Another day in Rome

Hello all. This will be my last blog from Italy. I might keep it up in the states just for fun, but I am glad that I got a chance to come here and live this experience. Thank you all for reading and being part of my time here! Hope to re-connect with all of you soon! Merry Christmas and see you in the New Year.

saying from the wise

Becca gave me the book "And the Shofar Blew" by Francene Rivers. I just started reading it and there is SO much wisdom in the book! Things that I think are actually teaching me for my life ahead of me, and how to view church and work as a body.

Here are some of my favorite quotes so far and then my thoughts on them:

"...watching the swirling koi and thinking how people could swallow bits of truth on Sunday morning and then dine on garbage all thourgh the week. They caould look beautiful, sleek and healthy and be filled with all manner of evail..."

kate -- I think that that is such power and such truth. How many people go to church on Sundays or even more than that to church and just eat their bits of truth on Sunday but go home and watch MTV and the repulsive things that are in our world. How many are out there that think that is okay? I even realize in myself that if I am not in my word and in constant prayer then I begin to confirm during the week. And I fully believe NO ONE can say that they are different. That they are fully satisfied with one or two days with the spiritual family at church and say that that time fills them to TRUE satisfaction. Thats just not how it works.

"your heart is like a rosebud. You'll grow taller, stretching up, and inside you will want something that you can't explain and then you will come to know Jesus and feel the light and wartmth of God shining down on you. And your heart will open little by little until you are open wide."

kate-- How neat of a picture is that! In the book this is what an elder of the church is telling a 4 year old. WHAT DEPTH to say to such a young child! But isn't it said that we should all have faith like a child! We always think a child couldn't understand something that deep, but how do we know that. Maybe they hold all the wisdom that we can't even grasp! No longer will I treat a child that way, for even Timothy said "Do not be looked down on for your youth"! Time to change the view of how the church today sees the youth of this world!

"Good pastors weren't born, they were mentored"

kate -- How true. in this book it talks alot about how young pastors are and how they view their part in the church and the pride they hold in their hearts that they think is praise from God. It is overpowering reading this book and seeing so many familiar things from my past pop up and the godly way to handle these sensitive situations. Praise God for such insight!

I suggest that everyone pick up this book! Even if you only read the first 4 chapters, what insight you will see on how people are truely acting in the church and the sin that is in actually being done!

other than reading great books, I have finished 2 finals and I have one more. I will be finished tomorrow by 530! All the glory to God for the great ability it has been to study here and the great knowledge I have learned here!

Buon Natale tutti!
kate

pazienza

Pazienza translates to Patience in Italian. That is what Pastor Solomon talked about tonight at church. Today was the beginning to an end. Today was the last Sunday that Kezia will be here! And I only havea 2 more Sundays with Becca. Its just ending to quickly! And that leads into the patience that I am learning here and will be learning for a long time.

1. Patience with seperation. That is something that I started with here. I missed my family and friends so dearly when I first got here in Italy. And now I can't bear to leave my family here! And the seperation that I will have with them will be for a long time! But I think that knowing that even if I don't see them again here on earth I will worship the God of the Universe with them in heaven for eternity!

2. Patience with school. I still have a slience in my heart about where my life is taking me. But I have strangly learned to love that silence. I have learned to enjoy every minute that I have no plan. I enjoy the freedom that comes with wandering. Both in concept and reality!

3. Patience with those I live with. My roommates are a strange mix of good and bad. I have learned how to live with people that have worldviews and truely different lifestyles. It has formed me into a person that can have patience with people that I never thought I could have dealt with before living here.

4. Patience with God. This is tender. But its so true. Learning to be patient in Christ is hard yet rewarding. And I am still learning everyday.

5. Patience with myself. Hardest and still learning how to put up with myself.

Patience. It is every where and everyone has to deal with it and learn how to do it better.

Thanksgiving

My Thanksgiving was quite different then it ever has been before. Yesterday I woke up at 630am and studied until 10am when I had my final for Italian. So I am now finished with my Italian class for the semester. That is just so strange to me! Cause it means that my time here is almost finished.

Then I went and sat in a bookstore for an hour and read books and ended up buying Little Women. I have actually never read this book. I have seen the movies but I can not recall reading it. So I bought the book and went to Piazza Signora and read amongst the many tourists. It was really relaxing.

