Ciao a tutti miei amici
Io spero che tutto e’ benissimo.
Earlier this week Anna left us, which I must say is quite the bummer. I do not dig. If you by any chance see her tell her Brandon, the one she knows in Italy says, “Come back now!!!” But you don’t have to put the exclamation marks. All that to say, Anna left, but it was wonderful to have her out here as she encouraged us all greatly; and you can tell her I said that as that makes me look like a really, really good person, (Brandon, you pharisee lol). Okay. Okay, you don’t have to tell her I said that. :-) But here’s a cool story, at least I think it’s cool. One of those, I just totally saw GOD guide all of life to get working even more for you good, and His glory sort of things. It’s great. . . . so story. We are trying to take Anna to the train station, right, well we are taking her there, not trying we succeeded; not like our trips to Florence (don’t ask, okay ask. . . I get lost every time.) Either way we get there and the train she intended on taking cost like twice as much as thought but there was another train about an hour and half later for only a little more that is a straight shot, no stops on the way, (oh, by the way we are in Prato, and Anna is trying to get to Milan where she flies out). So she does that, we know have an hour and half to spend on, well, we don’t know. We go to the Duomo, the square, the center of town where everyone chills, at least old men in the middle of the day. That and we were close to there. That made is that much more appealing. We park the car and don’t even make it to the square before we run into someone Anna had met on the train when coming back from Florence. It was a girl from Australia, actually three girls, but Anna had only met one of them. They were sitting out, leaning against a wall chillin’. We ended up spending the next hour chilling and seeing where these girls go to school and all, swapped info, basically numbers and facebook. But it was just so funny to me how coincidental and yet divine it felt; for us to have things planned (kind of), train and all, that to change only for us to have an ideal amount of time to chill with people we don’t know yet but are only able to meet if we have Anna with us. Crazy I say, Crazy. Agree or disagree, I still think it cool, really cool actually. And actually I change my mind, you should just agree don’t bother with disagreeing- that’s lame. Be cool, give into peer pressure and agree. Lol. Man my humor is lame, but I’m still laughing. Moving on.
We have also began to pass out “Teach English Using the Bible” flyers, and I don’t know why quote that, that is definitely a paraphrase. Eh. We passed out a good chunk, but I wouldn’t say lots today, and am planning on passing out more in the coming weeks, so that we can (come on guess, I’ll give you three tries and if you still can’t get it with it written right after this well. . . . . yeah) Teach the Bible Using English!!!! Woo hoo gold stars for everyone. You’re a winner. (You should feel very encouraged by now but if not, here is one more attempt) Oh, you so pretty ;-) and the gun.
Oh, and final note, we might be moving into another building; changing locations of the congregation. From one place in Prato to another place in Prato; and if that happens, I hear we will be doing some manual labor inside the building to beautify it.
You guys rock, I dig you hard core, everyone of you. Thank you always for your prayer and support, and know you’re always in my thoughts and prayers too. YOU ROCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I LOVE EXCLAMATION MARKS (they’re just soooo happy:-)
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Friday, September 11, 2009
Well I am totally stumped on how to start talking/ writing this here blog. but total blanks on how that is going to happen but Salute!!! to you anyways. And it at least makes me happy that you are reading my blog right now. Thanks. You Rock.
This past week we have been working on the Women's Retreat, making bookmarks and other snazzy things that are cute and cuddly-ish, (bookmarks are not something I usually cuddle with, but you get the picture). We have been putting together little trinkets for memory, not forget this convention and what you learned type things. Hopefully people enjoy these things and don't through them away right after leaving, my feelings would be crushed. Well, maybe not crushed, but I would definitely be bummed, as all of us here, (Anto, Evan, Tracie, Anna, and I) had put time into this. So next time you go to a women's convention; don't through your pretty little bookmark, or kool glazed rock, with something encouraging on it away. (Oh, and the cool glazed look comes from a thin layer of watered down glue, awesome, you should do it to everything: homework, your fingernails, computer screens that you own, painting of you weird neighbor; everything.) Sorry, that was definitely a tangent. Either way that has been what has taken up a chunk of our time.
Oh, and I think I mentioned this last time, but we are now doing Italian two hours a day five-ish days a week (depends on schedule). But its quite helpful. I'm a learnin' man.
This coming Saturday is our friend Emmanuella's (I think I spelt that right??) birthday, which is awesome and will be going to her party and also seeing Giocomo and Paride then also; as they got back from visiting the states the 9th. I'm looking forward to it.
And, I think the other big news is that Anna Callen, my sisters friend who decided to stay here an additional month and help us out and encourage us through life, will be leaving this coming Wednesday, which is kind of a bummer, but she is going to be considering coming back and working us after a lot more prayer, and thinking. So drop a little prayer on GOD's will being done in everything, including Anna coming back or staying; because that would be awesome.
Once again, thank you for everything you are to me, and for all you've done too. Peace.
This past week we have been working on the Women's Retreat, making bookmarks and other snazzy things that are cute and cuddly-ish, (bookmarks are not something I usually cuddle with, but you get the picture). We have been putting together little trinkets for memory, not forget this convention and what you learned type things. Hopefully people enjoy these things and don't through them away right after leaving, my feelings would be crushed. Well, maybe not crushed, but I would definitely be bummed, as all of us here, (Anto, Evan, Tracie, Anna, and I) had put time into this. So next time you go to a women's convention; don't through your pretty little bookmark, or kool glazed rock, with something encouraging on it away. (Oh, and the cool glazed look comes from a thin layer of watered down glue, awesome, you should do it to everything: homework, your fingernails, computer screens that you own, painting of you weird neighbor; everything.) Sorry, that was definitely a tangent. Either way that has been what has taken up a chunk of our time.
Oh, and I think I mentioned this last time, but we are now doing Italian two hours a day five-ish days a week (depends on schedule). But its quite helpful. I'm a learnin' man.
This coming Saturday is our friend Emmanuella's (I think I spelt that right??) birthday, which is awesome and will be going to her party and also seeing Giocomo and Paride then also; as they got back from visiting the states the 9th. I'm looking forward to it.
And, I think the other big news is that Anna Callen, my sisters friend who decided to stay here an additional month and help us out and encourage us through life, will be leaving this coming Wednesday, which is kind of a bummer, but she is going to be considering coming back and working us after a lot more prayer, and thinking. So drop a little prayer on GOD's will being done in everything, including Anna coming back or staying; because that would be awesome.
Once again, thank you for everything you are to me, and for all you've done too. Peace.
Friday, September 4, 2009
Ciao miei amici!!!!!!exciting thoughts!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Spero che tutto e' bene per voi.
I hope all is well (or good) for you guys.
This past week on September 1st, our coordinators got back from furlough, (if that's how it is spelled, that missionary vacation thing), and they are going to be helping us learn the language even better, (which I can say that I've got a lot of bettering to be doing :-) and help us get even more things going which will be good. And August is over so I am looking forward to trying to hang out with Sandro again; as it has been about a month since we have seen and hung out with him because he had to do some traveling for his job. Oh, exciting news that I had no part in at all is: Antonella, a lady that has been going to the congregation up in Pistoia, got baptized this past week too. Which is awesome happiness. I think I remember referring to her in another blog as the lady I thought/seemed totally awesome but didn't know what it was about her. Well she is Antonella, and baptized and part of the Church- AWESOME. And another one of our friends, Patrizio, he is back in town this week and we are going to hang out with him. But all in all, I don't feel like this has been the busiest week. It's been a week setting up for everything productive that will being happening here after. Oh yeah, we will be resuming Italian like I said, but instead of two hours a day, three times a week; it is two hours a day, five days a week. Which I must say I'm looking forward too/need; even though I have been learning, I've got a lot more learning to do. Which reminds me, yesterday we set one of the rooms up in the villa as a study, which is awesome, and so needed because I can't concentrate without silence, or a complete focus by all in the area. Makes me happy because, well, I'm easily distracted. Pray for the work here, and that things continue to pick up, so much so that we can't handle all of the work. It'll be amazing. Io apprezzo che tutto fai. Grazie.
Spero che tutto e' bene per voi.
I hope all is well (or good) for you guys.
This past week on September 1st, our coordinators got back from furlough, (if that's how it is spelled, that missionary vacation thing), and they are going to be helping us learn the language even better, (which I can say that I've got a lot of bettering to be doing :-) and help us get even more things going which will be good. And August is over so I am looking forward to trying to hang out with Sandro again; as it has been about a month since we have seen and hung out with him because he had to do some traveling for his job. Oh, exciting news that I had no part in at all is: Antonella, a lady that has been going to the congregation up in Pistoia, got baptized this past week too. Which is awesome happiness. I think I remember referring to her in another blog as the lady I thought/seemed totally awesome but didn't know what it was about her. Well she is Antonella, and baptized and part of the Church- AWESOME. And another one of our friends, Patrizio, he is back in town this week and we are going to hang out with him. But all in all, I don't feel like this has been the busiest week. It's been a week setting up for everything productive that will being happening here after. Oh yeah, we will be resuming Italian like I said, but instead of two hours a day, three times a week; it is two hours a day, five days a week. Which I must say I'm looking forward too/need; even though I have been learning, I've got a lot more learning to do. Which reminds me, yesterday we set one of the rooms up in the villa as a study, which is awesome, and so needed because I can't concentrate without silence, or a complete focus by all in the area. Makes me happy because, well, I'm easily distracted. Pray for the work here, and that things continue to pick up, so much so that we can't handle all of the work. It'll be amazing. Io apprezzo che tutto fai. Grazie.
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Ciao miei amici
Questa settimana passata era molto buona.
Working on my Italian, "This past week was very good." And I practice because it turns out that I'm not that good at it :-). I only say this because this morning when I went to pray in front of the congregation in Florence a line in Italian came out, which they were happy about, (I think), maybe even a little impressed, (now I'm just flattering myself) and then. . . English, line after line. All from the heart, but an English speaking heart. An English speaking heart that knows a little Italian, wants to know more, but man, oh man the "non-Italian" flows; ma sto imparando, ("but I'm learning."
