Italy- April 2nd

Favorite coffee spot!

View out our window was a school courtyard below

Jordan hits the streets in high fashion....

Lindsey's scarf!

We learned the subway well in 4 days!

Original gate into the Coliseum

Some roughians we encountered!  

Turns out they wanted 10 Euro for a picture with them!  

For animals or people?

Jordan...how do you measure up to Caesar?

Dancing with the stars!

BOYS!  They are same the world over!

Seashells seemed to be the fashion of their day.  

They weren't usually on their heads though!

Today's fashion!

Jordan, "If this is fashion, they can keep it!"

He's not used to BIG cities!

Sidewalk artists!

Veggie Art

On to Italy! April 1st

So, I begin this post with our last picture of the Ukraine.  I have to admit to a certain amount of a heart undone.  To leave a country where much of life is back-to-the-basics!  and fly to one, where fashion is everything! seemed .....hmmm...oxymoronic? 

I know I am making generalizations.  You can find affluence and fashion in the Ukraine, as well as  simplified lifestyles in Italy.  And the heart of man is the same, no matter where you live. 

I guess what I take away from this is an awareness of the blessings we enjoy, living in America! The luxuries we have and conveniences we take for granted in our every-day-lives.  It reminds me to be thankful and to be content, whatever circumstances God places us in! and to 

"Look, not only to my own interests, but also to the interests of others."  Phillipians 2:4  

That being said....on to ITALY!

Such an early start to our morning....

a nap was in order! 

Germany was beautiful.  I wanted to explore these little villages with red roofs! 

Italy's Coastline 

'Nuf said previously about the airline strike and being stuck an extra 4 hours in the airport, filing paperwork for our unloaded luggage, but this is how Jordan spent some of the wait time.

First view of the Coliseum

Our room, with a view.  It had huge windows that opened wide and provided the perfect place to perch with a cup of coffee!  

Misc. from the Ukraine

As hard as it is for me to pick a place and go on....leaving out tidbits from months gone by, I am doing it! (deep sigh)  

I am picking up in the Ukraine.  It was hard to download and post from there, so I have grabbed a few more of the pictures that made it memorable!   

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Sunday morning market....open air meat.....here's the chicken and bag of chicken feet!

I bet their chicken has no hormones added!

Pork area...pig heads hanging on the back wall.  Note slabs of pork fat the lady is arranging.  

They eat it raw!

Dominoes pizza delivers!  Kiev

Like the Great Wall in China, there was something about being in love and proclaiming it with a lock!  

Picture below, this must have been a popular spot!

And if you can't afford a lock, tie a piece of tissue!

When in Kiev...

Eggs anyone?

Fun to be exploring with the kids!

Cool old road!

Do you like my hat? Yes I like your hat. 

I like it very much!

Scrubbing off the mold and mildew, oversprayed texture, dirt in general!

I love clean windows!

One more pondering scratch on the chin....

Ready for Italy! 

Last night of fellowship, before leaving in the morning! 

Pizza, chocolate, pastries piled high!

Up at 3 a.m.

Leave Barishivka @ 4 a.m.

Thanks to Dan and the church for having us!

Our love and prayers are with you!

 Airport @ 5 a.m.

Leave Ukraine at 6 a.m.

Our vision is expanded, 

and we will never be the same!

Our hearts hold new memories of life outside of America, and God working in the lives of believers.