beauty in Italy

What a beautiful part of the world. The drive down through Germany, Austria and then into Italy was full of contrasts: forests/fields, mountains/plains, back roads/highways, rain/sun, earthquake/calm. Kind of like life, isn't it? Seems that often the ups and downs come together or not separated by much.

We had a great time seeing historical sites such as this Verona Roman times amphitheater. As Hannah and I studied ancient Roman history last semester, it was especially neat to put "feet" on school.

The time spent together in closer quarters than normal, were well spent reading, playing games, talking, swimming, sitting on the deck and praying together. We have felt the need to pray more as a family and enjoyed the time "hanging".


Visiting Pisa, Viareggio, Florence and Figline Valdarno were each special in their own way and the history of the places and stories of people born there were fun to learn about and imagine in a new way. Note the leaning Becker family, with the oblivious Nathanael!Florence with the amazingly detailed facade and crowds and sun and food enjoyed while sitting where we could watch people.
Gelato, gelato and more gelato as well as cheeses, olives and sausages, pizza and breads were our mainstay while we were in Italy. Spoiled us forever for the real thing!










Thanks to all were praying for us as their was an earthquake while we were traveling there. We weren't aware of any danger/tremors or anything until we began receiving messages on our phones from friends asking if we were ok. We then went to the main building at the complex and got online. We were able to write family/friends that we were ok.

Please step up the prayers for us. We are feeling particularly attacked as a family right now. Discouragement, loneliness, relationship stresses with people in our church seem to be the main areas right now. Remember that the word for the year is peace? Praying Jesus peace in our home, on our property and in our lives. Thanks for doing the same.

I would love to pray for you as well. What a blessing to know that we can serve each other in this way.