Tour

Tour

by | Oct 28, 2024 | 2024, Italy, Moving

Our Fearless Leader

DAVID BENTON FROM AHOMEINITALY.COM
Naida and I affectionately call him Italy-David.

Italy-David's Tours of Homes in the Abruzzo Region

What A Great Trip for Naida & I

Some asked, “Since you are already committed to buying a home, why go on these tours?”

The answer is easy, “Italy-David.”

You see, we have come to trust his judgment, and we knew that watching him describe Abruzze communities would be good for us to get, “A lay of the land.”

WE LOVED IT!

And we are so glad we went; First, because of all the new friends we made. Second, because of what we learned about the communities. Third, we appreciate our home, SOOOOO MUCH MORE now. And fourth, the food!

The Last Property We Saw

This is Mark . . . I didn’t expect this. But the last property we saw, was in Casoli. I didn’t realize we were going to look at it, but we did.

AND I AM SO GLAD.

You see, the home we all saw, was the home Naida and I considered our second choice. And, after walking the property, we both agreed, IT IS STILL OUR SECOND CHOICE and by a LARGE margin, Praise the Lord.

This morning I found a passage in Scripture which encapsulates our experience, thus far (I trust you pardon me for my specific application).

Psalm 134 (HCSB)
Now praise the Lord, all you servants of the Lord . . .
Lift up your hands . . . and praise the Lord!
May the Lord, Maker of heaven and earth, bless you [in Capestrano, Italy, while He is] in Zion.

Naida and I began the day praising the Lord.

And then we went into school mode, learning from the Italian Driving Manual.

Make Sure You See it ALL . . .

(If your phone only shows words in the scrolling boxes below, TAP THE SENTENCE to see the pictures associated with the scrolling box)

The photos are GREAT!

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How’s that for beauty? And I ain’t just talking about the building.

Lots of well behaved cats . . . and no rats, BTW.

We met some VERY SPECIAL friends. This is Daniel and Keller from Singapore.

All together now, say, “Ahhhh,” for Joe and Kara.

This photo has inspired me to a new detail on our place, A WRAP-AROUND BALCONY. I was told that it is low on the  list of priorities.

And then there are some architectural details you would only wish on . . .

This is Domenico. He is pointing out a part of our property which just became available. It’s what we affectionately call, “The Ruin.” It is attached to our living quarters but not a part of them, so we don’t have to do anything to it (until my wrap-around balcony is completed), I’m just sayin’.

Naida just made the beautiful flowers beautifuller, and I’m sticking to it!

We are now in a rental from our friend, Louis Ortiz at “RentInAbruzzo@Gmail.com” but for this to happen, Steve & Gina moved out for us. Thanks guys, now we don’t have to lug 4 suitcases around. AND BEFORE YOU ASK. The only reason we have 4 suitcases is because we knew we were going to have access to our new home soon.

Wow! What a view. Incredible.

Do you think you could get used to walking out your front door every morning, to this?

This is Italy-David and me talking over something important, but I don’t know what. BUT IT WAS IMPORTANT! Thank you Naida for capturing the historical moment!

And this was our group! Folks we will remain in contact with, in some cases, forever.

WE STILL HAVE LOTS OF PRAYER REQUESTS

Goodbye

Goodbye

by | Oct 21, 2024 | 2024, Moving

WE'RE IN ITALY

When this post is released, Naida and I will have been in Rome for a few hours, awaiting our bus to Pescara, in the Abruzzo region.

Actually, there’s a possibility we could be on an earlier #FlixBus (https://markmirza.com/flixbus/) which would be flinging us thru the Italian mountains to our hotel, in Pescara, right now.

We might even be very near the home we hope to buy, in Capestrano, Italy (https://markmirza.com/house/).

There certainly are a lot of unknowns. But far from being fearful, we are excited about The Adventure, the unknowns, and the views (https://markmirza.com/views/).

And AN ADVENTURE it surely is.

We Have “Quantified” Our Move as Follows . . .

1] WE ARE RETIRING

2] WE INTEND TO TRAVEL

3] WE WANT TO ENCOURAGE

While we’re not really keen on the photo above, it does typify “Goodbyes.”

BUT, there is a “SURE-HOPE” in Christ, which says this earth is not our home. We look forward to a permanent home in heaven, WITH YOU!

Hebrews 13:14 (NLT)
For this world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come.

1] We Are Retiring

(in fact, we are gratefully jobless)

— What does it mean to retire? We don’t know, but we intend to figure it out.

— Our weekly posts will disclose what we learn.

2] We Intend to Travel

(which will be less expensive from Italy than from the USA)

— A recent comment from Naida still resonates with us. “Mark, I want to hop on a train, head to a town we’ve never been to before, explore it for a few hours, and then get back on the train and be home by nightfall.”

— Of course, since we’re retired, we could just spend the night, too.

