I would like to say that I will be blogging more frequently after this...though given my track record since arriving in Spain, that seems unlikely...though I can hope, but as I tend to say, "I make no promises." On being a better blogger at least.

134. March 19th...Learning how to make tortilla de patata...Rafi one of the teachers at ECA - my Spanish actually (though with taking on an additional class I might become a less frequent member) - had Sarah, Sophia, and I over to teach us!  It was so much fun :)  So eventually I will attempt la tortilla de patata on my own (who knows if you come and visit me I might even attempt to make it for you!)

135. March 20th...an awesome prayer group and a meeting that helped me realize I don't have to feel guilty about a choice I have to make.  Sometimes you just need someone to say the words for you to believe them.

136.  March 21st...another meeting going far better than I could have expected...Praise HIM!

137. March 22nd...An amazing weekend away with some fabulous new friends!

138. March 23rd...A Beach on Island in the Mediterranean (Mallorca to be exact :D) that served that reminded me of being in Wales (I GOT CHIPS AND CURRY - YUMMY :D)

139. March 24th...Just over four years ago I stayed up one night and wrote down my beliefs...those ultimately changed the direction I headed my freshman year of college.  But that was over four years.  Something in my heart (the Holy Spirit) has been telling to take the time and rewrite them.  And I did.  I was amazed as I thought about what I wrote four years ago and how as I have fallen more in love with Christ how some of my beliefs have changed.  (Don't get me wrong I still believe that Christ is the ONLY way...the changes have occurred in more how I feel about displaying His love to others).  It was so refreshing and convicting.  To actually reflect on what I belief about Christ and following Him and to see how I need Him to mold to live out those beliefs.  May actions speak louder than my words...may words only reflect Him.

140. March 25th...Monday evening English class in a neighborhood in Madrid...it's so fun.  it's so reviving.  I've gone twice and I think it's been life changing...and if buying the ingredients to make Moroccan tea is an adventure...but a good one and it served as the reminder that some of the nicest people are the ones the world judges so cruelly.  Jesus loves us ALL.

141. March 26th...Finally having answers to some questions that I haven't had for a few weeks :)  And learning that student and her sister will be returning this upcoming school year (and more importantly her mom is asking questions about having a relationship with Christ!)

142. March 28th...Well, it hasn't happened yet...but I'm thankful to being skyping with one of my favorite people in the whole world :D  And if my mommy would respond to her e-mail I might even get to skype with some other favorites of mine!

And I leave you with a quote from a favorite song of mine (And yes it's country.  And yes I like country music.  And yes country music can occasionally be more than I lost my wife, I lost dog, and I lost my job - or if you play it backwards, I got wife back, I got my dog back, and I got my job back haha)

"Be a best friend, 

tell the truth, 

and overuse I love you. 

Go to work, 

do your best, 

don't outsmart your common sense. 

Never let your prayin' knees get lazy. 

And love like crazy." 

Love Like Crazy by Lee Brice

132 - I'm thankful for things that I steal from Carrie that cause me to reflect :)...and 133. I'm thankful for the weekend :)

I am:  a series of oxymorons, a list of contradictions...but I am His...

I think: there might actually be beauty to be found in broken.

I know: I am loved.

I have: a heart that often feels a bit torn as the people I love the most for some reason can't all be in the same place.

I wish: for intense joy.

I hate: how I constantly do that which I hate.

I miss: hugs and hearing the laughter of those whom I love who aren't with me. 

I fear: rejection and instability.

I hear: an airplane preparing to land.

I smell: rooibos tea .

I crave: the ability to fully communicate in Spain.

I search: for Christ.  He is found.

I wonder: if I'll ever find restoration and peace with a situation that constantly engulfs me.

I regret: nothing.

I love: laughter.  

I ache: for a world for has yet to experience true Love.

I am not: who I was.  

I believe: that I belong and am desired by the Love that reaches beyond degree.

I dance: because life is too short to sit on the sidelines.

I sing: because I secretly wish life was a musical.

I cry: when I am stressed or angry or deeply hurt.  I cry when yelled at.  I hate to cry, but yet I believe tears are sometimes needed.

 I fight: when situations and people provoke emotions that resemble and reoccur those from a situation I long to fully lay down.

I lose: my way every once in while...but I am always found when I lost.

I win: at Bananagrams!  

I never: imagined the path would lead here...but I'm thankful beyond words that it did.

I always: need laughter. Or a journal.  Or a good book.  Or someone I love.

