MAYhem

'No one can come to me unless the Father has enabled him.' From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him. 'You do not want to leave too, do you?' Jesus asked the Twelve. Simon Peter answered him, 'Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.' John 6

This morning I am thinking about the Lord's faithfulness. Every time I meet new people, the first question is, 'WHY DID YOU LEAVE AMERICA!?' Italians have a very idyllic view of the States. And much of it is true. On a human level, I can't explain it. Who in there right mind would leave the best family, friends, church, home, job, comforts anyone could ask for?! But I echo Peter: where else could I go? It doesn't matter where I am as much as WHO I am with, and that I live for Him. There is another thing that Jesus said that is also hard. The enabling. I need Him to open the eyes and hearts of people around me. I need to see miracles. The hardness of hearts is such a dark reality. Please pray with me that God opens eyes and reveals Himself to my friends here. Pray that they would follow Him for His glory to be exalted in this region!!

UPDATES:

Fation & Roberto: Yesterday I spent time with them at Fation's birthday. It was a crazy group of drinking people. Alllll kinds of people. I felt so THANKFUL that God kept me safe and gave me some great conversations with people (personally because I'm shy and limited in Italian) and that I am able to know and love them. It is hard though. They need Jesus so very badly. Please pray for them and Andrea, Alessandro, Lele, Federica, Niccolò that I got to know particularly last night.

Erica. Haven't seen her again but hoping to reconnect with her, and maybe get back to the house to see Monica (mom) as well....

Livia. Is starting a full time restaurant job this week so we are still working out our schedules to get together. Please pray that we can work things out though because she is so smart and precious and different than many people I know here. I want her and her family to love Jesus!!

Lorenza. She is going through ups and downs always as a single mom and because of choices she's made. I don't know how to help, but I am hoping to take her kids a bit when I am done with work in June!!

Tania. Continue to pray that she listens to the Lord and that I can be used in her life for boldness and truth.

WORK: Basically tons of drama and manipulation. Please pray I can be a person who doesn't gossip, who does my job well and respects my boss. Pray for integrity and respect among staff. My boss is highly unorganized and uses certain staff members in manipulative ways. Please pray for a peaceful, professional working environment. I am still renewing my contract one more year. I am praying to move up a level with my current students. Pray for God's will in my role at this school.

I often breeze through a week thinking, 'How did I get through THAT?' And can only say the Lord is very very gracious and your prayers are heard!! Thank you so much for your love and prayers.

xo

My class on a fieldtrip at a farm about to make bread from fresh wheat! Loved this Italian lady who taught them :)