November!

Hello everyone! It has been a little bit since I last wrote to you. I hope everyone is well and thriving in their own way. I miss y'all and it is SO weird that I don't get to see some of you every day (I'm talking to you, Mom). I've been very busy and have been loving (almost) every second. There's been a lot that has happened (aka, I've got a lot to say so start this with that warning). Let's start with the big news and go from there.

Big news

After a long train of emails, some social anxiety, and pushing from my mentors at home and abroad, I finally made my way to a church in my town. Here's how the Lord answered prayers and pulled through in massive ways: Before I left the country, I began babysitting for a new family in my hometown. They were so kind and generous to me, and their children were absolutely precious.

(Side note: There's something special to me about parents who sit with their babysitters after getting home. I have been impacted by so many families simply because they made a choice to (even temporarily) invest in me. If you are a parent and ever have a babysitter, get to know them!)

The father in the family I was babysitting for gave me the email of his Aunt who used to work for a ministry in Malaga, Spain (about 2 hours south of where I live). I emailed her, and it turns out she had moved years ago to the French Alps to work for another ministry there. She gave me the email of the ministry she used to work for and I emailed them. After a few weeks, they gave me the address and phone number of an evangelical church and missionaries in my tiny town.

I know what you're thinking: "That's great! Why didn't you go the first Sunday you were there?!"

There is something interesting about moving somewhere completely new. If you have ever moved to a new city you probably understand that finding a new church is a social feat. I was encountering culture shock, finding an apartment, starting work, and learning a language all at the same time. I knew church was important, but going right away would have hindered my ability to enjoy, invest, and actually worship.

Finally, after being in Spain for 6 weeks, I woke up on a Sunday and decided that I would go. I was absolutely terrified. If you know me, you know that I can talk to almost anyone (even through Google Translate). And I experienced the most challenging social anxiety I have ever had. These were people I wanted to like me, wanted to be friends with me. They had a choice in welcoming me, in letting me into their community. I was terrified that they would cast a cold shoulder my way. A church. I was afraid of a church.

While I was getting ready, I had the thought that it was a privilege to go to church in a new community. These are people I will quite literally spend eternity with, and I get to meet them NOW! What a gift and a joy to get to encounter people who are a part of my spiritual family.

So, long story short (haha), I went to church. I cried in church. And then I was invited to lunch at the pastor's house with his whole family. It was incredible. I felt very loved and very welcomed. The next week I got coffee with one of the missionaries and we talked for two hours, the whole time through Google Translate. It was precious.

If you have been praying for me, thank you. The Lord certainly hears and provides in ways I cannot explain. I am excited to start serving and investing in the new community I've found.

The other things

Some other things that I have been up to and am excited about! I went to Cordoba last weekend and it was SO FUN! It was the first time I traveled without Jana which was sad, but I had a great time visiting a new place! I ate great Tapas and visited the Mesquita (the only Mosque-Cathedral in the world!). I traveled with some friends from town and it was so sweet to get to know them better.

I have also signed up for a half-marathon in January! It's been a dream of mine to run an official half or full marathon, so I figured "Why not do one here?!" I am slowly convincing the other English speakers who live in my town to train and run it with me. We'll see how many of them actually join. Regardless, everyone here is traveling with me to the race city to watch and cheer me on which is so sweet. I am very excited to be training and to be able to run a half. We're getting after it!

I am going home on December 1st (a week from Friday!) I am taking an evening bus to the airport after work on Thursday (a 5 1/2 hour ride oof), sleeping on the airport floor, and flying out at 6 am the following day. I am so excited to see my family, my nephews, and my dogs. I have not had a big bear hug since moving to Spain (more cheek-kissing than hugging), and I am VERY excited for good hugs when I get home (I'm talking to you, Dad).

Prayer Requests

- Please pray for safe and smooth travels as I fly out next week, and then back into a different city later in December. A lot of buses, trains, and planes (oh my!), and it would really be the worst if I planned wrong, or missed a connection.

- Pray for my parents as they watch their final two kiddos go to the airport on December 10th. One to go on his honeymoon, and one with a one-way ticket back to Europe. It's a new season of life for our whole family, and it's bound to be a crazy one.

- Lastly, pray for clarity in terms of what I will be doing for work next year! There are a lot of doors to knock on haha, which one to walk through is the tough choice.

In Conclusion

At the end of the day, I am extremely thankful to be here. I love Spain, even if the language proves to be difficult most days. Given the way the Lord has provided and provisioned my time here so far, I am confident that I am where I am supposed to be. I am excited to go home, I am excited to come back, and I am excited to continue learning as much as I can while I am here. Best always,

Your resident American in Spain

P.S. There are more pictures uploaded on the picture page! They are in no particular order so it's kind-of chaotic. Check them out if you feel led :)