2009!

I cant believe that its 2009!
All through the last year, I prayed and cried and begged for the year to go fast. In the midst it didnt seem like it was. A snails pace, if anything is what it felt like. But now looking back, it went fast, and we're now embarking on another year!

We had a WONDERFUL New Years Eve in Paris. To be up in the Eiffel Tower and looking at the city all around us, to be able to reflect on where the last year has brought us, and what it has brought us. We're so thankful for Johns safety during the deployment and so grateful for the opportunities to see the world that we're getting to enjoy now.

We're both(supposedly) heading to the states next week. John is supposed to be going to texas for training(though they've yet to firm that up) and Im heading back to Michigan, to visit family and take care of my visa. Im pretty excited to see everyone. Its only been a few months, and I certainly didnt plan on being back so soon, but Im sure it will be great!

I hope you are all well, enjoying your corner of the earth. We pray that 2009 will be a year full of blessings for everyone!

Christmas Time

As we're getting near Christmas, I find myself not quite feeling like it IS Christmas. I think its due to the lack of snow, for the first time ever. Not to say we dont have our share of precipitation. It rains. A lot. Which, I have to say, is better than the snow. I dont miss scraping off the car, or sliding around on the roads, or just being cold in general! It does make the season feel a little different, but we're just really enjoying being able to spend the holidays together for the first time.
We put up a little tree and have the stairs decorated(though the neighbor did all that) But it looks great and is very festive.
A lot of Italian towns have Christmas markets throughout December. We've yet to make it downtown to our own, because of the rain. Everytime we've planned to go downtown, the rain is heavy and not very condusive to spending the day outside. Oh well. Maybe this week we'll make it down there.
We are planning to go to a local vineyard for a Christmas Eve Day Brunch. We had a bunch of guys over for Thanksgiving, which was great, but a lot of work and not a lot of time to relax. So we decided to go to this brunch and then just spend Christmas Day with each other, relaxed and enjoying the day, not busy and overwhelmed with stuff to do. And then we'll be driving to Paris to spend New Years Eve with the French :) We're really excited to see some of the sights and bring in the new year at the Eiffel Tower.
Most exciting lately is the news that we both get to go to the states in January. John has to go to texas for some training, and we're taking that opportunity for me to spend some time at home in Michigan. It will be nice, even though its only been a couple months, to see familiar faces and spend time with the people that I miss most.
Thats about all the news for now. We're just so thankful that this holiday season we get to be together, we miss you all and hope you're having a wonderful time getting ready for to celebrate the birth of our Saviour. He's blessed us so very much and we wish His Blessings on you and yours as well.

-Love-
John and Gretchen

Surprise Surprise!!

So, ever since we arrived here we've been hearing...no, i RARELY snows here. Well, this morning was a winter wonderland. And true to what we've been told, everything shuts down because they dont really know what to do with snow! Supposedly it wont stick around, but we'll see :) It was a nice surprise, but i'll be glad when it melts! A couple pictures for you. And thats my car out on the street covered with snow. Love to all!

Leaving again....

John left this morning for a month of training. Not fun. Just when you get used to the idea that you dont have to say goodbye for a while. Its definitley not fun. Anyway, sad note aside, we've been having fun. Florence was amazing, seeing the David is like nothing else. Its truly one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen.

We finally bought a car, not that either of us has our drivers license here yet, but he had to be in by 530 this morning, and with 2 duffles and his ruck, not really a bikeable trip...especially since his bike is missing a pedal. We were riding home last thursday night, and he says, do you hear that, it doesnt sound so good. Me, riding behind him, says....your pedal is about to...and it proceeds to fall off. Oh the laughter was great, im sure it was not so funny to him, as he was the one pedal-less but to me, was immensely hilarious :) So the car pretty much needed to happen. We are now proud happy owners of a 1988 toyato something(i dont even know)! We do also find it humorous that the car is nearly as old as the two of us. But if it gets us where we need to go, to work and back, then we're set. Nothing too much else exciting going on, Im going to try to head up to Germany while he's gone to visit with my friend Katie. Which would be nice. Love you all.

Settling in....

.....kind of. Its definitley a lot of changes. But Italy, come on. I finally got a washing machine today. Have had a dryer for a couple weeks, but that doesnt do me a lot of good. And am having a lucky morning swiping a wireless connection from somewhere around here. Our internet/phone will be hooked up on wednesday of next week, aparently they dont do anything too fast around here. And better news, is that they FINALLY picked up all of our 'stuff' in michigan, and that means its somewhere between here and there. Though, they still say it should take about 2 months to get here.
We ventured to Ikea the other day to pick up basic things, though we had to take the bus, to the train, a taxi and then reverse that process. So you can really only get so much, knowing it has to go on three different modes of transportation, and no our bikes were not an option for that trip! We're car shopping. There's a lot of people leaving right now, so its easier now than a couple weeks ago. Everything from a 20 year old toyota for $500 to much newer way more expensive cars. And do we need two cars? Or can we get by with one? Who knows! And then we still have to get our licenses. Which, i think will be harder to do than at home. Things are pretty confusing to me around here. Its only a matter of time. Patience, i keep telling myself.
I havent posted pictures yet(obviously) But will soon. Hope all is well wherever you all are. Much love!

Michigan

Home again....though it will always be our 'home' we cant wait to get back to Italy to our new home! We've been having a great time, and its winding down, but we're ready to start our married life in the home we've picked and get back to the beautiful land across the ocean. This is the very first post but as soon as we get settled in Italy and get the internet hooked up, I hope to blog frequently to let everyone know whats going on. Hope all is well!