This past week, from Tuesday through Sunday, there has been Church of Christ convention, in which many of the missionaries from around Italy came down, (or up to, really whatever direction, they came), to Firenze/Florence for. It was awesome; although I was surrounded by Italian, a language a still don't quite have an ear for, I would say that I was surrounded by even more love. It was a beautiful thing, and gave everybody on my little teamie squad here in Prato some of the encouragement that we need from time to time. So much fun. We just did lots of singing (for the most part in Italian), and had some classes, which side note: It was so, soooo awesome because this lady Toina, (I think that's how her name is spelt), took detailed notes as the teacher would talk and pass them to me along the way to keep me updated (not the word I'm looking for but eh) on what was being said and so I wasn't bored out of my mind; so considerate. And I also know that I wanted to be in the class because, although I definitely don't comprehend all that is said, I do know that a persons presence can mean a lot and go a long way. It's the small things in life that make a difference I suppose. . . . Well, that and the big ones. Whatever. :-) Lifes good. Oh, right , so singing, classes, um?, food. Food. Food. Yum. Before going to the convention I was told that the food was the best part, not because of the awesomeness of the grub but the chilling with people, the fellowship, I dug it. During this week, which was compared to camp. . . . multiple times. . . . by other people. . . . like people that aren't me.. . . . . .so other not me people, said those things. . . . . . things of it being like camp. . . that's all. Weird. Strano. It really doesn't matter that other people said it. Eh, moving on, we made some awesome connections and already having some traveling ahead of us being planned so that we may have an excuse to come together and love on GOD and each other agian together. There is going to be an mens convention in October, another thing that I don't remember (must not be important, right?? haha, funny ha. . .) and this thing called C.I.E. (pronounced chia)which means something. Vague and to the point that's me. Well feel like I'm talking too much, so I'm going to end here, but know good things are in the works, good things that are in groove with His purpose. Continue to pray always, and thank you for everything.
Questa settimana passata era molto buona.
Working on my Italian, "This past week was very good." And I practice because it turns out that I'm not that good at it :-). I only say this because this morning when I went to pray in front of the congregation in Florence a line in Italian came out, which they were happy about, (I think), maybe even a little impressed, (now I'm just flattering myself) and then. . . English, line after line. All from the heart, but an English speaking heart. An English speaking heart that knows a little Italian, wants to know more, but man, oh man the "non-Italian" flows; ma sto imparando, ("but I'm learning."
This past week, from Tuesday through Sunday, there has been Church of Christ convention, in which many of the missionaries from around Italy came down, (or up to, really whatever direction, they came), to Firenze/Florence for. It was awesome; although I was surrounded by Italian, a language a still don't quite have an ear for, I would say that I was surrounded by even more love. It was a beautiful thing, and gave everybody on my little teamie squad here in Prato some of the encouragement that we need from time to time. So much fun. We just did lots of singing (for the most part in Italian), and had some classes, which side note: It was so, soooo awesome because this lady Toina, (I think that's how her name is spelt), took detailed notes as the teacher would talk and pass them to me along the way to keep me updated (not the word I'm looking for but eh) on what was being said and so I wasn't bored out of my mind; so considerate. And I also know that I wanted to be in the class because, although I definitely don't comprehend all that is said, I do know that a persons presence can mean a lot and go a long way. It's the small things in life that make a difference I suppose. . . . Well, that and the big ones. Whatever. :-) Lifes good. Oh, right , so singing, classes, um?, food. Food. Food. Yum. Before going to the convention I was told that the food was the best part, not because of the awesomeness of the grub but the chilling with people, the fellowship, I dug it. During this week, which was compared to camp. . . . multiple times. . . . by other people. . . . like people that aren't me.. . . . . .so other not me people, said those things. . . . . . things of it being like camp. . . that's all. Weird. Strano. It really doesn't matter that other people said it. Eh, moving on, we made some awesome connections and already having some traveling ahead of us being planned so that we may have an excuse to come together and love on GOD and each other agian together. There is going to be an mens convention in October, another thing that I don't remember (must not be important, right?? haha, funny ha. . .) and this thing called C.I.E. (pronounced chia)which means something. Vague and to the point that's me. Well feel like I'm talking too much, so I'm going to end here, but know good things are in the works, good things that are in groove with His purpose. Continue to pray always, and thank you for everything.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Ciao mi amici,
Io sono dispiace che non ho scritto miei blog su volta.
"I'm sorry that I haven't written my blogs on time."
Hello, the few, the proud, my followers, :-) At least I would like to think you proud, if not the work being done, or worked at, that fact that I have successfully managed to manage a blog about four times a month. I'm kind of impressed with that; next step: writting post cards to my ever so awesome and very, very much loved, (not too mention thank you very, very, super much for everything,) supporters. That is my next mountain to triumph over, for you see it is a struggle of mine. Oh, and I say few, well because their is just eight of you followers I can tell. I dig it. Thank you for reading this little blog of mine.
Moving on, Tuesday we went out with out friends again, (a regular occurance, I'd say), just to hang out but also to see Paride and Giocomo before their trip to the states. They left Friday morning and will be back September 10?? I think?? They really wanted to see us before they left for the States and had mentioned how they have lots of plans for things for us all to do together once they get back, once we all have time again. :-) It makes me happy. I look forward to it all. Beautiful (don't know if that actually fits there, but there it is. . . ). Wednesday we went swimming with some a Aventi Italia people, and met this kid Ben (who is not part of the Aventi Italia program, just someone they wanted us to meet because he lives near us), and who trully isn't a kid, and well he is one of the most "jacked", or muscular men I've seen in my life. He is studing to be a bodyguard, and if you looked for him in a crowd just look for the guy who looks like he is flexing, while just standing there. . . huge; nice guy. But he is one of our new found friends here, look forward to chilling with him. All of that is so you have a clue about who we are chilling with and so you know we are out there, working at, slowing filling our time.
After swimming, we went back to the Harding HUF villa and they cooked us some steaks, let me say pretty much wonderful in all ways, and we enjoyed each others company together. It was good.
Thursday, Anna Callen and I walked from Ventimiglia, Italy to Nice, France, and I did not get back till yesterday evening, It was great, very, very beautiful, one of the more beautiful places I've seen in my life, but way too expensive. It was a good thing we had packed all the food really needed for the trip. Beautiful. Beautiful and full of boats, I think I salvated.
This coming week is a convention of many of the Church of Christs in the area and we are going to be helping in any way possible with it. So back to work, I'm loving it. And as always, continue your prayers please. Because I love those a lot too! :-)
Io sono dispiace che non ho scritto miei blog su volta.
"I'm sorry that I haven't written my blogs on time."
Hello, the few, the proud, my followers, :-) At least I would like to think you proud, if not the work being done, or worked at, that fact that I have successfully managed to manage a blog about four times a month. I'm kind of impressed with that; next step: writting post cards to my ever so awesome and very, very much loved, (not too mention thank you very, very, super much for everything,) supporters. That is my next mountain to triumph over, for you see it is a struggle of mine. Oh, and I say few, well because their is just eight of you followers I can tell. I dig it. Thank you for reading this little blog of mine.
Moving on, Tuesday we went out with out friends again, (a regular occurance, I'd say), just to hang out but also to see Paride and Giocomo before their trip to the states. They left Friday morning and will be back September 10?? I think?? They really wanted to see us before they left for the States and had mentioned how they have lots of plans for things for us all to do together once they get back, once we all have time again. :-) It makes me happy. I look forward to it all. Beautiful (don't know if that actually fits there, but there it is. . . ). Wednesday we went swimming with some a Aventi Italia people, and met this kid Ben (who is not part of the Aventi Italia program, just someone they wanted us to meet because he lives near us), and who trully isn't a kid, and well he is one of the most "jacked", or muscular men I've seen in my life. He is studing to be a bodyguard, and if you looked for him in a crowd just look for the guy who looks like he is flexing, while just standing there. . . huge; nice guy. But he is one of our new found friends here, look forward to chilling with him. All of that is so you have a clue about who we are chilling with and so you know we are out there, working at, slowing filling our time.
After swimming, we went back to the Harding HUF villa and they cooked us some steaks, let me say pretty much wonderful in all ways, and we enjoyed each others company together. It was good.
Thursday, Anna Callen and I walked from Ventimiglia, Italy to Nice, France, and I did not get back till yesterday evening, It was great, very, very beautiful, one of the more beautiful places I've seen in my life, but way too expensive. It was a good thing we had packed all the food really needed for the trip. Beautiful. Beautiful and full of boats, I think I salvated.
This coming week is a convention of many of the Church of Christs in the area and we are going to be helping in any way possible with it. So back to work, I'm loving it. And as always, continue your prayers please. Because I love those a lot too! :-)
Friday, August 14, 2009
Ciao,
Sorry I didn't write this past week; my sister Anna, along with here friend Anna came to visit me and see a little of Italy. So needless to say I was doing a little traveling with them over this past week. Which for me is ideal timing because the month of August is national (for Italy anyways), vacation month; everybody leaves town to go camping, and travel around mostly Europe, but really anywhere around the world. A couple of our friends out here are going to the States in about a couple weeks, or maybe it's just a week; either way, August is a time when everyone in Italy travels and towns like Prato become ghost towns. So with that said, now, during the month of august is the best opportunity for me to see Italy and travel with my sister, whom it was very nice to see.
On the 4th Tracie and I went up to Milan to meet both Anna and Anna; staying the night up there till the 5th. Then after meeting up with the both Anna's we went down to Rome. Now I can't say I fell in love with Milan, it had this huge cathedral, which was totally awesome, and a cool train station, but overall not for me, didn't suck me in. Rome on the other hand was soooo awesome, I would recommend it to pretty much anyone, beautiful city, lots of history (that I don't know, need to work on that), but it was not a city that lets you down on your expectations. You'll have to ask my sister for pictures being she was the photographer. After a night in Rome we went further south to Pompeii, which I also thought was remarkable, if you are into history at all, Pompeii is a must, and even if you are not a huge history buff, (which most of us weren't); you will find yourself oddly captivated by the city and a bullet point overview.
