Movie Night

This past Friday night we hosted a movie night for our students! We chose Monster's Inc. which is a pixar animated kids movie. Very cute- and the "monsters" added to the halloween vibe. We watched it in english with english subtitles in order to help our students practice their english in a fun way. I actually know this to be very helpful because last friday at school we AI workers did just the opposite. We watched Harry Potter in italian with italian subtitles- and it was a blast! I learned so many new vocab words that I wouldnt have otherwise learned, and it was fun to challenge myself to try and keep up with the movie. Anyways- our movie night began at 8:30p and ended around 11:30p! I think there were around 13-15 students who attended- so we had a great turn out and had a alot of fun =)

Angela and Laura made their "witches fingers" cookies! They were a hit!

They really do look like witches fingers! ha!

My student Monica and Andrea. Emily made the carmel corn over on the left. It was perfect!

Here is some punch that I made and we put in the "witches cauldron" ( aka the biggest pot we could find). It isnt exactly like I make in the US but we improvised and I think the Italians enjoyed it.

Here are Clizia, Olga, and their mom Monica. I have Clizia and Monica as students, and Laura has Olga as a student. I enjoy getting to know them so much! They are such a sweet family =)

Thursdays

Thursdays are busy days. After school, we normally have a "feild trip" with our school that lasts from 3 to a little after 5. When I say "field trip" what i mean is that one of the teachers from our school (Lorenzo Di Medici: LDM) takes whoever signs up, for a tour of something significant in the city. For example, our first one together was the Baboli Gardens.The Thursday before last was Santa Maria Novella, and this Thursday was to the Accademia, the home of Michelangelo's David. besides having a first rate tour guide with a broad wealth of knowledge; when we go with the school- most of the time we get to go for FREE. Anways it is a lot of fun and we learn more and more bout Italian culture and history with each visit. 

After our excursion, we then walk to the number 17 bus stop a few blocks from the train station in Florence.  we then take the bus to church and arrive around 6 oclock in order to prepare for our English conversation class. Normally a few of us stay and teach ( usually there are 3-4 students who come regularly), while a couple of us take care the student's children- we try to teach them some English as well, and almost always Emily and Laura will cook dinner. Class starts at 6:30 p and goes for one hour. After this we eat dinner together and then, we have Thursday night Bible study together. Normally we have about 6 members from church who come, along with all of us and Robbie. Robbie and his wife MOna are the directors of the Harding University in Florence (HUF) program. Bible study begins around 8 and we leave the church building around 9 or a little after. 

Also thursdays are a night to review bc every Friday at school we have a test over what we learned that week.  All of this to say, thursdays are busy- but in a lots of great ways =)

Here are Eric and Ryan teaching at church.

this was Peter's first Thursday night and it just so happened to be his birthday! (and he turned 25 not 52. ha!) We made him a chocolate cake and after Bible Study, we sang happy birthday in italian and english.

This is Santa Maria Novella where we toured the Thursday before last. This honestly could be my favorite church in Florence. 

monday, tuesday, wednesday...

wow. It is impossible to explain how busy we are here at the bible school. Weeks fly by and before i know it the weekend is here again and I have too many things to mention and not enough time to tell about them adequatley. On the same note, I want you all to know how geniunely grateful we are to be here in His service.  Everyday I can see God's hand at work and it is truly inspiring.

There are days that I am hyper sensitively aware of where we are and the opportunities that are in front of us on a daily basis. I just want to thank you so much, everyone, for your support and love. Please continue to pray that we will be good stewards of the blessings and opportunities God is giving us.

ok. classes. i wanted to fill you in on some details about my studies. My students are the highlight of my week. As i have told you before- I have four students, all women, and a range of ages. I feel so blessed because they are all so excited to come! Each of them are so happy to visit and study. RIght now we are going through a study composed by a man named Andy Miller.  Each week I meet with each of my 4 students individually for one hour. On Monday right beofre Women's bible study I meet with Monica at 5oclock. Tues at 9 is Valentina, and wednesday i have two lessons back to back; Renata at 5 and Clizia at 6. Actually the picture above is a clay sculpture of the David's eye that Clizia made for me as a gift! I LOVE it so much! 

