Wise to Italy

Hey Sweet Boo,
Does the Summer/Fall '09 really have to come to an end? I've just loved having you home for this special time in our lives, and will treasure every memory. And now on to the next phase. And it's something like a dream. I'm not sure I've come to grips with what's about to happen. On the one hand I'm gonna miss you terribly, but on the other I'm excited for your upcoming adventure. I guess it's the picture perfect job description for an English/Drama double major with 12 hours of Italian. I know you've loved your two trips to Italy, and you're about to have a really good dose of a third trip. We wish you well. We know you'll do great, learn a lot, make wonderful new friends, hone your skills as an actor and teacher, and learn more of the language and culture of Italy. We love you, and look forward to following your story, and movements across the continent through this blog. From Wise to Italy with
lots of love,
Dad

___

My Sweet Becca,
I can hardly believe it's time for your big adventure! All the planning has finally come to the going on your big adventure. I am so proud of you and I know you will take Italy by storm. Those children are in for a big treat when they get to spend some time with you. I am amazed at your quiet gentle spirit always allowing others to shine before you take your turn. Well, it's your time to shine baby and I will be back in Wise cheering you on every step of the way! I will miss you like crazy but I know that you will be in your element. I know God will watch over you and keep you safe. Keep Him close as always and through that bond we will always be close to you. As a mother it is always hard to let one go "away from the nest" but I can't wait to see you soar and learn in the next six months. As I have said since you got those wonderful opportunity, I am concurrently desperate that you are going and ecstatic that you are going at the same time! God speed my little one and keep in touch often.

I love you more than I can say!
Mom

Dance, then, wherever you may be...

From early childhood, I watched you dance, and dance well. The seasons of your life, from my vantage point, have been brilliant and whimsical! Now, I have the great privilege of witnessing your next big dance in Italy for the next 6 months. The Lord has given you a great opportunity, not only to do what you do best and love most, but to teach what you know to others. What a great responsibility, and a great challenge with which to be presented! I know that accepting this invitation has has come with both a great sense of joy and enthusiasm, but also a bit of apprehension and doubt. Going to a far away place for a long time, away from your family and friends, away from your 'comfort' world can most certainly be daunting. The Lord has a great history of calling people toward their purpose, whether or not they feel completely ready for the task. My prayer for you is that you will always know and feel that God is with you, guiding you in every experience and every encounter.

I am tremendously proud of you, will tremendously miss you, and tremendously love you. May the Lord continue to lead you in the dance...

Ciao,
Brother Ben

A Note From Presley

Aunt Boo,

You had better hurry back from Italia soon because I will miss you!!!


Your favorite niece,
Presley

Buona Fortuna!!!

BOO!

I cannot even believe that you are going to Italy in just a few days!!! I am SO proud of you for working so hard and prayerfully pursuing your dream to be an ACTOR in ITALY!!!!!!!!!! (Sorry for almost blowing that for you to Nana and Pop-Pop over the Thanksgiving dinner table...) This is an absolutely amazing opportunity for you, and of all people, you definitely deserve it.

I am ecstatic for you but also, at the same time, sort of sad for the rest of us who will have to live without you for the next six months. You had BETTER Skype with us all the time so we can keep track of your crazy adventures!!! Seriously, I will Skype-stalk you. I will miss you like crazy, Boo!!!!!!!!!!

Ti amo, tua sorella,
Summer

As kingfishers catch fire, dragonflies draw flame

Rebecca - wow! I'm so proud of you; of your courage, patience, passion - all so apparent in you. You will shine in Italy, because God will do tremendous works through you. I always pray that for you. Let me give you a poem that makes me think of you - the actress - written by a Catholic priest named Gerard Manley Hopkins. It reminds me of how God uses us in our daily lives; how we don't live for ourselves but for Him. You'll be teaching English in Italy through the arts, but you'll also be sharing Christ's love through your very "limbs", "eyes", "features on [your] face" and being; for He "plays in ten thousand places".

From him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! - Romans 11:36

As kingfishers catch fire, dragonflies dráw fláme;
As tumbled over rim in roundy wells
Stones ring; like each tucked string tells, each hung bell's
Bow swung finds tongue to fling out broad its name;
Each mortal thing does one thing and the same:	5
Deals out that being indoors each one dwells;
Selves—goes itself; myself it speaks and spells,
Crying Whát I do is me: for that I came.
Í say móre: the just man justices;
Kéeps gráce: thát keeps all his goings graces;	10
Acts in God's eye what in God's eye he is—
Chríst—for Christ plays in ten thousand places,
Lovely in limbs, and lovely in eyes not his
To the Father through the features of men's faces.

We're so excited for you we're just busting at the seams.

Love you,

Brother Jon

Buona Fortuna mi amore!

Wow, time really has snuck up on us! You're gonna be gone in a couple of weeks on a new chapter in your life. You're gonna be great! Everyone's gonna love you! Just remember that if you ever get down, we're all here thinking about you and praying for you. Big things babe, big things. I can't wait for my trip to see you! Love you, -Your one and only

Best Wishes Boo!

Becca,
I am so proud of you! Proud of your patience to wait for what is right for you. Proud of your awesome acting skills. Proud of your courage to dive into the unknown world of acting in Italy!

I can't wait to hear about your adventures, about your new friends, and about all of the ways that you have grown. We will miss you these next months!

Love you- Lauren