Love, Pray, Eat

Ah, times are changing. The busyness is back with classes, activities, travels, and life in general. Aside from Italian I'm taking Sociology of Religion and Developmental Psychology, both of which are proving to be FASCINATING subjects. So begins the battle for my choice of a major. Psych? Soc? Creative Writing? Journalism? If last semester primarily stretched my heart, this one so far is stretching my mind. I love it.

In other news, traveled with some girlfriends to Milan and Verona last Saturday. We went inside the Duomo in Milan and, of course, shopped, then ate lunch and hopped aboard a train to Verona, where we again toured the city on foot and got to see La Casa di Giulietta (Juliet's house and balcony). It was a cute, quaint little city and we had a lot of fun despite the frigid weather.

And there you have it. Continuing to meet with our missionary friends every Wednesday for Bible study, and a bunch of the students are coming together this weekend for a spiritual retreat in Tuscany. In just a couple weeks we're going to TURKEY, with many more exciting trips to follow. It was also fun hanging out with Reilly, as she was visiting Italy with other art students from Biola University. Filling up on too much pesto pizza, green apple juice, and cream-filled croissants (among other things). Praying often, laughing a lot.

God is good! Ciao for now,

Liz

‎"Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,
 When it is in your power to do it." -Proverbs 3:27

Fire and Ice

Yesterday marked the end of Intensive Italian! For our fun activity this year we all got to learn the art of Italian flag-twirling. What a unique and cool experience it was.

Today, we hit up the slopes. Yay for successfully being able to say that I've skiied in 3 different countries! The weather was perfect but the conditions were ice, ice, and more ice - it was more like skating than skiing. I collided with a snowboarder (stupid snowboarders) and we both fell and slid down the mountain about three miles before we were able to clamber back up. Nonetheless, it was a glorious and thrilling experience. The drive was about two hours long and the timing was perfect - we got to ride through Tuscany at sunrise and then again at sunset. What a beautiful, beautiful, BEAUTIFUL place. God, you are quite the artist.

"Be strong! We are not here to play, to dream, to drift, We have hard work to do, and loads to lift. Shun not the struggle, face it, 'tis God's gift. Be strong! Say not the days are evil - who's to blame? And fold the hands and acquiesce - O shame. Stand up, speak out, and bravely, in God's name. Be strong! It matters not how deep-entrenched the wrong, how hard the battle goes, the day how long, Faint not, fight on! Tomorrow comes the song."

-Maltbie Davenport Babcock

Assisi!

"[Jesus] came to Simon Peter, who said to him, 'Lord, are you going to wash my feet?' Jesus answered, 'You do not know now what I am doing, but later you will understand.' Peter said to him, 'You will never wash my feet.' Jesus answered, 'Unless I wash you, you have no share with me.'" John 13:6-8

Day 3 back in Florence. I'm dreadfully sick with a fever, body pain, and no appetite, but got some antibiotics from the Italian doctors and will hopefully be up and running again soon. Still, prayers are much appreciated!

We are in the middle of our Intensive Italian week and once that's over we'll be diving once more into classes and travels.

On Sunday we went as a group to the city of Assisi, located just a few hours south of Florence. We saw the tombs of St. Francis and St. Clare, both of whom were born in the city, as well as the cross where St. Francis got his revelation from Christ. It was a really cool place; made of stone, located in the hills, and completely walled in to protect against invaders.

I am ecstatic to be traveling again and anxious to learn as much as possible while I'm here. And I am continually amazed at the grace and kindness of the Lord, and the opportunities He has provided.

God bless and arrivederci!

Liz

"If the only prayer you say in your life is 'thank you,' that would suffice."

- Meister Eckhart

2nd Semester

I'm back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)

Time for round 2. Let's do this.

‎"It's a funny thing about coming home. Looks the same, smells the same, feels the same. You realize what's changed is you.” - Benjamin Button