Due to the recent film release of The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, I have found myself wandering through C.S. Lewis’ world of Narnia often in my daydreams. I have contemplated what picture, wardrobe, train, or otherwise, I might trip into Narnia and be enrapt to an adventure of epic proportions. The love for Lewis’ Narnia started deep in my heart as I was often the fanciful boy who loved secret worlds, rooms, and the likes. Narnia, Neverland, and other such imaginative places, were not only in the mind, they were worlds aside the world in which I live.
How Will This Year Be Different?
It’s Been One Year!
from left to right: Laura, Anne, Luca, Allie, Carrie, & Eric
Year One: Complete
One year ago, today, our family stepped off an airplane and into a new life. We have restored a home, started learning a new language, adapted to a new culture, befriended our neighbors, become recognized through-out town, completed piles of government paperwork and waited in countless lines dealing with government officials. We could not have done it without the prayer and support from our church family and all the gracious help from the Scorziellos! This year has been a success!
We survived.
Italy is known as the “missionary graveyard.” The turnover rate for missionaries and missions agencies is one of the highest in the world! In general, only 10% of missionaries return to Italy after their first term (2-years). So, we’re halfway to our first goal: survival.
Kinspeople
There is a show called Parenthood on TV, which is currently owning a spot on my favorite’s shelf. Warning: This show is charged emotionally and truly takes me through high highs and low lows. It is not for those who care not to navigate their soul’s ocean. But if you feel adventurous, give it a go, and I know you will not be disappointed.
A few weeks ago, I was watching this show and I felt as if I heard God speak so clearly to me. I heard, “Family is the highest honor in my kingdom.” When that statement came into my head, I am not going to lie. I was overwhelmed. In fact, I sobbed. What happened to our perspective on our family?
Now obviously, we all come from variegated situations at home, some good, some not so good. However, when we become believers, there is a family that is much higher than the family we find on earth. We are not merely related by blood, but by Christ, who made us one with him, and with the Father.