After visiting those cities we brought them to our house in Prato to introduce them to our friends, and to see the city where we dwell (what an awesome word).
On a seperate but related note: Anna (not my sister), decided, after being invited by us, team Italy, to stay an extra month to see how she likes the ministry out here and to consider the possiblity of being a missionary out here too in the near future; which is totally awesome because, since Kristen has left, Tracie has totally been in need of a girl, which Evan and I totally are not. . . . at all. It is definitely one of those things where, when you look at the whole picture you can see GOD's hand constantly with you moving and getting things where He wants them. Total blessing.
Recently too, we have been hanging out with out now, less new friends, going out with them and trying to let them know who and what we are about over time. It is a process, and a learing one at that, I've got a lot of learing to do.
We have also been hanging out with a family from Pistioa a little more often, Carmello and Dina; the other night we went to their house for their youngest daughters birthday, Alex, she just turned 8. which was a lot of fun. It was a good night.
Thank you guys for continueing to support our mission of bringing the gospel to those with out it.
Pray for me always. :-)
Sorry I didn't write this past week; my sister Anna, along with here friend Anna came to visit me and see a little of Italy. So needless to say I was doing a little traveling with them over this past week. Which for me is ideal timing because the month of August is national (for Italy anyways), vacation month; everybody leaves town to go camping, and travel around mostly Europe, but really anywhere around the world. A couple of our friends out here are going to the States in about a couple weeks, or maybe it's just a week; either way, August is a time when everyone in Italy travels and towns like Prato become ghost towns. So with that said, now, during the month of august is the best opportunity for me to see Italy and travel with my sister, whom it was very nice to see.
On the 4th Tracie and I went up to Milan to meet both Anna and Anna; staying the night up there till the 5th. Then after meeting up with the both Anna's we went down to Rome. Now I can't say I fell in love with Milan, it had this huge cathedral, which was totally awesome, and a cool train station, but overall not for me, didn't suck me in. Rome on the other hand was soooo awesome, I would recommend it to pretty much anyone, beautiful city, lots of history (that I don't know, need to work on that), but it was not a city that lets you down on your expectations. You'll have to ask my sister for pictures being she was the photographer. After a night in Rome we went further south to Pompeii, which I also thought was remarkable, if you are into history at all, Pompeii is a must, and even if you are not a huge history buff, (which most of us weren't); you will find yourself oddly captivated by the city and a bullet point overview.
After visiting those cities we brought them to our house in Prato to introduce them to our friends, and to see the city where we dwell (what an awesome word).
On a seperate but related note: Anna (not my sister), decided, after being invited by us, team Italy, to stay an extra month to see how she likes the ministry out here and to consider the possiblity of being a missionary out here too in the near future; which is totally awesome because, since Kristen has left, Tracie has totally been in need of a girl, which Evan and I totally are not. . . . at all. It is definitely one of those things where, when you look at the whole picture you can see GOD's hand constantly with you moving and getting things where He wants them. Total blessing.
Recently too, we have been hanging out with out now, less new friends, going out with them and trying to let them know who and what we are about over time. It is a process, and a learing one at that, I've got a lot of learing to do.
We have also been hanging out with a family from Pistioa a little more often, Carmello and Dina; the other night we went to their house for their youngest daughters birthday, Alex, she just turned 8. which was a lot of fun. It was a good night.
Thank you guys for continueing to support our mission of bringing the gospel to those with out it.
Pray for me always. :-)
Monday, August 3, 2009
Ciao,
Sorry for both writing this blog at a little a later of a date than intended, namely Friday, and also for my less than happy,(at least not happy for me), story last week. But, I have a good reason for it all, well not for the story last week, that was more just to keep you up to date in my life, help you feel what I am feeling, feel as if you are here with me, which is what I'm trying to accomplish with having this blog, so yeah. But what I was trying to say was the reason I have not blogged on my "always blog Friday" ritual was that, get ready exciting news; WE MADE MORE FRIENDS!!!!!! Now isn't that happy. You have to be smiling right now, Brandon has friends, it only took moving from America to Italy to do it; nothing big . :-) It has been great, absolutely great!!!!! (I'm kind of exclamation mark happy!!!!) Basically, because life is awesome, GANZO!!!! (More exclamation marks, hope you like them too.) Sabato I era ad una festa di compleanno con i miei nuovi amici. Translation, (with the help of babelfish.com, I would hate for you to think me smarter than I am,) "Friday I was at a birthday party with my new friends." But I want to say that we have hung out the past three nights straight. It has been absolutely wonderful and not to mention needed. We came here to meet people to share GOD with people and when the amount of people you know isn't that many, well, you can't share GOD with too many. I got my hair cut today by my teamie Tracie, just thought you should know that, that's all on that. We hung out with them. . .. .Wait, I should probally drop some names help you out there, that might help. . . maybe. Our friends names are: Patrizio, Paride, Giacomo, Sandy (She's actually Australian, but still our friend so I thought I would mention her too), Daniele, Roberto, Sabrina, Monica, and one other girl who's name I can't remember worth the life of me. And I don't really know what good you reading all of their names does but if you want to you can read my new friends names over and over and memorize them and then I can throw a pop quiz later and you can pass the quiz and feel really, super, duper smart, and maybe I can then give you a gold star or a scratch and sniff. It'll be great. Okay, either way, like I was saying before I got distracted, we went to some park hang out place with them Friday night; and Saturday night was the birthday party we got invited to. And may I just say how awesome it was to get invited to a birthday party after knowing these people for just one day. Man, I know I came here to share GOD and His awesomeness with them, but I feel like even though they may not know GOD as intemently as I, they soar where I and honesly many other Americans drag their feet and eat dirt. And that is not a dis against America or Americans nearly as much as to just open our eyes and to realize that one mans strength is another mans weakness, and the same when you talk of differing nations, where America succeeds, Italy, along with others may fail, but when it comes to the inviting-ness of the Italians and their open giving (on more than one occasion an Italian has bought gelato, or espresso, ect. for the entire party or group they are with. Very giving.) That is not to say that I do not find or know people in America who do these things, because I definintely do, but it is something that I am finding to be much more ingrained into this culture. I hope that came across clearly, if not let me know, because it is not meant to be an insult as much as an encouragment to continue to grow in all ways, and to trully share all we have. That is all. Oh, once again, off topic. . . . suprise :-) Last night, Sunday, they took us to two seperate hills, for lack of a better word, with insanely gorgeous views, breath taking really. One was more of a touristy type place near downtown Florence, with a good view of downtown, of the duomo and all. The other place, a little more low key, had a view of all of Florence, and we went to both at night, so it is dark outside, you can see all the city lights of Florence span out across the land, thick in the center and thinning the farther out you looked, it was beautiful, I tell ya, I felt like I was going to get proposed to, which let me tell you: 1) did not happen, 2) couldn't of happen, and 3) I don't know but I felt like there was going to be a third reason. Regardless, while we still have been going to Pistioa every Tuesday to help around the Church, it is wonderful, and healthy for us to now have some more "contacts", aka, friends of our own. And I know that at least some of them are curious about religion, and learning, so it's looking good!!!! Oh, and we went to the pool Friday with a couple families from Pistoia, which was a lot of fun, but as always, lets just say I am a little more tan, and a lot more red lol. Life is good, hope it is for you too. Pray continuely.
Sorry for both writing this blog at a little a later of a date than intended, namely Friday, and also for my less than happy,(at least not happy for me), story last week. But, I have a good reason for it all, well not for the story last week, that was more just to keep you up to date in my life, help you feel what I am feeling, feel as if you are here with me, which is what I'm trying to accomplish with having this blog, so yeah. But what I was trying to say was the reason I have not blogged on my "always blog Friday" ritual was that, get ready exciting news; WE MADE MORE FRIENDS!!!!!! Now isn't that happy. You have to be smiling right now, Brandon has friends, it only took moving from America to Italy to do it; nothing big . :-) It has been great, absolutely great!!!!! (I'm kind of exclamation mark happy!!!!) Basically, because life is awesome, GANZO!!!! (More exclamation marks, hope you like them too.) Sabato I era ad una festa di compleanno con i miei nuovi amici. Translation, (with the help of babelfish.com, I would hate for you to think me smarter than I am,) "Friday I was at a birthday party with my new friends." But I want to say that we have hung out the past three nights straight. It has been absolutely wonderful and not to mention needed. We came here to meet people to share GOD with people and when the amount of people you know isn't that many, well, you can't share GOD with too many. I got my hair cut today by my teamie Tracie, just thought you should know that, that's all on that. We hung out with them. . .. .Wait, I should probally drop some names help you out there, that might help. . . maybe. Our friends names are: Patrizio, Paride, Giacomo, Sandy (She's actually Australian, but still our friend so I thought I would mention her too), Daniele, Roberto, Sabrina, Monica, and one other girl who's name I can't remember worth the life of me. And I don't really know what good you reading all of their names does but if you want to you can read my new friends names over and over and memorize them and then I can throw a pop quiz later and you can pass the quiz and feel really, super, duper smart, and maybe I can then give you a gold star or a scratch and sniff. It'll be great. Okay, either way, like I was saying before I got distracted, we went to some park hang out place with them Friday night; and Saturday night was the birthday party we got invited to. And may I just say how awesome it was to get invited to a birthday party after knowing these people for just one day. Man, I know I came here to share GOD and His awesomeness with them, but I feel like even though they may not know GOD as intemently as I, they soar where I and honesly many other Americans drag their feet and eat dirt. And that is not a dis against America or Americans nearly as much as to just open our eyes and to realize that one mans strength is another mans weakness, and the same when you talk of differing nations, where America succeeds, Italy, along with others may fail, but when it comes to the inviting-ness of the Italians and their open giving (on more than one occasion an Italian has bought gelato, or espresso, ect. for the entire party or group they are with. Very giving.) That is not to say that I do not find or know people in America who do these things, because I definintely do, but it is something that I am finding to be much more ingrained into this culture. I hope that came across clearly, if not let me know, because it is not meant to be an insult as much as an encouragment to continue to grow in all ways, and to trully share all we have. That is all. Oh, once again, off topic. . . . suprise :-) Last night, Sunday, they took us to two seperate hills, for lack of a better word, with insanely gorgeous views, breath taking really. One was more of a touristy type place near downtown Florence, with a good view of downtown, of the duomo and all. The other place, a little more low key, had a view of all of Florence, and we went to both at night, so it is dark outside, you can see all the city lights of Florence span out across the land, thick in the center and thinning the farther out you looked, it was beautiful, I tell ya, I felt like I was going to get proposed to, which let me tell you: 1) did not happen, 2) couldn't of happen, and 3) I don't know but I felt like there was going to be a third reason. Regardless, while we still have been going to Pistioa every Tuesday to help around the Church, it is wonderful, and healthy for us to now have some more "contacts", aka, friends of our own. And I know that at least some of them are curious about religion, and learning, so it's looking good!!!! Oh, and we went to the pool Friday with a couple families from Pistoia, which was a lot of fun, but as always, lets just say I am a little more tan, and a lot more red lol. Life is good, hope it is for you too. Pray continuely.
