A restful weekend

Terribly inconsistent with this thing. Anyway, life has been good. This weekend I was finally able to return to Piemonte for a long awaited visit. How I miss that place. Anyway, at the beginning it was supposed to be this big event. There was to be a Hillsong Concert in Torino. We were going to get this big group together- friends of Tracey's and people from the bible study I attend here in Milano- have a big picnic and then as a massive group all head over to Torino for an awesome night of praise and worship. Well it didn't turn out that way. Out of all the people I invited, only one came. Everyone I told really wanted to go but for some reason, it just seemed to be the wrong weekend. And then my friend Veronica messaged me saying she would like to come.
And with the way things turned out, I guess it was meant to be. We planned to catch the 2:15 train on Friday afternoon. We were both to meet around 1:45 at Centrale Station, purchase our tickets, hop on the train and reach Casale Monferrato by 4:00 at which time Tracey would be there to pick us. However, it didn't really work out that way. Turns out, we both ended up missing the train. Took me forever to get my ticket and by the time I did, the 2:15 had already left and the next one wouldnt be leaving until 3:15. So I bascially waited around the station for an extra hour, at this point absolutely clueless as to where Veronica was. Well, turns out Veronica hadn't come to the station yet. She'd gone to a meeting that was apparently so interesting, she forget the time. It was already like 2pm when she looked up at the clock. Long story a little bit shorter, we both ended up getting on the same train and were able to meet up in the middle of the train ride. Well, we didn't reach Casale until 6:30. But it worked out anyway. On the way there, we were finally able to have a real conversation for the first time. We'd spoken before, but really hadn't had the opportunity to get to know each other. The more we talked the more it seemed we had in common. Especially with our walks with God and what he had been teaching us recently. It just seemed it was meant to be.
We got to the concert and had an absolute blast. Even ran into a few friends I didn't realize were going to be there. The next two days were pretty mellow; the fireplace going, sipping hot tea while curled up with a good book, awesome conversations about God and what he's doing in our lives. I also showed Veronica around the area a bit. Unfortunately it was really cloudy so we weren't able to really get a good view of the surrounding countryside, but it was still beautiful. It was the perfect weekend of rest and recuperation. I was none too pleased to return to Milano, but no worries. I shall be returning to Piemonte very soon.

Lately...

I've been meaning to do this for the past few days. But its me again. As I stated in my last entry, I've officially started classes. They're going well- the parts that I can understand anyway. But I can honestly say that I understand Italian better now than I did before I started my classes only like 2 weeks ago. Now thats progress people. What else is new? Well not a whole lot. Meeting new people and making a few friends. Life is good. The weather has taken a noticeable shift to the cooler side. Fall is here and I couldn't be more excited. I love the briskness of everything and that innate desire to have something warm and sweet to drink. I can't tell you how many nostalgic moments I've had just walking around the city. Visions of Thanksgivings past, mom's homemade sweet-potato pie and crunchy brown leaves sweeping across the sidewalk. Oh yes, I do love Autumn. And to make things even better, next weekend I finally get to return back to my beloved Piemonte. I can't wait to see how the rolling countryside has transformed since I last laid eyes on it. So that's something I have to look forward to. For this weekend though, I think I'll just take it easy. Maybe, I'll tour the city, try out a few new cafes, do a little window-shopping. Perfect way to spend the brisk Autumn days.

The Beginning of the Final Season

Ecco! It's been nearly a week that I've started classes. Officially 3 days. And tomorrow is the last for the week. I must say it has been both challenging and interesting, fascinating and surprising. With each day I am learning to intentionally and purposefully embrace what is in front of me. I am learning to entrust my every moment and every experience to God. "Lord, whatever comes, whatever I face, I will face it with You. I trust You. I will not worry or doubt. I know that You are for me and that something wonderful is going to happen today." In just these few days alone, sure I've had awkward moments, even hours where I'm pretty much clueless. But I just dive in and search for the good, the hopeful, the informative, the exciting in it. And I Find It! Today, one of my professors, unexpectedly had me stand up and introduced me to the whole class. Letting everyone know that I am, obviously, not Italian, but am an American student and well whatever else she said. I don't really know. At any rate, I felt extremely awkward and all that I could do as I stood there with hunched shoulders was utter a very quiet and timid "Ciao". But, it was okay. The day before, in two of my courses, a few of the students sitting beside or near me found out that I was an American and noticed how, well lost apparently, that I was that they offered their assistance. They themselves began speaking what English they knew and one girl even translated some of the lecture for me. So, here I am running into all these little blessings. It makes even the most challenging times somehow meaningful and hopeful. Not to mention, though it's difficult for me to dictate what the professors are saying, I can understand, albeit vaguely, and here particular words or expressions and write them down.
Anyway, all this to say that, something wonderful awaits me this semester. For this last leg of my journey. I already feel the growth and additional transformation. And I am expectant. Every season contains its own distinctive Beauty. I am determined to find "la Bellezza" in this one.

