Big City Life

Her Royal Highness

2011-04-08T07:24:00.001-07:00

See this cute adorable woman?

I stood two feet from her last.

Yes, yes that's right. Two feet from her.

No it does not matter that she was in her green jag. I was still two feet from her.

How did this happen you might ask????

Well, my brother-in-law has a thing for always being in the right place at the right time. One morning in London we got up and thought we would go to see the changing of the guards. As we got closer to the palace I saw that there was no one standing around and figured there would be no changing of the guards that day. I have been once previously and it was full of people.

We walked right up to the gates only to find a handful of people standing around. A few of which happened to be secret agent people. Well, Aaron being Aaron walked right up to one of them to ask about the changing of the guards. After almost being killed by looks, Aaron crossed the street back to where we were standing. And would you know, right then the procession of the Queen's crew drove out. Her car stopped right in front of us. We bent down, looked in at her cute red outfit, waved and smiled, and off she drove.

Two seconds later...... "Did that just happen?!?!?!?!"

What are the odds that we would be there right at that moment?

Go places with Aaron and you are bound to be in the right place at the right time for meeting those people more well known than the most of us. :)

Cheers!

My trip in bullet points

2011-04-07T03:38:00.001-07:00

I will write more details in the days to come, but just for a preview....

Stayed in the Westin Paris. nice
Christy brought me nice treats
Riverboat tour through Paris
Ate real good food
Went up the Eiffel Tower
Met Barbara and "Mona" Wade
Rode bikes through the royal grounds at Versailles
Had me a crepe in Paris
Rode the tunnel train from Paris to London
Sat with a plastic surgeon from Rome
Saw some mummies at the British museum
Watched a jazz band in a crypt under a church in London
Ate some amazing berry muffins everyday from the hotel in London
Stood two feet from the Queen of England. yep. I did.
Saw Wicked with Christy. :)
Had tea and scones in Windsor
Had my first Bed & Breakfast experience
Worshipped at a church in Windsor
Hung out in a GNC. great feeling
Did some debriefing
Ate food cooked by the cooked of a food blog I follow. hehe

In all, very good trip. Glad to be home.

and the weather is real nice. :)

My week and next week/s..... :)

2011-03-27T16:08:00.000-07:00

This week was pretty exciting and eventful. It consisted of our first meetings of English club. Students actually showed up and we made new friends. Friends from our English club invited us to go to a British Community night. Apparently there is a group that meets every week to speak English. As English speakers ourselves.... we joined in on all the fun.

I've met up with a student from our English club, Valeria, to help her with some last minuted preparations for an upcoming English test.

I'm loving my favorite bar this week, as I occasionally get my cafe for free. :)

Do you feel rushed in reading this blog?

Sorry, I know. I'm rushing you.

It's because I'm rushing myself.

O yea, tomorrow I leave for Paris.

Christy, here I come!!!!!

I'll be traveling to Paris and London to spend some time with Christy and Aaron and then I'll wrap up my time with some debriefing in London.

All that to say..... see you when I return!

Perseverance and Pocket Lint

2011-03-20T15:40:00.000-07:00

I still have not sat down to write through all of my thoughts from Highland's week in Naples. But I am afraid that I can not put this blog off any longer.

I am a seeker of wisdom. Notice, I said "seeker" and not possessor. I love to be around people who are wiser than myself; those that make me question my actions and motives; those that make me seek God harder just because I saw their life. I pray that some day, when I'm older, I will be wiser. Sure, God can grant me wisdom with the snap of His finger; but until He does that I must continue to seek out those who are wiser than myself and put myself in a learning position.

I asked of one wiser than myself to leave me with a "thought", "word", "encouragement", etc., (mostly, I still can't think of the word in English to describe what I was asking for) before they left to return to America.

The word I got:

Perseverance

Shortly after this word left his lips, I heard something else.

"Oh look, pocket lint!"

Thus begun the strange workings of my brain.

Perseverance and Pocket Lint

It was 5 a.m. and I was a bit tired. I caught a 6:30 a.m. train back to Naples and had much time to think and meditate on this "Perseverance and Pocket Lint" phrase. The more I thought, the more it fit.

As believers, we will always have good times and tough times in our lives. There is a season for everything. Naples is a tough place to do ministry. It's old; it's traditional; it's Italian. These people don't want or welcome change. But that does not mean they are not still in desperate need of the gospel. If I had 6 years left in Naples, I would seek to persevere. If I had 1 week left in Naples, I would seek to persevere. I have 4 months left in Naples, so I will persevere.

"...we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us." Romans 5:3-5

No matter what the tribulation is, we persevere, because perseverance brings on much more. Through all of the tough things that may have happened here in Naples, I have learned. What may have seemed bad in the moment, will down the road be seen as beneficial and has spurred on growth. The end goal is not success. It is God. So I persevere, knowing that whatever it happening is an opportunity to know God more; and His love has been pour out within my heart, so I have no other needs.

Whereas perseverance may be a more weighty word, pocket lint is not so much. At the moment though, it holds the same weight. How can pocket lint compare to a thing such as perseverance? When I think of perseverance, I know it entails learning new things and learning more about God. Around of all the things I must persevere through, there is also "life." Everyday life. Which for me, here in Naples, I can describe as POCKET LINT.

Pocket lint. It is the stuff that just sort of collects in your pockets from day to day. Usually you aren't even aware that it is there. But it is, and it's accumulating. Then one day, you stick your hands in your pockets and pull out some pocket lint. Let's stop there with the analogy, because if you think even further through it, pocket lint is no longer of any value. :)

I learn so many lessons for life just by living here. Things like building friendships, learning languages, managing a home, parenting, child psychology, cooking skills, etc. Pocket lint. Yes, most of the time I am aware of the new lessons I am learning. But many times, I am unaware of how important some of these lessons will be later in life. They just keep accumulating in my pocket. One day I will pull them out.

And so, without putting much time and thought into it, and without proof-reading, I have written on Perseverance and Pocket Lint. In my time with Campus Outreach, I was taught how to label periods in my life. To help classify different times and to be able to remember what God was teaching me at different points.

Napoli/Journeyman ~ Perseverance and Pocket Lint

Behind in times...

2011-03-17T15:01:00.000-07:00

This is a two-fold title.

First, Italy is behind in times. I just thought I would let you know that.

Yes, the Italian country side is perhaps an appealing life-style, but then one day you wake up to a cold-water shower and myth believing neighbors. My wet hair never made me sick in America, only in Italy.

Second, the real reason I am writing this post....

I am behind in times. I have been absent from the blog. Due to some of my favorite Americans being in Italy. Yep, you heard it; my favorite Americans were in Naples. Therefore, I had no time to write; and therefore, I now have much to write.

Vi lascio qua.

Small World

2011-02-28T11:37:00.000-08:00

This is the world.

Small isn't it?

You don't agree?

I'll prove it to you.

This is Kuwait

Wait, let me pull out some to give you perspective....

There we go.

Do you still see it? It's marked with the red arrow. See it? Ok good.

MOVING ALONG

This is Louisiana.

Oh. Crud. Wrong picture.

There we go.

Sorry, I'm around too many people who have Texas pride. It seems that Texas PRIDE has rubbed off on me. Only, pride for the right state that is. :)

I was saying.....

In Louisiana there are Ragin Cajuns.

They eat things like this

and this

Oh, sorry. I got distracted.

ANYWAY

This is Lisbon, Portugal

This is a piazza (I only know the Italian word for this type of space now) in Lisbon

Now. What is the point of this blog? Well, I'll tell you.

In this very piazza, in Lisbon, Portugal, I, Cortney, a true RAGIN CAJUN, from Louisiana, met a guy, whose name I do not remember because of it's difficulty, from Kuwait, who also graduated from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette in 2006 in engineering, with some very close friends of mine.

Now do you see?

I told you. It is a small world.

Gospel Choir in Italy

2011-02-22T06:53:00.000-08:00

I miss Isaiah Gee Dugas and Kaelyn James.

I miss their music too.

But I'm grateful that God loves His children and sometimes we get blessing greater than we can imagine. Like Italian gospel choirs.

It just so happens that my church started a gospel choir right when I started going there. I love it. So I thought I would share it with the world.

Give Thanks [HQ]

Trading My Sorrow [HQ]

I Need You To Survive [HQ]

Haleluja [HQ]

Why I should always have a camera with me

2011-02-14T11:19:00.000-08:00

After I wrote the title, I realized that technically I do always have a camera with me. I have an iPhone. Duh. Does anybody say that anymore?

So, actually a more appropriate title would be, "oh how I wish is was socially acceptable to take pictures of strangers at any time".

Tonight as I was walking home, I saw a lady on her scooter with her small child standing on the floorboard in front of her, which is normal, and her cell phone sticking out of her helmet, which is also normal, all while she was talking and driving at the same time.

I wish I had taken a picture and sent it to the American government.

They only think that texting while driving is unsafe.

Clearly they have never been to Naples before.

NOTICE: this blog does not condone the practice of texting while driving.

Last Week: A CAJUN

2011-02-03T14:37:00.001-08:00

Last week, or the week before last as I have gotten behind on the blogs of that week, a visitor came to town.

But not just any visitor.

A cajun one.

Yes, it pleases my heart to have people that speak my language in this city.

sha, i miss dat bayou yea. yu jus don know

Last Week: FOOD

2011-02-01T07:33:00.000-08:00

OK so this post might be a little late. As will the next few to follow. But at least you got them right?!?!

Food.

The thorn in my flesh.

Who would have thought.

I will choose to not get in to my opinions on food right now, and spare you the long, drawn out, misery-filled complaints that I can come up with. Just get the point: a lot of food happens here in Italy.

Worthy week was no different. So here is the blog about the food from week.

Bruna and Stefano were coming over one night, and we needed a dessert to "ospitare" them. A quick one too, since we didn't think about it until the last minute. Too bad they ended up bringing a whole plate load of the best sfogliatelle in the city. I should blog about those soon....

Chocolate chip cookie dough brownie with Caramel topping

Somehow I didn't take pictures of a lot of food in between. Like the zucchini risotto that I made; amazing. Or the new recipe of pigs-in-the-blanket dough that Shannon made. Just pretend you are looking at those pictures right now, and that they look awesome.

Saturday night we had a dinner party. I didn't take a picture of the first plate, which was eggplant pasta, because I didn't eat it. :)

But for second plate this is what we had.

Again, that afternoon we decided we needed a dessert for the dinner party. So I went surfing my favorite blogs to find something new to make. I found this

It's an OREO cake. Luckily Shannon had the American ingredients in the pantry that we can't find here. It was rather yum. Except, I'm pretty sure that there are a whole week's worth of calories in one bite of this cake. Whoops.

I saved these two pictures for last. Because they lead to other blogs, of course.

Pizza Surprise birthday cake

Last Week: GOD LESSON

2011-01-25T12:53:00.000-08:00

Look at Emma's massive pizza

This picture has nothing really to do with this blog post; other than the fact that Emma was what spurred on these thoughts.

On Saturday, I met Charlie, Scott, Dana, and Emma at Sorbillo for lunch. After we ate our massive pizzas (well not me; I just had a few bites of Scott's) the plan was to go on a short version of the city center tour. It was raining and cold and poor little Emma had been walking in it all day. So she opted to have me take her back to the house. I made her walk all the way to my apartment to drop something off and then walk all the way back to the metro in that cold, rainy, dreadful weather. We finally got onto the metro after 20 minutes. We sat down and Emma curled right up to me and laid her head in my lap.

Here starts my lesson.

Outside was rainy, cold, ugly weather. She was miserable and couldn't feel her feet. The metro was warm and toasty (I'll leave out the part that is was full of stinky Italians though), and she was curled up, nice and cozy in my lap. For some reason I thought of God.

I often see God through life's analogies, or in nature. One of my favorite things back in America was the thirty minute drive to school every morning. It was a sweet time with God for me. Some mornings I would sing my little heart out all the way to school. Some mornings I would pray my little heart out; but I never cried my little heart out, because, well, that just doesn't happen for me very often. But regardless of what each morning's drive consisted of, on the mornings that the weather was clear blue skies... the same thing would happen... at the same spot... always.

There is one place on this two lane highway that opens up to sugar cane fields after being lined with trees for a few miles. I would pass this spot at around the same time everyday; when the sun had just popped above the tree line and shined right into the cane field. On those clear blue sky days, when I reached that spot of my drive, no matter what I was doing, I would stop and think about how amazing God is that He made the blue color of the sky match so perfectly well with the green color of the sugar cane.

