sing along with the elevator music.

new home.

2010-10-08T15:18:00.001-05:00

i've moved!

come and visit me at www.melodyfarahani.com for all kinds of italy updates and happenings.

i promise to be more faithful in this new endeavor! :)

nuova generazione.

2010-06-19T12:36:00.007-05:00

our team recently put together this video as we look back on our first year of italian interns... and begin accepting applications for year two! exciting things continue to happen here in florence and all across italy. watch this video and keep praying!

spring in the air.

2010-03-27T12:29:00.004-05:00

i have to tell you. i love the spring.

i always thought i was such a fall girl... and believe me, i still am. i love the scarves, the falling leaves, and the mugs of chai that come with fall.

but i love the spring too. i mean, there are lightweight scarves [which if you're in italy, you MUST wear until may, no matter the climate]. the leaves are coming back and the flowers are in bloom. and while chai may no longer be the drink of choice, there is a seriously delicious batch of granita awaiting.

the spring reminds me so much of rebirth. with easter upcoming, it is nearly impossible to think about anything other than the resurrection. at least i think so. it's everywhere. i am constantly reminded of how Christ died on the cross and literally paid the penalty for every single last one of my sins. every. last. one.

so hello spring. thank you for the daily visual reminder of my Savior. for His love. for His grace. His sacrifice. and His triumph over death.

all your cares.

2010-02-09T16:22:00.002-06:00

this commentary by Matthew Henry gets me every time. i am always so challenged by the words. listen to his take on 1 Peter 5:

"Cast 'all your cares', personal cares, family cares, cares for the present, and cares for the future, for yourselves, for others, for the church, on God. These are burdensome, and often very sinful, when they arise from unbelief and distrust, when they torture and distract the mind, unfit us for duties, and hinder our delight in the service of God. The remedy is, to cast our care upon God and leave every event to His wise and gracious disposal."

what are you caring for that has become burdensome and hindered your delight in the service of God?

homework... really?

2010-02-03T06:36:00.002-06:00

this week, Agape Italia is holding it's first [in many many years] Institute of Biblical Studies course week! More than 1/3 of the Staff from around the country have come to Florence to take one of two offered courses. Some are taking Biblical Interpretations and others, like myself, are enrolled in Romans.

i have to say, i love school. i love learning. i love going deeper in the Word- into historical context and meaning. also, i really love school supplies. i've already purchased a new notebook for this journey back to school, and have been scouring every cartoleria for the perfect pen. it's out there- i just know it.

so pray for those gathered in Florence. pray that we would be alert, attentive, and fully engaged. Already, I am discovering things in Romans that I've never known before... seeing themes that I have never paid attention to. All of this, we want to transfer to our ministry here in Italy. All of it is training for the mission field. I am so grateful.

What an opportunity.

"Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God." Romans 5:1-2.

buon natale.

2009-12-24T14:46:00.002-06:00

merry christmas from alabama!

after a day or two of crazy snow and cancelled flights, i finally made it back home for christmas! it's so great to be back with family during this special time of year. there's just something about the expectancy that comes with christmas that i love. waiting for presents, waiting for the arrival of loved ones, and best of all: waiting for a savior.

our italian pastor said it best: we are not awaiting a small helpless baby, we await the arrival of our Almighty God- in human form. we await the moment when He took on flesh so that we might have a relationship with Him. oh how powerful. how wonderful the depth of His love.

remember this christmas to take time and reflect on the sheer power and beauty that is our God- here on earth.

merry christmas!

tag team. back again.

2009-12-12T16:21:00.003-06:00

it's been 3.5 weeks since i arrived back in florence, italy. and i am so happy to be back.

it was hard to leave oklahoma. to leave my stateside teams, both in edmond and in stillwater. to leave my family. and to leave a slew of friends that i had so enjoyed being around.

but oh how sweet it has been to return. to a country that needs a Savior. to italian friends that have such a zest for life. to people who walked alongside me during one of the hardest years of my life. to a new beginning.

i have loved every bit of this beginning. i am so thankful for all the newness it holds. my new team. new apartment. new roommates. new perspective.

so here's to another year of living and serving in florence. i am full of hope.

soularium.

