Life in Genova

What did I do the month of August...?

2009-09-07T02:49:00.000-07:00

My goal is to at least post once a month...so what did I do in August? Well, we went to Belgium on a short 10 day vacation! It was so much fun. Belgium is beautiful, clean and totally un getto like....which was nice! We spent time with a great couple and their sweet dogs! We spent several days in there home and the other 5 days camping in the mountians. Our boys had A BLAST! Played in the woods, tent camped, spent time building damns in the creek! Many laughs and great memories!

We were home for one day and the following day the MI MI's came. AKA..my mom and Andrew's mom came for a 15 day visit. They even spent 3 days in Rome. It was alot of fun! Lot's of memories...although it was terribly hot we made up for it by going to the Sea! It was FUN and they will BE MISSED for sure! The morning they left Hudson cried all morning! Big tears in the Debelak home, yesterday.....

So, what happens this month...several exciting things...the first is that I once again start my homeschooling year! Hoping and praying that I start out right...disciplined and unwavering...steadfast.....it is a hard job and I really want to DO my best, but realize that without God's help doing it on my on strength is a meaningless task! Hudson in first grade and Aiden in Kindergarden! Should be exciting to say the least...this week I get organized...next week the FUN begins!!

The other is that our English Appero group starts to meet downtown again...excited to see old friends and once again share with what life is REALLY about....

Seeing is Believing....

2009-08-04T04:34:00.000-07:00

I have been learning so much the past few weeks.....so many good things and bad things, really. It is hard to believe but my brother has been walking with Jesus consistently for a month now, and really his new faith...has revived mine! I am sure it sounds petty, but indeed I feel that I am a person of little faith. Little faith that he would finally put his faith in Jesus alone for salvation. Faith that it was even possible for him. I am ashamed at my lack of belief. But really his salvation has sent a sense of revival in my own heart..knowing not to worry that God is STILL at work in the world even though I am doubtful and may not always act like I can have the faith to move mountains! This is the first thing learned...

Secondly....Andrew and I were finally able to purchase a car. The sweet people that support our ministry, sent us enough money and also through the help of the DISCIPLINE to save a large some of money ourselves this desire has become a reality. It is almost to good to be true! Andrew and I finally get to take a family vacation this year. Cannot remember the last time I went somewhere with just our family, without it being Christmas or a family reunion of some sort! For that matter I cannot even remember the last time that I went on a date with my husband...I think it has been 2 years! Pretty sad...but I think that all of that is about to change and I am extremely grateful and feel blessed that there are some that LOVE us so much that they to desire to see this dream become a reality for us! God is faithful....

Thirdly.....Oh how I miss fellowship with other believers! I am missing deeply missing my friends and loved ones, my fellowship of believers....even though I very rarely hear from my church or people at my church..... I long to be with them in so many ways! Long to worship, long to share joys and sorrows( wondering if it is safe to do that kind of sharing there anymore.....Longing...I don't think that my friends understand what it is like to be surrounded by non believers on a daily basis! To have things in common with them but not the MOST IMPORTANT thing....to feel the weight of the world and the depravity of humanity and to feel that I am the only one that knows the truth that can set the free. IT is draining and exhausting...feeling there is NO rest for the weary....the weary like me....but really God is faithful and he has proven again and again that he is more than enough for me!

All together it has been a great summer. A summer of learning and leaning on the ONE who can set the captives free! Being patient....

Spending time at the sea.....

Spending time with my children....

Spending time in my "new'" car....

Spending two days in Rome....

A husband that spent 3 days in Prague...

Excitement that another team is arriving in Italy......

Praying for the Paces (our teammates) to return to Genova.....

Spending time with my friends in Genova that desperately need Jesus!

being a light...trying to be a light!

I am AMAZED!!!

2009-07-13T11:48:00.000-07:00

My brother...the one person that I have prayed for the most in my life! In all honesty maybe I have not even prayed for my husband as much as I have prayed for Luke, not saying that that is right...I am just being honest.

