Somewhere Over the Rainbow

Can you hear it? "Somewhere over the rainbow, way up high, there's a land that I've heard of once in a lullaby. Someday I'll wish upon a star and way up where the clouds are far behind me...where troubles melt like lemon drops, way above the chimney tops...that's where you'll find me."

It started in the 8th grade after I read Francine River's Mark of the Lion triology. This set of three novels is based on a young Messianic Jew's story of life in Rome duiring the days of Christ. I began dreaming of seeing these ruins and the places of history. Over the years, I've spent afternoons reading about Italy in Barnes and Noble's Bookstore, watching Italian cooking shows on the Food Network, listening to Josh Groban's music in his amazing Itlanian voice and language, eating gelato at Tuscany's Italian cafe and gelateria in College Station, and even watching the movies that could give me a better glimpse of the place that I dreamed of seeing. I made big, but outrageous, plans to save some of my needed courses so that I could study abroad after my sophomore year in college. But now, sitting in a hotel room in Houston, Texas, after over 24 hours of traveling and my last night in Italy, it is still hard to believe that this dream was a reality for me.

Two months ago, I remember driving to Austin for a much needed rode trip and some time alone with the Lord. I did not know how I was going to make it through the Spring Semester with school, heartache, spiritual warfare, and all of the personal battles I was facing. I remember crying out to the Lord in worship and weeping when I saw a rainbow appear through the storm clouds had been mirroring my emotions of fear and doubt. To my amazement, the Go of Creation allowed my eyes to view, not just one, but a double rainbow in the sky that day stretching from end to end. As cheesy as it sounds, it reminded me of his promise to Moses, and for me it represented the Lord's faithfulness. At that moment, I knew that his grace would be sufficient in my weakness. The next weekend, I went to a concert where I sat dumbfounded in the grass at night while Sean McDonald sang "Somewhere over the Rainbow". With tears streaming down my face in need, I closed my eyes and held on to the dream and relief. Sure enough, my Sweet Jesus helped me win those battles and conquer a hard time in life, all the while looking to Italy as a place of hope and healing. That is what it was. Through lone adventures, amazing sights, a wealth of new knowledge, and much needed companions, he fashioned a dream story that helped my heart to heal and stand in awe of exceeded expectations.

That promise and song of three month's ago was enough to hold on to, but our God always exceeds our needs. I mentioned how he reminded me of that promise and song while we were walking in Venice and I heard it on the grand canal. Then, as icing on my cake, The Wizard of Oz "just happened" to be showing on the plane flight home to America. Just as Dorothy begins to close her eyes, click her heels, and repeat those five words (there's no place like home)...that gentle rainbow tune chimes in. You can only imagine the smile that crossed across my heart and face at that moment. Even in coming home, I didn't need to end the dream but boast of the Lord's sweet gifts, healing, and precious memories.

There's a lot of reflecting to do in the days ahead and I refuse to live my life in the past, though I still long to be in that place that I hold so dear. In the airport today, however, my friend mentioned this quote by the famous Dr. Seuss: "Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened." I hold on to this and am thankful, especially after just reviewing over 400 pictures and talking with the folks for four hours, for my "somewhere over the rainbow". This, I know, is only a fragment of the land that we have to dream of. For heaven, our home, is far more worthy of our dreams than any place that I have seen.

Great Expectations

The Dolomite Mountain Range is part of the Alps Mountain Range in Northern Italy. These huge cliffs, massive boulders, and snow peaked areas tower in the ice blue sky, putting even the Colorado landscape to shame. After our trip to Venice and Verona, we rode on a bus for 4 hours to reach the Dolomites and our surprise three days in this beautiful place. I can not capture the beauty, colors, and sights with mere words, but pictures testify to the beauty since even the colors and images look fake...like someone painted a picteresque background and put us in front.

