Italia!

My wonderful husband took me away for a few days during the second week of my half term break. It's strange to think we were driving as long as it would take for you to get to Keswick from Bradford and yet we were in the heart of the Italian Alps! We spent our first evening in a B&B in a town called St Nicolas just outside of Aosta. The view from our room was superb! We arrived in the dark and enjoyed a bottle of wine on our balcony...

Yes, it was pretty chilly...!!!

and in the morning we were met by a stunning setting...

One of Mark's favourite things to do here is throw the bike in the car and anytime we might do a long descent he jumps out the car, onto the saddle and races me down...

We drove to Genova the next day and enjoyed the beautiful Italian sunshine, not bad for the last week in October!...



That night we drove up to Alessandria and stayed in a big posh hotel, we went out for pizza too (of course!)

The next day we drove back up to the mountains and finished off our romantic get away in the only way a romantic get away can be finished...by doing another 'via ferrata'!!

Well, that just about concluded the week. We did have Friday at another thermal spa place that had slides and then I had to psych myself up for going back to work, which frankly I didn't want to do! I was really struggling at the beginning of this week and I am repeating the same prayers over and asking others to pray for me for these things: energy, inspiration and enthusiasm! And I must say I ended the week on a high note-God is so faithful and His strength is truly made perfect in our weaknesses;

I was feeling quite homesick, especially since we booked our ferries home for the Christmas break. (I know, that should make me less homesick right?) but it just made me think more about the people I am so looking forward to seeing, which made me miss them more! (Yes, I am talking about YOU!) and I got a little frustrated on Wednesday when I wanted to do laundry (the basket was overflowing!) and I couldn't get hold of the concierge to ask for the laundry room key. I cried. Yes, you're hearing me correctly! I cried because I couldn't do laundry! I turned to the Lord, He listened to me complain a bit and He came to my pity party. I gave the problems to Him-homesickness, work, even laundry. He gave me His yoke in their place.

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Thursday was a long day at work...and I loved it! A particular highlight was my last lesson; it is from 5:45 till 6:30 which means it is dark, I am tired and I teach two brothers English. Two brothers who, at the beginning of this year, came into lessons with arms folded, frowns exaggerated and voices gloomy. They might as well have had it written on their foreheads "I don't want to be here". Well, this Thursday they came in all smiles, we had good banter, I taught the lesson-we were doing body parts so I taught them 'head,shoulders, knees and toes' but in a rap version as they are far too old and cool for the song! I left the lesson feeling like God was truly giving me the energy, inspiration and enthusiasm I was asking for! He is so faithful to help us, then later that evening we had our homegroup where we meet with other young couples from church. We have formed some really good relationships with these people and we are so blessed; God knows exactly what we need.
As I write this our CLEAN socks etc (!?) are tumbling around merrily in the dryer...oh what a faithful God have I!!!