Does prayer change things?

Today has been all about Prayer... the importance... the why we do it... the does it matter...

2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sins and will heal their land. 

I woke up with this verse running through my head. I started to ask God so many questions.... and you know what God is soo good. He answered them.


I have been reading a book by Elizabeth Elliot called, "Keeping a Quite Heart".  

Its a book I bought about 3 years ago and never read. However when we were packing "what to bring" I for some reason (God) felt inclined to bring it. Amazing book with short little wisdom's, revelations, and so much truth. Well when I picked it up today it was on prayer actually the next 6 pages were on prayer and why you pray. 

This is what Elizabeth said (paraphrased) and I whole heartily believe it. There are 3 major reason why you should pray. 

1. God commanded it

2. Jesus prayed (even though God knows our hearts and thoughts he still wants to hear them) 

3. Spiritual Laws. Elizabeth talks about how their are not only physical laws like gravity but also spiritual laws and sometimes God will not act until we humble ourselves and pray, showing belief and faith. 

This is why I wholeheartedly believe the 3rd reason. Because when I read it, God reminded me of my mission trip with Teen Missions Internation to Egypt in the Summer of 2001. We arrived at 11:00pm into the Cairo Airport, we were the last plane to land. There were 27 students and 5 adults. We were all dressed in dark blue jean pants and bright magenta pink t-shirts. Needless to say we were extremely easy to pick out. Our rides were not at the airport and later we actually found out that they had gotten the days confused, and all our bags that had the majority of our food were missing. We also couldn't not find anyone who spoke English to help us. Finally around 1:00am in the morning they told us that we had to get our things and leave that we could no longer wait inside the building. I remember feeling panic as the police started to shew us out with automatic guns strapped on there backs. Our leaders told us all to hold hands and just pray to ourselves at that moment. Within in two minutes a women approached us her name was Cecile she was the wife of the president or the American Embassy. Fluent in English and Arabic. She had been in the airport since 7 that morning. For the last 7days she said that she had a reoccurring dream that she was to come to the airport and pick up this group. She said it was so vivid that she knew she had to obey it. She said in her dream that she always approached the group of pink people when they were holding hands in a circle with heads bowed. She saw us arrive and she wanted to run to us but she said that it was very important that she wait until the right time. She had 6 mini vans waiting for us she took us back to her apartment and fed all 32 of us. Then the next day she rented a huge bus to get us to our destination, The Lillian Trasher Orphanage in Assuit, Egypt. I learned so much about the power of prayer that summer. Cecile  wasn't a believer but yet she was obedient to the dream the Lord gave her. We got to share the gospel with her and I know that her life will never be the same as none of our lives were either.

Sometimes God will not move until we humble ourselves and pray. So do not quit. And do not let up! But keep on Praying! BECAUSE IT DOES MATTER!!

Here are a few more pictures: 

This was on my solo bike ride. I rode back to the Temple.

I know that it is blurry but one night around 9 o'clock we heard music playing SOO LOUD. I know this looks like a bunch of women dancing in the street but its not it was a bunch of the local men dressed up with blonde wigs. There did this for about 2 hours... crazy! 

Speaking of studs... Here is mine. Cant wait to see Spring here and  Vineyards in full swing! 

I do not know whats prettier the background or that bike! =0) 

This is one of the Villas Kylie and I passed on my run today! Absolutely beautiful and there are tons of them! 

This particular Villa has tons of Statues this one reminds me of Kylie and I. 

And this on REMINDS ME OF TONY!!

Saturday clothes Market!! YEAH!!!

Thankful List Continued: 

41. CIMBA Allowing me to take free Italian classes. DID I MENTION FREE YAY!!!  

42. For my teacher Signora Michele for making me feel included and just her sweet spirit.

43. Thank you for the fellowship of Believers, Tony and I were able to go to a Bible study this past Tuesday. 

44. Thank you for Mary and Kevin who opened their apartment and made us feel so welcomed to be apart of the study. 

45. Thank you for Heather, she is a CIMBA student and will be here for the next 2 years. But has been so friendly and has an amazing heart for the Lord. 

46. Thank you for Hannah and Megan two girls from Arkansas, who were at the Bible study, their faith and desire for the Lord was so contagious. And their wisdom and understanding of God's word so rich and inspiring. 

47. Thanks God for not allowing things to come easy because when all your comforts are stripped away you always realize what things are truly important.

48. Thank you for  the owner of Asolo Arte di Cannelli. who when he saw me coming even though he was driving off parked his car, got out, opened his store and gave me a beautiful print of Asolo... for FREE. I have been looking at one he has everyday I go by. He told me it was free because I am KIN now that I live here. 