My brother has been through a lot in his life. His battle with drugs, and women has consumed his life. Just recently he found himself in jail on some pretty serious drug charges...altogether I kept wondering, "okay, I wonder what it will take for Luke to come to know you.... Jesus as his Savior." Seriously, I have never known someone who just when you think this could be the worst thing that someone has to go through, he has never hit the bottom of the barrel.

Until a week ago...his fiance of 1 year and girlfriend for 5 moved out of their home. For many reasons I think...but one that I know was not good.

Luke called our Pastor Art Georges...I heard that meeting went good. I heard from my mom that Luke went to see the Fireproof movie...and cried through the entire movie.

But today...this morning I heard from my mom and my close friend Mary that Luke was sharing with people that he accepted Christ as his SAVIOR!!!!! Could this be true???

I with much anticipation...called him...told him how much I loved him and cried a lot...and asked him if he prayed...and he said with choked up tears YES!!!!! I can hardly believe it,....God has answered our prayers.....years of prayers of tears of heartache.... answered!!! I AM AMAZED!

Please pray for him, he has a long road ahead..to GOD BE THE GLORY!!!!

Aiden's 5th Birthday....

2009-06-19T09:38:00.000-07:00

Last night we celebrated Aiden's fifth birthday! He is getting so big....hard to believe that I have two children and the youngest is now five! I hope to post more in the coming days about the amazing testimony and influence that Aiden has had in my life....but until then....here are some pictures!

funny quote....

2009-06-13T06:07:00.000-07:00

Today has been a lazy day for the Debelaks!! We have been pretty sick with colds/flu/sinus infection/ ear infection....long and grueling...especially when it is hot and we are without air-conditioning. I'm pretty sure that Aiden is finally turning the corner, this is the first day that he has wanted to play with Hudson. So I am hoping and praying, "God just heal us please!!"

Anyways, I am sitting here listening to the boys play and I hear Hudson talking to his Transformers "Rachet" to be exact. And Rachet is talking to an invisible person named Aunt Verna (accept Aunt Verna is a real person that lives in Colorado)

"Now just stay here Aunt Verna I will rescue you, I just need the cube. Don't cry I will put you back together if Megatron hits you in the back of the head!"

Seriously....not sure if you read my blog Aunt Verna...but you are in my boys make-believe world today........even a million miles away!

What is God teaching me?

2009-06-08T04:26:00.000-07:00

This is a good question. I am not really sure. I have spent the last week trying to figure it out...My mother-in-law had some words about when she has felt the way I have been feeling she can trace the root back to jealousy. I started to think about this word jealousy and began to pray that the Lord would search me....well the conclusion is that it is not just jealousy...it is much more than that....

For some strange reason I have been looking for fulfillment in what I do, by my actions! "If I could just have....."If I wasn't so..." If the people would...." If IF IF IF IF.... Instead I constantly am thinking about the "death of dreams" dreams that I have always had that right now just are not, or at least I think in my pit of despair that they are not..........Did God have a different plan...or am I just not obedient.

But, where am I just saying thank you. Where or how am I just being content with what I have and what God has provided for me on my behalf!

I am not really sure...but these are my thoughts today! Thoughts that God would continue to convict me deeply!! Work on me....press me....and that I would let go of the bitterness that root/ tree that is growing deep inside my heart.....now to pray!

Scooters...scootering...Scooterrific....

2009-06-07T06:02:00.000-07:00

Yep that is right....we have now entered the land of the Razor Scooter. And my kids, they love them!!! It was the perfect riding "toy" to bring back to Genova. They collapse, so I can take them on the bus and train. They are small so they can ride them around our apartment when it rains!

Hudson is already balancing when he rides....going really fast! He sykes you out by making you think that he is going to crash into you....and then he turns suddenly or stops on a dime...that little man my friends, is incredible!

Aiden gets bored and starts to walk around and leaves it in unsuspecting places....but as soon as he learns to ride better I am sure his attention span will be more focused on riding then standing by the door to our building telling me he is HOT!

