Sunday - Auugust 9, 2009

I followed more instructions from First Aid and instead of trying to sit in the seats with no leg room, I sat in the Elderly/Disabled section with one chair for my rear and the other for my feet. There were lots of people there with the same affliction so I didn’t feel as bad. My ankles looked a lot better as long as I kept them in the chair.
Before I could sit down in my chair a sister approached me to take a picture. I was really excited when I read her name tag & saw where she was from. Can you guess? Of Course its in the pictures so I won’t tell. I just thought it was fitting. She told me I could come and visit whenever I feel like it. I’m hoping for the spring of 2010.

There were a few technical difficulties in our section. The television was small and sometimes the sound would cut out. At one moment, the brothers worked very hard to get the sound back on. When it went out we were in the 1st talk of the symposium and when it came back on it was the end of the third. Everyone clapped loudly. Apparently, the applause frightened the television because it went out just as fast as it came in. In time it was repaired. Then they brought another tv to put in the middle because the section was larger than they had anticipated. Yeah for us! Check out the black bar in the middle of the screen. (see pics)

Highlights:
AM Attendance: 59,851 . . . 8369 (English) 470 (Japanese)
PM Attendance: 55,897
Baptized: 343

I saved up all my energy so that I would be able to walk around at lunch and search for Maurice & Aleece. I gobbled up my food in record time and Janelle & Family arrived when I was done.
We were off to meet delegates from other lands. That is exactly what we did! (see pics)

Albania
Germany
Japan
London
Zimbabwe

It was always hotter after lunch and this was no different. However, Jehovah is a loving God that always makes provisions. During the session the female attendants went through the section offering water to those that needed some. Isn’t that wonderful?
At the end of the session, I was sad. As we sang the last song I was boo hoo crying and not the cute lady cry. I had the ugly face on. I was praying: “Oh Jehovah what is wrong with me? Why can’t I stop crying?” Eventually I did stop just long enough to be moved to tears again by the applaus and singing after the prayer. Everyone seemed to just be standing around their seats.
I ventured up into the stands now because it didn’t matter if my ankles grew fat I wasn’t going anywhere but home. I wanted to see the crowds with my own eyes, but first pictures!

Once upstairs I was crying again. Tears of joy. What an honor to be a part of such an organization.

(See pics)
Sign they walked around the base of the stadium
This is the only pic that Wiggles didn’t pose for!
Nancy (holding the baby) was Janelle’s Maid-of-honor
Look at that cute lil baby!
Ola & Vita Gustavsen (Newlyweds)

After the clapping was done, I went back on my search for Maurice & Aleece. I went over to watch the “March of the Delegates” as they headed to their buses. I just knew for sure they would be there. However, I idnt see them. Yet, as I walked I saw a familiar face. Let me digress.

On Wednesday night just before this convention, I asked Alfreda about finding Samantha Jones. She lived with us in Decatur and we hadn’t talked to her in like 15 years. I figured she would be on Facebook somewhere, but there were over 500 “Samantha Jones” and I couldn’t search them all. So, I just gave up. I tell you that to say this.

The familiar face I saw was SAMANTHA JONES!!!! When we looked at each other we screamed and hugged and of course I cried. I told her the Facebook story and she said “Wow!” and I said “I KNOW!”
What are the odds? I haven’t seen or heard from Samantha in 15 yrs and I had just asked Freda about her. She gave me all of her contact information and I gave her mine and we are supposed to chat when I get back to the States. I wish you could have seen us hugging and crying. It was beautiful.

It did also reinforce my belief that we are on “The Erica Show” it has the same premise as “The Truman Show” with Jim Carey. If you don’t know ask me about it.

I had to start my journey back to Janelle & Danny so we could leave, but I made one more pass through “DelegateLand” for Maurice & Aleece. I never saw them, but look at these beautiful sings of love from the brothers and sisters that I did see. (in the pic slideshow)

“We will never forget you!”
“How good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell in unity. (Ps. 133:1)”
“See you in paradise. Greetings from you brothers in the Uppper Harlem Congregation”
“See You In Paradise”
“We thank Jehovah for you!”
“Christian Love from Your brothers in the USA”
“We Are A Big Family”

I ask you, please show me another religious organization where you find the following:
1) If you say I am your same religion you are embraced and exchange phone numbers and addresses.
2) You can take your songbook from your local congregation and fly 5 or 10,000 miles away, go to a convention, hear the song number, and be able to sing harmoniously with the crowd.
3) You can take your Sunday Meeting Bible Study Aid from your local congregation and fly 5 or 10,000 miles away, go to a convention, and be have the same magazine as the Albanian sitting beside you.
4) You go to a convention in your hometown & save your program. You go to an International Convention 5 or 10,000 miles away and the manuscript talks deliver the same information in your native tongue as well as the language of the country you are in.

