Just another Friday in Firenze.

 I began my day with a bombolono and cappuccino at the cafe near our apartment. 

 and then began our "getting lost" in the town. It must happen at least once a week. 

 We eventually made it to currently my favorite store: Melrose Vintage 

(please excuse the blur)

 It was certainly a successful trip. I will show you what I bought there tomorrow! 

 Pasta for lunch, mine and Leah's

 And then we just stumbled upon the CHOCOLATE FESTIVAL. 

 it was overwhelming, so much deliciousness in one place. 

and it wouldn't be Italy without trying on a little fur. 

It was a wonderful day. Now time for aperitivo, finally. 

Have a great Friday! 

For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being.. 

      Ephesians 3:14-16 

Ello.

(source)

No, this is not in Italy. But wouldn't that be cool! I just wanted to share this photo. I hope you have had a wonderful Thursday. Not too much is going on here. Tomorrow I plan on running some errands and bracing the cold, but not before my daily cappuccino. Maybe I will take my camera along. I love this place, despite it's freakishly abnormal cold temperatures. 

  For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith -- and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God -- not by works, so that no one can boast.

        Ephesians 2:8-9

Details.

Just some iPhone photos I have yet to share with you all. 

 Best gelato so far: Gelateria Santa Trinita 

 Coldest winter Italy has seen in 27 years. Why now? Why? (and the snow doesn't stick)

 best combination. 

my Italian phone. I do not recall it being so difficult to text on this thing. Or do anything at all for that matter. 

  Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God.

    John 3:20-21

Lake Garda.

Beautiful. Am I right?

He reached down from on high and took hold of me; 

   he drew me out of deep waters. 

He rescued me from my powerful enemy, 

   from my foes, who were too strong for me. 

They confronted me in the day of my disaster, 

   but the LORD was my support. 

He brought me out into a spacious place; 

   he rescued me because he delighted in me.

Psalm 18:16-19

In Verona.

 The Juliet wall

Photos from the first part of our weekend trip: Verona. It was absolutely beautiful. A pleasant change of scenery. Quieter then Firenze, or at least that was my impression. From Verona we went to Lake Garda. Breathtaking. I will post pictures of that heavenly place tomorrow. 

I just went to the most wonderful church service. I am so thankful I found a contemporary church for international students. In English, thank goodness. It is called Florence Gospel Fellowship International. I am excited to have found some community. God is so good. And He is good around the World! Something I had not truly grasped until actually seeing Him work in a foreign place.

Create in me a pure heart, O God, 

   and renew a steadfast spirit within me. 

Do not cast me from your presence 

   or take your Holy Spirit from me. 

Restore to me the joy of your salvation 

   and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

Psalm 51:10-12

To Fair Verona.

I forgot to post this picture before I left. It's a dinner I made for my last night in America. I found the recipe on the Sweet Paul Blog. Chicken drumsticks coated in salt and pepper, black olives, lemon/lemon juice, and parsley. Simple and delicious! 

It is currently 28 degrees here in Firenze. I am trying to convince myself to leave the apartment. It is the coldest winter Italy has seen in 27 years. Why, of all times, now? I despise the cold. 

This weekend we are leaving for a three day excursion to Verona, Lake Garda, and Mantova. Though it is colder there, I am excited to see some other parts of Italy! To go to fair Verona, the town of Romeo and Juliet. To see Lake Garda, about which I have heard such beautiful things. I will be taking many pictures. 

Yesterday I had my Wine Culture in Italy class for the first time. In two hours I learned the whole process of wine tasting, and even got to taste a Prosecco and a Chianti. We also get to go on a field trip to a winery! Needless to say, I am very excited about this course. 

Ok, I think I will do something with this day before we leave for Verona. Have a wonderful Friday, everyone! 

  My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have One who speaks to the Father in our defense -- Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.

    1 John 2:1-2