Belgium: Part Two

Moments from Brugge and Lueven:

riding the train between cities while slowing savoring our purchased chocolates

rounding the dim corner of the Cathedral in Brugge and finding the Madonna waiting for us

biking our way through Lueven at midnight, racing against time in order to catch a train

a slow morning sipping cappuccinos, eating waffles, and having a heart-to-heart

fresh laundry hanging to dry

spending time with a dear friend in the country she was temporarily calling 'home'

Belgium: Part One

After the whirlwind that was Rome, it was time to board a plane bound for Belgium. Before too long, I found myself standing on an empty platform waiting for the train which would take me into Lueven. From there, Nataleigh and I slowly walked through the quiet, dark city, stopping by the local street vendor for a late night snack ... 

... our goal for this time in Belgium? Waffles, hot chocolate, truffles, Michelangelo Brugge Madonna and the tiny city of Ghent ...

Rome: Part Two

The crowded metro car rumbled closer and closer to our stop. I could only look at Lizzie in amazement as I reflected on where we were headed. Before we knew it, the surge of people swept us through the graffiti filled station and deposited us on the cobble-stone street. And there, soaring over our heads, it rose ... Rome's ancient Colosseum.

Images of courageous martyrs facing the lions, iron-clad gladiators dueling to please a blood-thirsty crowd and children boldly making choices and paying the ultimate price for them all flickered through my mind as I stood in the shadow of this ancient ruin. The history, lives, choices, and decisions which I had studied, become mesmerized by, and admired for so long all began to take shape as as we made our way through the columns, up and down the stairs and paused to gaze over the wide arena. It was a quiet evening. We took our time, walked slowly, spoke softly and let our hearts and minds take us back in time. And as we watched the sun set behind the hills, we reflected on the courage and boldness of the men, women, and children who chose to die on that spot rather than deny their faith and their God. How I wanted to bottle up a little of that courage to take with me...

Rome: Part One

Rome. When I think of the Eternal City, there are a few distinct things which come to mind: train strikes, aching feet, cobblestone streets, running through the city in the rain, limoncello spilled across the table, the feeling of being home in St. Peter's Square, hazelnut gelato, waving to the pope, and red vespas....