Giorno di Tacchino in Italia

Saturday morning we arose around 9 something and began preparations for our holiday feast around 10 am. Laura and Angela, along with the boys began work outside. A few weeks ago we purchased some plants to refresh the outside of the Bible school. However, because of all of the rain we havent been able to plant them! Saturday turned out to be a perfect sunny day, so we took advantage of it. While the girls were busy planting, the boys took on cleaning out one of the garages- an all day event. ha. In the mean time, Debbie and Emily worked in the kitchen, finishing up all of the wonderful food we would soon enjoy. Our guest list was over 60 people and so, Erminita and David left early in search of more necessary plates and silverware. This left Andrea and me. About a week ago, I began designing a pamphlet for our guests to keep. Inside it included our menu and a short summary of the Thanksgiving story. Friday night, Erme and I dropped the file off at the local printing place here in Scandicci and so on Saturday our first task was to pick them up, cut them to size and to fold all of them! After this, Andrea and I began the decorations and cleaning around the house. We had a limited supply of decorations so we were creative and I think it turned out great! Along with leaves from outside, I found a print off online and and printed SEVERAL onto fall colored paper. We cut them out and placed the on all of the tables, along with center pieces Debbie borrowed from the Villa. We also made a huge Happy Thanksgiving sign and it also amazed me how much simple table cloths can do for a room. Anyways after it was all finished, we only had a couple hrs to get ready for our guests to arrive!

                                     

The outside of the pamphlet.

                              

The Inside.

Doesnt it look nice??

Angela and Laura.

The boys.

The dining area.

Does it feel like fall??

Ok so I had to draw a turkey somewhere.......=)

The place setting.

In the midst of it all, Zoe felt like a nap! Ha!

Close to 8 pm our guests began arriving. I wish you could have been here. It was so fun, and at the same time, hilarious. People were filing in one after another, and if you have ever been to the Bible school, the entry way is not a large one! Coats were flying, hot Wassil was being served, and Italiano was running rapidly through the air! I cant remember the exact count, but I do know that the classroom space was set for 68 people and we found ourselves lacking space for about 10 or more people! Eric and David took the table out of the kitchen and set in the living room and a few others sat on the sofa. It was so encouraging to have such a wonderful turnout! Almost all of everyone's students came and some brought their family as well. We had such a great time! They all loved the turkey (they really enjoyed watching david carve it as well! Im not sure that they have ever seen one as big as the ones we had on Saturday.) and mashed potatoes (which, if you didnt know is very much foreign to them)- but most were a little apprehensive about the gravy. However, after the tried it, they loved it! Another confusing one for them was the cranberry sauce- the man at my table said he thought of it more as "dolce" (desert). Honesly, all of the food was a hit- some of our guests even went for 3rds!! I am so thankful for Debbie- she is so good about organizing these things and obviously- a wonderful cook! It could not have been the same without her expertise. Thanks Deb! If you are in Arkansas, she will be there for the holidays and is hosting/teaching and italian cooking school, proceeds to help the Bible School. If youre interested-please let me know and I will get you the details.

One of our two Turkeys! YUM.

Andrea, Erme, Peter, and Robbie.

Here is Andrea reading the Thanksgiving story before we began our feast.....

....all of our guests listening.

Let the feast begin!

We were all so happy that Rosa and her husband came!

I cant remember the man on the left's name but he is a friend of Roberta (the woman in the middle). Roberta is Debbie's student. She is such a blessing to everyone here. She also comes to our Monday night ladies Bible study. On the left is my student and friend Valentina and on the right, another student and friend Renata.

Valanetina and I. We are reading Don England's book as part of our study together. She is in Pharmacy school and really enjoys the science vs religion discussion. She is so sweet and very intelligent (her english is also very good). Im so happy we are friends! Bella Bella!

Clizia and I breaking the wish bone......she won!

Olga and Clizia and their father Valentino. The girls used some of the leaves as feathers- here they are pretending to be indians! =)

Me with Clizia, Monica, and Olga.

Renata and me. Renata is so good with her English that she teaches English to kids here in Italy. Next week, she invited Eric and I to come and speak to her class! 

Vicenza

Last weekend Emily drove Laura and Ryan, and Eric and I, to visit the church in Vicenza. Lindsay Walle is the AI worker who is living there currently. However, her contract is finished this coming Febuary 

and the church will be in need of workers.

The first night, we went to watch our friend Marco at his soccer game. We met Marco our first weekend in Italy. He was baptized just last summer at camp and is already very active in his faith. Please continue to pray for him as well as all of the young people here in Italy. Support for them as young Christians her is sparse- pray that we can help encourage them.  We were so happy to see him !