On a rainy afternoon

Ok. Totally should've written prior to today. But whatever. So. Today was my first day of classes. Finally! I've been waiting for weeks to get his thing started. Unfortunately, I didn't make it today. That's right. Didn't even make it out the door this morning. Why? Good question. Well, essentially, Im feeling a little under the weather and it's pouring rain outside. On top of that, two of the classes I picked were essentially the same and I as advised to take only one of them. And that would be the class I decided not to attend today. So, it sortof works out. And seeing as they don't really do attendance here and plus the fact that you don't even register for classes, makes it a bit easier to miss the first time around. What did I do instead? Well, after sleeping nearly until noon- ugh I hate it when I do that- I decided I needed some breakfast er...lunch. Well, I wasn't too much of a blob today that I couldn't do a little cooking. I made French Toast! Pretty much I had this baguette that was going stale- which apparently is the best kind of bread for making French toast and decided it was perfect for the ingredients. Had some milk, a few eggs, sugar, and even some butter. So, within about 15 minutes I wiped up myself a batch of homemade french toast. Unfortunately, they don't exactly have maple syrup around these parts or this country rather, and I hadn't bought any honey. So, I sliced up a banana, busted out the jar of Skippy Peanut Butter and went to town! It was quite gratifying. Although there's still nothing like a spill of warm sugary sweet syrup, I must say. But in any case, my appetite was appeased. What's the rest of the day looking like? Well, besides wet, I don't really know. Suppose I'll enjoy some "me" time. Perhaps I'll read a book.

Back to Milano: A Continuation...

End of September. Beginning of Autumn. I've been back in Milano for a week now. Back into the swing of things. So, things have been going pretty well. I'm back in the same apartment I was in last semester- different room this time. Although I miss Piemonte dearly, there is still much to be said about life in Milano. I've reconnected with most of the people I got to know from last year- except for the ones who were here for only one semester. I've even had a few nights out that included Banana Peanut Butter Pancakes, late-night movies, cafe chats, strolls around the city from the Castello to the Duomo and a few places around and in between. The weather's been agreeable for the most part and as for my personal state, well, I would say a good deal has changed.
For the first time in my life, I feel whole. I'm not really sure I can describe it any other way. God has not only healed my heart, he has restored it and in ways I didn't even know it needed to be. I can wake up in the morning content and happy. No anxiety, fear, unbelief. And if there is any, I get that in check right away. Yes, God has done a new thing in my heart and all I can do is continually offer it up to Him. My soul yearns to know him and my heart desires to dwell in His presence. He is my life source. But it isn't just for me. God has blessed me to be a Blessing to others. When people ask about my summer, there is nothing to hide or hold back. And we can sit for hours talking about the Beauty and Loveliness of God.
I start my classes in a week now. I don't even know which ones I am going to take. But I will not worry. I will not fear. I don't have have to. I feel God has spoken to me that His work is not finished. And when I say that, I mean in a seasonal aspect. This season of Rest and Beauty He has showered on my soul apparently doesn't end with a train ride out of Vignale. There is more. I believe this. I trust Him.
So things are lovely now, Even the things that aren't so lovely do not put a damper on my spirit. I mean, who wants to be miserable anyway? I can say that I am curious. And expectant. Curious about what is to come; expectant that it will be something great. What do these last 3 months of my Italian venture hold? No clue. But I know who holds them. And that makes all the difference.

