As of Late.

Picking wildflowers along the river on a warm Sunday afternoon.

Opening the coffee shop twice a week, walking through the rain and muck.

Seeing Jesus move in so many ways I don't even know how to contain my joy.

Having my phone take a little swim in apple cider.

Studying like a beast.

Becoming closer and closer to the awesome people sweet Jesus puts in my life, and rejoicing in that blessing.

Running for the cover of a truck as rain pours down over our just-built bonfire.

Euchre tournaments.

Things.

Moviesmoviesmoviesmovies.

Running.

Eating too much ice cream. Wait, there's never enough ice cream.

Dancing.

Swimming.

Cliff jumping.

Ping pong.

Adele.

Back scratches.

Scoring goals...what??

Smiling like no other.

Lots and lots of Jesus.

back in action.

Back in Wilmore, Kentucky. Back in classes, anxiously looking at the clock for the time to depart to arrive. Back in the daily grind of soccer practice. Back in the caf, with all of its glorious options and tasty treats. Back to my roommate, Kate Wenger, and her precious optimism and sincere care for me. Back to Southland and The Vineyard. Back to sipping coffee at Hiccup and waking early to go to work. Back to studying on weekends, and going crazy all the time. Back to cliff-jumping, rope-swinging, and hiking.

Pretty much, back in action.

I am writing this from Common Grounds in Lexington, KY, probably one of my favorite coffee shops eva. It is an old house on UK's campus that has been turned into this artsy old coffee shop, and all the bedrooms just have big comfy chairs, couches, and old beaten up tables in them. On Friday and Saturday nights they have live music. This is a favorite place of mine to come to on Sunday afternoons to get some work/no work done.

I mean come on, who doesn't love a Henna piano in a coffee shop?

Didn't happen while I was here, this was some crazy fun Friday/Saturday night.

Seat by an open window on a beautiful Sunday with Oatmeal Squares, some Jon Thurlow, and my Bible? Um, yes please.

I am so excited to be back here, I feel like I am in MY place, MY comfort zone, just...ME. However, I am anything but comfortable, because I feel like everything is completely different. I am hanging out with different people, living in a different room, participating in different activities, and in different classes. The more different things are, the more I realize things are never supposed to stay the same. If things never grew, never developed, then God's seed would not be growing in me, and I would be stagnant.

I want to be anything and everything but complacent.

This year is a year of the NEW and the NOW. I want to live out the Gospel like I never have before. I want to be humbled like I have never experienced. I want to learn so much more not only about the world, but about myself. I want my stubborn heart to be transformed into something new and breath-taking and unrecognizable. I want to be an instrument of peace in a world of darkness. I want to learn names of people. I want to break down walls and barriers in my own heart and in the hearts of others.

I want to be a warrior.

I mean, isn't that what we're called to be anyway? Here we are, placed on this earth to fight the battle of good and evil. But want to know something wonderful? The battle has already been won, my Beloved has already won, your Father has already staked His claim over you and your soul, and we get to rest in that.

Now, resting does not mean complacency. No, it means so much more than that. Resting means security in the knowledge that our identity does not live on this earth, and it will not fade like the flowers of the field or die like the birds of the sky. Our identity lives in the blood that was spilled for us by Christ Jesus! How much more blessed could we be?

I don't want to waste this time I have been given on this Earth to glorify my King. I will mess up daily, constantly never living up to the grace I am given, but that is not important. What is important is that I AM LIVING. I don't want to live for me, and what a better time to start than now?

This year is going to be crazy, busy, full of heartache, laughter, anger, frustration, school work, adventures, good food, bad food, the Holy Spirit, prayer, devotion, and sacrifice. And I can not wait.

The beginning of this year has already presented itself with its own special kind of troubles, and I have felt the full wrath of the devil on my heart. But he has no claim on me, and he can not break the hold of my God.

"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted, He rescues those whose spirits are crushed. The righteous person may face many troubles, but the Lord comes to the rescue each time. For the Lord protects the bones of the righteous; not one of them is broken!"

Psalm 34:18-20

Vacation from a Vacation.

Turns out, going nonstop for about a week really gets to you. The once present "pep" in the "step" starts to fade due to lack of sleep and rest. Seriously, it feels like Kate and I were going, going, going, and then going some more. All I know is that I was about to faint due to exhaustion.

Soooo Jesus has graciously allowed us to sleep in the past two days, make food when we want to make food, watch a movie when we want to watch a movie, take a much needed nap when we have the urge, and eat some more. It has been wonderful. There were no trains, planes, or buses to catch. Nope, just sweet, sweet sitting, sleepin', and eatin'.

