Where to begin. . .

It has been a LONG 2 days! When I finally arrived in Rome I had had about 3 hours of sleep in over 24 hours.

I left the airport in Houston at 4:30pm and arrived in Germany at 1:30am. But in Germany it was around 9am. So the jet lag began. My body was telling me to sleep but it was light outside. The flight to Germany was AWFUL!! My very sweet uncle had told me international flights were wonderful...he was wrong. We were crammed in the plane like sardines...in economy of course. They did play movies but only 2 and they were both ones I wanted to see. Valentines Day was first and about over half way through something went wrong and they had to restart the system! Which meant they started the movie all over again.  I fell asleep before it ended and woke up after they had started the other one. So that was a fail! I was sitting next to a quite large nun - haha. So we were touching the entire trip! And she was grouchy. There was an adorable little Indian boy sitting in front of us and he would stand up and look around. Well if he was in her way - by golly - she would tap him on the shoulder and tell him to sit down! There was a guy across the isle from me who I believe was Muslim. I got to see him pray! He didn't get out of his seat but I noticed his lips moving and he was leaning forward and touching his head to the chair in front of him. Then he would move his arms in a different position and do it again.

I landed in Germany and was exhausted!!  On top of that I was nauseous from the plane ride. My phone wasn't working so I couldn't get a hold of my family. I finally found a pay phone and got a hold of them at 3am states time. And with all the emotions going through my body I burst into tears! Their voice was the only thing that was familiar to me. Now everywhere I went people were talking in a different language and I wasn't sure I liked it.

I had 6 hours to kill. I tried to sleep twice and maybe slept for 30 mins or so. I was VERY anxious so my stomach was in knots and I almost threw up. Not a good way to start a 2 month stint in another country!

Finally my plane left for Rome. I thought it could only get better from here. The plane ride was better and everything. We landed an hour and a half later and I got my bags. Now to find Andrew. There were a ton of people waiting but I finally found him. He's exactly what I expected. Nerdy haha! But very sweet.

You have not seen traffic till you have driven in Rome! It took us a good hour to get home. We get home and I get a real Italian welcome from his Father and Mother! They are precious! They speak English too! But they will only be here till Friday. His wife got home from work about 30 minutes after us and she speaks very little English. I think its going to be the hardest with her. I was exhaused so I went to my little apartment off of the house. I walked in and it has a little kitchenette, bunkbed, and a tiny bathroom! But I am all alone. You can't get to any part of the house except to go outside, so that is good.

Last night was very hard! I am hoping it was because I was so tired but I cried and cried and cried. I miss my family, I can't talk to them on the phone, and I can't understand anybody! But I slept all night long!

Today has been 100% better! The boys are so cute! Alan is the oldest and is very shy! He usually hides from me. but it will get better. Marco on the other hand wants to tell me everything...in Italian! So I just listen and shake me head and smile. This is going to interesting.

Already went to the store because I packed lotion instead of body wash. And I am pretty sure I forgot to wash the conditioner out of my hair this morning. But things can definately only get better right! I am trying not to try and count down the days.

I am not sure how the touring the city thing is going to go because of where they live, which is not close to anything. Rome is nothing like the movies...at least not where we are at.

The streets are crazy tiny though and I am surprised they haven't died by the way they drive!

Sorry this post is so scattered but I don't have a lot of time.

Love you and am in serious need of prayer!
Kellie