Some days Im not as on point as I'd like to be. Sometimes, I start out pretty good- go for a walk, do a little reading, pray, even eat healthy. Yes! I did it. I started my day right! Woohoo!... Now what?
Im sure its something that plagues quite a few of us at least every once in a while. I don't know why. Perhaps it's the weather- a dreary day's enough to take the fun out of anything. Or perhaps its boredom. For whatever reason, the result tends to be the same; Funk. Yes, sometimes we just wind up in a "funk" of sorts that we know that we'll get past at some point within the next 24 hours but... but well its annoying while you're there. Why am I writing this? Well, because Im in one, at least at the moment. I know it wont last, its not even noon yet. Life will pick itself back up and I'll be on my merry way. But it makes me wonder...while Im in this funk...what could I do? Hmm. Before life picks itself up and dusts itself off what could I do that perhaps I hadn't the chance to do before? Or perhaps one of those things that you always say you'll get to once you get the time and once the time comes you'd really rather do something else?

A word of encouragement...

Well, its been a week and 1 day since I last wrote. Since then, I've trained it back up to Milano to get my apartment keys and a few school things figured out, and I've come back to Piemonte. Its been a pretty neat week. I did a few drawings for some the guests we had here. One- the view of Vignale, and the other a bunch of roses growing against a wall. I know I should've taken pictures of the finished drawings but, I never got around to that. But I really enjoyed doing them.

I went for a lovely walk on Friday. I hadn't been going as often but on that particular day, once I stepped outside and felt the slight crispness of the soon to come Fall in the air, took in the brilliant rays of the sun, I just had to do it. So, I walked. And as I did I talked to God. And yes, He talked back to me. I said hello and asked how he was doing. Yes, I know exactly how that sounds. In return, he asked me the same. I told him. I continued to tell Jesus the things that were on my mind and on my heart. Funny. Seems no matter how much I try to down myself about something I felt I didn't do perfectly, or no matter how much I refuse to really congratulate myself on something that I did well, God always knows how to counter that. He steps in, and tells me how He thinks about Me and that particular situation. He always speaks kind, soothing words to my heart and I have no choice but to accept them because, well he's always right. Well as we, yes we, walked along, I brought this up to him. "Lord, why do you keep encouraging me and speaking well of me when clearly I neither deserve nor have I earned it?" He replied plainly "You don't encourage people because they deserve it, you encourage them because they need it." I couldn't say anything after that. I thought about that and realized, yeah, yeah that's true. The walk through the winding roads of the Italian countryside became that much sweeter because I was hanging out with my Dad and he was taking a walk with his little girl, his "Little Princess" as he calls me. Now, I know to many this sounds kind of funny and perhaps even a little crazy. Thing is, the truth often does. I've no qualms with that; the truth never fails in the end. Not only was that simple walk a blessing, it brought me joy and caused me to want to be a blessing to someone else. Thats the thing about joy, its infectious. Even since that particular moment, I've felt the presence of God much more personally and have experienced his presence a bit more "tangibly" as well. Thats another story. I will say though that, I'm not afraid. My life is about to change a bit and it won't be an easy one. Its one of those things where you could easily go into panic attacks and be anxious and worried all the time. But Im not. My Father told me I don't have to be. He's holding my hand, and he's always by my side. I think I'll just trust him instead.

Some days I have moments where I just stop, and realize the immensity of things. How vast and how wide the world, life is. And I realize how blessed I am. How many get to live their dreams? How many? Especially when they're dreams seem unattainable. When they're dreams are larger than life, or atleast their means for living.
And yet, Im living mine. And there's so much overflow I don't even know how to receive it.
I stepped outside this evening, while everyone else ate and enjoyed one another's company. My mind was a bit preoccupied. I stepped outside to view the world around me and just to absorb my life in light of recent events. Sometimes I wonder why God loves me so much. I'm not all that lovable. Honestly. Who is really. Anyway, I thought of this and just how in spite of myself He lavishes His love upon me; pours out on me like oil. Drenches me in Beauty. Makes life more than worth living. I stood out there and embraced the cool breeze, observed the beautiful landscape, listened to everything around me. I decided to draw. I drew the view of Vignale from the driveway of La Rocca. Perfect view. I'm doing it for one of the guests. I just thought and thought. Im leaving soon. Heading back to Milano for the next semester. Man I'm really gonna miss this place. I know Ill be back here like atleast every other weekend, but when the time finally comes for me to depart this, this peaceful haven, I think a little bit of me will stay here. A piece of my heart will never leave this place. I've never lived anywhere so beautiful and wonderful in my life. Its my second home now and they are my second family.
But I guess i can honestly say, Im ready. Ready for whatever comes. Whatever. I know who I am and I know whose I am. I'll just lay down any burdens that try to jump on my back. They're not mine to carry. I may be leaving this place, but it won't be leaving me. I'm walking into more good times, more struggles, more growth, more memories. More dreams coming true.
Yes. I'm ready.

