A fixed gaze...A steadfast mind...A grateful heart: Arrivederci Joel & Melody!

It seems like I'm doing good if I get a post on here a week or two after something happens! So keeping in line with that, the weekend of December 4th and 5th was a busy one! Full of changes...God changing people's lives at an Encounter retreat, and life here in Padova changing as Joel & Melody returned to America. Saturday started very early as we headed to the hostel in Monselice to get everything set up before people started arriving. The retreat started at 9 AM. Patti, Melody & I had been busy earlier in the week preparing three meals to take to the hostel for lunches and dinner throughout the weekend. Saturday and Sunday were full of teaching and breakout sessions, worship, and prayer. We had powerful reminders of the Cross, who we are in Christ, how important it is to obey His word, healing and restoration. God did some great work in the lives of everyone there! The retreat ended Sunday evening. We then headed to Steve & Patti's to enjoy one last evening with Joel and Melody. We had dinner together, played games, and enjoyed some great fellowship.

I miss them!! It was such a joy to get to know them, and serve together here in Italy. We are amazed that although we lived so close to each other in the States, we met in Padova, Italy!