2009-10-09T16:20:00.004-05:00

a dialogue in pictures. that's what soularium is all about.

on thursday, a teammate of mine and i asked several college students to describe their life and their spiritual journey... all through pictures.

the above images are all part of a tool used to create an easy conversation between two [or more] people. students are asked to select a photo that describes things such as 'where i wish i was spiritually' and then articulate why they made a certain image choice. i think it's a beautiful way to create conversations about the Gospel and to hear where students REALLY are.

when asked to pick a photo that describes God, one girl chose the mountains scape, one a dark tunnel with a shining light, and one a hand holding a bird. what a privilege it was to hear why. it's a joy to share truth as well.

the fall retreat.

2009-09-30T16:34:00.003-05:00

it's almost that time- this weekend, over 200 college students will be traveling from all across the state to Cave Springs for a weekend of fellowship, fun, learning, and a little relaxation.

i am so excited to be a part of this great weekend. we are hoping to see students challenged in their walks with the Lord, pushed toward becoming leaders, and coming away with a heart for reaching their campus... together! how wonderful to see students unify over such a powerful message. they have a responsibility to take the Gospel to their campus- pray that they will realize this over the next several days!

it was at fall retreat 4 years ago that i first heard about a summer project opportunity to thailand. spending that summer in ministry absolutely changed my life. pray that God will change lives- i know He can!

here's a photo from back then- right before the barn dance. it's such a joy that some of these ladies are still in my life today.

a new role.

2009-09-23T16:15:00.003-05:00

here i am. still in the good ole united states of america.

but ministry has not stopped! over the last few days, i have spent time with the local Campus Crusade for Christ team here in okc/edmond. it's been great to be around them, to hear what's going on at universities here in oklahoma.

my new position is still being set up, but the bottom line is: i won't be leaving for italy until november, but i will continue working for campus crusade here in america! i love this.

i'm excited about the opportunity to be around amazing people, new college students, and be exposed to staff life here at home. i can't wait to see what the Lord is going to teach me during this time.

please keep praying. for this little leg o' mine, and for the newness of ministry upon me. it's going to be a great few months!

a time to rest.

2009-08-23T21:21:00.002-05:00

well, i broke my ankle. actually, i broke my fibula [which i hear is a leg bone] but very near to my ankle.

i was at our annual STINT briefing last week, along with 250 others like me who are going to the world. it was such a joy to be around friends and to see their excitement as they head to places like mexico, france, north africa, japan, bosnia, and so so so many more.

it was on my way down from copper mountain [after ski lifting and having lunch at the top] that i slipped and fell. it seemed like such a minor fall- there was no dramatic tumbling, no paraphenalia flying, and no jean tearing. but there was a broken fibula. yikes.

i'm currently spending my days in a splint, waiting for the swelling to go down so that i can find my way into a hard cast. pray that nothing shifts- i sure don't want to have surgery on the september agenda.

and speaking of agendas, it looks as if the Lord has a little bit up His sleeve. i still plan to be italy bound as soon as possible. it just looks like it won't be happening alongside my teammates. but the Lord is good. He is in control. i don't know why, or what He has in store for these upcoming weeks, but i know it will be good. and it will be best.

please pray for a speedy recovery, for complete restoration, and for sweet times with Jesus.

enough.

2009-08-11T13:59:00.003-05:00

this is a must listen.

giving up.

2009-08-06T23:54:00.003-05:00

the following song by ingrid michaelson has been sinking in these last few days. i would say that i have let the 'what ifs' of life freak me out over these last two weeks. i'm giving up. i'm giving up on not trusting the Lord. i'm giving up on trying to figure all this out on my own... and seeing a bunch of half-empty glasses. He is in control. i need to stop fretting over my own contingency plans. give this song a listen- her voice is magnificent:

What if we stop having a ball?
What if the paint chips from the wall?
What if there's always cups in the sink?
What if I'm not what you think I am?

What if I fall further than you?
What if you dream of somebody new?
What if I never let you win, chase you with a rolling pin?
Well what if I do?

I am giving up on making passes and
I am giving up on half empty glasses and
I am giving up on greener grasses
I am giving up

What if our baby comes home after nine?
What it your eyes close before mine?
What if you lose yourself sometimes? Then I'll be the one to find you
Safe in my heart

I am giving up on making passes and
I am giving up on half empty glasses and
I am giving up on greener grasses
I am giving up

I am giving up
I am giving up
I am giving up on greener grasses

I am giving up for you
I am giving up for you
I am giving up

-ingrid michaelson.

expecting big things.

