Tuesday, November 25, 2008

oh the holidays.

ciao tutti!

it's beginning to look like Christmas here in florence... the windows are full of colorful displays, the streets are lined with mini Christmas trees [well, the nicer ones anyway], and twinkle lights are hung from building to building. and in our own little apartment, i find myself listening to sufjan's Christmas album more often than not.

it's strange to be away from America in this season. it's definitely hard to believe that you will all be carving up turkey on thursday and then hitting the malls on friday. oh how i wish i was around to take part in this beloved time of year!

this saturday, i will blessed with the presence of two giant turkeys! our team is hosting a thanksgiving dinner for our italian friends... about 60 of them! of course the idea of thanksgiving is completely foreign to them- their eyes usually light up, arms spread wide, and whisper urgently: grande tacchino! yes. so we shall provide two.

so as you munch on your leftovers this weekend, be thinking of the tiny apartment we are cramming students into, feeding turkey, and sharing about the religious freedom that sparked this day we call thanksgiving.

6 comments:

marie said...

Hey Melody, We will definitely be thinking about you and praying for you and your Thanksgiving celebration with your Italian friends. Where did you find the giant Turkeys at? We have got a medium size Turkey and we will be sharing it with a few international students.
Love you,
Dad

marcia said...

Melody,We will be thinking of you and your new friends this weekend. I am also thinking back to two Thanksgivings ago when your dad was in Iraq and you, Clay and your mom spent that day with us. That was a great day even though we were missing your dad. God is good and He has given us all many blessings these last few years. I am grateful He is using you there in Italia. Ciao baby!! Marcia

Anonymous said...

Hey Melody,
Yay for the turkeys! Will you be drinking the lovley Chai with your meal? mmmm
I will be thinking of you this weekend, and enjoy knowing your Italian friends will share the day with you. What a fantastic opportunity you have. They are indeed blessed to have your friendship.
Love you,
Susan

Anonymous said...

Hi Melody,
It's Grandma speaking. Wishing you a Happy, Happy Birthday!
Did you have enough turkey for 60 people? Wishing you the best.
I love you

marie said...

Hi Melody. I pray for you every day. I prayed for your Thanksgiving outreach to the 60 Italians today. What a fantastic number. Praise God! I pray they will sense the love of God through you and your team, and commit their lives to Christ. You are being used by God to do eternal, imperishable work. May His Spirit move in mighty, unhindered, powerful ways. Tomorrow is your birthday!
I love you,
Mom

Cindy said...

Hey your mom said your Thanksgiving celebration went well. So excited. Missing you bunches and I hope you had a fab birthday.