At this point you may be thinking, "what an odd thing to think." Yes; perhaps. But I love nature. I love the sun and blue skies and green grass. I love those two colors together. I think they are perfect for each other. And when I see them together I think of the awesome Creator that I serve. He made those colors to be that way, and I stand amazed when I see them.

That is one of my favorite ways to see God in creation and life.

I told you that long story to tell you this story:

(back to Emma)

As Emma laid in my lap, I couldn't help but think of how she was content to lay in my lap and rest. Outside was a world of misery for her (if you consider being wet and cold and not feeling your feet misery); but inside; inside was nice and comfy. As I was beginning to think about this, she looked up at me and asked:

"Cortney, how many stops are left?"

" Just 5."

"Oh. Cool. Ok then."

Then she put her head back down on my lap and snuggled up closer to me. I was floored. Jesus talks about childlike faith in the gospels. I've never personally experienced a better analogy than this. Well, ok, maybe I have; but currently I can't remember it.

Why do I not snuggle up to God in this way? Why do I not lay my head in His lap and go along for the ride? Outside, the world is cold and wet and nasty. Inside, in God's lap, everything is nice and toasty and I can be content with no worries.

I just need to lift up my head, ask how many more stops, and lay back in His lap. Content. Trusting that the course of life will continue to run and I need not worry about anything because I am in the care of the God Almighty.

Last Week: WORTHY

2011-01-24T13:32:00.000-08:00

This blog will be the first in the series of "Last Week."

I have lots of things to blog about that happened last week. So I thought a series would be the appropriate way to approach them.

Part one of the series is entitled WORHTY. Why? Because I spent last week at the casa di Worthy. Charlie was in London all week for the International World Changer meeting, so I stayed the week with Shannon to help out with the kids.

and now I'm going to blog about it.

It began like this.

You see, perhaps Shannon thinks I just wanted to be a good friend and help out. But that's a lie. I just want to use her to learn big mama skills.

OK just kidding.... but maybe it's a little bit of both.

Ok fine, I'm not using her.

The truth: Duh, I do it to help, but with it comes many lessons that I need to learn. You see, Shannon likes to think that I will learn all of the things not to do as a parent if I hang out at her house. But in reality, I see strengths in Shannon that are weaknesses in me. Therefore, I learn and grow in areas of weakness.

Let's start with my first picture.
My first thought would have been this:

AH! OH NO! PAINT = REALLY BIG MESS THAT I DON'T WANT TO CLEAN UP!

But instead, when you have patience and consider the fact that your children are more important than your OCD tendencies, you end up with this...

Really cute pictures of your children.

OK fine, you end up with happy kids that have exercised their creativity and freedom. Important things in the life of children.

Then there is drinking "cafe" like the big dogs.

Again, I would naturally wet my pants over the thought of having to clean up a mess if this cup was shattered.

But look how cute he is drinking "cafe" just like the big people.

and look how content he is.

Maybe you are a slow learner like me. So I'll help you out with this lesson.

Give the kids some freedom and let them learn and grow and experience.

It's worth it, even if I have to clean up on little mess.

Another of the week's lessons.

Homework is stressful.

When you have to help your kids with homework in another language, it is really stressful.

So what do you do?

You call in the reinforcements.

Just let the Italians teach them Italian. :)

There are probably millions of lessons that I have learned that will stay with me forever. If I have children, those lessons will come in handy. And if I don't have children, well then maybe other people will let me babysit their kids or something.

But let's just hope that someday God will bless me with some little babies.

Then I'll remember how He blessed me with the Worthy clan. Where you learn more lessons in one day then you think possible sometimes.

Shout out to the Worthy's cause I know you are reading this. :)

Preview to next blog:

Pandoro

2011-01-12T08:20:00.000-08:00

Every culture has it's holidays.

Every culture has it's holiday traditions.

Some people live cross-culturally.

That's me. I live cross culturally.

What do you do with tradition when you live cross-culturally?

YOU COMBINE THEM!!!!!!

This is a pandoro.

I don't like pandoro. Nor do I like panetone. But it's the gift to give here in Italy during Christmas time. So naturally, as an American living in Italy, when I received a pandoro I made a special dinner for roommate movie night.

I used these ingredients......

and this is what happened

Yes sir! Pandoro french toast. Quite yummy I must say. In fact, this pandoro had chocolate chips in it; so really I made chocolate chip pandoro french toast. Yea. Yea it was good.

Great, now I'm sick just from thinking about food. Ugh!

p.s. I just realized, I'm not even sure if I spelled pandoro right. But being as I am too lazy to check, I'm posting it this way.

2010 Reading List

2011-01-03T06:34:00.001-08:00

This morning, a friend of mine blogged their 2010 Reading List. I was inspire to do the same. Mainly because I have despised reading for most of my life. Just within the last year I have begun to like reading. So it's an accomplishment in itself that I have decided to like reading. And it is a great accomplishment that I have read as much as I have. Therefore, I my blogging my 2010 Reading List.

We Would See Jesus ~ Roy and Revel Hession

Fireproof Your Life ~ Michael Catt

Being an Aroma of Christ ~ Karen Pearce

Lifestyle of Discipleship ~ Jim Peterson

Radical ~ David Platt

Spiritual Warfare ~ Jerry Rankin

Questioning Evangelism ~ Randy Newman

The Supremacy of Christ in a Postmodern World ~ John Piper/Justin Taylor

Ask Me Anything ~ J. Budziszewski

A Christmas Carol ~ Charles Dickens

The Chronicles of Narnia ~ C.S. Lewis

The Shack ~ William P. Young

Twilight ~ Stephanie Meyer

New Moon ~ Stephanie Meyer

Eclipse ~ Stephanie Meyer

Breaking Dawn ~ Stephanie Meyer

Jane Eyre ~ Charlotte Bronte

Emma ~ Jane Austen

The Great Gatsby ~ F. Scott Fitzgerald

The Picture of Dorian Gray ~ Oscar Wilde

Persuasion ~ Jane Austen

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn ~ Mark Twain

Wuthering Heights ~ Emily Bronte

The Scarlet Letter ~ Nathaniel Hawthorne

The Jungle Books ~ Rudyard Kipling

Around the World in Eighty Days ~ Jules Verne

Gulliver’s Travels ~ Jonathan Swift

Through the Looking Glass ~ Lewis Carroll

Romeo and Juliet ~ William Shakespeare

These next books were all seminary reading. But nonetheless, I read all 5000 pages of them and therefore will include them in the list.

Baptist Faith and Message 2000: Critical Issues in America’s Largest Protestant Denomination ~ Ed. by Douglas K. Blount and Joseph D. Wooddell

Helping Hurting People ~ Asa R. Sphar and Argile Smith

The Baptist Heritage: Four Centuries of Baptist Witness ~ H. Leon McBeth

Christian Counseling ~ Gary R. Collins

There you have it. My reading accomplishments.

2011 looks promising too.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

2011-01-02T07:57:00.000-08:00

If you don't know already, Naples can become quite the war zone on New Year's Eve. By that, I only mean that when 5 million people start shooting fireworks it gets a little crazy.

But if you stay indoors, on the top floor, with a camera and tripod, you can stay safe and get some shots like these.

Happy New Year World

Struffoli

2010-12-26T08:17:00.000-08:00

It's Christmas time, which means tradition time.

On Christmas Eve I watched the Worthy's bring home plates and plates of struffoli. They brought American cookies to Italians, and Italians gave them struffoli. Lots and lots of struffoli.

I actually like it when it is made good. But you can't eat a whole ton of it at one time. It's a little much.

This morning the Nonni next door brought over some struffoli for me and Grace. And this was the best looking struffoli I've ever seen. It's so cute. It's pretty good too. I just thought I would share it with you.

GUMBO

2010-12-19T13:55:00.000-08:00

I've talked about it for quite some time now. But the truth is, I've been scared. I've been wanting to make a gumbo, but fearful that I would fail, and knowing that I didn't have the exact ingredients, I've been putting it off.

It's cold now, perfect gumbo weather, and I've been telling Jason I would make one for him. So Friday, I set out to make my very first gumbo on my own.

It starts with these

Where I'm from, there are two trinities. The Holy one, and then this one

By this point, there was a real good smell

patiently waiting it's turn in the pot

look, I did it!

Yes. It was rather delicious.

I have done it. I have fulfilled my rite of passage. Now I can go back to Acadiana.

Over-stocked

2010-12-16T12:52:00.000-08:00

So we got some stuff today, and it's a little but of a lot

let me show the details

and our cabinets...

Yea, so, wow.

Traditions

2010-12-06T15:03:00.000-08:00

How often do we participate in some sort of tradition without having any clue as to why we do it? I don't know the answer to that question, but it is probably very often.

Today I was sitting in a church reading a book on spiritual warfare, and I saw a man come in with a bag of nativity pieces. (The Neapolitan nativity is a big deal, maybe I should do a blog on it...) He brought his bag of pieces over to one of the priests who was sitting in the confessional. He lined all the pieces up on the ledge and then the priest blessed each one of them. I'm assuming the nativity pieces were gifts for people. I've gotten many gifts before that are extra "special" because they have been blessed. But, as I watched him, I realized that he really didn't care what he was doing. He was just doing it because that is what you do. He probably has never even questioned why he does that. I continued reading about the hold Satan has in the lives of people who don't know God.

Tonight I was back at that same church. I saw a lady walk down the aisle and stop right in the middle of the church. She knelt down and touch some mosaic three times and stood each time to do the sign of the cross. Why? Has she ever thought why?

At what point did this culture and church become so blind to truth that tradition has completely taken over?

God's Perfect Timing

2010-12-02T15:07:00.000-08:00

Today was eventful and fully unexpected. One of the things I love most about going through life walking with God. I can't help but stand in awe of who He is after days like these.

Recently God has been showing me more and more about the urgency of the gospel. I don't have time to waste. In fact the gospel is so urgent, that my life should be consumed by it. But the reality is not so. I tend to be more consumed with myself; with my agenda; with my wants, needs, and desires. I often wonder when I will begin to act upon the things I know to be truth. When will I truly grasp the urgency of the gospel? I don't know. I don't know if I ever will fully grasp it. But I will keep trying.

Yesterday, I needed to go to the post office. Without thinking, I ventured to the post office at around 1 pm on the first of the month. NEVER, I repeat, NEVER go to the post office on the first of the month. The whole city will be there. Or actually, GO. Go to the post office on the first of the month, because the whole city will be there; waiting. Waiting for their turn, with nothing to do. I walked in only needing to mail a simple envelope. I walked out an hour and a half later, with a new friend and having shared my life and story with her. God's timing is perfect. Why did I go to the post office on the first of the month without thinking about it? Because God thought about it.

Today I woke up late. I went out to get a coffee first thing, knowing that if I didn't I may not set foot in the bar I should frequent everyday. On my way home I passed by Grace walking down the street. We never pass each other on the street. Today we did. We did so right next to a little eccentric tea shop. We walked in together thinking it would be for just a second, but then we saw a stray dog. Actually though, it was not a stray dog. It belonged to Jenny. Jenny is the Australian lady who lives in Naples that we met in the tea shop. Who we proceeded to share the gospel with and share our views/beliefs of Christianity with. Though Jenny disagreed with everything we said, we said it anyway. We spoke truth to her and she heard it. Why did the random events of us passing each other on the street, walking into this shop, and talking out loud about the stray dog happen? Because God wanted it to.

My prayer is this: that I would stop being so consumed with myself, with my agenda, with what I want, with what I don't want, and with how I want things to happen. God has perfect timing. But I miss out on half of what He is doing because I can't see past my own eyelashes.

I'm practicing to see more of Him and less of me.

Turkey Day

2010-11-30T13:29:00.000-08:00

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

2010-11-27T13:00:00.000-08:00

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

2010-11-25T06:10:00.000-08:00

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

2010-11-25T04:18:00.000-08:00

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

2010-11-22T06:22:00.000-08:00

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

2010-11-12T02:22:00.000-08:00

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

2010-11-06T05:10:00.000-07:00

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.

Italian Birthday Party with Mexican Food

2010-10-18T09:15:00.000-07:00

One quarter of a century. That is how old I am now. Wow, I'm old. (If you are over 25 please disregard that statement) What better way to spend your quarter of a century birthday than in a foreign country. Well, at least that is how I spent mine.