OK, During my lessons, I break the hour into half. The first half we focus specifically on our English lesson( I vary this according to each individual student. One student may need pronunciation practice; whereas another would prefer learning imperfect or just more verbs in general. While still others may need mostly practice reading, vocab, or conversation practice. Also my students are very different. For example, Clizia is an artist so sometimes we read art articles to learn new vocab and to practice her english for the first half hour. Whereas Valentina is in Pharmacy School and loves biology and science in general. So Valentina and i are in reading and discussing Don England's (he was one of the men at training in Arkansas. He is a retired Harding Chemistry professor) book Faith and Evidences  to practice her English before our Bible study.) After this, we begin our Bible study for the week. The Andy Miller study is very helpful because it has specific topics accompained with specific verses that we read in the Bible and dicuss together each week. Its so encouraging to me to see how interested each one is in learning and understanding. It is obvious to me that God is at work in each of their lives. I am so happy and thankful to have the friendship of these women. Classes are going great. 

This upcoming Friday actually we are having an English movie night at the Bible School for our students to attend. We are making some snacks and planning on watching Monster's Inc. (its an animated kids movie). hopefully most of our students will be able to make it- look for the post to come soon after Friday  =)

Scandicci Fair

This past week also was the week of the Scandicci fair. We were only able to go one night- and I wish it was for longer. Regardless it was so much fun. Like any fair, there were fried pastries, homemade jam, crafts, but specially to the Scandicci fair was music from the Scandicci band! It just so happens that two of our AI team members are actually a part of the band: Angela and Emily! Emliy plays the flute and Angela plays the trombone. They have practice every Tuesday night late ( i think at about 9 oclock). Anyways they did a great job and it was wonderful to hear them play!

Ok these are my favorite! I have NEVER seen one quite this big, but it was so good. I believe they are called Bombolonies?? Whatever they are called, mi piace molti! (I like them alot!)

The Scandicci band concert!

Ok, these are our friends Luigi and Julie and their daughter Deborah. Julie was an AI worker years ago. It so happened that she fell in love with Luigi- who is Italian- and they now live in Italy with their three children Michela, Deborah, and Jon. They actually met because Julie began playing in the Scandicci band and Luigi was the director. They are a sweet family.

Zoe was unsure about this new friend..... =)

Peter, Zoe, and Eric. By they way, PETER is here! He arrived on the 5th (the day of Ermenita's graduation) and he has hit the ground running. Because he arrived a month later than the rest of us he has a private tutor who is trying to catch u up to speed with us so that instead of being a month behind, hopefully he can join us in class! He is doing great and has already learned so much- but please keep him in your prayers- because learning italian is not easy-especially when you are 

"speed learning" like Peter! ha. 

Weekend of Preachers and a visit to Prato

Va bene. Well unfortunatley the inevitable has happened.... I am more than a week behind on my posts!....yikes.  ok well, last weekend ( the 8th, 9th, and 10th) here at the Bible School, we hosted preachers from all over italia to stay here during their yearly retreat together. Friday through Sunday we housed 11 different preachers from all across Italia- as far north as Milano, all the way down south to Latiana.  The men already had their plans for study; our job was simply to serve them breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Currently there are 9 AI workers living at the Bible school- our 2010 team of 7- plus Erminita and Emily. We all signed up for different times and took turns preparing, serving, and cleaning up during meal times. It was encouraging to see all the men from across italia. they were excited to be together and we made many connections.  We were so busy visiting and serving that sadly, I forgot to take any photos. So- you will have to imagine on this one. 