2009-07-31T18:06:00.002-05:00

my support deadline is coming up in a matter of days.

right now, i am at 85% of my goal and believing the Lord for more people who want to help change italy. pray with me for 14 families who want to be a part of bringing the Gospel to florence.

i know that the Lord is in control. i know that He will raise my support.

i can't wait to see how He does it.

music to my soul.

2009-07-25T20:31:00.002-05:00

so i don't usually listen to christian music. at least in america anyway. music is one of my favorite pieces of life. i love so many different kinds, but i rarely find my radio tuned to the local christian station. until today that is.

driving in the car, i was absolutely blessed by the Lord. there are three songs that i believe He has used to call me back to italy. no lie, i heard all three back to back to back. absolutely fantastic.

walk by faith.
god of this city.
mighty to save.

thank you Father. i needed that.

it's not easy.

2009-07-14T14:48:00.003-05:00

what a whirlwind it's been. i've been back in america for just under a month and in that time i have managed to spend two weeks in dallas, a weekend in branson, made two trips to stillwater, and just recently married off my best friend. not only has it been crazy, it has been emotional.

in all the insanity and busyiness it is easy to lose sight of why i am back. it's been easy to hide from support raising and from the thought of returning to italy in general.

as i rode away from the wedding with my teammate sarah, i knew that the hiding was over. it was time to get serious... about italy, my distrust of the Lord in sending me back, and of course raising support. the tears were hard to stop. in two short months, i was scheduled to get back on a european bound plane and i wasn't sure i wanted to be on it.

i spent the morning at panera today- spending time in the word, and making a list of all the reasons i'm excited about returning to italy. it boils down to this... i'm scared. i fear going back. i fear another all too challenging year. i fear losing relationships back in the states. i fear missed time and opportunities with the team that is currently serving at oklahoma state university. but He is bigger than all these.

the truth is, there is much to anticipate in returning to florence. there is much to look forward to. and although for me, it is the harder choice, i know that it is the right one. it is His best. and there is no other place i'd rather be.

"bless our God, o peoples,
and sound His praise abroad,
who keeps us in life,
and does not allow our feet to slip.
for Thou hast tried us o God;
Thou hast refined us as silver is refined.
Thou didst bring us into the net;
Thou didst lay an oppressive burden upon our loins.
Thou didst make men ride over our heads;
we went through fire and through water;
yet Thou didst bring us out into a place of abundance."
psalm 66:8-12.

hello, again.

2009-07-02T16:34:00.004-05:00

hi dear friends.

i know that it has been far too long since i have updated this blog, and for that i am sorry.

the craziness of packing up my italian life got the best of me, and there were moments i wasn't sure i was going to be making it onto the plane. but all is well. students were farewelled, boxes were packed, final gift purchases were made, and an apartment was officially cleaned.

i'm back in america! oh it feels so good to be back. i love that as i sit here in a certain coffee shop, there is a young man across the way reading his bible and taking notes. i love that two tables down there are two men talking about john piper and how his teachings have affected their walks with Christ.

this is my vision for italy. how wonderful to think that one day, these same things could be seen at novoli [the business/polysci campus] or at martelli's bookstore. please hope and pray with me.

this summer, i'll be raising support and reconnecting with those who have supported me over this last year. i am so thankful and i look foward to sharing all that has happened over the year.

for those who have so sweetly asked about sarah, she is still at home. please continue to bring her health situation before the Lord. she has just begun a new medication that we are hoping will increase her ability to eat and digest. i know that she too appreciates your prayers and feels them.

i'm looking foward to connecting with you this summer- what a joy!

prayer for sarah.

2009-04-27T15:41:00.004-05:00

today was a sad day.

my teammate sarah has been sick for months now. she has tried many avenues of healthcare here in italy and cannot find any answers.

today, we put her on a plane, and tomorrow she will be back in america.

please pray for her. that the doctors would be blessed with wisdom. that answers would be found. that her body will heal. that her hope and confidence will be solely in the Lord. that she will not be discouraged. that through it all, the Lord would be glorified.

and pray for us too. it is hard to see her go... to keep going without our oh so valued teammate. pray for encouragement and continued stamina.

pray that tomorrow will be better.

earthquake.