Then I decided to hike up the Hill/mountain side to get to Piazza Michaleangelo. I did not go the way that tourists go. Instead I went on the hill along a side road and then into just a part of woods (italian style woods) and walked up the the piazza. It was Amazing! You can see the ENTIRE city! The mountains, the river, the tuscan countryside. I ended up spending 3 hours up there! My friend Kiyomi came and joined me and we went walking up more of the hill thing and then looked at some churches. I had my first Italian hot dog. It was very good and served like the italians only would. But you will all have to discover this secret for yourselves!

Then we walked down ALL the steps that all the tourist were walking up. And we went to Angela's cafe for what ended up being my thanksgiving dinner, it was an italian casserol. It was very good and nice to just chat in Italian for an hour. Then Kiyomi and I went to my apartment and failed at finding a Ballet to go watch. Then around 11pm here my family called and I got to talk to my mom, dad, brother, sister-in-law, and niece. It was a great end to the day!

That was my Thanksgiving. And even though it wasn't the fun cooking at home with my mom, and setting the table, bickering with my brother, etc. It was new and enjoyable. I never thought it would be okay not being home for a holiday. But now I am learning how to celebrate my own ways in my own time. That is something entirely different to be thankful for. I am thankful for you all who read this. And I am thankful I can share a few of my experiences while I am over here.

I also found out today that my friend Kezia (from Scotland) is leaving in less than a week and that she is going back to Scotland. So I might be making a last trip to go see her in Scotland in 2 weeks! But I will be very sad to see her leave! And then Rebecca (from London) is leaving on the 13th of Dec. and we are already making plans to see eachother again! It is sad to see my time here slipping away and the friendships I have here slowly facing the end. Not the end of contact but the end of time to spend with each other in Itlay. So this made me realize this:

My mom and dad will be here in 20 days, I will be leaving Florence in 22 days, and I will be leaving Italy in 32 days. I will be in Ohio in 33 days and in TN in 37. Now to make each day count a little more. Hope you are doing the same!

Belissima giorno a Firenze

Today has been a great day and so I thought I would share it with all of you :)

Today started with sleeping in until 950 with the joy of no construcion waking me up at 7. Yesterday it sounded like WW3 was starting in the aparment next to ours! So I got up slowly and took a shower and chatted with my roommate Kaite about the plans of the day. It was a nice start to the day. Just with chatting. I like chatting (most of you know that :) )

Then I went and wandered over to my favorite bookstore "the paperback exchange". It is an english bookstore run by women from England. I went in and sat and read a few excerpts from "The Time Traveler's Wife" and then decided to buy it! I have loved it so far! Then I wandered over to meet Kezia, my friend from Scotland who is here on a grant to look at and create art. We went to a market in townt that I had never been to. It was AMAZING! It had everything from fresh fruit and meats to cheap clothes and shoes! So we wandered through out it and chatted. We both found some sweaters, which Kezia tells me I must call a "jumper" while I live in Europe :)

Then we both found purses! I bought a bonna-fide leather bag for 10 euros! And I got the 2 jumpers for 6 euros! And then we went into the inside market and got a table european style... aka sit with strangers at a table becuase there is no room to have a table of your own. It was so much fun though! The man who owns it is about 70 and dances around and sings while he serves everyone with a smile! It is an adorable place, and worth every second and cent spent there! And great food... Mom and Dad you better be ready to have some yummy food cause I am taking you there when you arrive in a month!

Then we went to Kezia's "flat" and had tea and chatted about what else we were going to do today. We parted ways, Kezia to the Museau di San Marco and me to la mia casa. Then I came home and read for about 2 hours. This book was a great decision to get! I suggest it so far... but I am not that far in yet. :)

Then I decided to watch a movie of my roommate Jess' -- 13 going on 30. It was fun to just sit and watch an old movie from my past. then I made some lovley pasta di pomedero e formaggio. YUM. Then I made myself a cup of tea in a new cup I found hidding in our flat. It is cute, green, and has an adorable smiling face on it :) and then I decided to tell you all about my day. So it wasn't very eventful, but a day were yet again I fell in love with this city, its people, and the momenti piccoli. Hope you all enjoyed your saturdays!

kate.

