In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not anything that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light. The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John bore witness about him, and cried out, "This was he of whom I said, 'He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.'") For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.
This is my story and it always be. Before I was, before this world came into being, Christ was with the Father and He was God and He was with God. He knew me by name before he created me and before he created this world. He knew the steps I would take. He knew the family I would be born into, the culture and the country that would surround me, the sports I would play, the college I would attend, and the friends I would choose. He knew the mistakes I would make, the people I would date, the rules I would break. He knew the heartbreak I would walk through and he knew every joy that would bring laughter to my soul and my smile. He knew the way that He would use Creation itself to fill me up, shower love on me, and intimately pursue my heart.
He was, and He Is. He's the Great I Am. He is faithful. Just as he pulled me out of the pit of my sin and breathed life into my dry bones, his grace woke me up this morning and covers me today. He is the perfect balance of both Grace and Truth- he desperately pursues me with an unrelenting love despite my sin or how many times I try to run away; yet he does not cross himself and he continually teaches me, renewing my heart and my mind in Truth. There is no other way.
This is my life. It's covered and it's surrounded above, behind, and before, in Christ Jesus. I don't want the whole world and lose my soul; I desire nothing more than to know Christ and him crucified. Crucified for my sin. For my transgression. So that by his wounds, I might be healed. That by his wounds, despite this crazy and broken world I live in, I might reach up and turn to choose Jesus and find life itself.
I've found life. By grace and grace alone he found me worthy. He loves me. He believes in me. He has give n me everything I need for life and godliness- everything! When I begin to fear where I'll be tomorrow, or where I'll be six years from now; when I ask him where my husband is or what career path I'll actually go down when it comes down to it; when I'm self-conscious and look for worth in my dress size or my hair, he gently whispers, "I Am. I am all that you need; I am more than enough. I am love, I am hope, I am life. I love you. You are worthy, holy, chosen, and loved because of me, and I deeply desire that you trust me and just continue to walk with me. Follow. Let my light shine through you into the world. I'm coming. I'm coming to redeem this world and to claim those hearts that are mine. Be a part of what I'm doing. Let me use you to shine light into the darkness. Let me use you to bear witness about the light, that people may see your good works and see nothing but the Father in Heaven."
I trust you, Jesus. Your ways are higher and your plans are far beyond what I would ever ask or imagine. I pray God that all who are with me today might become what I am- free and found in you- complete- whole- alive- and that your light will penetrate every corner of the darkness. You alone reign!
Friday, September 6, 2013
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
Joy Unspeakable
“Christ’s call is to feed the hungry, not the full; to save the lost, not the stiff-necked; not to call the scoffers, but sinners to repentance; not to build and furnish comfortable chapels, churches, and cathedrals at home in which to rock Christian professors to sleep by means of clever essays, stereotyped prayers and artistic musical performances, but to raise living churches of souls among the destitute, to capture men from the devils clutches and snatch them from the very jaws of hell, to enlist and train them for Jesus, and make them into an Almighty Army of God. But this can only be accomplished by a red-hot, unconventional, unfettered Holy Ghost religion, where neither Church nor State, neither man nor traditions are worshipped or preached, but only Christ and Him crucified. Not to confess Christ by fancy collars, church steeples or rich embroidered altar-cloths, but by reckless sacrifice and heroism in the foremost trenches...
“Too long have we been waiting for one another to begin! The time of waiting is past! The hour of God has struck! War is declared! In God's Holy Name let us arise and build! 'The God of Heaven, He will fight for us', as we for Him. We will not build on the sand, but on the bedrock of the sayings of Christ, and the gates and minions of hell shall not prevail against us. Should such men as we fear? Before the world, aye, before the sleepy, lukewarm, faithless, namby-pamby Christian world, we will dare to trust our God, we will venture our all for Him, we will live and we will die for Him, and we will do it with His joy unspeakable singing aloud in our hearts. We will a thousand times sooner die trusting only our God, than live trusting in man. And when we come to this position the battle is already won, and the end of the glorious campaign in sight. We will have the real Holiness of God, not the sickly stuff of talk and dainty words and pretty thoughts; we will have a true Holiness, one of daring faith and works for Jesus Christ.” -CT Studd
My favorite part of this: "Before the world..we will dare to trust our God, we will venture all out for Him, we will live and we will die for Him, and we will do it with His joy unspeakable singing aloud in our hearts. We will a thousand times sooner die trusting only our God, than live trusting in man."
I have found no greater joy in life than in trusting in my God. Growing up at the beach, being at Auburn when we won the National Championship in 2010, living in Spain, looking over the Atlantic from Portugal, watching whales jump out of the water in Alaska, tossing my coin in the Trevi fountain in Rome, and watching 3 lions in the Kenyan wilderness pale in comparison to knowing Christ and making him known.
And although the Lord has blessed me with many experiences while traveling, the visual memories I have from some of the world's top tourist attractions will never be as vibrant as the mental pictures I have of God's light shining in the midst of brokenness and poverty. I watched a shoeless orphan in Mexico walk to the gate of his orphanage and give his cookie away to a passerby on the street. I watched homeless people bring dirty 2-Liter Coke containers they found in the trash to the soup kitchen, so that they would have somewhere to keep their food and something to eat for the next day. I watched Kenyan young adults walk upwards of 10 miles to proclaim the name of Jesus to young pupils in the very schools that they grew up in. And I watched broke college students weep and cry out to God over the lives of young babies at a children's home in Nairobi.
