Seeing new places!

Ciao tutti! Isn't this piazza awesome?! Well, that is the Piazza San Lorenzo. I couldn't remember if I had showed it to you or not... When I was staying at the Salvation Army, I saw it pretty much every day. And I miss it. It's pretty simple, and sometimes it smells kind of bad, and at night, it is a raging party, but I liked it. Anyhow, I said goodbye to my two favorite bars (coffee bars) near this piazza when our summer project group left Roma for Switzerland almost a week ago. I can't believe how much of this trip has gone by already! I feel sort of bittersweet right now, because as much as I want to be here in Italy, I also really want to be home. I'm going to soak up the rest of my time here, and try to be available in any way that I can be taught and used by God, but when the time comes to go home, I will be ready.

I just returned to Italy a few days ago from Switzerland! We went there for Project debrief. If anyone ever offers you the chance to go to the Swiss Alps, GO! It was one of the most beautiful and serene places I have ever seen. Make fun if you want, but I honestly cried because it was so beautiful. These pictures do not even begin to show how incredible it was....

This is a picture of Wengen, the town where we stayed. I took this photo after hiking up the mountain for about a mile. The town was so quaint! I couldn't help but think that if I were in America and saw a town like this, it would be kitschy, because of all the garden gnomes and little cottages, but since this was the real deal, it was a little surreal.



Aaaaand here are some mountains. I took about a million pictures of the mountains, a lot of which didn't turn out that great because we were basically in a cloud the whole time we were there. In case you're wondering what it's like to walk around in a cloud, it kind of feels like you're getting followed around by one of those spray mist portable fans all the time. It was neat.

After Switzerland, I took a train back to Italy and met up with the Whitemans and Bennetches in Florence! We were there for two days, which was nowhere near long enough to see the city. It was a really nice, clean, beautiful city, and it was nice to be able to walk pretty much anywhere you wanted to go, as opposed to Rome, where a lot of things are really spread out and the city is just massive.

This is a pretty poor quality picture of the Ponte Vecchio, but it's the only one I got :)

Here's a picture of the sunset on the river, taken from the Ponte Vecchio.

I believe, but don't hold me to this, that this is the San Lorenzo Cathedral...

And this is the Duomo in Flornece. It's one of the more unique cathedrals I've seen with the colorful tiles on the outside. I have more pictures that I will share later!

Well, that's it for now! I will hopefully be posting more frequently now that I don't have to pay for internet by the hour! See everyone soon!

~Kate

Watch out, world. Here comes the next Gwen Stefani.

More quality entertainment...from my nannying escapades.

Hey therre dont cha know!

Greetings from Mexico!! Girls, I am sooo sorry I haven't been able to blog recently. I miss you three sooo much though! Elisa and Heather, that vlog was AAmazing. Katie I hope you are having an amazing time getting to see Elisa in Florence.. or..maybe you already saw her? I can't keep up with your shananagans these days. lol. 

     Well, lots has been happening in the sense that God has been showing and teaching me a whole lot about myself. Things have changed in weird ways, but I believe it's for the better. So praise God! Our second tour of kiddos is here at the moment (today is my day off, woot woot!). After this though..we wont have our last two groups till the end of the summer I believe! I'm pretty sure I heard our site director mention us possibly going to help with a kids camp or something? So either way, I know God will use it. 

     So, just f.y.i...I am gonna have one WACKED OUT accent when I get home. All of the interns are from different states and actually all have slightly different ways of speaking. Already I have caught myself speaking like them annd it's really starting to creep me out! lol Well, I really don't know what else to say about Mexico besides...it's hot here. Well...we ARE having a cold front right now. Of...the upper 80's but yea! haha. The groups that we've had so far have been good and I'm really enjoying just getting to know the girls and having cool conversations with them! My ankle is yes, still sprained. Please pray that it gets better because it's not super fun having a gimp on the work site...or...anyytime. So yea that would be great! 

    Elisa, I'm not 100% sure where the crunk you even are right now in Europe...but I'm so glad that you were able to go and that you are enjoying that time with your fam even though there can be some slight tension at times. I love and miss you so much! 

    Heather, I'm glad that you have been finding friends that are around! I amm bummed that I wasn't really able to spend the summer with  you...but girl!...second semester of this up coming school year. That's all I gotta say. ha! I love youuu and miss you twin. Oh, and in that amazing vlog, some of your mannerisms I was like..whhooaa..I do that. haha crazy.

    Katie, How do I love thee? Let me count the ways. haha I hope you're still having a rockin time in Roma and am positive that God will continue to use you like you've never thought possible. I love and miss ya to pieces. You better be at the airport upon my arrival. Just sayin. lol!

I am praying for all you girls...no...women. And praise God for you all in my life!!

Elisa & Heather's first VLOG

Loving Life in Ohio

[Warning: this blog will be very scattered, because I am very tired and also I will be periodically stopping to do some work...]