Enjoying the momenti piccoli

Enjoying the small/little moments.

Today walking through the center of Firenze with Kiyomi, my friend who is from Japan and is a ballerina, I just soaked in walking through the piazza del republica and walking into shops. A wave of peace is present when you just spend quality time with fellow Christians! It is SUCH a blessing! This is also the moment when I realized that I only have 6.5 weeks here! That is so sad!

Somewhere along the way I FELL head over heals for Florence and Italy! I think God has planted part of my heart here! I have a feeling I will be back in this coutry very soon after I leave! There will truely be a part of Italy in my heart and part of my heart always in Italy. For all I know this trip was a way of God putting a love for the multitudes of people who are lost in this counrty and in this city! It is so sad! When a church no longer means a place or grouping of people fellowshiping to worship God but a museum that you take pictures in front of, Or where locals meet before heading out for a nightcap.

I spoke this week at Bible study and it was all about how we fellowship, and ever since I spoke its like God is putting my words/his words back into me and what I see needing to be done in the city of Firenze! Its almost disheartening to talk to the locals when you see the lost looks in their eyes and no passion for life.

Kiyomi and I meet once a week to get a dolce and coffee at a little "hole in the wall" bar/cafe, and the lady there only speaks italian, so we sit and chat with her and I have LOVED getting to know her. And you can see her longing for something more than the day to day work of life. And I hope before I go that Kiyomi and I can invite her to church or to sit and chat about Christ and life beyond the surface! Please keep Angila in your prayers!

It seems like these are all more than little moments, but truely they are. They are adding up one by one to make one HUGE memory in my heart. And I don't think I could have asked for more from my time here!

I have grown into a person that if you knew me before I left, I am not much of that girl anymore. I have changed and grown and learned huge things here! I have also learned the little things. I think in the grand scheme of things, those little moments mean so much more than the big ones!

So take the time not to smell the roses, but to soak in the little moments. The momenti piccoli.

così é la vita

How do you measure a year in the life?

Così é la vita is translated> Thats life.

I love that phrase! Thats life sums up so much in life. Especially my life right now. 

Today we watched the movie "Through the front window" -- It is an italian movie that made me think a LOT! It is all about what you value in life and if you are making the decisions in life that make life something you love. 

Innamorarsi con vita > To fall in love with life -- Am I falling in love with my life? Are you falling in love everyday with your life? 

How do you decide what to do with your life? How do you make that decision without the help of the Lord? But what do you do when you hear nothing? I love how no one has answers to these questions, because it is what makes God so much more God in my mind. He holds all the answers that I long for. 

Così é la vita. This is my vita. 

Finite. Scusi per mi diverto. ma così é la vita. Ciao!

3 countries in 7 days

Here I am in Braunschweig sitting in a flat of my friends and realizing that I have time to update everyone on my life. :)

So a girl in my program, Jess, and I decided to travel to Dublin, Ireland; Paris, France; and 2 cities in Germany. But we only made it to one city in Germany because of money. But here is a bit of what has happened so far!

On Thursday we found out that the train workers in Italy were going on strike so we wouldn´t be a ble to get out of Florence to Pisa the next day so we had to leave thrusday night unexpectedly. So we left Florence on a train to Pisa at 910pm. Then we got to Pisa and waited outside in the dark at the train station until 1130 for a bus to the Pisa airport. Then when we got to the airport we set up camp for the night because our plane didn´t leave until 7am the next morning. But at 2am they closed the airport and we were kicked out until 4am. So we sat on the ground outside the airport for two hours while it rained and there were drunk teens from america around us. Then they finally let us in at 4am and we got on the plane and headed to Dublin at 7am. Mind you this that that day we had just finished a week of midterm exams and hadn´t slept in over 24 hours. :)

Dublin: I LOVE IRELAND. It is offically a place I MUST return to and possibly live after I graduate college! We stayed there with my families friends the Brauers. They welcomed us into their home and we had an amazing time! We toured the entire city for one day on a hop on hop off bus. Then we went and found little markets and the temple street bar! That was amazing and I think everyone should see it in their lifetime! We went on a train to the coast and saw Graystones a small fisherman town! We ate at an irish pub and ate fish and chips while watching the rugby game on the tv! It was so much fun! On Sunday we got the chance to worship with the Brauers church and then we flew off to Paris that afternoon.

