Our personal God

There are those days when I just stand in absolute amazement of how God works. He is so personal and knows everything we need. The past week was a difficult one. The poor economy effects so many and causes so many of us to really trust the Lord to provide for all we need. I kept reminding myself that God provides always and that He promised His children would never have to beg for bread.
Well, I thought I was strong and could handle things that were coming our way but suddenly I just had a really hard time. I had heard about something someone bought and it was so expensive and to me outrageous that one would pay so much on something so temporal. We were getting ready to go to Montebelluna for church on Sunday morning and I just started to cry wondering why God works the way He does. I thought aren't we even good enough to receive the crumbs that are left over? I know it sound so pathetic of me to act like that but I was having a really hard time with this. Saturday night Jim was teaching (we are going through the Psalms) and he was talking about David's heart. He did cry out to the Lord and sometimes thought things were unfair but then he paused because he knew their end and he was grieved. Honestly, I couldn't even think at this point about the person's end. I was so focused on the here and now, paying our bills, etc. and why it all seemed unfair to me! Yes, a pity party!

So, on our way to church I kept trying to focus on the truth and prepare my heart. Craig was teaching on Abraham and Lot. He talked on how Lot chose for himself and had his eye on the temporal. Then, Craig talked about how people are living for the temporal, living for the house, the pool, etc and then mentioned this item and the exact amount that was so bothering me! AHHHHH, Jim and I just looked at each other and smiled. Sounds simple I know, but to me it meant the world. It meant that God saw my tears, He saw my broken heart and my questions and He put it all in perspective for me! He does care and He cares enough to remind us of what is eternal and what is temporal. Don't we serve an amazing God! He is personal-so personal!

It's getting wintery here in Padova. The cold is creeping in and the air is quite brisk! We see snow on the mountain tops already on our way to church. It is far enough away to be pretty and not have to shovel :)
Calvary Padova is doing great! We are getting a few people who are curious to hear what we are all about and what do we think about Jesus and it's great to have them come out. Michele is a guy from the Congo and he is a regular to the church. He has an amazing voice and used to lead a choir. We want him to start one up here in Padova. His son (14) and daughter (16) came the other night and that was a treat because they have musical talent like their Dad. Michele has a heart for evangelizing so we are going to go to the city center and pass out some tracts on Saturdays. Saturdays are always a late night-we get home close to 11pm and then eat our dinner! Dinner in Italy is usually late but this is pretty late!
I pray you are blessed today and just know in your heart how personal the Lord is, how much He truely cares about even the littlest of things!!!

Here are some pictures from the summer when we had a team from Santa Barbara come and we went to Venice.

Where the Italian missionaries shop :)

after all, when in Venice........................

Randon thoughts

Election Day........hmmm.......well, I can't say I am surprised by the outcome. While I am extremely disappointed in who was elected, life continues. It might be because I just finished my study in 1 & 2 Kings, but reading through you see the ups and downs, the good, the bad, and the ugly (ha ha-sorry I couldn't resist).
The story of Jehu is one that really stood out to me. (2 Kings Chapter 10)Here we see Jehu used and commended by the Lord for the good he did yet the last things written about him was that he didn't walk in the ways of the Lord with all his heart. For whatever reasons, they aren't written for us to read, Jehu wasn't willing to give the Lord his whole heart. I certainly wouldn't want that as the commentary on my life. What a challenge to go before the Lord as David did and ask Him to search us and know us, to cleanse us and fill us with more and more of Him! Let's not be half-hearted Christians!

So, I said I would show you some pictures of our kitchen. Ok-well here we go ( I even have a couple bonus shots for you) :)

In the first picture you will see that this is my dish drainer. The drainers is built in to the cupboard and you stack your clean dishes in there and it drains on the sink-I am getting the hang of it now. First few days I was putting stuff in there and it would fall out. One night I put a bowl in there and it actually fell out, hit me on the lip and gave me a sore inside! How's that....I think if there are strange things that are going to happen they will happen to me. I am convinced it has nothing to do with my hair coloring (tho that's another story...starting to show the roots) it is just happenstance...is that a word? I always wanted to use it but didn't know when and now seems like a good time!

Without further ado, here is the drain..

Pretty cool huh-it's not bad getting the water off the sink either-just drips a bit

Now for the cupboards:

Pretty nice wouldn't you say. They are used, but I like them a lot and they hold a lot! I love all my pitchers/urns whatever you call them. You can find them all over here for so cheap!

Here is the bonus feature. Not only will I include the photo but I will include some advice. Little tidbits from an older woman (yes I said older not old!!!) GLOVES! I love wearing gloves! I never thought of it until we moved to Italy. Here, everyone wears them! There is a huge selection in the grocery store. Trust me! It took me a good 15 minutes to figure out which ones to buy. I don't know why I didn't wear them before. They protect your hands from all the chemicals, hot water, etc. Start wearing them to do dishes, mop, etc. They really do protect your hands. I will say that I purchased some cheap yellow ones and they don't hold up as well. Maybe for doing dishes they are fine, but mopping, cleaning windows, all that heavy stuff they didn't last too long. I found these blue ones and they are so comfortable!! Wow-who knew I could write a paragraph about gloves!! Ha ha. ok-here are mine:

(as I think about it, it is kind of strange that I actually took a picture of these)

Ok-well I think I spoiled you enough today with all these wonderful photos.

