Mi Piace Il Cioccolato

This is what I learned tonight. My new friend Silvano Melli taught me how to say "I love chocolate" while I was licking clean the teaspoonful of the local version of Nutella he handed me. I think I'm in love...

Tonight was designated as the "do your homework" and "reflect on things" night. My room was not sufficient - too stifling. The lobby wouldn't work either - too many people. So, I went to this place...

Silvano (the owner) was the only one there. He was looking at the newspaper when I walked in, I ordered "una cioccolato" and sat down. He brought out the cioccolato, piping hot, and I proceeded to begin some homework stuff. But Silvano had other plans...he then brought out a little saucer of chocolates. They were like the little round chocolates you'd use to bake with. The homework took a turn for the cioccolato... 

We tried to talk to each other, but with limited language similarities it was un peu difficile and didn't last long. Nessun problema! I continued journaling about chocolate and he turned to the TV. Apparently something was wrong..or he was being indecisive because he got out the paper TV guide and started punching in various numbers in the scroll of lists on the TV. Finally, he decided on a show or movie that I think was originally in English, but had been dubbed over with Italian - think Bruce Lee Goes to Italy. As I finished up my thoughts and observations (see...I did get something done) he went behind the counter and brought out a jar. He pointed to the jar, said something in Italian, grabbed a teaspoon and walked over to where I was seated. The contents of the jar were "cioccolato e nocciola" - basically a local version of Nutella. Oh la la, la la... He then proceeded to open the jar, revealing an untouched lagoon of hazelnut chocolate, dip the teaspoon into the abyss, and hand me this little gift. I had just been spoon fed cioccolato e nocciola by Silvano of Bar della Fontana.... 

This is the inspiration I needed. Jenn Goss (one of our teachers) spoke a word over Cheryl (our dance teacher) today. It was "eat more chocolate." I agree. It does wonders. Especially when it's with an old man named Silvano...

Hello heroes...

Week one? Check. While our heads are still spinning, we are being blown away by the wisdom and power shared in this place. The wisdom of God that is pouring through our instructors and the power of God being demonstrated each day....

Just keep spinning, just keep spinning, just keep spinning, spinning, spinning...

One concept we have been introduced to is the Mythic Structure in relation to the Hero's Journey, and in accordance we have all been dubbed "heroes" (for our first class we donned our hero gear and flew into class in perfect hero fashion). As we begin this look into our lives as a heroic journey, I believe we are all realizing the intensity and specificity of the journey. It won't be easy, but good for us, we have God guiding the journey...

BOOYAH!!!

So, in the midst of walks to town, history lessons, cultural lessons, studio time, AMAZING meals, and enlightening conversation, God is whispering to each of us. Reminding us that it is HIS story and He has chosen each one of us to be a part of it. So we must keep our eyes open and our hearts ready to receive the next step of the way...

Psalm 139:15-16
"My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be."

Also, there is a blog that has been set up for updates about the school - http://www.arts.om.org/school/school-blog. There is a link to a calendar where you can sign up to pray and fast for us...thanks!

Buon giorno

I woke up to the mountains covered in snow...more specifically the alps covered in snow...

God is Creative. God is an Artist. God is Awesome. God is Magnificent. He reigns in this place and wants His Kingdom to overcome the darkness. We went up into the mountains today and learned about the Waldensian history of the valley. When the Valdese people broke away from the Catholic church, through much persecution and many trials, they came to these mountains and started a Bible college. Today we sat where they sat. God protected these people and they devoted their lives to Him. They went to this college prepared not to go back to their homes because they knew that when they went out to spread God's Word, they would be found and most likely killed. They committed their lives to the Kingdom's cause without ever looking back.

This is our history. This is the work we are called to carry on. To go into the dark places of the world and live the Word and Light of Christ. We were told today that the best thing we can do here is to be ourselves. Express ourselves and the story God is writing with us. We are all artists for the Kingdom and art is a universal language. This is how we will reach the lost. It is our feet that are called to the mountains...

"How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news...who say to Zion, 'Our God reigns!'"

Arrivaderci USA...

I'm sitting at the Heathrow airport in London waiting for my flight to Italy right now. This moment that has been in the works for months is happening. It's still a little unreal, but I know it's time. It's that feeling of being so sure something is right, but having no prior reference to compare it to that it hasn't quite hit the brain as being a reality yet. Am I excited? Yes, definitely! But it's all still sinking in...

I've got 4 minutes left on my internet use here and I'm definitely not adding more because the exchange rate from dollars to pounds is ridiculous. So I want to share some prayer requests and links to keeping updated on our journey...

Personally, I ask that you be praying for an openness to what God is leading me to in this ministry. He's confirmed that dance will be a part of my life for the rest of my life, but as of now the big picture still awaits revealing. Also, that I would be able to let go of the things that I still feel bonded by and allow the Lord to completely take over and heal the brokenness. We are all broken people and I am so glad that my King wants to take care of me!

For more updates on things regarding OM Arts, you can go to....