49. Thank you for Michaele the DEZ EN bus driver who now drops me off at the grocery store and then picks me up outside even though He doesn't have to and its not an actual bus stop.

50. Thank you for delicious HOME-MADE CHICKEN NOODLE SOUP... still not as good as Mom Zanca though but its getting closer. 

We are a city on a hill...

These verses have been replaying in my head every day since we arrived in Italy. And tonight as I made my way up La Rocca... these verses exploded in my heart. Please take time to read them and then I will explain.

Matthew 5:14-16 
¹⁴ “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵ Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. ¹⁶ In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.


Matteo 5:14-16

¹⁴ Voi siete la luce del mondo. Una città posta sopra un monte non può essere nascosta, ¹⁵ e non si accende una lampada per metterla sotto un recipiente^[a]; anzi la si mette sul candeliere ed essa fa luce a tutti quelli che sono in casa. ¹⁶ Così risplenda la vostra luce davanti agli uomini, affinché vedano le vostre buone opere e glorifichino il Padre vostro che è nei cieli.

 La Rocca is the castle that is located in Asolo. And every night their are lights that shine upon it so you can see this castle day or night... it is beautiful Tony and I  on our many exertions have commented on how thankful we are to have it because it has helped us dozen of times find our way back home. But tonight I climbed up to the top at 9 o'clock in the evening. It was lite but as I looked out my breathe was taken away but by all of the gorgeous lights. God has called us to be a light to this world and to our community... here in Asolo.. but He calls his believers everywhere to be a Light on a HILL... so that people will see it and NOT praise the person but THE MAKER, who in His Grace has made that person NEW!!

Some other pictures I forgot my camera but I got these from the internet so you could see what we saw:

This is Pagnano Church. Tony and I went there with Massimo this Sunday. It is absolutely beautiful. We didn't understand much but it warmed my heart to worship the Father among others. 

Canova's Temple in Possagno: Was designed by a famous Artist,  Canova. The building took over 14 years just to design it and then another several years to build. The building's design is a combination of three distinct architectural elements: the colonade (Greek as in Athens Parthenon), the round body (Roman as in Rome's Patheon), the apsidal chapel (as in Christian). 

This is a shot from inside this magnificent church. Several famous local artist did the paintings and sculptures. There are over 272  golden flowers on the ceiling. To get a better look you can click on this website and it will let you tour the whole dome. http://www.360cities.net/image/antonio-canovas-temple-in-possagno-italy#-172.69,4.57,51.7

Thankful List: 

31. For Andrew and his daughter Catherine who have introduced us to so many sweet people and always make us feel welcomed... such a God-send.

32. For my Parents celebrating their 35th ANNIVERSARY!!! That is soo awesome they are a testimony of what real LOVE looks like everyday! 

33. For New Marriages one of my Best Friends Rebekah Henderson just got married to Liam Campbell!! So excited for that union and what the Lord is going to do in both their lives! 

34. The precious heart and love of my Sister! 

35. Getting an E-mail from my Niece Jocelyn... Made my day!! 

36. Christina at CIMBA who is going to let me Audit a Italian Class.

37. Doing errands with Tony on our bikes

38. For a hope that can not be squashed by failed plans, delays, death, or pain. 

39. For hanging out with Catherine, puzzles, laughter and just being able to be oneself

40. For Selle Italia's generosity and constant encouragement.

One month to the day...

It absolutely blows me away to think that we have already been in Italy for a month... it seems like life only speeds up.


2 Corinthians 12:9
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.


^{2 Corinzi 12:9
9} ed egli mi ha detto: «La mia grazia ti basta, perché la [mia] potenza si dimostra perfetta nella debolezza». Perciò molto volentieri mi vanterò piuttosto delle mie debolezze, affinché la potenza di Cristo riposi su di me.


Here are some pictures to recap February:

Tony helping get Kylie ready for one of our many adventures out in the snow!!
This is the most amazing man I have ever met... I love him so much!!

One of the local hotels in Asolo, "Albergo Angelo".

My sidekick!

One of Tony's pride and joys... he has been loving the riding here.
So many places to go and new routes to explore. 

How were those climbs today... 

Team Hoffenchard: It's official you are internationally known now!! 

Homemade Salami nothing can compare...
he smiles like that every time  he takes a bite.

Tony heading off to work! I am so proud of my honey! 

Kylie's Throne.. this is where
she sits while I study. She does not even let Tony and I sit here. 

