For the last two months a girl named Sophie has been living with her aunt here in Martinsicuro. She is from Mexico and Fiorella helped her to organize her education while she was here. Sophie is returning home in a few days but her family flew out to pick her up and tour Rome. Last night, they all came over for dinner. A last dinner in honor of Sophie and Fiorella's family. It was an amazing experience to have three different cultures and languages all under one roof, sharing a meal together.
During the course of the evening Sophie's family told us about their oldest son who has been studying to become a priest in the Catholic church since he was 12 years old. He is very devoted and while he is studying right now in Canada he will soon be studying in Spain. It was very interesting to hear about all the things he is doing and I feel very priveledged and honored to have met Sophie's family. They have kindly invited me to come visit them in Mexico sometime and I likewise extended the same invitation to them.
Today, during lunch Aureliano, Fiorella and I had a discussion about all our thoughts about the Roman Catholic church and some of the rules that it has. It was a very good discussion and I learned alot about some different beliefs held by those who claim to be "Catholic" even if only by name. I'm glad I had the opportunity to listen to some of the complaints Catholics have in regards to their church. I want so badly to share my understanding of these issues and what I know God thinks about some of these issues, but the language barrier is still too high. I can't tell you how nice it was to have a meaningful conversation....even if it was filled with emotional outbursts...which just for the record, is completely normal and expected.
(I'm learning how to express myself in a more blunt way, haha)
If you think of it, please pray for more and more opportunities to arise for me to talk about spiritual matters...I have so much I want to share but I need the right setting in order to do so appropriately. Thank you for your prayers regarding my health, I am feeling much better today :)
I pray for each of you to have a safe and happy New Years Eve with all of your loved ones and I wish you the very best in this new year!
Friday, December 31, 2010
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
An Italian Christmas
It was the first Christmas I spent away from my family and it couldn't have been better.
We had a huge, and when I say huge I mean HUGE Christmas Eve dinner with all of Aurelio's family...most of them are from Sicily. If you ever get the chance to have Sicilian Canoli you must, must, must try it. I think the best way to describe it's taste is like heaven in your mouth.
After all the family left, the doorbell rang and Babbo Natale had left a wheelbarrow full of gifts at the doorstep. Now the story of Babbo Natale is the Italian version of Father Christmas...not to be confused with Befana (the old lady who got lost trying to bring a gift to baby Jesus) who brings goodies to fill the stockings of good little children and put coal in the stockings of bad little children on Epiphany (Jan. 6). Anyway, Babbo Natale (Fiorella) got me a sweater and a popular Italian book. :)
Christmas morning we went to mass at 11 with Fiorella's parents and afterwards we had a huge lasagna lunch. After lunch we all had major food comas and took naps. The whole day was one of rest. Other family members came by to say goodbye as they were heading back to Sicily and other parts of Italy. Everyone was very kind and welcoming of me and I'm very grateful that Fiorella went out of her way to host me during Christmas time.
It has been very difficult to focus on anything past my own experiences in a new place but I am learning a lot about how everyone thinks, feels and believes here and it is SO much more complicated than I thought it would be. It is so much different than I thought it would be.
I'm hoping that through this trip I can better understand the heart of Italy so that I can better communicate with the hearts of all the Italians I meet. Because that's what it all comes down to, the heart of a person and I serve a mighty King who is jealous for all people's hearts.
It has been VERY cold here and yesterday morning I woke up with a cold which got worse through the night and I still have it today. My mom sent me with propolis, anti-viral and vitamin C which I've been taking daily and I also brought de-congestant with me, but being sick is not good and I actually ended up getting a migraine during dinner last night. It was very difficult to explain it in Italian to tell my family that it wasn't because of anything they had done but simply because I get them frequently. I would greatly appreciate prayers for restoration of my health...I need as much energy as I can muster for all the translating I do on a daily basis.
I send my love to you all and hope you aren't freezing away this December. :)
Happy New Years!
(Felice Anno Nuovo!)
We had a huge, and when I say huge I mean HUGE Christmas Eve dinner with all of Aurelio's family...most of them are from Sicily. If you ever get the chance to have Sicilian Canoli you must, must, must try it. I think the best way to describe it's taste is like heaven in your mouth.
