Carnavale

Who knew sinus infections were so persistent? I waited probably a week before I decided to go to our doctor (mainly because Im not so supportive of his in office smoke sessions), and by this point, the entire left side of my face was clogged and my left ear hadnt popped for 2 whole days. . .it was brutal. When I finally went to the doctor, he wrote me a prescription, we took it immediately to the pharmacy and got it filled. Because I had to take it with dinner, I didnt even glance at the medicine until around 8 that night ...turns out he write me up for amoxicillin- to which I am allergic! Thank goodness I noticed it and didnt take it. I waited until the next morning to return to the doctor's office. Somehow we missed that he wasnt open that day until 6pm that evening, and we already had plans. I didnt end up getting my medicine (I translated what a zpack was for the dr and asked for this instead. ha) until this past tues! craziness. Anyways, all that to say, I am so thankful for medicine! Even after just the first 24 hours of the Zpack, I was already feeling so much better! 

This past week we have been planning and getting ready for Laura's Carnavale party. Carnavale in Italy is like Halloween in that, for both holidays, kids get to dress up. However, I would argue that the two holidays are more different than they are alike. Carnavale is basically all the glits and balloons and colors of a carnival/fair combined with an explosive circus- a circus minus the animals-make sense? Its celebrated by huge parades with people dressed in bright colors, adorned with glitter and sparkles, feathers, and beautifully designed masks. Unlike Halloween, the kids get to dress up not only for a one night candy quest, but instead, they dress up for a period of 3 weeks; they wear their costumes to the mall, the grocery store, and around town. 

Anyways, the cracks in the past week was filled with efforts to find decorations, make desserts, plan the games, and hope that it would all come together!

Wednesday, Mino came from Latiano to have an English lesson with Eric and to stay for the men's Bible study afterwards. In the mean time, I knew that it was Zia Tina's birthday, but I thought I wouldnt see her until later in the week to give her a small gift and wish her a happy birthday. She called me around noon on that day to tell me that she wanted to surprise us by inviting us to her birthday celebration that night! Eric and I of course already had plans with Mino and the brothers, but I couldnt say no to Zia! We decided it would be best for Eric to stay with the men, and for me to go and celebrate with Zia Tina and the rest of the family. In the mean time, I called my student Antonella and asked if she wanted to go with me to help me pick something out for Zia. We decided on something from Thun. In Italy Thun is a very popular ceramic company that makes figurines and things for the home. Zia Tina loves rings, and I ended up picking out a butterfly shaped ceramic piece to hold her rings!

I think she liked it! 

The other uncle and aunt of Carmela- I can never remember their names!! :( Laura and  Zia Tina. 

While Eric enjoyed pizza with the guys, Zia Tina picked me up around 8pm and we ate at a lovely restaurant/pizzeria across from Ponte Girevole in the center of town.  

The Ricciardi Family :)

Zia Tina

JFK on the wall opposite of our table.

I could tell Laura was sleepy this night. Povera!

Marco and Laura

Im not sure, but I think this was a pizza topped with artichokes? In the south artichokes are a big thing! So are leaks and capers, and . . . 

Rucola! Which I think translates as Arugula, which is a type of strong green lettuce. This pizza was excellent! A new favorite of mine!

FANTA! another Italian must have. . .

We are so blessed to be a part of Zia Tina and Carmela's family here in Taranto.. .  memories and relationships that will last forever. . . .

The next day we organized some more for the party and did some grocery shopping at our favorite supermarket A & O. Later in the evening we left with Fabrizio, Luca, and Andrea to visit the community in Mesagne. The church members organized a film night together! We watched "The Grace Card," if you havent seen it, rent it tonight! It was excellent. There wasnt a dry eye in the building.

Andrea, Mino, and Eric

After the movie we visited and enjoyed some pizza and desserts together :) 

Friday I had class with Antonella. We decided to take a trip to Auchan and to speak only in English for the afternoon! When I arrived back at the apartment after our class, I finished up my lesson for the girls for church that evening, while Eric put some finishing touches on his lesson for the evening as well. Vito had called us during lunch and asked if Eric could take care of the lesson for the night because he was feeling ill.  Eric presented a wonderful lesson. One of the best parts about our time here in Italy for me is watching my husband grow. Its so obvious to everyone around him, the ways that the Lord is working through him and using him for His will. Eric has been working so diligently with the community here with some of the basic principles of our faith as Christians, and we are starting to see some fruits.  I see God illuminating a path for us, and its refreshing and so comforting knowing that we are not doing this work alone. He is certainly guiding us and directing us towards the hearts that are searching.

Say what?

Saturday was the day for the party! We woke up extra early, had our coffee and hit the pavement trying to figure out how we would blow up all of these enormous balloons! Luckily, we didnt have to go too far. Below our apartment and around the corner is a mechanic shop that is always open. We thought we would just pop in and ask if they would help us by using their air pump to blow up some of our balloons.. . . . .no problem! 

