My thoughts have been rushing around a new blog post and then I realized I never hit publish on this one...a bit delayed...but still quite relevant...
Thoughts shift often. Moving from, "Oh, I can see what God's doing!" to "Hmm...God, are you sure about this one? I mean it's not really quite what I had in mind..." On the unfortunately rare occasion I come to thought of "God, I don't know. But I know you. So I trust you." Though my normal response lies with the middle question. Questioning God. Wondering why. Annoyed again because His plans don't seem to match up with mine. It's not something I'm proud of. It's something God is working on within me. But it's the plain ole truth. My heart and mind far too often fall into the trap of questioning what God is doing rather than resting and trusting Him.
Returning to Spain this week has ushered in the reminder of trust. Especially in light of my weekend in Wales. Trusting God with my future. Trusting God with my remaining time in Spain. Plain and simple trusting God. Believing He knows better. Easier said than done, but that is my current call. To trust Him. To quit leaning on my own understanding. To acknowledge. To let Him set the path.
Returning to Spain on Monday, brought with it one of the hardest returns I've made thus far. From a set of lost keys. To a slightly delayed flight. To rush to get through passport control, security, and to the other side of the airport to make my connection, getting home did not run smoothly. I made it, but I also went to bed at 8 pm. An extremely rare occurrence in my daily life. The challenge of returning didn't fall on the return trip. The challenge fell on returning to school the next day.
Please be careful when you read my next words, please know my heart. I have come to love ECA. I have always dearly loved my students. I love teaching. I love learning. I love school. I love students and teachers. But do not love being a teacher. I do not feel invigorated by being in the classroom or at school. I leave school drained rather than excited. My heart longs for something other being Miss Munro, ESL teacher.
It must be stated for my own sake though - I have no regrets in coming to Spain or coming to ECA. I have no regrets in majoring in teaching ESL. I loved my university classes. I won't claim I loved student teaching, but I will claim how valuable an experience it was for me, that I learned so much about myself and interacting with others. I won't claim that everyday in Spain has been challenge-free, full of excitement, minus tears. But I will claim I grew so much through the challenges faced here, that I am learning to find excitement in the little days, and more days have been filled with laughter and smiles. I have no regrets that God called me to Spain and ECA. I have no regrets that God called me to major in ESL. And I also no regrets when I now say God is calling me to something else.
The path God has lead me down, leads me down has been anything but linear and has seldom made sense. But since when does God work in ways that make sense and are linear. He does crazy things. He does big things in ways we don't expect. My sight and understanding is limited. Extremely limited. But he sees the whole picture. So I refuse to look back upon my life thus far and think I did something wrong which lead me down an odd path. I refuse to look ahead with the thought that I am doing something wrong because the path once again is not linear. Trust me if it was up to me and I got to map out my life it would be. But when I surrender to Christ, I give up that life. I accept that He will call me to some hard things. To some challenging things. To some things that just don't follow a straight line and don't really make that much sense. But I also accept that it will be worth it. Not in earthly, society-accepted ways, but worth it because it means Him. And He is always worth it.
Delayed in Publishing...But Still Relevant
February 4, 2013
So much me of longs to be normal. To have normal hair (even when I search curly hair tips it's never for my type of curls). To like normal shows (okay, maybe if I lived in the UK they would be normal but I'm pretty sure my roommate thinks I have the weirdest taste in TV since all the shows I watch lately are non-American popularized series - with the exception of Dowton Abbey and Call the Midwife). To have a normal path to travel down.
But let's face the facts. I am not normal. Not made to be, meant to be, called to be. And to be honest I'm not that envious of a normal life. I'm just envious of the answers people who have normal lives get to give. I'm envious of people not thinking you're weird for doing something other than the norm.
But conviction sets in. Those envies spring up from my desire to please others. My desires to fit in. My mindset has gotten out of whack once again, forgetting that pleasing should not, is not to be for anyone but One. And the more I look at His word. The more see it in action. The more I desire it. The more I realize there is no such as normal when it comes to following Christ. In Him society's norms go out the window.
The question I have asked myself over the past few months as I battle what is next. I must emphasize that I love my boyfriend, Michael, more than I thought I could love someone else. I have no doubt in my mind that God is bringing us together to marry, share this life together, to make His love known. Please know that before reading my next sentence.