After all the family left, the doorbell rang and Babbo Natale had left a wheelbarrow full of gifts at the doorstep. Now the story of Babbo Natale is the Italian version of Father Christmas...not to be confused with Befana (the old lady who got lost trying to bring a gift to baby Jesus) who brings goodies to fill the stockings of good little children and put coal in the stockings of bad little children on Epiphany (Jan. 6). Anyway, Babbo Natale (Fiorella) got me a sweater and a popular Italian book. :)
Christmas morning we went to mass at 11 with Fiorella's parents and afterwards we had a huge lasagna lunch. After lunch we all had major food comas and took naps. The whole day was one of rest. Other family members came by to say goodbye as they were heading back to Sicily and other parts of Italy. Everyone was very kind and welcoming of me and I'm very grateful that Fiorella went out of her way to host me during Christmas time.
It has been very difficult to focus on anything past my own experiences in a new place but I am learning a lot about how everyone thinks, feels and believes here and it is SO much more complicated than I thought it would be. It is so much different than I thought it would be.
I'm hoping that through this trip I can better understand the heart of Italy so that I can better communicate with the hearts of all the Italians I meet. Because that's what it all comes down to, the heart of a person and I serve a mighty King who is jealous for all people's hearts.
It has been VERY cold here and yesterday morning I woke up with a cold which got worse through the night and I still have it today. My mom sent me with propolis, anti-viral and vitamin C which I've been taking daily and I also brought de-congestant with me, but being sick is not good and I actually ended up getting a migraine during dinner last night. It was very difficult to explain it in Italian to tell my family that it wasn't because of anything they had done but simply because I get them frequently. I would greatly appreciate prayers for restoration of my health...I need as much energy as I can muster for all the translating I do on a daily basis.
I send my love to you all and hope you aren't freezing away this December. :)
Happy New Years!
(Felice Anno Nuovo!)
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Ah....Italia.
First of all I would like anyone who took the time to read this blog, or even just this post that I ate a whole shrimp today....eyeballs and everything....because I didn't know any better and I didn't want to be rude or have bad manners; and just so you know, there IS a reason you don't eat the shell of a shell fish. Have I told you I don't like shrimp...? Well it's still true.
[Parents take note: it is very important for you to teach your kids how to eat fish, of all kinds, in case they find themselves in the same position as me someday.]
My last post updated you on what happened the first time I tried to leave for Rome...well the second time was completely opposite. It went as smooth as first class can go and aside from the 30 minute late departure I was one happy camper (or would it be "flyer" in this case?). I sat next to an Italian-American man on the plane and he was really nervous he wasn't going to make it through customs in time to make his connecting flight (which left at the same time as my connecting flight to Rome). So his nervousness rubbed off on me and when I got off the plane and saw the huge line for customs I started to sweat. It didn't help that right after I got through customs my rolling carry-on suitcase full of books broke so that I had to carry it. My flight was supposed to leave from gate B15, I checked and checked again.
But when I arrived at B15 it was no longer the right gate and I only had 7 minutes to spare before boarding began.
Long story short, I had to rush (lugging my suitcase full of books) all the way to the other end of the terminal in order to find out that my gate was B22 (the gate right next to B15) so I had to rush all the way back. First impression of Italy: so hot, I was sweating like crazy!
When I finally got to my gate the flight was late. Ha.
I made it on fine and when the plane came down through the clouds to land at the Ancona airport I saw snow everywhere.....and I forgot my winter coat at my Aunt Lesli's in Atlanta. Lovely. Second impression of Italy: freezing!
Of course my checked bag didn't make it so after much confusion and 100 calls to my Aunt Heidi in Germany to keep from crying I filed a claim for my baggage to be delivered to my host family's house.
Then, I had my first lesson in stumbling through a language I don't know to figure out the puzzle of how to get a ticket for the bus that would take me to the train station that would take me to San Benedetto del Tronto where my host mom Fiorella would pick me up. I won't go into detail but after multiple winks from complete strangers, a few awkward conversations in Italianglish, and almost catching hypothermia I made it to the warmth of my host family's house.
I love my host family, each member of the family is simply wonderful. They are SO helpful, generous and gracious with me and know exactly what to do and say to make me feel at home. I am very lucky to have been placed with them. Their house is a block from the beach and it's very quiet here since it's winter and the condos between us and the beach are only used in the summer.
