It is official...the fall ministry season has come to an end. As we look back we have much to be thankful for especially in regards to "Reset" and the opportunities that has given us to reach and serve our community. The final session of English classes will conclude tonight for 2009. We hosted a Christmas party for the students this past Sunday at our home and had 8 students come, with some bringing members of their family to bring the total to 13 people. It was especially nice for me to meet some of those whom Jonathan has contact with on a weekly basis. They seemed to enjoy themselves and the more informal setting to get to know each other better. We enjoyed lots of holiday treats and had food in abundance! It is customary when invited to someone's house to bring a gift, typically a food item. I did not factor that point in to the planning and had about 8 additional items to place on the table in addition to my already over the top display of goodies. Needless to say I did not bother to make myself a birthday cake this week!
On Wednesday, we gifted each student with a desk calendar with a verse written on it for each month. They were thrilled to receive the gift and we pray that the Scriptures written will penetrate their hearts. The students also are greatly anticipating the next Film Night and continuing on in their English studies after the New Year. Jonathan has been able to develop a deeper relationship with one of his students and we have even invited him over for Christmas since his family relations are not good. We'll see if he ends up joining us for a Christmas meal.
This fall I have also been able to begin a ladies group that meets on a weekly basis. It has been good to fellowship with other ladies who are unable to attend our evening Bible studies. We have used our 2 hours of time to fellowship, have a time of prayer and study the same lesson that was taught the previous week to those who attended the evening Bible study. Our desire is to bring unity and focused direction as a group even if we have to meet in two separate venues to reach the majority of the group. We will resume this ministry after the New Year and hopefully by changing the day we'll be able to add to our group size and then begin plans for our quarterly women's outreach.
The kids' last day of school is today. We are so pleased and proud with all that they have accomplished and learned this fall. Both are doing really well, and we are so thankful for them and for the growth we have seen inside and out. They are ready for their much deserved break (18 December - 7 January). I guess I should not be surprised by the amount of homework Samuel has over break, as they always have holiday homework, even in the summers. He is motivated to finish it, so at least that is not an issue!
We are currently awaiting the arrival of Munga, Gramma and Uncle Ben. They should be landing as I conclude these final lines. We are all super excited to have them here for Christmas. Three Christmases in a row we have been able to share with part of our family and we could not be more blessed as the holidays are always the hardest time of year to be separated from family. Well, I will have some weary travelers coming through the door soon so I best get going.
Thanks again for all of your prayers for our ministry this fall!!
Friday, December 18, 2009
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Holiday Weekend
We have been enjoying our 4-day holiday weekend. It's been nice to have lots of time with the kids, even if it has meant a louder house with less accomplished throughout my days. Samuel was so excited for the weekend that he woke up at 4:50am on Saturday and didn't go back to sleep!! He has adjusted a bit since then and didn't get up to 7:45 this morning, so that was nice but will make it hard to get up early again for school tomorrow.
On Sunday, Emma spent the afternoon at Catherine's house. It was her birthday present to get to hang out with her and she had lots of fun with her decorating her tree and getting treated to McDonald's for lunch. Emma was so cute because she had her little backpack all packed and ready to go three days prior.
The rest of us took the opportunity to enjoy the Christmas street fair in Caselle on the way home from church. Lots and lots of stands from food to textiles to handcrafted items. It was a tad chilly but fun to just walk around for a couple of hours. We are thinking that maybe next year "Reset" can have a stand to sell things and get our name out there in the community while raising monies for a charitable/social cause (PLC maybe?) as we saw other groups doing. Always needing to think and plan ahead, so we'll tuck that thought into our list of future projects.
There was some sort of cow exhibition there as well. Not sure if they were selling them or there for competition, but there were a ton of them. The boys enjoyed getting up close to them and listening to their enormous bells clanging around their necks. Some of the bells were so big there is no way the cow could have bent it's head down to eat.
As soon as Jonathan snapped this picture the cows all started pulling on the makeshift fence at once. Luca was the only one not phased.
Monday we had a craft day with the Farina boys here at our house. We had invited two other families but they were unable to come. Maybe it was a good thing because trying to do crafts with 6 kids, 8 and under was quite enough for two moms to handle. Not to mention working with 5 boys. My kids and I made sugar cookies in the morning and then the kids decorated them in the afternoon. Sprinkles and frosting everywhere but that is part of the whole fun of cookie decorating.
From there we went on to stamp some cards. It was a semi-success. I had prepared 50 cards with a simple design for them to stamp and assemble, but in the end they preferred the blank white cards to make their own creations. It has been a super long time since I have stamped so it was fun to bring out that stuff again and to see the kids really having fun with it too.
Diego and Luca did some dot art--definitely more appropriate for their ages. Luca was doing a great job, taking his time in painting his picture and being very precise. Great job buddy!