My selfish desire for normalcy brought me fighting the path God had begun to mark out for Michael and I. You see, if you are unaware I am American. Born and bred, who just so happens to have a desire to be anywhere other than America (please don't take this as I don't love my home country, I do. I just don't feel called to live in it). Michael is Welsh. Born and bred in Wales, who just so happens to have a desire to go where God tells him but at this point really needs to remain in Wales. When we first began talking long-term and marriage, Wales was 100% without a doubt in my mind where I wanted to be. I love Wales. The summer I spend in Wales in 2009 was life changing. That summer I felt as if I was doing what I was made to do. Intentionally living out ministry. Being relationship and incarnational. As much as I have loved Spain and know I was supposed to come and serve here, I know those two months were a taste of what I was made to do, what I am supposed to. I am simply to incarnationally live out the Gospel. Location isn't really important, but my heart has longed to be in Wales.
Funny how okay we can be feel about things until reality hits. Speaking with a dear friend a while back, she confided in me that you really begin to look at a place differently upon the prospect of moving and living your life there. No truer words were ever spoken. Suddenly, when option to move there became more of a reality the longing I had to return to Wales - to minister there, to eventually marry Michael there - disappeared only to be replaced by fear. Fear of having to learn a new culture. Fear of having to figure out silly things that come so naturally to me in the US like going to the bank or the post office or even the grocery store. Fear of another visa process - especially when I am terrified of UK Immigration. Fear at the thought of not having a purpose. Fear of being the odd one when I open my mouth and out comes that confused American accent of mine (I refer to it as confused because it's not sure where it's from. It's what happens when you're raised in Miami by non-Hispanic parents, one of whom is from the mountains of Southwest Virginia where you'll spend your summers plus in North Carolina visiting other extended family members, only to later be transported to Lake Placid where half the town is confused of its correct accent, then to move to North Carolina for college where you'll soon learn you better consciously say long i or you'll have quite the twang. Anyways ramble over). The last few months have proven that there is a reason God says, "Do not be afraid," so many times.
Because He's bigger. He's stronger. He's able. He does the impossible. He's not normal. I belong to Jesus, the Prince of Peace who could have opted for a deluxe Roman palace but instead joyfully went to family of poor, everyday, average people. The Creator chose to be born in a stable. He invited shepherds and foreigners to welcome Him into the world. He decided to follow in the family business of carpentry before setting out to teach and perform miracles - most of which He did to the unwanted, the unclean, the unloved. He was the Great High Priest, but yet his closest friends weren't the Pharisees they were fisherman and a tax collector and a bunch of other misfits. He died. Or rather He allowed Himself to be murdered to pay a debt He did not owe. He conquered death for the same ones who hung Him on the tree. He followed a very abnormal, unexpected path. I claim I belong to Him, and yet I have cried more tears in the last few months of the desire for a normal path to walk when I gave up everything to be killed in my place. He left heaven and perfection for me. He beckons me a dirty sinner. He cleans me and wants to use for His purpose. Humbling and convicting do not begin to describe how I feel over my need for a normal path.
If I want a normal path, I can take it. I can choose that that is what I will do next. I can return to the US where I know how things work. Where my accent won't make me stand out. I can get a normal teaching job. I could choose that. But I'm letting go normalcy. I'm putting down my desire to fit in and follow a certain path that my mind says is what is normal. I laying it at the foot of the cross. Because choosing normal means missing out on God's greatness. Normal might be good, but I need great. I need God.
So where does that leave me? My time in Spain ends in just around 4 months. In leaving normal behind, where is God leading me?
My prayer is back to Wales.
For as long as I can remember one vision Michael and I have both had is to move to into a neighborhood in need and live out Christ's love amongst our neighbors. To be honest I always held this idea for something later on down the road.
Even when the good ol' USA seems more appealing simply due to comfort and ease, the fact is I feel God leading me to Wales. All confirmation for both Michael and I has been for him to stay in Wales and for me to move there. But the question has been how? Being American offers up some challenges. At this time Michael and I don't meet the visa requirements to marry and we also feel it would be best for us to grow our relationship a bit with both of us in the same place before jumping into marriage. Also at this point I can't really afford to study in the UK nor do I know what I would study if I continue to be honest. In the US I'd say I'm part Scottish, part Irish, part English, and part German. You are your heritage in the US. But being in Spain has taught me I'm not really any of those; I'm American. And since my parents and grandparents are US born, there is no way I can work in the UK. And I didn't want to go through a mission or a church because I didn't want anyone to think I was using them or raising support to simply be with Michael.