How well, we as Jehovah’s people are cared for. We truly are a people no part of this world.

Notes:
*Make a list of ones you want to meet in the resurrection and list the questions you want to ask.*

Singing at the Spanish Steps

Bagpipes

Baptism

Baptism Procession

Kingdom Song on Friday Morning

Convention Post 1

“Keep On The Watch!”
International District Convention of Jehovah’s Witness in Rome, Italy
Olympic Stadium
August 7 -9, 2009

How did I get to go to the International Convention? I was not a delegate, but my congregation here in Rome, Acilia Inglese (Acilia English) was assigned to that convention. Seeing as I didn’t go to mine in the states, I needed to attend here.
To begin let me say this: what adversity befell me over the weekend, it couldn’t destroy the joy I derived from being there. All thanks goes to Jehovah.
Having been raised as one of Jehovah’s Witness I have taken a lot of things for granted. I have never missed a convention or an assembly and when there, I would hear, but I wouldn’t HEAR. I knew I was a part of a Christian brotherhood, but not like this. Here’s the story
Wednesday night, after talking to Freda & surfing Facebook for my long lost friend Samantha, I got in the bed. I noticed that my ankles were VERY swollen. As big as I am, I have tiny ankles, and they were huge. I called Freda & left her a message because she was at the mtg and then I rubbed them down with IcyHot and put on some socks.
When I awoke on Thursday morning they had gone down some, but by arrival at Janelle’s they were back to big. Over the course of the day they stayed the same too big size. That night I prayed to Jehovah that I would be okay by morning for the convention. I repeated the IcyHot application and left it with Jehovah.

August 7, 2009
Friday morning, my ankles were back to normal size and I got dressed and was ready when Danny & Janelle arrived. I got to see scenery on the ride there and little cars full of people with lapel cards on. We found a parking space rather easily, but we had to walk a little ways to the Convention site and that wasn’t good for the ankles. At our seats I tried all kinds of ways to stretch out my legs but only one thing worked - placing them over the empty seat in front.
After getting into a fairly comfortable position I was able to look around and admire my surroundings. English Sign Italian Sign
Some seats stayed empty where the sun attacked & in the afternoon they were full.
I tried to actually focus and pay attention , but the little girl next to me kept smiling and making me want to take pictures of her.
After some time, by ankles had grown and I needed to get up and walk a little. It also was the time that cute little girl needed to eat so we left together.
In the nursing mothers room, I met another cutie named Jemima and her mom Favour. They were from Nigeria. She posed for a picture and then she was off. ( I did see them again a few times over the course of the weekend.)
When she was done we went back to our seat. After a while it was time for Janelle to handle some mommy business.
Soon lunch was upon us and I sat in my seat with my legs stretched while I ate. I talked to the couple on the row behind me. She was from Alaska & he was from Sicily. They invited me to come and visit after October 3rd for a few days. We’ll see how that goes. I also met Renee Simmons from Riverchase Congregation in Birmingham, AL. She knew quite a few of the people that I knew from when we lived there. She gave me some parting gifts and said be sure to email.
After lunch, the spreading had gone into my feet. So we made our way to the bathroom – A LONG LINE. While waiting we met a delegate from Australia, Peruvian Missionaries, and saw the cutest little girl in some kind of native garb. Of course I took pictures.
From there I was made by someone (Janelle) to go to first aid because my ankles looked really bad. Unlike first aid at our conventions in the states there was a doctor there and nurses. They were dressed in their assembly clothes, but they had stethoscopes and stuff. They took my BP and it was 180/100. Yes that’s high. Yes I had taken my medicine & no it wasn’t time to take it again. They made me stay there and elevate my ankles and drink water. They instructed me to take my BP medicine right then and wait. Yes they had elevated beds to lay on.
They had a television in there and speakers so the infirmed could keep up with what was going on.
I was told this was a common ailment for Americans when they come to Italy. Something about the heat & humidity causes an adverse effect on us. That coupled with the fact that my body wasn’t used to walking everyday may have caused me to swell. After an hour they took my BP and it was lower, but still high 150/90. They kept me the rest of the day.
The Brother-Doctor told me to sleep with my feet elevated and keep them that way whenever possible. HE also pulled out his sneakers and told me to wear those type shoes for the rest of the weekend and not try to be cute.
If you know me he aint say nothing, but a WORD!!! Like Noah I did “just so.”
Despite the difficulties it was a good day. However, I didn’t get to see Maurice & Aleece. Maybe tomorrow.

