Thursday morning we were all sitting in the living room and I was reading "Animal Farm" out loud for Jake, Max & Glori who all have it for summer reading. (I love to read out loud, as you might know). So, I am reading, when the phone rings. It's Sam (my boss) saying that Margot had a seizure while they were at Lake Garda and he doesn't have any idea where the closest hospital is or what to do. It was so intense. Lydia had been sick the night before, so I thought it was something about her at first, and then I was really surprised when Nina relayed Sam's call. Nina was really worried because she couldn't think about who the best person to call was. She is probably one of the most capable people I know, so if she isn't sure what to do, we're all in trouble. But then I heard her on the phone with speaking in Italian to the emergency responders near Cecina. It was a tizzy of emotions and fears and phone calls and prayers. I was probably the one expecting the worst because my mind went straight to Job (how God allowed the devil to take everything away from him except his life). God has really been rocking my world and the Fiore's world and He has really been evident, so I felt like Satan would try to mess with us...so, yeah, bad times. But, thankfully, Margot and the ambulance found each other. And a few sleepless nights later, the Fiore's are back on semi-solid ground. It seems like Margot is going to be okay, though the doctors aren't sure why she had the seizure in the first place. She seemed pretty normal today when I got to hold her in my arms again. But just keep her in your prayers..if you pray that is.
To close, a quote from Tozer: We cover our deep ignorance with words, but we are ashamed to wonder, we are afraid to whisper "mystery."
That is all for this evening. I apologize for keeping some of you from your very important office work.
Much love, Kelly
Saturday, August 6, 2011
the times they are a changin'
I was marveling the other day about how much time has passed since I first arrived. I have done so much, and been so many places, but one of the most amazing things is having seen the kids grow. Mia and Sam's changes have been much more subtle than the babies, but definite. Sam has learned how to use the toilet and catch a ball. Mia has become quite a little storyteller. And they have both simply matured in ways I can't really describe.
As you might expect, the babies are amazing me every day with how much they grow and change. They've got teeth- Margot's are coming in all over the place so she looks like a jack-o-lantern when she smiles. They are sitting up SO well. They are making noises that sound like words. Margot has become a great little army-crawler (I swear her arms have little baby muscles), and I'm sure Lydia must be practicing her camera poses when we aren't looking). They are so cute, sometimes I feel I could just sit and admire them all day.
I have learned so much from these precious children. I haven't just mastered changing diapers and making scavenger hunts, I've seen God's handiwork. It's in everything around me, the mountains, my friends, and right in my own home. It is such a gift to live where the love of Christ is so real, and the blessings of God are so evident. It strengthens me and overwhelms me and fills me.
Watching children learn and grow is so much fun; yet it also gives me cause to think. I have seen them change SO much in 7 months, have I? Obviously, I realize that you can't stay on the fast track that little Margo & Lydia are on ..because then we would probably only live until we are 30. But, shouldn't we always be changing? Always be improving. Shouldn't I always be pursuing righteousness? It's kind of a lot to imagine getting better and better for the rest of my life..but it I try, I could be practically perfect by the time I die, right? Jk
In the spirit of change and improving oneself, in the strictly material sense, here is a picture of me making truffles today! I went with Martina to La Maison Cailler and ate WAY too much chocolate. It was a really fun day, and I learned a very practical skill. If you ever find yourself near Geneva, you should definitely go. Have a wonderful day!
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
la vita e bella
Last minute tip to the the lake house on Lake Garda last week. No big deal.
So, for the past 20 years, the extended Fiore family has had a share in an apartment in Cecina, Italy. The best way to describe this town is the quintessential small Italian village that you probably have an oil painting of over your mantelpiece. It's the image everyone has in their mind when they think of small town, picturesque Italy. You look at the picture on the wall and think: "Someday, I want to go there." Well I was there...working. And it was perfect. We spent two days at the beach and one day visiting a more touristy town on the other side of the lake. We ate fabulous Italian pasta and pizza and topped it off with gelato. I'm sure I have said this before, but I sincerely love my job. And, obviously it isn't because of things like this. Because if the kids were bratty and horrible I would be miserable...even at an Italian beach.
Best memory: I took little Sam to the bathroom and there was a picture of Marilyn Monroe on the wall. Here is the conversation that ensued:
Me: Do you like Marilyn Monroe, Sam?
Sam: yeah
Me: What do you like about her?
Sam: I like her breast
Me: Her dress?
Sam: NO, her BREAST
I swear I didn't teach him that.
Sam's sister and her family (the Schaafsma's) are over right now and Nina just handed me a chocolate croissant. Just saying.
There is something about Italy- maybe it is the warmth in the air or the general friendliness of the old Italian woman (compared to the general unfriendliness of people in Geneva). I love being there. I love taking walks and looking at the beautiful scenery and exploring the hills and seeing the old architecture. I love enjoying the food and the wine and hearing the language. I just feel at peace.
Okay, I should probably get back to work.
Have a great day!
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