Fiorella teaches History and Philosophy at the high school here and she took me with her yesterday and today. All the students were very kind and gracious and very excited to meet me :)
I had some very good converstaions with them in English and Italian, one girl, Amide, made my day when she asked me if I ride horses. I told her that I used to and she said, "you have the spirit of a rider." I was so happy when she said that because I would love to be a rider!
Fiorella and I agreed that we would speak only Italian in the morning (till 2pm) and then in the afternoon we would only speak English. [2pm is when school gets out here] It has been very difficult but very rewarding.
Every day around 1:30pm or so Aurelio comes home and starts preparing lunch. Giorgio comes home from his school and Fiorella and I come home from her school and we all have lunch together (that's where the shrimp disaster happened) and then Aurelio and Fiorella take a short nap. Aurelio then goes back to work, Fiorella runs errands or does whatever she needs to do and Giorgio and I hang out or do something. Then around 7 or 8pm Fiorella and I (and sometimes Giorgio) make dinner which is ready to go when Aurelio comes home.
I'm sure as we get more and more into a routine I'll do more and more exploring, especially since tonight marks the beginning of Christmas break for all the schools.
I don't have any pictures yet but I promise I'll post some soon.
I hope you are all well and I wish you each a buon natale e anno nuovo! (that means Merry Christmas and Happy New Year)
Auguri! (happy holidays)
ciao ciao,
Sarah
[Parents take note: it is very important for you to teach your kids how to eat fish, of all kinds, in case they find themselves in the same position as me someday.]
My last post updated you on what happened the first time I tried to leave for Rome...well the second time was completely opposite. It went as smooth as first class can go and aside from the 30 minute late departure I was one happy camper (or would it be "flyer" in this case?). I sat next to an Italian-American man on the plane and he was really nervous he wasn't going to make it through customs in time to make his connecting flight (which left at the same time as my connecting flight to Rome). So his nervousness rubbed off on me and when I got off the plane and saw the huge line for customs I started to sweat. It didn't help that right after I got through customs my rolling carry-on suitcase full of books broke so that I had to carry it. My flight was supposed to leave from gate B15, I checked and checked again.
But when I arrived at B15 it was no longer the right gate and I only had 7 minutes to spare before boarding began.
Long story short, I had to rush (lugging my suitcase full of books) all the way to the other end of the terminal in order to find out that my gate was B22 (the gate right next to B15) so I had to rush all the way back. First impression of Italy: so hot, I was sweating like crazy!
When I finally got to my gate the flight was late. Ha.
I made it on fine and when the plane came down through the clouds to land at the Ancona airport I saw snow everywhere.....and I forgot my winter coat at my Aunt Lesli's in Atlanta. Lovely. Second impression of Italy: freezing!
Of course my checked bag didn't make it so after much confusion and 100 calls to my Aunt Heidi in Germany to keep from crying I filed a claim for my baggage to be delivered to my host family's house.
Then, I had my first lesson in stumbling through a language I don't know to figure out the puzzle of how to get a ticket for the bus that would take me to the train station that would take me to San Benedetto del Tronto where my host mom Fiorella would pick me up. I won't go into detail but after multiple winks from complete strangers, a few awkward conversations in Italianglish, and almost catching hypothermia I made it to the warmth of my host family's house.
I love my host family, each member of the family is simply wonderful. They are SO helpful, generous and gracious with me and know exactly what to do and say to make me feel at home. I am very lucky to have been placed with them. Their house is a block from the beach and it's very quiet here since it's winter and the condos between us and the beach are only used in the summer.
Fiorella teaches History and Philosophy at the high school here and she took me with her yesterday and today. All the students were very kind and gracious and very excited to meet me :)
I had some very good converstaions with them in English and Italian, one girl, Amide, made my day when she asked me if I ride horses. I told her that I used to and she said, "you have the spirit of a rider." I was so happy when she said that because I would love to be a rider!
Fiorella and I agreed that we would speak only Italian in the morning (till 2pm) and then in the afternoon we would only speak English. [2pm is when school gets out here] It has been very difficult but very rewarding.
Every day around 1:30pm or so Aurelio comes home and starts preparing lunch. Giorgio comes home from his school and Fiorella and I come home from her school and we all have lunch together (that's where the shrimp disaster happened) and then Aurelio and Fiorella take a short nap. Aurelio then goes back to work, Fiorella runs errands or does whatever she needs to do and Giorgio and I hang out or do something. Then around 7 or 8pm Fiorella and I (and sometimes Giorgio) make dinner which is ready to go when Aurelio comes home.