Paris: I hated Paris and I never plan on going back ever again. Yes it is pretty. Yes it is expensive. And yes it is not worth it. We got to the airport at 7pm but the airport we flew into was an hour and a half out of the city. So we took a bus to get into Paris. So we finally got to Paris at 11pm with all travel and everything. Then we waited for an hour for the metro that never came. So at midnight we finally found a taxi and tried to get to our hostel. The taxi gets lost and tells us to get out. So we paid 12 € to not be taken where we needed to be. So after asking for directions 3x we got to the hostel at 130am. We were walking around paris at 1AM!!! It is something I will NEVER forget! Then we got to our room and a man was in it. He was our roommate, Carlos. That is something that I never expected. But all in all the hostel was a fine place to stay. Then the next day we toured Paris on the hop on hop off bus and it was double the cost of Dublins bus. I was very angry about that. And the city is not at all what it is built up to be. So overall: Paris is the worst city I have been to in a long time.

Germany: We then tried to get our ticket for our train to Frankfurt, Germany which online said it would be 44€ and ended up being 104€ and then from frankfurt to Braunschweig it was another 80€ therefore we did not have enough money to go and visit friends in Heidelburg. Sad. And EXPENSIVE! So then we got on the trains. THE VIEW WAS BREATH TAKING! The country side of France and Germany is worth the cost of the trains! I LOVED IT! Put in your music and daydream as you look into the beautiful countryside. Amazing! Then we got to Braunschweig were my parents and brother lived for at least 2 years and I have visited once before. It is nice to see a city that you have lots of pictures in and remember it the second time around. :) Germany has a culture unique to itself. It is a place I suggest all of you go one day! We saw all of Braunschweig and Wolfsburg and another town I don´t know the name of. Best part is the buildings! So pretty. So much history! And then last night I had an amazing time drinking Mede (a viking liquor) and playing cards with my friends! It was a great night!

Now we are spending our last night here and tomorrow we will take the train to the Frankfurt Hahn airport and we will fly back to Italy (home) and sleep until we wake up and set NO alarms! Then on Sunday I will be going back to church and enjoying fellowship with my Christian friends in Florence! And on Tuesday our Bible study will start! So many things too look forward to!

God has been so faithful! He has watched over us and protected us! So many things could have been worse but they weren´t! God is guiding my steps from America to Italy and now to northern Europe and back! Now to see where he takes me next....

°° kate °°

Comfort

Today at church I was asked to talk about what God has been doing in my life lately and just share an encouraging word. So first Pastor Solomon (from Ethiopia) got up and talked about comfort. Then when I got up I said something like this:

I have thought for the past 5 years that I knew what God wanted me to do with my life, that I should be a nurse in other countries. But God didn't change, my understanding him did. I no longer have a peace about doing that any longer. Now I believe that I am hearing Him better because I am only focused on him. I no longer hear the vocies of friends, family, or other people. I am no longer hearing in the back on my mind "this is a job that you can rely on if things don't work out" and this is when I realized. God is only in the business of working things out. There is no failing with God!! And I read Jer 29:11-14. And then I explained about how knowing that God has my days and plans figured out and all I have to do is obey and follow, made my decision so much more simple. And knowing that nothing God has planned for me will harm me. Only lead me into a bright future and comforting hope!

Then later on after during the service my friend Tuula (Pastor Moritzo's wife) got up and spoke about letting God just work in you. That everything you do is a matter of God's doing. What your work is, where you go, shouldn't be a matter or your preference but of obeying God. And I had an overwhelming sense of peace about changing my major. I am now going to be a Social Work major and with a Intercultural studies minor. And if God has for me to change where I study he will show that in time. But for now I have the comforting hope in God and his plan.

---

This week I have midterm exams and then on Friday morning I am off to Dublin, Paris, and a few towns in Germany! So I would appreciate your prayers over my tests and my safety while traveling! And if any of you have ANY prayer requests or needs PLEASE email me them! ksudduth@gmail.com

God bless you with overwhelming peace and comforting hope!
kate

A great night

Do you ever have events that send you back to your childhood?