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Why Me?
Buon Giorno :-)
Come Stai? Io spero tutti e' bene.
Let me start with the fact that I did not use babelfish; dictionary, yes, babel fish; no. So let me tell you about life, mine, to be specific. Last night was an experience. Lets start there. It all start oh so nice and peachy and wonderful; it started with see Kelsey Snell and Andrea Knappe, and a couple other friends from Harding who were overseas with the HUF program. I met them in Florence, we went and got some gelato, which is always good. . . . .always :-) Went back to the villa/campus that they had been living at and chilled; it was good, but can't say that is were this soon to be akward story ends. So I left the HUF campus to go home, hoping I could make it home actually because I wasn't really sure if I would be able to catch the last train of the evening, but never the less, I tried. Caught a bus taking me back into downtown Firenze/Florence and made way for the train station. But, *sigh*, I did not make it in time, I was going to have to chill in Firenze till atleast 4:30-ish in the morning, till I could leave, which meant about another 4 hours there, roaming, not knowing exactly what to do with my time, so lets just say I did a lot of walking. . . . . a lot of walking, which on a complete side note that is happy is: Roger and Heather & family took us hiking up near this city called Abetone in the mountians, with a little pond at the top, it was beautiful, not a lot to look, and then everything at the same time, I totally dug it. But we had gone hiking the day before, so, like I said, lots of walking. Well, after getting a little tired of just strolling around I came back over by the train station and was just going to chill and wait it out, no worries sorta thing, and then I saw to my happy stomaches approval, an open Mcdonalds across the street. And, yeah that's right, I totally went in there :-), that smily face is so you understand the joy that mcbacon gave me, one more :-). While I was there I saw this girl who honestly looked about as bored as me and seemed to be waiting on something too. Maybe a train, actually it was a bus, but that's besides the point; and no this isn't the awkard part, you'll see it coming. . . . . . .unlike me. Lol, but not really. Okay so, feeling like I could do this girl a favor, and try and blend a favor for me into it, a.k.a. go sit and have a conversation with here to help the time go by faster; which it did. It turns out she is also over here, in Italy, for school working on here masters in arcitecture. The girl is from Turkey and speaks three languages: Turkish, Italian, and English (which is how it was possible to have a conversation). But, it was pleasant, and definintley helped time pass by till she had to catch her bus. After she left I went on over to the train station and almost immediately started talking w/ some guy, whose name I don't remember, and am okay with not remembering. Deep breath, so I'm talking with this guy who seems chill, speaks English, and doesn't seem like a weirdo, (I'm dropping hints for the direction this is going to go, oh, and just understand I must be completely nieve, and, or stupid lol, but not really once again). Chilling and talking about why I'm here in Italy and what I'm doing in Firenze at this hour (3-ish); and after talking for a few he mentions the idea of walking and I said, "Sure, why not?" And then a few minutes, 5-10 minutes that is, he says he knows a place where we could get coffee, which of course I'm all over anytime of the day, never mind the Big blinking sign saying, "BRANDON, WARNING, WARNING, YOU ARE AN IDIOT. . . .MAYDAY MAYDAY." I said yes and got on the back of his moped, and no we didn't go to a bar or caffe' for some espresso, nope, definitely ended up back at his place. And let me tell you, I honestly still wasn't thinking : oh trash, this guy is an odd ball. Nope, I'm just busy trying to tell him about GOD, and what the Bible says, versuses what the Catholics practice. I'm nieve, say it, say it out loud, tell a friend or three; because this is where I begin to realize this man is probally gay, not the conversations, the espresso, or riding on a moped with him, (which side note: two guys riding a moped is normal over here- not considered gay); he starts to stroke and massage my arm, and moved into my chest, and the non-PG version, go up my shirt while at it. Yeah,very shortly after that I LEFT. Breathing and about a tense as I have ever been in my entire life. BLEH, ARRGEWHH and deep breath, the thought of all this is still crawling under my skin. And I'm going to stop there with the story as most of my emotions still aren't on the positive side, and am trying to be as much like Jesus as possible, and love (not in that way), and forgive, and not let less than positive emotions throw off the balance of what is needed: being disgusted by what is wrong in GOD's eyes and loving and forgiving him perfectly at the same time. It's a struggle.
I want you to know that I am continuing to try and serve in the manners that I know best, and trying to share the Good News with anyone willing to listen, which I think is atleast kind of apparent after reading above. I just ask that you keep your faith in me, that I will continue to do GOD's will on a day to day basis. Pray always. me.
Come Stai? Io spero tutti e' bene.
Let me start with the fact that I did not use babelfish; dictionary, yes, babel fish; no. So let me tell you about life, mine, to be specific. Last night was an experience. Lets start there. It all start oh so nice and peachy and wonderful; it started with see Kelsey Snell and Andrea Knappe, and a couple other friends from Harding who were overseas with the HUF program. I met them in Florence, we went and got some gelato, which is always good. . . . .always :-) Went back to the villa/campus that they had been living at and chilled; it was good, but can't say that is were this soon to be akward story ends. So I left the HUF campus to go home, hoping I could make it home actually because I wasn't really sure if I would be able to catch the last train of the evening, but never the less, I tried. Caught a bus taking me back into downtown Firenze/Florence and made way for the train station. But, *sigh*, I did not make it in time, I was going to have to chill in Firenze till atleast 4:30-ish in the morning, till I could leave, which meant about another 4 hours there, roaming, not knowing exactly what to do with my time, so lets just say I did a lot of walking. . . . . a lot of walking, which on a complete side note that is happy is: Roger and Heather & family took us hiking up near this city called Abetone in the mountians, with a little pond at the top, it was beautiful, not a lot to look, and then everything at the same time, I totally dug it. But we had gone hiking the day before, so, like I said, lots of walking. Well, after getting a little tired of just strolling around I came back over by the train station and was just going to chill and wait it out, no worries sorta thing, and then I saw to my happy stomaches approval, an open Mcdonalds across the street. And, yeah that's right, I totally went in there :-), that smily face is so you understand the joy that mcbacon gave me, one more :-). While I was there I saw this girl who honestly looked about as bored as me and seemed to be waiting on something too. Maybe a train, actually it was a bus, but that's besides the point; and no this isn't the awkard part, you'll see it coming. . . . . . .unlike me. Lol, but not really. Okay so, feeling like I could do this girl a favor, and try and blend a favor for me into it, a.k.a. go sit and have a conversation with here to help the time go by faster; which it did. It turns out she is also over here, in Italy, for school working on here masters in arcitecture. The girl is from Turkey and speaks three languages: Turkish, Italian, and English (which is how it was possible to have a conversation). But, it was pleasant, and definintley helped time pass by till she had to catch her bus. After she left I went on over to the train station and almost immediately started talking w/ some guy, whose name I don't remember, and am okay with not remembering. Deep breath, so I'm talking with this guy who seems chill, speaks English, and doesn't seem like a weirdo, (I'm dropping hints for the direction this is going to go, oh, and just understand I must be completely nieve, and, or stupid lol, but not really once again). Chilling and talking about why I'm here in Italy and what I'm doing in Firenze at this hour (3-ish); and after talking for a few he mentions the idea of walking and I said, "Sure, why not?" And then a few minutes, 5-10 minutes that is, he says he knows a place where we could get coffee, which of course I'm all over anytime of the day, never mind the Big blinking sign saying, "BRANDON, WARNING, WARNING, YOU ARE AN IDIOT. . . .MAYDAY MAYDAY." I said yes and got on the back of his moped, and no we didn't go to a bar or caffe' for some espresso, nope, definitely ended up back at his place. And let me tell you, I honestly still wasn't thinking : oh trash, this guy is an odd ball. Nope, I'm just busy trying to tell him about GOD, and what the Bible says, versuses what the Catholics practice. I'm nieve, say it, say it out loud, tell a friend or three; because this is where I begin to realize this man is probally gay, not the conversations, the espresso, or riding on a moped with him, (which side note: two guys riding a moped is normal over here- not considered gay); he starts to stroke and massage my arm, and moved into my chest, and the non-PG version, go up my shirt while at it. Yeah,very shortly after that I LEFT. Breathing and about a tense as I have ever been in my entire life. BLEH, ARRGEWHH and deep breath, the thought of all this is still crawling under my skin. And I'm going to stop there with the story as most of my emotions still aren't on the positive side, and am trying to be as much like Jesus as possible, and love (not in that way), and forgive, and not let less than positive emotions throw off the balance of what is needed: being disgusted by what is wrong in GOD's eyes and loving and forgiving him perfectly at the same time. It's a struggle.
I want you to know that I am continuing to try and serve in the manners that I know best, and trying to share the Good News with anyone willing to listen, which I think is atleast kind of apparent after reading above. I just ask that you keep your faith in me, that I will continue to do GOD's will on a day to day basis. Pray always. me.
