After such an insane October month, the bustle of November feels like hibernation. A night at home to do whatever I want!? 3 hours between getting home from work and when guests arrive!? Haha...I knew October would be crazy, but I am also a little concerned that I've become accustomed to the buzz and will continue to compulsively overbook myself. I desperately need some solid chunks of time for reflection and prayer. Pray that I can make this important in application, not only thought.
I continue to hear things like this from visitors: "Wow, you really have a full life here!" "You have so many friends" "You're like an Italian"...it's almost funny because I don't know how I could stay here if I didn't embrace these things! It's true that I've tried as best I could to embrace the life here, and to make it full. It continues to be difficult to choose Italy when my grandparents are in the last stage of their lives--or a dear friend wishes you could be in her wedding (again)--or a new baby is born in the family. But in all things I try to remember that I choose GOD. He directs and sustains and makes everything worth it. And in this time of THANKSGIVING and reflection, I am just so thankful to be His.
Tania and I will be hosting a Thanksgiving after dinner party and have a list of about 50 friends we will be inviting. We don't know who will come but of course our heart is for Christians and non-Christians to mix and people to see Jesus.
I can't believe my time with my cousin is already halfway gone! He has been such a delight and blessing to my soul. We had an amazing time in Puglia and are looking forward to hopefully hosting some of our friends here in Rome soon! Please keep my cousin in your prayers--that his heart is turned toward Jesus.
Our unexpected house guest ended up staying for 2 weeks. We thank God that there were no major problems and hope she saw the hospitality of Christ.
CHURCH
We are experiencing a lot of physical needs among our members. Please pray for healing of Simona, Giulia, Thereasa, Laura--and the emotional needs of Jenny, Monica, Piero. I am concerned that Julienne has not been able to come to church since her baptism. Please pray for this beautiful woman and her two lovely sons and their difficult family situation. We have a new older man Piero coming on Tuesday nights. Pray for encouragement and truth and steadfastness in faith.
We are also starting to prepare for Christmas outreach. We need wisdom and creativity for all logistics and planning and creating. Tania and I are in charge of creating a dance/skit.
SCHIAVITU MAI PIU
We were unable to head out last week due to missing team members. Please pray we can make it out this Friday. We continue to meet lots of new girls, but we are also being more selective about who we talk to now in our prayer to see fruit and receptivity. Sara, the 17 yr old from my church was touched by the event last month and is planning an event at her school for after Christmas. This is exciting!
WORK
Oh my goodness I am so in love. My students this year are so adorable and lovely. If you can imagine--my major interruption is someone talking over me to tell me "I LOVE YOU Ms. Allie!". I am so thankful for each one, and pray I can continue to be a good influence at work, do my best, stay out of gossip, and love the families and colleagues I reach. The problem of teaching Saturdays has come up again. Pray I can avoid this for my own health and conflict to ministry duties.
Thanks for praying! Have a blessed weekend!
Allie
Lake view from Castel Odescalchi, Bracciano <3 p="">
