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Well, I Guess Late Is Better Than Never...

February 25, 2011

Though I have learned the hard way that 30 seconds late is still...especially when it comes to the bus...and that buses wait for no one...and the next one doesn't come for an hour...you have to be at school (not merely stepping onto a bus) in 45 minutes...

But in the terms of blog posts...late is better than never...so let's see how this goes...

101. Getting to wear a princess crown to school...if only I'd packed the prom dress then I could have been a true princess but those just didn't seem worth losing suitcase for haha

102. Dressing up as a little kid for "Be-Who-You're-Not-Day"only to have my family and friends question my sanity - well, except for Courtney she said I dressed that way all the time (sometimes putting a caption on the picture is a good thing haha).  I guess it shows they care...though shouldn't they love regardless of what I'm wearing haha.

103. Riding to school with Carmen and her family :) Though her mom definitely gave me some interesting looks when I arrived (it was Denture Day at school so I was dressed as an old person haha)...Pray that I am able to build a deeper relationship with them, especially Carmen.

104. Meeting up with Kimberly and Micah (they're doing an internship with the church plant in Camarma - where I teach) and attending a small group with them...great time to fellowship :)

105. Visiting Aranjuez (one of the royal palaces) with wonderful new friends and then attending the Winter Banquet which was so much fun!  Wonderful time to get to know some of the students at ECA that I don't teach.

106. Church :)  Oh and that church potlucks in Spain are just as tasty as ones in the US.

107. The opportunity to gauge how to help a sweet girl succeed in school.

108. Getting purposefully lost...though next time I take my camera :) (Oh and yummy doughnuts though next time I don't eat them in the couple central park haha).

109. Dinner and games with new friends :)

110.  Going to Toledo!  Amazing! With Amazing People :)

111. Sleeping in!

Yay for being caught up on my thankful fors!

But hopefully I regain consistency again :)

Hebrews 12:1-2 <3

One Hundred

February 14, 2011

As a child Valentine's Day was day much looked forward to.  Where you picked out the little Valentines to place in each classmates' homemade Valentine mailbox (and since no one was to be left out we reach received obligatory Valentines from each member of the class).

As I grew up Valentine's Day became the sometimes painful reminder that I was missing something the world deems as vital to survive.  A romantic relationship.  It became the day the message seemed to be sent that since I was single I was somehow inadequate.  And the message provokes sadness and a twinge of bitterness (well, maybe more than a twinge).  Questioning begins - Am I good enough?  Am I pretty enough?  How can I be different? How can I change? What can I do to make sure next year's Valentine's Day doesn't bring about the same results?

Eventually the bitter fades and I learned to over it up with humor (okay, I'll admit I covered up the bitterness with humor)...like celebrating Singles' Awareness Day proudly with all of your single friends or claiming your best girl friend as your Valentine.  But a mask is simply a cover-up.  It may hide your true feelings but it never can replace them or remove.  It only hides.

Four years ago the idea of spending another Valentine's Day alone would inspired bitterness, the feelings of inadequacy, and the questions as why am I alone.  But it amazes me what happens when True Love finds you...

True Love removes the bitterness and fills you with peace.

True Love reveals how inadequate we to receive this Love...but True Love abundantly supplies you and overwhelms you with this Love.

True Love fulfills.

True Love calls you beautiful.

True Love gave up itself, gave up all glamor and riches so you could live.

A favorite song of mine is "O Love That Will Not Let Me Go" (Second most played on my iTunes).  True Love does not ever let you go.  You can run from it, but True Love will pursue.  You can push it away, but True Love never leaves you.

True Love has brought me to a point where being single bother me like it once did.  I still hope to meet my husband one day and have a family and serve the Lord together.  But I know True Love knows better.  I know True Love has perfect timing.  I know True Love has never ever let me down and will not ever let me down.

In True Love I hope.  In True Love I'm freed.  In True Love I have life.  In True Love I dance.

True Love awaits you...dare to be romanced...

The Lord you God is in your midst, 
a mighty One who will save;
He will rejoice over you with gladness;
He will quiet you with His love;
He will exult over you with loud singing.
Zephaniah 3:17

Oh random Valentine's Day fact...Valentine of Rome is the patron saint of engaged couples, beekeepers, happy marriages, lovers, travelers, young people, and greetings...keep this in mind and wonder how else you could celebrate Valentine's Day :) (And next year I'm definitely giving people honey on Valentine's Day instead of chocolate or those yucky little message Valentine's hearts).

