Pace, amore, e Nutella gelato!

My friend, Morgan Gunn, who I sadly left back in High Point, has told me over and over that I am a “whole person.”  Without any other human on this earth, I’m still one whole person. I’ve had to remind myself of this so much in the last couple months, especially now that I’m in a foreign country, far from all those I love so much.  I’ve had a hard time understanding myself without the context of some of those people who I love and who [seem to] love me back.  I’ve found that a lot of what I know about me is based one who those people think I am and how I relate to them.  My hope and prayer is that, while I’m here in Florence, I’ll start to really believe Morgan when she me tells me those things…that my happiness and peace of mind will not depend on the love, approval, or opinions of those people that I love, but on my own self and my own spirit. 

“For the mind of the flesh is death; but the mind of the spirit is life and peace.” Romans 8:6

Today was a beautiful day in Florence, which I’m finding is pretty much true of every day in Florence.  I decided today that every time I walk by the Duomo, which seems to be at least six times a day, it feels like I’m in a dream.  It is so lovely, I still don’t believe it’s there. 

[The view from our terrace if you look down the street...pictures don't do it justice.]

Alex, Madison and I planned on going to see Michelangelo’s David today, but we realized that there were some more pressing matters to address.  We can only go so many days with three towels between the three of us and one useless pillow each, but we have four months to see all the art we can handle.  David, don’t go anywhere buddy.  So…what did we do?  We went to IKEA! It felt like we were home!  Thanks to that free Ikea bus ride and a few Euros worth of new stuff, our apartment feels a little more like home, too.  Favorite purchase: candles.  I also picked up some Swedish meatballs from Ikea’s wonderful food section!  [Cameron McGraw, you know how exciting this is for me!!]

Of course, I had gelato again today.  Nutella is my new favorite gelato flavor.  By the way, we have at least four jars of Nutella in our Kitchen right now.  It makes everything better (maybe not the meatballs…).  We also made a trip to H&M, which is only about a three-minute walk from our apartment to check out their huge sale.  Don’t worry, Mom.  I only spent 1Euro.

Final thoughts on the day: I love the church bells here.  I hear them on the hour and half hour from my apartment and I’m hoping I don’t get tired of them before I leave.

So, I’m off to sleep…first day of classes tomorrow! (well, today…it’s 1:30am here…oops)

Buona sera, from one whole person in Florence.