Rome in Autumn

A large influx of students for Living and Learning’s Rome campus this September has left me and the L&LI Italy staff quite busy! 26 students flew to Rome September 14th and really hit the ground running!

The cohort doubled in size from last semester leaving my team with a lot of firsts. In the midst of transition and adjustment it’s been harder to find time to write about the traveling I’ve done and what he Lord has been teaching me in through this season. But I was recently encouraged to keep writing and updating friends, family, and supporters even if it’s a small blurb of something funny or cool that happened, so here I am!

Since moving to Italy, I’ve been consistently reminded of my need for full reliance on the Lord whether it be related to finances, emotions, physical strength, or what have you. This semester is no different. The Lord is sovereign, whether we choose to believe it or not. In full transparency, this semester, even at week 1, was challenging. The transition of directors, the many student crises, the decision to move in December, hospital visits, and a student deciding to leave the program have each taken their emotional toll. Even with what seems like hit after hit, I still find myself joyful and expectant of the Lord’s goodness and faithfulness.

At our last chapel, we mediated on how we can practice the act of choosing to see the Lord’s presence everyday. It’s easy to dismiss faith as believing what you cannot see. It’s true we can’t see a physical manifestation of God as man, nor does everyone get to hear his audible voice spoken to them, but the Lord is showing up for us everyday! I’ve see him in the students I live with. I’ve seen him as I swam in the blue ocean off the coast of Albania. I’ve seen him in the array of colors created by the setting and rising of the sun. I’ve even seen him through the silly little pigeons that live in the roof and try to invade our kitchen!

This morning I read Mark 5. Versus 25 to 34 depict a woman with so much faith that even with a small touch of Jesus’ cloak, she believed she would be healed. Verse 34 says “ And [Jesus] said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.”

Faith makes you well, but it has to be an active choice made every day.

This past year has been a period of me stepping out and choosing faith every day. I’m grateful for every bit of support and prayer that has carried me through! As I continue to follow God’s pull and guidance, I will be mediating on Jesus’s words. “Daughter, your faith has made you well.”