Friday, July 17, 2009
Ciao a tutti!!
Spero che abbiate avuto altra settimana meravigliosa.
So I won't lie, I had to use babelfish.com, some translation sight in order to write that sentence right there above; which means, "I hope that you have had another wonderful week." I just didn't know quite how to put it together, we haven't learned how to speak in any tense other than present thus far; and that sentence definitely is written in past tense. Hope you appreciate the work I had to go through to hope your past week wonderful. It was rough. Totally just had flash back of Mcgruff, or something like that the dog that wanted to take a bite out of crime. Now, thinking of that, think of the word "rough."
So, off to a good start, :-) This week we spent a little more time up in Pistoia than usual, due to us wanting to be as productive as possible, while still being limited in what we can do, not being conversational in Italian yet. We did some cleaning of their building, and side note, I think I heard word of doing some painting in the future, so if I write on my blog about that later don't be too suprised, okay. And we also went to their market, once a week anygiven town has a market, a lot of people setting up boothes and selling fruits, veggies, shoes, clothes of any type really, just all kinds of stuff, besides the point. The Chiesa di Christo in Pistoia set up a booth too, and we went there to help pass out flyers or liflets, if thats what you call them; and my goodness, we passed out a lot of them, a lot. . . . . .a lot. I personally went through a few stacks, granted I don't know how much is in a stack, but the bigger the number you imagine the better you feel about it. Atleast that's what I've learned :-). But it was pretty cool, the funny thing though, was that we were suppose to be saying "prego" or "scusi", well I misunderstood and for somewhere over an hour I was saying "pronto", which means "ready", it is something they say when they answer the phone, definitely not when passing out flyers. Lets just say I'm glad I can still play the "American" card. Either way it was a good day.
But now on to what I am excited about. Oh man, you guys better be drum rollin' because, oh, this makes me happy all up inside, makes me want to "Salto con gioia!" (Jump with joy!) and there was no babelfish on that one. I'm learning. Ohhhh Yeah!!!! Okay now but back to what is awesome, quit distracting me, seriously, like I'm trying to tell you something way, way totally awesome, and you are messin' with my groove. And I'm laughing. So truly moving on. Last night, which was Thursday, they had this thing called the Italia Wave or the Love Festival in Livorno, it is about an hour west of Prato, on the coast. This thing is basically the Italian version of Woodstock. It was amazing. But do you know what made it soooooo stinking amazing, oh my brain is screaming with happy joy-ness; that dude Sandro that I have told you about, we totally went with him, totally amazingness. And not just that, we got to meet handful of his friends, who all seem pretty awesome too, and they all atleast speak broken English. "Ah yeah, that is right, that is amazing, you are right in what you call awesomeness Brandon, I so totally wish I could have been there with you for this, oh, so amazingly epic awesomeness." and I don't blame you for that desire, it is a noble one. But I have got more, (I totally feel like I'm on a game show right now), Sandro, during a chunk of the hour-ish ride too Livorno was asking questions about GOD, and the Church, and showing so much interest; I tell you, it felt great to be doing exactly what we came out here to do. I totally want to write more about all of this but it all feels like more of a rush of emotion that can't be typed, if you know what I'm saying. Don't know, I'm just saying be excited. And pray that this all goes somewhere, pray, pray, pray, pray, pray. Because I know I saw big things coming but didn't know when, or how; GOD has started His work through team Italy. That feels like a good ending note. Peace.
Spero che abbiate avuto altra settimana meravigliosa.
So I won't lie, I had to use babelfish.com, some translation sight in order to write that sentence right there above; which means, "I hope that you have had another wonderful week." I just didn't know quite how to put it together, we haven't learned how to speak in any tense other than present thus far; and that sentence definitely is written in past tense. Hope you appreciate the work I had to go through to hope your past week wonderful. It was rough. Totally just had flash back of Mcgruff, or something like that the dog that wanted to take a bite out of crime. Now, thinking of that, think of the word "rough."
So, off to a good start, :-) This week we spent a little more time up in Pistoia than usual, due to us wanting to be as productive as possible, while still being limited in what we can do, not being conversational in Italian yet. We did some cleaning of their building, and side note, I think I heard word of doing some painting in the future, so if I write on my blog about that later don't be too suprised, okay. And we also went to their market, once a week anygiven town has a market, a lot of people setting up boothes and selling fruits, veggies, shoes, clothes of any type really, just all kinds of stuff, besides the point. The Chiesa di Christo in Pistoia set up a booth too, and we went there to help pass out flyers or liflets, if thats what you call them; and my goodness, we passed out a lot of them, a lot. . . . . .a lot. I personally went through a few stacks, granted I don't know how much is in a stack, but the bigger the number you imagine the better you feel about it. Atleast that's what I've learned :-). But it was pretty cool, the funny thing though, was that we were suppose to be saying "prego" or "scusi", well I misunderstood and for somewhere over an hour I was saying "pronto", which means "ready", it is something they say when they answer the phone, definitely not when passing out flyers. Lets just say I'm glad I can still play the "American" card. Either way it was a good day.
But now on to what I am excited about. Oh man, you guys better be drum rollin' because, oh, this makes me happy all up inside, makes me want to "Salto con gioia!" (Jump with joy!) and there was no babelfish on that one. I'm learning. Ohhhh Yeah!!!! Okay now but back to what is awesome, quit distracting me, seriously, like I'm trying to tell you something way, way totally awesome, and you are messin' with my groove. And I'm laughing. So truly moving on. Last night, which was Thursday, they had this thing called the Italia Wave or the Love Festival in Livorno, it is about an hour west of Prato, on the coast. This thing is basically the Italian version of Woodstock. It was amazing. But do you know what made it soooooo stinking amazing, oh my brain is screaming with happy joy-ness; that dude Sandro that I have told you about, we totally went with him, totally amazingness. And not just that, we got to meet handful of his friends, who all seem pretty awesome too, and they all atleast speak broken English. "Ah yeah, that is right, that is amazing, you are right in what you call awesomeness Brandon, I so totally wish I could have been there with you for this, oh, so amazingly epic awesomeness." and I don't blame you for that desire, it is a noble one. But I have got more, (I totally feel like I'm on a game show right now), Sandro, during a chunk of the hour-ish ride too Livorno was asking questions about GOD, and the Church, and showing so much interest; I tell you, it felt great to be doing exactly what we came out here to do. I totally want to write more about all of this but it all feels like more of a rush of emotion that can't be typed, if you know what I'm saying. Don't know, I'm just saying be excited. And pray that this all goes somewhere, pray, pray, pray, pray, pray. Because I know I saw big things coming but didn't know when, or how; GOD has started His work through team Italy. That feels like a good ending note. Peace.
Friday, July 10, 2009
I have a title this week!!!!!
Ciao a tutti!! :-)
Welcome, welcome to my blog from this past week of awesomeness, (and the crowds roar- roaring sound with some applause. . . . and a gold star). We went out to supper with a couple, Luigi and Marissa, from Church; and by went out for supper, I mean, we were invited over to their house to eat. And it was some good eatin'. :-) Granted our conversation consisted of this is what a fork is called, (forchetta), or knife, (coltello), and this is how you say so and so. It was great, fried my brain by the end of the night from all I was taking in, but definently a good night. Just a side tangent, that's really not a tangent at all because it is related to what I was talking about just a moment ago; the congregation out here, they're great, I dig, I can't say that I understand everything they are saying, but I dig them. They are good people. Anybody who can be patient while talking to a 25 year old like a three year old because the kid doesn't understand, is patient. Very friendly, smiles and laughs with ya, well, atleast I'm going to assume laughs with me, hard to say when I don't know exactly what they are saying. All that to say that the people here are cool, and if you were to meet them I think that you would both enjoy their company here, and look forward to it in heaven. Ahhh, what a glorious thought. Now this is a true side note: but I must say heaven, dude, oh man, it excites me bunches and bunches and bunches, and you're talking one-on-one with GOD presence. Kool! :-) I tell ya, it takes times like this to reflect on GOD, heaven, and awesomeness to continue to remind me that that's why I'm here, I'm here encouraging the Church, with GOD, heaven, awesomeness; and I'm here sharing that gospel GOD, heaven, awesomeness, exciting-ness, so that others may be blessed with what GOD has given me to share. Oh, I dig that, that's exciting. I hope you're excited. Okay, okay, back on track, you guys are awesome for putting up with all my little detours. :-)
In Pistoia, this week we help clean up the church building for part of the day, and cleaned up a park nearby, that was near a concert they had had a couple nights ago. But I must say it was to my suprise not nearly as messy as I would have thought, but don't get wrong, I'm not saying it was clean. I don't know if I told you this or not, but I feel like every Italian smokes (total exageration), they smoke while reading, riding their mopeds somewhere, doing cartwheels, just basically always (and that was the continuation of my exageration. . . .if you couldn't tell :-) So all that to say their were cigerette butts pretty much everywhere it felt like, pretty gross, but, uh, man grunt, somebody's got to do it. Oh, and we ate lunch with some of the congregation, and there was this lady, don't remember her name, but she definently reminds me of someone; don't know who but definently someone. Which pretty much tells you nothing. So that was pointless, forget I wrote that, because if I could right now I would use one of those old school men in black memory forgetter pens.
On Sunday, we also went out to this lunch-ish, almost dinner so you are "oh, so hungry" things up in the mountians with about half the congregation, so like 15 people, but it was a sweet, sweet thing, and I got pork, mmm, mmmm good. It was a beautiful day, and we got to spend more sweet, chill time with our peps from the Church, which basically just brings me back to they rock, and just so you know, I think you rock, and not just for reading my blog as others may or may not have told you; and if they have told you it's just a rumor don't listen to it, lies, not true, listen to me, hear me roar: YOU ROCK!
