Adventure And Fear

Adventure And Fear

by | Nov 4, 2024 | 2024, Moving, Retirement

What to do with Fear

Adventure & Paralyzing Fear

When an Exciting Adventure Leads to PARALYZING FEAR . . . Because You Cannot See the Future.

There is Lots of Fun in an Adventure, But Also Lots of Unknowns.

Jerusalem Church Leaders' Distrusted Paul

When Fear of the Unknown Gripped Paul's Heart

The Apostle Paul knew he faced an unknown, namely, the unknown reaction to him, by the Jerusalem church leaders.

And Paul’s response? He sought prayer from his friends.

Romans 15:30 HCSB
Now I appeal to you, brothers, through our Lord Jesus Christ and through the love of the Spirit, to join with me in fervent prayers to God on my behalf.

Facing the Unknown Naturaly Moves us Towards Fear.

THERE’S NOTHING WRONG WITH THAT, IN FACT, IT’S A NORMAL REACTION.

While fear is not from God. I think God UNASHAMEDLY USES FEAR to strengthen our faith in Him.
The challenge is not THAT YOU FEAR. The real challenge is what are you going to do WITH THE FEAR?

And there are only 2 choices:

  1. You can roll the “fears” over and over again in your brain.
    — The result is Despair.
  2. Or, you can SUBMIT YOURSELF to the God who is sovereign.
    — The result is Peace.

Knowing your whole life is changing AND YOU DON’T CLEARLY SEE the next step/s, begs you to:

  • consider and consider, to
  • wonder and wonder, to
  • figure and figure, to
  • imagine and imagine, and to
  • GO PARALYZINGLY CRAZY in your mind.

But the truth is, there is only 1 solution.

Submit to the Lord

You might think that solution, “submitting to God” is a cop-out.

Keep reading.

Before I Show You Our Updated Adventures, which prompted so much emotion this last week, let me ask you like Paul did his friends, in Romans 15:30 . . .

For the sake of & the witness of Christ in our lives, and
By the love which the Holy Spirit inspires you to have for us,
Pray earnestly to God for us.
I even ask you to gather with your loved ones, and/or
Your prayer partners and agonize in prayer to God for us,
That our unknowns will strengthen our resolve, our faith muscle,
Especially when the evil one prompts paralyzing fear.

Why Retire to Italy?

Historical 14th Century Castle

Imagine having an 800 year old building, just up the street.

Click Here For Photo

The Beauty of Our Town

One of the many beautiful homes on the walk from the Historical-Center to our home.

Click Here For Photo

One of Many Beautiful "Streets"

It matters not which way we walk to our home from the Historical-Center, we see these kinds of beautiful lanes.
Molto Bellissimo

Click Here For Photo

Great Perspective of Our Home

I can’t wait till we get to move in. There are so many things to do. We get to clean and garden and all kinds of things.

Click Here For Photo

The Sign Means Something

This is one of two cool little signs on the lower level of our property. It appears to be a direction and “time” indicator. The only problem is, THOSE ARE NOT the proper times . . . unless this sign was made for people pulling carts.

Makes one wonder about the history behind these signs.

Click Here For Photo

Lots of Beauty

What a view! Nothing else needs to be said!

Click Here For Photo

A Surprise Lower Room

In the lowest level of the building attached to ours, is an open room, BUILT INTO THE ROCK, below us.

Makes one wonder about the history of this room and the house. It may have been an early stable. We don’t know.

Click Here For Photo

My Dad Would have Loved Pruning this Yard

My dad loved pruning back the shrubs to nubs. Mom always cringed, but it ended up looking great.

I’m up for the challenge to make Naida cringe.

Click Here For Photo

Another Walkway Filled with Beauty

On this walk, which is a hundred or so meters above our home we found a little garden between homes.
Too lovely.

Click Here For Photo

A Romantic Little Espresso Stop

I’m sold! I can just see a little old Italian couple drinking their espresso in the morning.
Can’t you?

Actually, they could be enjoying their cheese and olives.

Click Here For Photo

Beauty, Just Great Beauty

What else needs to be said?

Click Here For Photo

Another Great Perspective of Capestrano

We had fun making this short video. I think it can be found on our IG & FB pages.

Click Here For Photo

Horse Trails

It doesn’t matter where I go. Horses, horses everywhere horses.

Click Here For Photo

The Mountain Town of Ofena

From our home we can see this other mountain town (Ofena). When we noticed it we drove out there.
Cute and quaint.

Click Here For Photo

Another Perspective of Capestrano

I’m almost embarrassed showing you all these photos.
Almost.

Click Here For Photo

One More Time

Okay, one more time. That’s our home!

Click Here For Photo

Crazy Beautiful

And believe me, there are TONS of walk-ways like this we haven’t shown you yet.
But we will!

Keep following our posts. They are released every Monday morning.

Click Here For Photo

Please Take the Time to Enjoy These Photos

We covet your prayers. Click here for our current prayer list.

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!

"

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