Turkey Day

I told you I would be back with Turkey Day pictures.

But I would rather let the pictures speak for themselves.

what more could you need?

A big open field to run around in for an hour to burn off all of the calories consumed!

Pumpkin Day

Usually, Thanksgiving Day is otherwise referred to as Turkey Day. Tomorrow we will celebrate Turkey Day. BUT, the only thing "turkey" about tomorrow is the big turkey. Today I have dubbed Pumpkin Day, because I made everything pumpkin.

It started out like this

Then made it's way in here

Which turned into this

It later had a run-in with my hands

That after just a little bit of trouble looked like this

Which eventually turned into this

It got a rest so I could do this

But not for long, because it ended up here

And well, then I had to leave to come home and make the meal, not dessert, part of tomorrow's lunch. So I don't have the finished product picture of the last place the pumpkin ended up. But don't worry, I'll be back with many many more pictures of Turkey Day. That is, if I remember to take pictures.

This Day 5 Years Ago

Normally, this would not be something I boast about. I mean come on... it's band, who wants to boast about that. BUT, when you are away for the holidays, you miss tradition. Therefore I will boast. This day 5 years ago, I was marching (freezing by tail off) in the Macy's Day parade. Today I wouldn't mind being next to a fireplace, smelling pumpkin, turkey, and rice dressing, while watching the Macy's Day Parade. And then finishing the day with football. For now, I'll just watch myself from 5 years ago. You can watch me too if you'd like.

Video 1

Video 2

A long, wet Wednesday

Question, if it's cold and rainy and you have to spend the day at the Immigration Office, what shoes do you wear?

Wednesday was Grace and I's appointment to go renew our permesso di soggiorno cards (like our green cards). So we set out on our journey, expecting to stay a long day at the Immigration Office. Of course we have already entered the rainy season, so it was rainy and cold. Just my kind of day...

We got there and took our numbers and headed down the street to the bar to wait it out. A few hours later we went to check what number they were on. They have only moved about 20 numbers in 2 hours. Not looking good for us. We ended up staying all day, had a nice cheap lunch, and in the end they accepted Grace's paperwork and not mine. I might mention that we turned in the same paperwork. Welcome to Naples! I'm going back on Friday.

We left the Immigration Office to head home to prepare for GBU that night. It poured for 3 minutes and we got soaked. I just love rain...NOT.

Anyhow, in the warmth of our apartment I made this...

Ok so maybe it was boxed pumpkin bread, but all the matters is it tasted good and the apartment smelled delicious and the Italians loved it.

For GBU we had a cineforum. We watched this movie

Anybody know the cast well enough to know what movie it is?

Just to let you know though, they didn't even start the movie until 10pm. The joy of living in a "latin" based culture. Everything is late.

When it's cold and rainy and you have a ton of people over to your house and no coat rack, this is what happens to your bed....

Tons and tons of coats.

Even though at one point in the day we were unhappy. In the end it was a good day.

p.s. Answer : I wore the Superga's

My failed attempt at photography

So I haven't been taking many photos lately. That is mainly because all of my photo taking compatriots have gone back to America, and it feels weird to walk around Naples, alone, with my camera. So I always talk myself out of going shooting.

I decided the other day I wanted to be shooting more and that I would just shoot anything I could. I decided to start that night. This was the only picture I took of my cooking adventure.

I planned to photo document my menu that night. It didn't happen. But at least I got one shot.

P.s. Just in case you are wondering what I made.... it's lemon basil chicken with parmesan and rosemary mashed potatoes.

Moving men, through God, by prayer alone

So I am currently writing a biography, not to be mistaken for an autobiography (I might have been saying autobiography this whole week...), on Hudson Taylor. You can say that Hudson Taylor was a man of prayer. A man who understood that if God calls you to do His work, it can only be done by God, which requires prayer by the man. All week I have been encouraged and challenged by Taylor's lifestyle; by his never ceasing prayer life.

Funny how God works in our lives and how He meets us right where we are at. Lately I've been consumed by internal struggles. Struggles of seeing things that need to happen but being overwhelmed by the thought of the task alone. Prayer has proven to be the only solution. The only problem is that I have not yet fully comprehended the power or necessity of prayer. So I have lacked.

Over the last few weeks, God has been drawing me to prayer; over and over I have been amazed, and then ashamed. Amazed at the workings of God, and ashamed that I often think I can accomplish things without prayer and knowing what God is doing. Each time God proves to be Himself, I'm drawn closer and I comprehend just a little more. As I have been reading about the life of Hudson Taylor, I have seen countless times where Taylor had nothing but prayer. So he prayed. And God was there. Why do we not pray?

There are concrete things that God is teaching me about prayer and about my relationship with Him. I'll attempt to put my thoughts into words here.

First ~ God will do what He will do whether or not we are there with Him. I say that, not to say He does what He does and never thinks of us; but to say that He is at work and if we are not seeking Him to know what He is doing then we miss out. He still works; we just aren't a part of that one. How do we find where He is? We pray. Because He gives wisdom to those who ask.

Second ~ We pray, not to ask 8 million selfish things of God, but to find out what He is doing and where He wants us. There are things that I can physically do on my own, like finding a space to hold an English club. I can not pray about it, and still find a place. But I pray, and say "God, where do you want this English club to be." The outcomes may be different. I want to be where He is doing things; that is where I will see things happen.

Third ~ It all leads me to praying God's will. It is a fact that God has called me to this city to tell these people about Jesus. But, when and where and how is of God's will. So dare I not walk out of my house with the purpose of telling someone about Jesus, without first asking through prayer, Where? When? How?

I stand amazed at His power. Not because He answers MY prayers. But because, when we pray and seek Him, He has the power to tell each and every one of us exactly where He wants us, exactly when He wants us, and exactly what He wants us doing. He orchestrates the universe. Wow. I can't even remember the difference between biography and autobiography.

So I want to follow in Hudson Taylor's footsteps, and "move men, through God, by prayer alone."

It's that time of year again

It is that time of year again for a number of different reasons. Some of which are good, and some of which are not so good.

In Naples, November marks the beginning of the rain. At least in my head it does. It isn't exactly to the point of rain everyday yet, but I know it's coming. So I anticipate it. This year I'm determined to overcome the rain.

In my head, November marks the beginning of Christmas. Ok so maybe I am just a little early, but it makes me happy, so I go with it. It's also the time of pumpkin everything. Thanks to a one wonderful friend, I now have my very own can of pumpkin to make pumpkin scones with in the near future. I like the food of holiday season, but don't be mistaken, that doesn't mean I'm looking forward to eating it.

Most important, November marks the beginning of Lottie Moon Time. Why am I blogging about this? Because I love so very much the organization that I work for, and it is only made possible by your giving to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering. I just returned from a retreat-type-thingy in Germany this past week. I was reminded of how "on-track" my organization is. Jesus being brought to nations is the goal. But necessary things, like keeping those they send spiritually sound, can't be overlooked. I'm thankful that they see these things as a need.

None of what I do is possible without people like you. So, be praying. Be following what's going on in the world. Be seeing the need for labors to be sent and kept on the field. Be willing to give what God calls you to give. Get involved with the Lottie Moon Offering this year. I will be more than thankful, and so will those who have the opportunity to know Jesus because of your involvement.