Secret Garden's are everywhere here. Behind this door is over an acre of
gorgeous garden and random marble staircases. no joke!

This is one of the many mansions here in Asolo.
They are breath taking. 

This is one of the 7 peacocks that parade around inside this mansions courtyard.
CRAZY! Sharon every time I see a peacock I think about you and Gamma!=0) 

Tony getting ready to take off for a long ride!! In which he ended up doing a photo shoot for some local photographers.

A random find on a lonely hill... I wonder what it used to be??

Tony and I went to an Italian  play called "Il Mistero Dell'Assassino Misterioso" it was a comedy murder mystery and even though we couldn't understand the words they did an excellent job and we got the gist of it all. We truly enjoyed it!

This is the cast from the play... i do not know why it keeps downloading like this sorry.

Bassano del Grappa - this is where we went this past weekend 2/19/12. Unfortunately for us it was a cloudy day  so you can't see the mtns in the background of our pictures. But its was still alot of fun! 

Another parade... This coming Tuesday is fat Tuesday... the end of festival season...
We have learned that from the last two weeks in January until
Fat Tuesday it almost like festival and food indulgence month...
Everyone celebrates here the whole month before going into Lint. 

Looking down into the center of historic Bassano.. the center of the city is walled in. 

Tony and I at fountain in Piazza Garibaldi... in about 30 minutes this place became so crowded you could not hardly move.

Alessandro and Tony getting ready to cross the famous "Ponte Vecchio" (=old Bridge) in Bassano.
Alessandro is our German teacher and was so sweet he came and gave us a tour and then even gave us a ride home!

Tony is next to Grapperia Nardini it has been open since 1779 and has stared in several different movies and tv shows like "Dhani Tackles the Globe". They make their own grappa here... grappa is equivalent to Moonshine back in the states extremly stong 

One of the many views from the bridge... if it was clear you would be able to see the Gorgeous Monte Grappa Mountains

Local artist crowd the bridge singing and playing... 

And some artists just stand still... =0)
Be Still... is all the Lord has been telling me lately... man I appalled this man who does it soo well!

Tony, me and Alessandro. This Bridge which is also called Ponte di Palladio or Ponte degli Alpini, has been the symbol of Bassano and dates back to the 12th century. It has been destroyed several times during the centuries do to wars and or violent river flooding but has always been faithfully rebuilt. It is made out of pure wood and was last rebuilt in 1569. 

How I wish you could see the gorgeous mountains behind the city. 

So beautiful! 

This is "Duomo di Santa Maria in Colle" The Cathedral of Holy Mary on the Hill, this catherdal stands within the 1st wall and inside the upper castle in Bassano. This church is dated back to 998 and is one of the oldest structures in Bassano. It has been updated and was last added to in the 17th century

The street," Viale dei Martiri " Martyr Boulevard, is lined with these trees each tree represents one of the 31 soldier who was hung during World War 1. 

Parades and Confetti!! They know how to party! 

Do not judge me!! =0) 

This is the same place we took the picture by the fountain their was so many people... 

They had concerts... dancers.. floats... and everyone was in costume. The church in the back ground is" Chiesa di San Giovanni Battista", The church of St John the Baptist built in 1308. And the Piazza the party is happen in is "Piazza Liberta", Freedom Square. 

Psalm 46:10 He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

Salmi 46:10«Fermatevi», dice, «e riconoscete che io sono Dio. Io sarò glorificato fra le nazioni, sarò glorificato sulla terra».

Thankful List Continued... 

18. For Mauro and Aletta having us over for Valentines and showering us with kindness and Italian delicacies. 

19. For sweet Jacopo (4yrs) making me laugh and reminding me of the sweetness of my nieces and nephews. 

20.  For the Hawley Company and Steve for all of their support and generosity!  

21. For Alessandro meeting us in Bassano and showing us around... for a ride home.. how can we ever repay you for your kindness! 

22. $100 in the bank from our parents to go out of a nice Valentines!

23. For getting to talk to Gabe and Reese, and Jocelyn where its on the phone or through skype.

24. For game nights with my amazing husband in the local Cafe. 

25. For warm smiles and for people who say hello back.  

26. For God giving us peace when there is no logical reason for it.

27. A package in the mail filled with Dove Chocolate!! yumm!! it only took 25 days to get here.

28. For warmer weather!! yay... It was in the 50's today!! 

29. For a husband that is willing to go to an Italian play with me when we have no idea what they were saying. It was so fun though! 

30. That God speaks to my heart everyday... and gives me the verses I need to hear but do not always want to. Because he loves us THAT MUCH!!