Sunday, October 23

So some of you are probably asking yourselves where I’ve been over the last week. Short answer? Spain. Longer answer that takes a bit of explaining? It was a tough week. There have been lots of ups and downs, and I’ll get into the highlights in a bit, but basically, I was just plain worn out this week. Homesickness really settled in, there were a few problems with my homestay, and my classes rather dragged out. I was happy to survive my two tests and 50 minute presentation, and I’m pretty sure they all went well, so that was nice but also pretty stressful. I’m not sure if it’s from the extra stress, strange eating patterns, or the changing of the seasons here, but I’ve also been feeling pretty sick, which just doesn’t make things any easier.

Things with my service project for the semester got really messed up, and now instead of working with ESL students I’ve been assigned to work in a men’s retirement home. I’m not exactly sure how that happened, but I’m doing my best to get the changes reversed because I was really looking forward to the experience of working with students here. Everything really just seemed scattered over the past week, and I have been feeling unsettled and distant from God, which is not fun. Last night and today I’ve really just been trying to focus on getting myself back on a sustainable track and back on the same page as God. Lots of reading and praying and rest were in order, but I feel like I’m getting there. I still feel pretty tired of being away, and my motivation to speak Spanish has been dwindling, but I’m trying to keep in mind that this is God’s will, it’s His plan, and my only job is to work through it willingly and obediently.

I don’t know if I’ve mentioned this on here before, but I think God is really trying to teach me patience this semester, and I love learning from Him, but everyone knows there’s good days and bad days in that journey. So, I’m trying to be patient and rest in the knowledge that things are in God’s hands. I can try my hardest, be positive, and make the most out of every opportunity I have, but ultimately everything will be what God wills, and I’m content with that, trying to take comfort in it despite the challenges it presents sometimes.

I’m amazed by the lessons God has for me each and every day, and I delight in discovering what He’s showing me. The hardest days come when I can’t quite see where He’s going or what His purposes are. I don’t claim to ever understand Him fully, but I guess what I’m trying to say is that it’s especially exciting for me when He gives me a glimpse of the road ahead and clearly shows me where we’re at, and when I don’t seem to have that knowledge its harder for me to keep going with the same enthusiasm.

All right, now for the quick and general update of the past week. Despite the fact that I had tests and presentations, there didn’t seem to be much going on, which was nice considering I wasn’t feeling very well. I took advantage of a few chances to get some extra sleep and spend some extra time talking with some people at home, which was refreshing. My mom and I talked a lot about plans for our trip to Italy, and we’re in the process of nailing down our itinerary, which is really exciting. My lovely packages kept coming from John, and on Friday I was amazed to find flowers outside of my apartment door in honor of our first anniversary! He commissioned some of my friends to deliver them before I left, and it was so much fun to get them =)

On Friday I also went to lunch at my intercambio’s house, which was interesting and fun. I liked meeting her family and I especially enjoyed being in a real house outside of the city. It was like a breath of fresh air I didn’t even know I needed. After lunch, we got tea at Raquel’s favorite coffee shop, and then she dropped me off in time to go to the movie night at school. We had pizza, painted our nails, and watched New In Town (which I loved!) at school, and by the time it was over I was completely exhausted.

We got up on Saturday morning and spent the first part of our day at Isla Mágica, the local amusement park where our Senora’s nephews work. They got us discounted tickets, so we decided to go during their Halloween celebration. We were shocked to find that there was hardly anyone at the park, and the majority of the rides were for small children. I was feeling pretty tired and my cold symptoms were beginning to increase, and we ended up spending only a couple of hours there before heading to a fun restaurant for lunch where they served amazing mini-sandwiches.

I spent the rest of my Saturday and a lot of my Sunday afternoon working on schoolwork. I wanted to make study guides for the tests I’ll have after fall break and finish up my student teaching application, and I am really happy to say I accomplished both of those goals as well as getting all of my other homework done. Corinne and I finally found the local library this week, and we were amazed by how quiet it is in there. They legitimately do not talk in the library, and the squeaky chair I sat in drew glances from all over the whole room. It is definitely a high-productivity place I will be returning to, and I was happy to find a new place to study where I can probably get more done than I have been able to in the other places I’ve been working thus far.

Church today was good, and like always I really enjoyed Sunday school. My prayer group met this afternoon, and talking with them after reflecting about this week a little bit yesterday and this morning was really helpful to me. It’s good to keep in mind that perspective and attitude make the biggest difference in daily life, and I’m praying that God would show me His presence and support even more profoundly this week. I just want to know Him and submit myself completely to His work in me. Prayers for strength and a positive, Christ-centered focus as I embark on this last week before break would be greatly appreciated.