At the last minute Shannon decided we would throw me a birthday dinner at her house. So I, at the last minute, invited some Italian friends for dinner.

We spent the whole day cooking, and it looked like this...

Though we are in fact in Italy, we opted to make Mexican food for dinner. Of course. I mean, we are American. So I got out my rolling pin and rolled out 80 tortillas or so.

An enjoyable way to spend the day, in the kitchen with Shannon. Oh the memories we shall have in 20 years from spending whole days in the kitchen.

And maybe right now you might be wondering why I was cooking for my birthday dinner. Well it's mainly because Shannon tortures me. Okay okay, just kidding. The kitchen is fun place to be, I was not pressured in any way. I promise. :)

At least she didn't make me make my own birthday cake. That would have been a little rude. Fear not, Shannon made my yummy carrot birthday cake all on her own. Brava!

We actually finished all of the food and preparation ahead of time. So then there was nothing to do but sit around and wait.

and wait...

Eventually, everyone showed up.

Even Elmo joined the party.

It was an enjoyable, though late, night. I guess no matter how American you try to make things, it just doesn't work if you're not in America. So run on Italian time.

My prayer last night

2010-10-08T02:12:00.000-07:00

Before going to sleep...

Dear Jesus,

Thank you for tonight even though I only understood half of what was said.

Amen.

Ministry in a foreign country.

Life Journey

2010-10-06T13:13:00.000-07:00

If I could describe my feelings in a picture....

Maybe, I am the only one who is affected by this picture. Maybe, I am not.

Music.... insert sigh of relief.... now smile.

Yes that is me when I look at this picture. If you know me, then you know I love you music. It drives me (not really, because Jesus drives me). It's one thing that I would not mind doing 24 hours a day. When there is too much music in my life, then I am happy. Why am I telling you this? Because in thinking about what my life will look like at this time next year, I have been reflecting on where I have been already.

In 1996, I started playing music. My sister had a flute, so I was forced to play it. Moving right along.....

In 2000, I started learning to drum because I was tired of not being heard playing the flute.

In 2001, drumming brought me to a new school, in a new city, for no reason other than to drum.

In 2003, I started college and left music behind. Sort of.

In 2004, I needed money so I joined the college band and started drumming again. I played two seasons, and then quit to be able to finish my degree on time.

In 2006, I started learning guitar.

In 2007, I decided God was leading me to stay in school and pursue a music degree. Where in the world did that come from???

In 2008, I began pursuing a degree in percussion performance, was teaching drum and guitar lessons to children, and playing guitar and drums at church. Music was, well, a big part of life then.

In 2009, I moved to Italy. Where music is a little harder to find.

Why did I just list my musical history? Because when I look back, I see a continual draw back to music every time I walk away from it. I love it. God has blessed me with a heart for music and the ability to play it. So what on earth am I supposed to do with that??!!?? This is where you now tell me your opinion on what my life should look like next. Thanks. :)

p.s. I'm only thinking about this because dear sweet Paul and MacKenzie just went home and I realize how time flies. But I'm in no rush. :)

The joy of learning other languages

2010-09-29T05:43:00.000-07:00

So, last week I was at the European Baptist Convention that was held in Rome. I was there because the Italian Baptist Union has put together a band and I play drums for them. We were the music for the convention. We spent all day practicing and working on music and would have worships services in the morning and after dinner. It was a fun time and I enjoyed getting to play music.

What does that have to do with language? Well...

One day during practice I walked up on the altar and picked up a prayer book. Since we live in Italy, we were at a Catholic retreat center and therefore in a Catholic church for worship times. I thought it would be funny to read in my best Italian accent from this prayer book. It's not very funny considering the fact that it was a prayer book, but I didn't think about that until after.

The story:

I picked up the book and read, in my dramatic Italian accent

"Io per te ho flagellato"

which means something like I have suffered or endure floggings for you

what I saw and thought in my head was

"I for you have flatulence"

which I then interpreted to mean I have farted for you. It doesn't mean that, and it's not even really that close. But that is how it happened in my head. Needless to say, I laughed real hard at something that wasn't really funny. And everyone thought I was crazy.

Tanti Aguri

2010-09-19T06:10:00.000-07:00

What happens when you celebrate a birthday right after gospel choir.....

Italians show you the correct way to sing Happy Birthday

The best food in the world

2010-09-13T13:47:00.000-07:00

I have been absent from the blog. Sorry. I have a good reason. Three weeks I had to make an unexpected trip to America. By unexpected I mean, I got a call Friday at noonish and was on the plane Saturday at noonish. Which I'm sure anyone reading probably already knows that. But just in case you didn't, well, I just told you.

I live in Italy. Most of the world would argue that the food in Italy is the best in the world. Italians would definitely argue that their food is the best in the world. BUT......

I am from south Louisiana. Where I live, we may not know how to speak English very well, but we definitely know how to cook very well. We might die younger too from clogged arteries.

DON'T GET DISTRACTED FROM MY POINT!

THE POINT:

The food in Acadiana is, by far, the best food in the world. If you don't know what Acadiana is, then I'm sorry but you might have to do some research before you can go and experience the greatness. To prove my point to you, I will use photography.

Case 1:

Eggplant Fries

Yummy eggplant fried up, covered with parmesan cheese (though it is fake) and served with ranch dressing.

Case 2:

Corn and Crab Bisque

Oh MY! I almost fell out of my chair remembering how good this was. If you don't know what bisque is, then you don't speak my language. oh and don't forget my favorite Captain's Wafers crackers. They go great with boudin.

Case 3:

SHRIMP ~ in many forms

Praline Shrimp

This praline sauce is real yum. Sweet and salty can be a wonderful combination sometimes. Especially when it's served with fried bread.

Shrimp PoBoy

Again, PoBoy is a word that you should familiarize yourself with. Because they are real good to eat.

Case 4:

Crawfish ~ with explanations

Crawfish cornbread topped with ettouffee and served with fried crawfish. YES. This would be what I chose for lunch that day. Why? Because you can't get crawfish anywhere but home. So maybe crawfish cornbread can explain itself. It's cornbread. with crawfish in it. See, I told you.

But let me show how crawfish comes.

It comes fried. Like this. It's nice and crunchy and flavorful.

Or it comes like this. Out of the ettouffee. Not fried. But still really yum.

So. You can debate if you would like on this issue of food. I will give you the argument of clogged arteries. But I'm not talking health here. I'm talking taste. And it doesn't get any better than CAJUN COUNTRY.

Speaking of...... GEAUX CAJUNS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mowgli was bought by a bull

2010-08-18T01:46:00.000-07:00

I had this friend in college that loved to take lines from secular songs and make them spiritual. It was a fun game to play. We learned after a while that most songs had lyrics in them that could, in some way or another, be turned into a spiritual thing. Probably because a lot of songs are about love and well, the story of Jesus is all about love. Obviously, not all songs apply in this situation, but the point is that it was fun to take something not spiritual and see a comparison. Let me give you my own example.

The other day I finished reading "The Jungle Books." If you watched Disney movies as a kid, then you know the story of Mowgli, raised by wolves in the jungle. In my quiet time today I came across Acts 20:28 "...the church of God which He purchased with His own blood," and I thought of Mowgli. What does Mowgli have to do with us being purchased by the blood of Christ? If you know well the story of Mowgli, then you know that Bagheera "bought" Mowgli into the wolf pack. A man-cub, who by the way does not belong in the jungle, was bought for the price of a bull. Then he was allowed to live among the wolf pack as one of them, the Free People. Are we not sinners purchased by the blood of Christ, and then allowed to live as saints, though we don't deserve it?

This morning though, what I thought more about, was the debt that Mowgli lived in the rest of his life. At the end of the story, Mowgli wants to leave the jungle and live among his people. But Mowgli wouldn't leave because he owed his life to the jungle and Bagheera who bought him with the bull. I'm not looking any deeper than that, because really the story doesn't line up with the story of Jesus. But my initial, surface level, thoughts were, what if we lived our lives with the same mentality as Mowgli. All throughout the book, he knew and remembered that he was bought at a price. He owed his life to the jungle and Bagheera. I don't remember often enough that I was purchased. That my life is not my own, but that I owe it to the One who bought me. How different would my life look if I remembered better?

B&B days

2010-08-17T02:16:00.001-07:00

Mondays are B&B days. What does that mean you ask?? Beach and Book day. Every Monday I go to the beach, because I am being culturally Italian, and I bring a book to read on the train ride there and back. Sounds simple, but let me give you some history.

Upon arriving in Naples, I disliked reading. I may have even made fun of a few select people who always wanted me to take them to the library for fun. What nerds right? Hypocrite! Apparently I am a hypocrite. I now find pleasure in wasting an afternoon in a bookstore.

That being the history, let me give you the future. I have decided that I am very much under-read (if that is not a word, then I just made it up). So I have put together a rather extensive reading list that I plan to accomplish in my life time. In fact, I plan to be somewhat well-read by the time I get back to America. Thus, B&B days are necessary.

If you keep up with our lives in Naples at all, then you know that right now all Italians are at the beach. What are we to do in this empty city? GO TO THE BEACH! Of course I don't go to the beach everyday. But I do justify that Monday B&B days are necessary for me to change my skin color and fit in with the rest of Italians. It's working too. I am a nice shade of chocolate according to Alessia Worthy.

So what did I read yesterday?

I finished the Jungle Books, read Romeo and Juliet, and started the Adventures of Huck Finn.

Good day.

a woman who gets me

2010-08-15T05:14:00.000-07:00

A recent conversation.

Me : "Shannon, it's weird how you just get me."

Shannon : "Yea. In what way?"

Me : "Well you know, I say things for no reason, and people take me seriously. But you, nope, you go along with it."

(note : I believe empty chatter is unbiblical. Perhaps I should rethink my speech.)

Shannon : "Lol, yea probably. It's because I'm cool. But what are you talking about?"

Me : (while pushing the stroller) "For example..... Hey Shannon, what if I ram this stroller into this car right here?"

Shannon : "Oh, do it, do it."

Me : "My point exactly. You just go with it."

Shannon : "Well what do most people say?"

Me : "They look at me weird, which is normal and happens often anyway, and then say something like 'well why would you do that' or 'that's not very funny'."

Shannon : "Oh I see."

Me : "But you, you get me. You know I'm not really serious. It's all hypothetical."

Shannon : "Yea. And I'm just cool, so, you know."

Later in the car.....

Me : "Hey Shannon, what if when I have kids, I tell them it's their imagination every time they think they have hurt themselves."

Shannon : "Haha. Do it."

Me : "I will. Then when they are old and maybe cut their foot off they'll say, 'Nah don't worry about it, it's just my imagination."

Shannon : "Exactly. So you should try it."

I don't have to explain this post. If you don't get it, then it means two things. 1) Obviously you aren't cool like Shannon. 2) You probably don't get me. But it's ok because I'm used to it.

My week so far

2010-08-12T03:06:00.000-07:00

It started with a nice day trip to the mountains.

I played with my camera.

See

Morning trip to the beach and afternoon in my favorite reading spot.

Morning trip out to where people have yards.

Registration for seminary classes.

Walk to the port to see a big boat.

Failed attempt to Skype the youth.

I am good writer aren't I?

Pictures speak for themselves

2010-08-02T12:33:00.000-07:00

Read books

Spurgeon's thoughts on Naples

2010-08-01T07:04:00.000-07:00

Today after hearing a few C.H. Spurgeon quotes while listening to a sermon, I decided to look into his writings and maybe do a little reading. If you know anything about him, then I'm sure you know there was a ton of things to choose from. I decided to read through the letters that he wrote to his wife while he was traveling without her in Italy. I discovered that his travels took him through Naples and all that surrounds it. I also discovered that not much has changed about Naples since the time of Spurgeon. In my opinion (so very Italian of me to use this phrase), Spurgeon's description of Naples in the 1860's accurately describes Naples today; give or take a few technological advances. So I have decided to let Spurgeon share his opinion of my city with you.

"THIS MORNING, we drove through Naples for, I should think, six or seven miles or more. It is a crowded city, full of stirs, full of business, and full of pleasure. Horses seem innumerable, they are decorated profusely, and the carriages are very comfortable; but, I am sorry to say, the men drive furiously, and make me very nervous. Old women are numerous and hideous, beggars pestiferous, and dealers intensely persevering. But what a bay! What a sea and climate! No one ought to be ill here."

