Weekends are nice here. That sounds insufficient. Florence is worth of your time and it always has something new in store for you. This weekend (October 1st through the 4th) we were presented with a blessing in disguise. We all had planned to go out into the Tuscan country side for wine harvesting, but our plans fell through, so we were 'forced' to stay in Florence. But we really needed it. We hadn't explored any of the museums yet, so we did. The Accademia and Uffizi are mind boggling. Miles and miles of exquisite art to overload your senses. But we also got to experience what typical Florentine weekends are like. They are lively, joyful, relaxing and full of fabulous food. The piazza of Santa Croce held this huge international market full of everything. Let's just say that we ate here every day, a couple times a day. German candy... yes, German sausages with grilled onions, sauerkraut and mustard... yes please, Belgium crepes... definitely. An entire square devoted to satisfy any craving you might have that day.
This is the way you absorb another culture. You whole heartedly devote yourself to be susceptible to your surroundings. Yes you can walk down a street, walk through a piazza, or sit down on the steps of a church, but what good does that do you? You have to observe and absorb. You have to break down your preconceived notions of what life should be like and allow yourself to experience what life truly is like. I think that's one of the greatest lessons to learn while studying abroad and in life. What fun is life if you are never allow yourself to be surprised by something new?
Sometimes I forget how powerful and remarkable the word of God is. Silly me. Why is it that when I feel tired, stressed, lonely, unhappy, anything remotely negative I retreat, feel sorry for myself and let Satan attack me. NOT ANY MORE! I need to run to scripture, I need to run to HIM, jump in His arms and be His attentive child willing to be loved, taught and sought after. I need to be jealous for Him, like He is jealous for me.
"We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; stuck down, but not destroyed." - 2 Corinthians 4:8-9
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything... Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him." - James 1: 2-4, 12
"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the LORD, your God..." - Isaiah 43:2
"He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." - Isaiah 40:29-31
"Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." - Romans 5:1-8
Thank You Lord for redirecting me back to Your word. My prayer is Lord James 1:22, "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says!" I don't want to be deceiving myself anymore, I want to be glorifying You with my everything.
There is one thing that keeps being impressed upon me since I've been in Firenze... God's beauty and creativity. His hand is so evident everywhere you go, especially here in the Tuscan countryside. Last weekend Tom, Amberle, Sara and I went to Cinque Terre, a series of 5 towns on the Tuscan coast and it was literally breathtaking. It is my favorite place I have been so far. The colors, smells, sounds, the unreal picturesque view all direct you back to Him... then why do I feel so distant from Him?
