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!