a new family

buona sera amici! okay, i don't think i even know where to start with this one! so much has happened in the last few days and the lord has been handing out some major blessings! i guess i'll start by saying that i am completely overwhelmed with how much of a blessing my family is. since this weekend was easter, i went home to austin to see everyone. for those of you that don't know me well, i have a rather large extended family. we all got together on sunday and ate lots of great food and just got to hang out and talk. normally these family functions are a bit stressful because there is always some inevitable arguing of some kind, or someone is sick, or we've just seen each other and it's a bit too soon for another gathering, but this one felt a little different. i have been really fortunate in the last couple months to hang out with my cousins outside of "official family time" and it has been really great. i know that the lord is working in my relationship with one of them specifically, and i am praying that she comes to know him intimately soon! also, i don't have a lot of friends back home, so whenever i do go home, it's all about the family--which i love! there are five of us, my parents, me, my sister leah (18) and my brother bryan (15). we cooked together, watched movies together, worked out together, and just loved each other. i could not have asked the lord for a better support system or place to come home to. i love them all very much and this weekend was fantastic.

yes, fantastic...for a few reasons actually. another is that once again, at the peak of my doubt, the lord provided enough support for italy to meet my sunday goal of $1000. praise god. i cannot even explain how much he is blowing my mind through this support raising. i have been struggling with not thinking that the money is going to come in time and basically just being stupid, and he has overcome all of that doubt...every single time! i am being so blessed by my supporters and i can't tell you how thankful i am to have you partnering with me in this experience.

and yet another blessing...i recently joined the facebook group for the summer project and have gotten to see some faces of the people i will be ministering with this summer. i'm so excited because they all look awesome. yay! and, i have a name twin. how tight...shout out to hayleah!

pace cane! (look it up :)