So that is our Sunday...hanging out...doing our thing...IN GENOVA...I might add!

it has been a while....

2009-06-04T16:48:00.000-07:00

I have had my share of ups and downs through the month of May. I cannot remember the last time my month was so full....

The weeks prior to us leaving for the states were full to the BRIM...team retreat, saying goodbye to a team member, a visit from my parents, saying goodbye to my boys for two weeks, saying goodbye to the Paces for the summer, packing, meeting, and hanging out with great new friends, meals out in the city, making pesto...yes so many great things.

Then we packed up and headed to the USA for Andrew's brothers wedding! My kids had a great time with cousins! And Andrew was a groomsmen with his Italian black suit...which he sported so proudly at Aaron's wedding! It was a great time...emotional, exhausting, fun, and overwhelming. I learned a lot about myself and the way that God has wired me. I learned to Let GO and let God take over. I am sure I offended my family, made them laugh, made them cry, shared great memories...and hard memories....really it was a great time of learning....and I loved sharing that time with them!!!

We returned to Peoria after a two day drive from Colorado Springs...it was long but a wonderful time with Ken and Patty and the boys...talking about the past...getting advice for the future...being challenged....

When we arrived in Peoria, I remember feeling overwhelmed. I am not sure where my feelings of anxiety come from when I get to the state of IL but I really truly feel under the microscope! I feel unloved, fearful, and well really quite sad. I am working through these feelings....I have reasons why....but really feel that they are best left unsaid.

We did get pretty discouraging news from our home church that we are sent from... about a drop in our support. There were lots of reasons given...many of them made no sense....I know that the main reason was an accounting error made by the church...Andrew and I now have a year to make up 800 dollars of new support. At least I thought 800$ then suddenly a good friend wrote me upon our return to Italy stating that they would be increasing there support substantially!! Now we only have 600$ left to give to the Lord and trust him for his abundant provision...for what he has done and what he WILL do!! I will trust him....not only with my finances but with my life!! Lord lead me and change me!!! I need it!!! I am a mess of broken pieces.....praying that you would change this vessel and mold it into something beautiful!!!

the latest and the greatest....

2009-05-09T00:34:00.000-07:00

Well, on Monday May 4, I put my kids on an airplane with their grandparents. Let me just start by saying that I thought I would feel "freedom". The reality for me has been quite the opposite of that...leaving me feeling quite sad and missing them terribly!

My boys on the other hand are really not missing me, as they are riding on the tractor, playing in the sandbox, riding bikes...etc.

They are having a blast spending the night at Mi Mi Patty's house and doing ultra special things....Don't get me wrong I am so happy for my boys, so happy that they are so well behaved, and so proud that they are just having a great time, building memories with people they miss terribly!

On the other hand...my kids are going to several dr.'s in the two weeks that they are in the USA. One of which was a dental appointment for Aiden concerning the abscess that we have been dealing with for 2 months + now.

The good news is that the problem was taken care of!! Aiden had his 2 front teeth pulled on Wednesday...my mom said he did not skip a beat!! My dad is loving, to teach Aiden tongue twisters and has a great laugh at his expense.....but this is what grandpa's do!

I also just found out that next Saturday...Hudson will have 2 or three teeth pulled! WOW toothless children for Uncle Aaron's wedding! I am sure it will be a theme amongst the grandchildren as the Voth kids are also missing teeth!!

Andrew and I have been sooooooooo crazy busy with TEAM stuff that I have hardly had a chance to catch my breath! I have spent a good amount of time, looking for curriculum for home school next year and have finally come to some GREAT conclusions about what 1st grade should look like for Hudson...Big goal met!!

Yesterday...I did finally spend the day alone (for the most part)and that felt good....I cannot wait to get to America and hug and kiss my kids but really...this is all about trust! Trusting my parents...trusting dr.'s and really trusting the Lord with my children....really they are not my own, they are his! And, because of this...I have PEACE...at least right now, anyways!!

Oh and HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!!!

Getting ready...

