Unanimous. . .

I can't believe that I am looking at only a few days left on my trip. There are so many things that I wish I had more time to accomplish, and yet God has opened up opportunities for me to accomplish things I never planned or expected.

The Sunday School this past week consisted of Noah's Ark. The story started with talking about things that don't please God. As we brainstormed, I wrote the terms onto clouds which were glued to a poster. Then, as I told the story I had them come up and color in the ark, and then the rain, and then sun and the mountains and the rainbow. Finally I had them draw a very important piece to the story,....the animals!! God taught me that perhaps I am cut out for teaching Sunday School. I once thought it was very far from my comfort zone, but am now realizing that I simply have to find my own way to present things, bringing creativity in as well. It was encouraging from many different angles.

I have also recently started teaching piano lessons to one of the girls on the team. After the lesson we do a devotional together. It has been such an awesome time to get to know the different struggles that she is facing, as well as how I can better enable her to grow spiritually. What a blessing it has been to see her grow just in the few moments we've had together and to be a part in her life.
For a while now I have known exactly where it is that God has been directing me. From the first month I was here in Torino, there was no doubt in my mind that I had every intention of pursuing the option of coming back on a one-year commitment. My head and heart are overwhelmed with the knowledge that I will be returning to the States only for a "visit". Last night the team announced the unanimous decision to allow me back. I am now a part of Team Torino and look forward to seeing how God is going to use this next year!

Ciao!

Turning the Pages. . .

Things have continued to go well this past week. I spent the majority of my mornings at the Caldbeck house helping with homeschooling while Tom was away. Things are starting to fall back into a little bit of a schedule, although I highly doubt that will last for very long. We're looking at having a much needed team meeting this week. With all the hustling of trying to get the kids into a school routine, as well as people traveling we have not been able to get together since the arrival of the McEwens. It will be the first team meeting with the whole team being together.

It looks like tomorrow I will start piano lessons with a few of the girls on the team. I am hoping that not only it will be a time of learning, but that in the time spent together the girls may find a bond, or be able to strengthen their friendship. I know that a few of the parents have expressed a desire to have some of the other children learn as well. With only one full-sized keyboard available I am limited on time and availability. However, it is not an opportunity that I have closed the door on either. For now I am going to see how the initial lessons go, and hopefully may be able to open the opportunity up to the other kids later on.
Mindi has some incredible ideas, and it has been such a blessing to be able to brainstorm and work alongside her. Originally we had a few different ideas such as a girl's day (movie, hair, nails, etc. including mini-devotions or object lessons on being a godly woman and the importance of inner beauty), a baking day, and a craft day. However, considering that there is only a month left in my time here, we are running incredibly short on time. It was eventually concluded that we would have a "Fall Day" filled with cookie decorating, games, yummy food, crafts, etc. We are praying that God would show us the best way to draw His message into the day in a non-offensive or pushy way. Please be praying that the plans for this day continue to come together as we attempt to reach out to both our contacts and team. It has the potential to be such a great opportunity!

A Vapor in The Wind. . .

This week has definitely been one of reflection. It has been a slower week with the kids back at school, but has provided great opportunity to be still, and see God's hands at work. It truly is incredible that He can be doing so much, and in such indiscreet ways that we cannot see it until looking back. In the past few months I have come to see His love in such a different way!
Mindi and I have been bouncing different ideas off of each other and have come up with some that I am greatly looking forward to organizing. I am hoping to be able to start piano lessons with a few of the older girls who have been interested. Although it is a great opportunity for them to learn (which they have expressed a desire to do), but the underlying purpose is that it will bring them together, as they do not always get to see each other. I am hoping that having these lessons together will allow a friendship to form and get them involved using the talents that God has given them both!
Another idea was that of an Arts and Crafts time. It is the hope that something like this would be able to continue twice a month or so over a long period of time. However, I'm now working with a month! Hopefully we can get at least one day of Arts and Crafts together. This can also serve as an outreach to some of the Italian children, as most of it can be done through demonstration, rather than verbally.

All in all, it has been a slow week, but looking at all that I hope to be able to start up, October is going to be a very busy month. The time slips away so incredibly fast,..."like a vapor in the wind".

Just Smile. . . .

