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!!