2009-04-07T05:00:00.003-05:00

as i'm sure you have heard, yesterday there was an earthquake in central italy. the region of abruzzo, and specifically the town of l'acquila was hit by a 6.3 earthquake.

honestly, i would not have known about this instance except for all the calls and messages i received from family and friends. we are slowly starting to receive information, and the devastation sounds absolutely terrible. please be praying for these people. pray for comfort. for healing. for peace. and ultimately, that it would be found only in Christ.

we have looked into going down and helping out with cleanup. as for now, the city has requested only volunteers that are trained and certified in rescue work. that may change later, but for now we are sending financial help and our prayers. these are two very vital things [as they are the two reasons i am able to be here... financial support and prayer!].

all this to say, thank you for your concern and care for me. we are safe.

please please continue you to pray for those in and around abruzzo.

just a few updates.

2009-03-23T09:41:00.002-05:00

i feel like there is so much i want to update you on, and so much to tell you that is upcoming.

but i'd like to pause for a moment and ask for your prayers. pray for spiritual strength for those who are working in italy. pray against the enemy as he fights against all we [and other ministries in italy] are trying to do. we expect and believe that the Lord is about to do something amazing here. pray that Satan would have no foothold.

we are seeing great suffering and attack amongst the believers in italy. it's coming in various forms: sickness, disease, discouragement, and actual physical attack. i humbly ask for your prayers.

wednesday afternoon we are having an informational meeting about this summer's project in malawi. our hope is that students, believers and non-believers, will join us for 2-4 weeks as we continue work in malawi. italian students of all types are drawn to humanitarian aid and so this provides a wonderful opportunity for us to build into their lives. [as an aside, i will not be going to malawi this summer but 3 of my teammates will].

my family was here this last week. it was wonderful to have them in florence- i wish they could have been here longer- but we did a little traveling and of course, it was great to see them after being apart for 6 months.

la bibbia.

2009-03-05T13:08:00.003-06:00

my team has spent the last two wednesdays partnered with the gideons. we have passed out hundreds of new testaments [with psalms as well].

i want to write more about the entire experience later, but in the meantime, i want to ask for your prayers.

we know that God's Word does not return void. pray that students would open and read. that hearts and minds would open. that lives would be transformed.

thank you.

adventures on the bus.

2009-02-12T11:03:00.003-06:00

i admit it. i am a bus sleeper.

when left alone on a public bus, it's basically inevitable that i will doze off. usually, i am accompanied by roommates, but there is the rare occasion that i find myself alone on a bus.

today was such a day.

i don't know what it is- perhaps a combo of many things. the soothing melodies coming from my ipod, the awkwardness of not knowing what to do with my eyes, the slight nausea that comes from a reckless bus driver, and perhaps a little bit of boredom/exhaustion... all these things [and quite possibly more] lead me to one end. sleep.

i never have a problem with waking up. sometimes i wake up at the end of the line [which luckily has always been where i needed to go] or somewhere in between my initial mount and place of arrival.

not so today my friends.

let's just say, from here on out i will be propping my eyelids open with toothpicks when going solo. the long walks back home just aren't worth it.

new beginnings.

2009-02-02T11:23:00.002-06:00

a new semester is upon us. it's funny, sometimes i think about all the people that don't view life in "semesters", but instead by season or year. i'd like to be one of those people someday. but not today.

today i am grateful for a new semester.

-for italian students returning to classes and campus.
-for the new bedtime i am establishing for myself.
-for schedules that are filled out ahead of time.
-for daily prayer calendars.
-for established relationships.
-for relationships yet to come.

for the bend i see in the road and the blank pages in my journal.

here's to you new semester.

greater things are yet to come.

2009-01-06T05:49:00.004-06:00

our team officially kicked off the semester yesterday. italian students are slowly returning to florence, and we're trying to connect with them as they do. i must admit that i was not looking forward to returning to a normal schedule. the idea of getting back to campus, throwing myself back into italian language learning, and being intentional with students was far from the top of my list... and this was yesterday. it's weird to come off of a break just as weary as you began it.

but as i sit in my room this morning- spending time with Jesus and thinking through what is before me, i can't help but be excited. i purchased a new cd from itunes this morning- one that's a little old, but new to me- Passion: God of this City. i love how refreshing music can be- in all its varieties.

as for today, the Lord couldn't have been more clear:

You're the God of this city
You're the King of these people
You're the Lord of this nation
You Are

You're the Light in this darkness
You're the Hope to the hopeless
You're the Peace to the restless
You Are

There is no one like our God
There is no one like our God

For greater things have yet to come
And greater things are still to be done in this city
Greater things have yet to come
And greater things are still to be done here.

i can't wait.