When I think back and ponder all of these memories, the moments where I directly saw God at work re-play as vivid mental images with vibrant colors and sounds. Sometimes I even think I remember what it smelled like in those places. But in the moments where the world was hustling and bustling and "ministry" wasn't on the forefront- on the train in Paris, in class in Auburn, or on the beach in Florida- God was just as present. He is at work to accomplish his redemption of the world in those places, just as equally as he is pursuing the hearts of his people in Kenya and Mexico. The beauty of both is that everything was created by God and finds its purpose in Him.
The joy comes in trusting that my God is faithful, and that He will do what He said. 1 Thessalonians 5:24 says, "The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it." Deuteronomy 7:9 says, "Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments."
My God can be trusted and He is worth everything. He can be trusted with our future, he can be trusted with the orphans and widows, and he can be trusted with our families. But he has entrusted his followers to be his hands and feet in this world, and what a mighty project it is that stands before us. We are truly at war, yet He beckons us to walk with him daily. I desire nothing more than to be at the end of my wits for the glory of God, as joy unspeakable is found only in Him.
Thursday, May 30, 2013
Light in the Darkness
My momma & daddy shine light in the darkness by raising their children up in truth.
For years, I've heard God whispering- no, it's been more than a whisper- I've heard God beckoning, saying, "adopt."
Since this isn't the time for me, considering I'm 21 years old, single, still in school, and I have $70 to my name, I hoped that God was calling my parents to adopt. I was a mosquito in their ears about adoption. In fact, I prayed fervently that God would lead them to adopt and that they would do it. I found myself jealous of stories like Emily Chapman's, who prayed and prayed that her family would adopt, until they adopted 3 precious daughters from China and started the organization that I would come to love and work for- Show Hope, a movement to care for orphans.
My parents are only 51 years old. They are in good shape and their love for each other grows more and more every day. Daddy has a great job and momma is a dedicated volunteer at our church and a stay at home mom. But I'm the baby, I live away from home, and I just have one more semester left of college. And there are 147 MILLION orphans in the world today.
So, it makes sense that my parents should adopt, right?
Wrong. I believe firmly that not everyone is called to adopt, even though I begged God for years for my parents to adopt. But I am equally adamant that we are all called to do something to shine a light in the darkness. You see, for a while I thought, hoped, and prayed that my parents fell into the first category, not the latter. But now I see clearly that my parents shine a light in the darkness by raising me up in truth and by continuing to support me, at 21, in God's call on my life to look after orphans and widows in distress and to keep from being polluted by the world.
And my parents are adopting in so many other ways. They "adopt" young families at church to mentor and love on. They "adopt" some of our church staff's children for a night or a weekend so that the couple can finally have a date night again. They care for my grandparents. They love with reckless abandon through their time and resources. They are better stewards of what God has given them than anyone I have ever seen. They are trusting God with my life and they are willing to support me, love me, and pray for me no matter where God points and says, "Go." More than anything, they are following after Jesus. They believe that he was serious when he issued the great commission, and they remain completely and continually open to the nature of The Lord.
God is God, we are not. But recognizing that he could change this at any moment, he has not, to my knowledge, called my parents to adopt another child into part of our forever family. But my parents live out James 1:27 and they are without a doubt shining a light in the darkness, making a huge difference in the lives of the 147 Million.
How will you shine a light in the darkness?
For years, I've heard God whispering- no, it's been more than a whisper- I've heard God beckoning, saying, "adopt."
Since this isn't the time for me, considering I'm 21 years old, single, still in school, and I have $70 to my name, I hoped that God was calling my parents to adopt. I was a mosquito in their ears about adoption. In fact, I prayed fervently that God would lead them to adopt and that they would do it. I found myself jealous of stories like Emily Chapman's, who prayed and prayed that her family would adopt, until they adopted 3 precious daughters from China and started the organization that I would come to love and work for- Show Hope, a movement to care for orphans.
My parents are only 51 years old. They are in good shape and their love for each other grows more and more every day. Daddy has a great job and momma is a dedicated volunteer at our church and a stay at home mom. But I'm the baby, I live away from home, and I just have one more semester left of college. And there are 147 MILLION orphans in the world today.
So, it makes sense that my parents should adopt, right?
Wrong. I believe firmly that not everyone is called to adopt, even though I begged God for years for my parents to adopt. But I am equally adamant that we are all called to do something to shine a light in the darkness. You see, for a while I thought, hoped, and prayed that my parents fell into the first category, not the latter. But now I see clearly that my parents shine a light in the darkness by raising me up in truth and by continuing to support me, at 21, in God's call on my life to look after orphans and widows in distress and to keep from being polluted by the world.
