The reason for quiet

Blogging has certainly not been on my list of priorities over the past year. Maybe you have noticed or maybe this means of communication is outdated and you haven't even missed it much at all. Personally, I am sad that I did not take the time to record more moments of our life and ministry because actually, a lot has happened. Grace, I must give myself grace. As I look back I am trying to figure out the "why" and I have concluded there are three very big reasons.

INDEPENDENCE

It has only been a little over a year that I have had my Italian driver's license. I knew it would be a game changer, but it turned out to be even bigger than I imagined. Jonathan and I have essentially swapped roles, whereas I am now driving the most and he is walking everywhere. I love that I can hop in the car and do grocery shopping when it is convenient for me and not have to coordinate that around Jonathan's schedule. I love that I can serve and help friends who need a ride. I love being able to participate in and coordinate carpool rides for the kids. Driving has given me a whole new level of freedom and independence, but it has also filled up much more of my time on a daily basis, especially with having to drop off and pick up at the bus stop for my high schooler.

BACK to SCHOOL

Another big time filler and energy exerting responsibility has been helping Luca with school. The jump from elementary to middle school was a huge transition! Going from a simplified method of studying and testing to a no-exceptions, sink or swim environment has been a mentally, emotionally and physically exhausting experience. There is always homework. Every. Single. Day. We try to work ahead if we can, but most often he only has the energy and motivation for what is due the next day. I won't belabour the details here of the reasons for his challenges, but this has been a year of Mamma needing to walk hand in hand with Luca through school. I love Luca to the moon and back so it is my JOY to help him! I have learned SO much being forced into the Italian with him at a sixth-grade level that has only had its benefits in my own confidence and ability in the language. My eyes have been opened in a whole new way to what Samuel and Emma have endured and I am just A-mazed at the level of knowledge and work it takes to move on year after year in the Italian school system. I mean I knew, but now I REALLY know! I have definitely learned how to better pray for all my children. Somedays Luca and I have little patience with each other and ourselves and nerves are raw in the battle against Satan's lies that try to convince that identity, value and worth are determined by grades.

It is a daily practice of giving AND receiving grace, making us entirely dependent on Christ. That goes for the entire family as this has touched and affected each of us over the course of this past school year. School is sanctifying, to say the least. At the end of the day or week, you can hopefully understand why I don't necessarily have the mental energies to blog.

HOSPITALITY

Essentially our house is a revolving door of activity and hospitality. Starting our church services in October has only increased the level of traffic in our home. I feel like I am constantly cleaning and moving furniture in different configurations to accommodate for services, Bible studies, meals, team meetings, overnight guests, parties, drop-in visitors for coffee etc.

One can say that where one or two are gathered in Italy--there is always coffee and food.

Therefore, a lot of my time is spent in the kitchen. No calling out for pizza here! However, some of the best and most relationship building moments we have had over the past year have been in our home over a meal. We gather as a church family every 4-6 weeks for a shared meal after the service. We have Saturday night pizza once a month with our dear friends and their autistic daughter. A rare and special treat for them as a family to be invited to someone's house. Our house gets rearranged according to their daughter's liking and we just smile and welcome the new look, thankful that they feel safe and at home with us. We have hosted big, big meals like Thanksgiving--two feasts in one week. We were asked if our home could be used for a friend's 50th birthday party. Another friend calls for babysitting help. A neighbor comes over weekly for English conversation. And before you know it I am no longer asking where the days have gone, but where the months have gone.

Rest assured I am still here. Life is clipping along at an incredible speed, and I'm just focusing on my family and friends and creating a home where both can find rest, refuge, warmth and Christ's love.

Oh, the food!!!

No, seriously...oh, the food!

I was asked to decorate the birthday cake (Dalida baked it)

Party tags?...You got it!

So thankful for our multi-purpose room

Thanksgiving #2 

Whether fine dining or paper plates, hearts and tummies are always full

Today's decoration, tomorrow's pumpkin pie

Church service Sunday morning or afternoon

Friday night Bible study

Conquering one of my great fears...making pizza for Italians. I finally mastered it!

Grilling with friends on Pasquetta (day after Easter) 

Birthday cakes for every birthday in our church family...because I love you!