Here Here

Here Here

by | Dec 9, 2024 | 2024, Moving

We're Finally Here!

ACTUALLY . . .

We Were Here,

Then We Were Not Here,

But We Returned Here,

Then We Were Not.

Our Italian Journey Thru Weekly Posts

First Night In vs. Next Night Out

First Night

By accudent, we got to stay in Capestrano (because our car broke-down).

SURE, MARK, SURE . . .

Our Weekly Posts

Locked Out

Long answer, I ACTUALLY had the right keys, ask me later, I might tell you.

SURE, MARK, SURE . . .

Our Weekly Posts

We're Not in Kansas

Actually, We're Not In Atlanta, Either

Naida and I have had a great deal of activity since mid-October. But we have had a lot of challenges too . . .

You see, leaving EVERYTHING, and having control of NOTHING, has required us to trust God with ANYTHING He brings/allows in our path.

We covet your prayers and ask you to remember us daily. The Lord knows the specifics, and they change daily.

Grazie Mille.

We’re learning a lot of Italian, how about this one:

Confida nel Signore, con tutto il cuore.
Trust in the Lord, with all your heart

Whew! That and the remainder of verse 5 and 6 have always been her favorites, now they are her lifeline.

Our Prayer Requests

A Short Naida Video

We both have a “Play-List” on our YouTube Channel and we’d love for you to Subscribe.

In this brief post Naida describes what we are seeing, really, everyday.

Enjoy her short reflections.

Our YouTube Channel

Kitty-Cats In Capestrano

Amazing, the things we’ve learned here.

And cats are an integral part, which means that mice, are not!

Well, also, climbing stairs, breathlessly, I might add.

Our YouTube Channel

Tour

Tour

by | Oct 28, 2024 | 2024, Italy, Moving

Our Fearless Leader

DAVID BENTON FROM AHOMEINITALY.COM
Naida and I affectionately call him Italy-David.

Italy-David's Tours of Homes in the Abruzzo Region

What A Great Trip for Naida & I

Some asked, “Since you are already committed to buying a home, why go on these tours?”

The answer is easy, “Italy-David.”

You see, we have come to trust his judgment, and we knew that watching him describe Abruzze communities would be good for us to get, “A lay of the land.”

WE LOVED IT!

And we are so glad we went; First, because of all the new friends we made. Second, because of what we learned about the communities. Third, we appreciate our home, SOOOOO MUCH MORE now. And fourth, the food!

The Last Property We Saw

This is Mark . . . I didn’t expect this. But the last property we saw, was in Casoli. I didn’t realize we were going to look at it, but we did.

AND I AM SO GLAD.

You see, the home we all saw, was the home Naida and I considered our second choice. And, after walking the property, we both agreed, IT IS STILL OUR SECOND CHOICE and by a LARGE margin, Praise the Lord.

This morning I found a passage in Scripture which encapsulates our experience, thus far (I trust you pardon me for my specific application).

Psalm 134 (HCSB)
Now praise the Lord, all you servants of the Lord . . .
Lift up your hands . . . and praise the Lord!
May the Lord, Maker of heaven and earth, bless you [in Capestrano, Italy, while He is] in Zion.

Naida and I began the day praising the Lord.

And then we went into school mode, learning from the Italian Driving Manual.

Make Sure You See it ALL . . .

(If your phone only shows words in the scrolling boxes below, TAP THE SENTENCE to see the pictures associated with the scrolling box)

The photos are GREAT!

"

How’s that for beauty? And I ain’t just talking about the building.

Lots of well behaved cats . . . and no rats, BTW.

We met some VERY SPECIAL friends. This is Daniel and Keller from Singapore.

All together now, say, “Ahhhh,” for Joe and Kara.

This photo has inspired me to a new detail on our place, A WRAP-AROUND BALCONY. I was told that it is low on the  list of priorities.

And then there are some architectural details you would only wish on . . .

This is Domenico. He is pointing out a part of our property which just became available. It’s what we affectionately call, “The Ruin.” It is attached to our living quarters but not a part of them, so we don’t have to do anything to it (until my wrap-around balcony is completed), I’m just sayin’.

Naida just made the beautiful flowers beautifuller, and I’m sticking to it!

We are now in a rental from our friend, Louis Ortiz at “RentInAbruzzo@Gmail.com” but for this to happen, Steve & Gina moved out for us. Thanks guys, now we don’t have to lug 4 suitcases around. AND BEFORE YOU ASK. The only reason we have 4 suitcases is because we knew we were going to have access to our new home soon.

Wow! What a view. Incredible.

Do you think you could get used to walking out your front door every morning, to this?

This is Italy-David and me talking over something important, but I don’t know what. BUT IT WAS IMPORTANT! Thank you Naida for capturing the historical moment!

And this was our group! Folks we will remain in contact with, in some cases, forever.

WE STILL HAVE LOTS OF PRAYER REQUESTS

Touring

Touring

by | Sep 23, 2024 | 2024, Italy, Retirement

Naida & I Will be TOURING Towns in the "Stunning" Abruzzo Region

What in the Wide, Wide World of Sports are You Doing???

Great Question!

As you know, on October 20th we fly to Italy where we will make our way over to Pescara, VIA the #FlixBus line.

(https://markmirza.com/flixbus/)

On Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of the same week we will connect with 35 or so others, AND TOUR CITIES IN THE ABRUZZO REGION.

Yeah baby!

Whoops, sorry. I lost myself there for a moment.

This is really where this adventure began . . .

Info About Tours from Italy-David

The Beach Was Boring

One of us decided the beach at Christmas was boring this last year, and it WASN’T the writer of this post.

Naida Starts Looking
For an Alternative

Don’t ask me why. But she did. And she started finding some AMAZING things then, about this beautiful part of the Lord’s creation, Italy.

  • She found stories of people who have moved there (not the “sour-grapes” folks).
  • She found clean towns, free of litter (tons of clean towns, TONS of them).
  • She found cost of living analysis (not in major towns, but in the countryside).
  • She found incentives for retired folks to move there (financial incentives).
  • She found an idyllic way to retire (including some beautiful properties).
Don't Forget Our Weekly Blogs

Peace When You're Obedient

We’ve experienced something through our act of obedience which we did not expect.

God Honors Obedience
By Giving Us Peace

What an incredible blessing to receive from the Lord. It has been amazing and surprising.

LOL

I guess it should neither amaze us, nor surprise us, that God is so good.

As we look back onto these last few months . . .

  • God has allowed difficulties.
  • God has brought challenges.
  • God has stretched our faith muscle. And,
  • God has given us a peace which transcends our understanding (Philippians 4:7)

 

Our Current Prayer Requests

An Actual Tour

Wanna know what our tour will look like?

This is What
We can Expect

This video is from our new friends, Lorrie & David Thornton.

In fact, CLICK ON THEIR YouTube channel below and subscribe.

They did a great job letting us AND THE WORLD see what their recent tour with Italy-David looked like.

  • Note that one of the towns in the video is Raiano, it’s where they purchased their Italian home.
  • Note the beauty of ALL the towns.
  • Note the camaraderie of the attendees.
  • Note the . . . never-mind, just enjoy the video.
Their YouTube Channel

Italy-David

“Stunning” is the catch-phrase (or word) of Italy-David (our name for him). He is David Benton from AHomeInItaly.com