Our group stayed in a small city called Canazei which reminded me a little of the quaint town of Telluride Colorado. This city hosts several of the Olympic Winter sports and is usually a booming tourist town in the winter months. It was the perfect spot for us at the end of this summer trip, however, and the cooler weather and occasional showers/thunderstorms were a nice change compared to our hot and muggy days in Venice. Wednesday afternoon our bus pulled up to the parking lot of the Biance Croce Hotel which is where our director has taken groups for many years now. Apparently we are the only student group that is allowed to stay there nowadays. Derek, the hotel manager/hotel owner's son, was waiting for us and all of the girls instantly fell in love with this young pro-hockey player, turned model, turned hotel manager and soon to be owner. I never imagined what typed of accomodations we were in for at this four star hotel. Joy and I had our own room with a balcony, couch, table, and huge bathroom. The hotel was right near a stream where I went for a walk in the afternoon to explore, and it sits in the middle of the town right next to a gelateria and crepe restaraunt. We definitely enjoyed both of these sights. The lodge had several rooms for a bar, piano, card tables, and a pool table. Best of all, downstairs there was a Turkish Bath complex and spa. The spa offered massages and pedicures, of course, for a good sum of money. The baths, however, were completely free.

Let me just explain how we spent our afternoons: First you enter the complex by way of a cold pool of cleansing water for your feet. Next, you shower off with warm water before entering the "cauldarium" or hot steam bath that had a black ceiling with lit up stars that changed colors. In between each room, you shower in a tropical mist and fragance. Afte the steam room came the aromatherapy room filled with hot, strong lemon scents. The sauna was next and was the most exhausting and draining part of the cycle. After losing all of this sweat, we chilled/shocked our system with a huge downpoor of ice-cold water before sitting in the room filled with room temperature lights. The last room, the "frigidarium" was full of stones that kept it extremely cold. After all of the rooms, I sat in the lukewarm jet bath full of massaging foot stones before laying under the uv lights above the warm stone benches that contoured to your back. The first afternoon, I was so relaxed and suffering from Dramamine that I fell asleep here for an hour and a half before my friend had to wake me up...Talk about a relaxing pair of afternoons!

It must sound like I am making all of this up, but the fairy tale hotel just got better with our dinner that was served promptly at 7:30 pm. A huge salad bar, a five course meal where you get to choose each option, and a scrumptios dessert left me feeling extremely blessed to be at this place in Italy...once again, a complete feeling of amazement and gratitude. My friend/roomate Shiethal showed us her Indian dancing that night and I stayed up late reading Quo Vidas on the overstuffed leather couch.

Thursday morning started early but enjoyably with our huge buffet breakfast where I made a fruit and yogurt parfait that reminded me of my mom and aunt. The entire time, the waiters were completely at our service and the manager was so helpful to meet our every need. At about 9 am, our group split up for the day: some went hiking with Dr. Oberhelman, others went rock climbing and paragliding, while I joined 6 other girls for horseback riding throughout the mountains, along a stream and into the hills of serenity. Pina, my shorter horse, hated other horse behind her, so the German guy in charge of the trail horses, wanted me to ride in the back. I had been in a really reflective mood at day, so when I got to lag behind and catch up with a trot every once in a while, I had the time to think deep and claim the Lord's promises and faithfulness. After a short nap and packed lunch, I went on a solo hike up to the top of a waterfall just because I was in the mood to explore. I have been able to do several solo things that allow me to spend time with the one who has gotten me through so much hurt and provided such great healing. I had my last European crepe from the nearby cafe. Frutti di bosci (fruit of the forest) and vanilla made a great combination for my afternoon chat and snack with McKayla and Shiethal. Last night, I sat and played cards with all of the girls before we talked late into the night. We wanted to be tired for our long bus ride today, so we found out more about the fascinating life of Derek, and I was able to find our more about Katie and her daughter/salvation experience.

