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2017

Wow! Not only is it the end of a month, but somehow it is already the end of the year too! This year has been one of the most challenging, enjoyable, different years that Nathan and I have experienced. If you remember, we started off 2017 with our families in America and packing our bags. Trying to figure out what to bring on this crazy two year journey. We hopped on a plane January 21st and landed in Italy on the 22nd. In just a few weeks we will have lived in Italy for a whole year!!! It's hard to put into words how grateful we are for our time here. We thank all of you for investing in us, whether that be in money or time! We love you and love sharing our joys in our mission here with you.

We have had many opportunities to experience new things with new friends, but my favorite part is the most simple part. Sitting around the table. Whether that is eating lunch with our cook Rosa, eating dinner after our Monday night devotionals, studying the Bible with my students, playing games with new friends, reading the Bible with friends, or talking with Nathan, they all fill my cup. Sharing in one another has been the biggest lesson I've learned, and I had to travel to a different country to appreciate it. Actually, it goes hand in hand with the word I chose to focus on in 2017. SHARE. I wanted to share the gospel. Share experiences. Share adventures. Share my emotions. Share in each other's highs and lows. I think I did a pretty good job!

2018

Now that we've talked about 2017, let's talk about 2018! 2018 is the year of lasts. That sounds weird saying, but it's true! Just like we packed up and left America last year, we will pack up and leave Italy at the very end of 2018. We have a lot to do before then! We will have two more semesters with our new and old students and a summer break in between. We will be studying all sorts of topics with our students. To give you an idea, here is a short list: Genesis to Jesus, Women of the Bible, Acts, Romans, and Stories of the Old Testament. I will be attending a missionary retreat in February for women! I'm very excited to meet others and spend quality time with the women who already live here with me. That is about all we have planned so far!

I wanted to share with you my word for the new year. I thought long and hard about the word I wanted to focus on, but one word just kept popping back up. I actually didn't want to chose this word, but I think that's the point. So we will see where the Lord leads me in discovering the word UNITY this year. The verse I have paired with is is Psalms 133:1. It says, "How good and pleasant it is when God's people live together in unity!" I think that sums up my goal for you.

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and have a happy new year!

Christ's love,

Ashley