I'm sorry if you feel like you don't get anything from this blog. Just know: I would dig it if you get encouraged by it, and know that I am trying to fight that good fight out here, and want nothing more than GOD's awesomeness to reign supreme. That would be awesome. Please continue praying for me and the work out here, I need it, and likewise I'll pray for you, and for your sharing the gospel others too.
Welcome, welcome to my blog from this past week of awesomeness, (and the crowds roar- roaring sound with some applause. . . . and a gold star). We went out to supper with a couple, Luigi and Marissa, from Church; and by went out for supper, I mean, we were invited over to their house to eat. And it was some good eatin'. :-) Granted our conversation consisted of this is what a fork is called, (forchetta), or knife, (coltello), and this is how you say so and so. It was great, fried my brain by the end of the night from all I was taking in, but definently a good night. Just a side tangent, that's really not a tangent at all because it is related to what I was talking about just a moment ago; the congregation out here, they're great, I dig, I can't say that I understand everything they are saying, but I dig them. They are good people. Anybody who can be patient while talking to a 25 year old like a three year old because the kid doesn't understand, is patient. Very friendly, smiles and laughs with ya, well, atleast I'm going to assume laughs with me, hard to say when I don't know exactly what they are saying. All that to say that the people here are cool, and if you were to meet them I think that you would both enjoy their company here, and look forward to it in heaven. Ahhh, what a glorious thought. Now this is a true side note: but I must say heaven, dude, oh man, it excites me bunches and bunches and bunches, and you're talking one-on-one with GOD presence. Kool! :-) I tell ya, it takes times like this to reflect on GOD, heaven, and awesomeness to continue to remind me that that's why I'm here, I'm here encouraging the Church, with GOD, heaven, awesomeness; and I'm here sharing that gospel GOD, heaven, awesomeness, exciting-ness, so that others may be blessed with what GOD has given me to share. Oh, I dig that, that's exciting. I hope you're excited. Okay, okay, back on track, you guys are awesome for putting up with all my little detours. :-)
In Pistoia, this week we help clean up the church building for part of the day, and cleaned up a park nearby, that was near a concert they had had a couple nights ago. But I must say it was to my suprise not nearly as messy as I would have thought, but don't get wrong, I'm not saying it was clean. I don't know if I told you this or not, but I feel like every Italian smokes (total exageration), they smoke while reading, riding their mopeds somewhere, doing cartwheels, just basically always (and that was the continuation of my exageration. . . .if you couldn't tell :-) So all that to say their were cigerette butts pretty much everywhere it felt like, pretty gross, but, uh, man grunt, somebody's got to do it. Oh, and we ate lunch with some of the congregation, and there was this lady, don't remember her name, but she definently reminds me of someone; don't know who but definently someone. Which pretty much tells you nothing. So that was pointless, forget I wrote that, because if I could right now I would use one of those old school men in black memory forgetter pens.
On Sunday, we also went out to this lunch-ish, almost dinner so you are "oh, so hungry" things up in the mountians with about half the congregation, so like 15 people, but it was a sweet, sweet thing, and I got pork, mmm, mmmm good. It was a beautiful day, and we got to spend more sweet, chill time with our peps from the Church, which basically just brings me back to they rock, and just so you know, I think you rock, and not just for reading my blog as others may or may not have told you; and if they have told you it's just a rumor don't listen to it, lies, not true, listen to me, hear me roar: YOU ROCK!
I'm sorry if you feel like you don't get anything from this blog. Just know: I would dig it if you get encouraged by it, and know that I am trying to fight that good fight out here, and want nothing more than GOD's awesomeness to reign supreme. That would be awesome. Please continue praying for me and the work out here, I need it, and likewise I'll pray for you, and for your sharing the gospel others too.
Friday, July 3, 2009
Ciao, mio amici!!
So definitely thought, "Hmmm. I think I'll change my opening line this week." So I did. I'm pleased with it too. It means " Hello, my friends"; and I figure you guys are my friends reading my blog to keep up and support what I'm doing; so, Ciao mio amici!!!
Where do I begin?? A long, long, longish time ago, about the beginning of the week, I'd say, we started the week. I remember this because my teamie, Evan and I found ourselves downtown Prato, which is the total hangout place here, talking to this dude we call "The Juggling Dude", primarley because we don't remember how to pronounce his name, which I find to be a regular occurance for me and names, (Italian names imparticular). Oh, but exiting side note, the dude I was talking about last week, whose name I definintely didn't remember, well, I totally remember his name now. His name, actually give me a drum roll please, because you know how I like my drum rolls and gold stars :-), but really; his name is: Sandro!!! (And I feel like you should know that his name is not actually spelt with exclamation marks (!!!), I was just that excited to tell you his name that is all. And what is cool about this dude Sandro, (without the exclimation marks this time, so you don't get confused about the spelling of his name), is we got his phone number, which means we are going to be able to start to building a relationship with this dude; man, I can't help but feel like this sounds like us picking up some dude for a date or something, awkward, but I guess JESUS dates are alright. Okay, now on to the part that I am more excited about; I, along with some of the others on the team want to get into soccer so to increase the amount of people we are able to meet, and being that's what they do out here, what better way to meet them than to have our new found, awesome friend, well he's still more of an aquantince, but it's a work in progress. Once again besides the point, it blows my mind how easily and fast I get of subject. What I was saying excited me was that Sandro said he would be able to get us into the soccer realm. He said that he might be able to get Kristen, another teamie, into the girls soccer league, and as for Evan and I, atleast introduce us to people and hook us up with the connections to play some 5 on 5, and maybe evently league. I'm just saying I'm super stoked about all of this, the meeting people, increasing opportunitty, and playing soccer, and the fact that Sandro said he would help us practice our Italian if we speak some English with him. All of that excites me pretty well, makes me all happy inside, for some reason I'm squinting with one eye as I type this, that's weird.
And with all that said, there is also a barista, at the bar, (basically a pastry shop out here, I'm not boozin', so worry not), we go to before every Italian lesson; we don't have any true connection or relationship with her yet,but the key word is "yet". She seems friendly and with us showing up there three times a week and some small talk everytime, who knows??
Having nothing to do with anything said thus far, we did a little bit of work up in Pistoia again, which was nice, because I like Roger and Heather the missionaries there. While we were up there we passed out, well we didn't "pass out" per say, we distribuated them by putting them in public mail boxes and on the windshields of cars, because it is illegal to pass flyers out to people without a permit in Pistoia, it's a form of litter control, which I think is cool.
Well, I need to do my homework for Italian class, and Roger just got here because we need to do a little work on the car, so the afternoon shall be busy. Once again thank you for everything you are helping Christ do through me. Keep the prayers a-flowin'.
So definitely thought, "Hmmm. I think I'll change my opening line this week." So I did. I'm pleased with it too. It means " Hello, my friends"; and I figure you guys are my friends reading my blog to keep up and support what I'm doing; so, Ciao mio amici!!!
Where do I begin?? A long, long, longish time ago, about the beginning of the week, I'd say, we started the week. I remember this because my teamie, Evan and I found ourselves downtown Prato, which is the total hangout place here, talking to this dude we call "The Juggling Dude", primarley because we don't remember how to pronounce his name, which I find to be a regular occurance for me and names, (Italian names imparticular). Oh, but exiting side note, the dude I was talking about last week, whose name I definintely didn't remember, well, I totally remember his name now. His name, actually give me a drum roll please, because you know how I like my drum rolls and gold stars :-), but really; his name is: Sandro!!! (And I feel like you should know that his name is not actually spelt with exclamation marks (!!!), I was just that excited to tell you his name that is all. And what is cool about this dude Sandro, (without the exclimation marks this time, so you don't get confused about the spelling of his name), is we got his phone number, which means we are going to be able to start to building a relationship with this dude; man, I can't help but feel like this sounds like us picking up some dude for a date or something, awkward, but I guess JESUS dates are alright. Okay, now on to the part that I am more excited about; I, along with some of the others on the team want to get into soccer so to increase the amount of people we are able to meet, and being that's what they do out here, what better way to meet them than to have our new found, awesome friend, well he's still more of an aquantince, but it's a work in progress. Once again besides the point, it blows my mind how easily and fast I get of subject. What I was saying excited me was that Sandro said he would be able to get us into the soccer realm. He said that he might be able to get Kristen, another teamie, into the girls soccer league, and as for Evan and I, atleast introduce us to people and hook us up with the connections to play some 5 on 5, and maybe evently league. I'm just saying I'm super stoked about all of this, the meeting people, increasing opportunitty, and playing soccer, and the fact that Sandro said he would help us practice our Italian if we speak some English with him. All of that excites me pretty well, makes me all happy inside, for some reason I'm squinting with one eye as I type this, that's weird.
And with all that said, there is also a barista, at the bar, (basically a pastry shop out here, I'm not boozin', so worry not), we go to before every Italian lesson; we don't have any true connection or relationship with her yet,but the key word is "yet". She seems friendly and with us showing up there three times a week and some small talk everytime, who knows??
Having nothing to do with anything said thus far, we did a little bit of work up in Pistoia again, which was nice, because I like Roger and Heather the missionaries there. While we were up there we passed out, well we didn't "pass out" per say, we distribuated them by putting them in public mail boxes and on the windshields of cars, because it is illegal to pass flyers out to people without a permit in Pistoia, it's a form of litter control, which I think is cool.
Well, I need to do my homework for Italian class, and Roger just got here because we need to do a little work on the car, so the afternoon shall be busy. Once again thank you for everything you are helping Christ do through me. Keep the prayers a-flowin'.
