Access Retreat

As mentioned in the previous blog, Brandon and I were on a retreat with the High School ministry earlier this week. I figured that since I haven't blogged here yet, this would be a good way to start!


Se left the church around 1 p.m. on Monday and arrived at Covecrest (the place we were staying) around 4 p.m. We had a couple of hours to explore the place before we had dinner, so we ran around in the woods and took pictures.Then we had dinner followed by our first teaching session. Later that night, we played capture the flag and then went to bed.





Tuesday when we woke up we had an hour to spend for a quiet time: a time for us to spend alone with God. After that we had breakfast and our second teaching session. Then we had a while to take a blank canvas and create a piece of art that described where we thought we were spiritually at that time, our "now." This was a very unique way of expressing ourselves and praising God. After we finnished (though hardly anyone had really finnished, we just had run out of time) our artwork, we ate lunch and then headed out for the ropes courses. There was both a low ropes and a high ropes course, and we began with the low ropes. The low ropes course consisted of several challenges where we had to work together with our team to complete. In this picture the guys are trying to follow a large cable that is attached to several trees (without anyone touching the ground the entire time). After we completed the low ropes course, we moved onto the high ropes which had a zip line, rock wall and an obsical course which was suspended several feet. When we had finnished both the high and low rope courses, we came back and got ready for dinner and our third teaching session. Later that night we had a bon fire and then went to bed.

Wednesday morning was pretty much the same as Tuesday morning: we woke up, had our quiet time, ate breakfast, and had a teaching session. After the last teaching session we packed up the bus and came home.

Over all it was a great trip where God was able to really speak to us and grow our youth group closer together.

-Bethany

School's out for . . . Winter???

The kids are on break this week, and this pretty much sums up what they've been doing. Actually, Bethany and Brandon were on a mini-retreat from Monday through Wednesday. Brooke has been sick but fortunately does not have the flu or strep. (Yes, that is a giant remote in the picture. If you know Scott, he often loses things. This is hard to lose). Bethany is sleeping and writing a paper for AP lit. Brandon has been running in the rain this morning (a popular Barber saying is "If it's not raining, it's not training." Of course, I usually say this while sitting in my pjs by the fire sipping coffee) and playing the guitar. (He's currently playing the piano. It's all LOUD). I have been working this week but only went into the office on Tuesday. I may go in tomorrow for a little while. (Don't feel too sorry for me as I just spent nine days in Italy). We were going to go to AL for the day tomorrow but will have to pass since Brooke still has a fever.

Mother/Daughter Tea

The tea was great and the food was great but the best part was having fun and seeing friends.We learned tea maners.The bedrooms were beautiful.There were a lot of buetiful american girl dolls.My favorite type of food was the petitfore( pet a for). I loved the tea and I would like to go to another tea.

by Brooke Barber

Italy Wrap Up

Here are some final thoughts from our trip in no particular oder:

We are very blessed to live in the United States. Our country is a powerhouse in many ways- even in a recession. However, history proves that no country has ever withstood the test of time. Empires comes and go. . . .

We have literally traveled all over the world and never cease to be amazed at how God reveals Himself through nature. This first picture is taken from our plane as we flew over the Alps.

I could eat pizza and gelatto everyday for the rest of my life!! Honestly!

There's a lot of talk in the church today about "reclaiming the arts." To see what some of the churches and artwork that we saw adds a whole new meaning to this phrase. These artists built huge cathedrals, painted, and scuplted as their worship to God. It was amazing!

We are very thankful for the believers that have gone before us. Visiting the jail cell of Peter and Paul and imagining them there was very sombering. It was dark and dreary even in a cleaned up state. On the wall was a list of Christians with the way they died written beside them- strangulation, decapatation, starvation, etc. To walk through the catacombs and see carved symbols of a fish, dove, olive branch, etc. and think of all of the believers who were buried outside of the city becuase they were not allowed to be buried within the city was also thought provoking.

National Signing Day (and last day in Rome)

Pantheon- around 5 A.D. (The original building burned, and this one was rebuilt then)


Part of the Roman forum- around 500 b.c.

2008 A.D.

I know it was yesterday and most of you have no idea what the heck I'm talking about, but Alabama football has finally given me something to celebrate - the number 1 recruiting class in the country. On to Rome...

Today was our last day (sigh) and it was a good one. We got to see some pretty cool Christian sights including the prison that held Peter and Paul (I almost typed Saint there) and the actual chains that bound Peter while he was in prison. We also visited the catacombs where thousands of early Christians were buried. It really makes us appreciate those who went before us to spread the Good News.

We visited the largest Piazza in Rome, the Piazza Novona and had more gellato (it never gets old) on the Spanish Steps.

Rick, thanks for the coffee explantion. Susan will continue to drink capp. whenever she wants. And thanks Tracie Orr for helping Bethany with her nose. Hope she doesn't look like Marcia Brady.