And if you're in a Valentine's Blog reading mood...Rea ...Katie...Michael (apparently we all had the same ideas or maybe they inspired me since they all wrote theirs first :D)

Ninety-Eight and Ninety-Nine

February 13, 2011

One of these days I'll be on top of my 365 days and make sure I blog them on the actual day.  But for today half on the right day will just have to suffice.

Ninety-Eight
Simple things always bring the biggest smile to my face.

Things like sleeping in.

Hot showers (note I have had hot water the whole time I've been here).

Learning more about life in Spain from those have been living it longer than I.

 Laughter and fun time with new friends.

Taking fun pictures.

 Trying new food.

Going to Chino stores (and that's not intended to be racist.  That's what they're called) and finding ridiculous things and some things I actually needed (okay so I may not have needed the Princess crown but Tuesday is Princess vs. Alien Day - it's Spirit Week at ECA this coming week, so I arrived just in time :D)

Beginning to figure out how the buses work (well, let's just the bus driver almost didn't let me off at my stop but he did thanks to other patrons on the bus and I now know a better and cheaper bus to take from the center of Alcala de Henares to where I live in Alcala de Henares).

Watching a movie in Spanish (I would love to say I understood it but thankfully I've seen it in English - National Treasure 2 - so I could just remember the story line and not be confused...some call it cheating, I call it being tired and zoning out haha)

Ninety-Nine
Continuing the theme of simple things that make you smile...I RODE THE BUS ALL BY MYSELF TODAY!  Let's just say that was kind of a big deal to me.  It's like one more thing I know how to do in Spain.

This morning in church we sang, "Blessed Be the Name of the Lord" in Spanish.  The last two weeks we have sang some wonderful worship songs, most of which are new to me and I'm all about learning new music.  But this morning it was nice to sing something familiar, though in a different language, and it was definitely something I needed to hear.  It's so easy to praise God when things are going well.  This morning in church it was so easy to praise God because things were going well.  But this afternoon when I wanted to skype with a best friend of mine and it wouldn't work, it wasn't so easier to praise God.  Now I know skype is a little thing in comparison to trials many of us face, but it shows that even things are frustrating we still have to praise God.

Tomorrow is 100...but don't expect 100 thankfuls haha

Grace and Peace

Ninety-Seven

February 12, 2011

When I woke up this morning (well it might be more appropriate to say this afternoon) I woke up the realization that I have officially been in Spain for one week.  Wow!

Much to absorb.  Much to offer up in prayer.  Much to learn.  Much learned.  Much joy.  Much confusion. Much peace.

The journey to Spain has brought about much needed lessons.  And this first week has not ceased in the things I need to learn.

The journey to Spain brought much confusion.  And this week has been no different - confusion always comes at the beginning of something new (but then again it's safe to say I live in a state of confusion so blaming it on new experiences may not be entirely fair).  But something that has resounded this week is peace.  Peace in knowing I am where I am supposed to be.  Peace in knowing I am held closely in the hands of a God who loves me and guides me.  Peace in knowing that prayers go up for me.  Peace in His LOVE.

The journey to Spain brought me much joy.  And this week the joy in my life has not decreased.  Sometimes we have to look closely to find the blessings and to see how much we truly have to be thankful for.  But joy does not end.  Joy brings us strength in the One who calls us His.

I refuse to paint a picture of my new life in Spain with rose-colored lens, because we all know that no matter where we go or what we do life is not perfect.  So admittedly there have been challenges.  But in Him who is perfect challenges are no longer something to be conquered by but rather something to conquer, something to bring me closer to Him.

So find hope today in His love.  Growth in the trials.  The ability to dance in His love.

Ninety-Six

February 11, 2011

So often I take the simple things in life for granted.  The life I breathe.  The water that quenches my thirst.  The God who pursues me with His love.  I pray as begin my time in Spain I will not take all that I have been given for granted.  That I will not neglect to praise God for what He is doing, how He is moving and working.

1. I am thankful for students who open up and share things.  Another teacher and I had a pretty in depth conversation with a student today about her beliefs on a subject.  She was very open, and I pray that I am able to get to know her better and hopefully she will come to have a personal relationship with Christ :)

2. Laughter.  It truly is medicine to the soul.

3. Encouraging words.  I am beyond blessed by those who encourage me.  Even though so many are far away from me many offer me words of hope, guidance, correction, and love to help me grow to be more like the One we serve.

4. Sleep.  I don't think I appreciate sleep like I do after suffering from jetlag.

5.  A God who answers prayers :D

Ninety-Five

February 9, 2011

As I sit here and think how this experience - moving to Spain - has been quite a bit to take in, I cannot help but reflect upon how much there is to praise God for.  So the for next couple of days I'll give you four or five things that I am truly thankful for here in Spain...