We left Canazei in the rain today, a perfect reflection of my emotions in having to leave this place and come to the end of such a sweet dream. Nic and I had some interesting conversations on our 7 hour bus ride about A&M's student government association, philosophy, and my friend/his girlfriend. A large purchase of the world famous Kinder chocolate completed this first day of the month before we arrived home at the center for the last time. I was able to pack before dinner tonight so that I could enjoy our last night and day iin Italy! I'm trying to find somway to get left behind and forgotten so that I can stay longer. I've never wanted to stay in a place so bad. Everyone is talking about the "I miss..." of American life such as food, conveniences, and simple goods but I have to admit, all of the inconveniences of Italian life are worth the time in Italy in comparison with the small conveniences of American life. I know the Lord calls us to contentment. I don't know what to expect from here: I have been able to check so many dreams off of my "list" and could be discouraged that it's all over. Instead, I'm trying to treasure the last of these moments and trust that the one who has overexceeded every expectation will continue to meet my needs and desires. Hail the King!

Thoughts of Venice

Our second night in Venice was labled ¨Khakis and Sass¨ since all of the guys dressed up in their khakis and the seven of us girls dawned our newest outfits. Venecians are famous for their squid ink pasta, but since all we could find was the cuddlefish ink version I had to settle. The pasta was really good and cheap since my faithful food sharing friend, Joy, and I got to split the meal and enjoy dessert in St. Mark´s square later that night. Of course, since we were in Venice everyone wanted to go on a gondola ride. We were willing to spend a little more cash than expected for such a memory, so six of us pitched in for a 100 euro ride down the dark canals. Pino, our gondalier, whistled in the quiet night air and showed us the house of Marco Polo and even pointed out some of the river rats. It was peaceful and (as sappy as it sounds) left you longing for the romance that Venice is famous for. A friend behind me snapped some shots of Joy and I in the front of the gondola as we were pondering and praying for those ¨special someones¨.

On Tuesday, Felicia and I went to the famous islands of Burano and Murano. Burano, about a thirty minute ferry ride from Venice, is known for their intricate lace shops. The quaint little town has houses of all different colors and tourist stream down the city streets in search of a perfect little piece of white, delicate fabric. There was a small store at the end called Emilia where a little woman sat making a lace piece. She wouldn´t even budge for the pictures. Apparently, there were amazing wedding dresses and comforters upstairs in her shop. Her work is in all of the local magazines and known all over Italy. After making a few special purchases for family, we caught another ¨vapereti¨to the island of Murano. This Venecian island houses the primary sources for all of the glass for Italy and the world. When we got off of the ferry, we had several opportunities to watch men blowing glass out of the hot furnaces. They gave some tours and even let some of the girls from our group help form the beautiful pieces. The further we walked down the streets, the cheaper the glass products were priced. If I had had the money, ability to pack, and the time to buy more glass pieces for a home someday I definitley would have spent more time on the island. Felicia was feeling a little sick so we made it back to our hotel to nap and journal. We met up with the rest of the group on the beaches of Lido where we lounged in the sun before playing volleyball. It was my first time to ¨pepper¨with a partner and it felt so good to get to play again without all of the pressures of matches and teams.

That night, I saved some money on food by purchasing risotto and tuna from the alamentari (supermarket) down the street. We went back to the guys´hotel since they had a kitchen and TV and ate our ¨put together¨ meal in order to save money for our last night. After showers and medicine for upset stomachs, I joined some friends in St. Mark´s square again for more music and some exploration of the island. We ventured off to find a gelato shop that Nic remembered from his last trip here...that it until he figured out that the reason we couldn´t find it was because it was actually in Nice..and then we made it to the crepe shop just after it closed. We weren´t too disappointed, though....how can you be when you´re still standing by the grand canal in Italy...and we ended up having some pretty reflective conversations on the steps of the bridge. We talked about our favorite trip memories and how we had grown over the trip...these are definitly things that I am pushing aside because I don´t want it to be over, but eventually I will love to dwell on.

Wednesday we left our hotel on the island of Lido by way of the ferry to Venice. After three incredible days in the city, memories weren´t the only thing on my mind. My head was in a constant rocking motion since the entire city, plus lots of hours on the boats, sent me swirling. I´m thankful that my motionsickness hasn´t really been too much of an issue, though. I didn´t want to leave Venice, primarily because I had no idea or expectations for the Dolomites and our time in the mountains. If I could have know what was waiting for me in my time there, however, I probably wouldn´t have believed it!