I cannot believe that I have been here for over a month now. Time continues to fly entirely too quickly. The last family (The McEwen's) of the team has arrived safely and settled in. However Laura, and the Calbeck family are out on vacation, so I am still yet to experience the full team together. Italian school starts on Monday, and some of our kids will be attending. That will yet again switch up schedules, but after this week some sense of routine should be established. I look forward to getting the kids feedback on their first week of school.
Mindi had the opportunity to invite some of the contacts from the park over to bake one day. What an awesome opportunity to begin to build a trusting relationship with them! I absolutely cannot wait! In coming out here, I expected to have incredible moments of ministry involving the missionary kids. Never did I have true expectations of being able to reach out to the Italian kids as well! What a blessing and encouragement to see God working.
Also while I was at the Heizer's House watching the kids,.....I some how traded our girls for Valeria's (Their neighbor)! Needless to say, I learned more Italian than I have the whole time I have been here. Personally, it was a very neat experience to see that her girls have accepted me enough to A) listen to my terrible Italian, and do their best to understand it. B) That they trust me enough to come over, even though all my kids were at their house.

I am taking care of Lili, the dog this week while Laura is away. She stresses me out beyond belief, but she has her positive moments as well! Overall she is a great dog. While walking her I managed to be stopped by two separate people who tried to linger and converse. It broke my heart that I could not communicate with them, but was encouraged at their efforts in trying, even after they realized I was a foreigner.

Overall, things continue to go incredibly well. God's hand is working in the everyday lives of the team. Who knows what tomorrow or the next day may bring!!

One Step at a Time. . .

Things continue to go incredibly well, and as summer comes to an end and Italian school is about to start each family is falling back into their regular routines. My schedule has filled very quickly, but I look forward to having areas to help out with.
This past Thursday, I took the younger group of kids downstairs during "Team Worship" to do a story that may hold their interest longer. I walked away feeling a little discouraged the next morning. The kids were bouncing all over the place and I wasn't sure that a word from the story had been absorbed. However, in the following days I had encouraging words from the parents that the children had come back talking about "David and Goliath", . .. the story we had discussed. It put a huge smile on my face, and to know that they absorbed even the context of the story meant a great deal.

Today I had an opportunity to help with homeschooling for the second time. It is definitely one of the more structured things that I have helped with, but I LOVE it. Since being here, I feel like God has completely reignited a passion for learning in my own heart. It is such a blessing to be able to learn in a culture so full of history and art.

Also in the past week or so I have gotten much more comfortable with the public transportation. I can at least get myself out to Rivoli where the other families are. The little bit of independence has been rather refreshing and has left me feeling like I'm ready to take on the world!. . . . I'm undecided as to whether or not that is a good thing or not.

Bonding Time . . .

This week, while I have been house sitting for the Caldbecks who took their children for a surprise vacation, I have been able to spend a great deal of time at Ken and Mindi Heizer's house with their seven children. The time that I have spent at their house the past three days has been such an incredible blessing, and I learn more and more everyday. Ken has a way of describing things that I have heard over and over again in a way that makes it seem completely new.

Yesterday Mindi had two of her italian neighbors come over too bake cookies with the Heizer clan. While baking, Ken sat and read the passage about God being the potter, and we the clay in italian. So fitting for the days activities! He then compared it to the cookies that we were making. That without the hands to combine the ingredients, mold the dough, roll it out, put it in the oven and take it out, then the ingredients are nothing. The dough cannot move on its own, it cannot function. In the same way, we cannot function without the hands of Christ. Julia, one of the neighbors was soaking it up!

After cookies, the girls mother came over for coffee and instantly began to open up to Ken and Mindi about different struggles that she is facing. It was captivating to see how everyone was interacting so intimately and trusting, in a culture that would typically do the opposite. It is miraculous that the Heizer family is able to have such an open-door relationship so quickly that would cause their neighbors to have a desire to know more about the Lord and hear from the Bible.

Ken today said how our purpose is often secondary to God's. Again something that i have heard, but have seen in such a new light since I've been here. I came with the purpose of helping missionary families, to do whatever I can to allow them to minister more effectivly, and yet in coming i have learned so much already. God has completely reignited my desire to know Him, and my desire to learn more. He has opened my eyes the the fact that there is something new everyday, new people, new possibilities, and always something to learn. To come and see the passion for people that the Heizer family has has been incredibly encouraging.
Another conversation that took place was how so ofteen, we as people begin to take credit for that which God is worthy of. Instead of God speaking to the people, it slowly turns to "I" spoke to these people. I pray that I never get to that point, that I would never look back and believe that I am the one who is coming to help these families, but that it is God who is simply using me as a way to accomplish his plans. I cannot wait to see what changes may occur over these next few months.

The next chapter,....

