This is THE PENULTIMATE BLOG

... from Rome. I'll post one more from Rome on June 9th. And then, I'll post my very last blog when I return to the States (and after a wedding, a flight, a ball-game, an interview, and a drive 600 miles). That will be a European Highlight and What I Learned While I Was Here kind of a blog. Don't miss that one.

So, yeah, I guess this entry is the pen-penultimate of all blogs (unless I keep posting during the summer... which is possible).

ULTIMATELY, I'm really sorry to all of you who have been checking back frequently and who have been expecting some awesome photos and cool stories lately. Honestly, I just don't have any to give. This past month, I had to become a student again so that I pass my classes (or, hopefully, get all-A's). That's the down-side of doing a STUDY-abroad: you've gotta study.

Also, I've been doing a lot of job-hunting. Valle High School in St. Geneveive, Missouri, has all but offered me the job in those specific words. I'm praying about it. I also have a really good lead on a school in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Honestly, this is the best school that I have seen. And, admittedly, even though it is 6 hours from St. Louis, I want to be at this school. (Not to mention, Fort Wayne is a great place to raise a family. And Detroit, Chicago, Indianapolis, and Toledo are all within a 3-hour drive. Perfect.

Presently, Val is Toronto, Canada, awaiting her flight across The Pond. And at 6:50am my time, AH!, she will be here. (And for all of you who are under the impression (substantiated or not) that something "special" is going to happen out here, I will tell you that no such questioning and answering will happen during our time here together).

Val and I will be touring Rome with her two friends, Pamela and Deborah (Pamela's sister). We're also going to hit Assisi and probably Tivoli-- awesome Italian cities. Most likely, Florence too. At the halfway point of their trip, we are going to travel to Medjugorje (Again for me, first time for the rest of them). This is going to be so awesome!

When we return, Val will have (hopefully) some time to walk around Rome together and just enjoy being together once again. Four months has flown by... But four months is a long time to be away from someone you love so dearly. [We did it!!!!!!! Was there any doubt?]

So, that's it just about it from out here. I went to a Wednesday Audience today and got an ok picture of the Pope. He passed within 4 feet of me in his Pope-mobile (I snagged the front row again). I would have taken a picture close up of him, but I prefer to remember me savoring the moment, waving at him, and he making eye-contact with me-- instead of the memory of a camera in my face. Maybe, if I'm really really blessed, the Vatican News Service got my picture....

The other pictures are from Tuesday: the eight of us (at last, together as a group for a photo at the Vatican!) went to Mass in the crypt of St. Peter's (under the church!!!). It was just our group and a good priest friend of Janet in the Lithuanian Chapel. This was so amazingly cool!!! (And for the following reasons)

1. We were at St. Peter's at the moment it opened. This means: no crowds and no noise. Glorious!

2. Everyone who is there, is there for Mass. St. Peter's suddenly has an added solemn-feel.

3. And at every side altar there is a priest saying Mass. Some are saying Mass in front of a group, some are saying it JUST BY THEMSELVES. THIS is AWESOME!

4. With so many Masses being said-- although quiet-- St. Peter's had a certain "Heavenly Pentecost" feel to it: everyone speaking in their native tongues; "Alleluia"s and "Holy Holy"s being said at the same moments when other Masses are at the elevation of the Eucharist. Constant praise, constant adoration, constant Christ.

5. Being in the Lithuanian Chapel, I couldn't help but again feel the universality and the historicity of the Church. Here I was in a place where Mass had been celebrated by countless people over countless years from many different nations. And all receive the same Christ. WOOOOWWWWW!

After Mass, we all had class. And speaking of class, I've got some mad studying to do before Val arrives. SO.... I will see you all again on this blog come June 9th.

Ciao!!!!

Here's the eight of us (from left to right)--
Quanah Jefferies, Steve Pokorny, Janet Finta, Amy Newman, Lisa Eberhardt, Pete Balbernie, Elizabeth-Jane Pavlik, and ME!

These are my "slumber-party" buddies. (And yep, living in community together is like one long slumber party!)

The Pope Approacheth! (At the Wednesday Audience. I could have touched him, he was so close. And ya'll know why I didn't keep taking pictures...)

From Tuesday: A (nearly empty) St. Peters, a little after sunrise.

And how big is St. Peter's? Well, there I am on the right, walking....

and when I stop by the high altar, you can't see me anymore. This is the biggest church in Christendom. Period.

This silhouettes of Elizabeth-Jane and Peter as they depart from St Peter's