Abroad but safe

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) - "I can't control life for her if she lived here in Upland. But certainly not half way around the world in Italy," says Tim Nace. He's talking about his daughter Jennifer Nace. The 19 year old Taylor University junior is studying abroad in Italy. She was there when the massive 6.3 earthquake hit.

Jennifer was staying at a convent in Orvieto, nearly 100 miles away from the epicenter. Nace says he calls her via Skype every Monday. This time, her laptop wasn't working. He said he called the one phone in the entire convent. Instead of his daughter, the program director picked up and told him everyone was fine. Jennifer had slept right through the quake, but her classmates didn't. Taylor students Joshua Read and Alexandra Seminaro were also there. In an email, Seminaro describes how the quake jolted her awake.

"It was about 3:30 in the morning and while I was sleeping I felt my bed move back and forth. I couldn't believe it ... God definitely protected us and we are all very thankful we are ok and nothing is damaged/no one is hurt. I know people back home are very concerned and worried and I hope they all know we are all okay."

Nace says the whole experience, which started out as an educational trip for his daughter, has taught him even more.

"My job is to let her loose and fly like a bird. And that's what she's doing right now."

The Nace family is flying to Italy at the end of the week. It was a pre planned trip, but it comes at just the right time when the family feels like they need to be together.