And my parents are adopting in so many other ways. They "adopt" young families at church to mentor and love on. They "adopt" some of our church staff's children for a night or a weekend so that the couple can finally have a date night again. They care for my grandparents. They love with reckless abandon through their time and resources. They are better stewards of what God has given them than anyone I have ever seen. They are trusting God with my life and they are willing to support me, love me, and pray for me no matter where God points and says, "Go." More than anything, they are following after Jesus. They believe that he was serious when he issued the great commission, and they remain completely and continually open to the nature of The Lord.
God is God, we are not. But recognizing that he could change this at any moment, he has not, to my knowledge, called my parents to adopt another child into part of our forever family. But my parents live out James 1:27 and they are without a doubt shining a light in the darkness, making a huge difference in the lives of the 147 Million.
How will you shine a light in the darkness?
Sunday, May 19, 2013
Step by Step: Franklin
Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgements and how inscrutable his ways! For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor? Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid? For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen. -Romans 11:33-36-
I've entered into a new season of life. Less than a month ago, I returned home from Spain on April 26th. After a few days home with my beautiful family, I moved to Nashville for the summer. I am working for Show Hope, a movement to care for orphans. This non-profit in Franklin, TN was founded 10 years ago and focuses on orphan care and adoption aid. Show Hope equips parents who are adopting, gives financial grants to families in the adoption process, works in China at Maria's Big House of Hope and a few other care centers, and takes students, donors, and visionaries on short-term trips to both China and Haiti. As most of the trips are during the summer, this is a very busy time at Show Hope!
Tomorrow will mark the start of my third week at Show Hope, and this internship is a complete answer to prayer. I am thankful every day for the opportunity to work in a Christ-centered organization where ultimately, at the end of the day, all that matters is Jesus- "For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified." (1 Corinthians 2:2) Our greatest passion is not orphan care. No, rather, our greatest desire is to know Christ and to make him known, and to follow his two greatest commandments: 1) 'Love theLord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind' and 2) 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' (Matthew 22:37-39) In response to this, and to James 1:27, "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world," we are passionate about orphan care as well. I believe that we are all called to be obedient to James 1:27. However, I also believe that in my personal life, the Lord has called me to devote my entire life and career to it, as well.
Tomorrow will mark the start of my third week at Show Hope, and this internship is a complete answer to prayer. I am thankful every day for the opportunity to work in a Christ-centered organization where ultimately, at the end of the day, all that matters is Jesus- "For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified." (1 Corinthians 2:2) Our greatest passion is not orphan care. No, rather, our greatest desire is to know Christ and to make him known, and to follow his two greatest commandments: 1) 'Love theLord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind' and 2) 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' (Matthew 22:37-39) In response to this, and to James 1:27, "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world," we are passionate about orphan care as well. I believe that we are all called to be obedient to James 1:27. However, I also believe that in my personal life, the Lord has called me to devote my entire life and career to it, as well.
Practically, I have no idea what that looks like. I don't know where I will be going to law school a year from now. I don't know where I will live "when I grow up." I don't know if I'll work for the government, or for a private adoption agency, or a private firm. I don't know if I'll start my own agency. I don't know if I'll go back to Kenya or to Spain or to Fort Walton Beach.
But I don't have to know. And, frankly, I don't care to know. Why? Because I'm walking step by step with my Maker. Right now, he has me in Franklin, serving and learning at Show Hope. I rest in 1 Thessalonians 5:24- "The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it." Whatever the "it" ends up being. More than anything, I just want Jesus. And I'm thankful for the opportunity to rest this summer, soaking up his word and his lessons when I'm not working, getting back to a regular exercise routine, and living life at a relaxed pace. I will be working through the end of the summer here at Show Hope, then returning to Auburn for one more semester before graduating in December with a degree in Spanish-International Trade.
I'm thankful for the opportunity to intern, learn, and serve at Show Hope. I'm thankful for the 2 families who have so generously hosted me this summer. I'm thankful for an office full of encouraging Christ-followers who spur me on even at work. I'm thankful for little reminders all over the place that this is exactly where I'm supposed to be. I'm thankful for summer sunshine and country music and sweet tea.
And I'm thankful that the Lord's wisdom, knowledge, and riches are far greater than my own, as he directs my steps.
Love,
EG
I'm thankful for the opportunity to intern, learn, and serve at Show Hope. I'm thankful for the 2 families who have so generously hosted me this summer. I'm thankful for an office full of encouraging Christ-followers who spur me on even at work. I'm thankful for little reminders all over the place that this is exactly where I'm supposed to be. I'm thankful for summer sunshine and country music and sweet tea.
And I'm thankful that the Lord's wisdom, knowledge, and riches are far greater than my own, as he directs my steps.
Love,
EG
Saturday, January 26, 2013
Gracia Sobre Gracia
Day 1 in Granada and I'm already blown away. I'm starting to wonder if I really love Granada even more than Barcelona, or if the excitement of each fresh adventure makes it seem more enchanting than the last.
This morning we walked around Granada before the city awoke, and it was refreshing to travel in a smaller group with the flexibility to roam, wander, and take plenty of pictures. After stopping at the tourism office to buy 3-day passes that get us in to the major attractions here, we went to the Granada Catedral and Chapilla. I bought a few postcards and a sticker for Libby the Jeep, of course. (Stay on my good side and you might see a postcard in your future.)
