all your cares.

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!