Okay, so I feel a little bit like I am the only one posting blogs here, but then I realized that out of all of us...I have the most free time on my hands. More like - I have the most access to the internet, I honestly don't have "free time," but more about that later. I miss you ladies. A lot. If anything, this summer has made me gain even more of an appreciation for my friendship with each of you, and I'm just excited for our reunion!

Really though, you shouldn't feel too badly for leaving me. I just like giving you a hard time, but I honestly have not had a moment of boredom or even time to relax for the past 3 weeks. Since I started my job at Five Seasons, I am constantly on the go. I have to plan down time, and even that is proving to be a challenge. Do you know what I found out? I actually do have some friends around here this summer! :) It was such a pleasant surprise. Haha. Oh and another thing - I decided to quit my internship at the medical research center. I went the past two weeks, but I really didn't feel like I was learning anything...and I just don't have the time for it right now. I sent them an email this morning, and whew, it feels good to have that commitment off my back. So now, I have one day a week this summer that I can sleep in! I'm so thrilled.

I apologize if it sounds like I am complaining about my summer. I don't mean to, and I seriously am enjoying it! Have I told you how much I like bartending? (I'm sorry if that offends any of our readers...) When it's nice outside, we get busy and it's really fun to work out at the tiki bar! It turns out that I actually like bartending more than working in the cafe. Hm, maybe I could make a profession out of it...just kidding. The only bad part of working at the tiki bar is that we have to wear the UGLIEST Hawaiian shirts ever. Have I told you about these ugly shirts already? I feel like maybe I have. Anyway, they're hideous. But despite the shirts, I am meeting quite an interesting crowd of people - both customers and co-workers - and that makes work fun! :)

Well, I guess that's the latest update in my exciting Ohioan life. I hope you all are having some adventures in my honor.

Uds son las mujeres de mi corazon y se amo mucho! Vengan a casa pronto!

Peace,
Heather Grace

Quicky from Eger!

LADIES!!!

K, I have like 15 minutes, so I am going fast on this messed up keyboard. So Im in the countryside of Hungary right now and its beautiful!! The town we're in is unbelievabe. Its so cool with shops and old churches and lots of good Hungarian food and nice people! I honestly cant explain it without pictures. Lets just say our hotel is insanely cute - there are only 5 rooms, there is live music (i.e. violins and an upright bass) every night, and it is overlooked by a castle. Enough said.

We head back to Budapest tomorrow and then to Rome on Sunday! Best things about the trip so far: eating szulina (that grease bread from our family reunion) in a Hungarian family's backyard; dancing with a 50 year old Hungarian dancer; and going to a labyrinth underneath an old castle, which was both creepy and sweet at the same time. Of course, the trip does have its cons. You know how family vacations stay nuclear family-like for, oh, about 5 minutes? This one is no different. We're not at each other's throats by any means, but many an eye has been rolled, many a "did you ACTUALLY just say that??" has been said, and several mornings have begun with seriously angry faces due to our close quarters and not great whispering skills. Honestly, for the most part it's been great to be here with family though. It's especially nice to see my brother and sister so much. All in all, it's pretty great.

Moving on to you busy ladies...Heathie, I miss you so much and feel so badly that you're alone. Stay strong, sister, I'm certainly still thinking of you =) Kate, praying for you daily, especially in your last day or so in Roma. I cannot WAIT to see you! Hope your sunbunrn is better. Thats awful sounding. Hannah GRACE, where have you been?? Right, Mexico. Well, I need to talk with you at least via email. I feel like its been aaages. We can keep in better touch when I am in the US at least hopefully.

Ok there is a Hungarian swing song playing right now. I think it's supposed to be Rockin' Robin actually. Wow.

Well now that I know how to say good-bye, Veszunlatashra (um, soooo long and sooo not how you spell it). I love you all so much!!

Bronzata.... e biondi....

Ciao Belle!
Quick update:
Satruday was project beach day. I have Polish Irish skin. My sunscreen was apprently not water proof. So while the Mediterranean was beautiful and so fun, I am currently experiencing some of the worst sunburn of my life. I have blisters. It is disgusting. So these wonderful people on my team who I only met a month ago have been so great, touching my disgusting back to rub aloe on it, and praying for me... I am so greatful for these new great friends!
So ladies, please pray that this unbelievable pain stops soon... I only have 3 days left on campus! And pray that I will feel rested enough and pain free enough to go onto campus tomorrow! On the bright side, my hair is getting SO blonde. I joked with my roommates last night that my friends won't even recognize me when I get back because I'll be blonde and blistery. Gross image, I know, but whatever...
I love you, and was not able to watch my surpresa YET, but as soon as I have more time at an internet cafe, it is my first stop!
Heathie, I love you! I am so glad you are having fun at your internship! I have been praying for you a lot lately! I am so glad God is working in your life and showing you the importance of justice for the oppressed... So many Christians tend to forget about that big part of the bible, or throw money at the problem instead of throwing their heart at it! Hannah Grace, I don't judge for the Star Trek thing either... I kind of wanted to see it. I probably will once I get back to the US. And I hope your first group in Monterrey is going great! I'm praying for you love! I know God is going to work in your life BIG time this summer, and I can't wait to hear all about your walk with him. And Else, I know you're probably having an amazing time in Budapest! Seeing you in Florence is just around the corner! I can't wait to hug you! I love you ladies, and I'll keep you posted! Thanks for your prayers!
Love,
Kate

