We bit the bullet and went to Italy. You know what that means. Get ready for lots of travelogue posts. I can't help myself. I took about a thousand pictures because I wanted to remember every second we were there.
We have wanted to go to Italy for a VERY long time. Before we were married, Andrew told me that if I wanted him to take me to Italy, I needed to take an Art History class at BYU. [Andrew served his mission in Italy about 10 years ago]. I complied... and then waited...and waited...and waited. Still, we could have easily waited until we were much older and more settled. But I just had a feeling come over me a few months ago that it was now or never. With Andrew's schedule getting crazier by the year and the kids at a good age to leave behind, that feeling was probably correct. I'm so glad we did it. And I am so grateful for my sister and her family for watching the boys for A WHOLE 10 DAYS so we could go. They are heaven-sent.
I felt like I learned a lot of things on this trip, little impressions here and there, that I really needed to learn for this time in my life. Most of them are just for me, but one little thing I'll share is the overwhelming thought that came to me over and over again that BEAUTY IS CREATED. Italy is beautiful. Maybe the most beautiful place I have ever seen. Of course, there is the natural beauty that God created. But so much of it is man-made beauty that has been carefully and purposefully created over centuries. It was so hard for me to fully comprehend how long it took to create and build some of the structures we saw. Some of them took hundreds of years to complete. Can you imagine if you helped build something your entire life and never saw it completed? It took time, artistry, patience, planning and sometimes the reward for all that effort was not even enjoyed during one's lifetime. But I got to enjoy it. They built it to last forever. I left feeling more motivated to create beauty in my own life both in my surroundings and metaphorically. That probably sounds cheesy but with the imperfections and defeats that are so common in my everyday life, it was nice to realize that good things usually take a lot of patience and careful crafting to come to fruition.
10 comments:
Oh Lauren I miss you. I CRAVE a simple conversation with you where we can talk about all those beautiful lessons you learned, because the one you just shared took my breath away. There is serious wisdom to that truth. I'm so glad you and Drew went to Italy, and can't wait to hear more details. Oh how I miss you!!
ditto to Heather! Can I just package you up and have you be my personal mentor? Or better yet, take me to Italy next time... :)
I have a good friend that posted something poetic and similar to your thoughts about building and having faith... you might enjoy reading it. http://www.mamablogga.com/the-invisible-woman/
miss you girl!
What are the kiddos for Halloween?
Yea! Pictures from Italy! I have been hoping you would post them. As winter starts moving in around here, we need some beautiful, fall pictures of Italy to cheer us up. What wonderful pictures. It makes you want to jump on a plane and go see the real thing. But maybe it must wait as winter is coming and it wouldn't be the same. We miss the boys so much. Luke and Cam and Deklyn had so much fun going down slippery slides, running, kicking balls, running, shooting plastic water guns at each other, playing with the toys at Carol's house running,playing with Dallyn,Trestyn,Dakota,Jaxson,etc. You get the picture! I am so happy that the two of you and Marika had a good time. Love ya, Mom McCann
Glad you finally made it. And that's way nice that you got to leave the kids behind. We just got back from spending the weekend in Hong Kong and I do not like traveling with a baby. Post all your pictures. I want to here all about it.
I'm doing. I'm going there next year. Thanks for the inspiration!
*it
MORE...MORE...MORE!!
I'm loving your Italy posts. It's pretty much the greatest place there ever was.
WOW! I need so many more pictures and poetic stories from you, Lauren! Italy is amazing and it's great that you got to go with your husband on a Mommy/Daddy trip. Those are so important! Also, you are a gifted writer, and when I read your posts, I feel like you are right next to me, cracking me up and also inspiring me. Thanks, pal!
Thanks for starting to post again because I missed this the first time around. I linked from a more recent post. Can't wait to look at the whole trip. I've been to parts of Italy from a cruise & I would love to go to more. What an amazing time for you & Andrew!
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