Conference was absolutely incredible! Imagine Missions conference,..only about 10 times more intense. It's like a church family coming back together after two years of not seeing eachother.
I wasn't able to attend any of the main conference, but i was helping downstairs with the children in a VBS program. The kids were so excited! It is very rare that they even get to attend a sunday school class that is in their primary language. This is also the only time that they get to connect with children who are going tthrough similar things as themselves. I quickly learned that MK's (missionary kids) have a whole different set of struggles and emotions as ordinary kids,..in addition to all those "normal" issues.
God did so many amazing things that week! It was incredible to be with a group of people so focused on changing peoples lives. It was incredible, to sit and tell how God has led me, and then when feeling I need to explain what it means to feel at home in a country you've never lived in,...having someone fully understand without explanation. To feel that the world really is completely open and there are opportunities down every road, and its just a matter of finding the one God has for you, but to know that its out there is such an amazing feeling.
The workers for the VBS were wonderful as well. I was certainly blessed not only by their kindness, but also in the ways that God used them.
Before leaving, I had considered bringing a suitcase of craft supplies for the kids. However, i did not feel a peace about it, and it just didn't seem logical. Well, the VBS workers approached me and asked that since they didn't want to bring it all back home, our team would be interested in taking the remaining craft supplies!! Thank the LORD. "God is never late, but seldom early" (thank you Mrs. Reimers). He showed me once again that He will always provide!! It was such a blessing!!
The more time i spend with each family, the more I fall in love with them. The kids aer wonderful, and although they each come with their own challenges, God has put such an incredible understanding and burden in my heart for them.
There is so much that I wish I could be able to do, that i am excited to see accomplished, and yet I havn't got any idea how it owuld be possible in three months. There are also a few teens on the team who I look foreward to getting to know better. Who knows what other doors God may open. All i know is that I already hate that i have to leave in october!

Family dinner. . .

It was Sunday yesterday so Laura and I went to a church here in Collegno. I can't say how I felt about the sermon,..considering I couldn't understand a word of it. Well,...a few words maybe. I pulled out things such as light of the world and such but that is only because they are closer to spanish than english. However, the music was great! They sang a few that I know in english, but had the words on a projector, so I could actually follow them in Italian. The pastor threw out a few words in english during the sermon too. Only once or twice,..but i found it slightly humerous.
Anyone who knows my normal sunday routine knows that it is "family dinner" night. Well last night I met my family here in Italy. The team got together for an evening of "Grill and Chill" Which turnned into "Chill and potluck", but nonetheless it was great! The food was delicious, and it was an incredible opportunity to get to meet everyone, most of them for the first time. There are SO many kids!! But they all seem great!!
Being able to talk with some of the different team members to see what their goals, and viewpoints on different things has been really encouraging, and a key part in helping me grasp a better idea on what is going on religiously in the Torino area and what the team is really working towards.
God has already started to show me so much in the few days that I have been here. He's opened my eyes and heart to not only things that I can do to help the other families, but also to different areas in which I still have so much to grow! I am excited to see how far this journey can take me, and I know already that it has the opportunity to greatly surpass any of my own goals. God is amazing!
It's time to start packing again! I head out for the conference in Switzerland tomorrow, but will be staying with the Caldbeck's tonight so I can get familiar with their house, which I'll be staying at for a few das when I get home. Also so that we can get an earlier start tomorrow morning. I'm sure it will be a packed week, and I have no idea what to expect! At this point, what's one more unknown?! I welcome it!

Ciao. . .

I did arrive safetly yesterday around 3:30pm. I knew I had to be getting close as I could see the snow capped mountains underneath the plane. They were stunning, and only one of many reminders that God has put on the earth of His power and mercy. To look at theose mountains, realizeing that He built them, He could cause them to crumble in an instant...and yet protects us from such devastation takes my breath away.

Although the trip was decently smooth and without tribulations, it made my heart happy to see the familiar faces of the Caldbecks who were to pick me up, and who I knew spoke english! The ride to the apartment provided some nice, worry-free downtime. For the first time all day I didn't have to think about what my next few steps would be. The towns are beautiful, and the architecture could captivate me endlessly.

The apartment space that I have been blessed with is gorgeous. I am currently sitting on my bed. I have the doors open to the balcony, from which I can see not only the city but the mountains as well. It is a simple room, but perfect. There is no tv in the apartment, but you would be amazed at how the lack of one can change the whole atmosphere. It's a much welcome change.

It feels like an early fall day in terms of New England weather. The sun is shining without a cloud interfering with the crystal clear blue sky. Laura, the girl that I am staying with, has invited me out with some aquaintences of hers for the day. It is a perfect day for a trip to the market, which is where we will be headed.

Ciao!

Guided Steps. . .

Well, Where do I begin?! For starters, we were on our way out of Monson when Dad realized that we hadn't even printed off the flight plan. If only I had accepted that as an omen for how the adventure was about to go!