Also, two of the men from Latiana: Franco and Vito spoke to Eric and I in regards of possibly working together in the near future. As I understood Vito, right now the Latiana is closely connected with three churches- two smaller and one larger. They expressed the desire to have us move there and be a part of the congregation. Eric and I have made plans to visit Latiana the first weekend of November. We are in prayer about the oportunity to move south and work with the congregations there. We are excited to visit and to meet the members soon. Please continue to keep us in your prayers, especially as we may be making some important decisions soon.

Well, after the men left Sunday morning, we, the AI workers and David and Debbie, altogether drove to visit another congregation in Prato, italy. We stayed for service and met the members and afterwards enjoyed a pot-luck lunch together. this was another traditional italian meal....I cant even remeber how many different courses we had exactly, but I do know that after the first five I could not eat any more and had to turn down at least 5 more plates! Incredible- yes. there were several types of meat (including the 4th cow's stomach- which is a delicacy), veges, fruits, and bread. And in addition was: pasta, potatoes, beans, salad, and desert. oh and coffee. Anyways, at least know we are well fed. =) It was really nice to visit another congregation and make some new friendships. Hopefully we will get to visit again soon.

Every Sunday the kids show what they've learned during Bible School.

Debbie and one of the ladies.

Here are some of the members who served lunch to everyone.

Erminita

Questa e` Erminita! Erminita is also an Avanti Italia worker. Last Tuesday, Erminita graduated from the University of Florence! So, what does this mean?? Not only has Erminita been working at the church in Florence, with Bible studies, and organizing events, she also has been attending college! Erminita is from Albania, so on top of all of this, she also has learned to speak Italian and English. and quite well I might add =) She is such a positive encouargement to everyone who is around her. She always has a sweet smile on her face and is ready to help. I am so happy that she is part of our team. 

Anyways! Allora, as I said above, last Tuesday was her graduation. To receive your diploma in Italy is a very different process than in the states. Actually the school system as a whole is a toally different thing all together- but I will post about this later. 

Here is the process: After working on a book (literally) that is your thesis to graduate (this is undergraduate/Bachelors), you are subject to be called upon and questioned by your professors. This takes place over a course of 5-7 min in a small room such as the one in the photo below. The professors can ask you anything and you must defend your thesis/book ( similar to a doctorate program in America). In this room, you are allowed to  choose 3 or 4 of your closest family/friends to witness all of this. The rest of one's family and friends wait outside in a crowded hallway to hear the results.

After Erminita was questioned, they called her back into the room and this time left the door open so we all could hear their decision....

.... she made it. =)

Medici Italian

If you were wondering.... we have now entered into the second month of language school at Lorenzo di Midici! At the end of September, we had to take a big "final exam" over everything we had learned last month in class. It was a three pg written test, accompainied by a short (individual) oral conversation "test" with our teacher. Now not only can we say simple things- such as our name, job, likes/dislikes, adjectives, but towards the end of September we also learned how to speak in the past tense. 

Once our first month was completed, we moved classrooms, lost Enzo as a teacher =(,  and moved to the main school building around the corner. I enjoy our new class alot. We all feel a little more at ease and our confidence is growing with the language. Besides that, the space itself is larger and it helps that there are a couple windows. 

We still have Michela in the mornings but after our caffe break, we have a new teacher- Simona. Simona is wonderful. I enjoy her class very much. After her class, I always feel that I have learned alot- and learned it well. And, bonus, we are so busy soaking up everything she has to say, that the time flies by, and soon enough it is time to torno a casa to pranziamo (eat lunch) with Rosa! 

Simona also is good about making learning Italian practical. She encourages us to speak and practice together in class, and I am very grateful for this fact. Almost every day we do some type of activity. It just so happened, last thursday that I had my camera with me (because afterwards we had another school "field trip"-this time to Santa Maria Novella) and I was able to snap some shots and film one of our fun activites. Check it out =) 

In each group we had to pretend that we were in a shop. In my group I was the comessa/sales woman and Eric and Haun came in to buy something from my Negotzo Elegante (like a tux shop).