However, the door I didn't want to open suddenly was the only one left. Michael knew of Ignite from doing youth work in South Wales. Actually, I knew of Ignite, too, from the summer I was in Wales. Based on a couple of conversations and a few emails exchanges, the head of Ignite and the director of their intern program agreed to meet with me last November. I shared my story and they shared their about their ministry and spoke a neighborhood in need of Christ and the vision they had for Tremorfa. Incarnational, relationship ministry. People moving into the neighborhood and living life there. Loving their neighborhoods as Christ did. Being intentional. Allowing ministry to flow. Michael and I both left that meeting encouraged. We left hopeful and excited. We left with a tug in our hearts.
I also left with the realization that this would mean everything I didn't want to do. I didn't want to come to Wales through a ministry for fear how it would look. I didn't want to raise support for fear how it would look. Though even as I write this I can't help but think of Mary. She had Jesus despite how it looked. God's ways aren't my ways...and His way may just happen to be the way I didn't want to go.
But I'm not going yet. Before you think this is a done deal. It's not. Nothing has been confirmed. There is no sign on the dotted line. Honestly, for this to work, God has to move in some big ways because there is literally no way I can make this happen. Only God can. I share this because I need you to know my heart. To know the place where I find myself today. To say that this can't happen without God and without prayer. To ask you to join me in prayer.
Before anything can officially be decided, I have been asked to visit Tremorfa (the neighborhood). To walk around first hand with a girl who is currently ministring there and living there with her husband. To get a better feel for what it is I would doing and where it is I would be doing it. To visit the church and worship with brothers and sisters there. I value vision trips, so I value what the weekend of February 15th will bring.
So I find myself dedicating to prayer and asking you to come alongside me in prayer. Pray for confirmation. This very well may be the door God is opening, but it might not be. For myself and Ignite to have a clear vision as to whether this is God's will or not. For me and for Michael, I don't want this to be a one year commitment and then we leave it behind. For me, I want to ask specifically for God to bring about some confirmation that Michael and I once married our to commit to a long-term ministry there, committing to move there and love there. This is too big for Michael and I to not be willing to make that decision. So we need prayer. Pray for clarity. Pray for confirmation. Pray for guidance.
The closer my visit in February gets the more excited I become. I cannot get it out of my head, and frankly I don't want to. But I don't want to move unless God moves. I am like the Israelites in the desert, moving onward to the Promise Land. Where God stopped, they stopped. And where God moved, they moved. That's what I want. And if God isn't moving me there, then I won't move there. But if He is, and I do hope He is, then joyfully and obediently I will move forward.
We serve a God who far more than we can ask for and definitely far more than we deserve. And I firmly believe He will do something great in this. So I ask that you join me in prayer for the next 11 days I seek His face and His guidance. I ask you through prayer to be apart of this next journey with me.
May our hearts be filled with His unspeakable joy. May we not settle for normal, but instead strive for something greatly odd, seemingly peculiar, and all together Holy.
Here are some pictures of when Michael and I wandered around Tremorfa for a bit in November.
October 25, 2011
So let's be honest...blogging hasn't quite been my thing for the last 4 months.
(To be honest communication in general hasn't been my thing for the last 4 months, but God has been convicting me of that so my prayer is through Him I'll be better at staying in touch.)
But I have decided the blogging world is forgiving and I resume where I left off...well, not quite where I left off.
To be honest there is no way I could catch up on 4 months of what I was thankful for everyday. Especially these past four months. Don't get me wrong I have much that I'm thankful for but to recount 4 months.
So I'll start from today. And seeing as I'm on the theme of honesty, to be honest I'm not going to continue with thankfuls for each day. Instead I'd rather paint you a picture of my life here in Spain. Give you glimpses into this extraordinary adventure God has called me - challenges and joys. Snapshots of my life here in Spain.
The snapshots I can give you are my of my students. They are the ones I see the most, they are my main focus here, and they bring the most joy to my life in place called España. They make me smile and laugh. At times they frustrate me. But since my arrival here in Spain last February God has used them to teach me, encourage me, challenge, and grow me.
Enough with the snappiness. They also provide me with comedic relief...and those are the snapshots I leave you with today.
Student D - Ugh...I just don't know why they bother to put John in the Bible?!
Me - What do you mean you don't know why they bother to put John in the Bible?
Student D - Uhh...how do I explain? Hmm Miss Munro do you know Don Quixote and Sancho Panza.
Me - Yeah, why? (Wondering how this could possibly relate to Peter and John).
Student D - You see Peter he is like Don Quixote and John is Sancho Panza.