End of August. I can't believe it. With each passing day, my time for departure draws closer and closer. I'm not really excited about that. But in spite of this not so fun fact, just in the past several days alone, I've had some wonderful experiences.
Last Sunday we threw a surprise Birthday party for our friend Valeska. She's also been living here for the past few months. It went beautifully. She was totally clueless and we'd been planning for like 2 weeks before. We waited until the afternoon when she went out to visit a friend and then the 3 of us, Tracey, her sister Tanya, and I threw everything together. We baked, cooked, boiled, set the table, broke out the candles and the nice china, even Christmas lights to illuminate the occasion. In 2 hours we turned the outdoor sitting area into a beautiful dinner setting and on top of that got cleaned up ourselves. All of Valeska' friends began to show up, each bringing their own special dish for the festivities. Everything was ready. And then Valeska drives up to behold the shocking site of her friends, old and new, awaiting her arrival with open arms and loud voices singing "Happy Birthday". It was quite the evening. Eating, dancing, socializing. Everyone dressed up and ready to have a great time. And to end it on the perfect note, the rest of us-some had left already- headed down to one of the guests' pool. Yes from dinner party to pool party. Music blasting the entire time. It was so much fun. And by the end of it Valeska exclaimed that this had been the best party she'd ever had.
That was alot for just one day, but some pretty cool things have happened since then. Afternoons sunbathing by the pool have almost become routine. Daily visits to Grom for some of the best gelato have been a must. We've gone out for dinner with friends and invited some over. Watched a few Disney classics and enjoyed some feel good movies as well. Apparently everyday is just another day to celebrate life. O we've worked too ofcourse, mowing, weeding, digging, sweeping, cleaning. But it seems that regardless of rather I'm working around the house or taking a dip in the pool with friends, I'm enjoying myself and thanking God for the gift that has been this summer. The best summer vacation of my life. Glad I've got a few weeks to go.

Hair

It's been a pretty cool last couple of days. Since I last wrote, we've gone out and picked and canned tomatoes, hosted a cookout and of course, gone to the beach. There's a few other things in there too. I've also attempted to do something I haven't done in 2 1/2 years- straighten my hair. Thats right. I've been rockin' the fro since February of my freshman year. Since then my hair has gone from boy short to full and fabulous. It's been natural (pretty much) since that fateful day that I decided to lop it all off and start afresh. So, what possessed me to suddenly want to turn back the hands of time? Relax. I wasn't gone put any chemicals in or or anything. Yep, instead I set out to perform the tedious task by hand with a flat iron. It might not sound too scary, but when you've got a head full of nothing but swirl and curl- course at that, its a different story. Anyway, thats the gist of it. But that's not the actual story. See, being the bright and frighteningly clever young lady that I am, I decided to straighten my hair on the wettest, rainiest day I've experienced yet here at La Rocca. Not to mention, air circulation around here is received "au naturale" aka by opening the windows. So not only is it all wet outside, but I'm doing my hair with the window wide open letting all the moisture come in. So it wasn't long before the sections of my hair I had so carefully straightened turned once again, into a poofy mass. And it didn't help that soon after I proceeded to take a shower. Yeah, real smart. Needless to say my first attempt at transforming my curly fro into long locks failed- miserably. Oh well, I suppose I'll try again. Stay tuned...