It's been fun staying connected while we traveled. thanks for reading and posting. When you wake up in the morning we will be in the air. See you guys soon.

Scott and Susan

Vatican City

Today was our day to meet the Pope. And we did- with 7,000 others. We were very disappointed that he didn't wear his big hat, but he did bless us (we think) and our family members. Scott was compelled by the homily (see pic).

We also went to the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's today. We are probably in sculpture overload at this point. We are not, however, in gellato overload and had more while sitting on the Spanish Steps.

We plan to go to the University tonight and eat more pizza (yummy).

Yes, Bill, you're correct. I suppose they are just "shoes" and not "Italian shoes." I'm a completely self-absorbed American.

Sorry for the images not being upright. We can't read Italian and don't know how to rotate them.

Also, thanks Bethany. I'll pass the info on to dad. He's just trying to be uber-cool.

Top Ten Ways to tell we're American

10- We don't wear all black every day.
9- We actually look before stepping into oncoming traffic.
8- We don't have a cigarette hanging from our mouth.
7- Susan drinks cappiccunios after lunch (no Italian would ever do this).
6- We begin every conversation with "English?"
5- We're wearing tennis shoes not $300 dollar Italian shoes.
4- We can finish a meal in under an hour.
3- Every five minutes we say, "Wow- that's really old."
2- We can be found laughing at famous works of art.
1- Scott is listening to the Super Bowl at 2:00 a.m. via the internet.

Super Tuesday in Rome

Sorry we were unable to post yesterday. Our hotel room in Rome doesn't have internet like we had in Florence. Today we went to ancient Rome and saw the sites - the Colosseum, the Forum, Paletine Hill and the Pantheon. We also went to the Trevi Fountain which is not ancient but still older than our country. Lastly, we went to our own Piazza, the Piazza Barberini. (We're one step ahead of you, Bill.) Tomorrow we go to see the Pope (for real.) Still having fun, can't believe how fast time is going.

One last thing, props to our daughter Bethany who we just found out made the national honor society. We'll celebrate when we get home. We're proud of you!

Scott

Super Sunday

It has been a super Sunday, but no Super Bowl for me this year - only super sculptures. We saw the famous one today - David. I'll be honest, it was quite impressive. It had to be about 15 feet tall and tremendously detailed. A little too detailed in some places. I must also confess I'd rather be watching Brady and Manning battle it out. Thanks for rubbing salt in my wound, Bill. Actually I found a place here in Florence that will be carrying the Super Bowl at 12:16 am here. It is called The Red Garter - I decided to pass.

Another highlight of the day was our first experience with Gelato. As much as I love Bruster's and American ice cream in general, there is no comparision. It is worth the trip.

Tomorrow it is off to Rome. We'll check in again from there.

Scott

Cinque Terre and Pisa

Today was our busiest day that we'll have the entire trip, and it was great. We left on the 7:51 train to Cinque Terre. We debated because of the length of the trip (about 2.5-3 hours each way) and the weather. It was pouring rain when we left and when we arrived in the last of the five cities. Fortunately, as we made our way to the trailhead, the rain let up, and we had a relatively dry day. We decided to hike the cities in reverse order. We consider ourselves in decent shape, but this was a moderate to difficult hike (as you can see from Scott's pic). No, we did fine, but I may not be able to get out of bed in the morning. It was essentially like being on the stairmaster for 3 straight hours. The views were amazing and well worth our efforts. We ended the day with a quick stop in Pisa (on the route home anyway). Seeing the tower was something else. I wondered how impressive a leaning tower could be, but it is quite impressive. Tomorrow- more naked art in Florence (Scott's insisting on it).

from the home of David (the statue)

As you can see, we made it to Florence. BTW, this is Scott posting the second blog of my life (#1 was from New Zealand).

After taking the train from Assisi we checked in at the hotel, walked the streets, went to the Ufizzi (i know everyone knows what this is but just in case we have any uncultured readers it is a famous museum of mostly naked paintings and sculptures). After the first room everything looked pretty much exactly the same, but we can say we've been and are now 20 euros lighter in the wallet.

After Ufizzi we went out for some good pasta at a little restaurant. They sat all the Americans in the same section which was kind of strange.

Tomorrow we will hike the Cinque Terre in the rain (you can see this on Susan's map - isn't she great). In case you didn't know we've been married 20 years. She is reading over my shoulder.

Chow for now,

Scott

at the home of st. francis

We made it to Italy and

journeyed to Assisi by train. We were pretty worn out yesterday and only managed to stay up until about 8. We woke up during the night and had a little trouble going back to sleep but should be fine by tomorrow morning. We spent yesterday exploring Assisi which we absolutely loved; it's exactly how I imagined Italy. We went to the bascillica today which was amazing. We're catching the train to Florence and will be there mid-afternoon. Hope all of you are well. We'll post again sometime in Florence. We're there through Monday morning.