I'm sure as we get more and more into a routine I'll do more and more exploring, especially since tonight marks the beginning of Christmas break for all the schools.
I don't have any pictures yet but I promise I'll post some soon.
I hope you are all well and I wish you each a buon natale e anno nuovo! (that means Merry Christmas and Happy New Year)
Auguri! (happy holidays)
ciao ciao,
Sarah
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Zero Gs
You know that feeling when you're driving fast over dips and small hills in a road and your stomach free falls for a split second? That's kinda how I feel right now.
I got to the airport today with plenty of time to make my flight, no rush. For some strange reason though my boarding pass said, "seat request" so I went up to the counter at the gate and the ladies behind it said, "please just wait till we call your name."
So I waited, until all the passengers were on the plane...something was obviously not working in my favor so I went back up to the desk and asked what was going on and if I could get on the flight now.
"We're sorry, this flight was overbooked and there's no more room for you. You'll have to leave tomorrow." That's what I heard in answer to my inquiries.
"Great" I thought. So Cassandra, the lady helping me, worked it all out and got me a confirmed flight at the same time for tomorrow. In my head I'm thinking well, you just gotta roll with it I guess.
Then came the good news...who knew there would be good news after all that? $800 was being returned to me for my trouble with the flight. "Yes! It doesn't get much better than that..." I thought, an $800 refund AND a flight the next day?! As we walked to the rebooking desk though, she dropped the bomb on me....
I'm going to be flying first class tomorrow!
I'm not sure why it all worked out the way it did, and while it may have been inconvenient to have my flight overbooked, the end result is fantastic.
I wish I could draw some amazing life lesson from this but my brain is so dead and off the train track of time right now that all I can say is, "sweet! Thank you God. Thanks for an unexpected gift in disguise."
This was just an update, but you could say the moral of the story is never judge a book by it's cover. Sometimes the most unexpected and frustrating things turn out to be the most wonderful.
Thank you all for your prayers.
I wish you the most Merry of Christmases and a very Happy New Year!
I got to the airport today with plenty of time to make my flight, no rush. For some strange reason though my boarding pass said, "seat request" so I went up to the counter at the gate and the ladies behind it said, "please just wait till we call your name."
So I waited, until all the passengers were on the plane...something was obviously not working in my favor so I went back up to the desk and asked what was going on and if I could get on the flight now.
"We're sorry, this flight was overbooked and there's no more room for you. You'll have to leave tomorrow." That's what I heard in answer to my inquiries.
"Great" I thought. So Cassandra, the lady helping me, worked it all out and got me a confirmed flight at the same time for tomorrow. In my head I'm thinking well, you just gotta roll with it I guess.
Then came the good news...who knew there would be good news after all that? $800 was being returned to me for my trouble with the flight. "Yes! It doesn't get much better than that..." I thought, an $800 refund AND a flight the next day?! As we walked to the rebooking desk though, she dropped the bomb on me....
I'm going to be flying first class tomorrow!
I'm not sure why it all worked out the way it did, and while it may have been inconvenient to have my flight overbooked, the end result is fantastic.
I wish I could draw some amazing life lesson from this but my brain is so dead and off the train track of time right now that all I can say is, "sweet! Thank you God. Thanks for an unexpected gift in disguise."
This was just an update, but you could say the moral of the story is never judge a book by it's cover. Sometimes the most unexpected and frustrating things turn out to be the most wonderful.
Thank you all for your prayers.
I wish you the most Merry of Christmases and a very Happy New Year!
Thursday, December 16, 2010
1st stop - the South
Well, I've made it safe and sound the first step of the way to Italy. I'm in Atlanta, GA for a layover and I'm staying with my fabulous Aunt Lesli and her family.
Can I just say that I absolutely love travelling! I mean don't get me wrong, it's insanely stressful at moments. But once you're on your plane (or train or automobile) and you can just sit and watch and listen you see the beautiful things in life play out in the people around you.
You see all the emotions of the heart displayed for all the world to see. You hear people talk about their passions to complete strangers, simply because they know they'll never see them again. It would be nice if we could demonstrate such passion for life all the time wouldn't it?