Me - So you mean that John is Peter's sidekick.
Student D - Eso es (that's it!)! See John doesn't need to be in the Bible.
Student Y - Miss Munro!
Me - Yes, what's wrong?
Student Y - My tongue. (Points to table). Table.
Me - You put licked my table?
Student Y - (Giggles) No!
Me - You put your tongue on my table?
Student Y - (Giggles again) No! Water. Mouth. Table.
Me - You drooled on my table.
Student Y - Yes!
Student D - I do not like the intellectual side of learning. I only like the physical learning.
(He gives me the most entertaining conversations by the way).
Student P to Student D - You know we speak Spanish in Cuba!
Student D - What?! No!?
Me - What did you think they speak?
Student D - Cuban!
Me - I'm from the United States and what do I speak?
Student D - English
Me - It's like that Cubans speaks Spanish, Americans speaks English not United Statesian or American.
Student D - Oh!
(a few minutes pass)
Student D to Student P - You know your and my country they are friends!
Student P - Huh? What do you mean?
Student D - Yes! Because we are both communists.
Me - Aren't you from South Korea?
Student D - Yes.
Me - They aren't communists.
(We have been on a communist kick apparently)
Student D to Student P - You are going to do this and this and this. I am going to teach you.
Student P - What?
Student D - I am the boss. You must do what I say!
Me - You know the best way to get people to work for you is to be nice.
Student D - No, we are communists this is how we do.
Me - You're from South Korea!
(I thought we had put the Cubans speak Spanish behind us...think again...)
Student D - I cannot understand your Cuban.
Student P - (rolls eyes)
Me - What do people in Cuba speak?
Student D - Cuban.
Me - No, Spanish..
Me - Um, so could you explain to me why you're walking around with an umbrella? (Student had been using it as cane)
Student D - Because I hurt my shoulder.
Me - That doesn't explain to me why you need an umbrella as a cane if you hurt your shoulder.
Student D - Yes, because my shoulder is pulled down by gravity as I walk like this (leans over). It's pulled down by gravity. It's scientific. The canemakes it stay it in place so gravity doesn't pull it down. It's scientific.
A few minutes pass...
Student D - Oh today is soccer club!
Me - How are you going to play with your umbrella?
Student D - I'm going to wail it around to protect the goal.
Me - I'm going to ask you to refrain from that. Remember it's not a sword.
My personal favorite from the quarter...
Student D - Miss Munro, what you do know about this new dorm parent thing?
Me - Well, they're coming this week and you'll all be moving in together.
Student D - I don't know how this will work. One Korean and three Moroccan Americans.
Me - Well, you and N seemed have it off well.
Student D - Ah well he believes many things but he does not believe in Santa Claus!
Me plus three girls in class - WHAT?!
Student D - Yes, he believes many things but he does not believe in Santa Claus.
Me - And do you believe in Santa Claus?
Student D - Yes! He's an old man who lives in Russia!
Me - So at Christmastime do you go and see him at the mall?
Student D - No! Those aren't the real Santa Claus, those are his helpers. No, Santa Claus is an old man who lives in Russia. I do not understand how you all cannot believe in Santa Claus?!
Student A - Um because it is a little impossible to believe that one man could go around the whole world delivering presents in one night.
Student D - Duh! It's magic! But I do not believe in magic.
These conversations pretty much make up a normal day in the ELL Room!
(To be honest communication in general hasn't been my thing for the last 4 months, but God has been convicting me of that so my prayer is through Him I'll be better at staying in touch.)
But I have decided the blogging world is forgiving and I resume where I left off...well, not quite where I left off.
To be honest there is no way I could catch up on 4 months of what I was thankful for everyday. Especially these past four months. Don't get me wrong I have much that I'm thankful for but to recount 4 months.
So I'll start from today. And seeing as I'm on the theme of honesty, to be honest I'm not going to continue with thankfuls for each day. Instead I'd rather paint you a picture of my life here in Spain. Give you glimpses into this extraordinary adventure God has called me - challenges and joys. Snapshots of my life here in Spain.
The snapshots I can give you are my of my students. They are the ones I see the most, they are my main focus here, and they bring the most joy to my life in place called España. They make me smile and laugh. At times they frustrate me. But since my arrival here in Spain last February God has used them to teach me, encourage me, challenge, and grow me.
Enough with the snappiness. They also provide me with comedic relief...and those are the snapshots I leave you with today.
Student D - Ugh...I just don't know why they bother to put John in the Bible?!
