Time

Alright so I am just going to admit that I am really bad at this blog thing. I am really sorry everyone. Despite my lack of efforts to keep everyone in the loop, I want to share some of my favorite moments that have been happening and maybe share some thoughts I have been having. Some of these memories and sights have dates, some I just remember where I was. So.. here we go.

10/12 Today I was supposed to go farming but it rained so we went to the market instead. I got a 1 euro sweater!! So happy that my thrifting skill can get exercised here. Then I had a restful afternoon and made cookie pizza for everyone which was sugar cookies with fresh fruit and fresh whipped cream on top. I love when we have dinner in the convent. I feel most at home then.

10/13 Today was lovely. Slept in. Morgan Hannah and I decided we just needed to be cozy so we made a few different types of cookies and watched Disney's Robin Hood on Morgan's bed. We did Zumba again and went to Maramao with Thais and Linnet. Got to talk to Tamsin!

10/14 Beautiful day out! Zumba again and then a great facetime talk with Dad.

10/18 Assisi. SO many words about this place. WOw..just wow
Unknown dates:
Monday- trip to Orvieto underground, Zumba for 3rd day in a row then a dance party. We danced in front of the light from the computer and it cast large shadows of us dancing on the wall. It reminded me of Where the Wild Things Are or Peter Pan.
Tuesday- great walk with Brianna around the city. Gorgeous scenery. I went to hug Shannon and just as we were about to embrace theatrical music started to play from someone's computer
Wednesday-Made bunting for Morgan's birthday. Karen cried after everyone shared something they love about Morgan. Walked on the street with our arms linked and Hannah and I made funny beats with our mouths and tried to get everyone to join

Went farming at Roberta's. So incredible to see the fog dissipate throughout the morning as we harvested her crops

11/1 Great talk with Aunt Kim! Really cool paper making demo with Emily
11/2 Was able to take pictures of Amanda's boyfriend surprising her by coming to visit
11/3 Incredible day in Arezzo antique shoppin! Wow what a therapeutic day. My soul is so peaceful.
11/4 Watched a lightning and thunder storm from a window

These are just some of my favorite things that have been happening. The people here in this place are really something special. At times I take for granted their presence and have longings for home and the familiar but I have to snap myself out of that way of thinking and when I can't do it myself, God does in pretty miraculous ways. Living here in this convent with all these people is more than I can every have hoped for. Because I was never living with either of my brothers for extended periods of time, I really feel as though I have been raised as an only child. Coming here and thinking about my friends at home and getting to know my friends here, I have really realized that they are all my brothers and sisters. And not just in the cheesy Christian term but as in my "we are living life together" way.  We are a community<-- that word is really used often here. I fell like that I not a strong enough word. I feel like these people are my family now and I want that to grow deeper still. I want to contemplate my time here and the lessons I am learning but also invest my time and energy into these 19 people that I am living with. We have barely 6 weeks left! I need to get myself in gear and really process all of what this life is and what I want it to be. I don't want to fall into a routine here necessarily because when I do that I feel as thought time flies by and I don't remember anything that happened. Not only do we live together here in this incredible space, but we are living in this wonderful town! It is really sinking in that I need to take advantage of this place. It is so easy to be comfortable inside now that it is getting colder but I don't want to be inside! I want to keep exploring and spend time in the places that I have come to love here because soon it will all be a memory. Alright, I suppose that is a good chunk for you all to take in right now. This week I will set an alarm for myself to remember to write. If you happen to think of me or pray for me you can pray for these things:
1) That I stay devout in my time with God and am not distracted by daily tasks and schoolwork
2) That I love these people deeper than I myself can in a way that is clearly Jesus' perfect love
3) That I have the stamina to push through and continue to enjoy the little things and record every detail
4) That I will be transformed by this experience and time here in every way possible

I miss you all but am loving life here and can't wait to share stories with you. Ps. Start thinking of questions to ask me because the basic " How's Italy " doesn't cut it or nearly scratch the surface
<3 peace and love