Well, its been a full 6 days since I last wrote. I am happy to say that I have fully recovered from my recent physical state. Since then, I've been making sure to take my multivitamins and drink plenty of water. Seems to be working so far.
With that said, its been quite the week. New guests have come and gone, and we've had some wonderful times with them. Ive been to the beach twice this week catching plenty of sun, waves and sand. O and not to mention, Ela -Tracey's daughter has returned from the States bringing her aunt Tanya along with her. The 3 of us now share Ela's room. So yes, its been a bit busy around here. But its been wonderful. The only thing about being super busy, going back and forth doing this and that is that, after a while you realize you haven't really had any downtime- time for just yourself and God. Now,believe me, everyday is like another encounter with Him especially in light of where Im living now and that with the guests who come, we end up hanging out like family and pouring God's word into each other. Everyday is Jesus day. But like I said, not much alone time. And after a while, at least with me anyway, it starts to show. Maybe it doesn't appear that way to those around me, but internally, my thoughts begin to go from being full of joy and peace to off the wall craziness. I can't hear God speaking to my heart so easily. I dont feel as welcoming to others or beautiful to myself. Basically, I turn into a mess.
Funny. Complicated as the problem sounds, the solution is so easy. Return to Him. Amazing how complicated we can make it seem. Maybe we feel as though we've neglected, even rejected our relationship with God and then precede to host our own pity party and list all the reasons why God should hate us and not want to talk to us anymore. I know Ive done it a thousand times in some form or another, yet every time the solution remains the same. God does not change, so his Heart does not change, so His desire does not change. He loves us, He wants us. Period. I'm not gonna lie. Sometimes in my mind this is so simple, its complicated. I don't and can't get it. But thats what it always comes down to. At last, in one final attempt at "getting my mind right" and getting back in tune with God, I just give up. Thats when things change. Thats when I change. And that makes all the difference.

The Lady Swoons...

Ahhh another day in Paradise. Unfortunately, all is not exactly well. Well, Im not well. Am I sick? Well I wouldn't exactly term it that way. I'll just put it bluntly. From time to time, due to lack of hydration or sugar or something like that, I will suffer from fainting spells. Yes. It can happen really at any given time but not without warning. Usually, I'll be going along just minding my own business, when suddenly I'm stricken with this sortof... odd feeling. Its difficult to describe. I just start to feel...funny. And the more I try to ignore it, the more my mind is plagued by this feeling that I can't seem to shake. Usually within about 10 minutes of this sudden stream of "funkiness", I know that something isn't right. I get all fidgety and my breathing often becomes irregular and my mind starts racing- Oh no... not this. What the Heck?! Now? Really?! Maybe its not, no but why do I feel this way? Where's the nearest exit? Drink some water. Calm down, you're ok, etc. and so on. And of course within a matter of minutes the apparently inevitable happens. I stand, try to walk , and then, like a lovely damsel whose been suddenly overwhelmed by the severity of the natural lighting and not enough air circulation through her girdle, I swoon and Thunk! hit the floor like a sack of rocks. Romantic? Yes. Fun? No. Actually its probably not all that romantic for a number of reasons, but anyway. Getting back to the point in this account. This is what happened to me about two nights ago at a church gathering. That particular time I was thankfully able to find a chair before kissing the tile floor. But wouldn't you know it, just as I spent all of the next day recovering and successfully make it to the next evening without alarm, I try to take a casual 10 step journey to the bathroom and Uh oh...THUNK! Didn't make it out of my own doorway- well after I fell I was at least halfway out. At any rate, once again I lay or sit- at this present moment, recovering. So, that's essentially the long and short of it. No, I did not go to the hospital though if it happens again, Im afraid I'll have no choice otherwise. That said, there's more to the story. I'll keep you posted.

Of Stone Carving and other things...

I can hardly believe its August. Already. Its been 6 months since I landed in Italia. Can't believe so much time has passed. I've learned so much. I've changed too. I know that once I set foot on American soil again and embrace the ones I haven't seen for what seems like so long, the world won't look the same. It won't be the same either. But I don't look to those moments with anxiety; I'm simply taking in the time I have here. Day by day, moment by moment. There's so many new things I am experiencing that I haven't before. Today, I started learning to sculpt from rock. It was an exciting, and quite invigorating experience. A lady Tracey knows is an artist and offered to show a few things to Nico and me seeing as we're both into the arts. So, today she came over and brought the materials for us to work with. Two big blocks of stone and carving tools. Showed us how to use the tools and get started and then, we hacked away. We're taking a more abstract approach, which means this little project could turn out to be anything. I don't really have any concrete objectives for my piece right now except well, movement and energy. I wonder what this hunk of rock will turn into. I know that I won't stop until I'm satisfied. Learned that about myself in a clay modeling class I took not too long ago. At any rate, it'll be a fun way of using up my energy and just experimenting. No pressure for a change.
Besides, the stone carving ventures, I'm also trying to do a bit of drawing as well. Although, I'm out of practice, way out of practice, its funny how I keep surprising myself. I haven't lost it after all- my artistic "skills". Now, to start painting. That's where my heart really is when it comes to art. But I'm sure I'll get to that as well while I'm here. Besides, art-making, I stay occupied throughout the days, spending countless hours with my head stuck in one of the 5 novels I'm attempting to read (haha), helping Tracy and Nico with the garden/vineyard work, watching movies, going to the beach, and spending time with amazing people. Life is a bit of a dream right now. I couldn't count all the blessings within this one summer alone if I tried. Until tomorrow, I'll just keeping taking in today.

