Thankful

           Community is one of those things that you take for granted until you don't have it immediately present. I’m so thankful for my friend Robin, who is here with me in Spain and yet I have expereinced what it is to lack community in Spain. Both Robin and I have realized the difference in being around a group of people who really know you and who are pursuing the same goals and mission as you and have noticed when this is absent. With this, I also have encountered the sweet presence of Jesus and His provision in a whole new way. I am amazed anew by how Jesus provides everything at all times.

         I was blessed in crazy ways this past week. Multiple people commented to me this week, "Wow, you have really amazing friends! They must love you a lot!" My only response was to beam with joy, close to tears, nod, and respond, "I know, I can't believe how wonderful they are, I am so thankful for them." This was the reaction after I told everyone that five of my closest friends came from the States to visit me! Yes it’s true, my small group girls came this week and it was such an epic, sweet time together. I met them in another city in Spain, Barcelona, for the weekend. We explored the city, which is much bigger, more touristy, and more international than Granada, and we went to a Barcelona soccer game! This was a crazy experience with the most people I’ve ever seen at a sporting event. I felt a part of the culture considering futbol is one of Spain’s favorite things. 

After the weekend in Barcelona, we all came back to Granada. It was sureal to be able to show them my life here- the places I like to go to and the views I’m able to see. We went salsa dancing and to a tea house. I was encouraged in every way simply by being with them.

Right when they left I had Thanksgiving here, my program put on a mock Thanksgiving for us. I am thankful for so much: for the ability to learn Spanish here, for my family and friends, for life, for God’s grace, and for the presence of Jesus. We were off the next day traveling to two other Spanish cities, Seville and Cordoba. They were beautiful and each very different. Seville has the third largest cathedral in the world and Cordoba has the third largest Mosque, now converted to a cathedral. It’s still strange to me to be seeing things and walking on bridges, for example that Julius Cesar walked on or that were constructed thousands of years ago. I’m still struck with how different everything is here from what I know in the United States.

I have less then a month here now, time is winding down. I’ve decided to only speak Spanish this entire month, to everyone, on every occasion, to journal in Spanish, pray in Spanish, and think in Spanish. I pray for understanding, patience, and self control with this.

This past weekend a wave of home sickness hit me. This is strange for me as I normally am a very present person and don’t often have homesick feelings. I’m not sure if it was the holiday or simply the fact that I have been away since the middle of August, but I definitely experienced a few moments of longing to be home. In the midst of this I am realizing how it’s often necessary for a renewal of purpose. I needed to hear from God again, what am I doing here? What are the reasons you have me here with these people, this place, doing these things? When you hit emotional lows, it is vital to be stripped of yourself and realize things bigger than yourself. Hallelujah for the grace of God’s purposes for us.