While in Rome. - Sunday

I have decided to share this time what I wrote in my journal while in Rome. That way you will see my thoughts as they came. Keep in mind all my journal entries are written as prayers or letters to God.

December 11, 2011
We're at our hotel near the airport in Rome. Thanks Lord for safe flight. My head and ear hurt a lot coming down- probably because I am slightly sick. 


We were able to catch a city bus in the direction or out hotel. Thankfully there was a helpful young man who spoke English to help us understand where to get off. We still had a ways to walk (at 11:00 p.m apx), but thankfully You helped us find it. 


So far I am pleased with this first hotel. We booked it through www.booking.com and got a good deal. I am eager to see what their breakfast will be like. 


We had a restful night. I miss my babies at home and pray all is well with them. 


It is interesting to be reading about Paul in  Rome and his letter to the Romans while in Rome. This verse popped out at me: 


Romans 1:17
For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last. Just as it is written, "The righteous will live by faith."


It is so great to have a quiet moment in the morning to turn my thoughts to You. I feel this is sort of retreat for me. 


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So strange to be in such an old city and see the gruesome, though impressive Colosseum. Janis said, "It reeks of blood." I found that rather rankling to my spirit and then recalled all that had gone on there. 

Then there are the Roman soldiers and gladiators dressed to be as they would have been at that time. The soldiers were on a field reenacting what their training would have been like at that time. 


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We have now stepped into a church. It is Sunday and we plan on going to the Vatican later. We expected a solemn Catholic church from the exterior of this place.

We were pleasantly surprised by a lively African congregation. The women are all dressed in brightly colored clothes. The singing in lively, loud and active with an organ, drums and a tambourine. It turns out that the service is in English. Wow- lovely! What a picture of you and your love of ALL people, everywhere! Here we are, two people from Latvia, in Rome in a Catholic church. worshiping with a Black congregation in English!
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I was very tired this afternoon after having walked around several hours. We found a market and enjoyed looking around. We had the most delicious mandarin oranges! We also ate lunch there. I accidentally got pasta with intestines. YUCK! ( I didn't eat it) But the other meat we had was good. 


About 2 PM I was really dragging- being exhausted from so much walking. Janis suggested I get a cappuccino.  I had it at the bar (which means you don't sit down) and it cost 1,10 euro. If you want to sit to drink it then you have to pay 3 euro. Wow! It was delicious and gave me a boost of energy :) I was so happy Janis let me have one- normally he doesn't want me to drink coffee while pregnant. 


Our next hotel is Fellini. The room is tiny- but lovely. It is apx. 8 x10 feet. So far I am pleased. 


We called Elina P. this afternoon (the nanny). I got to chat with Daniel. When I heard his sweet tiny voice I started crying. He said he is having fun and asked me i I was on an airplane. I miss that boy. 


Thank you Lord for this special trip and beautiful day today. The weather is so warm. We mostly walked about without our jackets on. It was supposed to rain a lot- but ended up only raining about on hour! Thank you! 


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Now we are at the Vatican- St. Peter's Basilica. The most famous place of Catholic worship. What do you think of this place Lord? Do you dwell here or is this simply a religious symbol? It is beautiful and very impressive! But are you impressed? Does grandeur and superb architecture bring glory to you? Every time I am in some famous church or cathedral I wonder this. 


The singing is in Latin- from Psalm 110. 


In the center front behind the altar their is a beautiful stained glass window with a dove in the center. 

For photos: 

Rome 2011