The commonplaceness ness of life

We had a group of counsellors here in Rome from RTS in Orlando Florida. 

During one of the times that my team met with some of them, the leader was telling us about some of the things that challenge a team and some of the things that challenge missionaries. 

One thing he called "commonplacenessnesness" When the common things of life pile up. 

We have two apts here amongst our staff who had to replace their front door locks within the first weeks of ministry starting. One because a key was accidentally put in the wrong lock and the other because someone tried to break into the apt and damaged the lock and door.  These are not simple american locks.. they are a very intricate locking system that cost each apt hundreds of euros to replace.

Many of us are dealing with a range of colds and flues right now. So common but it takes on a new depth when you are finding ways to combat your illness in a different culture. 

To pay our bills, we must go to the post office with cash. It potentially takes a whole morning. 

Riots and strikes are pretty common in Rome. 

Grocery shopping generally requires walking to the meat store then to the market then to the small grocery. A couple of hours could go by before I return home with heavy bags. 

Personally, I am processing the loss of a dear friend's husband to cancer, the deteriorating health of my dear grandfather, not being able to hold my neice who was born in April, and the very poor health of my biological father. These weigh on me and cause me to lean into Jesus even more.

Ah the commonplacenessness... 

They are the things that wear us down in the midst of our call to mission here in Rome. 

But we persevere. 

We trust God.

My beautiful niece Ava in the top that I got to send to her from Roma. I can't wait to hold her someday.

Napoli and Roma

This past weekend I went to Naples Italy. I was so blessed to be with the DELTA ministries group down there. Since 1998 they have come over to Casoria and Arzano to partner with churches for an evangelistic festival. God has blessed their efforts and grown the churches in the area through people newly giving their life to Christ. I went on my first mission trip with DELTA in 1993. God used them to change my life. 

I loved getting to hang out with Brian Heerwagen-CEO of DELTA and all the others who were there. I saw people I have not seen for years. I saw people I had not seen since last year when I was stateside. I met people I had only heard about from others. I met dear Italians who are sold out for Jesus! 

Federica is the daughter of dear family in Christ who live in Casoria.

I would have stayed through the end of the Festival but our ministry for the Autumn in Rome has begun this evening. 

 Staff friends are returning from the states and other places so our gathering for dinner tonight was the first time I had seem some of them since June. My heart is full of joy!  I have had so many dear friends visit me in Rome this summer and now many of my staff friends have returned. God is good. I am excited and expectant about this coming year!

Sabine and her husband Andreas came to Rome from Germany. Sabine and I became good friends when I lived in Kandern. We are enjoying the offerings of Insalata Ricca. :-) A great place to eat in Rome.

my grandfather Robert Elston Sale

Today I heard from my mother that my grandfather recently had a heart attack. Last Thursday he had wandered away from the care facility he was in with my grandmother until she passed away in February.  He showed up in a hospital after falling while trying to get onto a bus. I thank God for the people who called 911 and helped him. He is often confused about current reality these days.

I just found myself tearing up... deep tears and sadness. I remember how strong he always appeared to me. I remember how sharp his mind used to be... even when it caused him to be too sharp to others. I remember how when my biological dad walked out of my life, how my grandfather became a strong male in my life. He taught me (and my brothers) so many practical life skills. And he taught me that it is normal for me to be treated like a lady.

As I became old enough to think about marriage, I decided that I wanted my grandfather to have a key role in the ceremony.

It hit me by surprise this past year when I saw my grandparents, how much their bodies were failing them. I knew they were getting older, but because it had been a few years since I had last seen them, it was kind of a shock.

Hearing the news today of how my grandfather is doing has caused me sadness. I know that when the Lord allows me to get married and have children it is most likely that my grandfather will not be around on earth. And that brings tears to my eyes. I already lost my grandmother... losing my grandfather is inevitable, but I am already mourning some of that loss.

Permesso di Soggiorno

This past week I obtained my Permesso di Soggiorno (residence permit) and my Codice Fiscale (tax code). I am fully aware of how easy this process was for me in comparison to how difficult it has been for my other friends here in Rome.  I thank God for this small respite in the midst of the challenges of this transition.