My family and I returned last week from a stint in Rome. We were there so I could lead a study abroad. This wasn’t our first time, but it was our first time to live in Rome for two weeks. It was a delightful trip for many reasons — but it’s also why I missed my last post. You see, I left my computer at home, which means I didn’t have my account passwords.
As a writer, it can be very easy to always be on the job. There is always a book to write, edit, or brainstorm (not necessarily in that order!). There’s always marketing to do or a proposal to dream up. I’m very good at the work of writing. 
But one thing I’m not very good at is the rest of writing. I’m slowly learning that sometimes my brain needs the pause. The chance to breathe and take in new experiences. To work on other aspects of my life. Teaching this class is easy to me because I’ve done it for many years. At the same time each group of students makes it fresh and I’m always tweaking and hopefully improving the content. Because study abroads are quick, they can be consuming…especially if I want to enjoy the city with my family. 
This was my commute to work each morning. Rough, right? 
This year we spent a day exploring Pompeii, which was incredible. Our younger two kids had read the Who Was book on Pompeii, and it was so fun to listen to them explain what we were seeing. They got to be our tourguides. 
And a day exploring Tivoli. The gardens at Villa D’Este are AMAZING. Truly worth at least a day sitting with a book in the shade with the sound of water flowing via gravity through the fountains. 
Here I am with my students at Hadrian’s Villa. This was an exceptional group. A joy to spend time with them. 
Back to Pompeii.
And this is from our last night when we walked by the Colosseum in the dark. GORGEOUS. And now it’s back to real life. Writing and editing deadlines. Getting ready to teach a graduate class at the end of the month. And getting our oldest ready for college. We move her in one day, and the next the other three go to school. Gulp.
Whatever you are doing and wherever you are this summer, I pray God brings you rest.