When life takes a turn...

We never know when life will take a turn but sometimes, when it does, we are less prepared than we thought.

Prov 19:21 says, "Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand."

As parents, we have had many plans in our minds about parenting and raising our children well but when that first one leaves and its necessary to release her, all those plans are really nothing. Only God's purpose will stand. Only what we've done for Him.

Yesterday was a very hard day for Jeannette and I as we released Bethany to go back to the United States to attend university (received the Bright Futures Scholarship...covers all but books). We talked, cried, hugged, cried some more and then, it was just time. And there was nothing more that could be said or done. We are tempted to have regrets...why didn't we take more walks, why didn't we have more dates together, why...

But what's most important is what we've sown in her of God, the Gospel and God's will and purpose for her life. The thing is that she is an absolutely beautiful, godly young lady and we have no idea how it happened. We know it wasn't us! In fact, if anything, it was in spite of us!! What an incredible picture of God's grace. He blesses us even when we don't deserve it.

Thankfully, we had a little vacation in Croatia (the border is only about 1 1/2 hours away) thanks to a sweet supporter couple who had a week timeshare they gave us. What a sweet gift to be altogether one last time before Bethany left to go to the states.





It was beautiful place surrounded by water...and the kids had lots of fun together!




The girls (Bethany and Hannah) had some special time together as did Jeannette and I.



It went way too fast and it seemed like we blinked and it was over. But we praise God that we had such a special time in this season of our lives. Before this, it had been well over 2 years since we'd had a vacation like this away from everything.



Just a few days before Bethany had to leave, we got our "Permesso di Sigiornos" which gives us the right and privilege to live in Italy permanently (well, it has to be renewed every year).



We had planned a couple days at a local river to just be together but as Lee (with Jacob and Elijah) was turning in to get train tickets for two of us (we have to always have two take a train or bus because our only car fits just five of us), going about 12 mph, a man who was looking down for his phone while driving, plowed into the back of our car at about 50 mph. Lee and the boys were slammed into a parked car and the front of a restaurant. Thankfully, though sore, no one was hurt.




Though we knew we needed to raise the money to find a new, used car with more seats, apparently God is wanting it to happen sooner than later.



However, we're all fine (a little house-bound) and we still do have the train and bus though it takes a bit longer. Jeannette, Hannah and I took Bethany to the airport by train. And though it's only an hour away, it took us 7 hours...we left at 4:30 (2 hour train ride), then a 30 minute bus ride to the airport, then a 30 minute bus ride back to the train station, then the 2 hour train ride to Udine, and then the bus from the station to home (home by 11:30pm).




We are so going to miss our eldest daughter. But, as a good friend recently said, "Today is the day you get to trust God more than maybe you ever have." Interestingly, the day after Bethany left, it suddenly got cold and rainy here so it's a good day (Saturday) to reflect on God's kindness to us to give us such a beautiful daughter who loves the Lord and the gospel with a passion.



Thank you for being a part of our lives. We love you dearly and are so thankful for your participation in the gospel to reach Europeans for Christ.

In Him,
the italian walti family

"Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life." - Prov 13:12