There aren't always words- or the right words anyway. The words that really tell it like it is. But, that doesn't mean you can't try.
Presently, I am in a stage, in a season where its difficult to describe. It is simply in the living. But, as much as I am able, I will try anyway.
I awake each day to the same place and a new place. Same house, new day. Same God, new gift. At times I can hardly contain myself. The one who goes before me reveals himself in the beauty of each moment, in the scent of a rose, the sway of the trees, conversations with a new found friend. How great is this love that not I possess, no, that possesses me? How much joy can a heart hold? How much grace can one soul even take? It takes me. In breathing, I find a song and in smiling I find joy. Every moment, basking in His love. The Love that consumes me. The Love that renews me. Love that completes me. I am overwhelmed. What is this Beauty I walk in but Beauty itself- or Himself. And my heart is so full my mind cannot contain it. I simply...let it. Let it come. Let it flow over me. There are no words. Or very few anyway. This Beauty is invisible, yet I see it all around me.
Though, to another, this may not make much since well, I did the best I could. But as I said, there are no words- or very few anyway.

Evening Sun

Ah the beauty of a Sunset! So glorious! There's nothing like watching the sun set over the mountains in the cool evening. I can't believe I hadnt done this yet, but tonight I finally did. Around 8 or so, I'd had my fill of sitting inside and just wanted go out and bask in the beauty of the world around me. This was also the perfect time to talk to God, in his own backyard. So, I grabbed my throw blanket, bible, and journal and settled down in a freshly mowed spot in the field right next to the grape vines. O the gorgeous view splayed out before me. I think I've described this before but it just takes my breath away every time. The stunning panorama of hill after rolling green hill, each topped with its own quaint little town. And in the backdrop, the Alps. A never-ending snow-capped mountainous range bordering the Piedmont region. And then sun- radiant in the bluest blue sky, cascading, descending over the mountains, transforming glorious day into shimmering night. This is what I witnessed. Ok, so it was a little cloudy today but at any rate, it was still a sight to behold.
So, being the hopeless romantic- or some variation of the sort, that I am, I took this opportunity to praise the one who painted this masterpiece and recite a few Psalms to the heavens. Yes, I was quite inspired you might say. I read Psalms 145 and 148 aloud and just watched as the day slowly waned away. Its happened a bazillion times over but there's never really any words to describe in its essence, the beauty of a sunset... or sunrise for that matter. I suppose its simply... a gift from God. I'm more than willing to receive it.

Your Presence

Listening to "I Love Your Presence" from the album "Here is Love". Amazing. As I sit at my desk typing I can not help but feel an amazing peace. A stillness within my own soul that only comes from God. A feeling like no other. Throughout the day several thoughts and feelings flood my mind and body. I don't always know where they come from or why they're there in the first place. They can be the most random of feelings and completely contradict how I was feeling just hours earlier. There is often a sense of instability and uncertainty that tries to creep in as the hours wane, leaving me often at odds with myself and even at times, the truth. And what can I do to combat these "quirks" and "jerks" of the soul that often fog the thinking. Well, thats easy. Rest. Rest in His presence; where I am safe and reassured once again that I am exactly where I am supposed to be at the exact moment I'm supposed to be there.
In realizing this, once again for the millionth time, all the worries and cares of the world fade away and my mind is at rest.
This evening after dinner, Tracey, Nico and I sat around the TV watching a movie and, once that was over, anything that looked interesting enough to tolerate. At that moment I had a desire to just step out for a bit, and just get things in perspective. The sun had not yet set and I'd been wanting to go out during the evening anyway. So, I did. Walked through the vineyard, up the hill and just... beheld. The world that surrounds me. Oh the absolute Beauty of this place. Hill after rolling hill, vast, open patchwork fields, stacked towns glowing romantically in the dusk, the sky- the array of brilliant pastels spread out before me, the moon already a glowing pearl. I spoke to God. "O Lord, what beauty you have made for us. What Beauty."
I told him my heart.
I love your presence.

