let's fill the room

Christmas Eve has always been my favorite night of the year for many reasons. Not only am I around the people I love most in the world and surrounded by my church family as well, but sometimes I get to sing one of the best Christmas carols, "O Holy Night" at the end of the service. For the past few years, I have sung while the candles were being lit. I have been able to watch the light being passed from one person to another as it gradually works its way back to fill the entire room with candle light and it just might be my favorite part of Christmas.

Yeah, the 48 dozen cookies that we made were great, as was the 4 hour opening presents event on Christmas morning, and the feeble attempts Abbey and I made to play Christmas carols on the piano were possibly some of the most humorous times I have ever had, but those candles make me think. Imagine if we were able to touch people like those candles do. If we show Christ's love to one person, were that light to one person, that one person might just show it to someone else. No, it's not profound and I know this concept isn't new, but this time it made me want to be that light more than it ever has. Sometimes the candle just won't light, and sometimes it blows out, but we have to at least try to fill the room. We are called to fill it, and trust me, the end result is worth it. This Christmas Eve, I got to see a glimpse of what it might look like.

"This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin... Whoever loves his brother lives in the light, and there is nothing in him to make him stumble." 1 John 1:5-7, 1 John 2:10

I hope and pray you all had a wonderful Christmas! God Bless.

Boxy the Snowman

Every year my genius sister Beth themes the way she wraps her Christmas packages. Strange, yes, but genius none-the-less. You can always tell her gifts because not only do they look the same (duh), but they are wonderfully planned and always very interesting. Some previous themes include "Ribbon", "Brown Paper Packages Tied Up with String", and "Tiny Packages". But this year, she has gone all out with the most creative idea yet- "Boxy the Snowman".
Each gift is in a box and covered with white wrapping paper. On one side there is a face made of cut-out paper coal and a paper-carrot nose. The other side of the box has 3 buttons of cut-out paper coal so when they are stacked on top of one another, they look like snowmen, in all different shapes and sizes. You might be a little weirded out, but the presents under our Christmas tree look amazing.

the long day is over

Traveling is done. Jet lag has set in. But it's all okay.

I saw my friends and family today, sang for a long time at school, did some Christmas shopping with Mommy and Abbey, and went to Rachel's with a bunch of amazing beautiful people that I have missed so much. It's surreal and wonderful.





I am home :-).

Things I Will Miss

I know you are probably wondering what this blog is going to be about from the incredibly cryptic title of this entry, but don't worry. I'll fill you in.
I wanted to make a list of a few things that I am going to miss here in Itlay.
1. Seeing the Duomo on the way to school and out the window of my classroom.
2. The brioche mele (apple pastry) that I have been known to get in the mornings before class.
3. The Ponte Vecchio at night.
4. The shopping.
5. Readily available honey-soap from Lush.
6. The little old lady who sells me Italian yarn for the scarves I have been making.
7. The little chairs on the back of the bicycles for the little ones to hitch a ride with Mom or Dad.
8. The Italian way of making/drinking espresso.
9. REAL cappucino.
10. The smell of leather on the streets.
11. The street musicians.
12. The Tuscan countryside.
13. Tuscan Olive Oil.
14. Alberto (who makes the most amazing sandwich in the world) from "The Oil Shoppe" and il panini numero 4.
15. GABS and my 10% discount.
16. O-the-Italian-Pooches.
17. Four course meals.
18. Carlo's hair.
19. Aquacotta- their goat cheese, walnut, and honey salad.
20. The Japanese secretary at I.E. named Rie... she speaks Japanese and Italian... I speak English and a little Italian. It was always fun talking to her!
21. Getting letters!
22. FRANCO!
23. Francesco- the guy who cuts my hair.
24. Valeria Ferri who told me she was in love with my voice.
25. Walking by Eby's and hearing "Ciao bella!"
There are many many more, but those are the few that popped into my head first and I can't wait to tell you all the rest in person!
I will be home December 17th- just 3 short days away.

New Number

Eight days and counting and I will be home.
I wanted to give you guys my new cell phone number that will be active the day I get home. It's Verizon, so, woohoo to any other Verizon users out there... we can talk for free! I was going to post it on here, but then realized how sketchy that is... so email me (KM_in_Italy@yahoo.com) if you want it. Make sure you email me yours too, so I can start compiling my phone book. Alrighty, I've got to go. Have a wonderful day. Love you all! CiaoCiao.