And then, perhaps my favorite place in all of Spain thus far...drumroll please...a monastery. What? A monastery? Yes. Absolutely. Loved it. I could have stayed siting in the courtyard there all day long. The history in the building, the beauty of its structure, the life in its gardens, and the discipline of solitude that it represents are all things my heart needed to see and hear & see today. I was stilled, I was stunned, and I was in awe once more of Christ himself.
It's interesting that this experience at the monastery was so intimate, because in most Cathedrals we have been in or near so far, my tendency has been to feel overwhelmed. The buildings are ancient and magnificent in size and splendor but something used to crawl under my skin...something that made me squirm a little bit because I know that the grandeur of the building is not at all necessary in order for us to be found in Christ and in the center of God's love.
But today, the simplicity and serenity of the monastery bridged a gap for me. I can appreciate the Cathedrals for the history and beauty, recognizing that they were built not so much in an effort to "get to" God, as much as they are intended to give him the glory that he is all so worthy of. Today, in the chapel of the monastery, intricately and ornately covered in paintings, gold, and garnet, all I heard was, "Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." (Hebrews 4:16)
GRACE. At the end of the day, it's still all that really matters to me in this life.
...Which leads me to share one more point- John 1:16 in Spanish says, "En efecto, de su plenitud todos hemos recibido gracia sobre gracia." In English, that verse says, "And from his fulness we have all received, grace upon grace."
Something about the Spanish words speaks volumes louder to me. The word "sobre" has different uses, but in this context it translates, to me, as grace literally layered on top of grace. Again and again and again, grace covering grace. May we never lose perspective of the power of the gospel and the strength in its truth..where life itself is found.
Now, back to my café in the streets of Granada- I think I'll pick up the word for a little while and get to know the heart of my God a little bit better. Maybe even with some vino blanco and ensaladilla rusa. After all, it is a sunny afternoon.
This morning we walked around Granada before the city awoke, and it was refreshing to travel in a smaller group with the flexibility to roam, wander, and take plenty of pictures. After stopping at the tourism office to buy 3-day passes that get us in to the major attractions here, we went to the Granada Catedral and Chapilla. I bought a few postcards and a sticker for Libby the Jeep, of course. (Stay on my good side and you might see a postcard in your future.)
And then, perhaps my favorite place in all of Spain thus far...drumroll please...a monastery. What? A monastery? Yes. Absolutely. Loved it. I could have stayed siting in the courtyard there all day long. The history in the building, the beauty of its structure, the life in its gardens, and the discipline of solitude that it represents are all things my heart needed to see and hear & see today. I was stilled, I was stunned, and I was in awe once more of Christ himself.
It's interesting that this experience at the monastery was so intimate, because in most Cathedrals we have been in or near so far, my tendency has been to feel overwhelmed. The buildings are ancient and magnificent in size and splendor but something used to crawl under my skin...something that made me squirm a little bit because I know that the grandeur of the building is not at all necessary in order for us to be found in Christ and in the center of God's love.
But today, the simplicity and serenity of the monastery bridged a gap for me. I can appreciate the Cathedrals for the history and beauty, recognizing that they were built not so much in an effort to "get to" God, as much as they are intended to give him the glory that he is all so worthy of. Today, in the chapel of the monastery, intricately and ornately covered in paintings, gold, and garnet, all I heard was, "Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." (Hebrews 4:16)
GRACE. At the end of the day, it's still all that really matters to me in this life.
...Which leads me to share one more point- John 1:16 in Spanish says, "En efecto, de su plenitud todos hemos recibido gracia sobre gracia." In English, that verse says, "And from his fulness we have all received, grace upon grace."
Something about the Spanish words speaks volumes louder to me. The word "sobre" has different uses, but in this context it translates, to me, as grace literally layered on top of grace. Again and again and again, grace covering grace. May we never lose perspective of the power of the gospel and the strength in its truth..where life itself is found.
Now, back to my café in the streets of Granada- I think I'll pick up the word for a little while and get to know the heart of my God a little bit better. Maybe even with some vino blanco and ensaladilla rusa. After all, it is a sunny afternoon.
Friday, January 25, 2013
Alcalá Adventures
It has been about two and a half weeks since I arrived in Spain. Some days it seems as if we've been here much longer, while other days I feel like it was just yesterday that I left the Pensacola airport. A lot has happened here, and I am settled in to life in Alcalá, so much so that I'm uncertain what life in Auburn would even look like right now.
It's a crazy, beautiful experience that I am so thankful for- I am thankful that the Lord first put the desire to learn Spanish in my heart over 7 years ago, thankful that He provides everything I need financially through scholarships and my parents, thankful that my parents are willing to let go and trust him with my life and support my dreams and goals all the while, and thankful for my friends who push me to pursue this experience- because they care more about me than hanging out with me.
