The Time Has Finally Come!!

For me to see this smiling face!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bradley has been serving the Lord in Asia this summer while I was in Rome. While it is AMAZING to be able to serve the Lord in 2 different places, I am ready to see this boy!! We had no communication for the first few weeks and then finally some emails but I'm anxious to hear his voice and see his face!! (besides the 20 pics I took with me) I'm praying today that he has a much easier time getting to RDU than me!!! Can't wait to see you babe!!!:))

Ciao Roma

Tomorrow I head back to the states after 5.5 weeks in Italy:) I'm sad to leave but also excited about coming home and sharing about the experiences I've had. The Lord has blessed me with so many amazing conversations and even new friendships with Italians. I have learned many new things about the Lord. I will definitely be updating the blog with final reports and pictures from the project when I arrive at home. Thanks to my mama for posting the pics while I've been here! Can't wait to see you tomorrow!! Happy Birthday daddy!!!

Amazing Last Day On Campus

Today was my last day at Tor Vergata. It was pretty sad to think my time here is up for now. I had an amazing 4 weeks on that campus. Today I was able to share the Gospel 3 times! It was great! Tonight Aprill and I went shopping and out to eat with two friends, Ilaria and Monica, that we met last week. It was amazing to spend 6 hours just with them. They picked out clothes for us and even ordered our food at dinner. It was so sweet :) I will miss them so much!! Aprill got locked in the bathroom at dinner which was hilarious! Everyone was staring at us trying to get her out. Here are some pics from our night out!

Go Italia!!!!

Last night I had the privilege of going to watch Italy play Paraguay in a park with 20,000 Italians. It was an incredible experience! Most of the team was decked out in Italian gear. It was so fun to be right there beside them getting emotional with them. It was definitely my favorite experience I've had here and maybe the best I've ever had overseas. I think they really appreciated us supporting them... they took lots of pics of us which is kind of funny :) I actually was asked to do a commercial for Sony 3D TVs. It was HILARIOUS!

Freedom!!

I am really experiencing the freedom that is in Christ on this trip. Since I became a believer I have known that I was set free from the bondage of sin and death but never fully felt and enjoyed the true freedom that I have in that. I said in my last post that I can be a worrier and try to control certain areas of my life. Galatians 5:1 says, "For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery." How exciting! One of the tings I have been learning is how to know what comes from the Lord and what comes from the enemy. This has helped me tremendously in the area of worry.
The Lord brings:
Abundant life
Conviction
Repentance
Truth
Freedom
Worship and praise

The enemy brings:
Condemnation
Shame
FEAR
Sadness
Despair
Bondage
Lies

When I get to a situation where I'm worrying or obsessing over something I now sit and ask...does worry and fear come from the Lord? Does the shame I feel over a past sin come from God? NO it doesn't:) its important to recognize the enemy! Sorry this post was all over the place but just wanted to share!

A spankin' from the Lord:)

Yes a spankin'...well kinda...I have just entered, as of 22 minutes ago, the 5th week on project! I can't believe it! I get asked a lot what the Lord has taught me. Honestly it would be impossible to say everything I've learned...its so much! But I can tell you I've grown in areas that I was not expecting. I expected to grow in the are of sharing my faith, which I have, but I don't believe that was the main thing the Lord was trying to show me. I am very comfortable with talking about the Gospel with Italians and its crazy to think a year ago I would have been really nervous. The biggest thing I've learned is letting go of many things in my life and giving control over them to the Lord. I have always been a worrier and it took me coming across the ocean to Italy for me to finally learn how to give Him control. What a peace it brings! Its incredible. I share with people that the first two weeks of project were a spankin' from God:) it was rough letting go but I'm so glad and thankful for His hand in my life. Hebrews 12 says that if the Lord didn't discipline his children, you would not be his child. I am loved! There were many tears shed the first two weeks but I am soooo amazed at the Lord. He is worthy of praise! Some of my favorite verses from Hebrews 12 are:
Therefore since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
12:1-2
Wow!! Gives me chills!!

Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed.
12:12-13
I love how he is making what is lame holy!!! I love this stuff!! Also, Hebrews 11 says that having faith pleases the Lord. I'm so grateful for the testing of my faith during my weeks in Italy:)

Market

Every Friday and Saturday morning, there is a market like 100ft from where I live. This morning I went shopping! It's fun (sometimes) to haggle and get stuff for pretty cheap. Today I did have one man that would NOT budge...nothing worked...even the puppy face and leaving..how sad! Normally if you walk away they will try harder. Not today! BUT I did get a skinny belt and some shoes at a nice price. :) My shoes are so euro and I'll probably get some weird looks in the states but that's ok! I'm babysitting a family tonight so the parents can have a date night. I'm so excited! I love going to a home..it's so nice.
P.S. There are other people on this trip with me..they are just on my regular camera. All blog pics are quickies taken on the blackberry! :)

How many bus drivers do you normally see this relaxed?? :)

My Average Day In Roma

During the week I go to my campus from 12:30 to 4:00. I work at the School of Business. It's neat to meet students with that major and talk about their dreams. Today I met two girls who were soooo sweet. We talked about Jesus, and are probably gonna meet up soon to eat Japanese and talk some more Jesus!:) That's what I do everyday...I go on campus and pray for the Lord to place girls in my path to sit down and share with. It's pretty awesome! Italians are generally open to you just sitting down and eating with them even though they've never met you before. BUT it takes a LONG time for them to let you "in." It's still awesome to meet girls even if I'll never see them again... I pray they remember our conversations. This afternoon I went to help 4 year-olds practice English. It was adorable! A family from Tennessee started a family life program in the city. We practiced English with the kids while the Lile's talked and shared with the parents. It was great to support them in their very special ministry!

Personal Space

So I've been wanting to capture the public transportation system for a while. It's totally normal for there to be 50 people on a bus that fits maybe 30. It's kinda full actually...most days anyway. Some days I'm just like "get off!" But most of the time I just soak in the culture...gotta love how this lady looked right at the camera!

and excuse my spelling and grammar mistakes!! im super tired when i do these:)

last week

Last week was a hard and discouraging week. Yea..just gonna be honest. I had very few spiritual conversations and no hearing from Bradley really weighs on me some days. I want to share the Gospel multiple times everyday and some days it just doesnt happen which can be hard to take it. Im still sooo thankful for the ones I have had and Im sure there will be more. Keep praying for that:) I did actually hear from B tues but i missed his phone call..i did get a voicemail though..its HARD not talking to your person for this long...i mean i knew that getting into it but yea...you get it:) This week is looking to be much brighter. The Lord is good! Keep praying for Italians!

Tivoli

Yesterday we went up in the mountains to an ancient town called Tivoli. There is a castle there built in 1411. There is a BEAUTIFUL garden called Villa di Este. It was sooo restful and smelled awesome. The people were even sweeter in Tivoli. :) After going through the gardens, I went shopping and got a cute little dress made in Italy.. I'm sooo excited about it! It was a great day away from the city.