Two Weeks In Italy

First of all, thank you all for your love and support. Without it, we would not be in Italy right now. 

It hardly seems possible that we left Florida only two weeks ago. 

You know, we really didn't know what to expect from this move. Moving overseas is unlike any other move we Kelleys have ever made. While we have spent extended amounts of time overseas at various points, there is something definitively different about leaving with no return date. It's odd to pause and think we won't be returning to the states in a week or a month. 

Slowly but surely, we have been settling in. We've bought Adelena a real baby bed - she's been sleeping in a bassinet and pack n play since she was born - and that seems so permanent.

Though it took us a solid five days to unpack them all, we are no longer living out of suitcases.

I've finally stopped walking into the laundry room when I mean to walk down the hallway.

I think I may be able to successfully make my way on foot to the nearby market, though I haven't tested this on my own, so maybe this is an overestimation of my navigation abilities. 

Did I mention that we live with seven other people? They are our team and we could not imagine a better group of people to start our journey as directors with. Their passion and dedication to the Lord and His work here is astounding. 

We celebrated Thanksgiving - twice. I'll have to write a separate post to tell you how special it was to celebrate this American holiday with our fellow Americans and our new Italian friends.

We are slowly completing all of the necessary paperwork to stay here legally and take over the director role.

Each day, we attempt to wrap our heads around the inner workings of the Bible School, but that is still a work in progress. We have stepped into a complicated machine with no written manual to guide us. We are learning by doing, hearing, and seeing. We make mistakes and we readjust. It's humbling and rewarding work. Again, we have a great team to work with!

This semester's English/Bible lessons are coming to a close, so the schedule is slowing down and we are beginning to feel solid ground beneath our feet. 

Over the next few days and weeks, I hope to share pictures and stories of our time here thus far. 

Until then, please be in prayer for a few things:

1. Our visas/ stay permits. 

2. Our health. Living with a house full of people we share many things, including germs. 

3. Our team. Many of them will be traveling in Europe or back to the states for Christmas. They all worked so hard this semester, so pray this break will be restful and rejuvenating for each of them.