Another beautiful day in Milan!

Yesterday was a great day!
In the morning, I had coffee with the Methodist pastor here. Kristin and her husband, David Markay, co-pastor the English-speaking "Chiesa Evangelica Metodista di Milano" (see photos) Kristin is a delightful lady and we had a very nice time together. She is so warm and I immediately felt a bond with her. (She also has a gorgeous soprano voice and she plays the piano and organ, which we found out during the service on Sunday). Bob and I enjoyed the bi-lingual service very much. The choir was amazing -they sounded like angels. We were truly blessed by that service on Sunday. We also met another American couple that lived in Dhahran when we did and we have many mutual friends. Jane and Jary Archer invited us to dinner, where we shared memories and stories of our time in Arabia. Jane invited me to a farewell luncheon her friends were giving her the next day (she and Jary are moving back to the States this week after 40 years overseas). So, after coffee with the pastor, I took a taxi to the Ristorante Petrarca where I met more lovely ladies. We had a great lunch (penne pasta and shrimp) and two hours of non-stop talking with women from Ireland, India, and other places (I couldn't talk to all 15 ladies even though I did try - you know me!) I chatted with a precious woman who recently moved to Milan from Wassenaar (the suburb of The Hague where we lived 20 years ago). She invited me to a Bible study that meets weekly in another part of Milan. She also has a home in Houston - her husband is with Exxon - so we will meet again one day I'm sure. The world is a big place but it can also be very small and God never ceases to surprise us with the people He puts in our path! I'm excited about the Bible study tomorrow. I miss my sweet sisters and prayer partners at Good Shepherd and need that spiritual bond!

Bobby and I are having so much fun together - mostly shopping for groceries and household items and enjoying our TV time together watching our favorite shows on the Slingbox. I think having his cable from home really saves him from being so lonely here. He's working every day but I see him during the day when I take the Metro since his building is right next to the subway. We want to go to Venice this weekend so Sarah, his precious Italian secretary, is working on our reservations. She is such a blessing to the Methanex team with her multi-lingual skills but she is also a very sweet young woman who goes beyond her job description to help the guys and their families. I'm looking forward to the train trip to Venice, even though that area will be rainy and cold this month. I would rather go now than in the Spring when it is very hot and also crowded with all those tourists ; )