This was Ryan, Laura, and Salomon's group. They were in a shoe store.

Lastly, was Anne Marie, Angela, and Andrea. They were in a general clothing store- 

Angela was the comessa. 

Elizabeth Watley

Before we discuss Miss Elizabeth, we have to talk about little Miss Zoe! It is offical, the Bible school is the new home to our precious little Zoe! Emily has been trying to find a puppy since before eric and I first got here over a month ago now (over a month! can you believe it??). Anyways, getting a puppy around here is a big process. First one has to apply to be in the "adoption agency" to even be "considered to adopt" a  pet. Next, after one fills out all the necessary papers etc, the agency comes to "interview" the inquiring owner!! They come to your house and inspect the living conditions and the person wanting the pet themselves. After all of this, one also has to agree ( sign papers) to have amicro chip put into the new pet. This is a law here in Italy. At first I was taken aback by all of this, but the more I think about it- its probably a good thing. Anyways, after all of this, we finally received sweet little Zoe all the way from ROma last Saturday! She has been so nice to have in the house; she shines a little light on  everyone's day =)

Ok, moving onto Elizabeth. Elizabeth Watley is the director of the Pepperdine program in Italy. She has been working and living here fo 13 yrs now. In 200 she purchased an old run down home way out in the forrest outskirts of Flornce. Actually, the property itself is old Medici hunting grounds. Since 2000, she has completely re-furnished everything inside and about and around the house and property. However, she is still in the process of completely many projects. 


Last Saturday Elizabeth requested 3 workers from our team to come and help clean up the yard. Angela, Laura, and I volenteered. We arrived at 9 am, took a lunch break from 12:30- 1:30, and finished work at 5 p. Angela and I were intstructed to clean the grounds of ALL rocks and debris. Obviously, I did not take my camera with me on Saturday bc we were working. however the following afternoon after church, Elizabeth invited us all back for a wonderfully massive cookout (pitcures following). Anyways, it was Sunday that I took the abouve and below picture of what we had accomplished Saturday. This small rectangle was my home from 9- 12:30. All  of the rocks were gone by the time I finished. I didnt get a picture of Angela's section- but her's was nicely clean as well. After lunch, we scanned the rest of the property only for really big rocks and wheel-barrelled them back and forth. At the end of the day, we had rid the yard of some 20 trashbags full of rocks and debris! It was a hard day of physical labor, but the clean end result was quite rewarding. And on another note, Angela and I bonded over picking up rocks =)

This is the "holler" where Laura worked all day. The story behind this is interesting to say the least. The famile that lived in the house beofre Elizabeth used this holler basically as a land fill. For over 40 years, they tossed all of their trash over this hill. no im not kidding. Anyways, so Laura's job for the day was to pick up all sorts of random 40 yr old trash. She did an excellent job- and got rid of many boxes full of trash.

This is Elizabeth's house.

Allora, Saturday we worked, and sunday we ate. Elizabeth invited the entire Avanti team over for a very generous and scrumptous feast. She also invited many of her close itaian friends and nieghbors. Apparently the way we ate on sunday is a traditional italian meal- a 7 course meal! The food just kept coming and coming- and we kept the speed and ate what was placed before us- happily. =) I took pictures of each food served for you to enjoy as well =)

Some of the italians playing a game at Elizabeth's.

The AI 2010 girls.

After lunch, some of Elizabeth's friends invited us over to their house. 

They were very sweet to us, and their home was beautiful.

While we talked with the ladies, the boys played a real italian game of "football."

Physical Fridays

Every Friday is deemed "Physical Fridays." This past Friday we scrubbed and re-organized the laundry room....more photos to come soon. 

Mcdonalds??

I'll let you fill in the blanks.....

Dont judge.... sometimes a hamburger and fries are just necessary =)

WE couldnt believe how upscale it was! 

This was the "kids" room.

The restroom was huge, clean, and interesting. Angela had a blast with the hand dryer. ha.

Outside seating.