Just some pondering on why we are here

Sometimes Bob and I get into the routine of, go to school, come home, go to bed, get up, go to school. On Saturdays I often work at school or we just relax at home. Sunday is church then play with our computers on the base where we can get internet for free. That would be a fine routine if we were in the States.

This has been one of several difficult weeks at my school. Not to go into details but there seems to be a lot of unnecessary negative energy there and sometimes it gets me down. This was one of those weeks.

In the middle of it, though, when I was shouting to no one, "I hate this place, " God reminded me that I am not that school, that school is not my life. His quiet voice spoke to me to say, "You are here for a purpose." I don't know the purpose God has for me here, I may never know. Sometimes God puts us into a place for someone else and we don't know the influence we've had. Our job is just to be there and serve Him. I'm trying to do that.

The other, more selfish, but not bad, voice said, "You are teaching at this school to be in Sicily; not living in Sicily to teach here. When you're done being in Sicily-----go home-----don't look back."

That said, we're going out into Sicily today (of course, I need to be working) just to enjoy being here. We may go to Caltegirone (one of our favorite places for ceramics) or to look for relatives of "the bread man" in Kansas City. Who knows. The important thing is to truly BE in Sicily.

Finally, I want to digress. I have, from the first, felt God put us here just because He loves us so much he wants to give us this gift. The phrase, "He will give you the desires of your heart" keeps running through my mind. I have always wanted to visit Italy. Not the tourist Italy but the small town ancient history Italy. He has given me that in such a beautiful, unexpected way that my heart bursts with thankfulness. He is so good.