Reminiscence, Revelation, and Resolution

I put my iPod on shuffle and begin to enjoy an eclectic mix of music for the next 59 minutes. I was on a train headed to Lake Como as my last trip for my semester abroad in Italy. I began to reminisce of the past year and specifically the last 4 months - nostalgia is an apt word for what I was feeling. After a few songs, one of my favorite groups (Bethel Music / Jesus Culture) begins one of my favorite songs, 'Show Me Your Glory'. The train speeds northward through the Italian countryside and the words of the song reverberate in my heart: 'I long to stay in your presence, it's where I belong - show me your glory'. Even my silent echo of these lyrics brings a peace and joy to my soul that I have been missing for a while. The words of this simple melody playing in my ears hit the deepest part of me and I realize that, truly, I belong in His environment. It is what I was born for. It is what I require. It is where joy wholly resides. 

This year I have not been perfect nor have I consistently been enthusiastically pursuing God. But I have learned more about who I am, who I don't want to be, and who He designed me to become. In each of my shortcomings, I have discovered more of Him. More of His forgiveness and patience. More of His insatiable love for me. More of His excitement to see me walking in freedom. "Freedom isn't the absence of confinement. It's the presence of the person Jesus". I am thankful for the experiences I have grown through in 2013 and ask God for an even better 2014. 

For the entrance into the new year, I encourage you to pursue further and dig deeper into the Love that is Christ. I encourage you to welcome in the new year by praising God for His creativity and thanking Him for His never ending love and mercy and especially the birth of His Son. Therefore, seek to encounter Jesus. Have a personal experience with who He is. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal His nature in a new way every day in 2014. THIS is the best gift we can receive this Christmas. THIS is the ultimate resolution for the new year. 'Show me your glory, Jesus. I want to want you even more.' Let's begin this new year with a joyous entrance into His gates and courts! 

"Shout out praises to the Lord, all the earth! Worship the Lord with joy! Enter His presence with joyful singing! Acknowledge that the Lord is God! ... Enter His gates with thanksgiving, and His courts with praise! Give Him thanks! Praise His name! For the Lord is good. His loyal love endures, and He is faithful through all generations." -Psalm 100

~Elizabeth

Long time no post

Yikes! It's been quite a while since the last blog I've written! I'll try to quickly catch up on the happenings without being boring or wordy.. We'll see how this goes :)

Pisa:
The week after Cremona (last post), I went tango-ing for a friend's birthday party and had a great time learning a new style of dance! That weekend Meghann and I took a lengthy train ride to Pisa - this had previously been on our agenda during our trip to Florence but we weren't able to make the trip then. We had great fun with an extended photo shoot, coming up with creative poses, and teaching me how to do a proper jump photo.

Just a little kiss

Nailed the jump!

Thanksgiving:
On Monday, Megan Iliya came into town to visit all of us for the week! (She is one of the MAMBAs from Dallas). Time had already flown by and before we knew it, it was Thanksgiving time! Meghann found a 15 lbs turkey at a butcher shop and preparations for the bird began in the morning. We had planned a party for our MAMBA friends and other exchange students at our apartment. With house clean, food made, and music on, the festivities were a big hit! We had fun explaining the history of thanksgiving (with at least 3 variations), and the differing traditions in the US. Good times, good friends, and ALOT of turkey leftovers.

Me and my good friend Rana 

Our Thanksgiving party! (taking a picture of our dinner table)

On Saturday, Meghann and I ventured to the close city of Pavia for a Monet exhibit. It was a decent show and I definitely enjoyed seeing some impressionism.

The first week of December was the last week of classes at Bocconi - with most of our finals scheduled for the following week, I took a weekend off of traveling (the first yet), and did some dedicated studying. Some finals were easy, some finals were challenging. I'll receive grades within... 2 months or so (Italian style).

Florence (take 2):
Two more MBA students from SMU had taken a few days to explore Italy! They invited me and Jillian to join them in Florence for a few days of fun. We took a cooking class (favorite dish was the gnocchi!), ate some delicious dinner, and the following day took a day trip. We visited Sienna, Gimignano, and Pisa. I hadn't been to the first two cities which were quaint and wonderfully Italian. The trip to Pisa included a climb of the tower which I hadn't done earlier. It was great fun to see my Dallas friends - it made me even more excited to return to the states.

On Sunday, we attempted to go to church (the service we found online was cancelled in reality), and proceeded to shop in Christmas markets. Jillian left for Milan and the rest of us climbed the hill to Piazzale Michelangelo. This piazza overlooks the city of Florence - the day was clear and sunny which made for good photos and a chance to soak in some vitamin d. The last item on the agenda was a tour of the Uffizi Gallery and, though tired, we enjoyed learning more of the history of Florence and of the art in the gallery.

cooking class

My friend Liz and me in a piazza in Sienna

The view from the top of the Leaning Tower of Pisa

Overlooking Florence

Milan:
This was the last week of our time in Milan! Many emotions. But first was the last final on Wednesday which went without a hitch. That evening after all finals were completed, Matt, Jillian, Meghann and I went to a fancy restaurant next to the Duomo for an enjoyable celebration of our completion of the semester. (I had the most tender and delicious veal I've every had. mmmm) The next day we packed the apartment, started multiple loads of laundry, cleaned, and prepared for our departure on Monday.

I have one last trip to make (Lake Como), and one more fun event (a soccer game in Milan).

Time has come short and though I'm ready to return to see old friends and make new ones, it is still sad to leave this country. Enough of Skype and messaging - it's time to go home!


~Elizabeth