Friday, June 26, 2009
Ciao a tutti
I just like that beginning. What a good one, right? Besides it's in Italian, and that means I know at least on Italian phrase. Malto bene Brandon!! That right there is me learning Italian; because this past week we started our Italian class, and, bum di de bum, trumpet noise, sound, it rocks; kinda like that trumpet noise, sound. yeah? yeah. I'm laughing. So here is an Italian phrase you should wish to never hear me say: " Io sono incinta, ganzo." Because, well, ganzo means awesome; and it would not be awesome if I was pregnant. All besides the point. We found a cheap Italian tutor here in Prato, she only speaks Italian, but considering she has somehow managed to teach me Italian, and me understand. I'm impressed. Oh, and I should probally chime in on myself and mention that she did not teach me how to say that I'm pregnant; she taught me how to say "I am". . . and I looked up pregnant because I thought it was funny. See funny, well I'm still laughing, okay, you're right it's not that funny, but laugh with me to make me feel funny. So, foward motion, we have this class three days a week for about two hours, which let me tell you, is a lot, a lot of Italian to learn. Phew (that's how I feel afterwords. . . . in one word. . . .thats English.. . . .Is "phew" English?). But like I was saying,two hours of Italian class, and of course, my favorite thing ever,homework. Granted she rights "OK" on my homework when I've done it, and done it right, which is cool. Maybe I can talk her into giving me gold stars or something awesome like that, because that would be awesome; but if not that maybe at least write awesome, but in Italian!! GANZO!!!!! Yeah, and in all caps, with lots of exclamation marks!! Very excitingly, and it makes me feel good about my homework so I want to learn more and do better (teachers, scratch that, everyone, take note of this gold stars are awesome; ooohh and scratch and sniffs they work well too. Use gold stars and scratch and sniffs: this is a subliminal message.) But outside of working hard towards learning Italian, we've been spending a good amount of time in the evening/night down at the square, or duomo, (the happening place in Prato), trying to meet people that we are able to hang out with and tell about JESUS, because JESUS is totally awesome and the reason we are here. Ahhh yeah!
So I totally forgot about this till, well, basically this very moment, but we met this guy who's name honestly I don't remember, but I do remember I try pronouncing it and failed miserably. All besides the point, I'm excited because this dude can talk both in Italian and English, and we talked of the idea of getting together in the future so we can both work on our talking, (which for him is English,in case you were wondering, I was.) So, yeah, that rocks. Say it out loud for me, "That rocks, JESUS, you rock, thanks for putting someone who might want to learn about your awesomeness in Brandons life." Do it, say it now. Peer pressure.
I don't know what else to say at this very moment but that life is good, I dig it, and pleasssseee continue to pray and support me in my ministry over here in Italy, as I can see that GOD has plans for the work over here.
I just like that beginning. What a good one, right? Besides it's in Italian, and that means I know at least on Italian phrase. Malto bene Brandon!! That right there is me learning Italian; because this past week we started our Italian class, and, bum di de bum, trumpet noise, sound, it rocks; kinda like that trumpet noise, sound. yeah? yeah. I'm laughing. So here is an Italian phrase you should wish to never hear me say: " Io sono incinta, ganzo." Because, well, ganzo means awesome; and it would not be awesome if I was pregnant. All besides the point. We found a cheap Italian tutor here in Prato, she only speaks Italian, but considering she has somehow managed to teach me Italian, and me understand. I'm impressed. Oh, and I should probally chime in on myself and mention that she did not teach me how to say that I'm pregnant; she taught me how to say "I am". . . and I looked up pregnant because I thought it was funny. See funny, well I'm still laughing, okay, you're right it's not that funny, but laugh with me to make me feel funny. So, foward motion, we have this class three days a week for about two hours, which let me tell you, is a lot, a lot of Italian to learn. Phew (that's how I feel afterwords. . . . in one word. . . .thats English.. . . .Is "phew" English?). But like I was saying,two hours of Italian class, and of course, my favorite thing ever,homework. Granted she rights "OK" on my homework when I've done it, and done it right, which is cool. Maybe I can talk her into giving me gold stars or something awesome like that, because that would be awesome; but if not that maybe at least write awesome, but in Italian!! GANZO!!!!! Yeah, and in all caps, with lots of exclamation marks!! Very excitingly, and it makes me feel good about my homework so I want to learn more and do better (teachers, scratch that, everyone, take note of this gold stars are awesome; ooohh and scratch and sniffs they work well too. Use gold stars and scratch and sniffs: this is a subliminal message.) But outside of working hard towards learning Italian, we've been spending a good amount of time in the evening/night down at the square, or duomo, (the happening place in Prato), trying to meet people that we are able to hang out with and tell about JESUS, because JESUS is totally awesome and the reason we are here. Ahhh yeah!
So I totally forgot about this till, well, basically this very moment, but we met this guy who's name honestly I don't remember, but I do remember I try pronouncing it and failed miserably. All besides the point, I'm excited because this dude can talk both in Italian and English, and we talked of the idea of getting together in the future so we can both work on our talking, (which for him is English,in case you were wondering, I was.) So, yeah, that rocks. Say it out loud for me, "That rocks, JESUS, you rock, thanks for putting someone who might want to learn about your awesomeness in Brandons life." Do it, say it now. Peer pressure.
I don't know what else to say at this very moment but that life is good, I dig it, and pleasssseee continue to pray and support me in my ministry over here in Italy, as I can see that GOD has plans for the work over here.
Friday, June 19, 2009
Ciao a tutti!!,hello everyone!!
It's been a good week. and a little bit tiring :-) Every morning we get up and go over to Mike and Anto Mahan's, our coordinators; and we start our day with some singing and prayer and a look into the book of John. And I'm digging the study of John, the singing is good on everyone elses part, I've got a cold :-( and don't sound all that pretty, but hey maybe you think I still sound pretty. I'm going to pretend that you think sound pretty. Thank you soooo much. You're sooo nice. . . but seriously I'm trying to tell you about Italy, don't be distracting lol.
This past week we've been straightning out our villa, make it liveable/ keep it clean, like up to the Italians standards, which it turns out are a little higher than mine are. lol. Suprise :-). Oh, and we've been getting all of our furniture from a past AIMers appartment and cleaned that up. So, when we were doing this I, detour Brandon, got to drive the furniture to our place, (dun dun dun w/ dramatic music effects. dramatic dun). I got lost!!! Aahhhhhrrrrgggghhhhnoise!?!?!? Me and my teamie, Evan, (Evan and I, for anyone who likes good grammar lol) drove around Prato, Italy for an hour and half. I am proud to say that I feel a little better aquated with the city of Prato now, and for that matter the two cities on each end that I'm pretty sure we stumbled upon too. . . Perhaps thats not something to be proud of?? We found our way back. You get to read a blog about it. :-) Ah, happy face, everything is better.
Okay, moving on, deep breath, in the evenings, a few times a week we have been going to this choir charity that is going to sing this Sunday, and is trying to get a library in Nigeria. It's cool. Practice goes on at the Church up in Pistoia, (which I'm sure all of you know where that is), which is the congregation Mikes brother, Roger works with. GANZO!!! That means "awesome!!!"
Exciting, Exciting, Italian lessons start Monday or Lunedi. Bravo. I can't think of anything else to say. You guys rock. mmmmmmhhhhhmmmmm. (Couldn't figure out how to spell "eeewwwee", not the oh thats gross but the "eeewwweee, I was thinking.") All besides the point, I was going to say, I am going to have to learn how to say "You guys rock!" here in the near future; that is all I bid you all adieu (which ironically, I think is french.)
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Hello there everyone!!
I have arrived. . . . finally :-) in Prato, Italy. Will you all applause for the fact that we all made it. No, seriously, you should applause. You should take your two beautiful hands and beat them together in joy towards GOD for the fact that we made it; ohhhh joy in my deep wonderful, beating heart.
It has been a busy first few days, we have had to move all our luggage, the entire two bags or so, which is a lot . . . kind of :-), into our new villa. Which might i add is totally sweet. The villa is broken up into two completely seperate living areas. Broken up by a freshly added wall, making the place pretty much two villas, the girls, Kristen and Tracie, live on the back side of the villa, and Evan and I live in the front. It is beautiful. Esso e' bello. Surrounded by mountians covered in lush green trees. I must say that I am digging on every moment of this.
Also since being here, we have been running all around Prato paying down payments on where we live, and phone and figuring out food, which, of course, we have broken this up with some, oh so wonderful espresso, (I'm smiling right now :-), and some tasty, goodness, I like to call gelato. Granted I'm not positive but, I think other people might call it gelato too; and by not positive I mean I'm sure others call it gelato. But nevermind that, moving on.
Life is good and I appreciate all your prayers and support. Thank You. Oh, and I intend on writting on here about every week to keep you informed.
I have arrived. . . . finally :-) in Prato, Italy. Will you all applause for the fact that we all made it. No, seriously, you should applause. You should take your two beautiful hands and beat them together in joy towards GOD for the fact that we made it; ohhhh joy in my deep wonderful, beating heart.
It has been a busy first few days, we have had to move all our luggage, the entire two bags or so, which is a lot . . . kind of :-), into our new villa. Which might i add is totally sweet. The villa is broken up into two completely seperate living areas. Broken up by a freshly added wall, making the place pretty much two villas, the girls, Kristen and Tracie, live on the back side of the villa, and Evan and I live in the front. It is beautiful. Esso e' bello. Surrounded by mountians covered in lush green trees. I must say that I am digging on every moment of this.
Also since being here, we have been running all around Prato paying down payments on where we live, and phone and figuring out food, which, of course, we have broken this up with some, oh so wonderful espresso, (I'm smiling right now :-), and some tasty, goodness, I like to call gelato. Granted I'm not positive but, I think other people might call it gelato too; and by not positive I mean I'm sure others call it gelato. But nevermind that, moving on.
Life is good and I appreciate all your prayers and support. Thank You. Oh, and I intend on writting on here about every week to keep you informed.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Sorry it has been a few days. I didn't have a computer for the time being. Today I went out to lunch with my friend Alex White, who I would like to say is a cool, cool kid and has grown a lot since I've seen him last. But all besides the point; one of the big things that we talked about was encouragment, and how it is the things that you notice and encourage in a person, that become more and more a thing that they work on and focus on. Example, you admire how a person reads his Bible daily, and important part, you encourage this person how they have impacted or impressed you by their ability to read daily. That person is more likely to focus on learning how to read daily or to learn more from his daily reading because of that encouragment. Or I think how showing up to church, is something that I look forward to because the people I see there show how much they appreciate my presence there. The people I see at church encourage my attendance to church by noticing me enjoying my company. And, I suppose it would be just as true that if we were to encourage bad habits, it would still be the focus of a person and they would pursue that type of action for the attention. A person who tells questionable jokes, (I'll let you decide what questionable is), but everytime you laugh at the persons jokes that are of this nature, you encourage that behavior. So I just wanted to encourage everyone who reads my, oh so enjoyable blog (lol), to encourage people, to encourge you friends, and your fellow Christians, to be in active pursuit of GOD, to focus on His will, to read the Bible daily, to constantly pray to Him, and love on others, constantly encouraging everyone around you.