2009-04-09T10:22:00.000-07:00

Hmm....where do I begin. There have been so many things that have happened this week. Actually the last 10 days have been quite exciting here in Genova. Today Andrew and I officially sat down to work on our spring news letter and we struggle with knowing how much to write, and how to effectively communicate all that is happening here and in the lives of the people around us.

I guess that having so much to write about is not a BAD thing to have going on!

I mentioned to Andrew that we could always write about the abscess that still has not completely healed...and actually today looks worse than it has the last 2 weeks. Not really sure what action steps are necessary concerning this infection but we definately need prayer for Aiden.

I also am being challenged with our home school routine. I am wanting to finish school by the time my parents travel with our children back to the USA.

Goals to be met by the time my brother in law gets married. Yeah, just a lot going on right now that is really just heavy on my heart! And there just is not a lot of time left May 20th is approaching sooner then I realize!

Feeling the need more than ever for vehicle so that we can go out later than 10 p.m. at night....

And most of all wanting to honor Jesus in all that I say and do. And this week thinking about all that Jesus has done for me, and the price that was paid, so that I could be free! So with all that said HAPPY EASTER...

What else....I could go on....maybe tomorrow...and pray that we can get our thoughts together so that we can articulate it our ministry here in the most simple way possible! Some things that we do to reach people would rock the evangelical boat/mindset for sure...yeah so just pray for us!

teaching Hudson to read...

2009-04-01T04:02:00.000-07:00

Well, I have been teaching Hudson to read since October. It is rewarding, challenging, difficult and amazing. His mind is processing and trying so hard to comprehend each syllable he hears. I am blessed that he is enjoying it, especially the days that really are quite difficult! Right now we are spending time reviewing past lessons, b/c soon we are going to move forward wit more difficult words...and stories!

The boys have also learned the months of the year, the days of the week...and currently we are reading about different things in the world that are small...like amoebas and protozoa. It has been a good review for me as well.

This is the best part about home schooling that really...I am learning all over again as well!!Oh and I get to teach in my pj's!! Once again I feel blessed.

Prayers for a best friend!!

2009-03-17T09:00:00.000-07:00

I just got off the Skype line with my best friend Lisa. The fifteenth was her birthday and was probably the most difficult birthday that she will EVER endure...Lisa has been trying to have a baby for a long time, she has a little boy named Parker, but this second child has taken forever to conceive. About a month ago she found out that she was carrying not just one baby but two! This was such amazing news.

Than the news quickly came that she could be miscarrying the babies. It has all happened so fast it seems and yet, it has taken the Dr. along time to know for sure what the outcome would be...and yes it is true, Lisa is no longer pregnant.

Yesterday I sent Lisa flowers! I called her best friend in FL. and could not get in touch with her, so I called a random florist in the area that she lives in!! I could not believe when I got her message this morning that they are the FIRST flowers that she has EVER received. I am so happy that I could be apart of a little sunshine in her day. Lisa and I have been friends since kindergarten we have been through alot of firsts together...so many to list. And now the unthinkable.

This is another one of these times that you so badly want to be there! So badly want to live close by...and yet here I sit calling a florist over Skype. But I admit that my sister needs to cling to the Lord. Not to me, her husband or the child she currently has...but to the Lord. As I spoke with her this afternoon...I only had a few words of encouragement for her, and the words were these...God brings trials to bring Glory to himself. That is what it looks like for the believer. We don't know why and may never know why. But your life and the fact that he has CALLED YOU WORTHY of the trial is that the Lord knows that you can come through this trial as a faithful servant of our Lord! That is amazing to me.

Please pray for her today if you get a chance. Thanks....

James 1:12

Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

Rough day...

