Christmas, New Years, and Amazing Grace

This year for Christmas we decided that we wanted to share our home with all of our friends that did not have family nearby. So we cleared out our living room and with one large table were able to spend the holiday with 14 others. Leo did his famous Argentine Asado (BBQ) and Beth made a few goodies from the states and organized the rest of the festivities. As much as we wanted to be able to spend the holidays in the States with family, but since were not able to we are so very thankful that we have a church family here to celebrate with.
New Years was passed in much the same manner, dinner with friends and watching the neighbors set off fireworks. As with every New Year, looking back over the last year and seeing where God has worked and what change has happened in 12 months. For us the year 2011 held many adventures and much change. We got married, twice ;) once in Italy for the legal ceremony and then once in the States for the church ceremony. Beth moved from where she was living at the school to Leo's mom's house, where we lived for 5 months before we moved again, back to San Lorenzo.
A few days ago we were talking about how much God has blessed us, in ways that it is obvious that we could not have done those things on our own. In June, two days after we returned to Italy, Leo was offered a full time contract at his work. In November we moved into a house just down the street from the school so that Beth can walk to work and be available to the students as much as possible.  In December, Leo asked his boss about getting a raise, because the cost of living is going up but the salaries are staying the same. A few weeks later, after much prayer knowing that there was a very small chance they would give him a raise, Leo was informed that he would be getting a raise. That brings us to January. Although this month ( and year) has only just begun we have already seen God working in our lives as well as opening doors that would otherwise have remained closed. Usually in January I (Beth) have to renew my health card, which means paying 387 euro and filling out a lot of paperwork. But since this year we are married, and Leo pays taxes that cover our health care, all I am suppose to have to do is fill out the paperwork and show proof of marriage. Well, let's just say that it wasn't that simple. Because my permesso (green card) doesn't expire until October I am still considered to be here as a missionary (which I am but the paperwork changes when I married an Italian). I was informed that until my permesso said that I was married to an Italian that I would still have to pay. Which in the whole scope of things it isn't a whole lot of money, however, we don't have that much to just hand over, and we had been assuming that since I am now under Leo in all things government we wouldn't have to pay. The next day we went to the Immigration Office to ask what could be done. When we explained what had happened, he told us that it was ridiculous, that we didn't have to pay and they should just issue me a new card. Since my permesso does not expire until October, he kindly gave me an appointment in March to have all of the paperwork done and everything changed. Grace is not a word that is used in the Italian government offices, however that day we were shown grace from so many directions we didn't know what to do :) This year has begun with a few surprises and many twists and turns. Can't wait to see what God does with the rest of the year.