We get to Boston, and go to the wrong terminal, but that was a minor detail. After little time and hassel, we ended up with my luggage checked through and ready to go! We even had time to grab some food before I entered my terminal. Goodbye's were bittersweet, but there were minimal tears shed. I made it through security with absolutely no issues! Thank the Lord!

The flight out of Boston was delayed by half an hour, and we ran a little behind in the air. All together it was a pleasant flight and the person who ended up next to me was great company. We talked different travels, etc. He was a world traveler and I swear God sent him to calm my nerves. He was wonderful, and certainly prepared me for the adventure that was to follow!

I was off the plane at 7:15, but my connecting flight was already bording, and scheduled to take off at 7:35. I still had to get on the shuttle to take me to the actual airport building, and then find yet another shuttle to bring me to my gate which was all the way at the opposite end.. . . while stopping for a passport checkpoint as well (of course!). On the way, i had already been preparing myself that I might miss my flight.

On the shuttle, I immediately clicked off with a girl who was traveling with her mother. Their flight was scheduled for 7:15. yea,...we were all panicking a little inside! But they were amazing! Turns out that they were going to the same terminal. The shuttle we were supposed to take,...nowhere to be found. So, we booked it! and i mean ran! Through the whole airport,..all the way around! But we made it there and went our seperate ways. They were the biggest blessing. Little did I know it wasn't over yet.

I checked out the boards, which said my flight had closed boarding. I decided to check anyway and see what they could do. I reach the gate, only to see my airplane flying away,..without me on it (if ya hadn't gotten that yet!). After asking around a little bit, I made it to the service desk, where i found my lovely friends yet again! They had missed their flight as well, and God's impecable timing allowed us to enjoy breakfast together,..compliments of the airline.

At that point I had 5 hours to go before my rescheduled flight. On the bright side, it gave me plenty of time to make it through security and find my terminal,..where I now sit. Safe and Sound. (Anyone who knows my sense of direction knows that's a complete miracle!)

God never ceases to amaze me! He's taught me so much already in the few hours I've been on ths adventure with Him! Everything I had prayed for, He provided. Peace. That He would guide my footsteps. That He would put people in my path when necessary. He is SO good! I even had an awesome opportunity to witness to the guy I sat next to on the plane! My energy level,..still high! Which is amazing,..considering it is 3:53am Boston time,...and I have a full day ahead of me. It is only 9:53am Italy time! Keep the prayers comin'! No doubt they have gotten me through this far.

P.S. Sorry if the spelling is completely off! It's been a long day, and spell check is in french!

So close,....

It's amazing how quickly the time can fly, particularly when you are begging for more of it everyday. As excited as I am getting, there is still SO much to get done within the next week before I can leave.
Next time need to take a minute and think things through before I open my mouth to speak to God. I prayed that He would help me to get my priorities strait, and that I would continue to make more time to be with my family before I leave. Well, Large Marge (my car) died last week. God works in some rather ironic ways, but hey if that's what it takes! Needless to say, I have been stuck at home the past few days. I have gotten a decent amount accomplished though which is a whole separate praise!
I received word from AVANT today that I need to get them a deposit, as well as permission for a background check, and a medical exam. They apparently were unaware that I am leaving next week. They were under the impression that I was leaving later in August. So, that will make for yet some more interesting chores this week.
There is going to be a benefit dinner this Friday (July 30th, 2010) to help with the final costs. I have also gotten in touch with the girl that I will be staying with, Laura. Being able to communicate with her about packing etc, has definitely began to make things feel more real! It's slowly setting in. Only one more week!!

As Days Go By. . .

I cannot believe that there are only three weeks until my expected departure on August 5th! The time passes by so quickly and I feel like I hardly have time to catch my breath nevertheless get all the things i need to done.
This week I'm attempting to get my classes back in order at HCC as they have been canceled concerning some FAFSA miscommunication. I'm praying that there won't be a problem, particularly considering I had the perfect schedule set up, with all online courses required for my major.
There is still a great deal of money that I still need to raise, but I have seen before how God can provide in miraculous ways. Although it is in the back of my head, the financial aspects still have not set in as a major problem.
This week I'm staying with a group of girls I have known since I was born, and the realization that I am going to be away from so many people that I love and care about seems to get harder and harder everyday. I know that in the grand scheme of things, three months isn't that long. However, I've seen how the great the effects of leaving for even one month can extend from other friends who have gone away. Only time will tell, and I know that God will protect those relationships that He desires to see flourish. For some it will change nothing. For some it will change everything.