Today I had one of those moments and I cherished it!

Story:

I got a tea bag from a friend here in Florence and made some amazing tea which is perfect for an apartment that has no heat! So that made me think about making tea for me and my mom at home in Ohio and drinking warm tea in the living room and reading some amazing books. We always ended up talking more than reading but thats because sometimes I just can't shut up. And then I got the movie "A Little Princess" from a friend here and watched it on my laptop and it sent me back to watching it with Katherine Humbert one of my oldest friends! and it just sent me to watching TONS of movies in Katherines basement from the Olsen twin movies to Anne of Green Gables which we watched this summer before I left for Italy. It is so funny how little things can send you to another time and place. But I am greatful for it!

Thank you for tuning in... Next time on the blog of kates random thoughts..............

JOY. LOVE. FAITH. HOPE.

JOY is my middle name.
JOY is the feeling I get everytime I hear my favorite song come on the radio.
JOY is the knowledge that God is with me.
JOY is faith.
JOY is finding the perfect shoes.
JOY is a camp couselor I worked with.
JOY is an old friend from church.
JOY is the abiblity to call home.
JOY is home.
JOY is contagious.
JOY is in everyone.
LOVE is a warm bed.
LOVE is death on a cross.
LOVE is cookies right out of the oven.
LOVE is John 3:16.
LOVE is real.
LOVE can not be faked.
LOVE is never temptaion.
LOVE is what matters.
LOVE is in everyone.
FAITH is sitting in a chiar.
FAITH is getting up in the morning.
FAITH is taking medicine to keep you breathing.
FAITH is not people.
FAITH is in everyone.
HOPE is seeing a sunrise.
HOPE is crossing your fingers.
HOPE is a second coming of the only true KING.
HOPE is NOT in everyone.

The things that make us human and the things that seperate us different when we have a God that is all powerful. We might all have a secret joy, or a never forgotten love, or even some unrational faith, but not everyone has hope. But those that know Him have faith that will be satisfied when we see Him. Hallelujah.

Thoughts that attack

So I was reading "The confessions of an Economic Hit Man" for my ethics of globalization class. I adore this book. I think everyone should read it! It is so interesting and challenges your normal thoughts of what happen within the government. And while reading it last night it made me think about how the story he is telling has been told hundreds of times before. And most of it is seen in the Bible. 

People long for power and importance. People all try to make their life count. Everyone had a different idea of what makes life "count" but I think that we all try and justify our decisions and our life in general. In this book He is trying to make his life count by destroying the economies of other countries for the benefit of the USA. And this story is seen in the Bible where kings want power and to show up God and do things in his own power. And that sent me into thinking...

If we are Christians we already have a purpose. We have a reason for living: to Glorify God and show Him worthy. And if this is our purpose in life than we don't have to try so hard to justify our lives. We just have to be pawns in God's master plan and let Him show us the importance of our existence. sooo....

That made me think about how I saw my life and others around me in the sense of God's tools for such a greater plan. And yesterday was the 2 year anniversary of a dear friends death. And when I was thinking back to when I heard the news that Becca had died I at the time never thought that God has so many reasons for taking her. I was just angry confused and hurt. I just wanted for God to explain it all. And then yesterday I thought about the multiple purposes that God might have taken her life and what my life had been used for since then. 

It is very interesting and very freeing to look back at your life. Sometimes I saw when I resisted what God had planned and then at other moments I saw how I was open enough to all God had planned and the benefit of letting Him use me! And after thinking about this for about 2 hours I came to the realization that me being in Italy was just another move that God was using me. And I am so excited to look back in 2 years and see what God really used me for here. 

So I challenge you to do the same. Look at your life and see the ways God has used you and the people around you and see all the amazing possibilities that are to come!

-- amazed by the way she was used. kate.

Things falling together always have the same possibility of falling apart

Ciao yet again for the computer lab in Firenze! Thank you for all your prayers I have gotten better and no longer have a nasty cold! But now my roommate does :) The joy of sharing germs with those you live with. 

So this past week I have spent a lot of time alone, reading for class, thinking, reading for fun, thinking, watching movies from the library, and thinking. So I have a lot of new thoughts rolling around in my head. That is a whole other blog worth of information but that is what I have done a lot of this week. 