3] We Want to Encourage

(perhaps our home’s new name will be prophetic, “Oasis of Blessings”)

— During the last 15+ years, thru prayer, others were encouraged. How might that change, now? We have no idea. But that’s part of the adventure.

— Praise the Lord, Naida and I have a real sense of gratefulness for the blessing to take off into this adventure . . .

— Hence the name of our new home: Oasi delle Benedizioni

 

Find Our Weekly Posts Here

This is How it All Began

This is How it All Began

by | Oct 14, 2024 | 2024, Italy, Moving, Retirement

PHOTOS OF CHRISTMAS PAST

2023 Christmas on the Beach

. . . Turned out to be a bit, “BORING,” FOR ONE OF US.

And so Naida found this alternative for the following Christmas (this year, 2024).

While I reluctantly agreed, I am now ecstatic with anticipation, not just for Christmas, this year, but for the rest of our lives, beginning October 20th.

You see, while Naida found where we will stay at Christmas, she also found advantages and reasons for moving to Italy. We also found an INCREDIBLY INDESCRIBABLE PEACE, every-time we prayed about it.

I remember one time texting her.

I said, “Naida, can you think of ONE reason to NOT MOVE to Italy?”

“No!” was all she said, and I wholeheartedly agreed.

One Week Changed Our Life . . .

  • Basically, we had been investigating moving to Italy for a few months when, on a Thursday, we decided to buy tickets to go to Italy in October. We didn’t want to clutter our Christmas Holiday looking for homes in Italy.
  • THAT WAS THURSDAY, you caught that, right?
  • On Monday our financial adviser said, “Naida you could retire today.”
  • 2 hours later she was talking to the president of her company.
  • 2 days later we put our home up for sale.
  • 1 day later we put our horse up for sale.

The Beach was Boring, but the Future is EXCITING!

Though Christmas 2024 is NOT on the Beach, I Can't Complain (see below) . . .

FLORENCE

It’s a splurge, but this very unique location is across from “Il Duomo” in Florence.

BOLSENA

This turned out to be a “Renaissance-Aristocratic-Palace.” Nice choice, Naida!

ROME

While this is a “regular” Air-BNB, we are within a few blocks of “The Vatican.”

Don't Forget, Naida and I Still Have Prayer Requests

A NOTE ABOUT NOT WAVERING

We have had a lot of “BIG CHALLENGES” which have come our way since we decided to move to Italy, BUT NEVER ONCE, have we wavered on whether or not we heard from the Lord, regarding this move.

Never Once!

And for that “Sure-Hope,” “Confident-Hope,” “Godly-Hope,” we praise the Lord.

Mark & Naida

Remember Our Weekly Posts

Removed

Removed

by | Oct 7, 2024 | 2024, Missionary

Removed: All Keys Gone!

We’re homeless!

Neither of us have a job!

Everything we own is in our car (except for the horse, of course).

BUT, NAIDA AND I ARE EXCITED!!!

Weekly Posts of Our Adventure

Removed: A Key Step In Your Life

Did you know God talks very plainly about REMOVING THINGS FROM YOUR LIFE.

Plainly? He speaks STRONGLY, about it.

Proverbs 25:4-5 HCSB
[4] Remove impurities from silver, and a vessel will be produced for a silversmith.
[5] Remove the wicked from the king’s presence, and his throne will be established in righteousness.

If you’ve heard me speak, you have heard me say, “God is sovereign, and because He’s sovereign, He wants a relationship with you. THAT’S WHY HE DESIGNED PRAYER.

He doesn’t need your advice in prayer. He already knows what you’ll ask before you even speak it (Matthew 6:8).

By the way, here are our current prayer requests

What Does God Want Removed from Your Life?

Praising God Eliminates Distractions. Click on the Video Below

Distraction of Impurity:

And the evil one likes to remind you of it, just when you are ready to pray.

Acknowledge it, ask for forgiveness and then praise Him for He is Good.

“You, God, are Good.”

Distraction of You Being Evil to Others:

Acknowledge it. Ask for forgiveness, and then start praising the Lord for He is Self-Control incarnate.

“You, God, are Self-Control.”

Distraction of Money:

Often, your bank account, big or small, can rob you of God’s joy. But, if God is sovereign, He has a plan.

Acknowledge your situation, be a good steward and trust Him to take care of the details. He is the God of Joy.

“You, God, are Joy.”

Distraction of Anxiety:

Remind yourself that He is the God of peace, and then begin your prayers with that great act of praise.

“You, God, are Peace.”

THE PROMISE WHICH DISTRACTIONS FALL TO EVERY-TIME . . .

I love this passage. It tells me tat as a Christian I ALREADY HAVE inside of me, everything I need to live the life God has chosen for me to live . . .

2 Peter 1:3 NLT
By His divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know Him, the one who called us to Himself by means of His marvelous glory and excellence.

Mark & Naida

Follow Our Journey, Our Adventure

We invite you to follow our story and participate in our ADVENTURE as we travel through Italy, and greater Europe.

