Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Just a few more days

Yep, we are scheduled to move in just a few days *key work being "scheduled"
It's been quite a trying time to get a truck to move us that is big enough and can actually go to Italy. Most don't have international insurance, don't take credit cards, etc. It's so weird that places still don't take credit in Europe. The truck should be here Tuesday and we will head out in the evening and be in Italy Wed morning. Jim still has to come back here to Hungary for a couple days to wrap things up and I will just stay in Padova and begin the unloading task!
On a good note, the utilities are in place. We thought that was going to be a nightmare trying to set those up but it turns out the Lord was very gracious to us and all we need to do is go to the gas company to get the gas turned on. Hopefully it will be a quick procedure!


Jim had to go last week and sign all the documents for our new flat in Italy. By now, you faithful blog readers should know what I am about to write next!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yes,,,,,,,,,you guessed correctly! I get a text message from Jim...."please pray the car isn't working". Apparently it was a belt or something like that. Whatever it was it cost about 200 euros! Yeah, that was money that was just burning a hole in our pocket and we had wondered how we could get rid of it LOL!
Now, we are looking to replace a bearing. Do I know what a bearing is? Of course not, but this I know...it needs replacing and we can't make the trip without it.


I find it amusing to hear things like "Wow, how lucky you are...you "get" to move to Italy. Yep, that's right folks....we "get" to move to Italy LOL..I suppose it is better than getting to live in the uttermost parts of the world where starvation and depravation are. Location wise, it is awesome! There is a world of beauty in Italy and the country has so much history and beauty in it. However, there is a spiritual battle going on! This is huge. From the moment we said Yes, we will go, there has been one problem after another with our car, with other things, and we know that these things happen in life, but we also know that spiritually speaking, we are being tested big time. God is so faithful though and He has seen us through each battle as it arises. It's almost like I just expect things to happen now. Praise the Lord that all things are in His control and He already knows how things will work out before we do!
It's harder than you know to be away from our children, grandbaby, our parents, friends.
We know the promises of God and trust in each one of them, but some days I just ache! It's a time in my life I thought that we would be living in our own home, enjoying our grandchildren, etc. I am not complaining here-just having one of those days as our girls and son-in-law are all getting together at Grandma's today to celebrate their birthdays! But, as challenging as some days are, I can honestly say I would dwell in a tent and be in God's will than live in a beautiful home outside of His will!
Here's a song I like by Barlow Girl- I really like the words to the song.

Sunday, August 10, 2008

I know I know..........

It's been awhile since I have updated but we have been incredibly busy. Another house hunting trip to Italy and this time we found a flat. It just got to the point where we were so tired of looking and this one Jim really likes and the price was right so we put in the application for it. I think the confirmation came as Jim bit into a sandwich and his newly fixed front tooth broke! Yep....it was the icing on the cake......oh wait a minute, no it wasn't :)

We decided to leave about 4am the next day to head back to Hungary. We made it a bit past the border and the car overheated!! Yes, another exciting moment in our ventures of Italy-Hungary. We ended up having to leave the car for a few days and ended up being the water pump. How fun!!
Fortunately, we have two of the most faithful gals in our church here in Baja and they drove the 3-1/2 hours to pick us up and bring us back to Baja. Praise the Lord for Andi and Magdi. I don't know what it is going to be like without the two of them. They are such amazing servants of the Lord!

We were blessed with the money to go to the missions conf in Austria so we will head out later on. I love this conference. The Lord always blesses the teachings and I get so ministered by them.

It's always a great time to catch up with other missionaries around Europe and see what the Lord is doing in their lives and churches. Please pray for safe travels :)

Here are a couple pictures of our new flat. No kitchen at all-just all blank walls and space! Pray we can find a kitchen to be donated!! We need a stove, sink, cupboards, etc! We have the fridge so that is a good start! Also, please pray we will be able to rent a vehicle to transport our furniture from our house in Hungary to Italy.

We have the top level of the flat. It's basically the same layout we have hear but on one level. There are 2 bedrooms and a smaller office/bedroom, kitchen and living room.

O magnify the Lord with me, let's exalt His Name! Psalm 34:3