A moment to discuss blessings from Jehovah for Friday August 7th:
1- I got up on time so I didn’t make Danny & Janelle late.
2- I went to the International Convention
3- The swelling wasn’t unbearable.
4- The temperature was 87°. How is this a blessing? Well Janelle said in 2001 at the International Convention the heat made most people miserable. She kept asking me if I was prepared to be hot and I said yes, but I had faith that Jehovah would fix it so that his servants we be able to enjoy the convention despite the heat. In fact my exact words were “Jehovah will provide. No arguments I win.” So when the temp was in the high 80’s, that was a blessing. The friends behind me commented on how “cool” it was . . . BLESSING!

August 8, 2009
I followed the instructions given to me in First Aid and I slept with my feet elevated. I put IcyHot on them, wrapped them with saran wrap, and put on socks. When I got up Saturday morning they were still big but looked a little more normal. Sadly I still had cankles – where the calf merges with the ankle. Janelle said it was only on one foot, but I had it nevertheless.
Once again I was ready when they got to the apartment to pick me up and we were off. We went a different way this time and I got to see much cooler sights. The nerd in me was glad to see the historical things.
Once at the convention Danny dropped off at the front gate so our trek was much shorter, but the ankles couldn’t handle it anyway.
I got to sit my seat for a little while before I had to go and lay in First Aid. I was not alone with my condition today. There were 5 sisters from the US & Canada with the same ailment. Some skinny, some fat, and one average. There was even a BROTHER! Saturday was rough on a lot friends. The temp got up to 89 so it aggravated those already afflicted even more.
Whenever I could go to my seat I would, but they wanted me to stay there because of the fluctuating of my BP.
When I was out I took as many pictures as I could with various delegates.
Look at my ankle. They rubbed some cream on me and wrapped it to reduce swelling.

Attendance: 48,209 (AM)
257 Swedish
466 Japanese
8260 English
39809 Italian

Highlights:
Bethel Speaker: Sam Heard of the Governing Body
Joel Reets of Sharpsburg, GA gave the talk “Young Ones Keep Your Eyes on the Prize”

Lenny Kravitz

Sunday – 07.26.09

Last night I felt like a lonely tourist for real. So, Christina & her family went away for the day and night. I’m such a quiet tenant, they forgot I was down here. When they left they turned off the computer and router, thus leaving me with no internet. It was horrible. I couldn’t call anyone, text anyone, or just surf the internet. I never want another night like that again. I felt five thousand miles away.
Anywho, I had to pray to Jehovah real hard to help me get up for the meeting. Since Raizza (Raisin) wasn’t home I needed to catch the bus to Janelle’s and arrive by 2:45 for the 3:15 meeting. The buses don’t print a schedule so I had no idea what time the bus was coming. I didn’t get up until 1:30. I had to rush and shower and leave. I wanted to be at the bus stop by 2:15 so if it took too long I would still be able to walk and make it to their house on time. I made it by 2:15 and the bus came at 2:17. I had prayed to Jehovah and he answered yet another prayer.
So I got to their house on time and we went to the meeting. I commented a few times and it was nice. Giacomo Maffei told me that he really enjoyed my comments. That was nice cause he said I answered his auxiliary questions with just what he was looking for.
After the meeting Janelle brought me home and said she would be back in an hour so we could go eat first then head to see Lenny. An hour and a half later, she returned and we headed into Eur – the upper middleclass area.
We parked and the caught a bus. We went to this pizzeria/bistro called Bacco. The food was the best I have had since I have been here. I had some type of ravioli stuffed with cheese, but this was a FAR CRY from Chef Boyardee. I was in a cheesy sauce with zucchini and small tomatoes. Janelle ordered gnocchi. As she said, her food was good, but mine was better. Then she ordered this chocolate cake with a chocolate sauce filling and a small scoop of vanilla ice cream. It was magnificent! I don’t have a love affair with food like some of my friends (Janelle, Chandice, & Mindi), but it was so very good. I wanted to dive into the empty plate and roll around.
We had to get a rush on because it was 9 and the concert started at 9. We ran to the bus stop Erica style – slowly. When we arrive and made it to our seats Lenny was just taking the stage. We jumped up from our seats and screamed as Americans do. This was quite contrary to Italians at a concert. The man behind us politely tapped Janelle and told her that we needed to sit down. She politely ignored him and we kept jammin’. He tapped again and said he couldn’t see. To avoid any confrontation we moved down another row and were able to stand with no complaints. It was still very strange because as I looked around most people were sitting. The row in front of us was standing, but not moving. No dancing, no clapping, just standing. I couldn’t tell they were at a concert. Look at the pics.
No matter how strange they were Janelle and I stayed true and represented for real concert goers.
I got the ladies next to me to jump up and sing and dance.