On Sat. I went with a friend of mine to a Ceramics and house-wear private convention. We got the tickets for free from her host mom who is an architect. It was a lot of fun and we got lots of magazines in Italian that I can understand about 50% of it. But overall that was nice.

The best part of my weekend was going to church. I went to Fellowship again and God showed what I consider to be His sense of humor. In my devotions that very morning I was reading in Psalms and Ez. and it talked about idols and David using the very words that would later be used in Matthew to describe the events surrounding Christ death. And then in the sermon He spoke about the message of the Cross and the significants that come with it and how some people make it and idol in their life. And it was so neat seeing how those things tied together! And then at the end we have testimonies and a girl from another school got up and gave my testimony. She literally said what I have been feeling and going through for the past month here and it was so exciting to see someone who is the same age as me and doing the same profession for the same reason have the same mix of emotions and feelings here. God is good.  I just thought that was neat so I would tell all of you. 

This week is a week of getting ready for midterm exams in about a week and a half! So keep my focus and non procrastinating in your prayers please! 

-- amazed how things fall in place. kate.

Being sick in a foreign country

I get sick about 2x a year. Its almost a gurantee. And sure enough I have gotten sick. I am sitting in my room with a cough, headache, sinus pressure like an elephant is sitting on my head about to make it explode, and tired. And it just makes me realize how thankful I am for when I am in the States and I can get Niquil! I miss that more than anything else today! I have only a decongestant pill and it does help a little but it doesn't knock me out like lovely Niquil does. So enjoy for Niqiul for me and please pray that I get better soon!

--sick. kate.

Day by day

So recently I have thought a lot about what I want to do with my life and where I think God is leading me. I have for the last 4 years thought that I would go to Africa or India and serve and try to help save peoples lives from curable diseases. But since I have been in Italy I have been feeling less and less at peace with that future. 

As of right now I am not changing my major from nursing, but I feel as if there is something else I should be doing. I don't want to leave Union and the people I love there, but God is doing something in me and I have fears of what that might be. 

Don't get me wrong, I fear the Lord in that I know he has the master plan and that I am His to direct but that can be very scary when you surrender your life to Him. 

Since being in Italy and being around so many people that I don't have similar beliefs, my thoughts have been filled with new ideas and thoughts of where God might be leading me. 

I want to serve. I don't want to live a life that only satisfies me. I don't believe that I have been called to live in one area for a long period of time and I also think that God has created me to be good at facing difficulties. It might be painful but I always make it through with His guidance. 

So I don't really know what I am going to do next, but I have a feeling it will not be at all what I was planning. And I think that was God's plan all along. That I would never know. That I would change. That I would do something unexpected. And I am starting to see this semester as a time where God might have taken me away so that He can put His plan in play and not mine. (not that my plan truly is ever in action)but that drastic changes might be "a brewing" 

And here is where my thoughts have escaped me and I don't know what else to write, other than that I put my hope in Christ and His plan, even if that changes everything I had planned. 

-- anxious. kate.

Thank you

I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who has commented! It means alot to hear from you! It is hard being here and being the only Christian I know. I just keep relying on Christ and weeklt talks and emails with you all! So thank you for being my support even hundreds of miles away! It means so much more than you know!

-- thankful. kate.

A rainy day and perspective

So today is a day that I could either write on about being a great day or about me a bad day. Here are the two versions of my day so far...

Good day... I got up before my alarm so I was able to sit and just not think and enjoy the time in the morning when I am the only one up and start the day off with thoughts. I had some yogurt and fruit for breakfast and was ready to head out. It looks like it was going to rain so I grabbed my rain coat and enjoyed my 20 min walk to school. I got to school and had time to get on the computer and email my mom back before class. Then I had italian class where I learned a lot today. Then I got a yummy sandwich and cookie before my lecture at noon. I went to lecture and was able to relate reading from 2 of my other classes to his lecture and answer a question in the class. Then I went out in the rain to the library and saw it didn't open until 2 so I went for an hour and enjoyed a cappuccino until the library opened. Then I ran into a girl from my building and we chatted and I went to the library. I got in and got my library card and picked 2 oldies movies and then finished my reading for tomorrows Modern Italian history class. Then I came back to school to write this blog in the computer lab. That is the good version of my day. 

