BEST DAY EVER!

So today I have been in Madrid. No big deal right. I got to see the prince's palace went to the Museo del Prado, had wonderful coffee and spanish food, saw some of the coolest buildings ever...BUT better yet today (well yesterday my time in Spain) my nephew, Jase Mark Archer, was born!!! AHHHHHH!! I can't believe it. I am so excited to have another little man in my life. I'm not going to lie, it has been so difficult not to be there with my sister and to see him, but I can not express the joy in my heart right now. It brought me to tears. To make it even better Jase shares his birthday with another pretty special guy, yeah I'm gonna have that moment, it's Rusty's birthday too! How cool. Yeah mine would have been great, but what an amazing day and if it was anyone's I guess I'm glad it's his haha. Besides it's just an early birthday gift (and hey I shouldn't forget either of theirs right?)

It was a beautiful day and o so exciting. I feel I have been so blessed by the Lord. I can't believe I am here in Spain right now. My feet are tired and my heart is racing and my mind is not going to shut up for a bit, but how blessed am I to have the opportunity to study aboard, to be able to travel to Madrid one weekend and Italy two weeks after that? God is so good. He has surrounded me with such loving people. I have two of my best friends and others that are well on their way to that place in my heart. God is bringing us so close together...Asaf is even finally facing the fact that we're going to be besties. haha O I am so HAPPY!! :) I have pictures.

Britt went with us to the Palace!!

Beautiful.

O my goodness, I can't believe I did this. One down 2 to go. Thank you, Rusty.

Beth and I!

Haha I found this and had to take a picture.  O the irony.

The museum

Best YET this baby BOY JASE!!!!!

Yeah!

I know I don't write like Bethany and may be I share a little more frequently, but hey you don't have to read it and I know my parents appreciate it, so here I go again.

What a beautiful day in Spain. It had to be the warmest day yet, for once I wasn't cold...may be inside, but because the buildings are freezing here because they are all tile and have to heating. This week has been so good. I definitely feel like I'm finally adjusting. It's becoming home and days are becoming more regular. I even found a cafe, well Hayley and I did. It's now become a group favorite, so just out of independence I'll probably find another one too. I want to make real Spanish friends haha. But hey if I've got a good cup of coffee, my day is made. If you know me, you know that's true. I went 10 whole days without it though. It has to be a record. But class is good and I'm making new friends, which I absolutely LOVE! God is definitely working through that.

After class today we went on an adventure. We went to the Valor Chocolate Factory with Hayley, Asaf, Ellen, our new friend, Brenna, and myself. Let's be honest, we really just went for the free chocolate samples and not the tour, but they were definitely worth our wait and goodness did it smell GOOD. We could literally smell it 5 plus blocks from the factory. Ugh, heaven in our noses. The ride there was beautiful. We got to see so much more. We saw the mountains and more of the beach and some picturesque towns. Beautiful. It's still crazy to think I live here.

 I'm not going to lie, I'm pooped. We've already been here 2 weeks. I took my first midterm today, rocked it and although we haven't traveled much yet, I feel like I've done so much. I can't believe how fast time is going. It's good in some ways, makes me feel better knowing I will see others again before I know it, but then I don't want my time to just slip away. I have to admit though, I feel like these two weeks I have had some of my best and most intimate times with the Lord. He's revealing Himself to me like crazy. I have craved time in the Word so much and have made time for it everyday. I've realized what a necessity it is. I've been reading this book on ministry as well. It's so awesome to read. I feel like it's another confirmation to my call to ministry. I was reading today and I came across a statement that I felt related to Spain so much. One of my biggest fears when coming was that I would get caught up in what I'm missing out on: the birth of my new nephew, my parents, my friends back at OBU, a certain guy like, not being there for my sister, my youth group and others. But my fear is that I would get so caught up in these things that I would miss out on the opportunities Christ gave me here to share the gospel and set my mind's attention and my heart's affection on Christ. I didn't and don't want to waste my time here because I'm focused on myself. When reading this book I came across this passage,

"...'Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!' (Psalm 139:23-24). An ideal time for such examining is before we got to represent God in ministry. I have found that before I preach, I often get hit by this desperation about making sure that nothing is going to hinder God working through me."