Even the people behind us joined in the fun and began messing with me by saying “We love you Lenny!” what made it extra funny was the fact it was a man screaming.
Lenny performed very well. He kept us on our feet and rockin’. The audience was strange, but the performance wasn’t.
All in all the concert was great.
Afterwards, Janelle and I rode around downtown and I once again got to admire where I am. My love for this country grew as I saw the sights uncrowded and remembered why I love Rome.

I'll post pics later!

A dopo!

Monday

Janelle had been promising me we would go downtown for a while. I wanted very badly to buy postcards to send home to all of you and let you know I’m thinking of you. So after an extended morning and long afternoon we left. We rode around looking for a parking space and then got on a bus in front of the Coliseum and were off. I got to see via del Corso in the day. Still A LOT of people. I found the postcards that I have been dying to get. I hope to mail them soon, but there is no telling how long it will take for you all to get them.
We did a lot of walking. Baby Wiggles was EXCELLENT! She watched all the people and stayed awake. She was her usual happy self and wasn’t fussing. It was great. We stopped to eat at the first McDonald’s in Italy. I took pictures. There used to be a fountain there, but they put up some pretty flowers instead. They serve gelato and pastries for desert as well as the traditional Mickey D’s menu.
After lunch, we went to the Spanish Steps (Piazza di Spagna) - another huge tourist spot. Across from the steps is a street called via di Condotti. Down this street is almost every famous designer you can think of!

I am not a shopper, but MAN oh MAN!!!! I wanted a Sugar Daddy or somebody’s check card to shop away!!!!
As we were proceeding back, we saw a very familiar sight. There was a small group of Spanish people walking. They all wore a small blue & white lapel card. Me, being the dork I am, I ran up to them and was all excited to see fellow believers of Jehovah doing exactly as we were told: Wear your lapel cards while out and about. They were visiting before going to Paris for the international convention. They were from the Spanish Congregation in the Bronx, NY. Of course! We took pictures.

Also, I took a picture with the local Carabinieri. They’re a cross between the local police and the Army – a glorified SWAT team.
Before I close let me show you all a purse that I want to get before I leave. Its from a store named Furla. I am taking donations. Just email me for details on how to deposit into my account.
There will be a big gap in time between this post and my next one. I start babysitting next week and will be spending my days in the house. The next few post will be about the International Convention. I can’t wait to share!

We went into this mall looking building. Once inside, we were surrounded by all the fancy stores with Italian names. Most were closed for the evening, but we went directly into JAM. Talk about cuteness! I couldn’t even pull out my camera to take pictures cause I was pulling things to see if they fit fat folks. . . . :o( No they didn’t, well, the skirts didn’t, but the shirts did. I bought one, but you won’t get to see it until I get back. Clothing bought in Italy gets worn in the states!
Anywho, we walked around and Janelle got a REALLY cute skirt. I hope to steal it when I leave along with her Furla purse. When we left there we went walking down “Tourist Boulevard.” I mean whatever you want you can find it there: postcards, shot glasses, spoons, hats, shirts, shoes, cards . . . EVERYTHING! I found a couple of postcards that I really liked and picked them up. We proceeded on past all these familiar sights and I was there . . . again at the Trevi Fountain.

Of course I went into dork mode and my eyes got all teary and I giggled and giggled and tapped Janelle and this turned into my first trip to Italy. I pulled out my camera and started snapping away. I had Janelle take a pic of me.

Danny took a pick of me and Janelle.
Some stranger took a pic of me and Janelle so that we would take a picture to her.