The man that helped us was so nice. After he finished blowing them up, we took the balloons up to the apartment before heading back out to get the desserts from the pastry shop. We decided to give the men at the mechanic place a plate full of Oreo balls that I had made for the party to say thank you!

Eric decided to blow up a couple more once we got back...

After getting the last minute desserts, pop, and face paint, we came back and ate an early lunch. Then, it was time to DECORATE!

The balloons were basically all of our decorations, with a couple streamers here and there. I think our plan was pretty successful! I couldnt help thinking about the movie "Up." :)

 House decorated? check. Desserts ready? check Confetti? check. Games? check. Organized living room? Music play list? photo both created? Check, check, check!! 

Laura as an ancient Roman.. . featured here with a mustache. . . :)

I thought it would be fun to create a "photo booth" where the girls could take some silly pictures. We bought a hat and a couple silly masks, while I made these fun mustaches and the angry bird mask (thanks pinterest!).   FYI looking at these pictures now, I cant believe I didnt iron the background sheet! oops :/ 

This is Alessia. She is only 7 years old. Carmela keeps her after school while her parents are at work. She is a sweet little girl. It was good because she and Samanta are the same age.

Samanta! Isnt she the cutest thing ever?! I still wish you could hear her little laugh- its almost like a little shrill! so cute! We were thrilled that she and Luana got to come. 

This is Fiorenza. She is one of Laura's friends from school. 

Take one all together. . . . 

This is my favorite :)

Carmela and Laura

I really wanted to be creative with our costumes, but we were cheap instead! haha. I just got a mask and some feathers to match Eric, because we found him an awesome Zoro hat, mask, and sword. fun! :)

In Italy group line dancing is the most popular party activity. Young, old, teens, they all love it! I was following little Alessia (the ballerina) the whole time! 

Please notice Samanta (snow white) . . . :)

1, 2, 3, .... .  .. . . GO!!!

I almost didnt even do this game, but last minute, I decided to try it. Apparently Twister is sort of a new thing here in Taranto Italy. I saw the game at Mister Toys last Monday with Carmela, but I decided to make one instead! why not? I had an old table cloth that had a bunch of stains on the front, but on the back was perfectly white. I googled the original twister game to remember how the colors went, dug out my acrylics, and went to town! Then I was trying to figure out what to put underneath it while we played the game because our floors here are marble- I didn't want one of the girls to fall and get hurt. . .when Eric suggested our work-out foam mats! They were the perfect size! It all came together great and the girls loved Twister!

Eric and Carmela trying their turn at Twister.

Laura, Fiorenza, and me.

Fiorenza and Laura

Even though Twister turned out great, this game was even better! Whats funny is, when I first found it online I thought it sounded a little dull, when actually it was hilarious to watch! You have to string up doughnuts (which don't exist here in Taranto without a cream center, but as luck should have it, I found these perfect cookies instead!) from a door way, and the kids have to eat the entire doughnut without using their hands, and without letting any of it drop to the ground before they finish!

Samanta and Alessia

The little girls were the cutest. They kept bobbing after the cookie- Samanta couldnt keep from laughing, and Im not sure that Alessia ever got a bite off of her cookie! haha

Eric making sure non of the girls were using their hands!

Maria Carla, Fiorenza, and Laura

Maria Carla was a pro at this game and finished her cookie before any of the others even had a chance to catch up with her! Carmela had brought 2 prizes fro the night, and because she won this game, Maria Carla took the first prize- a high school musical watch! :)

Maria Carla came a little bit later to the party than the other girls. She was dressed as a princess! Carmela and Laura do a lot with Maria Carla and her mom Carmen. They are actually from The Domincan Republic, but they have lived here in Taranto for several years now.

Samanta decided she wanted a couple more photos! I love this one!!

. . . and this one of us :)

I am so grateful to have met Samanta, Luana, and their mom! we are very hopeful for the possiblities with this family. Please keep them in your prayers :)

The second prize that Carmela brought was for the best costume. All of the girls voted and when I counted them, every single one of them (except Laura who voted for Alessia) voted for Laura! She was SO excited! It was all I had been hearing about all week- "who do you think will get the best costume??" she'd ask. . . and turns out, she won!! :)

We also played musical chairs. . .

The next day, I brought my down stairs neighbor some cookies to apologize for the noise :/ she was very sweet .. . I hope she'll appreciate the Oreo balls!

Laura and Luana

And then there were two. . . 

As hard as she tried, Laura couldnt get it together with Twister! 

Alessia and Laura

Alessia, Fiorenza, and Maria Carla

One last round before its time to go!

Since recovering from being sick, last week was a really great one. We are getting deeper into our work here and feel so blessed to have all of these opportunities. We are in prayer that God will continue to give us the strength and courage to do His work here in Taranto. We love you all! Thank you for your constant support and love. xoxoxoxox