Anyway, I just wanted to let you all know I've already seen the answer to my own prayers and probably some of yours as well. I asked that this trip wouldn't be about me. Already I can see that it isn't.
Without any hesitation I can say that this trip would not have happened if it were not for at least nine different people. I'm merely human and as much as I'd like to think I'm in control of my little old life, I'm not...at all.
So thank you, each of you for your prayers and encouragement and help and wisdom. Without you this trip wouldn't be happening. Enjoy this Christmas season and all the peace, joy and love that it brings.
Oh, just a P.S. For the final in one of my classes this semester my group made a short film...if you're at all interested in seeing it the link to it is: http//www.vimeo.com/17862544.
I'm considering the idea of expanding it and writing a script for it later on. Enjoy :)
Can I just say that I absolutely love travelling! I mean don't get me wrong, it's insanely stressful at moments. But once you're on your plane (or train or automobile) and you can just sit and watch and listen you see the beautiful things in life play out in the people around you.
You see all the emotions of the heart displayed for all the world to see. You hear people talk about their passions to complete strangers, simply because they know they'll never see them again. It would be nice if we could demonstrate such passion for life all the time wouldn't it?
Anyway, I just wanted to let you all know I've already seen the answer to my own prayers and probably some of yours as well. I asked that this trip wouldn't be about me. Already I can see that it isn't.
Without any hesitation I can say that this trip would not have happened if it were not for at least nine different people. I'm merely human and as much as I'd like to think I'm in control of my little old life, I'm not...at all.
So thank you, each of you for your prayers and encouragement and help and wisdom. Without you this trip wouldn't be happening. Enjoy this Christmas season and all the peace, joy and love that it brings.
Oh, just a P.S. For the final in one of my classes this semester my group made a short film...if you're at all interested in seeing it the link to it is: http//www.vimeo.com/17862544.
I'm considering the idea of expanding it and writing a script for it later on. Enjoy :)
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Last Chance
I'm leaving tomorrow and I'm nowhere close to being prepared. Besides still needing to pack my bags I also have one last final to take and I have to finish switching rooms with a housemate.
Also, I just wanted to let everyone know that although I will have an international phone (same number) I will only be using it for emergencies. Please do not text me or call me starting on Friday (12/17/10). If you do and it's not an emergency I won't respond; I'll email you back as soon as I can though.
I wish you all the very best this holiday season and look forward to seeing you in the Spring!
Also, I just wanted to let everyone know that although I will have an international phone (same number) I will only be using it for emergencies. Please do not text me or call me starting on Friday (12/17/10). If you do and it's not an emergency I won't respond; I'll email you back as soon as I can though.
I wish you all the very best this holiday season and look forward to seeing you in the Spring!
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Seasons of Life
I love times of reflection. If there' one thing I could encourage all my loved ones (friends and family) to do more often it would be to sit and just reflect back on their lives, experiences tears and triumphs.
For some strange reason this week has been full of different memories from my life. They were random, from all the different eras of my life.
An egg exploded in my sister's face, I've walked through dozens of Indian ruins, raced a reindeer, I've lost and found a shoe in three feet of mud, I remember being so afraid my foot would fall through the staircase in the house of my childhood, I found my Christmas present one November by accident and was mortified at the thought that I would have to act surprised on Christmas morning, I've watched a friend's pants catch on fire, I remember the early morning road trips into town for a breakfast Bible study, wearing the exact same colored outfit as my boyfriend without knowing it, pretending I was a mermaid, sun-bathing and floating away on our boat, walking down the beach in pouring rain, hiding from a bobcat and wondering why my horse ignored it, chasing chickens and pretending I was fugitive for a game.
What I realized as these memories flitted by this week was that life is worth it. It's worth all the valleys because the mountains are so glorious. The funny thing is that the best mountains are usually the simplest little things in life.
Personally I'm in a valley right now but what I realized, remembering all these little memories was that a good portion of them happened during times that I would have called valleys. The thought came to me that even though I am exhausted and stressed, little memories are being made that will find me in the future and bring a smile to my face.
So, if you'll forgive my indulgence in sharing my memories with you and humor me a little longer, take a few minutes and just sit and reminisce. Whether you're in a valley or singing on the top of one of life's mountains, take a moment and find a little memory that makes you smile. If you could do that for me it would make this whole long post all worth my time.
