May News
We are beginning ministry work finally! We got to intercede for our first outreach street night with Missione di Luce. We joined Celebration Church in leadership service. We had two weeks of non-stop ministry while hosting out of town guests. I spent a lot of time coming alongside a sweet family fighting the good fight of faith, walking a bittersweet journey of healing & release. The Lord never stops amazing me and we hit the road hard this month.
When the Missione di Luce team goes out on the street to connect with women, they take gifts to offer.
A weekend out at the D’Andrea Farm
We have a family that the Lord has pressed upon our hearts. We love them deeply and the farm is run by a widow and her four daughters. We knew them years ago and bought food from them and helped them set up connections with the American military to establish an independent food co-op business outside the bases. Giuseppe, the father, died a year and a half ago from cancer. We went out to the farm and helped them as best as we could and established a deeper relationship with Stefania, and Cecilia, Daniela, Marianna, and Guilia. We plan to spend some regular time working alongside them in the future too in whatever way the Lord leads.
Marianna & Stefania pressing out the Caciovalla cheese that we made together.
Marianna holds up “our” cheese.
A Calm week in Piana
A whole week home without a car! I loved it. These are just some pictures of living life.
John got a haircut and an interview for a GS position! Please pray. We are still waiting to find out about the job. We are also continuing to apply for other jobs, local and remote.
Sunrise on my balcony
Nathanael is working towards joining the DOD football team. He is running and I am riding my bike next to him. It is a family affair because mom does not want him going alone!
Sitting in my swing after the ride.
Only 2 miles to ride/ run… Ravenna thought she might not make it home.
A storm blowing in!
My office/prayer room. It turns out that everyone thinks it is the best room in the house!
Anniversary Hike
On our Anniversay, May 19, John and I went on a hike on the hills behind our house. It was fabulous!! Check out all the spring flora I took photos of along the route on my other post, The Flora of Italy. Gorgeous.
It was a pretty warm day.
At the top for a picnic lunch.
A Day of Driving the Amalfi
Michelle Menzel so blessed us with picking us up from the airport. As a blessing in return, I drove her and her out of town guest down the Amalfi coast and walked them all over Positano. I love this city and have spent many hours walking it. It was such a great day of gorgeous views, good food and many steps!
Walking between the two beaches of Positano
2 Weeks of Training with Kate and Janine
Kate, my close friend since childhood, and her mother, Janine came out to Italy for ministry training. Kate is in the process of becoming a teammate with Freedom Encounters and I coached her through her first client. I loved the time with them both and grateful for the work that God did through and in us all.
Me, Janine, and Kate
Janine & her ravioli
Flo, a friend from Luxembourg, with steak & rucola
Kate and her “meatballs”
We hosted a Shabbat dinner and had so much fun!
We took the time to bless everyone around the table as the Lord lead. It was a beautiful time of dinner, conversation, and love.
Church @ Celebration
On Tirzah’s birthday, we invited our close friends, including the D’Andrea family, to join us for the Italian service at church and then a birthday celebration afterwards. Tirzah is 7 years old already! My sweet girl was born just 5 minutes away at our previous home in Italy. Who knew we would be back 7 years later?!
Singing at church in Italian
Nonna Maria & the birthday dress for Tirzah
Anniversary Day in Rome
John and I got to roam Rome for a day, praying and seeing some sights we have never seen before. I think I walked 10 miles and my feet hurt quite a lot by the end of the day! It was not restful day but it was nice to just be with John too.
Posing outside an archaeological museum of an ancient Roman dwelling found underneath a church.
The Baths of Caracalla- definitely worth visiting!
Trip to Bagni di Lucca
We picked up our mentors with Freedom Encounters, Ken & Sylvia Thornberg, in Rome and drove them north to their Roman Villa. We spent two days with them and then took a train home. We were so grateful for the time with them and the opportunity to leave our small town for the first time.
Ken & Sylvia with John & I headed 5 hours north to Bagni di Lucca.
We stopped at Pisa on the way up. This is actually one place we have never been. John was thrilled to pose for me.
A lovely dinner with my favorite Sylvia at the Agriturismo.
John and I got to beekeep with the owners of the Airbnb where we stayed!
John feeding the new hives growing.
We took Ken and Sylvia around the walls of Lucca on a four person bike!
We stopped in Florence to pray and see the fake David.
John and I waiting as tour guides for Ken and Sylvia.