This down time allowed for some sweet time spent in the Word, and Jesus met me through the book of James. Have you ever just sat down and read the book of James in it's entirity, not simply picking and choosing through its awesome verses? If not, you should. It is really powerful. One of the verses that hit me in the stomach like a powerful punch was

Do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, "He yearns jealously over the Spirit that He has made to dwell in us"? But He gives more grace. Therefore it says, "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble". Submit yourselves to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

James 4:7,8

Wow. Just take time to soak in the power of those words. He is jealous for us. Jealous. For. Us. The Creator, the Author, the Master, who has no faults or shadows or doubts, yearns to be with us. How much of a waste is anything and everything that is not done through Him and in His name.

I mean, He's jealous! Once we realize this truth, and we open ourselves to Him, He will meet us. Jesus is the definition of steadfast, faithful, and perfection, and He will stoop down to us, just because He can't help but love us. How much sweeter is submission when it is done in the name of true love?

Here are some meals from the past couple of days.

Pretty much just fruits and veggies. We're not mad.

More veggies and pasta. This was one of the best meals we have had since we have been here. The only bad part was that we decided to eat outside, and it was stracaldo (veryyyy hot).

See that doghouse in the background? When Kate is mean, she has to sleep there. She ends up sleeping there a lot.

Silly Italian, open your eyes when you take pictures!

Chocolate ball from the pasteccierra. Yum yum yum.

Fruit cake from the pasteccierra. Once again, yum yum yum.

Listen, if you are used to drinking lots of water, then you come to Europe, get prepared to drink even more water. Oh my gosh, I am dehydrated like all the time. It is crazy how much water I guzzle here. It never seems like its enough either, no matter how much I force down.

We love eating. So much. Especially Anna.

Anna's mom is pretty much a beast at cooking. All of her food feels like it should cost about $20 a plate at a nice Italian restaurant. It's awesome.

Veggies, veggies, veggies!

We have left the house a total of three times in the past two days. Once, we went to the supermarket, where we got all the makings for a happy, happy tummy. While at the supermarket we saw a couple of characters, and some very interesting selections of food.

On the way to the store.

Check that out. It was even better after the picture, because we apparently forgot to turn the flash off. The man definitely knew what we were doing. Score.

That whole section is ham. So much ham. Italians love their ham.

Ok, this girl is just precious. We had to take a picture of our Italian mom and this sweet baby girl.

Did you know that in Italy they slaughter and eat horses? Yea, you can have a cheese and horse sandwich. What the mess? Coming from Asbury, smack dab in the middle of the sacred rolling hills of horse country Ketucky, eating a horse is pretty much a sin.

Notice, I said pretty much.

When we went out to the supermarket, which has been the only thing I have seen to resemble Walmart in Europe, we stopped for some gelato (of course), and a movie. We rented "Friends with Money" with Jennifer Anniston, and it was a huge let down. Never watch it, it is a waste of an hour and a half of your life. It's just depressing, and teaches the only way to be happy is to have money.

I am pretty sure the only way to be happy is with Jesus centered in your life, but maybe I am just crazy....

The second time we left the house was to go on a five mile run through the pretty trails in the woods. Don't worry Mom, we way earlier this time. It may have been way hotter, but at least we could actually see the trail this time. Next time we run, I'll take pictures to show yall how pretty Italian the wildflower littered, sheep covered, manure staaaankin' country-side is.

Then, last night, after chowing through a meal of fresh pasta with red sauce, a wonderful salad courtesy of Kate and yours truly, fresh mozzarella, German wheat bread, Anna, Kate, and I went out with one of Anna's friends. He picked us up in his nice Audi, which unfortunately did NOT have a working seat belt for me... This would not have been that much of a problem if he didn't drive like a complete maniac. I may or may not have been scared for my life, on more than one turn.

Let's just say that it didn't help that he was blaring some "Don't Need No Education", using zero air conditioning, and that I had a full stomach. Can you say car-sick central?

Ah, European drivers.

We met up with Andrea's (Andrea is a boy's name here. So yes, I am Mandrea here...) friends and hung out for a little bit, then we headed to a Kebab shop. These are like huge burgers, that are kind of like wraps. They are a Turkish food, and there are Kebab shops everywhere. Well, the owner of this particular shop was VERY open and maybe over friendly, and walker up to us as soon as he heard the word "Americanas". Even though he didn't speak English, he kept talking to Kate through Anna.

I stopped listening to the crazy bald man who said he looked like Vin Deisel (as he flexed his scrawny muscles for us of course), and was immediately bombarded with Andrea's friends. I don't know what it is about Italians thinking that if you shout English at me, thennnn I will understand you so much better. Needless to say, my ears were about to fall off due to the volume of these boy's voices.

