belonging – Page 2 – Signora Sheila

Longing for Home: Do we Miss it Enough?

Close-up of a large white dahlia blooming in a sunny garden, with smaller flowers, a red cottage, blue sky, and lush greenery behind it.

Sometimes after a long time away, I find myself longing for home. (HOME. Isn’t that a beautiful word?) I appreciate the hospitality we are given. But as the days pass and the miles fly by, my longing for home grows. Even when visiting family and friends we rarely get to see. Home – an evocative wordContinueContinue reading “Longing for Home: Do we Miss it Enough?”

Breaking Bread and Standing Together

Hands wrapped in blue cloth hold a large, rustic round loaf of artisan bread over a wooden table, conveying warmth and care.

From England’s Sally Lunn to Germany’s pretzels, France’s baguette, Mexico’s tortillas, Russia’s kulich, Greece’s Kouloras and the Hebrew challah, bread is a staple food in many cultures. This is why breaking bread symbolises friendship, unity and hospitality. We can experience this friendship and unity whether we are breaking bread at a family meal or diningContinueContinue reading “Breaking Bread and Standing Together”

A Royal Welcome for House Guests

Overhead view of hands lettering “Welcome” on a brown paper card at a creative desk, surrounded by stationery, greenery, glasses, and ink.

We’ve had fun and adventure, traveled the world, learned new skills and experienced other cultures! And we did all on a shoestring budget, right from our home! “How is this possible?” you ask. Through our guests who shared the love they have for their homeland, or their passion for things like painting, making balsamic vinegar,ContinueContinue reading “A Royal Welcome for House Guests”

Do We Really Even Need the Church?

Laptop displays a grid of people in a video conference, beside a humorous coffee mug and tulips on a desk in a cozy home office.

“What good is the church?” As pastors we have been asked this question, albeit in different forms. Especially since the pandemic and the lockdowns. And people gave many reasons for giving up on the church. A trend that grew during lockdowns. Even now as lockdowns are easing, some people still find in-person meetings unnecessary. ItContinueContinue reading “Do We Really Even Need the Church?”

Tradition and Cultural Adaptation

Four diverse coworkers gather indoors as two men shake hands in the foreground; two women watch and smile, conveying teamwork and agreement.

Adapting to different cultures is usually difficult and confusing, and quite challenging. Take the standard Italian greeting of a kiss on both cheeks. It’s really not as standard as you might think. Because many people here only touch cheek to cheek while kissing the air. And in many business or formal settings, a kiss onContinueContinue reading “Tradition and Cultural Adaptation”

Our Towns: Where is Home?

Historic stone arch bridge spans a wooded gorge beneath misty hills, with a modern roadway and metal guardrail in the foreground.

Our Towns is really our Tale of Two Houses. Ah, the complex fascination of life overseas (challenging, frustrating, but so blessed)! In fact, new acquaintances often ask, “So where are you from?” Our response? “Um, do you have an easier question?” So, to cut a long story short… Having lived all over the USA and Italy, with aContinueContinue reading “Our Towns: Where is Home?”