Reflections on a trip: VA, D.C., OH

Here are a few brief bullet points abut our trip. I will try to expand of them, as time permits, but for now, I don't want to lose the wonderful memory of them:

We spent ten days travelling across Virginia, D.C. and northern Ohio. Isabella competed at the National Geographic Bee in D.C. May 24. She was eliminated during the Tie-breaker round and so placed 11th.. So close to the top ten, but not there yet. She accepted the "defeat" with incredible maturity and comforted her room mate from Delaware.

Late that evening, she told me: "You know dad, I think God told me today: 'be patient Isabella, this is not your year.' Remember that bible passage that says: "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."? I think God told me that today, after I lost...' 'I will have to try and come back again next year. I was 13th last year, I was 11th, this year. Next year, maybe I can take it all'
It was a great lesson for all of us. A lesson in spiritual maturity. We are blessed for that.

We visited Williamsburg and Jamestown in southern Virginia and drove across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel. Wow! Jamestown was wonderful and surely worth a visit.

We walked around Mount Vernon. What a great place

We spent time with great and generous friends Maureen and Lisa in D.C.

We then drove to Cleveland to show our children where Norine and I were married and to thank the people that were such an important part of our lives during that blessed time: Fr. Tony S., Fr. Tony Fortunato, Ronnie, Peggy, Ellie, Dough and Roe...

We met new friends: Sofia M. from DE - Marlene K. and family in Wooster, OH

We have so many wonderful memories. We wish we did not leave so far away.

Geographic Travels: Donate Shoes for Afghan Girls

We have an internet friend who just came back from Afghanistan and he is helping to organize a drive of new and used shoes for Afghan girls. If you want to help, please email us and we will provide you with the contact information to send the shoes to.
Geographic Travels: Donate Shoes for Afghan Girls