Buon Anno Nuovo.

2009-01-01T16:28:00.003-06:00

Happy 2009! Praying that it's a blessed one for you.
Melody.

oh the holidays.

2008-11-25T15:49:00.002-06:00

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.

america votes.

2008-11-08T07:39:00.006-06:00

it's strange to be in a foreign country during such an exciting time in the good ole usa. what makes it even crazier is when the internet in your florentine apartment goes out- so you are completely cut off from all news... or palin snl videos.

italy is quite excited to see obama as the new face of america. i admit it's a relief to now introduce myself without being asked, "who are you voting for?", and then of course being judged accordingly. it was getting more and more difficult to evade such a question.

what shall i miss most? tina fey of course. but don't you worry- there are three girls in florence that will continue to "get mavericky". we will miss you sarah palin, but your maverick legacy shall live on in our hearts... and our youtube videos.

saturday with sarah.

2008-11-01T09:57:00.006-05:00

okay. so potentially the grandest moment of 'florence in the fall' just happened. and i mean JUST. this little post... well, it's coming at you live... if you will.

if you have ever lived anywhere near stillwater then i know you are familiar with aspen coffee. and if you are familiar with aspen coffee then i know you heart chai. and if you heart aspen chai, we are probably bff.

well, even here in italy, people are bonding over this delicious beverage. on more than one occasion i have found myself in an 'aspen' conversation.

but today my friends, today, all this talk became reality... thanks to a dear friend... sarah. i may or may not have been leaping round her kitchen. no big deal.

apparently, you can partake via big train brand. and i kid you not, it IS aspen chai. aka, the love of my life.

so here's to you aspen- from europe- i salute you.

and so it begins.

2008-10-08T10:08:00.006-05:00

ciao mi amici.

i've been in italy for exactly 3 weeks now. it truly feels like so much longer- not in a bad way- in a 'this really is my life' way.

this week, we've spent some time on campus meeting students, and we also started our Bible study, called La Porta... aka The Door. this Bible study is hosted at our apartment. it was quite an experience to have my living room full with 25 people! we visited, ate dinner, and then listened to three women [one american, two italiani] speak of their summer project in malawi. along with a team, these women raised money to go and serve the people of malawi by building a school and a well. the pictures and stories were extremely moving. it was absolutely beautiful to hear two italians speak of serving God to their fellow italians [even though i only caught about every 5th word] :). next time, we will begin our study of the Sermon on the Mount.

today, our team went to careggi [the engineering campus here in florence]. i visited this campus back in march, so it was surreal to enter onto it again knowing i was long-term. my teammate michelle and i spoke with two girls who were very interested in american pop culture. they questioned me mostly about film stars and tv shows. i am rediscovering the life of the lost. it was so easy for these girls to transition into joking about porn, sex, etc. this is something i've just never been confronted with [especially living in oklahoma] but is so understandable.

these precious italians just don't know any better. oh how i pray that their eyes would be opened to the knowledge of their great Savior. please join me.

below is a picture of my team. it is a joy and privilege to serve italians alongside them. clockwise from left: le presento: kelly, abigail, marti, drew, cecilia [italian], sarah, michelle, and me. please continue to pray for each of us- that we would be bonded together as one and love the Lord as we ought.

Day with the Lord.

2008-09-25T11:14:00.003-05:00

Greetings.

Our team just came back from a New Beginnings conference near Grossetto- Fattoria Il Santo. It was such a joy to connect with teams headed to different areas of Italy, and discuss what it looks like to really dive into the lives of Italians. We talked about what it will look like to practically launch movements among students.

One of my favorite points of the weekend was hearing what has worked in the past- Italians that had surrendered their lives to Christ shared what made them want to cross over from death to life. These things included: being exposed to Christ centered community, exposure to large sections of Scripture, hearing someone's life changed story, and having a few of their burning questions answered. I cannot wait to join with my team in making sure that every student we invest in sees these 4 aspects.

Currently, I am learning to have a more accurate perspective on the glory of God. At the Fattoria [which is a working farm] we were surrounded by beauty- from the Tuscan hills to the vast skies blanketed in stars- and I found myself feeling small and insignificant. But that is not the right perspective at all. The Lord is great, vast, worthy, and infinite. When I see His beauty and soak it in, my thoughts should be about His glory- these things exist to glorify Him. I want my life to be the same.

ci siamo.

