On 12 October 2014 – a solid 32 weeks away – I will be getting married to the sweet Italian man, Vincenzo Panico!
This in-between period is an interesting time for me.
I am trying to plan a wedding from overseas, since our ceremony will be held near his hometown in Italy, as well as build community here, well knowing that I will be moving to Europe in a few months.
I am in my second semester of CGA – the Center for Global Action. The time and season I am in can be summed up into one word:
waiting.
A season of waiting can be burdensome.
You can decide to tell yourself let me just get through this day… every day.
I know because I have been through waiting periods before.
Waiting for the Race to start.
Waiting for the weekend.
Waiting to know what to do with my life.
You have probably been through a handful in your life as well.
Though I am aware that it’s a time of waiting, I am choosing to be receptive to what God is teaching me.
I am choosing to be present in my relationships here in Gainesville, my work with the Long Term Missions department at AIM, and in my weekly classes (as well as building my relationship with Vincenzo).
I am choosing to ask and to listen to what God is telling me in any and all environments. I am also choosing to act on the words He gives me and share them with the people He wants to speak into.
God is aware that I am in an awkward time. He knows that I am excited to be with Vincenzo in Europe. He hasn’t forgotten that some days are difficult for me.
Instead He has long before decided to teach me things during these months.
For the first semester of CGA (September to December) I learned more about myself and about the way God created me. I realized my passion in life and as well as discovered the skills to act out in that passion.
This semester (January to May) is focused on taking the first steps in walking out my passion. Our two classes, Empowerment and Professional Development, along with working in the office, discipleship, and being part of worship track are all helping to mature my passion and the different stages to arrive at that passion.
My Passion
After my Race, I went directly to Italy to be with Vincenzo and his family. He is from the Almafi Coast area, meaning it is absolutely beautiful!
When I was there I could see why people didn’t need God.
People are content with where they are.
They don’t see a need to be dependent upon God.
If you need something, buy it.
If you want true relationship, go find a friend.
This is not just Italy. It’s all throughout America and Europe, too.
That is where my passion resides – connecting with those complacent in their faith; those who don’t see a need to know more of God past someone in a church.
My Skills
It’s one thing to have a passion; it’s another process to have an idea of how you are going to be involved in your passion.
For much of my life I have been fascinated with hair and different hairstyles.
If someone has their hair in a unique way, I want to learn how it’s done!
On the Race there were so many people willing to receive free haircuts – and I was one willing person to practice giving them.
Here in CGA I have continued my practice and have an ever-growing love for cosmetology.
Combine a minimum of 30 minutes, one-on-one with a client, and my passion of connecting with content people, and I’ve got myself a ministry!
So for these few months before I up and move to Europe, I am continuing my time in Gainesville, soaking in all I can to build up my faith and build my connections, also connections overseas.
In order to continue doing so, I need to be fully funded for this semester.
Last semester is covered – nothing to be owed! Now, in order to sustain my $450/month living, I need to raise my 4 months worth of $1,800!
…Fairly quickly.
If you feel led to give financially, please click on the Support Me! in the left hand column, under my picture.
If not, please continue to pray for me in my journey here, as well as my to-be-continued journey in Italy, and then also a hopeful cosmetology education in Germany (and no – neither Vincenzo nor I speak German)!