So, what am I doing? Well, I could write about 20 pages this morning but I don't have time for that and neither do you, so here are some highlights of Spain thus far:
Weel 1: Tour of Alcalá, the Institute that houses our program, and tour of Madrid on Friday. On Saturday I went exploring with my roommate, Kelsey, to the big national park here called Los Cerros. I'm pretty sure it will be my private get-away place for the semester, but it's a great place to walk and run with friends, too! Sunday, I went to Catholic mass for the first time in my life at a beautiful Cathedral here in Alcalá. We went to the family-friendly service at 11:30, which ended up perfect because the homily was much easier for non-native speakers to understand! That evening we went to the mall, and I got a haircut because I fried my hair with my straightener. Good thing I'm not incredibly attached to my hair...and getting it cut here was really a great opportunity to practice Spanish for an hour with the hairdresser! Also bought a Spanish Bible at the mall, which is so cool to read because some of the words have a very different connotation for me in Spanish than they do in English.
Week 2: Regular classes began! I am taking four classes: Service-Learning in bilingual context; Spain: Relations with Latin America; International Business: Communication and Culture; and Globalization of the Modern Economy. Whew! It's a mouthful, but I am enjoying them all! Aside from service-learning, all of the classes have 2 outside excursions included as part of the course. All of the classes are taught in all Spanish (of course), so I am not taking a grammar or civilization class, per say, but I am most definitely still learning about grammar, writing, and civ & culture. I have a great mix of professors: one young woman who is lively and very approachable, a young man who loves the "drama" of history and always helps students navigate Alcalá and the university extracurriculums outside of the classroom, a woman who is more serious than most but has already taught me so much more and incorporates activities for different styles of learning, and of course the typical "he's a hoot," crazy, wild, energetic economist. He will rant and rant and rant in Spanish about PIB (GDP), standard of livings in different countries, politics, and whether or not the UK is going to separate from the EU27, and then bust out of nowhere with, "but I LOVE your country!" in English. Whoever said economics is boring was wrong, very wrong.
Over the weekend, a group of us went to Barcelona! (See facebook for pictures- yes, I reactivated!) We took an overnight bus there on Thursday, and an overnight bus back on Saturday. Friday night we stayed in a very inexpensive but very nice hostel. The whole weekend was a blast, with the right combination of sight seeing and one night out and an awesome tour of FC Barcelona stadium. We all stayed together on Friday and toured various museums and Cathedrals, and made our way over to the port and the beach as well. On Saturday, most of the group went to the market but two of the guys and I went to Camp Nou to see if they gave tours, and we got a deal and saw a really cool museum of all the history and trophies of the club and then tour the stadium as well. Money very, very, very well spent as I got my "sports fix"!
This week was our second full week of classes, and yes, I do have homework that I do in the afternoons! But a "typical day" includes going to class, walking around during the break between classes and shopping some, reading some or practicing talking Spanish with different people, class again...walk home for lunch around 2:30, and most afternoons I get to RUN! woohoo! Alcalá is a great place to run and I'm still learning my way around the city, but it is not difficult. People just give me weird looks for wearing 5-fingered shoes, but hey, they do that at home, too. Some afternoons we go out for tapas and wine, or hang out with friends, or hang out here at the house. I will be volunteering at elementary schools soon, some for the service-learning class and some for volunteering's sake, but they are still setting up all of that so for now I have a little more free time. Tuesday of this week, I set in motion the rule for myself that I am not going to speak English anymore. The exceptions are when I am talking to someone from back home (cough cough mom and dad), or when another student who doesn't speak much Spanish asks an urgent question about homework or traveling or something like that. So far, so good! Although writing this entire blog post in English this morning has me a little bit confused...I feel like I'm breaking the law. Conversationally, I understand almost everything I'm hearing (at least at home and at school) but it's frustrating at times because I can't listen and think and respond all at the same time, yet. So far all the students in my program still speak a lot of English to each other, but I stopped participating in that on Tuesday! I would be so angry if at the end of semester I'm not fluent and I could have done more.
That's it for now- headed to Granada this afternoon for the weekend! Please feel free to stalk my pictures, ask questions, or send me an email!
Hasta luego,
EG
It's a crazy, beautiful experience that I am so thankful for- I am thankful that the Lord first put the desire to learn Spanish in my heart over 7 years ago, thankful that He provides everything I need financially through scholarships and my parents, thankful that my parents are willing to let go and trust him with my life and support my dreams and goals all the while, and thankful for my friends who push me to pursue this experience- because they care more about me than hanging out with me.
So, what am I doing? Well, I could write about 20 pages this morning but I don't have time for that and neither do you, so here are some highlights of Spain thus far:
Weel 1: Tour of Alcalá, the Institute that houses our program, and tour of Madrid on Friday. On Saturday I went exploring with my roommate, Kelsey, to the big national park here called Los Cerros. I'm pretty sure it will be my private get-away place for the semester, but it's a great place to walk and run with friends, too! Sunday, I went to Catholic mass for the first time in my life at a beautiful Cathedral here in Alcalá. We went to the family-friendly service at 11:30, which ended up perfect because the homily was much easier for non-native speakers to understand! That evening we went to the mall, and I got a haircut because I fried my hair with my straightener. Good thing I'm not incredibly attached to my hair...and getting it cut here was really a great opportunity to practice Spanish for an hour with the hairdresser! Also bought a Spanish Bible at the mall, which is so cool to read because some of the words have a very different connotation for me in Spanish than they do in English.