One Last Fling

All of my roommates and friends have made it a point to travel around Europe as much as they can, some of them totaling within the range of 6 different countries. I don't know why I didn't travel more to different places. I think it was because I love Italy so much I didn't really ever want to leave. But because I am getting anxious to come home, I needed to get my mind off of things and, literally, leave the contry for a while. It was an answer to prayer because I had really been asking God to let me live it up here for the next few weeks and not waste away my time wishing I could be with you all. So, my friends Emily and Michal, two wonderful girls from my church, asked me to come to Zurich, Switzerland, for the weekend and I accepted. This was one of the best decisions I have made!
We traveled the 7 hour train ride straight from Florence to Zurich, which actually lasted about 8 and a half hours because of some unforseen stops. We got in Friday night to a wonderful little hotel in the town of Kloten, right north of Zurich. The next morning, we got up, looked out our window and could see a market happening in the street below. We walked there and on our way saw a Swiss pastry shop. We, of course stopped to take part in the sights, smells and tastes of this amazingness. There was a giant brioche outside of the bakery- we had to take a picture, of course. After walking through the market with our Swiss specialty gingerbread - man - shaped - donut - like - things, we hopped on the train to Zurich. The very old, beautiful city is located right on the river- the houses and buildings are right up against it. It's beautiful. We walked along all of streets, stopping to shop at the tons of little stands lining the streets that made up the Christmas Market of the city. There was even a singing Christmas Tree made up of children singing carols in German and doing handmotions to the songs. As it became night, the city streets lit up with Christmas lights lining the buildings, streets, and stores. If that doesn't put you in the Christmas spirit, I'm not really sure what could. The next morning we visited a church called Grossmunster that claims to have started the Reformation, and dates back to before the 1100s. We did some more shopping and hanging out, ate some traditional cheese fondue (SO good) and caught our train home. The train was one of the best parts as it took us through the Swiss alps. They were bigger and more beautiful than I had ever imagined they could be. I really hope to go back to Switzerland someday and tour the countryside a little more. Breathtaking is a good way to describe it.

Thanksgiving and Goodbye

This was my second Thanksgiving in a row being away from home. As some of you know, I got to go to Pass Christian, Mississippi, last year to help with the Katrina relief during Thanksgiving, so it was very sad when I realized this summer that I would be missing it again. I did get to talk to my family which was wonderful. Thanksgiving is to be a time for us to get together and think about how God has blessed us-- feeling overwhelmed with His blessing upon my life it was appropriate this year that I had the pleasure of two Thanksgivings here in Firenze. One at my site-director's apartment with the other American students at I.E. and the other a few days later at Scott and Terri Last's house where I have spent every Sunday this semester at "Renaissance Italia" the small group/church where I have been worshipping. The Italian government will not give Scott, Terri and the rest of the Christian Associates International new visas to stay in the country and start the church they were hoping to. God has called a few of them to Portugal, some back to the states, and a few to other parts of the world. Needless-to-say Firenze will miss them all terribly. They plan to leave this coming weekend and this thanksgiving feast was the last get together they will have. The students and others that have been able to go to this church have been nothing but blessed by this ministry. Please pray for them as they start new chapters in their lives all over the world and pray for the church they leave behind that God will use it to bless students and Italians searching for Christ. This was one of the biggest blessings coming to Italy- finding a home with my brothers and sisters in Christ.

Know how thankful I am for each of you in my life. I got to speak to one of my closest friends on the phone a few nights ago and it was amazing to see God speak right through her to me. He knew I needed to hear everything she said and placed her at the right place at the right time. It made me miss you all so much and look forward to next semester when I can feel at home just by spending time with you all.
Happy Belated Thanksgiving!
These are a few pictures of the wonderful people at my church and the view from the apartment!

So many things, so little time!

I know that I haven't updated in a while, and this will be a pathetic excuse for one, but I have been hard-pressed to find the time to do it. I have been moved up a few levels in Italian within the last week and I am trying to keep my head above water. My parents left at the beginning of last week and they left behind a girl pretty excited to go home. I am not really "homesick", but because I have only been at my house for 4 nights over the past 6 months, I'd say it's about time to crawl back into my own bed for a few nights. I say a few nights because after that you might hear me say how much I'm missing Italy. What can I say? I love it here too!
The time with my parents was, to say the least, amazing. If any of you know my parents, you know how phenomenal they are- how genuine, caring, generous and loving. I am so blessed to have such wonderful examples of God's love in my life. If you don't know my parents, get to know them. They are awesome. I would show you pictures of our trip but Dad took all the pictures and then took the camera home. I'll show them all to you when I get back.
Two weeks and 6 days until I hop off that plane.