This is what happens when 3 girls get really bored...

And now it is time to reveal your SURPRISE! All I will say in explanation of this is that one night Elisa, Hannah, and I got really bored. We were tired of watching movies, playing games, and eating, so we decided to creatively entertain ourselves. This is the result (make sure you set aside 10 minutes to watch this).

The Other Exit [TOE]



*edited by ME*

Still a little bitter, but I can't help but love you!

Hello my world-traveling sisters! I am now officially the only beady beady left in the United States. :( But alas, I'm sure that God will use this time to stretch me and maybe teach me a few lessons the hard way. You know - those ones where God kind of knocks you in the head and says, "Hello! Where have you been? I've just been sitting here waiting for you to realize how much you need me." Yeah, I think I'm in need of one of those. Do you know I haven't even been home for a whole month yet? It seems pretty strange, because I'm already so stuck in a routine that it feels like it's been going on for awhile! I'm not complaining, I'm actually really enjoying my summer - it's just sad that I won't be able to spend any more time with you all. Well, I guess I have a few days with Elisa when she gets back from Europe, but I know I'll be fighting Matt for her. :)

So since work is all I have been doing, it's time for another update. I am still loving my City Mission internship: the work, the people, the atmosphere, everything. And I finally started working at the country club, although since the weather has been so crappy, I've been rained out a few times. I'm only working outside at the tiki bar this summer, so when the pool is closed, my shift gets canceled. Oh well. I'm learning how to make some cool drinks, and today I actually had some fun! Then, this past Thursday I started my "internship" (if you can even call it that) at the medical research center. I'll only be working there one day a week, and I'm basically just shadowing this guy around. It is also volunteer. This past week it was pretty boring, because apparently they are having a slow period right now. Go figure. I just sat at a computer and entered data into Excel for about 5 hours - woot. :) And that is pretty much my life right now...working, interning, and volunteering.

Lately I have realized that the only times I feel close to God are when I am struggling with something. I fall so easily into the mindset that everything is just hunky-dorey with me and God when my life is running smoothly, but you know what? That's not always the case. It's like I almost get prideful of my dependence on him when I am going through a trial, but then when the trial is over, I stop turning to him but maintain the mindset that I am. Does that make sense? Well, I feel like now is one of those periods in which I do not "need" to depend on him, because nothing is going particularly wrong in my life. Yet up until a couple days ago, I just assumed that I was still going strong spiritually (kind of as leftovers from my last major "trial")- without ever taking the time to realize that in fact, I have been slipping away. :/ It's just something I need to work on.

Lisey, it was so wonderful to have you here this past week. I just love our friendship so much, and I love how we actually have memories together that go back a number of years! Hannah, I'll be praying for you as you start to get short-timers coming down. I'm really excited for all that you will experience this summer! And Katie, I will continue to pray for you and your ministry to the college students in Rome. I've loved hearing about everything you are doing there, and I just know that God is doing amazing things through you.

I love you all VERY much, and even though I'm still a little bitter that you left me alone this summer, I think I will get over it. :) You are incredible women.

Always,
Heather Grace

:)

So, a few days ago I wrote out a post... but it's kind of philisophical, and to be honest, I don't feel like posting it right now!
So I'm going to post a random hodge-podge of thoughts instead!
Want to hear something strange? Two nights ago, I dreamt that my dad died. Freaky. I got really stressed, and wanted to call home immediately, but then I convinced myself that I was being silly and that everything was probably fine. Just now, I got an e-mail from my dad. He was in the hospital for the past two days and got a heart cath and two stents put in... whatever that means! Dreams are so bizarre... Elisa, I will never doubt you again when you take a dream seriously...

On another note, I can't believe how fast time is flying here in Rome! My time here is almost HALF over! I feel like I just got here, but at the same time, I feel like I've been here forever. I think there is danger in having the mentality that I live here in Rome for two months, because I don't have the same urgency that I would if I were on vacation to buy gifts and see all the sights. There is so much to see and do here... I haven't even begun! I still want to go see the bone chapel....... Elisa, I think you'll probably get to go there with the Bennetches. If I can manage, I'd like to go to Naples, eat some of the world's best pizza, and go see Vesuvius and Pompei! That could end up costing more money than I have, but the Bennetches encouraged me to not let money be the reason that I miss seeing that particular sight.

