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!! 

Taking every thought captive...

This is a beautiful home nestled in the mountains near us. I found it on one of me and Kylie's long hikes in the woods.
E Belissima! It's beautiful!  

This is the fountain in the Asolo's town center  (il piazza). And there is just some of the snow we are getting!! Fa Molto Freddo ( It's Very COLD OUT!! -8 to be exact )

This our church in the square. The majority of churches here are all Catholic so instead of being called my their actual names they are just called by their neighborhoods... ever major town has a multiple of small villages around it the are called Neighborhoods. 

TONY GOT A NEW SADDLE!! TONY MOMENT #121.
His old one is in front if you cant tell my the worn sides and the new one is in the Back in all its splendor!!

Somethings are just not the same... American coffee versus Italian... Sorry I just got to have my big MUG in the MORNINGS!! ;0)

Getting all bundled up for a long walk.. Wishing now I would have let Tony by  Kylie a Jacket!

The last several days I have been wrestling with my flesh about things that we do not have or wont have for a while instead of thinking of all the AMAZING THINGS WE DO HAVE!! So we are going to just start writing down a few blessings a day of what we are grateful for.  Because I have learned... well really its a no brainier but the more you think of the Have Not's the more ungrateful you become and the more sad and pessimistic you are. But if you think about all you are BLESSED WITH the more you are filled with Joy and are overflowing with GRATEFULNESS! 

Thankful list: (in no particular order)

1. That God's Mercies are renewed everyday and His Grace is Sufficient!
2. Thankful for a computer and a free internet card to talk and connect with Family and friends!
3. For an amazing husband who showers me with Love, always makes me laugh and I can tell my him anything and everything. 
4. To have our Kylie bug here to keep me company when Tony is away and makes me go for long walks and explore even when I am tired. 
5. For early morning talks with my Mom and Dad and late night talks with Mom and Dad Zanca!
6. For Massimo who is always willing to give Tony a ride and who has help us bring all of our clothes and bikes up the mountain. For him going out of his way to spend time with us!! thank you thank you!!
7. For Heat... we know alot of people who do not have it and we are so thankful for it!!
8. For taking walks and running in to a open market for clothes... its like a JACKPOT to find one and being able to get Tony a nice jacket for 25 Euros... such a STEAL!!! 
9. For Franko who is a shop keeper on the corner of our street who is always so sweet and greets me with a smile whether I pass by once or 10 times in a day! 
10. For the Body of Believers who's prayer we feel lifting us up. 
11. For Bob and Lori who took time out of their day to drive us to the store to get somethings that were way out of walking distance. 
12. For Alessandro our German Tutor who is willing to come all the way to the apartment. 
13. For our Church back home Radius which blessed us with money to give and the joy or being able to pass that blessing along. 
14. For the book Kisses from Katie... and more importantly for my sister who even from miles away can challenge me so much in my walk with the Lord! 
15. For Mark and Renata being willing to talk to us and help us with our questions. 
16. For Donnatella our realitor who we still call almost every other day to interpret things for us. 
17. For all of my Bodyshop crew who send encouraging e-mails, prayer request and make me laugh. Thank you thank you!! I love and miss you all. So thankful to be able to talk with Chris and Ellen this week too! 

God is so good and my cup runth over

Filippesi 4:4 Rallegratevi del continuo nei Signore. Da capo dico: Rallegratevi!

Filippesi 4:4

Rallegratevi del continuo nei Signore. Da capo dico: Rallegratevi!

Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I say: Rejoice! – Philippians 4:4

About a week and half ago one of my favorite people (Traci) wrote me an e-mail rich to the bone with encouragement. She told me to read Philippians and I have over and over. 

Change is always hard even when it is good, even when it is right. It’s hard when you go somewhere you have never been without the luxuries you are used to like a car, a computer during the day to stay in touch with the outside world,  or sadly even walmart. Sometimes obeying the Lord removes you from all that is familiar like languages… and until you learn the new, you feel like you are in an unending game of serades. =0) If only you could see it.

But those are also the amazing things about change and obeying the Lord. It removes all comfort and reliability on yourself and you have nowhere to turn but the Lord no one to cry on except your spouse and the Lord. No one to laugh with when you are triumphant at making coffee…  And it’s awesome. It’s hard having no control but it’s awesome realizing you never had it to begin with that God is always in control and that it is only by His grace that we live and have what we have and are able to do what we do.  

So I will choose this day to REJOICE in the LORD for my cup runth over!!

Here are some fun pics:

This is Kylie running free on the miles and miles of trails we have found!! 

A beautiful frozen waterfall.. It was our first snow that stuck.

Harry Potter is everywhere... Tony and I went for a bike ride and ran into a Confetti parade!

These are two of the guys that nailed us with Confetti the one between Tony and I used to by a professional rider on Liquigas. 

Tony with his favorite cuddle bug other than me =0)