For those of you who "don't have that kind of time" I'll share a memory from today that may make you smile. I ate at Chipotle tonight and afterwards went straight to class. For the next four hours I walked around with a large (quite large) piece of lettuce stuck between my two front teeth. And let me assure you I smiled at a lot of people in that time. None of those lovely people let me know that I looked like leaf-eater. Finally, as I went to talk to one of my housemates at her work she pointed it out to me. Lovely.
My point in writing this post is basically just to say that I think it's the simple things in life that make it matter so much, and I hope today you can revel in them, just a bit. :)
For some strange reason this week has been full of different memories from my life. They were random, from all the different eras of my life.
An egg exploded in my sister's face, I've walked through dozens of Indian ruins, raced a reindeer, I've lost and found a shoe in three feet of mud, I remember being so afraid my foot would fall through the staircase in the house of my childhood, I found my Christmas present one November by accident and was mortified at the thought that I would have to act surprised on Christmas morning, I've watched a friend's pants catch on fire, I remember the early morning road trips into town for a breakfast Bible study, wearing the exact same colored outfit as my boyfriend without knowing it, pretending I was a mermaid, sun-bathing and floating away on our boat, walking down the beach in pouring rain, hiding from a bobcat and wondering why my horse ignored it, chasing chickens and pretending I was fugitive for a game.
What I realized as these memories flitted by this week was that life is worth it. It's worth all the valleys because the mountains are so glorious. The funny thing is that the best mountains are usually the simplest little things in life.
Personally I'm in a valley right now but what I realized, remembering all these little memories was that a good portion of them happened during times that I would have called valleys. The thought came to me that even though I am exhausted and stressed, little memories are being made that will find me in the future and bring a smile to my face.
So, if you'll forgive my indulgence in sharing my memories with you and humor me a little longer, take a few minutes and just sit and reminisce. Whether you're in a valley or singing on the top of one of life's mountains, take a moment and find a little memory that makes you smile. If you could do that for me it would make this whole long post all worth my time.
For those of you who "don't have that kind of time" I'll share a memory from today that may make you smile. I ate at Chipotle tonight and afterwards went straight to class. For the next four hours I walked around with a large (quite large) piece of lettuce stuck between my two front teeth. And let me assure you I smiled at a lot of people in that time. None of those lovely people let me know that I looked like leaf-eater. Finally, as I went to talk to one of my housemates at her work she pointed it out to me. Lovely.
My point in writing this post is basically just to say that I think it's the simple things in life that make it matter so much, and I hope today you can revel in them, just a bit. :)
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Prayer Request...and Praise
Hello Friends,
I never knew I could have so much that has to be done in so little time.
~I have to get this semester finished up with good grades - this includes multiple papers and various projects.
~I have to get everything (paperwork) in order for me to graduate next semester - this requires department hopping to get signatures etc.
~I have to get my class schedule figured out for next semester - this also requires department hopping.
~I have to get the costumes finished up for a film that starts filming while I'm gone. The film is Biola's up and coming film: Spacechild.
~I have to switch rooms with someone (my dear friend Shanley Knox who is moving to D.C. [yay!]), which involves moving all my stuff from one room to another.
~I have to finish all my chapel make-ups before I leave - each message is 45 min to an hour and requires an indepth report on the message, and of course fees $.
~I have to pack for a 6-week trip to Europe - No idea how to be efficient at packing for a place I've never been to.
~I have to make sure all my payments for January are taken care of - ugh.
~And I still have work on top of all of this.
Aahhhhhh!
So, I need:
prayer for sanity,
prayer for extra time or things to get finished quickly,
and prayer that it all gets finished in time.
I have to get this all done in 2 WEEKS!!!
The list is more for my benefit than anything but it gives you details you can be praying about.
I'm not freaking out, but it's taking a lot of will power not to.
I love you all and hope that you're enjoying this holiday season as much as you can!
A praise report: There was the possibiliy of my not graduating next semester because I couldn't find a 3rd level Italian class, but God provided a back door and I'll be taking a 3rd level Latin class at Biola. Woo! (it's been 6 years since I've taken any Latin so you could pray for that too if you think of it.)
Thank you in advance for all your prayers!
I never knew I could have so much that has to be done in so little time.
~I have to get this semester finished up with good grades - this includes multiple papers and various projects.
~I have to get everything (paperwork) in order for me to graduate next semester - this requires department hopping to get signatures etc.