"Our hotel here is vast and empty; we have excellent rooms, and are thoroughly comfortable. There is music continually, and very fair music, too, though not so sweet as silence. Everybody makes all the noise possible, and quiet dwells beyond the sea. Rome is a sepulcher, this city teems with life. You are not out of the door a moment before you are entreated to have a carriage, buy fruit, fish, pictures, papers, or something. The side-streets swarm with people, who appear to live in them; there they eat, cook, work, catch fleas;, hunt over each other's heads like so many monkeys, etc., etc. It is like living in a museum; but as to the beauty and gracefulness of which we read so much, I cannot detect it, though really looking for it. Persons over forty look worn out, and females at that age are haggard; over that period, they are. ghastly and mummified. Macaroni hangs out, in some quarters, before the doors on lines to dry; and the flies, which are numerous upon it, give it anything but an attractive appearance."

And there you have it. For those of you who dwell in this city... need we say anymore?

It's B-A-C-K.........

2010-07-28T10:39:00.000-07:00

Yes.

My camera is home.

This is what the children think of it...

Emma

I'm happy cause you're happy

Lily

Oh great, not another one

Micah

Good! Now you can take pictures of me

Thoughts of children: narrated by me

Treats from really nice American friends...

2010-07-28T10:29:00.000-07:00

A while back I blogged about why I like volunteer teams. Among one of the many reasons I like them, is the American treats they bring us. Well, sometimes we can find American things here. But when we do, they cost a lot, and it isn't worth paying for them.

On occasion, wonderful people, specially named Tiffany (who happens to be quite a cool person) treat us to nice American treats found in Italy. This blog tells my story....

enough said.

and yes I did put pieces of white chocolate in the middle of the muffins.

YUM

World Cup 2010

2010-07-21T15:48:00.001-07:00

I like soccer. Going to Brazil a few times has increased my liking for it. For the last World Cup, I was working at Ruby Tuesday's and had nothing to do but work and watch watch soccer. So I watched practically every game. It was fun for me, but really... who in America really watches the World Cup? There were few people who shared my interest.

BUT, now I live in Italy. Let me remind you who won the World Cup in 2006....... Italy. Being that Italy is a soccer nation and the defending world champions, the World Cup tends to be a big deal here. I didn't watch every game, because there are a ton, but I did watch most of them. I watched every USA game and every Italy game. Of course I was pulling for Italy, but well everyone here knows that the team is too old to do much. But still, we watched. It was fun getting to experience the World Cup in a passionate soccer country.

As you may or may not know, Italy didn't make it through the first round. So I fell to my first love, Brazil. Now, Spain was favored to win this cup, but I still was rooting for Brazil. Until it dawned on me that I would be in Spain for the final game. After discussing with Paul, we decided we wanted Spain to win so that we could be there for the celebration. Well folks.... watch and see...

International World Changers

2010-07-10T01:10:00.001-07:00

This past week the International World Changers team was here in Naples working with us. It was a fun time, as I always enjoy having teams here. We were able to build some good relationships in the piazza and were able to better some relationships built from a previous team. Here are a couple iPhone pics from our time in the piazza.

Of course soccer is always on the top of the list...

I don't remember where the ninja game came from, but it seems to be a big hit

This little old lady was so thankful that we gave her a bible small enough for her to carry around. She asked for Michelle's address in America so she could send her thank you notes.

Some of the sweetest memories from this week came from watching Micah have a heart to see the people believe in Jesus. She put her artistic skills to work to help open up some relationships.

There was another missions team from Ireland in our piazza this week. We worked with them as they brought their style to the piazza.... a little Irish dancing.

One of our volunteers, Penny, sharing her testimony in the piazza as one of the Irish guys translated.

I like working with the big volunteer teams because I get to have my "own" group for a week. I love getting to know them and walking alongside of them during their time here. Plus I make great new friends and get to have new wisdom poured into my life. I also think it's funny to watch them try to adjust to our culture!

Jared here is just loving all the pizza and pasta he ate. This is my team enjoying their sit down lunch for the week.

Jared was even nice enough to play games with Jenae.....

And that is my IWC blog. Maybe I'll write more later, except I'm going to Spain tomorrow and have way too much to do.

i don't like sand, but this place is real pretty

2010-07-02T02:34:00.000-07:00

So I dislike (I choose this word over "hate" because I just taught Alessia how to say it, not good) sand very much. In fact, I dislike it very, very, very much. It bothers me. I never went to the beach growing up, and maybe the second time I ever went to the beach, I stayed for a whole summer. Sand is one of my enemies. But, Italians like the beach. And since I need to be Italian, I decided I needed to take some sun at the beach and change my skin color a little.

I took a beach day on Monday. I took the train out to Sorrento and just had a day to myself on the beach. It was relaxing. I read a book and changed colors a little. Yes, the sand bothered me.

Then on Tuesday night, a friend asked to go to the beach on Wednesday. So I headed out to visit my sand enemy yet again. I changed colors again, and this time I took a few pictures. The beach here is not the big, white Florida beaches. Instead they look like this...

The best part is getting in the water and looking up at the surroundings. It's pretty sweet. I normally don't feel like I live in the Italy that America thinks of, just because Naples is Naples. But when I go out to the little surround cities and the Almafi Coast, I remember I live in Italy.

We walked up and around the town after our morning on the beach and this is the view down to the beach...

Marta and I decided maybe we could live there...

I guess my new skin color makes up for my dislike of the SABBIA(sand)!!!!

VBS 2010 Daniel... in English

2010-06-27T12:50:00.000-07:00

This past week we had our version of Vacation Bible School. We used it to teach the kids English and Bibles stories at the same time. We had about 9 Italian kids and it was a great week. A little culture shock for Jenae and Brittany, but good for them. I enjoyed working with the kids. Most of the kids had been a part of Kala and Ellie's English classes so they were excited to use their English and to learn more. We taught them new vocabulary, we told them the stories of Daniel, we taught them songs in English, and of course played games.

On Friday we had a parent night. The moms came so the kids could show what they learned. They read the story of Daniel to their moms, in English, and they sang the English songs all by themselves. It was great to see them so excited about it. Here are some pictures from our crazy, busy, fun week.

The kids getting ready to start a game of Ninja

I did the music for the week. We were teaching the kids the movements that went with the song.

Shannon giving the English lesson for the day.

Working to perfect our English songs.

Micah and Emma, playing with the big parachute.

Jenae's thoughts on preparing the snacks.

Giorgia came to play with Alessia one day.

Our whole group.

Why I Like Volunteer Teams

2010-06-13T11:05:00.000-07:00

I will start by confessing that, yes, of course one reason I like volunteer teams is because they bring fun American things. BUT, there are many other reasons, both fun and serious, for liking volunteer teams. Let me list a few for you...

Reasons List:

They are American
They bring a fire and passion with them that remind me why I was called to Naples in the first place.
I get to see God do HUGE things in their hearts
I get more peanut butter
Sometimes they remind me of people from home. sometimes in a real freakish way.
Occasionally they have weird tattoos, in weird places
I tend to laugh a lot when teams are here
I meet great new people, that I might hang out with when I go back to America
The change to live in a house with 7 children arises
I meet another person that can be just like Emily Moore
I get some great encouragement from some great people
People come to know Jesus
People do nice things for you, even when you don't deserve it
I can speak English

Ok I'll stop now. I'm sure I could go on and on. It can be really tiring having teams here, because we wake up earlier and go to bed later than normal; and we do it for 8 days straight. Props to Il Capo for working real hard and a whole bunch. I really enjoyed working with this last team. We saw three people accept Christ in the neighborhood we were in. God worked through prayer and it reminded me of a lot of things. I'm convinced that this is God's city and that He has called us here for a reason. So we better keep telling people about Jesus.

I just ate a whole ton of peanut butter. Whoops.

Languages, languages, languages

2010-06-01T01:51:00.000-07:00

So as if it isn't hard enough learning a new language; try living in a city where they speak two languages, both of which are foreign to you. All of Italy speaks Italian, but every region also has it's own dialect. In Naples they speak Neapolitan (which is not how you say it in Italian but I can't spell it in Italian, so you get it in English). At language school we learn Italian, so any picking up of the other language comes off of the streets.

Much like in America, the south of Italy is known for better food and a being lazy in the language department. Meaning the Italian spoken in Naples is not always correct, just like my English skills (I'm a true Cajun at heart). But, I think I can tell the difference between English and French. Sunday afternoon, after a long weekend of music rehearsal, this conversation occurred.........

Me : "Ok, Devo andare a casa (i need to go home)"

Emanuele : "Mo?"

Me : "Che cosa? Non ho capito (what?, i didn't understand)"

Emanuele : "Cortney! You don't know that word?"

Me : "Nope, sorry"

Emanuele : "Cortney, you need to know that word. People say it all the time."

Me : "Really? I've never heard it. Is it Italian?"

Emanuele : "Yes it's Italian, so learn it. It's means "now". "

Me : "Hmm, well ok."

Marta : "No it's not Italian, it's Napoletano"

Emanuele : "Really?, Oh, well ok it's not Italian, but Cortney still needs to know it."

Me : "Wow. Maybe you should learn which language is which."

Emanuele : " :) "

And there you have it. I will justify my lack of language learning by blaming it on the fact that Neapolitans don't even know what language they are speaking. Therefore I get confused and can't speak any language.

Staying real busy

2010-05-28T15:06:00.000-07:00

Sleep is overrated. When you sleep too much you miss all the things you could be doing while awake...right? well this week, at least, was that way.

I've been spending all of my mornings with Bruna helping her get ready for her English exam. And I've been spending all of my nights with Emanuele and Marta, playing music and watching movies.

Wednesday I met up with Bruna. After we had our coffee, she opened her bag and realized she had forgotten her books to study English. So instead we sat for two hours and talked about my relationship with God. She asked a ton of questions and we had great conversations. I'm so encouraged to see how God work in our relationship. She keeps asking questions about my life and I am more than willing to answer. I pray that I would be more than willing to question her and begin to challenge her.

Tuesday night I went to see Robin Hood, in Italian. I liked it and I understood most of it. But the movie was real late and that meant I had to think real hard. Still a fun night though.

This weekend I'll be rehearsing with some musicians from all around Italy. It's a group of musicians for the baptist union. I'll be the percussionist for the group and we'll be rehearsing all weekend. I'm just happy to play music, :), which I've been doing a lot of this week.

Tonight I attempted to make Blackberry cobbler. Well, I didn't attempt, I actually made it. Only, the berries turned bitter. They were real yum before I cooked them, but then turned out bitter. I was sad, because I've been looking forward to making it for two weeks. Oh well, next time I'll make peach or apple or some other fruit.

If I had my camera back, maybe I could take pictures of what I do and put them on my blog. But I don't have my camera back.

worthy Worthy adventures

2010-05-24T10:35:00.001-07:00

I haven't blogged in a while. Which is mostly because I haven't been home much in the last week or so. and that is mostly because of the many Worthy adventures I've had in the last week. SO... this blog is about my latest Worthy adventures....

Sunday May 16th ~ Sunday nights is when Pacific plays on TV, therefore every Sunday night I sleep at the Worthy house. This Sunday served two purposes. One to watch Pacific and one because Charlie was leaving early the next morning and an extra hand was needed for Worthy kids.

Monday May 17th ~ After the morning Worthy routine, I went to language school, came back to casa di Worthy for dinner and bath time, then to infamous Italian gospel choir, and back to casa di Worthy for another night of sleep.

Tuesday May 18th ~ Given the late night Charlie and Paul adventure, I attended Worthy morning routine once more. Then took the babies to the mostra at the girl's school with Shannon. We then proceeded to do nothing for a lot of hours. Oops. Hey! sometimes a day off is needed. The rest of the day included many Worthy adventures, including gymnastics, the park, and hot dogs for dinner.

Wednesday May 19th ~ After having a night of sleep in my own bed on Tuesday night, I somehow found my way back to the couch di Worthy again on Wednesday. After much, for reasons unknown, persuasion from Capo Worthy.

Thursday May 20th ~ For some reason I can't remember this day at all. O well, moving along...

Friday May 21st ~ I made dinner at casa di Worthy. Poppyseed Chicken and Stuffed Mushrooms. We had movie night as I awaited the return of Kala and Ellie, that never happened, so yet again I found myself on couch di Worthy.

Saturday May 22nd ~ Early Saturday morning Worthy routine. And then..... Playhouse Disney in the park. A very Worthy Adventure, Naples Style. Very interesting.

