carnevale di venezia

after hearing over and over again how magical venice is, i was a bit unsure that it could be as breathtaking as what i’d been told…

but now i am simply wishing i could use words to accurately describe what i saw, felt, tasted, smelled, and experienced! venice is more beautiful and enchanting than i ever imagined. 

here are my favorites of carnevale di venezia:

what I saw:

            gorgeous canals of water throughout the island

what I heard:

the enchanting melody of violin music accompanied by the simple beauty of a small puppet

what I tasted:

"prendo uno cono con una pallina di boccio." i’d like a cone with a scoop of chocolate/hazelnut gelato!

what I smelled:

           

there's nothing quite like italian pizza - yum yum yum

what I felt:

the thrill of entering a whole new world – the crazy expensive costumes were incredible!

the cool breeze swirling serenity all along the grand canal as dusk fell

what i experienced:

 the excitement and tradition of carnevale di venezia, boasting extravagant costumes and colorful masks everywhere I turned

needless to say - i seriously can't wait to go back to this magical city!

week one: check!

whew! what a week! i’ve been busy with my first classes – a course on evangelism for six hours every day, introductory courses on italian twice this week, and one class on italy’s history. i am loving learning italian! it’s such a beautiful language.

my first final is this afternoon, so i’ll review what i’ve been learning a bit for those interested –

what are we before Christ?

dead – “and you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked…” (ephesians 2:1)

enslaved – “Jesus answered them, ‘truly, truly, i say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin.” (john 8:34)

enemies of God – “for if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, no that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.” (romans 5:10)

and now the good news – the best news ever, really!

what are we because of Christ?

alive – “truly, truly, i say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. he does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.” (john 5:24)

children of God – “see what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are.” (1 john 3:1)

saints – “that you may know what is the hope to which he (God) has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints…” (ephesians 1:18)

though much of this week has been review of basic doctrines, i have been so blessed to be reminded of the sweetness of the gospel. Jesus died for me when i was unlovely. this is amazing grace! 

switching gears a bit -

yesterday after class i walked with five girls a couple miles to casarsa where we finally tasted our first gelato!

we tried using our newly-learned skill of ordering in italian, but i’m pretty sure there was more laughing than talking… oh well:)

i really enjoyed getting out with a smaller group, talking more in-depth on the long walk, taking in the incredible view of the mountains, and resting in the serenity of a dark unlit road on a cool italian evening.

this weekend will most likely include walks through the vineyards, hopefully some sleeping, and an adventure to venice for carnivale.

before that, though, i’m just excited for tea time and a movie night :)

italy at last!

i made it! currently i am living day 3 in san lorenzo di arzene in northeastern italy. i wish i could express how beautiful it is here – each day i am simply astounded.

Jesus was so evident as i traveled to italy - sitting right behind me were girls from unwsp also headed to sbi, so i didn’t have to travel alone! unfortunately we spent an extended amount of time waiting for the plane to be fixed in Minneapolis, delaying us four hours. because of the delay, we missed our flight from paris to venice, so I got to spend an additional 8 hours in the paris airport. I arrived at sbi around midnight, by that point we were simply glad to be in italy.

the sbi campus is so pretty. I live in a room with three other girls, sleeping on bunk beds. our rooms open to an outdoor hall, overlooking the central part of campus (see above). being here somewhat reminds me of being at camp, except sbi is way nicer. when I’m sitting at my desk, I can gaze out the window on expansive vineyards which will be green as spring arrives, contrasted by the backdrop of the stunning alps in the distance. (shout out to belle – I think of you every time I see them… you’d love them!) everything about this place holds italian charm… including the varieties of doors (see below). 

daily life here is pretty different from life at mbi. my daily schedule during the week consists of the following:

breakfast 8:00

daily duties (basically cleaning the campus – flashback to the T3 days!) 8:30

personal quiet time/walks in vineyards 9:00

class 9:30

lunch 1:00

riposo (rest time where we are highly encouraged to take a nap!) 1:30-3:30

class 3:30

tea time 4:20

class 4:40

dinner 7:30

on the weekends we travel usually – this weekend we’ll be going to venice for the carnevale di venezia – crazy pictures of costumes coming soon!

personally, it is weird to have been here only for a few days. developing relationships with the other 24 students is new and exciting. it's very odd to be in a place where no one knows anything about me. nothing about my background, my friends, my family, my heart. nothing. it can get exhausting trying to accurately communicate my thoughts, but I am trusting that Jesus will give sweet friendships in which I can understand and be understood. though it is hard to remember at times, I am thankful that there is One who knows me and who goes with me wherever I go, physically and emotionally.

let the adventure begin

well… in about 30 minutes i will take off from the tiny but lovely des moines airport and be air-bound toward minneapolis - the start of my journey to italy. from there i will fly into the city of love (paris) on valentine's day morning! and then finally into venice by noon tomorrow (5:00 am at home).

my last day at home has been full of wonderfulness. being woken up by the k-man seeking revenge for the plethora of toilet paper he found floating around his room this morning. whoops:) finishing packing and sipping coffee as i skyped belle and danny-boy. attending dmc chapel, hearing the stories of the faithfulness of God in the lives of the students who just got back from honduras, including my own brother challenging and encouraging me by his testament to the kindness of God. and as one last family meal, sushi for lunch with the fam. yum. yum. yum.

currently i am trying to remember the goodness of God and the trust i felt this morning listening to those students, but it is honestly difficult to have peace at this moment.

right now i am a mix of emotions:

• a bit fearful of making my flight out of minneapolis - prayers are appreciated for everything to be on time! 
• anxious about meeting new people and building good friendships
• excited for the coming adventures
• and finally - thankful that i have reason to miss home. as i leave i realize just how blessed i am by my family and friends here. 

i'll be sure to post pictures once i arrive, but until then - here we go… arrivederci, america! 

the gelato is calling!

why hello! it's been a while since i've used this blog, but with the adventure looming ahead, i've had a few requests to bring it back. so... it will now be used to document for all of you dear friends the coming adventures in italy! let's start with a few photos...

apparently this is a real place, and i'm told i will be living near here for the next three months. i'm also told it will be more beautiful than anything i've ever seen... and oh i sure hope it's true! 

in six short days i begin my journey to study abroad in northeastern italy for three months. i'll be attending saints bible institute (sbi) with twenty four other college students from the midwest, taking Bible and theology classes. 

really, though, i seriously can't wait! 

i'm told this will be the view from the girls' dorm. i'm also told the girls' dorm is part of a two hundred year old renovated farm house. pretty cool, i guess:)

the idea of living with twenty four other students (all of whom are practically strangers) for three months, in a country where i am quite far from home, sounds both wildly thrilling and completely intimidating. i am honestly quite surprised by my decision to leave the familiarity of mbi and the sweet friendships i have fostered there, but my excitement is growing exponentially as february 13 draws near!

for those of you who love and serve Jesus, i am jealous for your prayers that i may be intentionally building honest relationships and fully devoted to learning what it means to follow Jesus, wherever my adventures take me. 

and one more picture...

i'm told this is where i will be studying. yes. please. 

don't worry, i'll be sure to post my own photos, once i discover what sbi is really like. while in italy, i'll be taking classes to complete my interdisciplinary for mbi in Bible/theology. each class is two weeks long, taught by professors hailing from both italy and the states. 

so, as the countdown continues, i begin to pack, prepare, and pray that whatever happens, i can learn a little more of what it means to follow Jesus. 

more pictures to come - and perhaps a few stories from my adventures as well! 

man i'm craving some gelato. and i haven't even tried it yet:)