And, final random insight into my life: I feel like my relationship with God is the most normal it has ever been, which I realize is sort of a paradoxical statement. I don't feel like I am on any particular spiritual high, but I don't feel distant from God. I feel like I'm walking with God and like it is the most natural thing in the world. And it feels awesome! And I am loving every second of talking to Italians! I can't wait to be home and see everyone, but at the same time, I don't know that I'll want to leave!

Alright, I'm headed off to a game night with some Italian friends!

Love,

Kate

"If it feels wrong it is wrong. RUN!"

Sisterrs!! I miss you chicas muy mucho! I hope you are all well and up to no good. I am here and doing good..it's awesome to be back and see old friends. However..whoa..my Spanish needs to kick into gear here again. ha. I'm pumped for our first group to come this saturday. So far we've just been doing orientation stuff and chillaxin. We went to the airconditioned mall today (awesome) to see the Star Trek movie. I'm not gonna lie..I actually liked it! ha Judge allll you like. It' s sad that I dont even know if you gals are trekies or not. oh well. : ) Well, I can already tell this is gonna be an awesome summer and that God is for sure gonna be stretching me in different ways. In our orientation the past couple days we've been focusing on different types of personalities and such. It's actually been supper interesting and it's definitely taught me to look at things a little differently. I am a turtle..by the way. haha. The categories in one exercise we did were Shark (katie), Teddy Bear, Owl, and Turtle. (that is not necessarily in order of strengths by the by). 

Elisa and Twin, I hope you two have been finding fun things to do and have been enjoying eachother's company! I'm glad you two get to spend a whole week with one another! Huzzah! Twin, I love you and miss having someone know exactly what I'm saying all the time. It sucks. Oh and random..all the girl interns were telling me how much I look like Anne Hathaway. Soo I suppose you do too..? lol Elisa, I alllready miss our spoonfests. One of the other interns Jillian says she loves spooning too but..I'm sure it would NOT be the same..: ( haha. Give Lexi a kiss for me..I miss her..she's so clean compared to the dogs here..ha..even the domestic ones. Katie, I hope you are having awesome experiences in Roma and that you guys are able to communicate with the college kiddos there! I know God will work through you even if you think you have a barrier there. Yea..he's amazing like that. I miss you so much!! Oh yea..I realized during orientation why the krunk we have soo many arguments. Cuz your the shark and I'm the turtle. : ) 

Well chicks, I miss and love you all and can't wait to see your faces again! : ) I'm outie.

Pray continually: a reminder

#1. It is a very eery thing to be reading the blog and then have the time change on all of those clocks at the same moment. Props to synchronization.

#2. I would just like to share that I am currently sitting at my desk listening to the sounds of the heart of Cleveland (aka sirens) and dressed in business attire. That's right - I'm at my internship! For anyone who is concerned that I'm not doing any work right now, don't worry, it's my "lunch break." :) So now, it's share time! Summer work update thus far: I'm loving this internship. I love...driving to the downtown of an actual city in the mornings, avoiding rush hour traffic (thanks, Dad), dressing up 3 days a week, having a consistent schedule, being given tasks and then being free to complete them at my own pace, working with mature adults, meeting tons of people with awesome stories, being treated like an adult (or being mistaken for one..), learning about the Mission and how much work is always going on, working for a real purpose (I don't count food service as a real purpose), feeling peace about what I am doing, and praying all the time! Seriously, these people are all about prayer and dependency on God for accomplishing his purposes. I actually just got back from a prayer meeting with not only TCM people, but people from churches and other organizations throughout the city who have a passion for sharing God's Word with Cleveland. Really neat. I'm enjoying the actual work that I'm doing, too. It's interesting to me, and I am able to use the skills and brain that God has given me to figure out a way to evaluate these programs. I'm excited to meet more people here and get deeper involved in my project throughout the summer. I just love how God worked everything out to find me an internship this summer that met all of my mental requirements and is encouraging/challenging me spiritually as well!

#3. (I don't know how this turned into a numbered list..) As a result of my internship, and a lot of other influences, God has really been rocking my world lately. Shoot, I'm running out of time on my lunch break, so I won't go into much detail right now...but there is so much on my mind all the time and I'm just getting exhausted emotionally from all of this processing. I'm really busy, for one thing, but I know that everything I am doing this summer God is using to work in me. One major idea is just floating around in my head (I shared some of this with Lisey), and I can't seem to wrap my mind around it fully. Ah, it's just too much for me to try and explain now, but I could definitely use some prayer that I will be able to hear God's voice above everything else. Hopefully I will get a chance to blog more about this later.

Well, I love you all, and I am praying for each of you this summer.

Peace,
Heather