"I can live on a compliment for two months." Mark Twain
"But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called "Today," so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin." Hebrews 3:13
"I can live on a compliment for two months." Mark Twain
"But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called "Today," so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin." Hebrews 3:13
Monday, May 4, 2009
So I find it ironic, the other day I talked about the timing and its perfection. And here that perfection may be having me leave for Italy a little later than originally planned. I was going to be leaving Colorado this coming Thursday, the 7th; but mine, along with the rest of my teams visas have not come through yet, which leaves us here for the time being. And I must say, even though I still believe the timing is perfect in every situation, and trust GOD that everything works out to His glory,which is what I want, I am still feeling the slightest bummed feeling. Maybe it is because it has not all gone according to my plan that I feel this way. Either way, I trust GOD does have His reasons, (even though I do not understand what they are quite yet); I am excited to find out how things well work, and how GOD will use this situation. Because I know despite all of these minor problems, here in a little while we will be in Italy, teaching GOD's good news; and I look forward to that. (But if you wouldn't mind saying a prayer right now for everything working out, my team and I would be grateful).
Friday, May 1, 2009
The Timing
This morning as I finish sending out letters and try and organize all my belongings for leaving to Italy in a week; I just can't help but think of timing and how it's perfect. It's like GOD has a plan or something. :-) I had had this conversation with a friend a number of weeks back, (before I had a blog :-), but it has been this thought that has been getting me through all these rough goodbyes, combined, with feeling like I'm just starting to get to know someone, or get a feel for something that is awesome. But looking back, and to an extent even forward, it is comforting to knowing that the timing is perfect. That GOD has a plan, and when we walk, talk. .yadda yadda, according to that plan of GOD; things will work out, for the better (1 Cor. 8:28). And, although we may not enjoy or like the direction life always takes us; I think it comforting to know that when our desire is in line with GOD's, not only will we be more accepting of the timing, realizing its perfection, but also find how all of it is exactly what we need to be pushed to learn and grow as a mature servant of GOD. And I thank GOD for that.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Last night I went over to a friends just to catch up on life, and how their family is doing, it was wonderful, and always enjoyed. While catching up, conversation took a turn towards the idea of how easy it is to spend too much time on the computer or internet now-a-days; which I am guilty of in the past, but because of that, have in my eyes at least, become more of an old foggy (if I'm aloud to say that :-) and now spend hardly any time, if any on the internet. What was realized or pointed out while talking about this was how we need and require so much structure or discipline; because the internet, while a useful tool to allow people to know that you're a missionary and need financial support, it can still be a distraction that takes time from that missionaries, (or anyone else's),time spent learning and being with GOD. So whether you are more like me, with a little less structure in your life or more like that one person who has the date, time, and time spent doing what, in their calender; i would encourage you to make sure that however much structure is in your life, you have the discipline to keep your priorities straight; keeping GOD number one, and all distractions to the side.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Upon This Rock
In Matthew 16:18 it says,” I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it” (NASB). With this being a major foundation of the Catholic Church, I think it is important to have a good understanding of this scripture that would begin with looking closely at it in its original context.
The Catholic Church interprets the scripture this way, as taken from Catechism of the Catholic Church 936; The Lord made St. Peter the visible foundation of his Church. He entrusted the keys of the Church to him. The bishop of the Church of Rome, successor to St. Peter, is "head of the college of bishops, the Vicar of Christ and Pastor of the universal Church on earth"
When examining Matthew 16:18 we need to remember 2 Peter 1:20-21, and that interpretation is not a matter of one’s own opinion but rather by what GOD originally intended. So with that in mind we will look at the context, and examine the verses surrounding this passage, so looking at Matthew 16:13-19 we may get a better understanding of what is being said: “13Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, He was asking His disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" 14And they said, "Some say John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; but still others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets." 15He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" 16Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." 17And Jesus said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. 18"I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it. 19"I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven."
While reading this and keeping context in mind, we must remember how Jesus’ ministry has gone thus far; People both opposing and adoring Him, and with this in mind Jesus asks His apostles both: Who do the people think He is? And who do you think I am? Peter replies, “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living GOD.” And it is upon this statement when observing the context of the passage, that Jesus is not saying “upon this rock”, Peter, but rather upon this enormous truth which Peter just proclaimed; that Jesus is the Christ.
And it is not just from this passage in Matthew 16 that we find the Bible observing Christ Jesus as the rock or referencing GOD; definitely not Peter. In Isaiah 44:8 it says,” Is there any GOD besides Me? No, there is no other Rock; I know not one.” Or in Psalm 18:1,” For who is GOD besides the LORD? And who is the Rock except our GOD.”
Furthermore, Peter knowing those scriptures just noted would never have taken what Jesus said to him in that manner; and even his lifestyle and writings help bring light to that. In Acts 2 when Peter and the rest of the apostles address the crowd on Pentecost, you see that Peter not only doesn’t claim to be the foundation but points to Jesus and calls Him the “stone rejected by the builders, which has become the capstone.”
Paul also wrote, “No other foundation can be laid other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 3:11).
One more thing that I find important regarding the matter is that there may be an assumption that this idea of Peter being the foundation has been understood by all from the beginning; I want to negate that thought with just a couple numbers comprised of what previous “fathers” in the Catholic Church understood Matthew 16:18 to say. “17 understood the rock to be Peter, 8 the apostles, 44 Peter’s confession of faith in Christ, 16 Jesus Christ Himself, and a few the faithful in general” (Answers To Questions Catholics Are Asking). You see the majority put either in Peter’s confession; disproving the thought that this practice has been around from the beginning.
So in having closely examined the passage Matthew 16:18 I believe we may conclude that until more recently in our history it has always been understood that Jesus, and not Peter, was the foundation or rock upon which the church was built; and that it was those people who down the line misconstrued and misinterpreted the message that was originally and, I believe, still intended.
http://www.vatican.va/archive/ccc/index.htm
Catechism of the Catholic Church
Answers To Questions Catholics Are Asking
By: Tony Coffey
The Catholic Church interprets the scripture this way, as taken from Catechism of the Catholic Church 936; The Lord made St. Peter the visible foundation of his Church. He entrusted the keys of the Church to him. The bishop of the Church of Rome, successor to St. Peter, is "head of the college of bishops, the Vicar of Christ and Pastor of the universal Church on earth"
When examining Matthew 16:18 we need to remember 2 Peter 1:20-21, and that interpretation is not a matter of one’s own opinion but rather by what GOD originally intended. So with that in mind we will look at the context, and examine the verses surrounding this passage, so looking at Matthew 16:13-19 we may get a better understanding of what is being said: “13Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, He was asking His disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" 14And they said, "Some say John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; but still others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets." 15He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" 16Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." 17And Jesus said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. 18"I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it. 19"I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven."
While reading this and keeping context in mind, we must remember how Jesus’ ministry has gone thus far; People both opposing and adoring Him, and with this in mind Jesus asks His apostles both: Who do the people think He is? And who do you think I am? Peter replies, “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living GOD.” And it is upon this statement when observing the context of the passage, that Jesus is not saying “upon this rock”, Peter, but rather upon this enormous truth which Peter just proclaimed; that Jesus is the Christ.
And it is not just from this passage in Matthew 16 that we find the Bible observing Christ Jesus as the rock or referencing GOD; definitely not Peter. In Isaiah 44:8 it says,” Is there any GOD besides Me? No, there is no other Rock; I know not one.” Or in Psalm 18:1,” For who is GOD besides the LORD? And who is the Rock except our GOD.”
Furthermore, Peter knowing those scriptures just noted would never have taken what Jesus said to him in that manner; and even his lifestyle and writings help bring light to that. In Acts 2 when Peter and the rest of the apostles address the crowd on Pentecost, you see that Peter not only doesn’t claim to be the foundation but points to Jesus and calls Him the “stone rejected by the builders, which has become the capstone.”
Paul also wrote, “No other foundation can be laid other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 3:11).
One more thing that I find important regarding the matter is that there may be an assumption that this idea of Peter being the foundation has been understood by all from the beginning; I want to negate that thought with just a couple numbers comprised of what previous “fathers” in the Catholic Church understood Matthew 16:18 to say. “17 understood the rock to be Peter, 8 the apostles, 44 Peter’s confession of faith in Christ, 16 Jesus Christ Himself, and a few the faithful in general” (Answers To Questions Catholics Are Asking). You see the majority put either in Peter’s confession; disproving the thought that this practice has been around from the beginning.
So in having closely examined the passage Matthew 16:18 I believe we may conclude that until more recently in our history it has always been understood that Jesus, and not Peter, was the foundation or rock upon which the church was built; and that it was those people who down the line misconstrued and misinterpreted the message that was originally and, I believe, still intended.
http://www.vatican.va/archive/ccc/index.htm
Catechism of the Catholic Church
Answers To Questions Catholics Are Asking
By: Tony Coffey
Monday, April 27, 2009
Hoo Ha, I'm New At This
Ahhhhh, well this is kind of exciting, I'm writing my very first blog ever . . . . dun dun dun (dramatic noise, sound drum thing) :-) I'm going to be writing for this blog so everyone my always have a clue how I am doing in Italy, praising and serving on GOD, and helping others do the same along the way. I hope this is enjoyable and beneficial for anyone who reads and checks my blog out.
GOD bless + Shalom
GOD bless + Shalom
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