ciao!
It has been an amazing couple weeks! We have made many close friendships and have enjoyed exciting adventures together! God is definitely at work here; there are so many hearts eagerly seeking Him. The Spiritual theme discussed often is the process God uses to renew our hearts and minds.
Prior to leaving for Italy, our family has been enjoying a new season of fellowship with folks eager to see God working in their midst. We're finding the same type of brothers and sisters over here as well. What ever we may be doing together, the conversation moves to the spiritual and we are all edified and encouraged by it. Praise God!
Our regular events of the week are going well. We have enjoyed very encouraging and challenging Bible studies on Tuesday nights.
Friday night potluck is a large and lively group with a great time of prayer and worship.
And of course, there is always some sort of game being played somewhere in the house, swing dancing, and lots of trips for gelato. Gotta love that stuff. :)
We have enjoyed getting to know some of the kids that attend the youth group on post, Club Beyond. We had a great time at the end of the year Luau cookout!
Now for our excursions around Italy: We got caught in an intense hail storm in the city of Marostica with Jenn and Jessica.
So our solution was to wait out the storm by checking out the local pizzeria!
My dad then used his impressive driving skills and drove our hulk-of-a-van up the mountain to explore the castle ruins.
Last week we went hiking in Asiago (FYI,the cheese does taste more amazing in its home town!). It was amusing watching all the army guys decifer maps and find trail heads.
The countryside of Northern Italy.
Jason, Lloyd and Barry try to keep up with Johnny
The giant duck wasn't so kind to Claire. You'll have to ask her what it did to her jeans!*evil grin*
The gang drove up to Venezia (Venice) last Sat. We got the front seats on the water taxi (which is quite a feat for a group of 14!) and enjoyed the sights of Venice during the day and lit up at night under a full moon. Cosi bello!
We had a trying experience on Saturday on our way to Venice - we had an incident at the local gas station where we caused a fire in their vacuum unit (long story). Anyway, everyone is safe, but we did make the newspaper. We clearly saw God's hand at work from the time of the incident to here and now. It is always a humbling reminder of how vulnerable we humans can be! But God allows everything to happen for a reason and He works and resolves in mighty ways! We are very thankful for His protection and provision.
This week Laura, Jenn and Jessica are away at the second week of Beach Break, the post's youth group summer camp. We are praying for God to touch many young hearts this week and to give the leaders strength and wisdom.
Also this week we are very happy to be involved in the VBS at chapel - So far the week has been a success! The energy and excitement are contagious and the kids are just so joyful!
Prayer Requests:
* for Jason, Barry and Lloyd as they prepare for deployment.
* for Robert who was wounded and is back at the post in Vicenza.
* for the salvation of 130 kids attending VBS this week. Many have a parent currently deployed.
* for the youth group attending Beach Break.
Being at a military post has been such an eye opener for me in regards to this war. Back home in the States our lives continue as usual, for me at least, and we barely (or not at all) feel the effects of our country actually being at war. But living here, you see the effects that the war is having on the people who are fighting it (struggles in relationships, emotional, spiritual). It has really touched my heart and made me appreciate our troops all the more. Please continually pray for our men and women in arms and their families. The enemy is strong, but our God is stronger!
God bless! Katie
Prior to leaving for Italy, our family has been enjoying a new season of fellowship with folks eager to see God working in their midst. We're finding the same type of brothers and sisters over here as well. What ever we may be doing together, the conversation moves to the spiritual and we are all edified and encouraged by it. Praise God!
Our regular events of the week are going well. We have enjoyed very encouraging and challenging Bible studies on Tuesday nights.
Friday night potluck is a large and lively group with a great time of prayer and worship.
And of course, there is always some sort of game being played somewhere in the house, swing dancing, and lots of trips for gelato. Gotta love that stuff. :)
We have enjoyed getting to know some of the kids that attend the youth group on post, Club Beyond. We had a great time at the end of the year Luau cookout!
Now for our excursions around Italy: We got caught in an intense hail storm in the city of Marostica with Jenn and Jessica.
So our solution was to wait out the storm by checking out the local pizzeria!
My dad then used his impressive driving skills and drove our hulk-of-a-van up the mountain to explore the castle ruins.
Last week we went hiking in Asiago (FYI,the cheese does taste more amazing in its home town!). It was amusing watching all the army guys decifer maps and find trail heads.
The countryside of Northern Italy.
Jason, Lloyd and Barry try to keep up with Johnny
The giant duck wasn't so kind to Claire. You'll have to ask her what it did to her jeans!*evil grin*
The gang drove up to Venezia (Venice) last Sat. We got the front seats on the water taxi (which is quite a feat for a group of 14!) and enjoyed the sights of Venice during the day and lit up at night under a full moon. Cosi bello!
We had a trying experience on Saturday on our way to Venice - we had an incident at the local gas station where we caused a fire in their vacuum unit (long story). Anyway, everyone is safe, but we did make the newspaper. We clearly saw God's hand at work from the time of the incident to here and now. It is always a humbling reminder of how vulnerable we humans can be! But God allows everything to happen for a reason and He works and resolves in mighty ways! We are very thankful for His protection and provision.
This week Laura, Jenn and Jessica are away at the second week of Beach Break, the post's youth group summer camp. We are praying for God to touch many young hearts this week and to give the leaders strength and wisdom.
Also this week we are very happy to be involved in the VBS at chapel - So far the week has been a success! The energy and excitement are contagious and the kids are just so joyful!
Prayer Requests:
* for Jason, Barry and Lloyd as they prepare for deployment.
* for Robert who was wounded and is back at the post in Vicenza.
* for the salvation of 130 kids attending VBS this week. Many have a parent currently deployed.
* for the youth group attending Beach Break.
Being at a military post has been such an eye opener for me in regards to this war. Back home in the States our lives continue as usual, for me at least, and we barely (or not at all) feel the effects of our country actually being at war. But living here, you see the effects that the war is having on the people who are fighting it (struggles in relationships, emotional, spiritual). It has really touched my heart and made me appreciate our troops all the more. Please continually pray for our men and women in arms and their families. The enemy is strong, but our God is stronger!
God bless! Katie
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AMEN! Aunt Wendy
Posted by
Anonymous |
4:47 PM
Wonderful post Katie!!! I got teary-eyed. Thank you for speaking God in your breath. It's so rewarding to witness how God is working in your life. Your relationship with your Savior, Jesus Christ is the same one I get to see as you pour out love onto the military families. Thank you for loving like Christ. Aunt Wendy
Posted by
Anonymous |
5:09 PM