After those two projects the kids were burnt out and so we didn't even attempt the more messy stuff like decoupage that Barbara had brought to do. Our afternoon soon turned in to evening so we concluded with snacks for the kids and a cup of coffee for the tired moms--that was our snack at 6:30, with dinner following about an hour later.
On Sunday, Emma spent the afternoon at Catherine's house. It was her birthday present to get to hang out with her and she had lots of fun with her decorating her tree and getting treated to McDonald's for lunch. Emma was so cute because she had her little backpack all packed and ready to go three days prior.
The rest of us took the opportunity to enjoy the Christmas street fair in Caselle on the way home from church. Lots and lots of stands from food to textiles to handcrafted items. It was a tad chilly but fun to just walk around for a couple of hours. We are thinking that maybe next year "Reset" can have a stand to sell things and get our name out there in the community while raising monies for a charitable/social cause (PLC maybe?) as we saw other groups doing. Always needing to think and plan ahead, so we'll tuck that thought into our list of future projects.
There was some sort of cow exhibition there as well. Not sure if they were selling them or there for competition, but there were a ton of them. The boys enjoyed getting up close to them and listening to their enormous bells clanging around their necks. Some of the bells were so big there is no way the cow could have bent it's head down to eat.
As soon as Jonathan snapped this picture the cows all started pulling on the makeshift fence at once. Luca was the only one not phased.
From there we went on to stamp some cards. It was a semi-success. I had prepared 50 cards with a simple design for them to stamp and assemble, but in the end they preferred the blank white cards to make their own creations. It has been a super long time since I have stamped so it was fun to bring out that stuff again and to see the kids really having fun with it too.
Diego and Luca did some dot art--definitely more appropriate for their ages. Luca was doing a great job, taking his time in painting his picture and being very precise. Great job buddy!
After those two projects the kids were burnt out and so we didn't even attempt the more messy stuff like decoupage that Barbara had brought to do. Our afternoon soon turned in to evening so we concluded with snacks for the kids and a cup of coffee for the tired moms--that was our snack at 6:30, with dinner following about an hour later.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving and the 4th of July are the only American holidays that we continue to celebrate and recognize even on foreign soil without exception. Even if some of the traditional items are impossible to find, like cranberries, canned pumpkin and pecans, we have made our adjustments for the occasion. For some that means bringing the canned goods from the States and hanging on to them for this annual celebration. For me that means cooking down a pumpkin earlier in the season to make my pumpkin puree for pies and breads. We were super excited this year to see orange yams for the first time at a couple of select stores, as usually we have to use what the Italians call "American potatoes" which are white sweet potatoes. All in all, we did well this year and truly succeeded in stuffing ourselves with some amazing food!
Our colleagues came over to our house for an afternoon feast on Thanksgiving day. It was a good time of fellowship. We are so thankful for our team and the faithfulness they continue to exhibit even in a difficult field of ministry and the love for the Italians that we share together. It is a privilege for us to be turning the soil with these precious servants of God.
Here are a few snapshots of our day:
Jim carving the turkey, before then cleaning the bones off of the whole carcass. A first for us to witness!
Field Council = 3 families, 2 singles
The kids
The food
We kept Emma home from school that day which she was most thankful for. She helped me set the tables, hang up decorations and then dress up like an Indian. She saw a picture of an Indian girl with braids and headdress and wanted the same. However, after closer examination she noticed that the girl's hair was straight and not curly. So guess, what she wanted? Here are some face shots of her with straight hair. She went to bed with straight hair and woke up with a mop of curls in the morning.
Luca came down with a fever on Tuesday night and was still fevered on Thanksgiving day. He ate his feast of yeast rolls and jell-o.
I think we need to start our braces fund now for our kids ;0)
Our colleagues came over to our house for an afternoon feast on Thanksgiving day. It was a good time of fellowship. We are so thankful for our team and the faithfulness they continue to exhibit even in a difficult field of ministry and the love for the Italians that we share together. It is a privilege for us to be turning the soil with these precious servants of God.
Here are a few snapshots of our day:
Jim carving the turkey, before then cleaning the bones off of the whole carcass. A first for us to witness!
Field Council = 3 families, 2 singles
The kids
The food
We kept Emma home from school that day which she was most thankful for. She helped me set the tables, hang up decorations and then dress up like an Indian. She saw a picture of an Indian girl with braids and headdress and wanted the same. However, after closer examination she noticed that the girl's hair was straight and not curly. So guess, what she wanted? Here are some face shots of her with straight hair. She went to bed with straight hair and woke up with a mop of curls in the morning.
Luca came down with a fever on Tuesday night and was still fevered on Thanksgiving day. He ate his feast of yeast rolls and jell-o.
I think we need to start our braces fund now for our kids ;0)
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