Un fantastico incontro!

I had to share about one of the funnest encounters during my time in Florence!!

My friend, Michelle, and I went up to my favorite piazza - Piazzale Michelangelo - on our last morning in Florence. This piazza sits right on top of a hill and overlooks the entire city. During my STINT year, I would come up here frequently to spend time with the Lord and to pray over the city....anyways, this recent trip wouldn't have been complete if I didn't go up there and pay it a visit...

Well, while we were up there taking photos of ourselves with the backdrop of beautiful Florence, I noticed someone taking photos...well, really I noticed the man's camera first...I was wishing I had one just like it for my trip. THEN, I noticed who he was taking pictures of! LUCA TONI! One of the star players from the Italy World Cup team!!!

C: "OH MY GOSH! Michelle! Michelle! LOOK! It's Luca Toni!!

M: "WHO???"

C: "He was one of the star players from the Italian World Cup team! We can't leave here until he's done. I have to meet him!"

M: "Ummm...okay..."

Poor Michelle, I made her wait there with me until they were done so I could go up and meet him (talk about a good friend!). As they were walking off, I stopped him, and in my poor Italian began gushing....

C: "Um excuse me, you're Luca Toni!"

LT: (smiling) "Yes.."

C: "You're one of my favorite players! I have seen all of your games! I have your World Cup jersey at home in the states! Would it possible to get a photo with you?"

LT: (at this point smiling and slightly laughing - and probably thinking to himself - crazy little American girl) "Yes, of course!"

I was such a giddy little high schooler talking to him, but you know what? I could've cared less! I was not going to let this opportunity pass me by!

Ha ha!

Questa la mia vita!

Ciao Amici!

This my first post on my new blog. I have decided that it is time to join the club and have a blog of my own so that y'all can know what is going on in my life. (and seeing that I barely check my myspace account these days, figured this would be better)

So where does one even start?? I think that is the hardest part. I guess I should start at what and where I've been the last 3 years, eh?

Well, after I returned from Italy (for those who don't know I worked for Campus Crusade for Christ in Florence, Italy, at the Univ. of Florence for a year.) Anyways, when I returned home, I still didn't know what I wanted to do, all I knew is that I wanted to return to TX. My prayers were answered when one of my good friends from college called me up and told me her company was hiring....and now here I am, back in Houston, TX working at a Tour Operator specializing in trips to Africa, India, South America, and New Zealand. With the company, I've been able to see Ecuador, Peru, the Galapagos Islands, Tanzania, Kenya, and Zanzibar. I have also found a great church that I have gotten involved in - working with the High school youth group. And I have been playing on a Houston tennis league team for the last two years.

It has been great, truly a blessing, being back here, re-connecting with old friends, making new ones, playing the sport I love again, but some how Italy is still calling me.....and how the Lord is going to use this desire of mine, is where I am at today....I have just returned from an amazing week in bella Italia seeing my old 'home' in Florence, spending time with my old friends (Italian and American), and if anything, my love for the country and Italians and to serve the Lord there has just grown stronger. God has shown me so much while I was there that week...and now I have new possibilities and HUGE decisions that I have to face....not to mention, lots of questions that I do not have answers to....so, it is time to get down on my knees once again and earnestly seek the Lord, for HE ALONE can give me the answers, only HE can give me the direction and clarity I so desperately need!

"Lead me in Your truth, and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; on You I wait all the day." Ps 25:5

"The Lord is with you while you are with Him. If you seek Him, He will be found by you." 2 Chron. 15:2