Francesco: Why is Venus called Venus?
Me: I think it comes from...
Francesco: Oh I know! VINO [wine]! Because it's made of vino that makes sense because of the name!
________________
Me: And next year class, when you move to Class 4 we will have a graduation party! That's very special because it means you are growing big!
Giulia: I want to stay always with you Ms. Allie
Me: I know, but Mr. Peter is a very fun teacher...
Filippo (from TIME OUT across the room, quite fed-up): Well I'm going wherever YOU are going Ms. Allie! Wherever you are going I am going to follow you.
__________________
Me: What did everyone take from the treasure box [imaginary]?
Ludovica: I took a crown!
Manuel: Me a sword!
Ephraim: YOU Ms. Allie! You're my treasure! *Cue hug and consequent dog-pile by all students*
__________________
Giulia at snacktime: Hey why is everyone looking at me am I beautiful or something?
(later in completely pure, matter-of-factness): (sigh)...I'm the most beautiful.
A LESSON
I found it interesting the other week when I realized the profundity of a little scherzetto I play on my students. If I happen to be giving attention to one, another may ask, "Why is ____ first in line?" "Why are you holding ____?" "Why does he get to do that?" I just smile and say, "Because ____ is my favorite." What is so interesting is that from the first moment I did this, the response was laughter. Absurdity. It was so obvious I was pulling their legs. Ms. Allie doesn't have favorites! What a sarcastic bunch. I thought, how beautiful. They are so confident in my love for them that they will whine and bug me with questions they don't need to answer, but they can't believe for a moment that what I am doing is because I don't also love them. I think that would be a very admirable spiritual goal. To be confident in God's love. And maybe stop asking annoying questions.
SCHIAVITU MAI PIU
Good talks last week as I met up with two of my favorite girls in the rain. S (Hungarian) and D (Romanian)...in different streets. Some intense stuff. But I feel such a connection with them. Pray as we help with another campaign and increase our outings to weekly instead of every other. The roots are so deep. By April we should have a "red light" sort of zone in Rome which will be quite a mess.
CHURCH
Things going well, but we are praying about new ways to evangelize and gather people to community. Lots of physical and emotional healing needed among members. Monica's daughter Erica came last week which was a MIRACLE.
We were excited to have a new guy, Paolo at our house study on Tuesday.
FRIENDS
I've spent some time with two different friends Michela and Fation. Please pray for Michela: stable job, feeling of belonging, knowing Jesus. Fation: healing from anxiety and depression, good friends, family reconciliation, knowing Jesus. I'd also really like to invest more in getting to know my two same-age colleagues Claudia and Carlotta. Tiiiime!
I've also reconnected with my ex-student Matilda (mom died last March). We should be getting together sometime this month. So very thankful to her dad for letting me stay in touch.
GRANDMA
Thank you to all of those who sent their condolences about the death of my very beloved Grandma Jill. I can't believe she's gone. The woman who has been such a tower of strength for me. It has been devastating, but I don't morn for her. Her suffering is over and she is now more ALIVE than ever in the sweet presence of our Saviour. I just can't be thankful enough.
The rest...still a lot of decisions to make...got some trips and some SISTER in the horizen, so I am just taking one day at a time and asking for confirmation. Thanks for the love you make evident to so often, God bless you all!
