Counting it all JOY!

A lot has happened since I last wrote. There are so many times I came to the computer to update the blog and then stopped... we have been on a roller coaster of emotions since we have been here in Italy. The only thing that has been consistent has been the waiting. And I learned to appreciate it. Some days more than others. We are not used to waiting for anything back in the States you can make things happen... but here its not like that at all you just have to wait... and hope. But when we wait we learn gratitude.

I have found so many times in my trips through walmart that it  is the kids that get everything that they want that never say thank you or say it without meaning, they think they are almost owed the gift. And then often they are the ones that look at it and say "well i would have liked red better."

I have learn through this process of waiting that I am so that spoiled little girl. Always getting what she wants when she wants it. And when I have to wait sometimes I pout, or cry, or get angry, sometimes I lay on the floor and kick and scream, sometimes I forget and run off and play with something more interesting, and some times I count my blessings for what I already have.

See its when we have to wait on the gift or the answer that makes it so sweet and rich. It what makes us appreciate it no matter what it is whether its what we want or not what we thought.

Psalm 27:13-14

I remain confident of this: 

I will see the goodness of the Lord

in the land of the living. 

Wait for the Lord, 

be strong, take heart and 

Wait for the Lord. 

Here are some pictures from the April:

Tony nursing back to life a baby squirrel he found on the ground.

Bouna Pasqua!! (Happy Easter) -- This was on Tony's ride up the monte grappa... there are to HC climbs in it... super hard.

Almost to the summit!!

Tony's co-worker Mauro making his way up to the summit

And their she is!! What a beautiful place!

My honey's classic shot!

Getting ready to ride with some of the guys in Asolo. 

We went to eat at the local pizzeria and ran into our friend Andrew Herrick. Next thing you know we are eating pizzas with two pro Olympic MTB racers Mary McConneloug and Mike Broderick

One of my favorite waiters Angelo!! 

My star struck husband... so excited!! 

A new discovery on Kylie and my 12 mile hike!!

Thank you Jesus for loving us so much!

This is tony meeting up with Kylie and I at our turn around point. 

Kylie was diggin that fountain! 

He is my favorite part of everyday! 

Thankful List:

66. For stars you can be thousands of miles away and look up and stare at the same stars and it seems to take away the distance.
67. For waiting
68. For hard life lessons
69. For a phone call from Chris... and getting to hear how lives are being changed and people are coming to know the Lord as there personal Savior.
70. For finding out I will get to be in one of my best friends weddings! I cant wait to see that pretty bride!
71. For time to rest.
72. The fact that when Tony and I pray we sometimes want to get on our knees but our knees hurt so bad we just face backward on the couch. And if we do not make room for Kylie she will figure  out a way to make it herself.
73. For Birthdays: Mom Zanca, Nick Zanca, Cristen Zanca, Daddy, Gabe, and Jocelyn
74. That I can tell when my husband is having  good dream cause he has a big smile on his face and its soo cute!
75. For a God who loves me so much that he sent his one and only son to die for me, because the only way I could have a restored relationship with God is if a sacrifice was made. Thank you Jesus!!
76. I am thankful for this adventure even though I know it is going to be short than we expected... I have learned alot.
77. I am thankful that I will be seeing my family very soon
78. That I get to wake up everyday to my best friend.

Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

James 1:2-8

² Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, ³ because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. ⁴ Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. ⁵ If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. ⁶ But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. ⁷ That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. ⁸ Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.

Giacmo 1:2-8

² Fratelli miei, considerate una grande gioia quando venite a trovarvi in prove svariate, ³ sapendo che la prova della vostra fede produce costanza. ⁴ E la costanza compia pienamente l’opera sua in voi, perché siate perfetti e completi, di nulla mancanti. ⁵ Se poi qualcuno di voi manca di saggezza, la chieda a Dio che dona a tutti generosamente senza rinfacciare, e gli sarà data. ⁶ Ma la chieda con fede, senza dubitare; perché chi dubita è simile a un’onda del mare, agitata dal vento e spinta qua e là. ⁷ Un tale uomo non pensi di ricevere qualcosa dal Signore, ⁸ perché è di animo doppio, instabile in tutte le sue vie.

I read these versus today God's timing is always perfect. I praise you for testing our faith cause only when it is tested do we see and know our true hearts. 

Pictures from the weekend! 

This is for Dad Zanca. For those of you who do not know, my Father-in law is  an incredible Accordion player! I mean absolutely AMAZING! I do think he saw a single person play when he came to Italy last summer so I had to take this for him!

Heather and I went to the Bassano Market and then for a long run near the river! So so thankful!

TWO OF MY FAVORITE THINGS IN THE WHOLE WORLD!! well 3 my husband, my dog, and hiking!!

Jamie and Heather this is after 1:30 hrs of going straight up.

This is after 2 hrs....of going straight up!

Jessica, Jamie, Heather and me

Almost there 2 and 20minutes still straight up!!

YAY !! ITS FINALLY FLAT!!!!!!!!!!!! Gosh I love this man!!

Looking back

Heather and Me

This picture would be so much better if Tony wasn't holding Kylie's poop and Kylie wouldn't have gotten distracted by a lizard. But it was a gorgeous view!!