Naida has ALWAYS wanted to “travel” when she retired, now she can do that, and along the way, when appropriate, we will encourage and support lay people, missionaries and pastors.

Whether you join us in person or follow along online, your prayerful support and enjoyment thru our weekly posts, means the world to us.

Our Weekly Posts

Toilet Paper

Toilet Paper

by | Sep 30, 2024 | 2024, Moving

Covid-19 Taught Each of Us A LOT

What did Covid-19 teach you?

Don’t tell me about which government agencies you feel like you can or cannot trust.

And, I’m not interested in the fact that you now use A LOT LESS toilet paper than you used to. What else did you learn?

Again, I don’t want to know how many rolls of toilet paper you have hidden in your storage unit.

NEVERMIND

As Naida and I get ready to move to Italy, our storage unit is devoid of all useless things. In it are boxes, to be shipped, and extra toilet paper.

We realize that our lives have boiled down to . . .

  • A few boxes,
  • Some extra toilet paper.
  • And one more thing. One more. Hmmm, but, what is it? What is the one more thing our lives boil-down-to?
Don't forget, Naida & I Still have Prayer Requests

We Take HOPE With Us

★★★★★

Hope

Lord, I pray Romans 15:13 for these friends of mine. I lift them to You, the God of Hope. I trust You to fill them with joy and peace, as they believe.

Romans 15:13 HCSB
Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe in Him  so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

★★★★★

Good

Father, so many of my friends are dealing with problems, seemingly, brought on by others. The truth is, YOU have chosen them to go through this, for you have a plan.

Genesis 50:20 HCSB
You planned evil against me; God planned it for good to bring about the present result — the survival of many people.

★★★★★

Promises

Lord, we know You’re the God of Hope and the God who does Good, because You are the ultimate Promise-Keeper.

Genesis 50:24 HCSB
Joseph said to his brothers, “I am about to die, but God will certainly come to your aid and bring you up from this land to the land He promised Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.”

Have You Ever Called God a Liar?

A 2½ Minute Video

CALL GOD A LIAR?

No way!

Right?

Hmmmmm, well maybe I have and NOT EVEN KNOWN IT.

If God is your HOPE . . . If He has been GOOD to you . . . If you have experienced His PROMISES, then let this short video challenge you to trust Him all the more.

Stay Updated on Our Journey

Find our weekly posts which chronicle OUR ADVENTURE . . .

Our Weekly Posts

Touring

Touring

by | Sep 23, 2024 | 2024, Italy, Retirement

Naida & I Will be TOURING Towns in the "Stunning" Abruzzo Region

What in the Wide, Wide World of Sports are You Doing???

Great Question!

As you know, on October 20th we fly to Italy where we will make our way over to Pescara, VIA the #FlixBus line.

(https://markmirza.com/flixbus/)

On Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of the same week we will connect with 35 or so others, AND TOUR CITIES IN THE ABRUZZO REGION.

Yeah baby!

Whoops, sorry. I lost myself there for a moment.

This is really where this adventure began . . .

Info About Tours from Italy-David

The Beach Was Boring

One of us decided the beach at Christmas was boring this last year, and it WASN’T the writer of this post.

Naida Starts Looking
For an Alternative

Don’t ask me why. But she did. And she started finding some AMAZING things then, about this beautiful part of the Lord’s creation, Italy.

  • She found stories of people who have moved there (not the “sour-grapes” folks).
  • She found clean towns, free of litter (tons of clean towns, TONS of them).
  • She found cost of living analysis (not in major towns, but in the countryside).
  • She found incentives for retired folks to move there (financial incentives).
  • She found an idyllic way to retire (including some beautiful properties).
Don't Forget Our Weekly Blogs

Peace When You're Obedient

We’ve experienced something through our act of obedience which we did not expect.

God Honors Obedience
By Giving Us Peace

What an incredible blessing to receive from the Lord. It has been amazing and surprising.

LOL

I guess it should neither amaze us, nor surprise us, that God is so good.

As we look back onto these last few months . . .

  • God has allowed difficulties.
  • God has brought challenges.
  • God has stretched our faith muscle. And,
  • God has given us a peace which transcends our understanding (Philippians 4:7)

 

Our Current Prayer Requests

An Actual Tour

Wanna know what our tour will look like?

This is What
We can Expect

This video is from our new friends, Lorrie & David Thornton.

In fact, CLICK ON THEIR YouTube channel below and subscribe.

They did a great job letting us AND THE WORLD see what their recent tour with Italy-David looked like.

  • Note that one of the towns in the video is Raiano, it’s where they purchased their Italian home.
  • Note the beauty of ALL the towns.
  • Note the camaraderie of the attendees.
  • Note the . . . never-mind, just enjoy the video.
Their YouTube Channel

Italy-David

“Stunning” is the catch-phrase (or word) of Italy-David (our name for him). He is David Benton from AHomeInItaly.com