Short and Sweet

Naples, Italy

It's the last day of the month, which means it's time to sit down and write a blog. Most of the time, this is very hard. I sit and have noooo idea what I'm going to write about. BUT I'll just tell you how it is. February was a short month I guess, but we managed to fit in a lot of things! I mentioned in our last blog that we were heading down to Naples to visit friends, and that we did! We were excited for the warmer weather and the events we were going to be apart of. We learned on the way, that there was a devotional and dinner on Friday night, so we were able to attend that with some Italian friends, and American friends too. If you didn't know, Naples, Italy is home to an American naval base so the Italian church has a few American families in attendance. I think it's so cool when people from different places get together and worship God! Sometimes the execution is hard, but they make it work. Did I mention they also have Filipinos?!?! Well they do! Saturday was a relaxing day where we just wandered around! Sunday we gathered at the church building for singing, which Nathan led in Italian and English, and a message. I missed the message, but for a good reason. I taught the children's class which was composed of two Filipino girls. There were very sweet and helpful! We spent the afternoon with friends, who were kind enough to let us stay with them and then we made the trek back to Scandicci Monday morning! Don't worry, we didn't miss any classes! :)

lafauche, France

I also mentioned that I was headed to France for a weekend in February, and I did! It was a crazy, busy weekend trying to get there and come back, but it was worth it for everything in between. Myself and some friends headed to a littleeeeeeee town called Lafauche! It was adorable. This American family (who owns it) had this dream sent by God to open up a missionary retreat center in Europe. The purpose was simple, for missionaries around the world to come stay for restoration and relaxation. And let me just say, they've only been open a few months, but they are doing a FANTASTIC job. They already have been scheduled with people visiting from Japan, Tanzania, Germany, and I'm sure much more. I will attach the website at the bottom. So that is where we went. It snowed. We slept. We got to know each others' stories better. We drew closer to God. Overall, it was amazing. Did I tell you that it's free?! Because it is. It's just an awesome place: a little chateaux in the hills of France.

Classes in Scandicci

Obviously, we have continued with our classes! We are definitely hitting the middle point where conversations get real and people sometimes forget to come to class. Good thing we are flexible and are able to reschedule... alot! I've talked about what I'm studying with my students before, but I'll give you a run down again. With my beginner students, I usually have a small packet full of grammar and beginner Bible stories we work through every class. With my intermediate and advanced students, it varies. I am studying women of the Bible, Acts, and creation to Christ. I can't ask you enough to pray for them. All of them! I have 17 who come on a consistent basis. PRAY! While some have a belief in God, they don't see what it is like to have a relationship with God. Pray that God will open their hearts to his Word and let them see what Jesus has done for them.

If you have any questions, please feel free to email us! We would love to hear from you! We don't get emails or letters often, but when we do, it is such a huge encouragement! So please, talk to us. (Shout out to Aunt Sher and Uncle Charlie for being on point with the letters for every holiday! We love y'all and the letters!!!)

In Christ's Love,

Ashley

PS The link to the retreat center in France: Restored and Renewed Ministry

http://www.restoredandrenewedministry.com/