After we escaped the Kebab man, who kept talking about the revolutions in Northern Africa, the politics of Spain, and how he saw Brittney Spears at a restaurant in Germany, we headed to a square in the middle of some town. We all sat on benches and talked for about 15 minutes, and then Kate and I expressed how we were strastanca (very tired). Anna got the hint, and we headed home.

And what beautiful masterpiece awaited us at home? What was the climax of our day? What was the "cherry" on top of a rough night?

Homemade. Flippin. Tiramisu.

We went to bed strafelise (very, very happy).

Ciao Bella.

Sarah saying goodbye to Chanel, the most awesome dog in the world.

Yesterday was a sad day. We said ciao to one of our dear friends, Sarah. After being in Europe since May, she feels the desire to go home to her American comfy couch and rest. I guess working on French vineyards for two months kind of takes it out of you?

So we drove to Milan to drop Sarah off at the airport, and it seemed that everyone was leaving Italy. The traffic just to drop her off at the terminal was about a 20 minute wait, and Sarah was stressing about making her flight. However, that did not stop us from getting some departing shots with our love.

 On the way to the airport, we stopped at an Italian pastecierria, or pastry shop. It was funy because Anna dropped us off so she could go get gas, and the three non-Italian speaking Americans were stuck trying to buy sweets in Italian. The lady who was trying to help us thought she could speal English, but she definitely could not. We were soon saved by Anna, and we were quickly on our way with a tray full of sweets.

I wish this was my breakfast everyday.

Strawberry Tart.

After successfully dropping Sarah off at the airport, we made our way back to Seriate. The drive was not that bad, except we almost got hit by crazy Italian drivers about twice. Once we were home, we were informed we were invited to a backyard BBQ down the road.

Did we object to free food? What do you think?

The food looked like a typical American BBQ, but tasted a lot better. There is just something about how natural and strong all of the ingredients in Italy are, they are just so pleasing to the palette. The smoked cheese in the background was by far our favorite item, next to the Ukranian pork specialty made by a sweet Ukranian woman.

Ok, this man in the background was soooo weird. He kept staring us down the whole meal, and saying really odd things in English to us. I guess he though he was cool? I don't know. I do know we were really happy to leave. The people there were staring us down the whole time, and this one guy who kept talking to us about Denver in broken English even took a picture of us...

After our tummies were full. Never a bad thing.

Bellisima.

Anna's mom is in the background. She is pretty much a baller. Even though we can't communicate with words, we seem to understand each other's facial expressions and hand gestures. She is so sweet, and one of the best cooks in Italy. Don't worry Mom, she still has NOTHING on you :).

Andrea, Anna's dad, thought it was really funny that we were taking pictures. He expressed his desire to be in a shot, and gave us a kissy face. This is the end of the kiss, but you can still get the general idea. He really likes to call me Andreas, even though there is no "s" on the end of my name. Anna has tried to tell him this numerous times, but for some reason "Andreas" is permanently stuck in his head.

Well, we left the BBQ shortly after eating because it was so weird. There was a pool, one guy was swimming, they were blaring disco music, some people thought it was hilarious to shout weird things in English at us, one guy kept asking us if we knew the pharmacuetical company called "Abbot" in Denver, Colorado, the weird man in  the first picture kept looping around to our table, and we just felt really out of place. Thankfully, Anna recognized this as a weird social gathering, and we were allowed to walk home by ourselves.

When we arrived at the house, we changed clothes, and laid down for a short nap. This short nap ended up being 4 hours long. Ahhhh, it was wonderful and very much needed.

After the nap, we all wanted to go running. 3 pizzas in 3 days will definitely affect the way one feels about oneself haha. So Anna led the way to this park, and told Kate and I to stay on the path, always taking a right. The path did't loop around, so she said to just turn around after we ran 30 minutes, and come back. Anna was planning on doing the same.

I guess we didn't take into account numerous details prior to this adventure, but we soon realized a couple key things. One: Kate and I decided to run ahead so we could run faster, since we need to get in shape for our preseasons in a month. Two: we started running around 8, and didn't realize how far away from Anna's house we were going. Three: there were no lights on this path, it went straight through Italian countryside, behind smelly farms and in front of rivers. Four: the path was not ver populated, unless you can count the 23 bunny rabbits we saw jolt across in front of us. Five: we never specified with Anna where and when we would meet back up with her. Six: we did not realize just how far a person can run in an hour, especially at the pace we were going.