I confuse: myself.  I live in the state of confusion. 

I listen: more now than ever.

I am scared: that I won't live this life for the fullest.  That I won't live it for Him.

I need: reassurance every so often that I'm actually doing alright.

I am happy about: being here.  In Spain.  

I can usually be found: daydreaming. Or talking too much.  Or having some random thought or idea.

The Journey is the Destination

One. Thirty. One

Five years ago I wrote in a goal setting book for Leadership Class that I would travel to Spain (plus some other countries).  Guess, I didn't realize it should have said live.

Four and half years, I let God have hold of my life.

Four years ago God called me to missions.  And since those four years I've seen God's hand and love among both home in the US and the abroad.  Opportunities to see Him work have only abounded. 

One year ago and six months ago I met with John Hopkins and Juan Carlos Bonilla about mission opportunities with World Witness.  Spain was mentioned.  Spain was the only one I set forth to take a vision for.

One year ago and four months ago I landed in Spain.  And left knowing this was the next step God was calling me to take.

One year ago and three and half months ago.  God used an incredible conference to show me one doors was closed, not necessarily locked for now, but closed...and the door to Spain was standing wide open for me to take the next step.

One year ago I met with World Witness and was approved to serve with them in Spain.  Thus began the beginning of support raising and trusting in God's perfect timing.

Six months ago and three days ago I turned in all my paperwork for my visa at the Spanish Consulate in Miami.  A reminder to not lose faith.  God always provides.

Almost three months ago I received word that my visa was ready to picked up.

Two months ago and four days ago I picked up that visa.

One month ago and eleven days ago I left the US and arrived in Spain.  And has it been a whirlwind experience since then.  God has shown faithful.  It's not perfect, but this world is not perfect.  Only He is.  His confirmation of why this door was opened has been shown.  An increased passion to serve here and for my students has filled my heart.  Challenges bringing drawing me closer to Him are being faced, through His strength alone.  

Thirteen days ago the first step to residency was completed with the help of some wonderful people who encouraged me and guided me through the process.  And returned a second time for me when it wasn't accepted the first time.

And today the second step to residency here in Spain was completed.  Into Madrid I went to turn in my residency appears.  All papers were accepted without hesitation.  I officially have a residency number.  I'm legal within the country.  Always a plus.  I still have another step to complete before I can obtain my residence card, but this is a huge relief to have this completed and for it to have gone so smoothly.

For so long, especially the past year, the destination has been Spain.  And the journey to reach this destination is easily measured in increments of time.  But arriving in Spain has taught me that the destination is not Spain; the journey has not ended.  The journey continues.  Within the journey there are struggles, but joy increases.  There is pain, but there is also hope that does not disappoint.  Tears are shred, but laughter abounds.  The journey does not end.  It goes on.  With Him by my side.  With Him before me.  With His hand guiding.  With my ultimate destination being Him.  My journey to Spain, my journey after Spain lead me to Him.  I pray this journey is also used to lead others to His heart.  

Well, Maybe This Fight Will Last Longer Than Expected

Well, obviously blogger and I are in some sort of a fight.  I truly believe we'll eventually work this whole thing and resolve it...but for now we'll continue with combined posts...And actually I opt to cast blame for this fight on someone else...the internet at my host family's apartment (or well the internet I'm borrowing that is about as temperamental as the bus schedule from Alcala to Camarma).

118. The ending of science fair...okay I know I wrote about this last time with the promise of a science fair saga post to come...it will come...eventually...

119. People who let me vent and offer me encouraging words, prayers, and the reminder that God's ways are not my ways.

120. Discovering Alcala...and when you venture downtown during Carnival...you never know what you're going to find :) (Oh and note to self - don't leave home without a camera - you have two; use them!)

121. Reading books in Plaza de Cervantes...warm weather!

122.  Skype dates with someone I think is pretty awesome :D

123. Dinner with new friends :)  Introductions to new shows - Lark Rise to Candleford (but sad days they have cancelled it!)

124. Casual Days...jeans, hoodies, and Toms everyday would definitely get my vote :)

125. Sleep...something I'm always thankful for when I'm sick...always!

126.  More sleep...

127. Completing the first season of Lark Rise to Candleford :)

128. Church! Tapas in Alcala and A-mazing ice cream  with even more awesome people!

129. Being back at school...so thankful :)  Oh and buying a pillow! Some things you must know...

1. I should have packed my favorite pillow (mom - bring it when you come over!)
2. I only have one  very flat pillow on the bed I'm sleeping in.
3. I am determined that before I move out of Alcala I will understand most of the red buses (the city buses - green ones go city to city).