Sunday May 23rd ~ After a late night Saturday night, but one in my own bed, our Italian gospel choir had it's debut at church. And then on to more Worthy adventures. Which included a stinky volcano. Then my weekly show of Pacific and this time a night on the top bunk in Micah and Emma's room.

Monday May 24th ~ Early morning, but skipping the Worthy morning routine, due to a sick Micah. I went with Shannon to get Bubba's shots. Now that is an Italian adventure that I don't want to take for myself.

So you see, my week has been busy because I have many Worthy adventures. And since I know Capo Worthy will read this.... bring on Madrid!!!!!

:) thank you and have a nice day

The Week After

2010-05-14T11:43:00.000-07:00

Last week the miles and miles of walking turned into lots and lots of cards passed out. The team helped me to pass out cards with my information on it to students at the University. This week I have been busy meeting with some new students. I've been really encouraged, especially today, by how God works. Sometimes we fear so much what people will think about us that we miss opportunities. God has opened up conversations this week. Today I was able to explain, to two Italian friends, what I do here. One doesn't believe in God and the other was excited to hear about it. I'm excited to have more conversations like these and I just pray that I wouldn't let my fear take over, but instead let God take over.

Poor Camera and Poor Legs

2010-05-05T14:34:00.000-07:00

So my last blog was about my new toy. But now my new toy is broken. Apparently it is a common issue with this camera body, but unfortunately it requires being sent in to the big Nikon place to be worked on. So currently my new toy is on it's way to Torino. I just hope they fix it so I can have it back.

This week a team from Crestwood Baptist in Kentucky is here working with us. They are doing some work on the campus with me. They have been seeking students who are interested in practicing English. I've made some business cards and we have been handing those out to students who are interested in English practice. This is going really well and already, students are contacting me. I'm excited about all of these new contacts, and I'm just praying now that I will know what to do with them all. But my little legs are really feeling all the walking this week. And now I'm tired.

So Emily's really awesome parents brought me a new toy

2010-04-28T01:39:00.000-07:00

Emily's parents came to Naples, and since they are real amazing, they brought me my new camera. They're real awesome. Just like Emily (and now she's laughing cause I know she'll read this). It's a real fun camera too. I'm real happy. With the new camera, I got a new lens. It's real fun too. Dang, everything is just real fun isn't it?

Speaking of Emily, I'm reading a book of hers now...

this is also a demonstration of my new gear

I like this book better than the Twilight series. Plus it's better for me. haha

So basically, this post boils (bawls) down to Emily being awesome. And she comes from awesome parents.

Email hackers are not very nice people

2010-04-26T14:46:00.000-07:00

So,

someone in America has decided to become my hacker. This person has chosen me for some unknown reason, maybe because I'm just really cool (only because Kala says so), but I do not like this person. It has been a few months now that I have been fighting hacker person. I've done everything I can, but today I had to resort to my last option. I deleted my account. Sounds easy enough, except half of my work is done through email. So now I have a ton of things to do. I need a new email and then I have to set everything else straight, since no one knows the new email.

Dear Hacker,

Be nice. Don't hack people anymore. Because then they won't like you. You make life difficult.

Thanks

Is this a dream???

2010-04-22T01:41:00.000-07:00

ok so let me start by saying I have other things to blog about, but my pictures won't transfer to my computer. Thus, I am backing up in the blog department. But, never fear, for I have a great blog for you...

Sunday I went to the church that is near my apartment. It is a traditional style church, as far as music goes. You know, those good 'ole backwoods SB churches. While I was there, a girl, Marta, told me to talk with her boyfriend because he was wanting to start a group, and she knew that I played guitar. So an email and phone call later, Kala, Ellie, and myself show up at church last night to see about this "gospel" group they are wanting to start. I guess there was about 12 people there last night to hear about this new idea. Well, not only did we talk about this idea, we decided to start right away. So hear stands 10 or so people who have never experienced gospel at it's truest. (I'm excluded from that because, well, we all know where I stand on that issue) We proceed to learn Israel Houghton's version of Trading My Sorrows. The rest is so blurry to me because I still can't believe it really happened. Gospel choir in Italy. Seriously?!?!?! I think I have found heaven here in Italy.

What would life be like without Peppe?

2010-04-15T23:59:00.001-07:00

So, the other day I was headed over to Kala and Ellie's place so that we could do some reading. It seems that some of us girls have gotten taken in by the twilight books...but I will leave that for another post. Anyway, on my way into their place Peppe appears. So we stop to talk to him for a second and then he disappears to find a ladder. He gets the ladder and then climbs over the wall. I'll let the pictures tell the next part of the story......

looking...

got what he wants...

now for his return...

being ever so careful with the goods...

and what did he bring.....

EGGS! Ellie with the eggs that Peppe just stole.

Yes, I said stole.

The hen that the eggs were stolen from.

Now, maybe you are wondering why I said the "stolen" eggs. Yep, Peppe stole these eggs. He climbed into the neighbors yard and stole these eggs from the nest. Then after giving them to Kala and Ellie, he tells me that when the neighbor asks what happened to the eggs, he will tell them that the Americans stole them.

and thus, to answer the question, "what would life be like without Peppe?" ...

BORING. He makes life more enjoyable. Most days. :)

Easter in Naples

2010-04-07T04:35:00.000-07:00

Easter is an important holiday in Italy. Much like Christmas, being that this is a Catholic country. Though it is more of an importance to follow traditions than it is to really be aware of why Easter is celebrated. "Pasqua" (the Italian word for Easter) has it's own traditional menu and activities, just like Christmas does. On Sunday everyone eats together with their families, and then on the Monday after, everyone goes on a little picnic together. So yes, the Monday after Easter is also a holiday here. There are traditional breads and pastries made for Easter, but I failed to take a picture of those. sorry. I did not fail in taking pictures of what we did for Easter though.

We did not celebrate like traditional American's do. In fact, I wore all black instead of a new colorful dress. Our team loaded up in the two vans and drove up into the mountains. We found a nice quiet spot where there was no one else, and we celebrated Easter together. We built a big fire, which I enjoyed playing with, and we cooked hamburgers and hotdogs. Not Italian in any way. Of course we had lots of sweets to eat and candy for the Easter egg hunt. It was also MacKenzie's birthday, so we had cake too. Kala and I even wrote a little birthday song for MacKenzie. We played with the kids, ran around, and had a time of worship. It was a great day. I'm sure you have noticed if you read my blog a lot that anytime we go somewhere with grass and open fields, I get real happy. So it was a real nice day! Now let's look at pictures...

Here is our little picnic area. I think Baby Lily really enjoyed laying in the sun. And I just realized that I always refer to her as Baby Lily. Oops

Bubba had fun just running around. He had lots of space to go wherever he wanted and even play with a ball.

As usual, Alessia kept us all entertained. I wonder how she manages to be so funny, all of the time. As you can see, she enjoyed the little bunny cookies Shannon and I made. Well ok, Shannon baked the cookies, and I just put the white icing on them.

What is Easter without an Easter egg hunt?? The girls sure liked it.

And don't forget...... Happy Birthday to the coolest lost watching mom we know! Isn't she cool looking?

And there you have it. Easter in Naples!

Cookies and Drinks with the GBU

2010-03-30T14:10:00.000-07:00

About a month or two ago Paul introduced us to the GBU. GBU is a campus ministry group that I think is all over the world. They have groups on other campuses in Italy, and here in Naples the group is really small. But they are seeking to change the hearts of students on campus. A couple of weeks ago we went to the campus and distributed some bibles with them. I got to spend some time with a couple of the girls involved in the ministry and hear a little about how the became believers. We spent some time with Francesco, the leader of the group, over "cafe", and discussed having the GBU bible study at our apartment. We live right near the campus, and right now there is really no place for the group to meet. So our apartment will be a great, central place near campus to have the bible study at. We're exciting about getting to work with them and see how they do ministry here.

Today we went to the campus in Paul and MacKenzie's neighborhood to do some surveys. We had free cookies and drinks to offer to anyone doing the survey. Not many people came to the table to eat the cookies, so we ate most of them in the end. But a lot of people did do the surveys. And again it was a great chance for us to work alongside GBU and get to know them a little more. Here are some pictures from our morning...

American cookies made by MacKenzie (in the back container)

Italian cookies made by I don't know who

Francesco surveying some University students

Us with the GBU group

Crazy things...that happen to me...and that I do to me.

2010-03-23T07:31:00.000-07:00

So, Naples is Naples. That being said, I have accustomed myself to having this mentality. When unexpected, random things happen I just say oh well, it's Naples. These things happen often. Sometimes they happen to me, as in someone else does a random act that causes me to say this. But occasionally, I do these things myself. I shall explain with two examples.

Example 1:

I often speak of my old, falling apart body even though I am only 24. Usually, no one believes me and they think I'm silly. WELL, yesterday morning I went to the gym. It was pretty quiet, not many ladies in there since it was around 9:30. I'm minding my own business, watching Italian TV on the elliptical(how do you spell this) machine. Next thing I know, my trainer is laying on the floor next to the machine. Then he calls the owner over and he does the same thing. Then they both look up at me with this weird look on their face. They were on the floor because they heard a weird noise. They thought it was the machine. Nope, it was my knee. Then they laughed because my knees sound so bad. I'm too young to have knee problems they told me. My responses.... 1) see I told you my body was old.... 2) oh well, it's Naples.

Example 2:

I have a burning desire to be studying music right now. But I am here doing what I'm doing. Which, honestly I wouldn't trade, but it wouldn't be so bad if I could do both at the same time. Though I won't, I just like to think that. Anyway, I have been passing by the music conservatory here in Naples, reading flyers posted on the wall and hoping to run into music students that I can make friends with. Last week, I spoke with a man who worked there. I just wanted to know some information and maybe see if I could try to meet some students. He told me to come back next week and speak with the director. I did that yesterday, which ended up in the gate keeper telling me to come back today to speak with the percussion professor. So, today I went to speak with the percussion professor. I basically walked into "Berkley" or "Juilliard", with barely any experience and barely able to speak the language. I spoke with the professor for a little while and then when I left I said..... Oh well, it's Naples. I'm not really sure how they let me in, haha. Maybe because I'm a poor innocent american.

The moral of these stories is... Oh well, it's Naples!

How to Make Italian Dinner....According to Kala

2010-03-20T11:48:00.001-07:00

So what was for dinner last night....

Pasta Zucchini

Normally I don't cook dinner every night because I don't like to eat leftovers, and if there aren't enough people to cook a whole meal for, then I don't want to cook. But I love to cook when there are people to eat the food. So since we live in Italy, we've decided to try cooking lots of Italian/Naples dishes. So last night I made Pasta Zucchini. I would love to tell you the steps of cooking this dish, BUT it is much more fun to explain it Kala's way.

STEP 1 : Decide on a vegetable and buy it

STEP 2 : Cook the mess out of it

STEP 3 : Add pasta... and you're done!

the table spread

was Kala happy???

Ellie's thoughts...

There are lots of pasta dishes that I love here and could eat everyday. And most of them follow Kala's recipe. Cook the vegetable into mush and then add pasta. The results are very very yummy.

Other people's blogs make me laugh

2010-03-18T14:21:00.000-07:00

So I just read Kala and Ellie's blogs, both of which somewhat include me in the latest post. I just thought I would blog about how I laughed out loud as I read their blogs tonight. I enjoy laughter, a little too much at times, but it makes my day go better. I sometimes laugh at things that are not funny to anyone else or just not funny at all. But I'm convinced that laughter is good for the soul, so I shall continue to laugh. Especially at Kala and Ellie!

I was planning on blogging about one of two things tonight. 1 - the lunch experience I had on Tuesday or 2 - my coffee likings. Well Kala and Ellie covered both of those this week. So therefore I will add on to both of those.

First : Read Ellie's blog, and you'll know we ate lunch Tuesday at this hole in the wall place. Quite possibly the best pasta fagioli on the planet, but, still a hole in the wall. Ellie's blog will tell of the whole experience ( see my side bar of other blog sites ), but I will side track to the man who ate alone. You see, as I was stuffed on a plate of antipasta and a bowl of pasta fagioli, two courses did not suffice for the man who ate alone. His lunch..... Antipasta plate, huge plate of pasta pomodori, huge plate of frutti di mare, huge plate of salad, then top it off with three oranges. All washed down with a Pepsi. HOW? I never have a desire to eat that much food. Not even if I didn't eat for a week. That my friends, is the Italian way to eat. So don't question my weight gainings since I've been in this country!