That's as far as I got before time ran out. Anyways, you can go to Www.arts.om.org. There will be updates and most likely a way to check out a blog that will provide more updates on how you can be praying for us and what's going on here. Also, soon there will be a chart where you can sign up for different days to pray and fast for the team here, alongside of us! God has a lot in store and I'm so excited to share with everyone. Thanks for your love and prayers so far! Buona notte!

Georgia on my mind...

I'm going to use that line as much as possible while I'm here...

It's official. I have left California and am in Fayetteville, GA - the first leg of the physical travel part of the road to Italy. It's all very surreal still...

Ty, Carolyn, and little Ellia Stewart picked me up at the Atlanta airport this evening. We came back to their house, I made some dinner, and then had the pleasure of chatting with them for a couple of hours. Carolyn shared a lot about their journey in ministry and missions and they both had some very encouraging words for my journey as well. I already feel at home! Tomorrow we are heading to the OM headquarters for weekly prayer and meeting with other members of the OM Arts team. Afterwards, I will be spending some time with Sara Gratzer and Linda Wells at Compass Dance Academy. Things are falling into place and the Lord has it all in His Hands. So good.

I got a good lesson in planning yesterday. The verse I read from my morning devotional book yesterday was Proverbs 16:3...
"Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed."
So I did it. I wrote down my whole plan for what I was going to do that day. Here it is...

1. Quiet time
2. coffee, read comics, breakfast, call Gram
3. get ready to go
4. 10am - leave
5. go to Sephora to get makeup
6. go to Dancebag to get tights and leo
7. go to bank to cash check from Aunt Pat & Uncle Wally
8. get gas
9. go to 3 Little Birds for eyebrows
10. go to dance from 12:45-3:45pm
11. come home and get ready for dinner
12. 6pm- dinner @ Dewz with parents
13. come home and watch TV with parents
14. go to bed

"Ok God. Here they are. This is what I had planned for today. I give all of these to you now. I willingly hand them over to you and welcome your Holy Spirit to do with them as you lead. This is YOUR day. You made it. You created another day to live for you. So, I give everything I decided to fill the day with back to you to use for your glory. It is yours God. So, to start...what should I have for breakfast? Thank you for blessing me with another day to live for you. I want to please you today. In your Name I declare victory over the enemy today. He is not welcome here or anywhere in my life. You have the authority Lord. It's ALL YOU! Woo!"

So, I went downstairs. I made coffee. I read the comics and ate breakfast (I heated up some leftover veggies by the way). I called my Gram. We ended up talking for 45 minutes, which I hadn't planned on doing. This put me at starting to get ready to leave at 9:45am. I was upstairs and at around 10:05am, the power went out. This meant, not only was I behind my schedule, I was now housebound because the garage door wouldn't open. This gave even more support to my theory that God has an amazing sense of humor...

The power didn't come back on until 10:45am. I'm convinced God was proving His point - You give me your plans and tell me to do with them as I please? Ok, I want more of you then... 

And that's exactly what happened. That extra 30 minutes of quiet time was so refreshing and peaceful. And you know what? I still checked everything off of "my list" that day...

BBQ Pork Paleo Pizza

Every once in awhile pizza just sounds good. And the thing about the paleo lifestyle is the whole no grains thing...well that pretty much rules out pizza crust. Or so I thought! Of course if you're a frequenter of Pinterst you'll find the infamous cauliflower pizza crust (which is still on my recipe bucket list), but I found this recipe on Everyday Paleo for an almond pizza crust. It was delicious. Period. The end. Delicious.

The texture of the almonds creates a taste very similar to a hearty wheat crust. Even my dad liked it! For the toppings, we used leftover pulled pork that my mom prepared in the crockpot the night before and I made a BBQ sauce out of the marinade and a little Annie's Organic Ketchup (doesn't have all the nasties in it...oh I also really love ketchup...) With the vegetables, it turned out to be absolutely fantastic! So...here's the recipe..enjoy!

Paleo Almond Pizza Crust
Adapted from Everyday Paleo

3 cups almond meal
2 eggs
4 TBS. olive oil
1/4 tsp. baking soda
2 tsp. garlic powder
2 TBS. Italian seasoning

Preheat oven to 350F. Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl. Form dough into a ball. Grease a round pizza pan with olive oil. Place ball of dough on pizza pan and, using your hands, flatten the dough into a circle. The crust should be relatively thin...

Oh look, it matches the counter...

Place the dough ONLY into the oven and bake for 20 minutes. While the dough is baking, prepare the other ingredients to top your pizza with. This is what we used...

• crock pot pulled pork with orange juice, Braggs aminos, garlic, and ginger marinade
• 1 small head broccoli, chopped
• half of a yellow onion, chopped
• 1 red bell pepper, chopped
• 1 portobello mushroom, chopped
• BBQ sauce made from leftover marinade and about 1 TBS Annie's Organic Ketchup
• very, VERY light sprinkle of finely grated Asiago cheese

Once the initial baking of the crust is done, remove the crust from the oven. Place all toppings on your crust. Bake at 350F for 25-30 minutes. Remove and enjoy while HOT!

yummy...