So I came home from school yesterday on a green bus determined that I was going to ride to the large Carrefour (the Walmartish store here in Alcala) on the red #10 bus.  I thought there was a stop close by my apartment and I thought there was a stop right by the large Carrefour (according to Google Maps there was and you know they're not supposed to lie).  So I exited the green bus at my usual stop, but since I had checked Google Maps and it doesn't lie  I thought I would have to walk a little further since Google maps said the bus stop I thought was for #10 really wasn't.

So walked and waited at a red pole (some stops have seats and coverings and others have poles). And I waited.  And I waited some more.  And then finally after watching a #10 bus pass on the other side and waiting bit a longer, I decided to read the red pole.  Sabados y Domingos. Saturdays and Sundays. It doesn't stop there during week.

 So I crossed the street.  And waited at the real bus stop.  Finally, the #10 red bus arrived.

So I boarded and took a seat.  And I rode.  We stopped at the stop that Google Maps said wasn't for bus #10 that's closer to my apartment (remember how I said they don't lie).  I rode some more.  It stopped, but never where it supposed to according to Google Maps you know they don't lie.  All of a sudden things started to seem familiar.  It started to appear that we were heading down town.  We passed the little Carrefour and the green bus station (they're across the street and I could I have just rode the green bus here).  Then we stopped.  A woman passed me and said, "Ultima Parada." Last Stop.

So I got off.  And walked to the little Carrefour.  Where I bought my groceries.  But no pillows.  Well, wait there were pillows...all decorative pillows - big square ones, fuzzy ones, furry ones, small Disney Character ones, and a wide assortment of ones you expect to find in a teenager girl's bedroom.  But no normal sleeping pillow (and memory foam ones yeah right - mom bring my pillow!).  So I paid for my food and left.

Now I'm a bit determined and once I set my mind to something, I tend to want to make it happen.  I was a determined that I was not going to go another night with only one pillow.  So I thought to myself, "Self, what is the one store (or the one type of store) in Spain that literally has everything?  Necessary or not....The Chino."  Now chinos (that's not a racist term that's what they're called) are pretty much located on every block.  Think dollar store on crack.  I mean literally everything you ever need...cheaply. And everything that you will never in your life need.  Quality not great.  But cheap.  Yes!  So headed to my 2nd favorite chino in Alcala...and sure enough they had pillows...and actually they're pretty comfortable...

So moral of this story...Google maps lie...learn the Spanish word for pillow (la almohada...and pillow case...funta de almohada)

130.  Feeling I was actually productive today...I like that feeling :)

I'm Beginning To Wonder...

So I'm beginning to wonder if blogging and I are still friends...I hope so...but we seem to not spending as much time together as of late.  Well, hopefully we can rekindle our relationship.  I refuse to promise everyday posts but maybe I can become a more frequent blogger once more...

I'm sticking with my thankful posts, but I'll be adding in some of my adventures here in España...from travels to seeing God at work to teaching ELL (English Language Learners) in an American school in Spain and the excitement that ensues :)

But for now on with thankful posts...

112.  Riding the train to Madrid...and STARBUCKS!! Let it be noted that I much prefer local coffee shops (Oh Broad River Coffee Company how I miss thee) but Starbucks is a taste of home that tastes like home (we have BK and McDonalds here but I'm don't really like either :-P).  Fun with friends, seeing my first hockey game ever (my friend Sophia plays) - oh and note to self even if the temperature outside is 60 degrees bundle up for a hockey game!  On a side note today confirmed my observation that PDA is much more common in Spain than in American (at least in LP and BS) - though after my conversation with my friend Sarah I'm slightly thankful for the PDA I saw and that I didn't see the PDA that she saw (I'm still disturbed by that and I didn't even see AAAHHH!!)

113. Church and the youth/young adult meeting that followed...I'm excited to get involved with this church...I love it :)

114.  Meetings that go well.

115.  A God who teaches me to put things in His hands...and helps me leave them there...a God who shows me that there are many burdens that I am not called to carry - He is...that prayer is what counts...prayer is what I must do...Love is the answer...His love.

116. Progression in Spanish...a poco a poco! And Psalm 46

117. That all science fair projects have been turned in! See next blog post for the science fair saga!