When everything's new

In the morning, let the morning find us in bloom. So come in, come on, let's follow this through. Come on, come on, the skies are in fire. We will rise with the wings of the dawn when everything's new. 

-switchfoot, "c'mon, c'mon"

Hola! This foto is a bit of sevilla-scape..old beautiful buildings, countless statues, and narrow streets. The past few days have been a blast, full of new experiences, new friends, new schedule...I am so thankful to be able to live in a different country for these few weeks!

Tuesday, our host mom, Pudi took us to a community dance recital/showcase. We got to see workout classes (resources of community center I think? Strange to be part of the performance), flamenco, belly dancing, and sevillana dancing (with the wooden finger instruments, really cool). Here is a view of the show, including a pic of Pudi! Her energy, enthusiasm, and sense of humor are well captured

Today was also a big day for authentic Spanish adventure. First we went to plaza de España and took tons of pictures (very tourist part of the day). The journey was about 45 minutes on foot in the hot sevillana sun (I know it's not as bad as Phoenix -yet--which scares me but walking that long makes everything seem more intense..). Worth it though since we walked by the river. Plaza de España:

Then Pudi took us to a local bar for lunch with a huge table with her friends. Love these experiences without any tourists in sight..we also went to the bullfight. Three words- sad. Interesting. Smokey. The guys next to me loved to smoke and the wind was blowing my way. But that is Spain for ya. It was hard to watch the bulls get killed, especially at the end. I'm glad we were able to go though since it is a big part of Spanish culture. The women at lunch did not want to identify Spanish culture with bullfights because they think it is an ugly sport/part of the culture..so it's not a unanimously accepted concept here.

Mañana, some friends and I are starting a small weekly bible study going through 1 and 2 Peter. I am excited for it as we all come from different backgrounds. Prayers for that ministry are appreciated.

Adios 

Sevilla a la noche

Here we are now with the fallen sky and the rain; we're awakening. Maybe it's cold ambition, but we're talking about a dream we're awakening.

-switchfoot

Today was our first day of school! And our first day in Sevilla. Our lovely mother walked us to la plaza nueva very early (7:30 am-Spain is not awake at this time at all.) but it was a beautiful morning as the loud streets were quiet and peaceful and Pudi told us the directions to the school and back home..that I ended up forgetting later and got a bit lost. I was too focused on understanding what she was saying that I didn't try to focus on remembering the directions..

Anyway, I will be taking Spanish literature as my Spanish class. I enjoy reading in Spanish so I am excited! My schedule is:

M-f--Spanish 1-3

T/thurs-- world religions class (independent study with missionary)

So I have a bit of free time on my hands..today I spent my free time talking with Pudi about life. Sadly, her grandpa passed away today at age 87. But that brought up some interesting conversations about la vida eterna, la fe y Esperanza de Dios. She is catholic but does not go to church often. I was thankful for that opportunity to open up about all that a bit on my second day here with Pudi. She is so sweet and gracious with us and our Spanish and weird schedules.

Tonight we met the Spanish missionary, Mel, at dinner. He's a sweet little tender spirited man..it will be interesting to meet with him 1 on 1 but I'm excited to dive deeper into world religions.

We walked back from dinner at 10:30 tonight ad most of the fancy old buildings light up like these pictures. Worth the mildly questionable walk at nighttime. We cross a river on our way to/from school which is the top photo.

Thursday is the big bullfight that we are going to..think what you will about such events but the plaza looks huge and beautiful in pictures and I want to experience the Spanish culture in all aspects..that is a big part of it.

"Mi casa es tuya"

We are finally home! Our familia is a widowed mother who has 3 older sons--one is married and has a little baby girl who we met today. So great to enter into a big, close family right away. I showed my mom, Pudi, pictures of my big family (con 2 bebes) and it was fun to talk about families for a bit. I also brought a picture of my time in Kenya, and we talked about una vida simple in Africa and how they are still happy. It is so great to be jumping into immersion! I love Spanish and the gift of communicating in a different language. The son that still lives here, Jose, is a policeman with a sense of humor. He says that he doesn't think we can keep our promise of "solo español" I'm the house but we insist that it is possible. But I already said one word in English because I didn't remember the Spanish word and he started una lista of the day and time that we use an English word..challenge accepted!

School starts tomorrow with a meeting at 8am. I have been reading and annotating my world religions books and am already learning so much..so thankful that I'm able to take this class, especially 1 on 1 with a Spanish missionary! Voy a aprender mucho.

The past few days have been packed with tourism. Tour guides, museo del prado, parque retiro, y comida, comida, comida. One thing I'm looking forward to is having home cooked meals..cheaper and healthier.

One last cultural event in Madrid was the club, el kapital. Six floors of dance floors and bars with loud music and crowds of natives! It was my first time going out but it was really fun. Not something I would choose to do too often but it was our first time interacting with natives which was fun. Felt like a scene out of a movie. Night life here starts at 1 and peaks at 2:30..I usually go bed at 11. But this is Spain so..

Here are the past 2 tourism days. Top is Madrid, bottom is Toledo-an old renaissance style city that we visited yesterday afternoon on our way to Sevilla. Beautiful town that had unreal views.

We're not in Kansas anymore

Madrid day one!

So unreal to actually be here. Especially since I've studied these places in high school as crazy beautiful places I thought I'd never see myself. I was able to relax in  el real jardin botanico as well as parque retiro (retire park in Spanish..needed it) and the lush green plants, blooming flowers and smells was a great welcoming to Spain. 

I made some friends..a few. Forgot what it feels like to be in a sea of people, in a new place, knowing no one. Not the most comfortable environment but I'm working through it. My roomie, Amanda of Pennsylvania, is pretty cool.

On top of the lovely sights of today, apparently Sevilla is even more beautiful..can't wait!

Pix of the day--

Sitting, waiting, wishing

Hanging out at the airport before the adventure begins. I made the 8 week suitcase a carryon and feel adequately prepared; I hope that ends up being true.

Eight weeks is a long time, I've come to realize..but I am so excited for everything new (also a bit nervous). But I can never stay nervous for very long, knowing my God has His plans for me over there, which makes me feel a whole lot better about the uncertainty that is the unknown.

Isaiah 41

Post Departure Countdown: 3 days

In 3 days I will be on a plane headed to Madrid, Spain. I will be spending 8 weeks abroad in Europe this summer, mostly spent in Spain. The first 6 weeks I am studying abroad, then the last 2 weeks or so, my family is coming up and we are traveling to Barcelona, Paris, and London. I am focusing on the first part of the trip with this blog, though--Spain.

I am doing a study abroad/missions program with Veritas Christian Study Abroad. (www.veritasabroad.com) Not sure exactly what my day to day schedule looks like, but I know it is primarily relational-evangelism type mission work. I will not be building houses or having any big mission projects like that; however, I plan on helping out with the children's ministry at my church in Sevilla which I could not be more excited about. I am also studying Spanish and World Religions.

All of this, except for my World Religion class will be in Spanish. I am excited for the adventure that awaits, nervous that I am not ready spiritually or physically, curious about what life will be like speaking a different language every single day for 6 weeks, and incredibly blessed that I have been given resources and opportunities to be able to be gone for so long this summer.

Last night I felt drawn to 2 Peter as I started to think about what my goals and expectations were for Spain. I found this passage that spoke towards the various elements and values that I hope to develop and refine in Spain:

2 Peter 1:5-7

For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love.

That is basically the purpose statement for this journey..praying that it becomes more of a reality each day of my travels..prayers appreciated for that as well.


Gotta get to packing!-