2008-09-17T09:19:00.002-05:00

i [along with my two teammates] have officially arrived in firenze!

we were greeted at the airport by the rest of our team- praise the Lord all of our suitcases made it safe and sound. ems, my luggage tag even beat out the airline- he's still as cute as ever.

today was a big day in italia- abigail and i now have cellphones! it's almost like starting life all over. there are so many things that you don't think about have to "re-aquire", and to do them while living in a jet-lagged fog is quite an experience.

and speaking of jet-lag, i had a grand notion of writing a very excited and quite witty post, but let's be honest, the creative juices aren't currently flowing. all this to say, life hasn't changed too much. i'm still avoiding reality [aka unpacked suitcases] by checking email and facebook- same same but different.

ciao!

Meet My Team.

2008-08-25T23:03:00.004-05:00

Team Florence: Going Where the Soil is Hard.

Abigail, Melody, and Kelly. I can't wait to walk through a life of ministry with these women!

DIA

2008-08-20T16:04:00.002-05:00

I'm currently writing from the Denver International Airport. I think it's pretty fabulous that they have free wireless. The marketing degree [I get to say that now!] in me is very impressed with this airport. The best thus far have been the free wireless [with 30 second verizon commercial] and visually appealing security trays [thanks to zappos.com]. Again, very impressive.

I've spent the last 6 days in Copper Mountain preparing for a year abroad. There is so much to learn about being a missionary overseas... loving the Lord, loving my team, launching movements, and learning a new world. These 4 L's will basically define the next 12 months of my life. There are many things to appreciate about Campus Crusade, one of which is their passion for setting us up well. I love how invested they are in our ministry.

3 1/2 weeks from now, my team will be flying to Florence. If you had 3 1/2 weeks left in America what would you make sure to do? I'm planning on figuring out how to get the airlines to allow me at least 23 bags.

Colorado Bound.

2008-08-13T19:03:00.002-05:00

So I feel like I've been a complete maniac lately. I don't know if it's the thought of moving to an entirely new country, finishing up raising support, Olympic fever, or a bevy of other viable reasons. Whatever it is, I am a maniac.

First off, I want to tell you that I am currently $4700 away from attaining my support goal and being fully funded for an entire year of ministry in Florence, Italy. Praise the Lord. There have been many points along the way in which it seemed entirely impossible. So to be in the home stretch is mind-blowing to me. I love the faithfulness of the Lord. Why does it continue to surprise me?

Secondly, I fly out of here tomorrow- I'm Colorado bound. For the next 6 days, I will be at the Worldwide Student Network Global Briefing. I am going to be learning and sharing alongside people heading to spots all across the Globe. That is exciting. In the meantime, I'm unpacking boxes of winter clothes, looking for my fleece, and washing socks... hello 60 degree days. I hope to come back with an even greater vision of what the Lord is doing across the world.

Lastly, if you haven't heard, I completed one of my life goals about two weeks ago. Yes, I, Melody Marie was a flowergirl... at the age of 22. Fabulous.

Life Takes Visa.

2008-07-23T18:07:00.004-05:00

This past Sunday, my new STINT buddy, Abigail, and I went in search of a visa to last us through our year in Italy. This adventure included flying to Orlando, acquiring a Florida driver's license, visiting Campus Crusade for Christ International Headquarters, driving to Miami, applying at the Italian Consulate, and flying out of Ft. Lauderdale.

That is the trip in bullet form- or at least what it was supposed to look like. We added in a few crazy details all along the way, and are praying that Fabio [yes, seriously] at the Consulate approves our visa and actually mails us back all those precious legal documents we left in his care.

It was exciting to even be in the Consulate... exciting to hear others speaking Italian... exciting to meet students going to other areas of Italy to spread the Gospel... exciting.

But nothing can peg an excitement meter quite like a trip to the Happiest Place on Earth. Yes, college graduates can still get VERY excited about-the MAGIC KINGDOM.

what's your favorite flavor?

2008-06-26T23:52:00.004-05:00

if i had to pick the very best thing about summer, it would be snow cones.

so in order to determine the best of the best, kristin and i have decided to try every snow cone stand in the edmond/okc area... a very great task indeed, but i believe we're up for it.

the stands will be judged based on differing categories: ice, variety of flavors, service, and syrup to ice ratio. bonus points are also awarded for various reasons.

clearly, our first random inspection was awarded a bonus point for their delicious gummy bears.

the importance of music to girls.