2009-03-16T11:15:00.000-07:00

Well, Today was a rough day. I could not get it together, and could not fight the tears. I actually have a lot of days like these. Not sure why really sometimes I think it is that part of me that longs for the "normal"/ "easy" life. Maybe it is because Aiden's abscess is back with a vengeance...or because I cannot seem to memorize the book of Philippians ( a team goal) But then I remember what life was like in the USA and quickly remember it is not that "easy" there either. It is however convenient!! Not having a car has become the thorn in my side. Everything is harder without one...everything!! I long for God to provide in this way, and desperately would like to drive myself to the grocery store. Or to not have to pay 25.00 to get a TAXI home from a late night meeting with Italians!! It all adds up, and what it is adding up to for me is imprisonment...I feel cut off at the knees with so many places to go and no one to take me there...not to mention personal opportunities that are lost, because I simply cannot take the transportation to one place or another.

I often wonder what would a pastor do if suddenly he was sent to a new church and told, "oh yes, and that car of yours, you don't get to keep that, leave it here, and get around the city and minister to the 900,000 people you are trying to reach by using the BUS, oh and wait did we tell you about your pay cut!!!!"

But now really, Natalie, remember you signed up for this!! And you are called to a life of less...every missionary is!! SAYS WHO I ASK..... WHO!!!?????????????????????Really the evangelical church has told us that that is what is natural for the missionary, it is like it is EXPECTED....MISSIONARY=POOR!!!

While the church builds bigger buildings and bigger programs, I sit and wait for a car, just something small, just so I can grocery shop...just something!!!(maybe i should take that comment out)

There I got that off my chest...

So I wait.....continue to wait on the Lord, for his timing and his provision. But God really.... it cannot come ANY SOONER!!!

Not a whole LOT.....

2009-03-09T06:04:00.000-07:00

Well, I have to say that I do not have a whole lot going on today. I spent a big part of my day yesterday, cleaning the house and doing tons of laundry. I did the majority of it yesterday so I could start my week CLEAN and organized.

This morning it was great waking up to a clean house, unfortunately after home schooling my boys, I am now bored to death. I will most likely make my boys take a nap and then I will proceed to make a few phone calls to the "land of freedom" and call it a day. Before I know it, I will need to make dinner, and Andrew will be home!

Tomorrow, Andrew takes Aiden back to the dentist. Hoping for good results!!!

So here is too....Not a whole Lot...going on in my world today...I don't know maybe it is a good thing!!!!

Progress...

2009-03-06T04:43:00.000-08:00

Well, "the abscess that won't go away"(our lingo for the beast in his mouth) is finally getting smaller.

He went to the dental specialist on Tuesday and the Dr. drilled two holes behind his two front teeth. Everyday we have to take a small needle and clean out the space after he eats!! It is so disgusting. He is so brave, leaning his head over the foot of our bed, so that we can get a clear shot at it...generally it is Andrew doing the cleaning, but when I am home with the boys, Hudson holds a flashlight for me so that I can see it clearly!

It is an interesting method, but the good news is it seems to be working... At least it appears to be! Thanks for praying..

the abscess that won't go away...

2009-03-01T22:33:00.001-08:00

My youngest son Aiden has had an abscess in his mouth. Several weeks ago he was hospitalized over the matter. He has had 2 weeks of antibiotics, and still no progress. The swelling in his face has gone down, but the large bump under his lip remains.

Tomorrow he sees, the doctor, I am praying for another X ray, and maybe some drastic action, on behalf of Aiden....however the dr. does want to pull his front teeth. This is not the drastic action I am looking for. Although I have decided if that is necassary that this is what we will do. Oh how I long for medical care in America, and I do not even live in the third world!

This picture was taken several days ago...poor little guy...makes you want to pray even harder...doesn't it!!!

Today is a day to be thankful for what I have, to put on my gospel shoes and start walking.

Somewhere over the rainbow...

2009-02-28T01:44:00.000-08:00

This picture was taken about three weeks ago, right outside my window. I love it. I love the hope it brings...and the promises. There have been so many things, that have happened these last few weeks. Many sad things, many great things. One great thing that happened, is that my cousin Bethany and her husband Jared, received negative(meaning the results were a miracle) test results, in regards to their unborn child. They still need so much prayer...healthy delivery, and overall health of mother and child...and really just coping with unknowns yet to come. But really it seems that the Lord of hosts, have gotten them through the worst 3 weeks of their lives! And for that I praise Him.

