Single Minded

It's official, I have written (along with three amazing friends) my first book and it is for sale on Amazon!!!

All in a day's work

I mentioned that I have been teaching English, 3 times a week to a little boy who I am absolutely in love with. Oh he is sooooo cute. And you may have seen on Facebook my post about the Great Coffee Explosion of 2011. Where I managed to turn an Italian Coffee Pot into a bomb that sent coffee all over the kitchen while my little boy and I were sitting down to play a game of Pirates. Note to all, if your Italian coffee pot is missing a small rubber ring, best forgo the cappuccino lest you want to spent the next hour cleaning someones kitchen and offering to paint. Thankfully both my little buddy and I escaped unscathed. The kitchen however was less fortunate. After doing all I could to clean up we went back to our game of Pirates. (which is our new favorite way to spend an afternoon.)




I have also mentioned that I am working with Expats Living In Rome and you can now check me out as I have been made part of the E-Team. This means that I am helping Patrizia (my apartment mate) with events, and the website as well as teaching English at locations all over Rome. Our next big Event is a fundraiser for Amnesty International which will be a evening of appetizers and games with proceeds going towards Amnesty International in Rome.

in just one week

I have been in Rome just one week and what an easy return it has been! I was greeted with hugs and warmth at the airport by Liz and Angelo the (sister and brother-in-law of Freddy). They took me in their new car right to my new apartment where my friend Patrizia was waiting. She and a friend of hers shared a wonderful salad lunch with me. After a bit of chatting I took a nap so I would be ready to go out that night and reconnect with other old friends and make new ones at Expats.

Our Expats Group is like a huge ever changing family in Rome. It is made up of people from all over the world who are looking for a group to connect with in Rome. There are also a lot of locals who come, and it is a great way to meet friends, find jobs and network. The social part of Expats is just part of it, there are also Italian and English lessons and I have been added to the team as an English Teacher 3 nights a week. My first evening back at Expats was nice and low key and with a pretty good turn out considering it was All Saints Day.

I got to see Freddy the next day and have lunch with him, Liz and Angelo before I had to scoot off to pick up Riccardo at school. Oh how little kids can melt your heart, he ran out of his classroom and into my arms flinging himself around my neck with such force he almost knocked me down. We have since had 3 days together and I get to see him again this afternoon.

In just 7 days I have seen old friends, gotten settled into my new apartment with Patrizia and my my Russian roommate, met tons of new friends, gotten caught up with Freddy and his family, reunited with Riccardo and his family, lost 6 kl., been to 4 Expat events (Lessons), ate Sushi, adjusted to the time difference and the late nights, seen thunder and lightening storms and woken up to beautiful sunshine.

It is good to be back.

Just Dance

This past year has been filled with dance. Most of the dancing being of the Salsa variety. I took up Salsa Dancing before heading off to Rome and fell in love with it. So, I was pleasantly surprised to discover a friend in Rome who was a Salsa Instructor. One of the benefits of dance is that you don't have to know the same language to enjoy it. I met all sorts of people dancing my way through Rome. I met tons of ex-pats (people who live in Rome, but are from somewhere else) And a huge community of South American friends. Among this group of new friends I found the love of my life! A fantastic guy named Freddy. He is the last thing I expected to find in Rome. Though everyone in my life told me I was going to find "the one" in Rome I went to Rome single and content in that. Seems God had something else in mind. And that brings me back to dancing.

Not only have I been dancing with Freddy and friends, I have been swept off my feet by my Savior. A long time ago my mom introduced me to the idea of the Holy Trinity being in a sort of dance if you will. And this past May when I came home to figure out what it was God wanted with my life I attended a Spiritual Retreat that used the imagery of Dancing with Jesus. During this time away in Tahoe I felt God inviting me acknowledge my relationship with Him as an ongoing dance. Where He was the leader, and all I needed to do was accept the invitation to dance and follow His lead.

I have spent my adult life working in ministry. In May I felt called out of that. I felt invited into life as ministry/life as a dance with the lover of my soul. This is the relationship I have done my best to encourage others towards, but because I was always getting paid as a "professional" I never felt I was able to realize.

These past 6 months in California I have enjoyed just letting myself experience the grace of letting Jesus take the lead. Now as I am prepared to make my way back to Rome I am excited to watch our dance evolve. I am trying my hardest to let go of that "pastor's daughter, 1st kid" part of me that strives not only for perfection but also to please everyone, and instead just live in the grace that God and Freddy and my Family and True Friends love me just as I am.