Desperation, I could not have thought of a better word. There is no desperation in me greater than that of glorifying God through all that I do and making His name known. I've realized that if that desperation is real, it takes some discipline and courage and time, but with Christ living inside of me it is possible. He is the one that uses me, He is the one that gives me strength, He is the one the gives me comfort, He is the one that gives me boldness--I can't do any of this but HE can! I'm realizing that, I alone can not, but He can. It's so exciting to see Him work. It's a blessing to be apart of that work. I don't know if I've ever been as excited as I am now. I literally feel like exploding with joy at times, joy that only comes from Christ. My deepest desire is that God will be glorified and those that I am able to give everything I have for Him and the Kingdom's cause. I want to only boast in Christ.

Sorry for my novel. I'm just excited to see what God is doing.

It's becoming more like home

Today was good. It was soo good. Number one thing, spent so much time with the Lord. I woke up to great time in the Word. I am reading "Taste and See" by John Piper and it's a book with mediations on God's word and simple truths to think about. Today was on "casting all our anxieties on Him". I definitely need to remember that more and actually follow through. It's ridiculous how many anxious girls are on this trip, but it's awesome to see how God can completely overcome that. But to continue on about our day...we went to una inglesia. It was awesome. They sang some songs I recognized like "Great is Thy Faithfulness" and another that I completely lost in my head right now. I wish I could have understood more...I need to learn more spanish, but from what I got and what Bethany explained it was a great sermon. We then went to visit Pepita again! Bah! I love Pepita! She feeds us sooo much food...it's a nice break from the apartment life, which is getting better. We are finally buying food. We then chilled at their house and booked out tickets to ITALY!!! #thisisreallife What?! I'm so pumped and so relieved to have something planned.

I came home this afternoon and listened to some great podcasts from Matt Chandler and put up all the pictures in my room! Ah there are SOOOO many. Haha I literally probably have 70-80 pictures up (man o menos). I love it. Who knew something so little could make you feel so good. Then I get the lovely news that Rusty and Emily are finally in Europe! YAY!!! :) Haha I'm a bit excited. It's nice to know I don't have to think 7 hours back for them any more. To be honest it just makes me feel better.

Brynn and I finished off the night with a movie in bed. I'm so grateful she's my roommate. We have had some good time together and we get along well. It's a relief to have someone who relates so well. We can push each other, but know when to turn and give the other a hug. She's wonderful and such a blessing.

O I almost forgot the coolest part of my week. In my class I have made a friend named Ji. He is a little Chinese guy who studies abroad in the States and is now studying abroad in Spain! Crazy-but Asaf is doing the same thing. But I started talking with him some and he's so cool. The best part is he flat out asked me if I was a Christian. I told him "si!!! are you?" and he said yes! He asked if I was Baptist too, haha how funny and told him yes and he is too! How crazy is that?! So awesome though and so God! I think he's going to come with us to church some time! So great to make friends with another believer so far from our home and in such a different culture. It's different from what we're are used to and it is pretty dark in many ways. But I am definitely finding some awesome opportunities. That was my biggest prayer that God would place people in my way to share the Gospel and give me the strength to show His love. I feel He is already answering that prayer which is a great encouragement.

I have so much to learn and not everyday has been great. There have definitely been some ups and downs, but I already feel like I'm learning so much. I'm learning a lot about myself too and realizing even more how dependent I need to be upon the Lord, which means I need to let go even of myself. I can not control everything and I've got to get over that. But it's amazing to realize that when you are dry and hungry the only thing to truly satisfy you is Jesus. He is so good and so faithful even when I am not. I love it!

