The laundry needs to be placed in the washer. The dishes should be sudded up and washed. My tub could use with a good scrub down. And within my room sits a desk needing to be sorted and emptied. I  could also add on my to-do list the emails and messages needing to be sent and the thousands of pictures which should be edited or deleted and uploaded.

But instead I sit in the living room, reminding myself places with winter should not have houses entirely tiled though likely by next week I'll appreciate the tile as the heat returns. My thoughts whirl in my head and down into my heart - lots to take in and process from the past few days and weeks and knowing there is more processing to be done as my time in Spain inches closer to a finish.

So let's put off the to-do list. Let's set aside the coldness of my house. And let's be reminded of His greatness...

His greatness is found in the wanderings. Coming to Spain has created within me a love to wander. Wander through cities, parks, beloved neighborhoods, I love it all. I love to wander and find the unexpected. To see the beauty not able to be captured in a tourist book or even fully through my camera lens. I love to wander and see the details that often go unnoticed or at the very least are overlooked. I see God in the details. I can wander, and know He never leaves. I can wander, and be reminded even though I don't fully know the path He pieces the details together - working in ways I don't understand but in ways I need.

His greatness is found in students who do something beyond what is popular. Every prom and homecoming I attended, the king and queen crowned equated to the most popular kids in school. At the prom at my mom's high school this past weekend, some students took the initiative to vote for some students with special needs to be prom king and queen. Not only were people encouraged to vote, Nicole and Dequawn - students in my mom's special needs class - WON! Having met Nicole and Dequawn, I can only imagine how exciting this was for them and how special it made them feel. God doesn't usually call us to do the popular thing. Actually what is popular is usually against what God calls us to. But it's encouraging to see high schools allowing some of the least of these have the spotlight! (Oh, and my mom said Nicole wore her tiara and sash to school today!).

So look around. Be reminded. God is great. Let the tasks sit sometimes. Let the to-do list stay unchecked. And sit at His feet. Rest in His faithfulness. His goodness. Be reminded that we don't always know what's going to happen or why it is, but we know Him. And for me that's enough.

Every blessing be to Him who is far greater than our wildest dreams!

The goodbyes...

A song aired on the radio a few years back containing the line, "She hates the sound that goodbyes make." The first time it hit me how much I hated the words goodbye was after the summer of 2009.  I left Wales with tears in my eyes and the longing to return. But the reality was I had a want and wants don't always come to be. I wanted to return. In all honesty, the moment I left I pined to return and live there. Leaving left me with only the unknown and the fact that I had to trust God to open up the door.

I didn't like the goodbyes graduating from GWU brought about, nor did like the sound of them as I bid farewell to parents at the airport bound for Spain. Each goodbye has always brought about new hellos, and for those I'm thankful. But it doesn't fully remove the pain of saying goodbye.

My goodbye to Spain is just 11 weeks away. My true goodbye to ECA is actually only 9 weeks away. My heart aches at the thought.

"I'm ready!"part me proclaims. But the fact remains the over half just as loudly proclaims, "No...No, I'm not!"Goodbye to friends and students hurt as I know after June 7th we will all be scattered around the world. Goodbye to Spain knowing that even if I visit again it won't be the same as living here.

I don't think goodbyes get easier...but maybe they do. I dread them just as much each time. And looking to the future knowing there will be a lot more goodbyes, the easy option is to be sad or even discouraged.

But my hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness. I may say goodbye to places and people. I might move to new lands and make new friends. There will be times of joy and tears as goodbyes and new beginning go hand-in-hand. But one thing remains constant. My hope is built on the One who does not change. It is built on the One who does not leave nor forsake.  Every friend or family member will likely hear the words, "Goodbye," come from my lips. But never will have to say those words to Jesus. He left heaven, died, rose again so that in Him I never have to tell him goodbye. May that be my comfort and my peace today and always.