Just Another Stepping Stone. . .

A fundraiser took place on June 24the, 2010 at the Radical Roaster. There were delicious Italian delicacies as well as some raffles and artwork that I had been piecing together since the last time i was in Italy. My goal for this specific event was to raise $300-$500. After all was said and done, the total amount that came in was $1200!! God never ceases to amaze me and it was an incredibly humbling experience. I realize now how i was not accrediting God with the glory or the credit that He deserves! I must also thank all those who supported through donations, as well as my incredible friends who were able to attend to the event. The night was incredibly encouraging on so many levels; emotional, spiritual and financial!

The amount from the fundraiser just covered the plane ticket! I now have an exact date to be able to tell people, and am counting the days down until August 5the!! There is so much still to be done in between now and then, but the race is on and I'm ready to go.

One of my biggest concerns at the moment is school. I am currently signed up for online courses through Holyoke Community College. I count it a miracle that, in signing up late, I was able to be placed into all online courses that were required for my major in Business Administration. However, I am getting concerned that the workload is going to be a major challenge when combined with the work that I will be doing over in Italy. Other concerns include keeping the time change in mind for assignments, exams, etc. and getting my books from here to there as they will take up a good chunk of my 5o lb weight limit on the suite case! I suppose it's a really good spot to be in considering that this is the "biggest" concern of mine at the moment!

I have embarked on the fun filled journey of attempting to learn some basics of Italian on my own! It's going surprisingly well, but will only be able to serve as a very basic introductory to the language. I've been studying up on some of the pronunciation and grammar. My goal is not only to be able to recognize common phrases or greetings, but more so to be able to see a word and pronounce it correctly and possibly determine where the route or the ending is derived from. A deeper knowledge I suppose, but one that will provide the ability to learn more fluently than broken bits and pieces of sentences.

All in all it is slowly coming together. . . . step by step and one day at a time!



God Bless!

Lets start at the very beginning. . .

The story is long, particularly considering I am rolling the past three months into this initial blog. However I feel that the details of it are important in understanding why it is that I will be leaving for Torino, Italy in only a few weeks.

In 2007 an opportunity came up for me to go to Bologna on a missions trip. Those eight days effected me in more ways than I ever could have prepared for. I saw a country who had absolutely every material good that they wanted, and yet every glance and conversation showed hearts left unsatisfied.

I returned home, but it was clear to many that my heart remained far from New England. I continued with my plans, knowing that ultimately I would find myself back in Italy.

The Plan: Graduate High School. Go to a four year
college. Start a coffee shop. After about twenty years bring that coffee shop overseas to Italy.

It's funny how God's plan is rarely our own, and His timing incomprehensible to our rational minds. After all, He does promise that He'll only give us what we can handle. I believe that stands for our mental capacities to grasp his plan, just as much as the trials He allows us to endure.

Needless to say, I ended up at the community college I had vowed to never attend, building relationships with people I had planned on never seeing again. During that time however, God taught me more than possibly any other experience to date.

The burden to leave continuously lingered, but I had gotten really good at sweeping it under the carpet. Even though it had a tendency to come out full force during the stressful times it was there constantly.

One day, I finally couldn't hold it back anymore. I was talking with not only a friend, but a mentor who encouraged me to go for it. However, the thought of leaving behind a job and coworkers that had greatly invested in my life was a difficult one to grasp.

I was sharing with my boss one day how I had felt a great burden to spend more time with my family,...a burden which I had ignored until I "coincidentally" lost my planner. (God's got quite the sense of humor). She laughed as she told me how similarly her daughter, who had recently been called to relocate, had once felt. She asked me if I felt I was supposed to be going somewhere. When I couldn't find the words I needed, the tears didn't hesitate to speak for me.

On the way home from work there were so many thoughts flooding into my mind, and yet there was no question that I knew I had to go. I wasn't sure when, I wasn't sure why but I knew it was inevitable. I found it hard to keep myself composed during the conversations with my parents that followed in those next few days. Perhaps one of the most difficult thoughts to verbalize was that Massachusetts, had never been my home. I realized this more than ever in Bologna. I should have felt out of my element, and maybe even a little unsure of myself but I had never felt more confident and comfortable than I could ever remember.

Still questioning the timing as well as what I could even be going there for, I came to know of an opportunity helping our Missionaries, who had relocated to Torino. The details of this opportunity are abundant enough for another day's story.) I was still skeptical of the possibilities turning into a reality, but I keep walking through the doors God has opened and I intend to continue to do so.

The curiosity of how God could use someone such as I continues to overwhelm me! I cannot wait to see the places in which He leads my heart throughout this journey.