this blog site is now in italian...hm

I arrived in Padova, Italy three days ago and since then, it's been a whirlwind, which was expected. the Lord is so good. I should mention that i'm not a huge fan of blogs but i know that a lot of people want to keep up with what's going on, but i also want to share some insight. I'm also not a fan of sermons in blogs, however, apparently this is the summer for new things!


I am not fully adjusted to the culture yet. I do not feel educated on the African, Filipino, and Italian culture that i'm experiencing everyday. I do not feel exactly qualified to teach English to these kids. I do not speak Italian and i squint my eyes and focus really hard when people speak Italian to me. I cannot ride bikes where the seats are too high and i definitely blew the circuit already on the apartment with the electricity converter and whatnot. i'm dead tired by 7pm because of jet lag. I have never had to kiss strangers on the cheek when i met them and i refrained from telling my cambodia stories when a roommate mentioned the "squatty potty".

However, I just learned how to order a cappuccino from Paulo and his wonderful wife at  the "bar" around the corner. I do know that i feel comfortable in Italy, only three days later. I am intrigued by the language and i am legitimately excited to start taking lessons next week...two times a week. I was in a room with spanish, italian, and english being spoken and i was just so happy. Someday i'll be trilingual. I do know that i love the kids so much already and it's only been two days. I have retaught myself to speak slower and i am the one who feels like i'm inconveniencing someone else because i do not know italian. That makes me think that i have left the prideful american mindset behind and am truly interested in learning the Italian culture. It's interesting because i know that i truly enjoy teaching English and that something takes over when i get to be a part of something bigger. There's this part of me that kicks in that adapts to the differences in culture and develops more patience for children who cannot pay attention, will not pay attention, or who simply just do not understand. 

Psalm 37:30 says, "the mouth of the righteous man utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks what is just. the law of his God is in his heart; his feet do not slip" 


this verse implies that excellence surrounds everything: wisdom is truly the advice that comes from God, justice is the heart of God, and to keep your feet from slipping, you strive to serve God in excellence. That's what i'm up to over here.
There is something about traveling and culture that is just right. i enjoy it. so we will see what is to come.