Another day at the Beach

Another wonderful day at the beach. I could get used to this. Today was really good. Tracey, Nico, and I along with 2 guests/family friends, packed up our pocketbooks and bags and headed out to the rocky beaches of Camogli beach in Genova, or perhaps I should say "pebbly" beaches. Seriously, nothing but pebbles, beautiful yes, but fatal on the feet. At any rate, that didnt stop me from making that painful trek of about 3 feet from my beach towel to the ocean waves. Now, there's one thing that should be clarified about me. I cant swim. Thats right, I Jennifer McIntyre have never learned to swim. Never learned to as a kid but it seems I've hit the jackot since living here. Long story short, every week the 3 of us head to the beach- or to someone's pool, and I set aside my fears and dive in...or wade. And each time Im less and less afraid! Today I used a boogie board and only fell Off Once! YAY! Thats what I call some serious progress. Pretty soon yours truly will be swimmin with the fishes. Anyway, that took up most of the day but I enjoyed every moment of it. The sun was bright and hot, the water, cool and blue. My hair turned into a bunch of floppy seaweed and I turned into a walking block of salt. Now thats what I call a good day.

Thus far...

Since coming here to La Rocca, my life has been greatly affected. I have only been here for a few weeks, but this has already been by far the most amazing part of my abroad experience. Granted, I still have several months to go. At any rate, I am overwhelmingly blessed and still cannot believe all the wonderful things that have been poured out on me. From going to the beach every week, to visiting Florence, reading amazing books, working the vineyard and hearing God speak through the vines, reveling in the majesty of the Piemonte region, meeting amazing people from all over the world and maybe more than anything else, finding true peace and Joy- actual JOY! Im happy, all I do is think about what God has done for me, how he sees me, who he IS, I cant help but...smile. There is much to be said about everything really.
Each day, I rise to something new, a day never seen before, brand new. And each day I have a choice; I can either embrace it as a gift, or I can waste it. Now Im not saying I always make the right decision. I don't. But I am learning that I always regret the latter. In living here in Vignale, I am learning to treasure each moment. I believe that God has brought me into a season of rest, and a season of spiritual growth. I am surrounded by lovers of God and lovers of others. I awaken each morning surrounded by beauty, not afraid to embrace the day, not holding myself back from those nearest to me. I guess I can say one thing Im really experiencing is: truly being delighted in. Everyday Tracey- the one who owns La Rocca welcomes me with a big smile and an open heart, calling me "Princess" and throwing her arms around me. She confides in me and I in her. We go window shopping and she tells me how every bright, beautiful dress she sees reminds her of me and she tells me how gorgeous I would look in them. Her son, Nico tells me what a blessing it is that I have come and how God must really have something big for me. They take me in and simply...love me. And not only me; La Rocca is like...well its like an eagle's nest. You come here for refuge and nourishment for body and spirit. And when your time is done, in a manner of speaking, you're booted out of the nest and made to spread your wings and fly. For now this is my resting place- the place where God has sent me to be nourished and cared for. For now, I will simply drink it in. I don't think I've ever felt such embracing love like this before. I must say, I do believe I'm learning to fly.

In a Nutshell

So let me just say, Ive been meaning to do this for like the past 2 weeks now. Im currently living in the Piedmont Region of Italia in a town called Casale Monferrato. I have been welcomed in by a wonderful American/Italian family; they own a B&B and vineyard. So I am actually living on a vineyard! Amazing. Its been an awesome few weeks thus far. And there's so much I have to tell.
At the moment, I'm sitting in my room for the summer contemplating whether I should go and fix myself a caffe or not. Today's agenda: vineyard tending. Chopping branches and leaves essentially; letting the sun shine through and the air flow so that the grapes can breathe and grow fat and juicy.
Of course, there's much more to say, but for now think I'll go see about that caffe. Ciao!