Riddle Family In Italy

Five Years...

We have been here in Italy now for five years.  We have changed, to say the least!  

Our boys have grown,  just click on the one taken recently (left) and compare it to the one taken in 2007!  Notice that Micah is now about the same height as his Mom!

We have learned a new language and in doing so we have learned to communicate with a whole new group of people.  We have learned to live in a new culture that is very different from the one we left in the States.  

We have learned a new appreciation for God and what he does in our lives.  We have grown in our faith here in ways that I do not think that we would have had we remained in the United States.  We left our comfort zones and came here and we have seen that God is faithful in guiding when we are faithful to follow where He leads.

Will we be here for another five years?  That, only God knows.  Right now, we follow the call to serve here and now.  There is much to do here and we will continue as long as God calls us to be here.

I am sure that we will change even more in the coming years!

40 Years...

On March 1, 2011 I celebrated my 40th birthday with little fanfare.  The day started in one of the best possible ways; my six year old son, Isaiah, came into our bedroom before I had even gotten out of bed and gave me a big hug and kiss and said with a smile, "Happy Birthday Daddy!".  It really does not get any better than that!

Forty years!  There are times when I wonder what I have really done in my life; where has the time gone?  As I look back and see the places I have been and the people that I have had contact with, I realize that I have truly been blessed in this life. 

I hope that in the next 40 years, if God blesses me with that many, I can be a blessing to those around me.  I have often heard that life goes down hill once you pass 40, but I can not see it being that way.  It is only now that life begins.  You have lived life and know more about what you can and can not do in life.  You understand how to go about things in a way that you did not comprehend five, ten or twenty years ago.  The advice you give now comes with experience to demonstrate what you are saying.

I pray that each of you who come to this point in your life journey would be able to see how life is a blessing from God our Creator.  I hope that we can all give back to Him and to those around us just a little of the blessings that we have received. 

John 15:12-14 "This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.  No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends.  You are my friends if you do what I command you." (NRSV) Can we follow the commands of Christ? Lets try.

Teaching English...

One of the things that we do here is help with the 8th grade English classes at Micah's middle school.  It is a wonderful way to build relationships with kids, teachers, parents and others.  There are also a lot of really good kids in the classes.  Many are afraid to speak in English even during the class because they do not want to make a mistake and be made fun of in front of the others.  I understand that but have long ago lost the fear of making a mistake with the language, it happens every day for me!  

The difficult part is that there are a few kids that just do not care about anything or anyone, including themselves.  They have no interest in learning anything and they are disruptive forces in the classes and in the entire school.  One of the classes we are working with is excellent except for two boys.  The class as a whole listens well and all are interested in learning something new, they are a pleasure to teach.  These other two like nothing more than to disturb everyone and make it impossible for the others to hear, much less learn.  The past two weeks they have been sent out of class.

I know that I can not do this, but there are times when I wish that I could use not what I learned at seminary with these two guys, but what I learned in Army Basic Training!  That might get their attention!  I don't like these two kids, but the Bible calls me to love them!  How do I do this? 

The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.  (Galatians 5:22-23)  I pray that I can show even these two trouble-makers some of this fruit.  It is not easy, to be sure, but it is part of the call for all who follow Christ.

By the way, I have a whole new appreciation for people who have chosen to be teachers as a career.  We are in these classes only four hours a week and that is more than enough sometimes.  For those of you who do this every day for more than 180 days of the year, thanks for your work, your care and concern for the kids you teach and for your patience.  Blessings to all of you as you continue to work with kids each day.

Final...

Well, it is over and it did not end like I wanted but it was a good game.  You can not turn the ball over three times and expect to win against a team like Green Bay has.  It has been a good year for the Steelers, maybe they will be back here next year.

Congratulations to the Packers, you earned it and played better than the Steelers today.

I am going to bed.  It is 4:00 am here in Italy!

Half Time...

I have no desire to see the Black Eyed Peas, so I will write a little...

Two minutes makes a big difference in football.  The Steelers put seven on the board and that was big, but what was bigger was seeing three defensive backs for the Packers go to the locker room early!  If they stay out for the second half, the score board may have trouble keeping up!  It could be more like 48 - 43 and I would have to say Green Bay at this point, but who knows?

The first drive of the second half is going to be big.  The Steelers need a stop!  This could be a lot of fun now.  I am still hoping that the Steelers pull it out.

With all the injuries to both sides, it might be the team that can put 11 men on the field at the end will win!  Lets hope that the injuries slow down.  I don't like seeing those for any team.

More after the game...

Just before 2:00...

The Steelers are looking really bad right now.  Green Bay, really good.  It could be a really long night if things do not change right now for the Steelers.

Oh well, on to the second half...

Super Bowl XLV...

        Well, it is that time of year again when people go crazy over the Super Bowl!  This year, as a Steelers fan, I am right in there with all the others.  It is fun to read all the things that people write about this game and how they break it down.  Fans are really fun.  Their comments are often made through blind devotion to their team.  Once everyone reads this, many of you may think the same of me!

        I am looking forward to this game!  Two great teams, organizations, quarterbacks, defenses are going to go at it for the prize that is the Lombardi Trophy!  How do I see it?  I wish I could say that this is going to be easy for the Steelers, but Green Bay is way too good to be blown out.  In a way it reminds me of the game two years ago against the Cardinals and how everyone thought that the Steelers would not be able to slow down that offense.  They did for three quarters at least and had enough at the end to pull it out.  I hope for the same this year!  I think the Steelers will win, but I will not be surprised if the Packers pull it out this year.  Disappointed yes, but both are capable of winning the game.  

       Where will the difference be?  In my eyes it will be the Steelers offensive line and running game against the Packers Defensive front.  If the Steelers run well, they will win.  If they do not run well, it could be a long day!  I hope/think they will run well...

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

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New Year's Day...

I actually can not write about New Year's Day yet, it is only New Year's Eve 2010!  However, to all of you, we want to wish you all a wonderful New Year!  This past year has seen many changes for us as a family and we are glad to have experienced them.  There have been struggles but there have been many beautiful moments also.  In the coming year we know that no matter what, God will be with us as he has been through this past year.

We pray that each of you would feel the presence of Christ with you as you enter into 2011.  He is the same yesterday, today and forever!  Blessings from our family to yours.

Narnia Movie in Italy...

The Voyage of the Dawn Treader is one of our boys favorite books.  The older two have read the book numerous times and all three of them have listened to it many, many times since we have it on our ipod. (Thanks Shawn & Laura!) One of our plans for the Christmas break was to take the boys to see the movie and watch it in 3D.  It would be our first 3D movie! 

We have run into a slight problem though and I am actually glad to have the problem.  The movie here in Bari is sold out through the 6th of January!!  For us right now it is not a good thing, we want to see the movie!  However, if this movie is this strong around the world, then it means that they will make the next one!!  That will be great!

Once we find a little time and tickets, we will be going to the theater with some of our friends here to see this film.  We are looking forward to it.

Have any of you seen it?  What do you think?

Blessings for the New Year!

Snowing!

I hope to get some pictures up here in a little while!  Last week it was near 70 degrees with sunny skies and we were loving it!  At least I was!  I do not like the cold at all.  Two days ago it turned cold and today it is snowing!  The boys are loving it!  The kids in this area do not get to play in the snow that much and many are throwing what snowballs can be made.  It is cool to see, but I much prefer the warmer weather to this!  We take what we get.