Me - What do you mean you don't know why they bother to put John in the Bible?
Student D - Uhh...how do I explain? Hmm Miss Munro do you know Don Quixote and Sancho Panza.
Me - Yeah, why? (Wondering how this could possibly relate to Peter and John).
Student D - You see Peter he is like Don Quixote and John is Sancho Panza.
Me - So you mean that John is Peter's sidekick.
Student D - Eso es (that's it!)! See John doesn't need to be in the Bible.
Student Y - Miss Munro!
Me - Yes, what's wrong?
Student Y - My tongue. (Points to table). Table.
Me - You put licked my table?
Student Y - (Giggles) No!
Me - You put your tongue on my table?
Student Y - (Giggles again) No! Water. Mouth. Table.
Me - You drooled on my table.
Student Y - Yes!
Student D - I do not like the intellectual side of learning. I only like the physical learning.
(He gives me the most entertaining conversations by the way).
Student P to Student D - You know we speak Spanish in Cuba!
Student D - What?! No!?
Me - What did you think they speak?
Student D - Cuban!
Me - I'm from the United States and what do I speak?
Student D - English
Me - It's like that Cubans speaks Spanish, Americans speaks English not United Statesian or American.
Student D - Oh!
(a few minutes pass)
Student D to Student P - You know your and my country they are friends!
Student P - Huh? What do you mean?
Student D - Yes! Because we are both communists.
Me - Aren't you from South Korea?
Student D - Yes.
Me - They aren't communists.
(We have been on a communist kick apparently)
Student D to Student P - You are going to do this and this and this. I am going to teach you.
Student P - What?
Student D - I am the boss. You must do what I say!
Me - You know the best way to get people to work for you is to be nice.
Student D - No, we are communists this is how we do.
Me - You're from South Korea!
(I thought we had put the Cubans speak Spanish behind us...think again...)
Student D - I cannot understand your Cuban.
Student P - (rolls eyes)
Me - What do people in Cuba speak?
Student D - Cuban.
Me - No, Spanish..
Me - Um, so could you explain to me why you're walking around with an umbrella? (Student had been using it as cane)
Student D - Because I hurt my shoulder.
Me - That doesn't explain to me why you need an umbrella as a cane if you hurt your shoulder.
Student D - Yes, because my shoulder is pulled down by gravity as I walk like this (leans over). It's pulled down by gravity. It's scientific. The canemakes it stay it in place so gravity doesn't pull it down. It's scientific.
A few minutes pass...
Student D - Oh today is soccer club!
Me - How are you going to play with your umbrella?
Student D - I'm going to wail it around to protect the goal.
Me - I'm going to ask you to refrain from that. Remember it's not a sword.
My personal favorite from the quarter...
Student D - Miss Munro, what you do know about this new dorm parent thing?
Me - Well, they're coming this week and you'll all be moving in together.
Student D - I don't know how this will work. One Korean and three Moroccan Americans.
Me - Well, you and N seemed have it off well.
Student D - Ah well he believes many things but he does not believe in Santa Claus!
Me plus three girls in class - WHAT?!
Student D - Yes, he believes many things but he does not believe in Santa Claus.
Me - And do you believe in Santa Claus?
Student D - Yes! He's an old man who lives in Russia!
Me - So at Christmastime do you go and see him at the mall?
Student D - No! Those aren't the real Santa Claus, those are his helpers. No, Santa Claus is an old man who lives in Russia. I do not understand how you all cannot believe in Santa Claus?!
Student A - Um because it is a little impossible to believe that one man could go around the whole world delivering presents in one night.
Student D - Duh! It's magic! But I do not believe in magic.
These conversations pretty much make up a normal day in the ELL Room!
June 5, 2011
190. This would have been the 18th of May and as I sit here I cannot for the life me remember what happened this day (note to self this is exactly why you should blog more frequently haha)...so let's just say I'm thankful a God of love. A God who desires to know me intimately. A God who made a way to know me. A God who cries out the world...I am Life. I am Hope. I am Love. I am More than Enough.
191. A walk up the hill...the first of many that have come in the last few weeks...but the chance to pour out my heart to dear friends. A chance to carry each others burdens. A chance to be reminded that we are not in this alone. He is with us...and His yoke is easy and His burden is light. And a sweet facebook message from a friend reminding me of something so precious :)
192. Fridays...I just love them (even if I do like that song haha)
193. An afternoon with three precious women at the Prado...such an encouragement and time of refreshment :)
194. Getting to help with children's church my church in Camarma! It was like food for my soul to get to play with little kids and speak Spanish to cute children! It made me miss my kiddos from FPC!
