Wow, we're really, really here! After never having been to Bologna, we are now officially residents. Two years of praying, planning and packing have finally come to fruition. It is still a little unbelievable to us. Every day brings with it a little more familiarity and a sense of belonging. I included some pictures so that you can see a little of what we're seeing. This first one is Hannah in Houston with all of our bags. Yes, 9 pieces of checked luggage. Plus a stroller, 2 computer bags, 3 backpacks, a diaper bag, 2 portable DVD players and 3 kids. Miraculous that we all arrived without losing anything (or anyone!). For that we praise God!
This second picture is the view from one side of the apartment we're staying in. It shows the city of Bologna. It is quite distinct with all the red roofs. The city center is beautiful with porticos covering beautiful wide walk ways. The area we're staying in now and hope to find an apartment in, is called "the green area." It has beautiful tree-lined streets.
The third picture is a shot from the other side of the apartment, toward the hills.
This last picture is from the balcony of our temporary housing, toward the building we hope to find an apartment. It's the red building behind the white one. Very close. So even though we won't be moving in until our stuff arrives mid-October (please pray for its safe arrival!), we are glad to be getting to know the area.Our first week has been filled with getting all the paperwork we need to be legal immigrants (weird to say that!). Nothing is ever easy or straightforward (or consistent for that matter), so it's been a slow process. We finally got our permesso receipts and the equivilant of an Italian Social Security number, so things are opening up. This week we will hopefully open an Italian bank account and sign an lease on an apartment. School will start for Hannah next week.
Before we left, Cody asked several people to pray we would continue to walk in dependence on the Lord as we had in all the preparations leading up to us actually arriving. How quickly God answered that prayer. And it's not in the ways we had anticipated. It has been with our kids. Sending Hannah to school is SUCH A BIG DEAL for us! Obviously we have always tried to trust the Lord with our kids. But in a lot of respects, we've also been able to control their circumstances and do our best to protect them. We are clueless about what her experience is going to be like. We know that as well as we hope it goes, it is still going to be hard. It is an entirely new level of dependence for us to trust the Lord with a situation that could be rough for her socially and emotionally. The Lord is digging deeper and deeper into our hearts. We would love your prayers for both Hannah and us!
Every day seems to bring with us a little more comfort in that fact that we've just moved our family overseas. Our first few days (and nights) were filled with times of thinking that we'd just made a huge mistake. It is amazing how much lack of sleep can affect your emotional well-being. After a few days of rest this weekend, we are filled with thankfulness to be here. Walking down the street, sitting on the bus, we are reminded of how our hearts are heavy for the Italian people. . . they are so sad. It is so rare that we pass an Italian that looks happy. Life is hard for them, and they look it. They all just look so burdened. We want so much to be a light in their darkness. We want to help them to know true JOY.
2 comments:
Wow! How exciting. I know what you mean about sending a kid to school in a strange culture. You really are trusting God at a whole new level. I'm excited for all of you, and will try to pray for her and you in these next few weeks.
Let me tell you a story of our little "B" (what her daddy fondly calls her), since you shared your story of Hannah. Every day for the past two weeks, "B" has cried to us at the morning breakfast table. She pleads with us to take her to school on the bus. She is very insistent that she doesn't want to ride on the bus. Finally, we have learned more of the truth behind "B"'s anxiety. "B" can't understand a word her bus driver says! Miss Millie speaks very good English. . . but with a heavy Puerto Rican accent. Even though Miss Millie has only addressed the students on the bus as a whole (never to "B" as an individual), "B" internalizes all that she doesn't understand, thinking Miss Millie's harsh tone is demanding something of her. For example, all "B" hears is "blah blah blah blah "B" blah blah blah". Aha! Each day "B" has let us in to more and more of her anxiety (not all of this came in one sitting, you see). Now, we have been able to address Miss Millie, ask her to speak more slowly, ask her to address "B" individually, that if "B" doesn't understand what Miss Millie is saying then "B" can ask the other little kindergarten girl who rides next to her on the bus. After all, what I told "B" is that our job as parents is to protect her and to help her. Even though "B" didn't understand Miss Millie after I spent time talking with her one morning at the bus stop, "B" did gain confidence that she was being protected.
I tell you all this because you are good parents. Hannah knows that you seek her best and that you will protect her at all costs. At the same time, God protects you. He is your Good Shepherd -- and hers too.
I tell you this, also, because "B" is a prayer warrior (as is Joe). We are praying for you right now as the kiddos are being tucked into bed. "B" knows how to pray that much more specifically for her "Little Pony" friend, because she's had a similar-feeling experience as Hannah.
Give your kiddos hugs and blow them kisses from the Kelleys!
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