On a sad note, my cousin Dave died, this past week of brain cancer. He went into surgery, went into a coma, and never woke up...how fast life changes. I am pretty sure that Dave did not know the risen Lord personally, and that breaks my heart. I really was not close to Dave, as he was so much older than me. But my heart is heavy for my Auntie Char, I love her, she is so dear to me. This is the second child that she has had to bury, something that a mother should never have to do. But God is good, and his timing is perfect.

Isaiah 40:28-29

Don't you know that the Lord is the everlasting God, the creator of all the earth? He NEVER grows faint or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding. He gives power to those who are tired and worn out; he offers strength to the weak.

(this one is for you mom...Patty)

Peanut M&M's

2009-02-23T11:54:00.000-08:00

Today I ate an entire bag of peanut m&m's...actually they were called "chaco peanuts" same thing....almost the same, I guess I should say!

Today, Aiden went to the dentist so he could look at the returning abscess in his mouth. We continue with antibiotics, and he returns next week for an appointment.

Today I went to LIDL a store similiar to Aldi in the states. It was interesting....the elevator was broke and we had to wheel our carts down the street to the parking deck.

Today I home schooled Hudson, who is doing fairly well, although, today he was distracted, as he has been asking for a dog so much that he cannot concentrate.

Today I loaded the dishwasher twice and cleaned out the fridge, I folded two loads of laundry and hung two loads on the line.

I made sloppy joes for supper and watched The Muppets take Manhattan with my kiddos....I love hearing Hudson laugh...what a gag!

And that is ALL!!!!

A good meal....and car sickness

2009-02-22T11:11:00.001-08:00

Last night we spent the evening with Alice and Wendy two friends that I have made from Australia. Phil and Donna, Andrew and I had a great simple meal at Wendy's house. We enjoyed laughs and a delicious cheesecake to follow dinner. Thank you Donna...she really makes the best food!

Anyways, the evening ended at about 1:30 a.m. And as we were driving home from such a nice evening, I realized that I was getting really sick to my stomach. You have to understand Genova is a maze of winding roads...it is a crazy backwards, hodge podge of a city with even crazier roads. By the time we took Alice home about 30 minutes from where we started I was completely nauseous. I wonder if car sickness goes away at some point in your life. I often wonder if it will go away when I hit menopause! I can only hope right? But then who knows what menopause will bring!!!

The motion sickness lasted through the night and all day...and now here I am at 8:16 still dizzy...seriously...when will the whirling room quit...But the evening was good...celebrated friends, had some laughs and ate a great cheesecake, reminded me of the day I was married...what more can you ask for!

and the picture...I just felt like adding it...this is Donna's Daughter ...Abbigail and I in Switzerland...

Oh so many things...

2009-02-15T00:30:00.000-08:00

There have been so many things come up in the last few days...there are almost to many to mention. One big one is that Aiden, my 4.5 year old is in the hospital. The healthcare here is not BAD it is just not the USA. So, we are dealing with many unknowns as the abscess in his face, on the upper lip is full of thick yellow puss. It is really gross. But most of all he is just really sick and in pain. Which is hard for any mom to see. Andrew though, stayed the night at the hospital (b/c he is the only one that speaks Italian well enough to communicate with the dr's.) He did say that he slept well...which is a huge blessing. We will see what the day has in store for us!

Beautiful Day.....

2009-02-08T23:34:00.000-08:00

Well, it is a beautiful day in Genova. Sunny Skies, about 56 degrees today...I am hoping to get the laundry started...and somewhat organized. The good news is that I am starting my day with a clean slate. It is a new week. Last week was terrible...rain everyday, sick husband (never a good thing) and a sick little boy...we are doing better, I got some sleep and ready to face a new week, new goals and hopefully going to meet some new people!!

testing 1,2,3

2009-02-08T03:32:00.001-08:00

Does this really work?? Just wondering...