195. I'm so thankful for Monday nights in Lavapies...I love my students at ECA, but I love going down to teach this class every Monday...it's by far the highlight of my week. They are precious :)
196. My first experience with Camarma Burger - yum yum! If you come to visit me...we will go there :) But the company I had there was even more edifying and encouraging...the reminder to live fully for God and not just a life of comfort!
197. A beautiful violin concert :) Amazing talent by the beautiful Adrianna Humes!
198. Skype! I love it! But I enjoy the people I get to skype with more :D
199. Moving from second best teacher to favorite teacher...made my year!
200. A beautiful day in Madrid with Adrianna and Rebecca :) Yummy Thai food, incredible art at the Thyssen, violin playing, pictures of Plaza "Sol"ution, and praying for people hearing the Gospel in Plaza Mayor :D
201. Wandering around Camarma with a new friend :)
202. Last class in Lavapies until September :) Fun with the kids eating the long awaited cookies (I made them for them about 3 weeks ago and left them in a van...and forgot to bring them until this Monday!) and making bracelets :)
203. Last real day of classes - though I only had one haha
204. Encouraging words. Words have the power of life and of death.
205. Peace.
206. The power of forgiveness...wow has God hit me hard with that one! And seeing a deserving young lady get an award she much earned!
207. Biscuits and gravy with some wonderful ladies, the end of Lark Rise (with another message of forgiveness - I get it, God), walks filled with encouragement, naps, crazy carnivals with great friends - and yes, carnivals are just as sketchy here as in the US, but they go on a lot later!
208. Shar and Caitlin hit Madrid - Bolly Madrid (Indian Festival in Lavapies) and up the road and into Retiro Park...such a great time! But I have to steal Shar's facebook status...
Things I like about Spain: Retiro Park, public transit, and sunshine. Things I will never escape, despite the fact that I'm in Spain: Lady Gaga, SpongeBob Squarepants, and cheap carnival toys.
And may the One who sees you and knows you and still loves you fill you with His ever exceeding joy!
191. A walk up the hill...the first of many that have come in the last few weeks...but the chance to pour out my heart to dear friends. A chance to carry each others burdens. A chance to be reminded that we are not in this alone. He is with us...and His yoke is easy and His burden is light. And a sweet facebook message from a friend reminding me of something so precious :)
192. Fridays...I just love them (even if I do like that song haha)
193. An afternoon with three precious women at the Prado...such an encouragement and time of refreshment :)
194. Getting to help with children's church my church in Camarma! It was like food for my soul to get to play with little kids and speak Spanish to cute children! It made me miss my kiddos from FPC!
195. I'm so thankful for Monday nights in Lavapies...I love my students at ECA, but I love going down to teach this class every Monday...it's by far the highlight of my week. They are precious :)
196. My first experience with Camarma Burger - yum yum! If you come to visit me...we will go there :) But the company I had there was even more edifying and encouraging...the reminder to live fully for God and not just a life of comfort!
197. A beautiful violin concert :) Amazing talent by the beautiful Adrianna Humes!
198. Skype! I love it! But I enjoy the people I get to skype with more :D
199. Moving from second best teacher to favorite teacher...made my year!
200. A beautiful day in Madrid with Adrianna and Rebecca :) Yummy Thai food, incredible art at the Thyssen, violin playing, pictures of Plaza "Sol"ution, and praying for people hearing the Gospel in Plaza Mayor :D
201. Wandering around Camarma with a new friend :)
202. Last class in Lavapies until September :) Fun with the kids eating the long awaited cookies (I made them for them about 3 weeks ago and left them in a van...and forgot to bring them until this Monday!) and making bracelets :)
203. Last real day of classes - though I only had one haha
204. Encouraging words. Words have the power of life and of death.
205. Peace.
206. The power of forgiveness...wow has God hit me hard with that one! And seeing a deserving young lady get an award she much earned!
207. Biscuits and gravy with some wonderful ladies, the end of Lark Rise (with another message of forgiveness - I get it, God), walks filled with encouragement, naps, crazy carnivals with great friends - and yes, carnivals are just as sketchy here as in the US, but they go on a lot later!
208. Shar and Caitlin hit Madrid - Bolly Madrid (Indian Festival in Lavapies) and up the road and into Retiro Park...such a great time! But I have to steal Shar's facebook status...