~I have to get my class schedule figured out for next semester - this also requires department hopping.
~I have to get the costumes finished up for a film that starts filming while I'm gone. The film is Biola's up and coming film: Spacechild.
~I have to switch rooms with someone (my dear friend Shanley Knox who is moving to D.C. [yay!]), which involves moving all my stuff from one room to another.
~I have to finish all my chapel make-ups before I leave - each message is 45 min to an hour and requires an indepth report on the message, and of course fees $.
~I have to pack for a 6-week trip to Europe - No idea how to be efficient at packing for a place I've never been to.
~I have to make sure all my payments for January are taken care of - ugh.
~And I still have work on top of all of this.
Aahhhhhh!
So, I need:
prayer for sanity,
prayer for extra time or things to get finished quickly,
and prayer that it all gets finished in time.
I have to get this all done in 2 WEEKS!!!
The list is more for my benefit than anything but it gives you details you can be praying about.
I'm not freaking out, but it's taking a lot of will power not to.
I love you all and hope that you're enjoying this holiday season as much as you can!
A praise report: There was the possibiliy of my not graduating next semester because I couldn't find a 3rd level Italian class, but God provided a back door and I'll be taking a 3rd level Latin class at Biola. Woo! (it's been 6 years since I've taken any Latin so you could pray for that too if you think of it.)
Thank you in advance for all your prayers!
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Finding humor in the chaos of life...
I'm finding it a little hard to believe that it is already nearing the end of the Fall semester. Reading over my last post I felt surprise and relief that even survived the work load of last semester. This semester has been much more relaxed and I've even had time to actually sleep. :)
All the same, it's been hectic trying to get everything done for school, work, getting everything in order for me to graduate in May and on top of all that getting the final details of my trip worked out.
I'm pleased to announce that the stress is finally beginning to give way to excitement. I found out this week that I will be living in Teramo, Italy from December 18th to January 29th with the Marchei Cerro family! Aurelio and Fiorella (I just love her name!) have two boys Aureliano(20) and Giorgio(14). It's fun because those are the same ages as my brothers Ben and Sam! I will be tutoring Fiorella in English to help her with her job as a high school teacher. I am so excited to meet this family and begin friendships that will last a lifetime! I'll keep you posted as my travel plans unfold.
Recent Life Lesson:
I'm realizing that life will elude you if you let it and it takes an intentional attitude to make the most of every minute, to cherish every moment. I'm on the road to learning how to embrace that kind of attitude...one step at a time, one day at a time. Living in Los Angeles, our culture's headquarters, I feel bombarded by the messages that "I need to be up to date on everything going on in everyone else's lives" and "I need to always be going, if I'm not being 'productive' then I'm wasting time and moving away from success." I hate these lies, and yet I find myself falling into them over and over.
Last week after experiencing severe stomach pain for three days I passed out and had to go to urgent care. The doctor tested me for everything she could think of based on my symptoms and said there was nothing "wrong" with me. She gave me heartburn medication for my stomach pain and said I probably just passed out from dehydration. This is where succumbing to those lies got me, unhealthy.
One of my professors whom I dearly admire, look up to and work for sat me down and lovingly confronted me about my need to prioritize my life so that my time is managed in way that edifies God.
She challenged me to three things:
1. Take a 3 hour sabbath once a week, no phone, no people, just me, God and my Bible out in His creation.
2. Limit my homework time to 2.5 hours a day, away from distractions.
3. Keep a running list of everything I have to get done, but each day make a list of what I will do that day.
I completed my first "sabbath" a week ago and what I learned was that being away from all the chaos of life for a few hours completely slowed my day down. Where normally a day passes almost without my knowledge, that day seemed to pass at the rate it did when I was a child, so much slower. I realized that is how I want my life to be everyday, slow and sweet, not busy and rushed.
So, I will seek, one day at a time, to live with intention. To say "no" to the messages my culture shouts at me and instead meditate on the quiet, mighty messages of truth that my heavenly King tells me.
I challenge you to do the same, savor each moment as it passes; don't let them whir by you like the scenery outside a moving train. Easy said, not so easy done but completely worth it.
"Nothing good comes easy."
Be Encouraged,
Sarah
All the same, it's been hectic trying to get everything done for school, work, getting everything in order for me to graduate in May and on top of all that getting the final details of my trip worked out.
