Signora Sheila

June is a busy month for us. Hubby is busy finishing up his English classes. While I am busy getting ready, as usual, for our summer visits to friends and churches. I wish you could join us!

First stop: the hometown

First stop, Hubby’s hometown in the beautiful Cilento National Park, near Salerno. Where we stay right in the house where he was born! Situated in an ancient village, surrounded by rugged and wild wilderness. And with such old-fashioned ways that it’s like taking a giant step back in time.

Our beautiful summer town; Hubby’s birthplace.

A Hidden Blessing

When our summer home came into our care, we didn’t really want it. It just seemed like another burden, more to maintainance, and extra expense. (Lord, please forgive our grumbling and complaining!)

For it has turned out to be one of our greatest blessings! Expenses are low, mostly because Italian property taxes are so reasonable. None at all on 1st homes, and quite reasonable on second homes. Utilities are the only real expense and they are low because we don’t use them all year.

So we get a comfy summer vacation, almost for free! And right in the middle of a beautiful national park! But the biggest blessings we enjoy, other than seeing friends and neighbors, is the cool mountain air and the almost total absence of mosquitoes!! Thank you Lord!

Traveling on…

We haven’t formulated an itinerary yet, but plan to travel north and visit one of the churches we helped start in Sassuolo, Emilia Romagna. And then further north to visit friends. But best of all, we’ll be visiting churches (some for the first time), seeing old friends, and making new ones! We’ll try to keep you up to date.

Reading and relaxation

In our summer village we always have plenty of time to read and study. In many ways, it’s become a spiritual retreat for us – and sometimes friends also get a chance to enjoy it with us.

Life can get so busy, what with work, church, and everything else. So in our lazy village afternoons we have extra free time. I’ve been downloading Bible school materials and free pdfs from Free Classic Books.

More hidden blessings

Not that it’s all loafing time though! It’s also a time to catch up on spring cleaning, home maintenance, and tidying up our farmland. So yes we are blessed, with both work and pleasure. And so many extra, hidden blessings that the Lord sends our way.

Like the year we were able to minister in a church in Pozzuoli, near Naples! Called Puteoli in Scripture, the Apostle Paul spent 7 days the city. It’s so exciting to visit Italy’s Bible places!

The Lord sends many blessings. But if we’re not careful, we can overlook them, as we almost did with our summer home. Fo sometimes His blessings come in the most unlikely packages! Hidden among things we may not always see as blessings. How many are you missing?

📷 Image credits: girl with book; others are mine