Recovery and What's Next

I just read through my last blog post that I shared right after surgery. Little did I know at the time how quickly everything would change! About two weeks after the surgery my roommate and I were watching a movie and something didn't feel right. Well, something wasn't. To try and put a long story short, I came back to America a couple days after I discovered that I had a pretty bad incision infection. I didn't know how long recovery would take or if I would return to Italy this year.

I definitely didn't expect all of the setbacks that would take place over the following months. Surgery, infection, and some other physical issues placed me in the ER several times, caused some painful days, and evidently placed a lot on hold. For a couple of weeks I was hardly able to eat or hold any food down. Dumb. I like eating! So here we are well in to May and for the past two weeks I have been feeling myself again! Friends, don't take your health for granted.

This brings me to the FAQ that I have received from friends and family: When are you heading back to Italy? My answer is I'm not 100% sure. With all of the twists and turns I am going to take my time easing back in to a more normal pace of life. What I can tell you is I want to go back! It will probably be a short trip for a month to stay connected with Gallery 4 Italia and what's taking place there. 

For now, I am staying in my hometown, starting some part time work, and continuing photography. I'll tell you a little more about these changes next time, but to close I want to say GRAZIE MILLE (THANK YOU SO MUCH) to you all. I am blessed to have such amazing support from friends and family! 

Update from Italy

Over the past few weeks my health has been up and down and I've been very blessed with the help and support from my community at Mosaico Church here in Italy! As most of you know my sister came to visit me for the holidays, but unfortunately she got the flu which she kindly shared (as sisters do). One night after we both were over the flu I started having really bad pain near my right hip and her initial thought was appendicitis.

Over the time of three more weeks I visited 2 more doctors and eventually went to the emergency room. They sent me home with antibiotics however the pain didn't subside after a week and I could hardly walk so I went to another doctor. He sent me to the emergency room suggesting it was appendicitis - at this point they said it was and I went in to surgery early the next morning.

After being at the hospital for around 3 days I am back home and on my way to getting better! Life isn't always pain free and easy, but through those difficult times the Lord takes care of us. He provided a way for me to have the right medical treatment, a wonderful new friend through sharing a recovery room at the hospital, and many many people here to help me out. I even got to practice my Italian language skills- big time! If you are learning a different language there are other ways to practice though!

It's nice to be back in my apartment and on the right path to recovery. I truly have been overwhelmed by all of the people praying for me through everything and I appreciate you all!

Here are a few ways you can pray...

It's going to be a few weeks of recovery and very little physical activity. Pray for me to take it slowly even when I am starting to feel better...this is a challenge for me (:

Over the next couple weeks I have a couple more checkups so please pray these appointments go well. 

Buon Anno!

It's been a while since my last update due to the holidays, flu, and all! I hope you all had a happy Christmas and New Year and are getting back into the swing of things. Going in to 2016, I had to pause and look back at all that took place in 2015. Moving to Italy for the year involved a LOT of preparation and transition. I have grown and continue to learn how to be present and enjoy the simpler things each day here in Italy. Lately, I have really been missing my friends and family back home, however the Lord has provided some incredible places where I can rest in His peace. 

Here are some more recent pictures from the past few months that capture some of my favorite moments so far.

This is from our trip up north.

Sydnee is willing to take early trains with me. She's great.

With Jenny on top of the terrace.  

Bri and her little guitar. Loves Jesus, loves
people, and one who I will miss having in Florence.

My artist friend who is always excited about life!  

In Fiesole to take a break from the city.

Looking over Florence in Fiesole.

At La Menagere. One of my favorite places
to study Italian and put it into practice
with the people who work there.

Enjoying the taste of all things
 Christmas-y with Sydnee.

I love this terrace overflowing with green. 

Rachel and her cappuccino at News Cafe.

Thanksgiving in Italy

Thanksgiving has already started here in Italy! Last night 14 friends from bible study, church, and Italian language class came over to my apartment for a Thanksgiving meal. Everyone pitched in and cooked. Such a great evening eating, laughing, and watching the movie Elf with friends. I am truly thankful for the friends I have made to celebrate the holidays with. On Thursday, we will have Thanksgiving round 2! I hope you all have a great Thanksgiving week in America.

Tacchino! No hiding that I was an American when I asked the butcher at the grocery store for a whole lot of turkey.

I think we all had more dessert than we did dinner. We were really in the "Elf" mood.

Moving Forward and Adapting

Today I had my first appointment at the Questura Di Firenze to recieve my Permesso Di Soggiorno (Residence Permit). Just about anyone staying in Italy longer than 3 months has to go through the process to receive a permit and it's typically not the most enjoyable process. Well, it turned out to be a pretty awesome experience for me! Lately it has felt like I have not made a ton of progress with the language, but I was encouraged by how many Italian people I was able to converse with at the office. 

One of the ladies I spoke with moved to Florence to 

work at a hotel and through my basic Italian we talked for a long time. The Lord is using each day here to show me more and more just how great and powerful 

He is. Through the small and simple things He

 is doing great things.

Jenny, Rachel and I are having so much fun living together and doing ministry through Gallery 4!

My first 2 weeks in Italy

Ciao from Italia! 

My trip to Italy had more delays than expected and it took a while to get over the jet lag, but I am feeling back to normal and getting into the swing of things! 

When I first arrived, a fellow Gallery 4 team member, Kourtney, came to visit. Having Kourtney here was a great start to my return to Italy.

Following her visit the first student life group with Mosaico Church took place at my apartment. This is one of the highlights of my week!

I'm understanding the language more and more, however responding in Italian is a bit of a challenge. I am staying positive though! The other day I was at
 the grocery store and some man made a joke in Italian and I was able to respond. To me this was a success! I look forward to the day when
 I'm the one making jokes in Italian.

All packed and ready to go

In only a few days I am going to be on a plane to Italy! Getting ready to move to Italy has had it's ups and downs, but as always, Christ has been constant in providing, giving me peace when times have been difficult, and placing so many people in my life to help me along this journey. 

Pictured above is everything I am bringing with me: two checked bags and one carry on + my backpack. What's cool is just about everything in the bags and the bags themselves are gifts or donations from my support team. A HUGE blessing! 

Here are some ways that you can pray...

Safe travels to Italy.

The transition to go well.

Quick understanding of the language so I can communicate.

The rest of financial support to be raised.

The next time you hear from me, I will be in Italy!