Eric at Marco's game.

This is Mariam. Her parents had us over for lunch on Friday before Marco's game. 

They also attend the church in Vicenza.

After Marco's game, we met up with Lindsay and some of the ladies from church and walked around the town. I have to say that Vicenza is one of the most beautiful cities I have seen so far. It was wonderful getting to know the ladies better and enjoying the evening altogether. Afterwards, Lindsay showed us her apt. and we enjoyed dinner together.

This is out the window at the church in Vicenza. The church is obviously posted right on the river. As I said earlier, it is always raining in Italy in winter, and especially in Vicenza. In fact, two weekends ago, the city of Vicenza flooded! There was about two feet of water in the church building. 

While in service last sunday, we were told that the water rose about 1 and 1/2 feet- in one hour!

The church in Vicenza is very large; They actually have two services.  Lindsay told me that her main outreach/work there is with the children. She is in charge of all of the kids' programs at church, along with her english lessons, and a special kids class on Saturday afternoons.

Eric, Marco, and his dog-GG.

Eric and I stayed with Marco and his mom that weekend. On Sunday after church, she prepared the best food I have had in italy thus far. It was so wonderful visiting and spending the weekend with them as well as the church in Vicenza. We are blessed to have so many Christian families all over Italia.

Jazz anyone?

A few weekends ago, we hosted a jazz concert and chili supper at church. Alot of the community as well as our students attendened. They were SO talented.  After the played for about an hour we wnjoyed our supper together. If you didnt know, italians are not accustomed to chili- so it was a treat for them. My students Clizia and her Mom Monica came. I cant tell you enough what an encouragement all of my students are to me. They are always so positive and happy- it is a true blessing to know each of them.

After we ate together, we sang some songs together- in italiano and english.I think it is especially encouraging for the italians at church to have had all of the Harding students here with us for this. We are going to miss them! I was happy because my students were able to stay for this as well.  They very much enjoyed singing together. I think it was neat and very different for them to have fun singing and eating together at a church. Monica specifically liked "The Greatest Commandments" song. Monica also sings in a japanese choir. Last Firday night Eric and I went to support her at her concert in Florence- bellissimo! This week is our last week of classes before our Christmas break. I am excited to be able to spend more time getting to know them outside of class during our break. Please contimue to keep all of them and all of us in your prayers.

Clizia and Me at the concert =)

By the way, this is the scarf Laura made for me!

christmas, rain, the mayor, and pancakes

wow...almost a month since my last post! since the first week of November, we hit the ground running. So what has been going on at the Bible School???

Today was our last day of Language school! Its hard to believe that we have finished 3 months of school. I am finally begining to feel more confident with the language. Almost always, I can understand what the italians are saying (most-likely because they are using small words ;) ha!) and for the most part can respond adequatley. However, its funny, the longer we were in school, the more I realized what I had left to learn! ha! Anyways, We really enjoy learning and it feels great to be able to communicate better with our italian friends.

Today I saw the Christmas tree in Piazza del duomo- amazing!

 I read in the newspaper the lights will be on around December 4th....

What else? I have discovered the best friend of Firenze in winter, is rain. It rains almost every day. Needless to say we quickly purchased some rain boots and umbrellas! As funny as it sounds, I actually kind of like it. Every morning on the way to school and back home, the glistening of the rain on the streets and the shimmering off the buildings at night is beautiful.  Besides the rain, this is the first week I have really noticed the cold weather. In the mean time, Laura has been making all of us amazing scarfs to keep us warm=) Wool is very cheap here in the markets and its something fun us girls can do together. 

and......Guess who has been coming for lunch?? ......the mayor of Scandicci-Simone! He is begining english classes with David, and decided he wanted to join us for lunch as well! The first time Debbie fixed pot roast and the next week, he enjoyed an American breakfast with us-complete us bacon, gravey, biscuts, and pancakes. He was very confused about the pancakes and most cetainly did not like them with peanut butter. ha. Also, its important to know, it is significant that Simone choose the Bible school to come and study here with us. There are many options for this in Florence, so the fact that he chose to come here is definitley encouraging. This month he will actually be visiting the states. First to Ohio where his uncle lives (talk about a small world) and after to Harding University! Be watching for him the first week in chapel!

This is the "Amerian Diner," a restaurant Eric and I found about a month ago when we were on our way back from Santa Croce. It was such a treat. They had all sorts of "American" cuisine- hamburgers, pancakes, milk shakes, bacon, french fries, and more. 