2008-06-20T14:26:00.002-05:00

i recently finished a book by this title. i was browsing in the library when i was struck by the title: the importance of music to girls.

music has always been vastly important to me. as a girl, i dreamed to one day be in the music industry- not as a performer, but as the face behind the label. that later turned into a litigator behind the label. but here i am, just a few years later- a missionary. perhaps one day the Lord will bring me back to nashville or los angeles.

but i digress. back to the book. i checked it out and dove straight in, only to discover that this book was actually a memoir. lavinia greenlaw's coming of age. i am definitely not a memoir reading kind of girl- i'm always looking for a story to feel a part of- biographies have never been my thing. but as soon as started into this one, i felt like i had written it. the writing style, the emphasis on lyrics and eras of music, it felt like talking to a best friend- the kind that speaks your language.

i just got off the phone with two of my friends who are spending five weeks in florence this summer with campus crusade.

i am reminded of how thankful i am for passions... and for friends that understand them.

transitions.

2008-06-11T21:56:00.002-05:00

at the beginning of my senior year, i began a new journal. i have a passion for journaling- for me, there's no better outlet. but one of my favorite things about journals is naming them. this last one, i named 'transitions'.

it seemed so fitting- going into my senior year. i expected to be transitioning out of college, out of life as i'd always known it, and into a career that i had yet to discover. i really had no idea what would actually happen. that's my other favorite thing about journals- they always surprise you.

i'm currently raising support to go to italy with campus crusade for christ. when meeting with people i often tell them how i never, ever saw myself going into full-time ministry. and that is so true. i never saw that one coming. but that's one of my favorite things about the Lord. unlike my journals, He is never surprised.

whole new world.

2008-05-06T22:29:00.003-05:00

get ready. here i come.

benvenuto.

2008-04-23T18:33:00.002-05:00

it's the new word around here. benvenuto. it's rarely used correctly, but i like spouting it out anyway. however calm or chaotic the situation, it never fails to please.

i wish i could take this post to tell you all about how the Lord has shown me His faithfulness and trustworthiness. but let's be honest, that post would be way too long. instead, i would like to keep my word and tell you about the door that has opened for me...

... i'm going to italia!

the past few weeks have been full of very high highs and low lows... definitely an emotional roller coaster. i was beginning to feel like instead of two doors- it was actually one revolving door. you know the kind. you spun round and round in it when you were little- pushing, pulling, but only going in circles. that's where i've been.

eventually, the spinning stopped and the celebrating began. the Lord provided a fabulous girl... abigail to join me in italy. we will be going to florence together to serve on a team with agape italia. i am over-the-top thankful for her. i cannot wait for that new season of life to start.

other than preparing for a year in italy, i've been focused on graduation. it's hard to believe four years at oklahoma state university have passed me by. i am truly in a season of thankfulness. thankful for my friends. my major. my great job at the photography studio. my summer project teams both in branson and thailand. my family. my roommate. the people that have invested in my life. so many things.

so i know this post isn't exactly witty or wildly entertaining. but this is where i'm at. a phase of life is ending. a bend in the road is upon me. i am nostalgic about all that is behind and expectant of what lies ahead.

beautiful.

somewhere between today and forever.

2008-04-08T21:59:00.004-05:00

welcome. benvenuto.

my name is melody and i currently reside in this world of transition. transition world looks very similar to real life- it just comes with a lot more questions. what do you want to do for the rest of your life? will you use your major? do you have a job? are you dating anyone? are you interviewing? what does your family think?

the questions never end. transition world also comes with a bit more uncertainty. because deep down, you know that you are asking yourself all the same questions but unlike with everyone else- you are not able to pull off the breezy 'it will all be okay' charade.

so insert blog. as i transition out of college life and into whatever lies ahead, i would love to jot a few thoughts and maybe even receive some feedback. within the next two weeks i will know whether i will spend the next year in italy working with Agape Italia or raising support to join staff with Campus Crusade for Christ. there are two doors before me and one of them will literally open or shut very soon. i'm praying and believing that my door to italy will open, but i am also resting in my God's sovereignty. whether He says yes or no, i shall be satisfied.

so here's to whatever lies ahead. the road between today and forever has already been paved. my God knows exactly what it looks like. i'm sure He's waiting for me to embrace that truth.

thanks for stopping by. i'll let you know which door i end up walking through.