I didn’t throw any money into the fountain, but I did admire its beauty and detail. I took a deep breath and remembered the last time I was there. I promised myself I would come back and with Jehovah’s aid I did. Wow- dreams do come true . . . . SOME dreams come true. Im still waiting on James to come around or the green-eyed, SPIRITUAL, Wealthy, brother to ask me to marry him. We’ll see. 2 ½ months to go.
A piu tarde

Sunday
Let me tell you what the wonderful friends here in the Acilia English congregation did for me today before the meeting. They had a luncheon for me! Well, I say for me, they say for the Circuit Overseer and his wife. I think there was something lost in translation because when I got there it felt like it was for me.
I took tons of pictures. I met new people: Tiffany (I call her Amanda) and her Australian fiancé Jeremy (I call him Gregory cause he called me Angelina cause he couldn’t remember my name).

I told them they could call me “H.R.H.” or “Her Royal Highness” and to bend at the waist when they bow. It was funny then and its funny now. I also got to see Christian and Susie’s awesome house. I think when I marry my Wealthy brother I want to buy the 4 villas surrounding them. Their home was gorgeous. I’m gonna live next door. I took a couple of pictures of the beautiful yard.

After my very encouraging party we went to the meeting.
Janelle and I walked back to my place from her house that evening. We went the long way and passed a small vineyard around the corner. The owner is . . . wait for it . . . LUIGI!!!! So Italian and co nice. He posed for pictures with his bucket of vegetables standing next to the grapes on the vine. Of course, I took a picture by the grapes.

I’m hoping to get to stomp some grapes in September when Marsha and Tesa come. We’re going to Naples and that is harvest time around those parts. Would that be nice?
We also found a picturesque spot for some idealized Italian scenery across the street from another beautiful villa around the corner. I posed for the camera and gazed off into the distance searching for my Italian Stallion. Is he there? Do you see him?
Wasn’t that a great first week? I hope you had fun because we continue next week.
A piu tarde!

Tuesday
Nothing major has been happening here. I had planned on going to the beach, but never made it. Tonight though was nice.
Raizza (I call her Raisin so I can remember her name), Janelle & Danny’s niece had a talk and a demonstration tonight, so her mom (Christina, the landlord) and little brother (Gabriel) came as support. She did fabulous! She’s a regular pioneer, works, and does multiple parts on the meeting. I smell a missionary!!
Tonight was also Kim and Jolene’s last meeting before they leave. Oh wait! I haven’t told you about them. Kim is a pioneer from California and she and Jolene came here after the International Convention in Germany. They opted to spend 10 days in GLORIOUS Italy. They’ve been my roommates since Tues the 14th and stayed until the 23rd. I didn’t talk to Jolene much, but I talked to Kim. Wanna hear a funny? It’s a small world. SO when Kim told me where she was from in California, I started scurrying through my mental folder to think who I knew from there. The conversation went a little like this:
“I know a few friends from California, but Im trying to think someone is from your neck of the woods. Do you know anyone in Georgia?”
“No, not that I can think of.”
“Do you know any Rhodes?”
“Yeah, but they’re in Ohio.”
“Emma Rhodes?”
“Yeah. That’s her name.”
“Well, her and her daughters have been in Georgia for a few years. I am good friends with her eldest daughter Rachel.”
And the rest is history. She gave me all her contact information to give to Emma when I get home, but aint it a small world?
Well, this was they’re last meeting so I took a pic with Kim. Jolene was somewhere in the crowd saying her goodbyes to the friends.
When we got home I slept long and hard after a few phone calls home.

Wednesday
Last night I made plans with Raizza (Raisin) to go in service this afternoon. When 3:30 rolled around I was ready to go. From what I understood, field service in the English congregation is like service in the Spanish congregation in the states – census work.
Raisin had 2 territories- one in Eur and one deep in the bad side of Rome (she said its comparable to NY). Y’all know Im scary so we did the Eur one.
Sure enough census work. We didn’t have to walk much because the marked for English homes weren’t that close together. We spoke to one lady who was busy, but she said we could leave her an invitation to the convention in her mailbox. I took a picture of my first time in field service in Rome, Italy. (hee-hee) Im excited! This my version of being a missionary. Starting service at 330 and getting to sightsee while we do it. Great!
In the end we hit rush hour traffic and Raisin had to get back for another appointment. It fun and provided an experience for the blog. What a day!

Saturday
I kept the baby yesterday and today I got paid in pastries. YYYYYUUUUUMMMMM!!!!! I know you cant really tell from the picture cause they looked smushed, but they were so good. The tray lasted until Wednesday.
Tomorrow is Lenny Kravitz in ROME!!!! I’m so excited!!!!