So blessed.

Conio Olive Grove

I had the opportunity to go to the Conio Groves on the outskirts of Florence in a town called San Donato in Poggio. I got to help the havest for a few hours by picking olives. It was about 60 degrees and sunny on one of the most beautiful pieces of land I have ever seen. It was set back from the road with vineyards and olive trees lining every view. The vineyards are just now starting to change colors- they look like a rainbow on the backdrop of the green grass. It's olive oil season here in Tuscany and the entire countryside is harvesting their crops. Yesterday I had one of the most relaxing times I have ever had. After I helped pick some olives and took a stroll near the lake, I was able to enjoy some olive oil that had been made from that grove the day before. Along with the toasted bread with olive oil came andante pasta with fresh basil and tomatoes, our choice of chicken, ham, or pork accompanied with a beautiful green salad adorned with fresh balsamic vinegar that our host had made. And as is Tuscan style, we had a wonderful custard dessert. I won't go into any detail about that though because I am sure you will all hate me. After this huge meal, I rolled into the car and went to visit the olive press that they used to make the oil. Because these machines are so expensive, there are only a few in Tuscany and the time rented is very valuable. The work that goes into it all is amazing, and so is the product. Let me know if you want me to bring some fresh olive oil back for you! I took about 200 pictures yesterday, so I'll just show my favorites.
Please pray for my parents within the next 24 hours as they are flying into Florence tonight to see me! I am so excited to see them and show them around- they're excited too! They get a free tour guide!

1 Peter 4

If you are going to be used by God, He will take you through a multitude of experiences that are not meant for you at all, they are meant to make you useful in His hands, and to enable you to understand what transpires in other souls so that you will never be surprised at what you come across. Oh, I can't deal with that person. Why not? God gave you ample opportunity to soak before Him on that line, and you barged off because it seemed stupid to spend time in that way.

The sufferings of Christ are not those of ordinary men. He suffered "according to the will of God," not from the point of view we suffer from as individuals. It is only when we are related to Jesus Christ that we can understand what God is after in His dealings with us. It is part of Christian culture to know what God's aim is. In the history of the Christian Church the tendency has been to evade being identified with the sufferings of Jesus Christ; men have sought to procure the carrying out of God's order by a short cut of their own. God's way is always the way of suffering, the way of the "long, long trail."

Are we partakers of Christ's sufferings? Are we prepared for God to stamp our personal ambitions right out? Are we prepared for God to destroy by transfiguration our individual determinations? It will not mean that we know exactly why God is taking us that way, that would make us spiritual prigs. We never realize at the time what God is putting us through; we go through it more or less misunderstandingly; then we come to a luminous place, and say - ' 'Why, God has girded me, though I did not know it!"

Oswald Chambers
November 5- My Utmost for His Highest

Orchestra della Toscana

I went to the orchestra last night by myself and had a marvelous time. Between the Ravel piano concerto and Stravinsky's Pulcinella, it was all I could do not to stand up after every selection. It wasn't really even the quality of the orchestra- they were certainly not the best I had ever hear (especially those woodwinds...eek). But I think I realized a few things while I was there.
I realized how much I love music. It has always been a huge part of my life, but sometimes I take it for granted. It's so fun, interesting, entertaining, thought provoking, emotional, and intricate. What more could you want, really? I might only know 3 1/2 years of an undergrad degree about music, but I love it. It is comforting, but at the same time able to be criticized and critiqued (and it can't bite back). It's a discussion starter between people that share the common interest of music as well as a healthy thing to be on your mind. I just sat there with a huge smile on my face in gratefulness for such a wonderful thing (I know, Abbey, you threw up a little in your mouth, didn't you?).
And music is a lot like life. You can work and work and work to be perfect, but you'll never get there. Even music has its faults, just like the rest of us. The inability to be perfect. But we must strive to be perfect because we are called to do so (Matt 5:48).
Good thing I've got grace.
That's the one thing music doesn't have, just 2000 critical audience memebers waiting for you to screw up. And we've got One audience member waiting to catch us when we fall.

I HEAR that

Italians know how to party.

On Saturday night, I was standing outside my apartment talking on the phone. All of a sudden about 50 people showed up at the door with food, wine, and all the essentials of a party. A woman came out and told us that she is sorry but there will be a party tonight- she apologized for the music. I thought nothing of it, went back inside, and looked over some music for my voice lesson Tuesday.
About a half-hour later, as I was winding down and watching a recent episode of LOST that I had just downloaded (I know, it's a sickness...) when all of a sudden "Freakout" was playing through my bedroom window. Then came "I Will Survive", "YMCA", and "Celebrate". Because the party went well into the night, my roommates and I got up out of bed (because there was no sleeping to the "YMCA") and made food.

