I’m happy to say that I am half way through my first summer session! I had a midterm exam on Thursday and it went quite well.

The longer I am here in Florence, the more I realize that I had always imagined Italy as more of the Tuscan countryside that you see in the movie Under the Tuscan Sun. But that is not quite what Florence is like. Now, granted Florence I suppose is closer to that than Rome is (which, Rome is very busy, rush rush rush big building kind of place). But Florence is overwhelmingly touristy. There are so many people on tours, it’s annoying. Things are expensive and everyone is just trying to get your money (because no matter how hard I try, I still look like a tourist). (Note to Laurisa: Think New York style…but in a nicer way).

My feelings are a pendulum here. Sometimes I absolutely love this place. Like last night, as a few of my roommates and I sat out on our terrace and had a lovely dinner, the breeze lightly drifting, and the postal service playing in the background. But then there are times that I hate this place, like when I am sitting all alone in my huge apartment and have no money to travel and go see things or because all my roommates left me.

Its funny to think that I left home three weeks ago and in only two weeks my mom and sister will be here. Time has gone by so quickly…but I’m kind of glad.

However, I am happy to say that I think that I found a church to attend while I am here. I was walking down the street last week and stopped a lady who I hear speaking in English about a church and asked her if she knew one in the area. She invited me to come go to a church that I had literally just passed in peaked into and her daughter invited me to a bible study. (It was pretty funny because I had just been praying in my mind for the Lord to help me find a community before I overheard her.)

Things to pray for:

• clarity for going to Thailand ( there are still a lot of things that need to happen before that is final)
• for me to be able to meet with the Lord in a deep intimate way while I am here and find people who will encourage me
• for my relationships with my roommates