Ciao! Oh me, I cannot believe it is JULY, already! It seems we were in Cone Chapel with Erica & Justin just a few days ago!
Thank you for coming and celebrating with us!! It was a very special time and so many of you helped make it possible. I could not have done it myself…what dear friends! I cannot adequately thank you--I cannot. The wedding was just absolutely perfect. I am forever grateful…
Summer time in Italy - never a dull moment.
In May… David & I had a good trip back home to Scandicci. We arrived, May 28th, and immediately finished our preparations for the convegno (retreat/meeting) held here at the Avanti Italia Bible School building that next day. There were 30-40 folks from all over Italy in attendance. Franco Verardi of Latiano, Vittorio Vittaloni of Rome, Robbie Shackelford of Scandicci, and Mike Mayhan of Prato shared their thoughts. Rosa and I cooked the meals. It was a good gathering. [see attachment #1] David & I continue to work on the yard…and I must say it is looking rather nice! Lindsay did a great job taking care of watering everything in our absence. The flowers are stunning. This part of the yard project is just about completed. We are really pleased with the end result.
In June…
Summer is a popular time for visitors, and this year has been no exception! We have enjoyed seeing many familiar faces!
I discovered a cousin quite by accident. She happened to be reading our cookbook which we have on display here at the building—for sale…(which also happens to be available at McKenney Supply in Searcy-just see Marie Jones) Anyway she was reading through the AI cookbook and noticed in the bio that I was a Heffington. It turns out she too has Enola, Arkansas roots! She is part of the Heffington clan…it was fun to connect!
Many of you met with Rosa and her family while they were in the States. I am certain you thoroughly enjoyed them, as they are just delightful! Thank you for showering them with kindness and love-as you are famous for! I cannot wait to hear all about their travels. We sure have missed her here at AI!!
During Rosa’s absence…we have done a bit of “updating & rearranging” in the kitchen and laundry room.
In the kitchen: the refrigerator was moved closer to the stove and sink area, the freezers were moved to the laundry room, cabinets were moved & re-hung, things were cleaned out and re-organized. It is just great!
We did use a small amount of the proceeds from the cooking demonstration and also from my “store.” [Some of you know I began a small “store” for AI guests to purchase bottled water, sodas, candy bars, ice cream bars, chips, nuts, yogurt…snacks, etc.]
Over the past 18 months, the proceeds slowly began to add up and we were able to purchase butcher block counter tops, butcher block cabinet with three drawers, a small kitchen table, two kitchen stainless “end tables” that fit perfectly next to the stove. All of this met the need for additional work-space, perfectly! [we just love IKEA! ha]
We still are in need of an additional upright cabinet. As of now, we have not found anything within our budget (smile). We continue looking. I know eventually we will find something. But for now, the new pieces really work well and the kitchen has a good flow. I know the additional workspace will be useful when we have a crowd.
In the laundry room: we got rid of some of the broken things, cleaned, rearranged and re-hung cabinets over the sink, washer and dryer. I am anxious for Rosa to see it. I have really missed her!
In July…
Lindsay has been at camp for 2 weeks. She is one of the counselors. David & I drove her down south to the camp…what an adventure. I was afraid we’d landed in Switzerland! We drove through the mountains. The road that began as blacktop, then became dirt, and then became a hard to see trial…well we were lost!
I am certain no other Americans have ever traversed those paths— E V E R!! ha We did finally find the camp and I got teary as we drove off and left Lindsay…I have missed her, too! I am anxious to hear about her experiences.
We celebrated the 4th of July with 1000+ folks at the Villa Demidoff Parco, which is about 25 minutes from here. The Tuscan/American Association provides a nice program. (This makes my 3rd time.) We, along with the HUF students, grilled 550 hamburgers, 450 hot dogs…with all the fixin’s!!
There were bands, speakers, entertainment…I cried when they played the national anthem…
I know, I know…what can I say…
We have had some HOT days and nights!! And I hear some of you have, as well. I am thankful for the nights there is a cool breeze…tonight is not one of those nights. It is 4 am and I am typing this Update because I cannot sleep—it is just too hot!
In Prayer…
I spoke to our daughter, Emily, a few days ago. She will begin her work here in Italy August 26th. Jill Shackelford has also raised all of her support & hopes to arrive in Italy at the end of August. That is just 4 weeks away! Please pray for them. Pray for their transition. I know how hard it is to say good-bye to everyone…as it is with such mixed feelings. We are so excited that Emily will be here in time for the large convegno in August! She will meet so many Italian Christians. I know they will enjoy it.
Travis Wisely and Cullen DeHart continue their preparations for their departure, January 2010. They continue raising support. Cullen graduates from Harding University in December ’09. Both happen to be former students of mine. They are fine young men and I look forward to working with them!
Please continue to pray for them.
Please continue to “recruit” for this program. Jim Woodroof and Howard Bybee have a DVD they can give you if you need more information for someone…We need workers!
Remember us as we work with such lovely people. That we see the important & not be distracted by the urgent…that we might do well-the job the Lord has brought us here to do! Things are really going well. I miss you all. I love you dearly.
In His service,
Debbie
Emily Woodroof blog http://dafavola.blogspot.com/
Jill Shackelford blog http://web.me.com/jillianshack/jillianinitalia
