Europe day 6: Vatican and off to London!

Rome Walks tour was unbelievable! One of the best tours I've been on. The history and art came to life! Incredible stories told by our guide who is a believer and has a passion for church history. The Sistine chapel had so much more meaning. It was interesting how michaelangelo wanted to convey biblical scenes showing the fallenness-humanness-of mankind to man in crisis to intimacy and connection with God. I didn't realize that michaelangelo had never painted before being told by forceful warrior pope Julius to paint the sistine chapel. And then to paint al fresco (into wet plaster) upside down. Then he was asked to finish designing the basilica. Wow, michaelangelo truly changed art forever. So many more stories I could share... Like what a sick freak (there are other words...) that Nero was. Ew.

Then we battled italian modes of transportation to get to the airport. After our flight and our second train ride of the day, we opted to take a taxi rather than lugging our heavy packs through the tube. Our hotel is very quaint but is comfortable. Nice to crash!

Spring Refresh

The promise of spring is needed after coming through a hard season of winter.

Brandon and I went to Leavenworth in mid-March to commemorate the completion of my graduate coursework and the wrestling season. It was an exhausting grind that we just had to get on the other side of so we celebrated with a weekend in a cozy VRBO cabin together.

A few weeks later, we went to the WA tulip festival. What a breathtaking juxtaposition!

Sometimes it can be hard to transition into a new season of life, and we can miss out on enjoying the gifts and celebrating what is before us. For instance, I see this photo and I remember having a really hard time with Brandon that day. Even though our season of hard work and tension had passed and we were young newlyweds out enjoying a gorgeous spring daytrip, I was allowing lies about who I am get between the two of us. Those are the transition bumps that must be recognized immediately. We can't move forward if we are still dragging around and going through old baggage.

While I love the vibrant beauty of the tulips, (And really it's a must-see in WA) I can find beauty in the stark, quiet cold of winter as well as the bright, joyful thrill of spring. Each season has its purpose, just like the season of hardship, toil, or loneliness in a marriage can give way to a season of seeing the fruit of growth and celebrating together.

Whatever the season, remember:
"If God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and gone tomorrow, won't he more surely care for you?"
 Matthew 6:30

Blueberry picking by Mt. Si