Week 2: Regular classes began! I am taking four classes: Service-Learning in bilingual context; Spain: Relations with Latin America; International Business: Communication and Culture; and Globalization of the Modern Economy. Whew! It's a mouthful, but I am enjoying them all! Aside from service-learning, all of the classes have 2 outside excursions included as part of the course. All of the classes are taught in all Spanish (of course), so I am not taking a grammar or civilization class, per say, but I am most definitely still learning about grammar, writing, and civ & culture. I have a great mix of professors: one young woman who is lively and very approachable, a young man who loves the "drama" of history and always helps students navigate Alcalá and the university extracurriculums outside of the classroom, a woman who is more serious than most but has already taught me so much more and incorporates activities for different styles of learning, and of course the typical "he's a hoot," crazy, wild, energetic economist. He will rant and rant and rant in Spanish about PIB (GDP), standard of livings in different countries, politics, and whether or not the UK is going to separate from the EU27, and then bust out of nowhere with, "but I LOVE your country!" in English. Whoever said economics is boring was wrong, very wrong.
Over the weekend, a group of us went to Barcelona! (See facebook for pictures- yes, I reactivated!) We took an overnight bus there on Thursday, and an overnight bus back on Saturday. Friday night we stayed in a very inexpensive but very nice hostel. The whole weekend was a blast, with the right combination of sight seeing and one night out and an awesome tour of FC Barcelona stadium. We all stayed together on Friday and toured various museums and Cathedrals, and made our way over to the port and the beach as well. On Saturday, most of the group went to the market but two of the guys and I went to Camp Nou to see if they gave tours, and we got a deal and saw a really cool museum of all the history and trophies of the club and then tour the stadium as well. Money very, very, very well spent as I got my "sports fix"!
This week was our second full week of classes, and yes, I do have homework that I do in the afternoons! But a "typical day" includes going to class, walking around during the break between classes and shopping some, reading some or practicing talking Spanish with different people, class again...walk home for lunch around 2:30, and most afternoons I get to RUN! woohoo! Alcalá is a great place to run and I'm still learning my way around the city, but it is not difficult. People just give me weird looks for wearing 5-fingered shoes, but hey, they do that at home, too. Some afternoons we go out for tapas and wine, or hang out with friends, or hang out here at the house. I will be volunteering at elementary schools soon, some for the service-learning class and some for volunteering's sake, but they are still setting up all of that so for now I have a little more free time. Tuesday of this week, I set in motion the rule for myself that I am not going to speak English anymore. The exceptions are when I am talking to someone from back home (cough cough mom and dad), or when another student who doesn't speak much Spanish asks an urgent question about homework or traveling or something like that. So far, so good! Although writing this entire blog post in English this morning has me a little bit confused...I feel like I'm breaking the law. Conversationally, I understand almost everything I'm hearing (at least at home and at school) but it's frustrating at times because I can't listen and think and respond all at the same time, yet. So far all the students in my program still speak a lot of English to each other, but I stopped participating in that on Tuesday! I would be so angry if at the end of semester I'm not fluent and I could have done more.
That's it for now- headed to Granada this afternoon for the weekend! Please feel free to stalk my pictures, ask questions, or send me an email!
Hasta luego,
EG
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
My Home in Alcala
Here are some pictures from our walking tour of Alcalá this afternoon!
Some of the offices of the Instituto Franklin
Front entrance to the Istituto
View from the front doors
Hidden courtyard at the Istituto
Mural in a central hallway of my new "Alma Mater"...not sure exactly what this one means, yet.
La Plaza Cervantes (after Miguel de Cervantes, the most important person to come out of Alcalá de Henares)
Christmas tree en la Plaza Central, where we are obviously still celebrating Christmas!
Feliz Navidad!
Another shot from the plaza, shows the unique and beautiful trees that border it
The most important and most beautiful building of the Universidad de Alcalá, where the Cervantes prize for Spanish literature is awarded by the King and Queen every April
Statue of Cisneros, the second-most important person (behind Cervantes), who first founded the University of Alcalá
My first selection for casual reading...War Eagle!
Christopher Columbus monument in front of another beautiful building
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Day 1 in Spain!
Hola! This may be very jumbled, but there are 3 sensible reasons for that:
1) jet lag
2) for the first time, I am learning to be truly bilingual! Jumping back into Spanish is proving to be slightly more difficult than expected. I understand almost everything I hear, but responding and asking questions is a different story.
3) English and writing have never really been my strong suit, anyway!
I made it to Madrid by 7:30 this morning, as planned, and waited at the airport until it was time to meet the rest of the group and the people from Alcalá, where we are studying and living! They brought us all here on a bus or two and we met up with our host families in the central plaza downtown, right across from the building that is home to our classss.
My host mom brought us home and we got settled in, and i may or may not have taken a 4 hour nap...meaning that I definitely hibernated. I have one "roommate"ish; we each have our own room but we are with the same host. It's a condo-style apartment in Alcalá, about a 20 minute walk from class. We live with Mila and Antonio, who aren't married because she's stubborn but otherwise function like a normal family with Antonio's 17 year old son, also named Antonio. Mila is a short, trendy, healthy, and fashionista.