It is the first time in my life I am not striving. The plus side of all of this is that God gets all the glory He deserves because it is obvious that He is pulling all the pieces of my life together.

1. I bought my plane ticket before we knew for sure the date of my sisters wedding, and yet God knew. I was able to be here for her big day. (congrats Krist and Di)

2. I let my friends in Rome know I was coming back and one of my ex-pat friends offered to let me room with her!

3. She also is hooking me up with a fantastic English Teaching opportunity which will get me right back in the mix of all the fantastic ex-pats living and working in Rome.

4. The family I was helping out before teaching their son English, is excited to have me back! I can start playing in English 3 times a week the day after I arrive.

5. I will make it back to Rome the day before Freddy makes it back from Bolivia, and both of us will make it back in time for his sister's first child's birth!

These are just 5 of the ways I am already seeing God moving me from one dance floor to another.

I am excited to see what the next 3 months in Rome will hold. I am excited to do life with the lover of my soul and to share that with the Man of my dreams as well! I feel truly blessed.

Thank you for all your continued prayers and support and love!

get involved right now

Dear Church Family,

I have a good friend in Rome who is not a Christian as far as I know, but she has openly asked me on Facebook to have the Church pray for her.  I believe we are called to make the most of every opportunity.  So please join me in praying for my friend Patrizia.  Because of immigration laws she has been unable to return to the United States to see her family for years and years.  Her parents are Italian and when she was a child they moved to the US illegally (from what I understand)  She grew up in New York and the US, had a whole life here, and then immigration caught up with her and she was deported, having to leave her son behind, with his father.

Her prayer request was this:

"Pray that they change the immigration laws that separate anymore families like they did to mine!"

I know this is a huge prayer request, but I believe that we have an even bigger God.  Patrizia is a mover and shaker in Rome, she heads up all the events for the ex-pat community, she is one of the most dynamic people I know.  I would love to have her experience the amazing grace of God in her life, and see what God will do in and through her.

Thanks for joining me in prayer!

Trinity

Grace Grace

I know it has been some time since my last posting.  Sorry about that. 

It is mid-July and today I am homesick for Rome.  I have been since I left but the sickness is setting in more each day. But, alas that is not what I sat down to share with you.  What I wanted to share is about the grace of God.  I struggled so much with walking away from my role with ReachGlobal, mostly because I feared letting people down.  Yet, I heard God's calling to live out my life with Him in a new way.  I have to be honest and say that when I wrote my letter of resignation and my letter to all my supporters letting them know of my decision to follow God's lead I had expected a backlash of disapproval and disappointment.  But, God who is full of grace knew His people, His church, my friends and supporters better than I...He knew what I needed was encouragement.  And friends I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for giving voice and physical expression to the Grace of God on my behalf. 

Allow me to share with you some of the responses of grace I received...

Hey Trinity,

I’m so sorry it didn’t work out for you with Reachglobal.  Please keep us posted on your Road back to Rome.  I’m interested to see how the Lord will provide & pave a way for you.  Not wanting to sound too prophetic, but I sense that His hand is on you to do what you plan.  You were meant for Rome..

yours in Christ - Sam

We’re praying for you!  May God richly bless your desire to serve the people of Rome and your perseverance in seeking a way to make that happen. 

Keep us up to date!

Aaron (and Michelle)

Hi Trinity,

Nope, I didn't get a letter from ReachGlobal.  Thank you for the update.

I'm excited to see where this new direction God has pointed you will take you.  It sounds like you have some great possibilities.  I will continue praying for you.

Blessings,

Jeanie

Hi Trinity,

Your news about Italy is both sad and exciting.  We’re saddened to see that you are leaving RG but are confident that your new goals to live and work in Italy will bear much fruit for the Kingdom.

We talked a few months ago about the You Tube video you did “I am a missionary.”  I was never able to download it and now don’t see it on You Tube.  Is it possible that you could send me a copy of it either via email or on DVD.  I’d still like to use it in my role as an Advocate.

I heard that you might be at the National Conference (I know your parents are going).  That would be a good time to exchange a file or DVD.  I hope to see you there.  If not, know that our prayers are with you in your new adventure.