Second : Read Kala's blog, and you shall read about my favorite coffee bar also. I enjoy a good expresso, especially since they are cheap, but my preferred choice of coffee would be the cappuccino. Specifically from the coffee bar next to language school.

In this bar exists the best cappuccino in Napoli. I love it. It looks like this...

The problem is that I live 1 minute from this bar. It is a problem because if I drink these everyday I will 1- be poor and 2 - have even more weight gainings than I already have. Somehow I have been able to resist and I do not frequent this bar every day. In fact, I don't even go every week. I go on occasion and for special events. But I went today! I had a good and eventful morning, so I rewarded myself with my favorite.

But that was also after I drank three cups of coffee at my house earlier this morning. :) Kala only thought she had a problem....

I went from rice everyday, to pasta everyday

2010-03-13T14:33:00.001-08:00

If you know me, then you know I grew up in south Louisiana. If you really know me, then you know I ate rice almost everyday growing up, as do most people from Cajun Country. If you really really know me, as in lived with me as a child know me, then you know I also enjoy making rice patties with my rice and gravy. But anyway, I grew up in a culture and house that had rice for almost every meal. I like rice, a lot. But now it seems that I have moved from one habit eating culture to another. I came from rice eating country to pasta eating country. I really like me some pasta. BUT on occasion I feel the need to make some rice patties on my plate. (yes I am aware that 1) you may not know what my rice patties are and 2) it is unacceptable to play with your food, but I enjoy it)

So in the event that I miss rice and gravy, I COOK SOME HERE!

So I cooked chicken and corn and green beans...

and of course rice. AND I made good rice without a rice pot!

My belly was sure happy after my meal but my fingers were not...

It made be hard to see, so let me explain. In short, I picked up a piece on my stove top that had been in the gas fire for an hour. A little burn never hurt anyone... except I had to lead worship the next morning. Guitars and finger tip burns don't mix very well. But I survived and I endured the pain. Good thing like I like pain. :)

My weekend....

2010-03-08T14:03:00.000-08:00

I did too much to write, but I will attempt.

Friday we had our monthly team meeting, which was the start of a busy weekend. After the meeting I took the thirty minute metro trip back home to wait for the painter to come. He didn't come though. SO, I took the thirty minute metro trip back to Kala and Ellie's apartment. That night we attempted to make pasta genovese. This was our first attempt at cooking an Italian meal from scratch. In the end..... the meat was dry but we liked the pasta. Sorry I don't have pictures....

We ended the night with a little Pride and Prejudice.

Saturday we got up and at the last minute I was convinced into going to Caserta with them. There is a huge palace out there, so we took a little drive with Jason and Emily. It was a nice day, but cold. But again we saw grass and loved it.

Saturday night, Paul, Grace, and I went with some people from the church to an event that a campus ministry was having. It was an encouraging night. Great to hear national believers sharing their testimonies and seeing the heart and passion to reach the lost in this city. This Thursday we will meet this group on campus to hand out some bibles. I'm really looking forward to that, except I'm pretty sure it is supposed to rain all day. Great!

Sunday I woke up early and took a quick trip to Rome. Spent some time in a park, with grass, again! Grass two days in a row!

I came back to Naples in time for a girls night out. Today, March 8th, is "Women's Day" in Italy. So some of the girls on the team went out to a pub to eat burgers and then got gelato after. It was a fun night.

And that leads me to today.......

I brought Kala and Ellie to language school today for their first day, met with some students at the University, went to language school for myself, then Worthy night.

Now, do you see why I'm tired.

Goodnight!!!

Paestum

2010-03-01T01:34:00.000-08:00

Well, yesterday we took a little adventure. On Saturday Shannon and the HandsOn girls had a tea party for the mom's of Micah's classmates. After the tea party a friend of Charlie and Shannon's came over to the house for lunch. She brought lots of goodies from the base, which we all indulged in. But during lunch we made plans (myself and the HandsOn girls) to go to Paestum with this new friend, Lynn. Paestum is a little city that has some ancient Greek ruins that are beautiful and well preserved. Lynn is a 60 year old lady who travels and does counseling work on military bases. Let's say that Naples has been an interesting experience for her, and she wanted/needed a little company to get out to these ruins. So yesterday we accompanied her. Now, there are many details I can tell of this day and adventure, but I will choose to say few words. It was interesting. We made it alive. In the end, we may get American goodies. You can make up the rest of the story if you'd like. But here is the important part....

This is what we saw...

Pretty isn't it???

But even more important...

THERE WAS GRASS!!!!

We had such a great day just being outside and enjoying nature itself. It was such a pretty day. Blue skies and green grass are two of my favorite things. Living in the city doesn't provide many opportunities to enjoy those two things. I had almost forgotten how much I've missed grass. There were mountains in the background too. We just walked the ruins and enjoyed being outside on such a great day. and to top it off... WE DIDN'T HAVE TO WEAR JACKETS! Amazing. Great start to the week

When family comes to Naples...

2010-02-23T13:58:00.000-08:00

Well, here is the first a couple blogs to come. All of which pertain to my sister's recent visit to Naples and our vacation to Rome thereafter. Let me begin with few words and few pictures.

To start:

When family comes to town... don't let them come without a few gifts and treasures from America.

Even Aaron was excited about everything he had to carry through a couple of airports...

Let us not forget:

Mardi Gras did not go uncelebrated by me this year. My sister is good. And so is Louisiana KING CAKE! Give her a round of applause ladies and gentlemen.

more to come...

High Life in Rome

2010-02-19T05:39:00.000-08:00

Sunday my sister and Aaron arrived in Naples. So it has been a busy week running around the city with them. Now we have made our way up to Rome for a few days of vacationing... There are tons of pictures to post, but this fancy hotel doesn't have free wifi, so the pictures will wait.

We got to Rome, and took a Mercedes Bens taxi to our hotel, The Westin of Rome. It's fun to bum off of my sister's nice life! I'm just glad to see her and get to spend some time with her.

More to come when I return home...

WHO DAT!!!!!!!

2010-02-09T10:53:00.000-08:00

Well I have a million things that I have not written about in the last week or so. But the main point is....WHO DAT!!!! Superbowl Champs! Paul and Mackenzie threw a little Who Dat party Sunday night. Paul boiled some shrimp and we ate good. Played some Risk, and then watched the Saints beat Peyton in the Superbowl. The game didn't start until about 12:30 here, so we were up until about 4:30 because we had to watch Drew when his MVP! It was a great night. If I was in America I probably would wear only Saints attire for the next month. But I'm not. I'm in Italy and I think people would look at me weird instead of cheering me on.

I also was reminded, once again, of my inability to speak English. Apparently I can't say the word "boil". Or "ask", which I already knew. I can't say the word "remember" either. It's not my fault I was born in WHO DAT NATION!!!!!! :)

THE SAINTS

2010-01-25T10:03:00.000-08:00

Well really I could just write about the SAINTS!!! Miami bound!!!! I definitely stayed up until 5 am to watch the game. I called my sister on skype and she put the computer in front of the tv so I could watch it. I think it is still sinking in that we actually won and that we are actually going to the super bowl. I really would have loved to watch that game with my dad. But more so, in two weeks I bet it will be amusing to watch him watching the super bowl. Bottom line.... SAINTS ARE GOING TO THE SUPER BOWL!!!!!! I really love Louisiana.

But I love Italy too!

Today I saw a guy with green spikey hair. Which is not best described in words, and I didn't take a picture, therefore you really can't picture it how I saw it. But just trust me, it was funny.

I cooked fajitas for dinner, and ate a whole thing of greek yogurt with my fajita. Greek yogurt is Italy's take on sour cream, I guess. It tastes the same, so I guess it doesn't matter where it's from or what they call it. All I know is that I ate yummy food tonight. I cooked a little too much though. O well!

Music makes me happy

2010-01-23T05:02:00.001-08:00

So I'm discovering how fast my days go by. I feel like I never get done what I plan to get done. Only about 40 % of what I plan actually gets done. It's because I plan on American time, but I live in Italy.

Yesterday I went out to see some friends I made about a week ago. I went to where they normally stand, but they weren't there. Meanwhile I get stopped by some guy who asks me to donate money to a hospital. So I give him my money, and then he stops a guy with a guitar. I hear the guy say that he has class and doesn't have time to stop. There is a music conservatory a couple of blocks from my apartment, so I wondered if he was heading that way. Mind you, I really want to get in to this conservatory. So what do I do?? I definitely follow the guy to see if he goes to the conservatory, and he does! Except I didn't talk to him, because then that would be creepy since I followed him. But I see a sign posted for some guitar thing happening in the Galleria today. It made me happy, so I planned to go.

Well of course I didn't wake up on time to be there for 10 this morning. That is when the poster said it started. I got there at 10:40. Did I miss anything? Nope, because it hadn't started. It finally started at around 11. I ventured off because I heard some other music playing and I heard drums. It was ghetto though. Truly ghetto. Like, not St. Martinville ghetto, more like Breaux Bridge ghetto. I wanted to go play with them, but I restrained myself.

Anyway, the guitar thing started and it ended up being this get together of 20 men or so, with guitars and mandolins. They did all these Napoletano songs, that everyone around knew, which turned in to a whole bunch of people singing. It was fun, but I couldn't understand anything because no one speaks Italian.

Then I remembered I had other things planned and I was already an hour behind what I thought I would be. So I left, and so you see, that life in Italy is never on time. BUT music makes me happy!

Living downtown...

2010-01-13T13:07:00.000-08:00

Well last week I moved in to the new apartment and took the week to get settled, and maybe be lazy (just a little). But this week is a fresh start in the new neighborhood. I've been getting out a little to just walk around, find everything, and get acquainted. I've put some pictures up; these are all from the the two piazzas next to the apartment. Sometimes it's nice to live in Italy. haha Sunday afternoon was beautiful, so I ran out for a little and got a few pictures. Maybe one day I'll get around the rest of the city to take some pictures.

This week I'm busy working on a promo video for the team. This would be one of the many reasons why I love my job! I love getting to do things that I love, and in the process meeting new people. Yesterday I went around the city shooting some video footage. Along the way I met about 5 new people, that I was able to stop for 10 minutes or so and talk with them. It was a good chance to practice some Italian.

So, I'll be busy shooting video and editing video the rest of this week. Pray that my computer holds up. It is on it's last leg. Poor little blackie.

Anyway enjoy the pictures, and disregard my lack of photography skills...

Weird things that happen...

2010-01-08T09:49:00.000-08:00

So we just moved to our new apartment this week, you know this already. But, we have no grocery store close by. At least not one that has a huge range of stuff inside. There are lots of fruit stands, or vegetable stands, or stores with just food, etc etc. But I needed fabric softener and have been looking for a store that had that kind of stuff. A side note..... I've also been looking for some red jewelry....back to story. So I went out just now looking for fabric softener and I walked by a shop that had a red necklace I wanted. I was looking in the window, and the man called me inside. So I buy the necklace, that he let me choose the price and then changed it. Anyway, he was muslim and started asking me why I was here. He talked to me for 30 minutes about my work and life and religion and everything else that had anything to do with that. Then he walked me to a store to buy fabric softener. The best part..... his name was Ali Ababwa. Yep. Ali Ababwa. Yes I laughed when he told me. Whoops. But I got fabric softener and a new necklace. Now for that I will treat myself to Gay Odin gelato! Sweet Jesus!

2010-01-07T03:40:00.000-08:00

This is an old, Christmas post, I tried to post it during Christmas but I had internet issues.

So we spent Christmas Eve with Peppe and his family. We had a huge feast of fish. It was a ton, and all kinds. Octopus, shrimp, eel, squid, bacala, oysters, etc. I got to help cook some of it, as you can see. We had a great time with them and really got to see the tradition of a Napoletano Christmas.

We started eating at around 8, and were still not finished at 11:30 when we left to go to midnight mass with Peppe's sister, Anna. We missed dessert, but here is a picture of Assunta's struffoli. I'm not sure how to spell that. Anyway, it's a traditional Christmas dessert. I like it homemade better than store bought. It's kinda of like crunchy fried dough, then tossed in honey, sprinkles, and candy fruit.

My favorite picture is the eel. All down the streets, the week of Christmas, the fish stands have little boats set up outside full of live eel. When you go to buy it the chop it up right in front of you, then you take it home and fry it. Now, don't you all wish you were here to eat that????