My stack of blueberry pancakes...yum =)

Also, this past week Laura, Emily, and I went again to help Elizabeth Watley (the director of the Pepperdine University in Florence). After school last Tuesday we went to the campus in Florence and after about 5 hrs, prepared almost 40 pies for their Thanksgiving dinner!! Laura and I pealed over 60 apples! It was fun and we got to visit with Elizabeth and the Pepperdine students. The next day, all nine of us went to the Questura to pick up our promesso di soggiornos! We are now official residents of Italia!

Taranto

Last weekend Eric and I took a 5 oclock train to Pisa and then, took a Ryan Air flight to Brindisi, Italy. Brindisi is very far south in Italy- which is why we had to fly. If we had a car it would have taken us 14 hrs to drive from FI to Birindisi. 

Allora. When we arrived we were greated by Vito and his wife Antonetta. They life in Latiana and allowed us to stay with them for the weekend. There are actually three churches in close vicinity to each other: one in Latiana, one in Mesana, and one in Taranto. The purpose of this weekend visit was to inquire about the church in Taranto- what they needed specifically and about the place and people in general.The church there is small in number- only about 20 something members. They last had an AI married couple working with them two years ago; I must say that this couple left quite an impression on the church in Taranto. It was obvious that the members here formed a close relationship with this couple and that the couple was successful in working together with the church. This is very encouraging to me. 

Saturday morning we left the house a little after 9 and set out for Taranto. Vito explained that he and Antonetta wanted to help us see and explore the city where we may soon be living and working. You have to understand that not only did they, along with almost a quarter of the church, show us around the beautiful city of taranto, but they spent their entire weekend helping us to feel comfortable in Taranto. This is humbling on so many levels. When you enter the mission field you go in order to be of service and encrouagement. However, every weekend that we have traveled or been a part of something, such as the youth retreat or this weekend in Taranto, I find that I myself am being encouraged and strengthened in ways and in abundance that I didnt know were possible. When they spoke about the couple who last worked with them, their faces completely lit up. They were genuinly happy to have us visit- and I am thankful for each of them and our time shared together. 

Here are Vito and Antonetta.

I of course made friends with their pup Maggie. I seem to be in close contact with pups alot...

 I think sometimes this is God winking at me..... =)

Ok, so we parked at the church building and set off to explore the city. Taranto is divided into 2 parts: the old and the new. The picture above is of the new. It was beautiful. The weather was perfect Saturday- sunny and zero rain. Antonetta kept saying that God specifically blessed us to enjoy a beautiful day together =)

Our first stop was for cafe. The day before was Luca's birthday and so he wanted to treat 

all of us to cafe and biscotti. 

Eric and Io.

Castle Sant Angelo. Later around 5p that evening we enjoyed a free tour of the

 16th century castle together.

This bridge is designed to open from the middle outwards because of the large boats etc in Taranto. Crossing the bridge lead us into the "vecchio" (old)  half of the city. 

Here we are! 

Massimo, Vito, Antonetta, me, Eric, Franco, Luca, and Fabrizio.

Here is the "vecchio" part of the citta.

Eric and Mino.

Antonetta e Io.

This was a random place that we passed.... but he was happy to pose for a photo. ha!

Another view of the old half of Taranto.

Fabrizio also has a Nikon and I think he likes taking photos more than I do! ha! It was fun being with another photographer for the day.

After crossing into the old half, we found a nice place to have a great sea food lunch. This was our fist dish, it included shrimp, muscles, and I think calamari. 

The second plate was at first a little frightening (I think mainly bc of the eye balls), but it was excellent. 

Eric with Franco and Fabrizio talking to David on the phone.

Fabrizio and his nikon =)

Another view of Sant Angelo. Bellessimo!

Here was our tour guide of the castle.

Luca, Fabrizio, Vito, and Eric.

That night more of the congregation met us in the city and together, we ate some of the best pizza I think I have ever had. However, Luca and Fabrzio's mother had just ate pizza the night before, and instead ordered a sea food classic: Polipo...aka Octopus. 

Here are the families we met. 

The Ricciardi Family.

The Verrardi Family.

Franco and his wife Enza.

The brothers, Fabrizio and Luca.

Massimo and his Famiglia.

The giovanni .....and Eric =)

As of right now we have not made a decision. However, the relationships we made this past weekend were inspiring and we are blessed to know these people. Please continue to pray for us as we will soon be making a decision where to go. Pray that we can listen for His guidance. We love you and miss you all very much- Ti vogliamo bene tutti!