After my extended siesta, my roommate Kelsey and I had lunch (at 17:15...weird). We took a walk around town, bought a hair dryer, and watched the Lion King, or better yet "El Rey León", and I took my second nap of the day during the movie. Blame it on the jet lag...this will not happen again! Antonio cooked dinner, which we sat down to eat around 21:00. Tonight we ate a salad (YESSSS SERIOUSLY PRAISE THE LORD!), sausage made with onions, a Spanish tortilla-type dosh made with potatoes and cheese, and, of course, bread.
Orientation starts "bright and early" tomorrow- but Spain bright & early is really not bright and early at all, compared to what I'm used to. I have to be at the school at 9 and finish around 2, which is similar to what my everyday schedule will be like once classes start next week.
Other interesting sights and discoveries so far:
- saw all the branches of the armed forces while traveling, including one of my friends from Auburn who was on the way back from basic headed to Pensacola- that was such a blessing!
- saw 2 monks while traveling
- storks sit on top of the buildings where our classes are around the central plaza
- found a Catholic Church close to home
- found a couple of places to get my ice cream fix...this is critical
- heard about a few 1/2 marathons in April in Madrid that are very realistic possibilities! It's a step down from a Tough Mudder, but that's not completely out of the picture yet, either. Heck, why not both?!
That's day 1 in not-so-small nutshell. It's past my bedtime!
Hasta luego,EG
1) jet lag
2) for the first time, I am learning to be truly bilingual! Jumping back into Spanish is proving to be slightly more difficult than expected. I understand almost everything I hear, but responding and asking questions is a different story.
3) English and writing have never really been my strong suit, anyway!
I made it to Madrid by 7:30 this morning, as planned, and waited at the airport until it was time to meet the rest of the group and the people from Alcalá, where we are studying and living! They brought us all here on a bus or two and we met up with our host families in the central plaza downtown, right across from the building that is home to our classss.
My host mom brought us home and we got settled in, and i may or may not have taken a 4 hour nap...meaning that I definitely hibernated. I have one "roommate"ish; we each have our own room but we are with the same host. It's a condo-style apartment in Alcalá, about a 20 minute walk from class. We live with Mila and Antonio, who aren't married because she's stubborn but otherwise function like a normal family with Antonio's 17 year old son, also named Antonio. Mila is a short, trendy, healthy, and fashionista.
After my extended siesta, my roommate Kelsey and I had lunch (at 17:15...weird). We took a walk around town, bought a hair dryer, and watched the Lion King, or better yet "El Rey León", and I took my second nap of the day during the movie. Blame it on the jet lag...this will not happen again! Antonio cooked dinner, which we sat down to eat around 21:00. Tonight we ate a salad (YESSSS SERIOUSLY PRAISE THE LORD!), sausage made with onions, a Spanish tortilla-type dosh made with potatoes and cheese, and, of course, bread.
Orientation starts "bright and early" tomorrow- but Spain bright & early is really not bright and early at all, compared to what I'm used to. I have to be at the school at 9 and finish around 2, which is similar to what my everyday schedule will be like once classes start next week.
Other interesting sights and discoveries so far:
- saw all the branches of the armed forces while traveling, including one of my friends from Auburn who was on the way back from basic headed to Pensacola- that was such a blessing!
- saw 2 monks while traveling
- storks sit on top of the buildings where our classes are around the central plaza
- found a Catholic Church close to home
- found a couple of places to get my ice cream fix...this is critical
- heard about a few 1/2 marathons in April in Madrid that are very realistic possibilities! It's a step down from a Tough Mudder, but that's not completely out of the picture yet, either. Heck, why not both?!
That's day 1 in not-so-small nutshell. It's past my bedtime!
Hasta luego,EG
Sunday, January 6, 2013
This One Goes Out to Leah C. Peterson
[newsflash: I leave tomorrow to study abroad in Spain for the semester]
I'm sitting on the floor of my bedroom, thinking through the packing lists to see if I covered it all. At this point, it's either in the bag or there is no room for it anyway, so what does it matter? So I start thinking about the things I am most excited about for this semester, the goals I have set for myself, the destinations and adventures that the next four months might possibly hold, and the things that I'm really going to miss.
One major thing on that list of things I'll miss are my weekly breakfast dates with Leah. So, to avoid titling this post with something cheesy like I normally do ("aaaand we're off," or "hasta luego"....) I decided that this one indeed goes out to Leah C Peterson. Fitting, considering that her New Year's resolution is to read my blog. Cheers, Leah; tell Barbecue House that we'll be back in August!
Speaking of food....back to the many positives that lie ahead! I look forward to experiencing the culture in it all of it's fullness. Spain will be "home" for four months, and to reap the most benefits from this season, I will be fully immersed in the culture- food, drink, dancing, language, business, religion, and relationships- I long to experience it all.