Things I like about Spain: Retiro Park, public transit, and sunshine. Things I will never escape, despite the fact that I'm in Spain: Lady Gaga, SpongeBob Squarepants, and cheap carnival toys.
And may the One who sees you and knows you and still loves you fill you with His ever exceeding joy!
May 17, 2011
So I'm sitting in my classroom/office (I'm quite sure what this room should be labeled as) trying to compile a vast list of excuses as to why I haven't blogged in 47 days (said in a slightly meek, timid, and quiet voice - okay maybe not quiet as we all know I epically fail when it comes to whispering)...but in all my attempts to come up with some worthy and valiant excuse I am left with nothing...nothing but the fact that I simply haven't bothered to blog in 47 days...so here's to attempting to get back into the habit (I have four goals...1. Blog more...2. Journal more....3. Read more...and 4. Most importantly spend more time with God :D)...but I promise in the last 47 days I have more moments to be thankful than I can even begin to adequately describe...but here goes my best shot :)
One hundred forty-three...Encouraging words outweigh the negative...when words offer life and hope
One hundred forty-four...Skyping with my mom and aunt :)
One hundred forty-five and forty-six...English Camp at Peña :) So much fun!
One hundred sixty-two, sixty-three, sixty-four, sixty-five, sixty-six - Fellowship with an amazing church in the north of Spain...I loved the opportunity to build relationships and be encouraged with a church I am growing to love!
One hundred sixty-seven - a day off to sleep in!
One hundred sixty-eight - Teacher appreciation week...such an encouraging week :)
One hundred sixty-nine - The encouragement praying together brings!
One hundred seventy - Small Group and the planning of yet another English Camp!
One hundred seventy-one - Friday (and no I am not thankful for that song haha)
One hundred seventy-two - Reina Sofia in Madrid with Joan and Sarah :)
One hundred seventy-three - The encouragement the body of Christ brings :)
One hundred seventy-four - An awesome Visitors' Day at ECA - my favorite is the family from church who came with their 3-year-old (ECA starts in 1st Grade - age 6)...they're preparing early :)
One hundred seventy-five - A good start to ELL Testing (I may not like testing but I was glad that it went well)
One hundred seventy-six - Another good planning session for English Camp :)
One hundred seventy-seven - Fútbol en Alcala - we went to get tapas and watch Real Madrid and Barca - unfortunately Real Madrid was unable to pull off the necessary score...next year!
One hundred seventy-eight - Prayer Breakfast with the Middle Schoolers :)
One hundred seventy-nine - Watching Sophia's hockey game with a great group - Wang! Wang! Do Your Thang!
One hundred eighty - Happy Mother's Day to the best Mom in the whole world!!!!!!!
One hundred eighty-one - First class in Lavapies in 3 weeks...so glad to be back :)
One hundred eighty-two - Lark Rise with some awesome ladies (plus dinner with them and yummy guacamole!)
One hundred eighty-three - Birthday dinner celebration with another group of awesome girls!!
One hundred eighty-four - FLYING TO WALES :D (okay so I actually flew into Bristol but then I got picked up by Michael and we went to Wales!) And getting to celebrate the final hour of his birthday with him :)
One hundred eighty-five - Eating fruity curry and going to the beach (even if it was cold haha)...but getting to spend time with some people I hold very dear but don't get to see enough and being reunited with REA!!!!!
One hundred eighty-six - spending the day with Rea (especially over coffee and Indian food) and just the chance to pick up where we left off...Love that girl! Game nights with several others I have missed quite a bit over the past two years!
One hundred eighty-seven - Going to Jerusalem Baptist Church and getting to see more people whom I have missed! Getting to have dinner with Michael and his family!
One hundred eighty-eight - A great class with Sarah in Lavapies :)
One hundred eight-nine - the chance to spend some much needed time with Jesus and get to bed early :)
This weekend we listened to the song "Shadows" by David Crowder Band several times as we drove in Michael's car...it encouraged me so much so I'm going to leave you with the chorus...
One hundred forty-three...Encouraging words outweigh the negative...when words offer life and hope
One hundred forty-four...Skyping with my mom and aunt :)
One hundred forty-five and forty-six...English Camp at Peña :) So much fun!
One hundred forty-seven - Moving...I once said my goal in life was to be a profession nomad - at the rate I'm going this year I might actually meet that lifelong goal haha
One hundred forty-eight - English class in Lavapies, Madrid...likely my favorite part of the week :)
One hundred forty-nine - Singing praises as a staff...even though it's early it's an incredible way to start the day.
