When I first created my blog I wanted it to be about my day to day adventures. I wanted to expose and record all the different roles life has me play. Aunt, nanny, sister, bridesmaid, student, child, and adult. But as I sat down to blog my hopeful first of manys I found it impossible to write a whole segment. I couldn't find enough words to make the blog worth reading. So I put it on the shelf to let my thoughts brew. When I finally did write my first entry, it wasn't at all what I had anticipated. I just sat down and wrote what was on my heart.
I've finally realized that I didn't need to think of a theme for my blog at all. I had one all along I just never knew it. The thing that inspires me most, and what I want to share with you is always along the same lines. It is consistently what God has been doing in me. If you wanted to know about how my day was or what I'm doing this week, you can just ask me. But the thing I want to share, the thing I want to put in front of you, is encouragement through reading the revelations of a suffering sojourner. I only have a restless desire to unburden myself with words meant to be shared when God is moving in me. That's my theme, hand picked by the King Himself.
I could go on for pages and pages about living in Italy. The people I've met, the places I've been, or the things I've experienced. But none of it is worth your time, in comparison to what God has taught me through the months of growth here in Firenze. If there is one phrase I have found myself repeating, its that sometimes
"I regret the day I prayed for God to help me see the world through His eyes"
Italy is too beautiful and magical and wonderful for simply words. Which is why taking pictures makes so much more sense than using words. Even pictures don't do justice as you already know. It has been so life changing to live here and learn about the culture and the people and the world. I have had more adventures in the last three months than most people have in a lifetime.
But it hasn't been all majestic beauty and indescribable experiences.
Firenze
Being surrounded by a world of people who are lost and unmistakably slaves to sin has been more than I can bear. I have consistently battled against feelings of inadequacy of being a light in darkness, and a testimony to bring those people to Christ. Every beautiful place I am privileged to visit is tainted by the knowledge that so many people I am surrounded by don't have the hope that I do. My only sustaining joy has been the constant reminders that God is bigger and stronger than me and my failures. How thankful I am to call myself a child of God.
Romans 8
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers,39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
I find encouragement knowing that this walk on the narrow path is not supposed to be easy. We are not called to live a carefree life, ignorant of the reality of the lost world we live in. We have been called to follow in the footsteps of Jesus Christ who suffered the greatest of all.
Paris
Colossians 1
29 For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.
I had the great privilege of seeing the jail in Rome where the Apostle Paul and Peter were both imprisoned. How much faith Paul must have had to be in Jail, but be burdened only to implore his churches to be strong in their faith and continue to spread the gospel. How I long for a testimony like Paul!
My only prayer is that God will use this broken vessel to complete His perfect work. In that I am sufficiently at peace.
Amsterdam
