Nutella !

"A little madness now and then is treasured by the wisest men!"

 

Notice the accordian player in the middle on the left, under the arch thing

SHOPS 

The ultimate Red (YELLOW) box!!!
Federica's School
Bus stop
 Bergamo in the Rain

Hello again. I am sorry that it has been about three days now since I have posted anything. To tell you the truth (I am sorry to my family for this confession), but it is not because I have been too busy, but rather the opposite.

There have been very few events, so the extent of my daily updates would consist of something like, "Today I... : took a nap, played bowling on the wii, went to a birthday party, picked up Marco from school, went to the pool, got a sunburn...got a tan! Went shopping. Bought a scarf..." and so on and so forth. 

Naturally, in the lull of events, it is not that I have been disatisfied or in any way dissapointed, but more that it has left me with the stark reality that I am here. Yesterday marked one week of being here. Last night I was honest enough to allow myself to ask the question: "Why am I here?" I asked that the first day, but this time it was not out of desperation. My thoughts were more along the lines of: "I am here, and I enjoy being here. It is a very nice place and I am content. But is that all? Am I here just to enjoy living in a nice place for a while? Is that enough for me, to simply enjoy existing? Honestly, no.  It has been such a long JOURNEY to get here, and now that I am here it is also a journey, and I felt the urging need to understand WHY. The simple and lovely answer came as I went outside last night and looked at the Big Dipper, that same constilation that I would gaze at from home, and the moon, that same sphere of light that watches over you all the next night  (day for me, of course). More than anything, they were reminders to me of God's consistency, faithfulness, and Presence with me. Understanding through specific reminders that He KNOWS me- me personally, my past, present, and future- held me in a deep calmness of satisfaction because I knew, THAT is why I am here: because God led me here. So to enjoy the simple details, the rain, the sunlight, the moon and stars, looking out the window (no screens!), walking to the market, riding to the library, laughing with Federica and Chiara, enjoying the fresh air every time I walk outside (magnificent weather here!)... to enjoy, to BE, to learn from God each morning what and who it is that I'm supposed to be, reguardless of where I am-that IS the purpose, and it is a noble one, whether here or home or anywhere else; whether it be  me, or anyone else. 

"So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life-- your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life-- and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for Him.

Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture thaat you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what He wants from you, and quickly respond to it...God brings out the best in you(!)..."-ROMANS 12:1-2 (MESSAGE)

"Love from the center of who you are; don't fake it. Run for dear life from evil; cling to what is good. Be good friends who love deeply... Don't burn out; keep yourselves fuled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master, cheerfully expectant. Don't quit in hard times; pray all the harder. Help needy Christians; be inventive in hospitality... Don't hit back; discover beauty in everyone... Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." - ROMANS 12: 9-11, 17, 21 

It's nice that I've been able to be a philosopher for the last few days ;) because I think tomorrow will be rather busy, and then hopefully (wow, it is already Thursday!) Stefano and I will go on the pilgrimage. Please lift up a prayer about God's will for this, because two days ago Stefano woke up and, for no apparent reason, his knee was extremely pained and it still hurts for him to sit down and stand up, and while walking. He says, very camly, that La Madonna knows what she must do, whether he is supposed to go, or whether he is supposed to heal, etc. I don't quite agree, because I don't really believe in La Madonna the way he does, but I admire his faith and acceptance of circumstances. In many ways he is an excellent example for me as I seek after God and want to live the way He wants me to. I am very blessed in many ways <3>

Here are some pictures for your enjoyment :) 

God bless | I love each one of you 

Pictures of Bergamo