Be glad in the Lord and rejoice-lift up holy hands to our God, the Maker of all things :)

Guess what?????????

I am actually writing this post on my very own desktop, from my very own home!! What is so interesting about that you might ask....well.....that means we have internet! Yes dear friends and family we have finally rejoined the wired households of the world. Ah, but did you happen to notice I said "wired". Yes, we ordered a wireless modem and they hooked up the wrong one. No problem right...........WRONG!!! Jim phoned the telephone company today and after about a half hour they said.."Ok, we will be out on Nov. 21 with your WIFI modem". What a great birthday present that will be for Jim! Amazing isn't it!
So, other than that, things are taking shape in our home. God totally blessed us with a kitchen. We were searching and searching and went into a few used stores but they were still expensive. We kept trying to go to a certain used store but always missed the hours-remember...things close between 1-4. Finally we made it there and found a kitchen! The price was amazing and though it took some elbow grease to clean it, it looks great in the kitchen! Lots of cupboards which I love! (You can see the pics in future post) We had to buy a stove top but it came with the oven. I was able to get some good oven cleaner and scrub it out and it looks brand new! Pastor Craig came over for the day and installed the cupboards, sink, electricity and gas. What a help he is!
I have been reading 1 and 2 Kings the past months for my devotions and have been learning so much! There is a certain sadness as you read about all the different kings and you watch the decline of a nation because of compromise and pride. It never starts out big...as an account is given for each leader it often says the one did worse than the one before. How sad to see that this happens and what a great warning to us all. Yet, in the midst of the evil, good could be found. What a hope that is! What encouragement for us!
Sandy Dunn was telling me years ago about reading a Proverb a day-since then, I have tried to be diligent to that. Jim and I were talking the other day about it and how you can read God's Word so often and yet still not grasp all there is in it. I was reading Proverbs 24 (on the 24th :) ) and v10-If you faint in the day of adversity, Your strentgh is small. Wow, it about threw me off my seat. I was having one of those days..maybe even weeks...and God really challenged me through those words. I don't want small strength!
If you would, please pray for me-for strength, increased faith and to keep my mind fixed on Him!
Here are some pictures...I have so many I want to upload but it would take too long so I will add a few at a time.
These are from Scharpie and Zita's wedding and the kids are some of the kids at the church in Padova. ( I know I look like a camera hog huh!)

A month later.................

Hi there everyone! We are still alive and sort of kicking. Kicking at the goads perhaps :) Just had to say a quick hello and that we have no internet yet! We have waited a month and the guy finally arrived yesterday and then couldn't find the cables underground.
I have decided we should start an internship over here. It would be one for those who desire to grow the fruit of the Spirit in their lives in a hands on atmosphere! Patience is something we have all prayed for and here in Italy you will have the opportunity to work that out in your life. Gentleness, now that is a good one too-hmmm, sort of like when the worker finally shows up at your door to do some work and you have this joy beaming from within you that Yes, we will accomplish something today, and only to have him put up his hands and tell you he has no clue. Yes folks, gentleness....self conrol...........oh I love that one! I think we will leave any explanation of that fruit out of the blog post for today. LOL!
So, we came to Hungary to get our Visas. They were to have arrived the last time we came to get them-but alas, decided to wait til a couple days after we returned to Italy. Oh what fun :)

Good thing though-the Lord is continuously pouring out His grace. I love being His child. There really is nothing better than knowing we can talk with the Creator of all things! Amazing to ponder! I love His Word, His comfort and yes, even His discipline!

Praying we will get a kitchen soon-sandwiches are getting a bit old-though the cold cuts are good in Italy.

Join us in praying for the church in Baja, Padova and the bible college in Italy. The kids are awesome. We spent time with them at speakers week and got to know them a bit better. I love seeing youngsters on fire for the Lord! Such a desire to follow after the things of the Lord. They are our future!

Ok-must go now-hopefully we will be online soon! Sorry-no pictures they are on the other computer....practice that patience LOL!
Oh the matchless love of Jesus!!!!
Gloria Dio!

And we are off........

Ha ha, so you thought I was already living in Italy, sitting back on my terrazo and eating some sort of rich in calorie, highly delectable, Italian cuisine. Well, guess again!
I can only be reminded over and over again that the Lord says My thoughts are not your thoughts and My ways, not your ways! He has a plan and sometimes it's just a tad different than mine. (ok well a lot of times)
We ran into problems with the truck company that would have been overseeing all the care of our household goods-(I am thinking of writing a book entitled My Life In A Truck) LOL
Well, one thing led to another and we ended up having to find someone else at the midnight hour. (not literally) :)
It turned out to be an amazing blessing because our neighbor found one for us and it was cheaper than the original guy we planned to go with. He will also deliver it in less time than the other guy. That's what we like to hear!
God so blessed us this past week in amazing ways! He does know our breaking points and always proves Himself faithful. The girls and I had just been talking about how we have faith for everyone else's situations, but when it comes to our own, it's difficult to believe. Once more, God has proven above and beyond what we could think or ask! We are humbled by His love! We are thankful for those He uses!
So, dear friends please pray as we leave this am for our journey and hope to make it to Montebelluna in time for new student orientation. If you haven't checked out the CCBC Italy site-go to the right and click on the link. There is quite the handsome photo there too :)

Thank you for your prayers and as soon as we have internet I will try and post some photos.
May the Lord richly bless your day!
CIAO! or should I say "Gelato"!!!

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.

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