Yes, Italians know how to party- to American 70s and 80s music.

La Nostra Spettacolare Italiano

I was downloading my pictures from my camera to my computer and asked Beth what to call the folder. She said, in a loud booming voice "Our Italian Spectacular." And folks, that is certianly what it was. Having her here was amazing. I think about all of you all the time, see things that remind me of you, and want so much to be able to show you these things. Well, for the past 10 days, I was able to share those things with my beautiful sister, Beth.

Rome, Pompeii, Perugia- The Euro Chocolate Festival, Siena, Montalcino, Florence, and Pisa. We did them all. It is safe to say that Italy was invaded by a few of the Meyer sister's.
From hating public transportation, to touching a lot of "old stuff", Beth and I pretty much experienced it all, including the culture of those oh-so-wonderful Italians. At one point Beth said "Do they even see me? I mean, we're walking on the same sidewalk coming toward one another and it's like they AIM for me. Do they want to hit me? Is that actually happening?" I patted her on the back and said "Welcome to Italy."
So, we took over two hundred pictures just on my digital camera. That doesn't include the artsy ones Beth took on her "that camera's so big, that girl has to be a tourist" camera. It's okay. We embraced being tourists, didn't we, Beth? How can you not when 80% of this country's economy comes from tourism? Here are a few pictures- some of the highlights of our Spectacular. Enjoy!

The Italians don't drink coffee, they drink espresso (which they call 'caffe' or in English, coffee). Being a black coffee drinker myself, I have embraced this Italian tradition. By the end of the week Beth had to have her fix everyday too. Yay.

Yes, Beth is infact touching the Coloseum. And it's very old, I hear.

Me and the Pantheon. Here that Beth? PANtheon. (We had some issues calling it the Parthenon...whoops...)Isn't Rome beautiful? *sigh*And look! Beth got to sit in her very first Roman theater in Pompeii!

On Tuesday we took two trains and a bus one way to get to the EuroChocolate Festival. It was worth every minute. We would walk down the old streets with over 300 vendors represented while the sales reps for the companies handed us chocolate. As embarassing as it is, we bought so much chocolate, we had to buy another bag to bring it all home. Daddy- aren't you proud? Hey, most of it is for you guys!Siena. We used it as a sort of home base for three nights so that we could fully explore Tuscany. Our hostel was great, and so was the city.

This is a story I will most likely tell everyone. But let's just say, the Meyer girls were defeated. Defeated by a steak. This is Franco. He is hacking off our portion.

The same night that we were defeated, our first course was fresh pasta. The restraunt had an open kitchen so we could see everything going on. Amazing.We spent one day in the beautiful Tuscan town of Montalcino. Great food and great views.And we had to get a Paul Robinett candle picture in Pisa (the candle is leaning too...hehe). Although the city was dirty, the tower was really interesting. We were both kind of shocked that there really was a big leaning tower.

We didn't have a personal photographer on the trip (dissapointing, I know) so there were many of the pull away shots!
Beth and I had amazing time and were so excited to spend time together in such an extrordinary place. Where to next Beth? Greece did you say? Awesome.

TWO DAYS

BETH IS COMING SOON!
BETH IS COMING SOON!
BETH IS COMING SOON!



So, did I mention my sister Beth is coming to visit me in two days? I am pretty excited.

San Gimingano

A few weeks ago I went a small Tuscan town outside Florence, about an hour by bus, called San Gimingano. Being in a city most of my time here, it was wonderful to get out and see some of the countryside. The town is most known for its 14 towers. The rich people of the day would display their power and wealth through the height of their tower- the higher the tower, the more imporant you were. It is estimated that there were more than 70 of these towers at one time. After the war, there were only 14 left standing.
But I'll let my pictures do the talking about this town's history and beauty. Anything I would say would just be frivolous.

I hope you have a wonderful day in the Lord.

Happy October

On Sunday was the annual "Corri la Vita", a walk to benefit cancer patients in Florence. This year, over 8,000 people signed up to give donations, raise support and walk and run for the Florentine residents. All of the proceeds go straight to work specifically in Florence. It was such a fun experience, crowed and sweaty, but very fun. There were hills, skinny Italian men in short shorts, a plethera of running shoes, and free water at the end of the race. A few of a my roommates and a few classmates signed up for the 6K walk, which ended up being more of an 8K hike. It was great exersize, and as you will see, we got to walk to some of the most panoramic spots in Florene.