1. That God is the same.  That despite a different location, a different group of people, and a different language my God never changes.  He remains the same :)

2. For people who genuinely care about how I am adjusting to life in Spain and offer words of encouragement.

3. For sweet students and that God is at work.  I'm so excited to see what God has in store as I seek to help these students academically and be a bearer of His love to them.

4. A walk around the neighborhood with another teacher from ECA and then with my host mother.  It was neat to get an idea from what is around me, and when I walked with my host mother a chance to practice and understand some more Spanish (please please pray that more Spanish with come to me!)

5. The opportunity to pray with some other teachers at ECA for the school and for those known in the community.  It was wonderful to celebrate praises with one another and also share in each other's burdens.

Ninety-Four

February 8, 2011

I'm not quite sure where I heard it...maybe a blog...maybe a book...maybe someone said it in passing...but regardless the thought has stuck with me for the past few days as I begin to settle into this new leg in my journey, this new adventure...

The quote/phrase/whatever you would like to call it, "Unpack your bags...physically and mentally."

Unpacking means you're here to stay.  Unpacking means you're investing in this.  Unpacking takes time and energy (though for me usually less time and energy than packing does haha).

I'm thankful for the chance to unpack my bags last night.  I am thankful for a room though smaller than what I have grown accustomed to is perfect for all my things brought.  I'm thankful that for bed that is cleared of stuff.  For suitcases that are at least hidden from sight.

I'm thankful for a couple who has welcomed me into their home despite a language barrier.  I'm thankful for their patience with me and I hope I'm as patient.  I'm thankful for an experience to teach me compassion as I work and serve students who are experiencing similar things with English.

Tomorrow I begin teaching...YAY!!! Pray for me and that my Spanish picks back up :)

Ninety-Three

February 7, 2011

Today was my first day at school :)

I'm thankful for wonderful, welcoming teachers and students.  My first day here could not have gone any better.  I'm thankful for how God works in His amazing ways.  I'm thankful for the chance to begin teaching at ECA in the next couple of days.  I met all of the my students (some of longer periods than others), and I'm excited to get started teaching and helping them with their English :)

I'm also quite thankful for now having a place to call home...after much prayer and counsel from a wonderful mom (have I ever mentioned that I'm thankful for technology ;)  I will be moving in with the Spanish couple.  Actually move into tonight after dinner.  I desire to improve my Spanish and I firmly believe that though this will have challenges that this is what God desires.  I told my dear friend Carrie last night that I did not want to make a Caitlin decision, but I really wanted to make a God decision and I believe this is His desire.

Thank you for your prayers...please please keep lifting them up...I covet them more than you know!

Romans 8:28 :)

Eighty-Four and So On...

February 6, 2011

Wow! I didn't think it would take me over a week to update...but it happens...life happens...and well in all the busyness of my final week in Lake Placid and my start to life here in Spain time to update became second to packing, sleeping, and more importantly time with loved ones...but now for a much needed update...

So here goes nothing...ready for it...it might be a speed update :)

84. Wonderful family who came into town to see me before I head to Spain.  It was great to see my Auntie, Tan, Mimi (my grandma), and my Auntie Gloria just once more before I left.

85. The chance to share with my church about God's plans for me in Spain and thank them for all their support.  I'm thankful for elders and pastors who prayed for me and my family and sweet children who stood beside me. I'm thankful for hugs and encouraging words from a church family I love dearly.

86.  A chance to spend time with my favorite 6-year-old princesses :D

87. A yummy lunch (Olive Garden) with an amazing youth whose laughter brings joy to my heart and whose faith constantly inspires me.

88.  Coffee with Christi and finally saying, "The packing is complete."  Well, sort of haha

89.  Lunch and dinner with family.  Joyous times with ones I hold dear.

90.  Hugs from the ones who I have known me longest on this earth.  Last meals from Chick-fil-a.  Baggage wasn't overweight (well, one was 51 pounds and one was 50.5 but they may have let them slide).  No delays.  Good books to read.  Lots of leg room.  A God who goes with me wherever He leads me.  A God is the same in Lake Placid as He is in Spain.

91.  Arrival and hospitality of new friends.

92.  Church service where I understood about half.  Warm afternoons with a sweet new friends.

Well, life in Spain has officially begun.  Jetlag begins to cease.  Housing is a bit up in the air (if you want if you the reasoning ask but please pray for clear guidance on this matter), but I'm not homeless.  School begins tomorrow, but teaching doesn't begin until Wednesday.  I'm excited. I want to take it all end.  I want to serve God and love Him.

So buenas noches or buenas tardes for those 6 hours behind me ;)
 
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