In His Service/For His Glory

         Rich

Dear Trinity,

You are such good communicator…I’m so glad God’s continuing so faithfully to unfold His plans for you on THIS side of the ocean!  J  Thank you for keeping me on your update list—and I hope you will continue to…you’ll still be sending out updates, right?  J 

I’m excited for you.  It’s been quite a road, but I know it’s been one of growth, leaning, learning, and trusting.  Let me guess:  you wouldn’t trade it for anything (but you also might need some distance before you signed up for the same plan again???  J  I’ve been there… J)? 

About 2 years ago a conversation with someone from the largest Protestant mission agency said that they were strategically thinking ahead and planning to put more “tent makers” in position in Europe as they were seeing the changing face of the continent.  Yes, keep following His lead, Trinity! 

Hello Friend,  Sad to see an end to "part" of your ministry but excited that you will continue to serve Him in Rome living and working among those you feel called to shine His light on.  I would love to schedule coffee with you and hear more about your future and how I can be a part of that through prayer and gifts.  Blessings to you as you continue to honor Him whom you serve.  Love Teresa

Dear Trinity,

Thank you so much for letting us know of God's most recent direction for your life and your service of love for & in Him!  We are excited for you, and will continue to pray for you and His work in people's lives there when we think of you.  I don't see how you are letting anyone down, since you will still be working as a tent-making missionary there.  I think it's great!  May He lead you to supporters and accountability partners over there as you work.
Keep us posted!

Love in Christ,
Daphne and for Brian (and Stephen) Cann

Dear Trinity,

Chuck and I are and will be praying for you.  God will open a "door that no man may close". 

love

your family 

Dear Trinity,

     Thanks for your informative letter about changes.  I am sorry the support didn't come, and we have to trust God for His wisdom in all details of our lives.  I will share with the mission council here about your change of plans.  I sent $, personally, to Reach Global to help with your obligations there. Blessings on you as you

pursue the next steps.   Sincerely, Janet

Trinity, very much excited for God's lead in his dance with your life. Interesting that you should put it that way-- at our Nov. Women's Retreat, our theme was "He's Crazy About You", and we also were encouraged to look at our walk as a dance with the Lord. She showed a clip of the dance scene with Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire, and said -- that's what God wants to do with you! I found this little clip, on that note, that I thought you would enjoy. My prayers are with you as you go... I know you will have many new dance steps to share...

I am so very excited for you!!  Enjoy the dance.

blessings

don

Dear Trinity,
Ron read this to me and all I could think of was now we need to start paying for a kind of time share, where we can come and stay with you when we visit Italy next time. We both like this and really have a good feeling about it. May God really go before you in an obvious way. Keep us posted. Love, Kahleen

Thanks for the update.  I am very glad that you get to return to Rome and that God is leading you in a new adventure.

Here is another possibility I ran across.  There is an opening in Rome.  It looks legit but of course you would want to make sure
http://www.missionnannys.org/

Looking forward to hearing more news of what God is doing.  I am a bit confused about support.  We obviously don't send it to Reach Global, but will you be under another organization?

Blessings,
Donni

im proud of you kiddo!  i know God will do great things thru you. hopefully u can find an American company to work for back in Rome,so that u can have a benefits package and a steady paycheck!  maybe as a translater?  anywho,as long as i have an income, i will continue as b4 to support ya n my small way. hopefully alot of small ways will add up to give u the support u need.   :)  may God richly bless you......ur friend chris

Dear Trinity,

You have not let anyone down . . . instead, you have been a wonderful example of faith and sensitivity to God in this process.  Thank you so very much!  Go with Him, and I know you will never regret it.

In His Grace,

Debbie 

Hi Trinity !

     I read your “Big Changes” email, and am still very excited for you.  I did receive a letter yesterday from Reach Global, and wanted to ask you how you’d like your June payment handled.  After speaking with you at church 2 weeks ago, I pulled the EFCA envelope out of the mail and voided the check.  I’m thinking of just giving you the $ in cash, since you’re HERE, it’s your BIRTHDAY, and the money will go directly into your pocket.

Much love,

Renee
 

Whoo Hoo. You go girl. Keep me on your prayer list.  Our Kristi thought she was going back to Germany after her year home assignment. Now she's headed for Chiang Mai.  God's plans are often quite different from ours. Thanks for listening to Him. Paul

These are just some of the amazing Grace Filled emails I received, on top of these and others I have been the recipient of many warm hugs, gifts of money, help with a car, words of love and excitement.

Thank you for showing me the Grace of God these past few months.  You truly are some of the best supporters a girl could have.