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 :)