^{Psalm 121:1-2
1} I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
where does my help come from?
² My help comes from the LORD,
the Maker of heaven and earth.

So this is snow... we kept wondering why we saw all these people in winter gear... its cause its freezing at the top! 

Posing for my Oakley commercial!

Gorgeous! and only 2 more hours and we were finally back down. What an awesome day!

Proverbs 16:9 In a mans heart he plans his course; but the LORD DIRECTS HIS STEPS

Here are some picture from march so far: 

This is the Asolo Train that takes people up and down the hill but only during the Marketina.. which is an Antique Market with some incredible Items from around the world. 

Once a month people come from all over to set up this Market in the Asolo square. 

Inside La Rocca. An awesome day with Kevin, Mary and two of their daughters Eva and Claire. 

They say on a clear day you can see all the way to Venice. I haven't be able to testify to that yet but you can see far. 

Man God knew what he was doing when he brought us together. He knew the exact man I need. So thankful! 

Sorry I have tried and tried to get this to be facing the right way. 

It's our town!! I love this TOWN! 

Another beautiful Villa close by us! 

This one is for you Tony. 

I love this picture the Church is surrounded by Vineyards.

Kylie sporting her new handmade Italian Pretty!

Tony and I had our first long bike ride together this Sunday. He had me set a goal and made sure I completed it. He is the best coach, encourager, friend and husband a girl could ever have. 

And did I mention dead Sexy!! This one is for you Paul Harrell of Harrell's Bicycle World

This is a Witch. Every year right before Easter she is driven around town and they have speakers and they announce her burning time. Then at night hundred of people gather in Asolo's piazza and they perform and they speak about the past year and it is turned into an almost a skit. Then everyone takes turns laying their wrong doing from last year on the witch in hopes of good luck for this year. Then they light her on fire...

So close to the truth... we do have to have someone intercede for us we can not rid our sins on our own. Their does  have to be a sacrifice but not a Witch made out of paper we need Jesus the ULTIMATE SACRIFICE. He was pure and Holy with out Sin yet he took our Sin upon him so that we could have a Restored Relationship with Our Heavenly Father. He died that we could have Eternal Life. And now we only need to pray to him to forgive us our sins and except him into our hearts. 

ON OUR WAY TO VENICE!!!! YAY!!!

These are our favorite Widows to look at!! 

This is our group getting a Spritz at a Cafe in the Jewish Ghetto. 

To me it would be kind of risky to hang my clothes on that line but these people are professionals =0) 

Thousand and I mean Thousands of bridges and canals. 

There are no words to describe his excitement about McD's =0) Gosh he is so awesome! 

Our favorite photo! Venice in a nutshell Gorgeous!

Behind us is the Rialto di Ponte  it is called the true heart of Venice. 

So blessed the Lord brought us together!! Tony was my saving grace several times on the that day trip!

Miladi, Me, Giovanna, and Barbara. Thank you Barbara for inviting us on this wonderful day trip! Such an amazing woman!

Looking out from the top of Rialto di Ponte

Rialto di Ponte: The current structure was built in just three years, between 1588 and 1591, as a permanent replacement for the boat bridge and three wooden bridges that had spanned the Grand Canal at various times since the 12th Century. It remained the only way to cross the Grand Canal on foot until the Accademia Bridge was built in 1854.
(Tony is the last person on the Left when looking at the photo) 

There fish Market is HUGE but luckly for me we had missed it. 

We got yelled at and I am pretty sure asked to leave because I was praying in the wrong direction. 

The Bascilica

The Bascilica

Tony at San Marco's Piazza


Intricately decorated by mosaics and topped by impressive domes, the Basilica di San Marco was completed on this site in 1094. A combination of Byzantium and Gothic architecture, the Basilica houses the body of Venice’s patron saint, St. Mark.

Bascilica di San Marco

The Lion is the Symbol of Venice

The arch you see behind us is actally a bridge. It is is called "sight Bridge" It connects the Courthouse to the Jail. It was called sight bridge because if you had to got to this prison the Bridge was the last night you would ever see the out side world again. all the bars of the prison are cemented shut.

And then my camera died so thats all folks. We had a wonderful time!!

Thankful List: 

51. For Barbara who after meeting me one time welcomed us along and being an amazing tour guide.

52. For meeting knew people like Giovanna, and Miladi. 

53. For my husband who sacrificed who bought food so I could use the restroom... multiple times. 

54. For an early morning run with Heather and just great talks! 

55. For MEXICAN FIESTA NIGHT with Heather and playing Settlers of Catan... yeah another gamer... tony and I are so excited. 

56. For seeing God work in our hearts and softening them. 

57. For Alvise and Anna allowing me to watch their 3 year old son everyday after preschool. 

58. For Umby (3 years old) best Italian teacher ever. 

59. For a husband that Prays. Loves. And walks in Faith! 

60. For unceasing prayers! 

61. For new Friendships and for old ones! 

62. For a husband who does dishes! 

63. For a dog who makes me laugh every time she chases a lizard. 

64. For God's truth when it hits at the exact moment you need it. 

65. For tears that come from pruning the heart and the building of trust.