In a nutshell...

I spent all day yesterday with my friend Alessandra. We walked around Rome yesterday and talked for hours.. about life, love, Rome, prayer, Jesus.. it was a really sweet day. It was the first time I had ridden the metro by myself. I felt like I was a "real part of the city," and sort of grown up and not so scared of doing things alone in a city of 4 million people. It was really fun and freeing for me, so to speak. :) Praise God. :)

Also, for those of you who don't know, my friend & teammate Sam's mom unexpededly passed away this weekend. I think today is the first day in a few days I haven't cried. I am heartbroken for Sam. A lot of old feelings have been resurrected from when I lost my dad 3 years ago; The feeling I got in my stomach when April told me on Monday morning (about Sam's mom) was only the 2nd time in my life I've felt like that.. with the only other time being when my Dad died. It's just really intense. I am having a lot of thoughts swirl around my brain. Hmm. My heart brakes for Sam; he's kind of my "partner in crime" here in Rome--- we're connected on basically every team we're a part of (missional teams, "arco" teams and obviously the STINT team)--- so I feel like I've really gotten used to seeing Sam every day and processing life with him and just being his buddy. I'm just really sad for him and all he's going through-- and I'm kind of selfishly, I guess, sad that he's gone, and will be for a little while. I guess I just miss my friend. :(

But-- I listened to a beautiful and wonderful sermon this morning, an older one from the end of April, from Bethlehem Baptist Church, from Pastor John Piper. It was a great sermon about Jesus being the Good Shepherd, and what that means.. how He's alive, and how "Christianity is the only religion that offers a Shepherd that died and came back and is alive to lead and Shepherd His people"... it's really cool to think about, I think.

Jimmy & Joel fixed our internet this morning, and Jimmy & April installed our oven last night, which B'Evans & Sam have also had a part in. So many people helping us to actually get settled and make this apartment a home!... Praise God for these sweet friends. It's great to type this on my own computer (Thanks Joel!) with the internet, working quickly and efficiently. :)

I've enjoyed drinking lots of caffe and eating good food, and trying to work it off doing "Hip Hop Abs" on our TV in the living room... haha. Thank the Lord for hilarious workout DVDs.. :)

I am praising God and learning lots and loving walking with Jesus, through the good, bad, ugly, and sad, here in this lovely and crazy city. :)

More to come later. :)