This is a view of the runners speeding down the Arno.

This was one of the delightful little hills we got to climb!

But it was worth it, because this was the view from the top of that little hill.

The Finish Line!

So many people came out for this cause, which was wonderful. I was astouded at how many people ran this race- and not the 8K...no no no.... the 12K. My friends and I were some of the very few that walked this "walk". And not just a stroll down the street. We were clippin at a pretty nice pace. No wonder everyone in Italy is skinny and beautiful- they are all in excellent shape. Me on the other hand, well, we're working on it. I'm eating so much better here, doing pilates every morning, and walking a lot during the day. This walk was a good jump start for me.

A glance out my front door...

I forgot one of the things about living on via Farini- the beautiful Jewish synagogue of Firenze just a few steps outside my door.

What God is Teaching Me

I talked to my daddy on the phone last night and got to talk to him about the things God was really teaching me while I've been here. I thought I'd share a few things with you.

1). I just finished reading (a quick read that took me a month to finally finish because of lack of time) Woodrow Kroll's How to Find God in the Bible. It was really interesting to me to see again all the proofs that the bible is a real, historical document of evidence as well as a the God-breathed word on how we should live. I appreciate it more knowing how long it has been around, how many manuscripts of the book we have to this day, and how much history is really involved with it.

2). God is SO big. Did you know that I get to wake up every morning and talk to the Creator of the earth? I get to know personally the same God that spoke to Moses through a burning bush, the God that flooded the earth, and put breath into man. God has been the same today, yesterday and 3000 years ago. I know this seems like a revelation I should have had a long time ago, and I always knew these things, but I guess I didn't really 'get' it. I stand in awe, more than ever, at His absolute majesty. It makes me fall down on my knees and compels me to obedience.

3). I was talking to a friend a few days ago on the phone and he said he was talking to someone that wanted to start a church plant in Rome. Knowing I was in Florence, he asked his friend how many Christians lived there. His answer was 6. Obviously, this might be an exaggeration, but I don't think it is a very big one. Life, my friends, is a mission field. I kept trying to figure out why God sent me here- there has to be a reason, right? To grow musically, to learn the language, yes, but what else? Then I woke up and thought about the 6 Christians living here and how much of a responsibility they have to show Christ to others and to spread the Word in such a God-less city. Well, I am here. That makes 7. And then it was settled in my mind. I am here to tell these people about Jesus. My apartment is a mission field, my school is a mission field, the train is a mission field. I must be bold. I must step out of the comfort zone of myself and tell people why I am so happy all the time. Pray for me... it is not easy.

Well, I could go on because God is good in showing me many things, but this post is getting a little ridiculously long.

I also wanted to give a little CONGRATULATIONS to my best friend. Emily Ann Taylor and I have been friends now for 15 years and I am honored to announce her engagement to Ryan Swearingen, a kind, wonderful man of God. I also have the immense honor of standing up for her as a bridesmaid at her wedding next summer. I am so sorry I could not be there to hug you and cry and tell you how excited I am for you in person, so I will send my Congrats out into the Blog World and hope as many people as possible hear me.
I love you, Emily! Congratulations to you both!

My Little Corner of the World

I realized yesterday that I hadn’t shown you around my apartment. How rude of me! It’s been a month, and you haven’t even seen where I live. Where are my manners…sheesh. So, here is my little corner of the world- via Farini, 15.

The Residents

(from left to right: Maxine, Amy, Nicole, Lizzy)
My apartment is actually quite big, much bigger than we were all expecting it to be. It has two large rooms, one Amy and Lizzy live and the other with myself, Max and Nicole. There is a kitchen, one and half baths, a very small living room and my favorite part- the window beside my bed.

The kitchen


The Living Room (if it can be called that), with the small bathroom right off of it.
That green chair might look comfortable, but don’t be fooled. I know we all were.


One and a…


…half baths.


Amy and Lizzy’s Room


My bed, and the window beside it (I couldn’t get the entire room into a picture, so you only get to see my bed, sorry). Oh, and you can also see my plant on my nightstand!


My favorite part of my apartment is this lovely view out into the neighbor’s garden. If it weren’t for the mosquitoes, it would be open all the time.


So, that is where I live, and I love it. It is about a 15 minute walk to everywhere (except church, which is about 30min, but totally worth it). Thanks for visiting, and I hope you come again soon!