New year's was crazy insane. I guess because the buildings are so close together and tall, fireworks seem much louder here. They blow some stuff up, with stronger things than we have in the States. But they also shoot pistols off of the balconies. Needless to say, it was really loud and slightly dangerous to walk around at midnight. But it was fun to experience. Next year will be even crazier, because now I live downtown.

Speaking of.... we moved into our new apartment Monday. I love it! It's great, and I love this part of the city. I will post a blog and pictures of it soon.

Rome with the Karrs!!!

2009-12-21T09:14:00.000-08:00

Well last week was our last week of language school, and we also had another volunteer team in town from Anderson, SC. We had a great time with them. Since last week was a little busy and this week is Christmas, we decided to take a little trip up to Rome to visit our friends. So I'm in Rome for a couple days hanging out with the Karrs! I just wanted to write a short update. I will blog more when I get back home!

LOTTIE MOON

2009-12-10T04:26:00.000-08:00

It's Little Lottie time!!!

It's Lottie Moon season in the states and that means a lot for us here in Napoli. Considering that Lottie Moon supports every thing that we do, have, eat, etc..... I like Lottie Moon time. But more than just the offering, I just like Lottie Moon. There is a reason that the offering is named after her. I love what she fought for. I love that she fought for people to support what God has called us all to do. I am thankful to be a part of the SBC and I am thankful that my work is fully supported. I'm thankful for all the people who faithfully give year after year. I pray that our work here and all over the world would continue to be supported by all the great people back at our churches!

I'll be posting a video soon of what Lottie Moon does for us here in Napoli.

Thanksgiving in Napoli

2009-12-01T04:52:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving was our first holiday in Napoli, away from home. And it was great. We had a volunteer team here last week. They were from Sulphur, Louisiana. It was good to have a little bit of home here in Napoli! On America's Thanksgiving day, we had a big dinner at Peppe and Assunta's house with the volunteer team. It was good time with good food and way too many people in that house.

Our team celebrated Thanksgiving on Sunday. We had way too much food, but it was so so good. Apparently no one outside of Acadiana eats rice dressing for Thanksgiving. Which I think is silly because that is the best part of Thanksgiving dinner. Anyway, that's what I wanted, so that is what I had to cook. Except that became difficult when I realized there was no Richard's rice dressing mix here or a rice pot to cook my rice in. But being the amazing cook I am, I managed, and I made some real good rice dressing from scratch. All of the food was good, and again I ate so much I felt sick. That seems to be something I do a lot here. I need to join a gym, soon.

Yesterday I wasn't feeling good. But I got a lot of rest and today I'm doing better. Good thing.

The Saints are 11-0 and that means the world is all good! WHO DAT!!! the saints are going to the super bowl. Of course. when i'm not in america!

here are some pictures of our already eaten thanksgiving meal.

Life with Peppe

2009-11-25T13:06:00.001-08:00

Ok so here in Napoli we do things differently than in America. Except it takes me a while to figure that out and to learn how to live like they do. Peppe doesn't like that. Peppe has expressed to me more than once that in Napoli we hang the clothes outside to dry, not inside. But I keep hanging them inside because I don't want them out all night. Well I tried hiding the clothes from him last night. But he is not stupid and he barged in our room because he knew I hid the clothes in there. And he found them. and it was really funny. I tried explaining, but remember he doesn't speak English and my Italian is limited, so it didn't work. We laughed really hard though. And then decided that we would finally surrender. So from now on I'm leaving my clothes outside!

Sloppy's Video

2009-11-25T12:44:00.000-08:00

Sloppy Joe

2009-11-24T05:03:00.000-08:00

So I have some bad news.... Sloppy Joe is in bad shape and quite possibly will no longer be with us soon. Sloppy is our team van. We like her because she gets us places. But not only us...she gets volunteer teams from America who come here places too. But sadly, on Sunday Sloppy began having some health problems. Here are some pictures for you mourn with us. There is also video footage. We hope and are praying that Sloppy will get through this rough time. :)

2009-11-24T01:58:00.000-08:00

here's the picture that didn't post....

Legal stuff and lines......

2009-11-20T09:26:00.000-08:00

So today Grace and I had to go to the Questura di Napoli, to request permission to stay here in Napoli. Sort of like getting a green card. It's an experience to go down there. The doors open at 8:30 but the line forms much earlier. We got down there at 6 in the morning. There was already a line starting. But here in Napoli lines work a little different. It's not really a line, just a secret line. Whoever gets there first starts a list, and as you show up you sign the list. That's if you know the list exists. Luckily, thanks to everyone else on the team doing this before us, we knew the list existed. Well, Jason brought us and he knew the list existed. So we got our names on the list, number 13 and 14. Then we just waited until the doors open and the "line" is a huge crowd pushed up against the doors. The guards chose to take the list and follow it so we got the numbers 13 and 14 and we got inside. We waited a couple more hours but eventually everything went great and we got all of our stuff done. THANK YOU JESUS. this process was not easy for everyone so we are grateful for such an easy process.

and here's a picture for you!

Team Retreatment and Italian Cooking!

2009-11-19T09:13:00.000-08:00

well the mountains in Italy sure are nice! We had a great time at our team retreat in the mountains this past weekend. We stayed at a Bed and Breakfast. The house was great and had hot water. So I was happy! Every meal we had was made there and from scratch. It was so good, except I almost died from eating too much. That part was almost miserable. It was good to be together with the team though. I took a ton of pictures.

Language school is going good. I'm picking up some of the language; I just need to practice more. I'm getting some good practice in though. Yesterday I went to buy a sim card for my cell phone and today I went to the Apple store to buy a new charger for my computer. Mine blew up. Good stuff....NOT. But at least I managed to do those two things on my own and in Italian and got what I needed. I'm pleased with that.

Yesterday was a good day for cooking. Maria and Ana (Peppe's sisters) showed us how to make pizza at home. Or at least Maria did the cooking and Ana just talked about it. Those pizzas are amazing. I love them and need to cook them at my house everyday. We did that for lunch. I ate way too many!!!! but then last night we went to Peppe's so Antonio could give a lesson on cooking gnocchi. And again I ate entirely too much. It tastes so good but it makes me miserable. I have issues with eating this much food. Today I took the stairs everywhere. :)

I love living in Napoli. I get excited walking around the University "area". I'm ready to start meeting people and building relationships.

We have a team from a church in Louisiana coming here tomorrow to work with us for a week. We'll be busy with that next week, but I'm excited.

Come back next week for more!!!!

so I don't have internet....but I'm in Italy!

2009-11-11T09:13:00.000-08:00

ok so maybe it has been forever since I have blogged. sorry. I guess that last three weeks have been a little busy.....

well let's see, I made it to Italy! It was a long trip here, we had a delay in Munich and spent the day in the Munich airport. But we made it Naples and started off with some pizza of course. We got all moved in to our temporary apartment. It's temporary, but we love it and it's home. We share a family "courtyard" with an amazing family. They cook us food all the time and it's amazing. Last night I ate the best pizza I have ever tasted and it came from them. One night soon they are gonna teach us how to make it. What else.... they don't speak English, but they do speak a lot of fast Italian and occasionally some Napoletana. When we hang our clothes out to dry, they fix them because we do it the wrong way. :) We must be family! I'm so grateful for them and everything that they do for us. But like I said, this place won't be the whole two years.

When I got here almost our whole team came down with swine flu. Luckily I already had my dealings with swine flu in Brazil and didn't go through it again here. But it really knocked our team out. So the first week here was a little slow because of the sicknesses... but now things are moving along. I started language school last Thursday. I like language school, but I need more time to study. Or maybe I just need to study more.

The team is great! and they're gonna read this so I'll say it again... the team is great! haha. They let us bum their internet all the time. But obviously I am not always productive on the internet since this is the first blog I have written in Naples. :) Anyway there are a few pictures.... the courtyard and the city. It's big by the way. I love Naples. I don't like walking in the rain, and I have gotten over my issues with my shower yet. I'm praying about it. It's a little cold, sometimes. ok that's enough for now.

Pray for language learning, I need it.

Pray for our team retreat this weekend.

Pray for Peppe and Assunta, that we can continue to have good time with them.

bye for now!!!

Birthdays and Leaving

2009-10-12T11:53:00.000-07:00

well well, we got our visas! Yay! We should by flying out sometime next week. I can't wait to get to Naples and join the team. So exciting. I don't want to say goodbye though. I might not be good at goodbyes. I'm good at just leaving though.... but I won't. haha.

Emily ( my niece ) had her 5th birthday this past Saturday. She celebrated by having a tea party birthday party. It was a blast and she and her friends thought the same, as the pictures show.

and tomorrow is my birthday!!!! I'm getting old. But embracing it!

They have started to cut the sugarcane in town and I've decided it will be bittersweet to say goodbye to it. I sure hate the stink that comes from the sugar mills and I hate the mess that comes from all the tractors. BUT this stinky, muddy town is home and I'll miss it. I guess I can't complain too much since I am moving to Italy!

PRAY for my time management this week, as I get final time in with friends and family. And I need to be packing and finishing up things at home.

Cortney

The Great City of New Iberia

2009-10-06T07:35:00.000-07:00

well not much has gone on this last week. But I am enjoying my time at home and hanging out with friends and family. I am loving hanging out at church and with youth. As you can see from the pictures they are having a great time also! Saturday was FNL ( friday night live ) on saturday... it was a great time of junk food and karaoke. Gotta love it!

The new music minister started this week at church. We finally have a full staff. I like the new direction. I like that I get to play music too. Thanks Jesus.

Last Thursday the Highland Bears had a football game. They lost terribly but the fans had a good time. I'm just glad that they have a football team and I think the guys are doing great, so keep it up! It has to start somehow.

Last Tuesday Grace and I drove to Houston to apply for visas. They accepted our papers and now we are just waiting. Waiting is not fun. I just want to know what's going on and maybe I am a little impatient. Good thing to be in prayer for.... :)

One good thing about still waiting is that I get to be home to celebrate Emily's birthday this weekend. I'm really excited about that. And I get to celebrate my birthday next week! I'm getting old.

Well there is just a little update about my last week. I keep saying I'll update more but never do. I'll work on that....

~ Cortney

Back in Cajun Country

2009-09-28T10:56:00.000-07:00

well I might be a little behind in updating the blog.....whoops. I'm back in New Iberia for the time being. FPO is over and it is sad. really sad. I much rather be around 300 people all day every day. I'll be home for about a month, and though it seems like a long time I feel like it will fly by. Let's have a little update though....

Well the last few weeks of FPO were great. We celebrated Elbert's birthday! Had a little 10 minute surprise birthday party for him at his house. It was great. We love Elbert. Probably the greatest man around.

We went to DC on our little FPO field trip. Had some Italian style pizza.... I'm so ready to eat it in Naples! Looked around for some Italians, and stumbled upon the White House. Great day! haha

I permanently marked myself the last week of FPO. So if I ever forget the life God has called me to, all I have to do is look at my wrist and remember... O yea tell people about Jesus.

So now I am back in Louisiana, and like I said it's kind of weird to not be around so many people all of the time. It is good to be back with friends and family though. I had a great day at church yesterday. I've really missed my church family and the great people I get to be around there. This weekend was the Sugarcane festival in New Iberia. I participated in none of the festivities but at least I was home for one last Sugarcane Festival weekend. :)

I finally got my new camera. I love new toys. I can't wait to use it in Italy, but for now New Iberia will be a good place to take pictures. My sister's kids are also great for taking pictures, as the pictures show.

Last night was a little farewell dinner for the Belmore's and myself. Highland finally has a music minister, which means finally a full staff! yay! Caroline had a little too much fun with the camera. But a great night there.

Tomorrow I drive over to Houston to apply for my visa. Pray that Grace and I will have the right answers for the people at the consulate and that the visa process is smooth. We need them!

I think I have a pretty busy week, but I will keep this updated... if I don't forget!

Cortney

Rocks and Water

2009-09-12T20:40:00.002-07:00

Today a big group of us went out to the James River. The river is low so most of the rock bed is exposed and you can walk across the river on the big boulders. We just relaxed on the rocks and enjoyed the day doing nothing. I almost had a snake incident but then I got up. I loved just listening to the water all afternoon though!

After this weekend, there is only one weekend left here at FPO then back to the BERRY. Just in time for the Sugarcane Festival. I just want to eat good food again before heading out to Italy. We are still waiting to hear about visas, so I'm not even sure yet when I will be heading to Italy. Be praying for the visa situation. I know that God is in control, I just don't know what things look like in the near future.