Here is the depressing version of the day... I woke up 30 min before my alarm. I could have gotten SO much more sleep. I hate that so I laid there until it went off and got ready. I was really  hungry and all I had was old fruit and watery yogurt. Then I put on my velvet flats and went out for class. I get outside and it looks like rain but I didn't think it would rain because it looked the same way yesterday and didn't rain. So I kept on going. Then I get to class and we have to start at the beginning again for 2 new students and it puts the class at an odd number of partners so today I was the professors partner and every time I made a mistake she would explain the mistake to the class and correct me. awesome messing up the language I am trying to speak everyday and then everyone knowing it. Then it did rain and my cute flats got so wet that I might as well have walked barefoot. Then the lunch I got was a gross ham meat instead of the turkey I thought it was but I ate it anyways and then the cookie I got was really dry. Then I went to lecture where a know it all girl chatted with the professor for half of the class. Then I went to go to the library and it wasn't open for another hour so I went and got a cappicino and sat around annoying British couples that were loud and annoying. Then I leave to go to the library and run into a girl from school that I just found out is gay and it was really awkward. Then I go to the library and the guy getting my library card for me kept asking me questions I didn't know the answer to so I kept saying "non lo so" or "I don't know" a very handy phrase. Then I went to get the movies and the guy around the cart was STINKY and kept looking at me as if I was in his way. Then I went to study and this lady kept talking on her phone very loudly. And then I came here to write this blog to show you how my days here in Italy have some highlights and some lowlights. I try to see the day in the former, but it is hard to always try and be positive. 

side note: I went to Aerzzo this weekend where the movie "Life is beautiful" was filmed and I suggest everyone visit it when you come to Italy. It is my favorite city so far in Italy. It beats Roma and Frienze! 

Have a good perspective on your day! Kate

Amazing God

So God works is just AMAZING ways! I don't know sometimes how I manage to doubt His power cause He proves it to me day in and day out!

So today I went to church at Florence Gospel Fellowship! And I loved it SOOOO much! It is VERY small. We sang about 5 songs that are some of my all time favorites like "mighty to save" and "blessed be your name"! And then had a great message that related to my life so well right now!

So the pastor was talking about how we need to rely more of Christ when we are feeling strong than when we are weak. And he put it in context of when we rely on our own strength it hurts more when we fall, and to rely on Christ even when you feel strong and confident in a situation that we still need to ask for God's strength to in a way even more boost our strength because of God's helping us. And when I was getting ready to come to Italy I was relying on my strength saying that I have traveld overseas, I have studied how to not have culture shock, etc. But then I get here and it all collapses underneath me. This past week has been one of the hardest of my life. I didn't talk to my parents at all since I had been here other than to say I got here. So I hadn't heard their voices, I haven't been able to have Christian support, etc. And then today, God brings me to an english speaking with people from all different world. (some include holland, finland, uk, and more!) And that is when I was reminded so clearly of what and why I want to do what I feel led to do, to live in worship with God's people from all over the world! It was so refreshing! AHH! I can't explain the extra boost I got from it today!

Then afterward they had us stay and have cookies and soda and chat! It was great! I will def. be going there for now on and trying to build relationships that will last more than a lifetime!

Philipians 4:6 - Do not be anxious about anyhting, but in everythingby prayer and petition, with thanksgiving present your request to God.

He answers pray. He saves the lost. He is my Savior and my Friend!

--Kate

Rome top 10

top 10 events/ places/ people -- cause I don't have enough time for anything else.

10 --St. Peters - a bit overwhelming
9 - nutella- it is everywhere! I love it!
8 - food in general is just good!
7 - our room - pretty awesome compared to some of the other students rooms
6 - guy on the street that whiped out his member and almost peed on us -- just funny and gross
5- Spanish ISA lady - been EVERYWHERE and has the coolest stories
4- Pantheon - coolest ceiling
3- THE CHEESE -- chesse in the USA doesn't deserve the name cheese
2- Colosseo - but was rushed through it
1- Piazza Navona - prettiest plance in the WORLD.

sorry I couldn't do more.