So, Kate and I ran for thirty minutes one way, and then we turned around on the path to run back. Kate did not realize that the path didn't loop around, and was freaking out about having to run that whole way back. I assured her she could do it, that she was a beast, and that we weren't going very fast at all. She was relieved.

However, we were not relieved to see how dark it was getting, that there were no people on the path, and that it was now lightening. At one point, we had to run  through a pitch black tunnel that was underneath some road. What did the two terrified, tired, and troubled American girls do? We decided, in order to scare off any potential hidden attackers that may be awaiting us in the tunnel, that we would run as fast as we could, while yelling our heads off. We figured the echoes of our voices would disorient the attackers, and we could run to the safety of the fading twilight.

After reaching the initial part of the path, where we originally split off from Anna, we began to freak out. It was raining, it was about 10pm, Anna was nowhere to be seen, and there was a creepy, lone car resting underneath the overpass. We began yelling for Anna, but we could not find her. We didn't know if she had been abducted, been hurt, or just gone home.

We were really scared and just kept praying for Jesus to keep her safe, guide us home, and protect us from anyone driving down that back road who might like some extra company of two teenage girls. Not only did we not speak Italian, not only were we dressed in blatant American clothing, not only was it starting to rain, not only were we exhausted from the 6 3/4 miles we just ran, but we weren't exactly sure how to get home from the path.

However, Jesus proved to be faithful and guided us home, as I remembered little landmarks from the run there. We were only whistled at, honked at, and yelled at a couple of times on the way home, and no one tried to stop and talk to us. When we got to Anna's house, we were greeted by her mother, and did not know how to ask whether or not Anna was there.

Just when we were about to reallyyyyy freak out, Anna walked out of the hallway, and we yelled in relief. She explained how worried she was about us, and we told her how worried we were about her. There had been some miscommunication betwen us, and Anna had apparently just ran home when she was finished on the path.

No one was kidnapped. No one was hurt. Everyone was ok. Thank you Jesus.

That will be the LAST time we run that late. Oh gosh, yes it will be.

We ate a yummy dinner of vegetables and mozzarella cheese, and slept like babies.

Hit and Run.

 Welp, Kate and I were supposed to run this morning. However, it seemed that sleep deprivation, excessive intake of pizza and gelato late the night before, and a warm comfy bed did not allow this to happen. Instead, we slept in until 12.

That's what I'm talking about.

Later in the day, after a lunch of homemade spinach fettuccine, Anna, Sarah, Kate, and I went over to Anna's friend Eleanora's house. This chick lives in a flippin mansion, facing a beautiful mountain, and in front of miles of vineyards. We spent the afternoon chatting with Anna's schoolmates, swimming en la piscina, playing soccer in the backyard, and pretty much just being girls.

Eleanora's casa.

 Americans at an Italian pool.

The view from the pool chairs. Her house looks out on vineyards upon vineyards. What the heck?

Afterwards we changed, got in the car, and drove to a swanky restaurant. Sarah, Kate, and I got pizza....again. That would be three pizzas in the last three days. Am I mad about it? Nope, not at all. Alessia ordered a steak, and it was hugeeee. She freaked out when it came, because she didn't realize how much it would cost. On the menu, she read 4.50 euros, which she thought was cheap. Turns out it was 4.50 euros for every 100 grams.

Her steak cost her 42 euro, which is the equivalent of $65.00. Did she freak out? Did she start stressing? Was she unpleasant afterwards? No. She was wonderful as usual. I love how easy going Europeans are. Even in situations that would seriously annoy Americans, especially me, they are patient and kind. The Lord is really humbling me here, and changing a lot of impatience and bitterness in my heart.

Anna, Sarah, and Kate all got some Tiramisu afterwards, and it looked and tasted divine.

We then proceeded to the popular town of Sardico? (spelling?) It was banging, smartly dressed Italians were walking all along the pier, and sitting and standing outside of chic bars and discos. Anna wanted to show us this town, and wanted us to walk around and enjoy its beauty. All Sarah and I could think about was our bed, and we were in such a sour mood. Looking back, I feel so bad about how much of a sourpuss I was being. Of course, Kate was being the sweetest thing, and continually talking about how pretty everything looked, and how happy she was to be there.

She is awesome, such a blessing.

We couldn't find parking anywhere, and when Eleanora tried to back up to leave a full parking lot, she hit another car. The Italian girls all started freaking out and speaking in super fast Italian. Sarah, Kate, and I saw we would be no help, and waited in Anna's car so we could go home. Eleanora was scared, and was planning on just getting out of there as fast as possible.