I am so, so thankful that the Lord has blessed me with this opportunity to study abroad. This semester certainly is a gift. And while yes, the above paragraph is true, the Lord has blessed me with the chance to go, and in turn I commit the journey to my all-powerful Provider and Creator- I'm giving it back to him. Surely this will only bring on even more adventure! I am thankful for a chance to unplug and experience life at a more relaxed speed. I am thankful that my parents are supporting me every step of the way. And I am thankful that I don't have to be anxious about anything in Him!
Christmas break could not have been a more perfect send-off for the journey. I had the chance to reconnect with missionary friends who were home for the holidays, take a quick trip with Mom and have quality time with her while visiting friends, go camping with a few of my closest friends from Fort Walton, and attend Passion conference in Atlanta. Wow! And then the past three days have been full of sweet time with loved ones and long chats with those who are out of town? Thank you Jesus for filling me with JOY! Shout-out to all of my family and friends who love me so well and fill my heart with laughter!
I hope that you and your families have enjoyed the Christmas season and the kick-off of 2013. May this be a year where you commit to "that one thing" in your life, and may you live like Nehemiah, who proclaimed, "I am doing a great work, and I cannot come down."
As for me, my great work will be primarily learning Spanish! I look forward to seeing God as the God of every nation, tribe, and tongue. Other than that, I have zero expectations. It's bound to be an adventure, and it starts in just a few hours! I fly out of Pensacola around 11 tomorrow morning, to arrive in Spain on Tuesday morning. I will be living with a host family and one roommate from Auburn in Alcala de Henares, Spain (just north of Madrid) and studying at the Instituto Franklin de la Universidad de Alcala. Classes start on January 14th are Monday-Thursday. I have never been to Europe before, and I plan on traveling as much as possible- both within and outside of Spain! This is not a private blog, so I am not posting my mailing address, but email me if you would like that contact information. I will be sure to update this blog with pictures and stories so that you can follow the trip, if interested. Beware of the occasional post written in Spanish!
Tonight I learned that I am terrible with goodbyes; but sometimes that's okay because it's really just a "see you later!" That's all I've got for today, but that's quite the mouthful considering I haven't even left yet. Looking forward to the journey,
Emily Grace
I'm sitting on the floor of my bedroom, thinking through the packing lists to see if I covered it all. At this point, it's either in the bag or there is no room for it anyway, so what does it matter? So I start thinking about the things I am most excited about for this semester, the goals I have set for myself, the destinations and adventures that the next four months might possibly hold, and the things that I'm really going to miss.
One major thing on that list of things I'll miss are my weekly breakfast dates with Leah. So, to avoid titling this post with something cheesy like I normally do ("aaaand we're off," or "hasta luego"....) I decided that this one indeed goes out to Leah C Peterson. Fitting, considering that her New Year's resolution is to read my blog. Cheers, Leah; tell Barbecue House that we'll be back in August!
Speaking of food....back to the many positives that lie ahead! I look forward to experiencing the culture in it all of it's fullness. Spain will be "home" for four months, and to reap the most benefits from this season, I will be fully immersed in the culture- food, drink, dancing, language, business, religion, and relationships- I long to experience it all.
I am so, so thankful that the Lord has blessed me with this opportunity to study abroad. This semester certainly is a gift. And while yes, the above paragraph is true, the Lord has blessed me with the chance to go, and in turn I commit the journey to my all-powerful Provider and Creator- I'm giving it back to him. Surely this will only bring on even more adventure! I am thankful for a chance to unplug and experience life at a more relaxed speed. I am thankful that my parents are supporting me every step of the way. And I am thankful that I don't have to be anxious about anything in Him!
Christmas break could not have been a more perfect send-off for the journey. I had the chance to reconnect with missionary friends who were home for the holidays, take a quick trip with Mom and have quality time with her while visiting friends, go camping with a few of my closest friends from Fort Walton, and attend Passion conference in Atlanta. Wow! And then the past three days have been full of sweet time with loved ones and long chats with those who are out of town? Thank you Jesus for filling me with JOY! Shout-out to all of my family and friends who love me so well and fill my heart with laughter!
I hope that you and your families have enjoyed the Christmas season and the kick-off of 2013. May this be a year where you commit to "that one thing" in your life, and may you live like Nehemiah, who proclaimed, "I am doing a great work, and I cannot come down."
As for me, my great work will be primarily learning Spanish! I look forward to seeing God as the God of every nation, tribe, and tongue. Other than that, I have zero expectations. It's bound to be an adventure, and it starts in just a few hours! I fly out of Pensacola around 11 tomorrow morning, to arrive in Spain on Tuesday morning. I will be living with a host family and one roommate from Auburn in Alcala de Henares, Spain (just north of Madrid) and studying at the Instituto Franklin de la Universidad de Alcala. Classes start on January 14th are Monday-Thursday. I have never been to Europe before, and I plan on traveling as much as possible- both within and outside of Spain! This is not a private blog, so I am not posting my mailing address, but email me if you would like that contact information. I will be sure to update this blog with pictures and stories so that you can follow the trip, if interested. Beware of the occasional post written in Spanish!
Tonight I learned that I am terrible with goodbyes; but sometimes that's okay because it's really just a "see you later!" That's all I've got for today, but that's quite the mouthful considering I haven't even left yet. Looking forward to the journey,
Emily Grace
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