The airport

So I am sitting in the Phily airport. bored. .. yeah that about sums it up. I have talked to a few people online but otherwise this is an empty 3 hours for me. At least the airport has free wifi! But so my first flight was a TINY plane and a not so tiny person next to me ;) haha but it wasn't bad. this plane might be another story. my goal is to sleep, we will see if that gets accopmlished.

My favorite thing about airports is.... people watching. Especially right now. I am in the international terminal. So there is about every nationality here that you could imagine. and personal bubbles are a mix of close, non-existant, or big. today mine was destroyed by a couple from what seemed like somewhere in Asia and they sat SO close to me. There was tons of seats. but no. they sat RIGHT NEXT TO ME! I was not very excited about that so I decided to go for a walk instead of sit there.

And then I ate next to someone from north Europe from what I could tell and he was very absorbed in his computer like I was. but when a lady came and sat at his table cause there were none open he was so different. he turned off his music, turned off his computer and sat there and ate quietly until he was done and then left without a word. I found it very .... polite. to take away the technology and not be rude. Even though they did not talk it was a non-verbal signal that said a lot to me.

Well now I am off to sit and listen to my ipod while people watching and maybe read a little.

-- airport people watching.

I h.a.t.e. packing.

I hate packing and this is just a preview of why ^

I am going to see a movie with my parents. Dinner with them. Ice cream with 2 of the girls. And then off to bed before a huge day of travel.

See ya later USA, Ciao Italia

C'est le vie?

Yes I know this seems silly but it is my dilemma, Do I do Paris on my own during fall break in October, or do I go on a group trip in which I would see Prauge, Amsterdam, and Paris? I know I know this seems easy, but if I go with the student group I will be surrounded by drunk college students, and on my own it just seems more peaceful but more stressful? My parents seem to think it is more worth my money to do the student trip. This trip is fully funded by yours truely and it would cost more than I earned all summer. But here is what I keep thinking...

When will I get this chance again? When will I be so young with this option in life?

So any opinions are welcome.

Other than that thought process and decision, I am 5 days away from being in one of the most ancient cities in the world today! I got an email today saying that one of my roommates isn't coming on the trip now. So my roommates for this semester will be Jessica and Katie. And we will have an interesting time deciding who gets the single room! haha We will be living directly on the river in the heart of the city! (above is my apartment on google maps) :) So that is where we will live with a courtyard, and a 24hr doorman. I know it is really exciting! Well just wanted to bring up some of my thoughts and some info on my life there that I know of now :) Thanks for reading!

--planning the trip

A week away... How did that happen?

Hello everyone!
For those who don't know me or for those who do but don't know, I am going to Florence Italy for a semester abroad. I am studying Italian, Modern Italian History, and Ethics of Globalization. It doesn't sound like a lot because: 1. It is only 12 hours, so it isn't a lot. but 2. I am using it to finish my minor which I am almost done with. and 3. I want to be able to travel a lot while in Europe without school hanging over my head.

So I have been talking to my family and friends for years about how I was going to go off across the world and experience all there was to see and adventure into. And I never dreamed the day would come so soon that it all came true. I leave in ONE week for Italy!!! I can't believe it most of the time! It feels like I am dreaming it all. Luckly I'm NOT! :)

So the only downside that I hadn't thought about for traveling somewhere and living there for four full months is the issue of ...... only 2 suitcases. AHH! haha It is already proving itself a battle for me to conquor before I can even leave! I think I can I think I can I think I can. haha! I will post pictures soon to show you what I mean about it being a struggle :)

The other thing is that even if I have the money to get there and go to school, I never thought about the extra money that is costs for me to travel within Europe. :O < that was my face realizing what it truly is gonna cost me for this experience. But I guess I am going with the feeling of "I will probably only get to do this once in my life so its worth the money". I don't know if that is smart, but thats how its going down. :)

And then how did it come down to a week. I have 7 days off enjoying my time home, before I go back to a place where I know NO ONE, Don't speak the language, AND have to balance school and travel. :) No one tells you about the feelings you get a week before all of that! haha they should add that to the websites haha.

But through all that I still remember daily that God has blessed me with this oppurtunity, and I plan to grab it by the horns!

-- Kate getting ready to be adventerous