Well, the owners of the car she hit showed up out of nowhere, and Eleanora peeled out of the parking lot. She left her friend who was trying to climb in the backseat, and just was "gettin' it". I was so surprised and taken aback, but couldn't help but chuckling. I mean, I just witnessed an Italian hit and run!

The other drivers were really cool about it, and didn't really care. See, once again with the laid back people. How crazy is that?

The issue was resolved, and we made our way home. Kate and I just took turns in the shower. Sarah packed and is ready to go to the airport tomorrow. Now, Kate and I are going to the kitchen to eat some yummy chocolate.

Calories don't count in Europe. Duh.

the Lord will keep you.

I lift my eyes up to the hills.

from where does my help come?

My help comes from the Lord,

who made heaven and Earth.

He will not let your foot be moved,

He who keeps you will not slumber.

Behold, He who keeps Israel

will neither slumber or sleep.

The Lord is your keeper;

the Lord is your shade on your right hand.

The sun shall not strike you by day,

nor the moon by night.

The Lord will keep you from all evil;

he will keep your life.

The lord will keep

your going out and coming in

from this time and forevermore.
Psalm 121

 Yesterday we went to Venice, and even though I have already been there, I fell in love all over again. The colors on the old, sagging buildings, the blue/green shade of the salty water, the cracked and aged ground underneath our feet, the creamy goodness of the gelato melting as we brought it to our eager mouths, and the splendid array of sweet fruit that assaulted our eyes at the market. All of this can not come close to describing how wonderful this place is.

Yes, it was packed with tourists. Yes, the stagnant water does give off a little of a smell. Yes, we got lost more than once. Yes, the nasty train ride to and from left something to be desired.

But what the heck, I am living the dream! Like, is this really my life? In Europe, with three of my best friends, eating wonderful food, talking about Jesus, and just loving on each other. Thank You so much God for keeping my life, because it would be a disaster if I tried. Thank You for being faithful, for helping me, and keeping me in the shade of Your hand.

Here are some snapshots of our strip in Venice. Enjoy!

On the bridge we crossed after leaving the train station.

Outisde the cathedral that we once again could not enter. We were too scantily clad.

She's such a model.

Sarah and Anna were getting so frustrated with Kate and me, because we kept stopping pretty much everywhere to take pictures of pretty much everything. We were like two little kids in a candy shop of beauty stuck with two parents with headaches. Haha, Sarah and Anna were much better after stopping in a bar to go potty.

When Sarah and Anna went in the bar, Kate and I had not idea where they were. So, instead of freaking out and trying to find them, worrying that we were two American girls stranded in an Italian city, we just took more pictures and kept exploring.

We loved the doors. They had so much character.

If you look closely, you can see Kate's Italian lover walking away in the background. He said he didn't want to be photographed. This picture was taken during the time Kate and I were alone and lost. See how worried she looks?

She found us! Anna and Sarah walked out of that yellow topped building, having just peed, and discovered Kate and I aimlessly walking around the square.

She's a babe.

This is where we found some steps to eat our lunch of pre-made peanut butter and jelly (Anna doesn't like it because she thinks the peanut butter is too strong), fresh produce, and of course lots of water. It was such a beautiful place to rest our poor weary feet and watch people row by in gondolas and water taxis.

Roommates, back in action.

 Why aren't American doors this cool?

Sarah enjoying the view, while we enjoyed the view of Sarah.

We will never change.

Success. We found a freeeeee and cleannnnn water fountain while walking along the scorching pier. 

I was pretty excited about it.

Do you think our tired legs and bodies would keep us from an awesome jumping picture? No, we didn't think so either.

I can't get over how blessed I truly am.

After Venice, we took a train home, just like the train there. Turns out, the train home decided to take its sweet time, and we missed our connecting train to Bergamo by 20 minutes. So, we had to wait for the next train, and we ended up gettinh home an hour and a half later than we expected. Of course we were famished after a long day of walking and exploring, an we decided to get pizza....again!

We went to this really awesome pizzeria that not many people know about. We were so tired that Kate and Sarah decided to go in straight up American outfits, rocking it USA style. They had cute big t-shirts and athletic shorts, and we got more stares than I could count.

Despite the stares, we had a wonderful wonderful wonderful evening, well, late evening. We got our massive pizzas around 11pm, and conquered them shortly after. Afterwards, we once again enjoyed yummy yummy gelato, then slept to our hearts' content.

We tried each other's pizzas, and Anna's was our favorite. Leave it to the Italian to know how to pick them.

Massiveeeeee.

This was the four cheese pizza. It was good, but oh my, was it filling! There was so much cheese!

Go ahead, ask us if we were mad about this.