Be praying God will grant us strength and peace. Pray that through that peace we will find strength in Him to share what He has given us: the hope, the peace, the joy, our purpose, our life. My prayer is that His name will be made known here and that I will not waste my life. This is time to explore and have fun, but God placed me on earth for a greater purpose and that is Him.

"The eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show his might in behalf of those whose heart is blameless toward him." 2 Chronicles 16:9

Spanish peanut butter, definitely not home', but I can work with it for 4 months.

Haha we found this thing of poop or "caca" as we would say.

This is at the park just a minute from our apartment!

First full meal as a group and yes they are eating papas fritas. 

I finally got a picture of the boys. Thank you Asaf for smiling.

I don't even know. This was a statue at a park we walked by.

This tree was sooo cool. It was ginormous.

We went shopping. Ellen found some glasses. 

Blessed by friends

Day 2 of class. Why yes I've already had to miss from being sick. Haha just my luck, but o well, might as well just hop right in with everything. Besides the fact I had a long night in which I got little sleep, I was battling some weird stomach thing, got sick, went back to bed a woke up at noon. Got ready then went to explore, I can't sit inside all day. It was great though as I got the corner of the main street I ran into Beth and Brynn then almost the whole gang, besides Asaf and Hayley who were still in class. So happy to see them. We got our phones which was a relief and then went back for a siesta and Hayley and Beth came to our apartment. Poor Beth spent 50 minutes trying to find it when it should have only taken her about 10, but hey she's learning her way around Alicante. They are the best. I'm so glad we all have a place to come and be open and honest and just share what's going on. Each of us have struggles, but they are all different. I'm so glad God placed us all together. It made me feel good when Pepita, Beth's "mom", called Karissa to see if I was okay and that she would take care of me. I felt so loved.

We've hardly been here and I'm learning so much. One I know very little Spanish and I'm definitely going to need a lot of practice speaking it. But just living here I feel like I'm learning more and remembering more everyday. Being submerged in the culture is definitely the way to learn quickly. I think that is going to be my most difficult challenge for a while, but I know I'll get there. Class was a little intimidating when I've only really taken a year, which was 6 months ago, in America, then I walk into a classroom and I think on 2 words of English were spoken the entire 3 hours. My brain was hurting quite a bit when I left, but hey it's exciting and our teachers are great. Another, I am learning how much I really love being around people. They are very important in my sanity. I love that though. The Lord above all is going to be how this semester turns out. I knew how important it was, but I'm learning more how important He is in my life. Time with Him is not only something to desire, but it really is a necessity.

We have yet to meet our roommate, Adriana, I am soooooo excited to meet her. Ah! I hope she is open to the Gospel! It will be cool if all she speaks is Spanish or will be willing to help me with it at least. I think that is going to be one of the best parts of this experience. I can't wait to see how God works.

Thank you for all the prayers. This place is beautiful and I like it so far. Can't wait to tell you more about it!

Jo

The Beach is beautiful. 

Yeah drawing in the sand...I did this then thought of a mustache. ha o the irony.

O my goodness, o my goodness. We are finally here in Alicante, Spain. How crazy is that?! It's already been an adventure. Got to spend around 20 hours of travel time, played some phase ten, prayed some, prayed some more, got in a taxi, paid our first months rent, stinkin' live in an apartment with a balcony, walked for hours around Alicante, sent some emails, took some pictures, and more. Who knew day one would be so exciting. However, we are all extremely tired and I think a bit overwhelmed. It's so amazing to finally be here though. It's a beautiful place, it has a bit of a funny smell, but I'm sure I'll get used to that. I feel so blessed to have such amazing friends with me too. Not only that I felt so loved by all the people who came to the airport to see us off, it was crazy, but GREAT! :) Love them all. God is already working, we are definitely going to be challenged in many ways, but it's going to be incredible. Here's some pictures!

Plane Ride! Calling our parents for the last time!

Madrid airport, we finally made it to Spain...we were a bit tired.

Yeah that's right, this is where we live. 

Our apartment living room. :)

View from our balcony. It's great.

Yeah we see this from our balcony too. Jealous yet?