Europe and Dave and Buster's

2009-09-09T19:06:00.000-07:00

So this week our Affinity group has been meeting together. It's nice to be just us and be able to talk more specifically about what things will look like for us in Europe. Today we finished doing our worldview presentations which means we really have no work left here. The clock is counting down now......

Tonight our Affinity group went to Dave and Buster's (like a Chuck-E-Cheese for adults) to just relax, play games, and act like children. I played a ton of Guitar Hero which was much needed to relax. Sometimes it is good to just get away and take time to play. But it so easy to forget to do that when the task at hand is so important.

Next week is D.C. Can't wait for that!

where You go I go....

2009-09-05T19:12:00.001-07:00

Week six is done! I'm glad to be finished with this weeks training, but also glad that we had it. Only two and a half weeks left here at FPO, and the time will fly. I am getting anxious to be in Italy, but unfortunately we still don't have our visas and don't know when we will be getting them. We're working on it.

Although I am excited and ready to be in Italy, this day has been hard to think about that. FOOTBALL would be the reason. I really really wanted to be at home, suited up and playing at the game today. But that is not a reality for me. The alternative has been watching college football games all day here at FPO. The only bad thing about that is thinking about not being able to watch football for the next two years! I'm so sad. But I will deal.

Halfway finished

2009-08-23T19:35:00.000-07:00

Well tomorrow starts week 5 here at FPO. Crazy how fast time flies. This past week there has been a group here for debriefing, and I thought a lot about how fast the next two years will happen, and then we will be back here for debriefing before we know it. Crazy!

This past week was good and tough at the same time. Some of our classes were just hard things to hear and hard to face that reality. But all good things for us to hear and know. We did get a lot of down time this week because we had shot clinics on Tuesday and Friday. I had to get three shots on Friday. It felt great! :) I got candy in the process so that is all I was worried about. We have shot clinics again this week and I'm already looking forward to getting more candy.

I've been really encouraged this week as God has been at work in my heart. I'm learning more and more about God's love and how different my view of love is from His. I'm sure glad that He is bigger than me and can change my heart.

Continue praying for the visa process, and for our time in classes. I'll try to update more often... Until then.......BYE

cort

....

2009-08-14T13:41:00.001-07:00

the fact that I spelled "flys" wrong proves how tired I am.

Time Flys

2009-08-14T13:26:00.000-07:00

Well either FPO has been really busy or I have been really lazy, because I haven't updated in a while. . . . WOW its already the end of week 3 here. Even though at times our days seem to drag on forever, the weeks go by fast. Part of me can't wait for Italy, but I know the great training I'm getting here is needed. I have been really busy these last two weeks with music. I didn't think I would be playing as much as I am here. But I love it and am not complaining. There is a lot of talent here and I'm loving it all.

Just a few highlights of our great time here at the compound...

Monday and Tuesday we were fed "special meals" for lunch. Designed to help us learn to be grateful and eat whatever is placed before us in new countries.... Monday was Middle Eastern: meatballs with flat bread, and only allowed hands to eat with, specifically the right hand. Try pulling bread apart with one hand. It's fun I promise. Tuesday was Eastern European: Beet soup with rye bread and sour cream. Ever had pink soup?? But in the end, neither was terrible. Or maybe I just don't care what I eat.

On Sunday nights we have Cultural worship as a whole group. I've been able to be a part of music for those and its great. Experiencing new cultures and how they worship.

We meet as small house churches for regular worship though; on Sunday mornings. I was nervous that it would be hard for me to adjust to house church. But of course God is great and I have enjoyed and learned much from house church time.

Just some things to be praying for....

Visas: our team in Italy is still trying to work out the best way for us to apply for Visas, because the country is not being generous in handing them out. So pray for God's hand to be over the whole situation.

FPO: Our time here at FPO is fun, but hard at the same time. We are fed so much information that it gets overwhelming quick. Pray for our capacity to take in all the stuff they are throwing at us, and that we would have good time management. Also, that we would get rest.

If I ever get around to taking pictures, I'm sure they will end up here eventually...

Cortney

FPO!!!

2009-07-30T18:10:00.000-07:00

Well I made it here to VA. I've settled into my "apartment" for the next two months. I'm sharing a "house" with three families and I also have a roommate. I have class all day everyday except weekends, and we're fed three meals a day for free! Life is great! :) Except that this whole experience is intense and overwhelming. haha so maybe the food is a treat for putting us through everything else.

I am enjoying the community here and am excited about what lies ahead. God has already begun to stir deep in my heart and I've only been here two days. So much has been surfaced in my heart already and I know it is only the beginning of what God is doing. I know at times it may be rough but I am welcoming His work in my heart.

Pray for the long and intense days of training and teaching. Tomorrow we have a personal retreat, pray that God would move in my heart and open my eyes to what He is doing.

Let me know what's going on with you and how I can pray for you!

The Beginning

2009-07-27T15:58:00.001-07:00

Well I leave tomorrow for training in Virginia. Just the beginning of my new life I guess. Not really sure what is going on in my head right now, but I'm sure I'll freak out at some point very soon!

Everyone made it back from Brazil safe, but not before we all got sick. No telling what we had but we all came down with some kind of sinus stuff. My whole Rio trip was kinda stinky because of it. I ran a high fever and had all the sinus junk. But I am getting over it now so I can't complain.

These last few days at home have flown by. I had my graduation/going away party Saturday. It was great to see family all together again. And of course it is always interesting. I enjoyed my last Sunday here at church. I'm really going to miss it. My church has been such a huge part of my life in the last three years; it will be hard being away from it. AND I held off the packing until today. :) It wasn't too bad, but I'm sure that I am bringing too much stuff. I hate to have to think about actually packing for Italy. But at the same time I think I am ready to be packing for Italy.

Be praying for travel tomorrow. Not just for me, but for all of us traveling to FPO! Can't wait to see everyone!!!!

Back in Belo

2009-07-14T18:12:00.000-07:00

well we made it to Belo on Saturday. It was way too much traveling for me, but i'm thankful that we all made it here safe. Sunday morning we had a great time of worship, much needed to start off a long week of hard work here in the city. It's great to be back here in Belo, I remember now how much I love this place.

Yesterday and today we did basketball clinics in a male prison. Some of our team members were nervous about working in the prison but it has been great and we have seen God do amazing things. We did four different sessions with almost 20 men giving their lives to Christ in each session. We have watched grown men weep and cry because of their brokenness before God and it is amazing. The Lord has really done huge things through our team. Today I shared my testimony with the men. I would not have thought that my testimony would be effective with men in prison, but then I was quickly reminded that it's not about my story, but about how Jesus changed my life. And those men needed Jesus to changed their lives. I'm so humbled by what God has done in the last two days. And I pray that He continues to do the same in the days to come.

Pray for strength and energy for our team, and all of the teams, as we work hard each day. It is very tiring to play basketball and soccer all day, everyday. Pray that God gives us the strength we need. Pray that we surrender ourselves to what God wants to do!!!!

the time is now

2009-07-06T08:00:00.000-07:00

Well we leave for Brazil this week. I have a ton of stuff to do and haven't started any of it. I need to get all of my packing done today because I'll be gone wednesday and thursday. I'm just a slight procrastinator. I would much rather update this post than do things around the house that need to be done.

I'm excited for Brazil and the work we will be doing there, but Brazil makes me excited about Italy. I'm just excited to see what God is going to do. I like watching the big things happen that force me to step back and be humbled. This trip will definitely be one that I step back and let God work, because so much is out of my control.

Speaking of being humbled by God.... Yesterday we had the Lord's supper at church, and I was thinking about how faithful and loving God is to us when we choose to do whatever we want. It doesn't seem to matter which unwise choice I make on a daily basis, His love and faithfulness always exceeds my expectations. And it is always extremely more than I will ever deserve. I will never fully understand it, but I'm sure thankful for it. God unexpectedly provided for me yesterday, and I couldn't help but be overwhelmed by it, because I'm a punk but He still loves me!

I have little time left to prepare for FPO and a lot to do! I haven't started my visa process for Italy yet, mainly because I need my passport for Brazil, but I am hoping to get that started as soon as I return. And I'm praying to not run into a lot of trouble with it...

So a busy week ahead. I need to learn to not be lazy. I dislike laziness very much, yet I seem to fall into it often. I'm praying this week for Brazil and our time there. Praying that God would prepare our hearts now for what is to come there. Praying for flexibility and patience, but most importantly a Christ-like attitude. Things will not go our way and some things will be hard, but I'm praying that through it all my eyes would be fixed on Jesus!

Movies!

2009-06-26T22:05:00.000-07:00

It's a good thing I love watching movies because I sure have had my share this week! and my opinions......

Transformers 2 ~ I loved it. Reviews were bad, but I really liked it. I wouldn't recommend catching the late feature because you'll be there till the next day. BUT... I thought it was good. Everything blows up in it, which always keeps me entertained!

Grand Torino ~ Don't watch it. I wondered the whole time what the point of the movie was. I know Clint is a classic but he's really quite annoying in this. He has one face and one tone of voice the entire movie. Now... if you feel the need for a million F-bombs.... then watch it. It sure had a good share of those.

Taken ~ Let's forget the fact that I'm moving to Europe in about 3 months, and then I'll say this one is a winner. I consider it Liam's chance at being 007. I lost count of the death toll, but just trust me it was a lot. Why would a mother agree to sending her 17 year old daughter to Europe by herself anyway? Stupid! Good thing Daddy was there to kick some booty!

Harvey.... ~ I don't know the name of this one. Don't watch it, the girl has ugly hair.

I should watch more movies...

Two weeks left until Brazil! I'm excited to see friends and to be back in Brazil. I heart that country. Looking forward to good cookies, tons of mentos, and some good ole' Forro! Hopefully I get to see lots of people I miss a whole lot!

Two weeks left until Brazil also means two weeks left of work at Ruby's. I think I just might be more excited about that! I have my good days and bad days...but I'm pretty sure I went to college so that I didn't have to have a job like this. Not that I will be using my degree for my next job, but at least it won't be a slave in a restaurant.

Though I dread going to work most days, I enjoy the relationships I've been able to build. A girl I brought to church a few weeks ago told some other workers today I was going to Italy to tell people that Jesus loved them and they needed to love Jesus. I was stunned to hear her say it. I'm praying hard for her, I know her heart is hurting and she is really searching. I'm praying that God would soften her heart and continue using me in her life.

I also shared with two other girls from work how God changed my life and heart and was able to share with them about the joy that Christ has brought to my life. I always feel like I don't have the words to really express it. How can you really put into words what God does in hearts??? It's tough to do, but if works great if He puts it into words for you. I'm praying for all three of the girls I was able to share with today. I'm actually anxious about going back to work just to have a chance to talk with them again.

One thing is for sure... God has really been placing a burden for the lost on my heart. That makes me excited for Italy. I know that wherever I am in life and whatever I am doing, my responsibility and desire should be telling people about Jesus. But getting to have that as job...what a blessing. I'm excited to see the things God will do!

the week behind and the week ahead....

2009-06-14T23:15:00.001-07:00

Got to hang out with Christy and kids this last week. Did a lot of shopping, and eating sushi and ice cream. Doesn't get much better than the latter part....the shopping I could have done without. Had some great conversations too, about how the Lord changes us. He makes us new, and He makes us who we are becoming everyday. Funny how this theme seems to come up so much lately. But I'm thankful that God doesn't let me be complacent with being mediocre. We should always be seeking more of Him and seeking to be more like Him. The pursuit of holiness.... love it!

Vbs starts tomorrow and yet I'm still awake. I'm excited about being a part of it and hanging out with all the kids. Attempting some live music this year, insert *sigh*, but praying that the Lord moves in the hearts of all the kids. There is a desperate need for some Jesus all over this city and it starts where ever we let it!

Europe with no camera.......INSANE

2009-06-09T22:56:00.000-07:00

I desperately need a camera before Italy. I would be classified as stupid if I went without one. I need money to buy one though.....

First time for everything....

2009-06-09T13:44:00.001-07:00

I wouldn't recommend a first time for everything, but I guess I do have to have a first blog. so here it is. now you can know what I'm doing in life. Which today involves Ruby Tuesday's all day. Not fun. and contacting churches all day. I wouldn't mind giving up these responsibilities though.