August was a busy month for us. We had to get our guest house ready for numerous guests, and attend two weddings. Then I got the flu, which knocked me out. Because of all that, I fell behind with my Bible school classes and had to catch up.
Weddings!
If you’ve never been to an Italian wedding, they’re quite an event. They usually last about 12 hours, from the ceremony to the multi-course meal.
I struggle with these weddings because there’s way too much food. The long day spent sitting in straight-backed chairs makes my back ache, and my husband and I are not exactly elegant people. Italians love style and fancy clothes. They often dress up just to go grocery shopping! But they really go all out for weddings and special events!
Compared to them, I often feel—and probably look—like a country bumpkin. I am uncomfortable with it all. I also don’t like the obligatory photo shoots because I am not photogenic at all. Although, strangely, we didn’t turn out too badly in the following photos of past weddings.)
Nevertheless, we love celebrating weddings and witnessing a man and a woman embark on matrimonial bliss. Marriage is one of life’s greatest and most blessed adventures! I hope these newlyweds will be blessed with many years of happiness like my hubby and I have had!
Birthdays!
August is the month of our birthdays, which are only four days apart. We had a special surprise this year when friends from our church in northern Italy came to visit! “We came to celebrate with you,” they said, and they spoiled us! They brought gifts, cooked for us, and made these some of our most special birthdays ever!
Highlights from my Bible School
I think the course I am currently taking is, by far, my favorite. Much of the material comes from Ray Vander Laan’s website, That the World May Know, which I love. I have enjoyed his excellent teaching in the past, so I was thrilled to discover that his films are part of the “Old Testament Bible Interpretation course.”
He provides so much background information on the Israelite’s Exodus and the Egyptian plagues that I am still amazed by what I learned. The lessons on walking with God in the desert were so encouraging. Vander Laan emphasizes that deserts are places of great provision and one of God’s most fruitful teaching fields. This is why going through wilderness times in our lives is actually one of the most blessed experiences we can have.
The ninth lesson, which focuses on first fruits and on our role as a transforming force in our culture was particularly helpful and encouraging. I especially liked the following statement about being the shapers of our culture.
“God always wants you to just use what you do well. Those gifts that He has given you and that you are good at. And if you want to impact our culture, if you want to make a difference in the world, you have to be nothing but what God has gifted you to be. If your gift is teaching, if your gift is working with people, if your gift is building, if your gift is parenting, God simply says, “Use what you have and what you are good at, but use it for me.” (Ray Vander Laan, That the World May Know)
Figuring out how to serve God isn’t hard. Start with what you know and what you’re good at, and use those skills to serve God and help others. He will guide you along the way.
I often struggle with the idea that I’m not good enough. These words from Vander Laan have helped me a lot and have kept me from giving up on certain things.
If you love learning from the Bible and about its times and cultures, I highly recommend the Christian Leaders Institute (CLI). You will learn a lot and find encouragement you need for your daily your walk with the Lord. Try it and discover the blessings!
📷 Images are mine.
6 replies on “August: a Month of Birthdays and Weddings”
I love that you were celebrated so well for your birthdays! Happy belated to the two of you. I agree with you–I also struggle with thinking I’m not enough because it’s so easy to compare to others who are different than me. But I’m learning that God has invested Himself in me in a unique way, a way that is me alone. And to try to be anyone else than that person is a waste of time and His talents. Thanks for this, Sheila. It’s a great reminder that we’ve been made purposefully and for a purpose.
Thanks so much, my friend. Yes, we were celebrated and pampered on our birthdays. We have some very special friends!! And you’re right. We are unique. God chose to make us that way, and that makes us OK!
I genuinely enjoy how he made you two! Friends from afar!
I know! It’s amazing! I appreciate you and your friendship so much! Hearing from you is always a bright spot in my day!!
You both look great in your picture. I have seen some videos from That The World May Know, and they are great! I also took a few classes late last year and early this year with CLI. They were awesome! I loved how they focused on the walk with God and ministry. Thanks for sharing this.
Thanks Tom, I guess we don’t look too bad for a couple of old folks! I’m glad you enjoyed your classes with CLI. I agree they are great. I especially appreciate their emphasis on the walk with God. So necessary! And yes, the That The World May Know videos are totally awesome! I could watch them all day!