I'm pleased to announce that the stress is finally beginning to give way to excitement. I found out this week that I will be living in Teramo, Italy from December 18th to January 29th with the Marchei Cerro family! Aurelio and Fiorella (I just love her name!) have two boys Aureliano(20) and Giorgio(14). It's fun because those are the same ages as my brothers Ben and Sam! I will be tutoring Fiorella in English to help her with her job as a high school teacher. I am so excited to meet this family and begin friendships that will last a lifetime! I'll keep you posted as my travel plans unfold.
Recent Life Lesson:
I'm realizing that life will elude you if you let it and it takes an intentional attitude to make the most of every minute, to cherish every moment. I'm on the road to learning how to embrace that kind of attitude...one step at a time, one day at a time. Living in Los Angeles, our culture's headquarters, I feel bombarded by the messages that "I need to be up to date on everything going on in everyone else's lives" and "I need to always be going, if I'm not being 'productive' then I'm wasting time and moving away from success." I hate these lies, and yet I find myself falling into them over and over.
Last week after experiencing severe stomach pain for three days I passed out and had to go to urgent care. The doctor tested me for everything she could think of based on my symptoms and said there was nothing "wrong" with me. She gave me heartburn medication for my stomach pain and said I probably just passed out from dehydration. This is where succumbing to those lies got me, unhealthy.
One of my professors whom I dearly admire, look up to and work for sat me down and lovingly confronted me about my need to prioritize my life so that my time is managed in way that edifies God.
She challenged me to three things:
1. Take a 3 hour sabbath once a week, no phone, no people, just me, God and my Bible out in His creation.
2. Limit my homework time to 2.5 hours a day, away from distractions.
3. Keep a running list of everything I have to get done, but each day make a list of what I will do that day.
I completed my first "sabbath" a week ago and what I learned was that being away from all the chaos of life for a few hours completely slowed my day down. Where normally a day passes almost without my knowledge, that day seemed to pass at the rate it did when I was a child, so much slower. I realized that is how I want my life to be everyday, slow and sweet, not busy and rushed.
So, I will seek, one day at a time, to live with intention. To say "no" to the messages my culture shouts at me and instead meditate on the quiet, mighty messages of truth that my heavenly King tells me.
I challenge you to do the same, savor each moment as it passes; don't let them whir by you like the scenery outside a moving train. Easy said, not so easy done but completely worth it.
"Nothing good comes easy."
Be Encouraged,
Sarah
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
The Push...
Well, there's only one month left in the semester and I'm still alive, thank you Lord! I hope you are all doing well also and enjoying the springtime as much as I am. This won't be a very long update because I have 200pp. of reading to do before tomorrow, but I wanted to let you all know that my trip, as well as being finalized, has also been pushed back to Dec/Jan. I was talking with my dear friend Brea, who is also an Intercultural Studies major at Biola, about my trip and how stressed I was because I still didn't have it nailed down. I was saying how I was probably just going to do whatever was easiest and she suggested I push it back with the reminder that the internship is supposed to be thought out and intentional. As I thought about it more I realized that was exactly right and it would be the wise thing to do to push the trip back so I can dedicate my whole self to it.
So, I will be going to Italy in December of 2010 as an Overseas English Tutor (OET) through Cultural Homestay International. If you would like to know a little more about the organization and trip before I get to write more about it here is the website with that info: www.chinet.org
I will be updating you with more information soon, but as for now, buona sera!
I pray a blessing over you and yours this day.
So, I will be going to Italy in December of 2010 as an Overseas English Tutor (OET) through Cultural Homestay International. If you would like to know a little more about the organization and trip before I get to write more about it here is the website with that info: www.chinet.org
I will be updating you with more information soon, but as for now, buona sera!
I pray a blessing over you and yours this day.
Friday, March 26, 2010
Welcome to Sarah's Footprints...
Welcome to my blog that will keep you posted on my journeys, experiences and prayer requests as I go overseas this summer (2010)!
I am still finishing up my Spring semester at Biola and am incredibly busy presently, but I hope to update here soon with more information. My first prayer request would be prayer for extra strength and dilligence as I'm heading into the busiest part of the semester and I have a lot of planning and organizing to do on top of it all.
I pray God's blessings over you as well as I'm sure I'm not the only one finding life a little overwhelming right now; and thank you again for your support, it really does mean the world to me.
:)
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