One hundred fifty - Celebrating the 11th birthday of one sweet little girl by eating napolitanas
One hundred fifty-one - Parque Retiro :)
One hundred fifty-two - Hot lunch!
One hundred fifty-one - Indian food with awesome friends and afternoon English club in Lavapies :)
One hundred fifty-two - Sleeping off allergies
One hundred fifty-three - The morning off (well off in the sense I got two free periods to do lesson plans haha)
One hundred fifty-four - Skyping with my Nanny to wish her a very very happy birthday :D...and free Ben and Jerry's (I may or may not have had three cups of ice cream haha)
One hundred fifty-five - Mail from the US :)
One hundred fifty-six - Mail from Wales :)
One hundred fifty-seven - Track and Field Day - so much fun being a line judge...and know you don't understand the pressure and necessity of that job (okay so I might be slightly exaggerating haha)
One hundred fifty-eight - Another fabulous English Camp in Lavapies...such a blessing to be apart of :D
One hundred fifty-nine - Skyping with the other half of my soul, Nikki Rice, and having her tell me all about Ashley and Kyle's wedding...I'm thankful for her and for some amazing friends who even though I couldn't be there to celebrate with Kyle and Ashley made me feel apart of it (such as they signed my name in the guestbook!)
One hundred sixty - Birthday amazingment in Paris!!!
One hundred sixty-one - A second fabulous day in Paris - such a blessing to get to spend this speed trip with a new friend!
One hundred sixty-two, sixty-three, sixty-four, sixty-five, sixty-six - Fellowship with an amazing church in the north of Spain...I loved the opportunity to build relationships and be encouraged with a church I am growing to love!
One hundred sixty-seven - a day off to sleep in!
One hundred sixty-eight - Teacher appreciation week...such an encouraging week :)
One hundred sixty-nine - The encouragement praying together brings!
One hundred seventy - Small Group and the planning of yet another English Camp!
One hundred seventy-one - Friday (and no I am not thankful for that song haha)
One hundred seventy-two - Reina Sofia in Madrid with Joan and Sarah :)
One hundred seventy-three - The encouragement the body of Christ brings :)
One hundred seventy-four - An awesome Visitors' Day at ECA - my favorite is the family from church who came with their 3-year-old (ECA starts in 1st Grade - age 6)...they're preparing early :)
One hundred seventy-five - A good start to ELL Testing (I may not like testing but I was glad that it went well)
One hundred seventy-six - Another good planning session for English Camp :)
One hundred seventy-seven - Fútbol en Alcala - we went to get tapas and watch Real Madrid and Barca - unfortunately Real Madrid was unable to pull off the necessary score...next year!
One hundred seventy-eight - Prayer Breakfast with the Middle Schoolers :)
One hundred seventy-nine - Watching Sophia's hockey game with a great group - Wang! Wang! Do Your Thang!
One hundred eighty - Happy Mother's Day to the best Mom in the whole world!!!!!!!
One hundred eighty-one - First class in Lavapies in 3 weeks...so glad to be back :)
One hundred eighty-two - Lark Rise with some awesome ladies (plus dinner with them and yummy guacamole!)
One hundred eighty-three - Birthday dinner celebration with another group of awesome girls!!
One hundred eighty-four - FLYING TO WALES :D (okay so I actually flew into Bristol but then I got picked up by Michael and we went to Wales!) And getting to celebrate the final hour of his birthday with him :)
One hundred eighty-five - Eating fruity curry and going to the beach (even if it was cold haha)...but getting to spend time with some people I hold very dear but don't get to see enough and being reunited with REA!!!!!
One hundred eighty-six - spending the day with Rea (especially over coffee and Indian food) and just the chance to pick up where we left off...Love that girl! Game nights with several others I have missed quite a bit over the past two years!
One hundred eighty-seven - Going to Jerusalem Baptist Church and getting to see more people whom I have missed! Getting to have dinner with Michael and his family!
One hundred eighty-eight - A great class with Sarah in Lavapies :)
One hundred eight-nine - the chance to spend some much needed time with Jesus and get to bed early :)
This weekend we listened to the song "Shadows" by David Crowder Band several times as we drove in Michael's car...it encouraged me so much so I'm going to leave you with the chorus...
When shadows fall on us
We will not fear
We will remember
When darkness falls on us
We will not fear
We will remember
When all seems lost
When we're thrown
and we're tossed
We remember the cost
We rest in Him
Shadow of the cross
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