YEAH for Christmas! Since Thanksgiving is not celebrated in Italy I figured it’s ok to put up Christmas stuff in the middle of November. Why not? So the Christmas music is playing, the lights are hung (thanks to Paul’s parents), and packages are being wrapped. Can’t you hear those sleigh bells jingling?

Go hug your tree! It needs to know you like it.

Ok, so I decided to be Paula Dean one day and make these amazing peanut butter brownies (courtesy of Paula Dean, thus the Paula Dean reference). And if you live overseas you know that peanut butter is a rare commodity and so to use it to make these brownies was a big deal, especially since I was down to the bottom of the jar. So, I make the brownies, but apparently I didn’t know which size pan to use and what we got was a peanut brownie cake. It was ok but was on the raw side in the middle. Below are pictures of the brownies that weren’t. As usual have a good laugh.

It’s getting cold here in Naples. I love fall because of all the things that come with it. The colors, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas songs, good food, stew, and deer hunting. No matter where I am, at this time of year I always think about deer hunting. I’ve been going hunting since I was able to walk good and my dad could find camouflage in my size. I’ve spent many a day sitting in a deer stand waiting and watching, trying not to move. I absolutely love it. There is something about sitting in the woods listening for the sound of leaves being trampled or a buck grunting. And it’s not about killing a deer, it’s more about the experience. Honestly, I am not a big fan of killing deer. I just like going. I could (and have on many occasion) just sat and watched them.
Naturally when I think about hunting I think about my dad and a few other men who always join in the hunting. We all have many stories that are not shared beyond our circle. I would spend hours on end listening to this group of men talk. I was one of the guys so to speak, so much so that at my wedding I had a row designated for these men who have been such a big part of my life.
So another year of hunting is underway. And although I am not there to join in with the stories and long walks through the woods I know it is happening and I can imagine being there.
MacKenzie

So last week, guess what we had???

That’s right folks, we had 3 soft shell tacos each and one HUGE grilled stuffed burrito AND and A&W root beer. Oh my goodness. For a few short minutes I was in heaven. That root beer went down cold and smooth. Now I realize that most of you reading this are saying, “Ughh, gross. How could they eat that stuff.” Well, let me tell you when you have not had anything but pasta for 10 months Taco Bell is the best meal you’ve ever had. The goodness that was that meal is beyond words….I know, it was Taco Bell…but man was it oh so yummy.

Tonight we went to help pass out food to some homeless people at one of the train stations. As I write this Paul is at another station with some men from the church we go to meeting some more men and women who sleep at that station.
So we finally have a venue to do one of the things we want to do…help those who do not have.
It was good to be able to help, but there is so much to be done. It is quite overwhelming. There are so many needs. The world is full of people who need help and it also will be that way.
I am convinced that before people will listen to “Jesus loves you” they must see and feel it. That comes with meeting their needs and talking to them.

Ever since I can remember I have lived in fear. Fear of something bad happening to people I love. When I was a little girl I would often go to spend the night with friends. Inevitably I would end up calling home asking my mother to come pick me up. Why? Because my mind had wondered, conjectured, and dreamed about all the horrific things that could be happening to my family. You know, like the house burning down, the dog going mad and biting my sister a thousand times, a tree falling on the house…
As this past weekend approached I could already sense that I would be thinking all weekend about something happening to Paul (he went on a men’s retreat to Spain). I was crying before he left. Pitiful. But also very sad…I was fearful of something that had not happened.
About a week and a half ago I started a study called “Six Secrets to a Powerful Quiet Time”. One day we had to pick a life verse. My initial response was, “This is just a little too cheesy for me and I don’t want to do it.” But, I wanted to get something out of the study so I did it. My verse is Psalm 34:4
“I sought the LORD and He answered me, and delivered me from all my fears.”
Over the entire weekend while Paul was away I did have any thoughts of him dying or being seriously hurt because whenever those thoughts came to mind I remembered this verse. God has not created us to be fearful. There is no darkness or fear in God, only light and truth. I do not have to live in fear and I finally saw that and lived it this weekend for the first time in my life.

That’s right, folks. Our team leaders are back. The Worthy’s made it home with all four children (they left back in March with 3) and all gazillion bags.
We anxiously awaited on their balcony after we received the phone call that they had been picked up and were only about ten minutes away. The excitement was building…and I did a happy dance, but just a little one because our friend Janet was there. And then that wonderful moment when they pulled up and jumped out of the car. Hugs abounded!! And I don’t know how but no tears of joy were shed! So now they get to get over jet lag and unpack the gazillion bags they brought plus a crate when it arrives.
Before I end this blog I just want to say thanks to some folks. To the Pinkstons and everybody in Rome who called, sent emails and let us stay with you…thanks. You encouraged us, lifted us up to our Father, were present, and let us know we were not alone even though we were in a city without team members. Thanks. It was and always will be appreciated.
MacKenzie

Saturday Sharon taught me and some of my friends how to decorate cakes. A lot of you reading this post knew about the cake party and have been praying about it for a while. It was so much fun. Sharon did a great job and I did an ok job in translating. Luck for us, one of the girls speaks a little English and could follow pretty well.
We all decorated our own cake and then Sharon showed us how to decorate a shaped cake – like a bunny or Superman or …you get the point.
I invited the women to a bible study for this Saturday. So, if you read this before then please pray that I will be prepared and that at least one person would come.

Sharon showing Ivana how to decorate

Ivana’s cake

All the girls and our cakes

Francesca trying to decide what to make

Federica looking at her masterpiece.

Francesca hard at work

Partaking of our creations

Ivana concentrating really hard!