La India

This summer, the youth from the federation of churches to which my church belongs will be going to Chennai, India to participate in some ministries begun by the local church there. This weekend there was a youth conference here in Madrid and I got to be involved in the stand (along with many others from the youth group) at the conference to inform about the trip and the materials they are bringing for the school kids at the children's home. Here's what we sold:

Along with the clothes (they will use the money to buy the clothes in India), we put together bookpacks with school supplies to take, and raised money to buy chairs for the church as well. I wish I had a picture of the stand, but I was horrible at taking pictures this weekend. Overall, youth at the conference donated some 4,000 euros!

The conference was wonderful, though tiring. It's the first time I've gone to a camp/conference as one of the leaders of a youth group. Nothing like having to scold for sleeping during messages, go look for straggling youth, and take care of those that aren't feeling that great. On the other hand, it was great to see the steps they are taking in their faith...moving closer and closer every day to God. And now, since I think I've gotten about 5 hours of sleep for the last few days, I am going to turn the lights off, pull down the blinds, put the earplugs in, and say goodbye to the world for at least 10 hours. Good night!!

Youth Retreat

Two weekends ago we we went on a youth retreat, focusing on the parable of the Prodigal Son, focusing on each of the three persons in the parable. This is first time that I've gotten to see some of the inner riggings of doing a camp or retreat. A few weeks before the event, leadership from the two youth groups organizing the retreat met in Canillejas to discuss the schedule and assign jobs. Before that, the leaders from Canillejas had found the site for the camp, the dates, and had more or less planned out the structure. We had someone in charge of games, people from within the youth groups doing the three sermons, someone for transportation, someone to lead a skit, etc. My responsibilities were making creative prayer stations for use during free time, helping to lead a small group discussion after each sermon, and tending to the fire when we had worship down by the fire pit.

The small group was a good experience, if slightly frustrating. The group was 13/14 year olds, and they didn't have much they wanted to share. Sometimes I felt like we were pulling teeth. But there were some good moments as well, and I am glad that I could be there.

The best part, for me, about the retreat was being able to disconnect from my normal life and stresses (like looking for work next year) and relax in nature and with other people. During free time I played baseball (no one knew the rules except me!), walked to a Roman bridge with a large group of girls, and took time to relax mentally.

Isma was at missions conferences at his church, and it was strange to not have him there, since every time I'd been to the site before, he's been there. He was able to join us Sunday after breakfast with two high school girls from the youth group.

Sunday was an interesting day, a day where people shared what God had been pushing them toward during the weekend. From the sharing time, I can tell that is was a good weekend of deepening their relationship with God for the youth group. It was good to see their hearts and see the open doors for more work now.

Church Work Day

I'm a little rusty...let's see if I remember how to write on the blog. The last weeks have been full with running around with looking for work here, being sick, and other activities. Sorry for ignoring the blog!

I've got some pictures from the church work day January 23rd. We started painting a mural in the children's classroom thanks to the wonderful artists of the church, spackled a wall, cleaned out the fridge, and painted the rusting doors. Lots of work!


The kids helped out with the painting.


Noelia and I.


Noemí (pastor's wife) and the kids.


One of our resident artists and designer of mural, Juan Ramon.


Iván and Ester.






Félix


Jorge


Maychu

Spring Cleaning

Twice a year every Spaniard (well, every grandmother at least) cleans their home from top to bottom. Luckily, they're apartments and don't have as much space as our house. Thank you Mom for not making us do so. Angelita is giving me a free education in all of the traditions, even the cleaning ones.

Bathroom: Grab a bucket and rags. Wipe down the walls from the ceiling to the floor with soapy water, then with wet rag, then dry. Move the furniture from the wall, clean floor and wall behind it. Undo the lamp and clean it. Wipe down door.

Room:Move furniture, dust corners, clean blinds, wipe down furniture with damp rag, sweep, mop, dust, feather dust the corners of the walls and ceiling, clean windows.

I suppose the cleaning is fairly normal, but I haven't done it before and I would say that it took me awhile. Luckily I just have my room and the bathroom!

The reward for cleaning was going to Noemi and Armando's house, the pastor's family for lunch. They're from the Canary Islands...their accents remind me of Señor Delaguardia...Cuban accent almost. We had fiesta arroz. Mom sometimes makes something really similar: Frito chips on top of meat, cheese, lettuce. I can't for the life of me remember what it's called. Since last Sunday was my last Sunday here before Christmas, we needed to organize things to give the kids their prizes for the semester before I left. New cheap toys that the kids earned by earning stickers bringing their Bible and memorizing the Bible verse. I'm going to miss teaching them next semester.

I spent the evening catching up with Sara, a friend that took English classes from me and led the small group I participated in last year. She got married a few weeks before I came to Spain this past September, so we had a lot to talk about. The summer, being married, and teaching. She teaches evangelical religion classes in an elementary school in Madrid.

Frog and Toad

I'm sure you're burning with curiosity to know the story behind the toad themed birthday presents. Or perhaps not. If not, you should politely stop reading now. Better. Well, it goes back to the youth group's fall retreat. I had just finished my first week of work after the summer, and the kids' Spanish germs had already gotten to me. Sniffles, headache, fatigue, sore throat: I had a bummer of a cold. All this heading into a weekend where I knew I wouldn't sleep much, but I was determined to make the most of it.
The first evening, after deciding that I couldn't take any more that day, I laid down across some of the chairs in the gym and decided to rest a bit while the others played Sardines, the hide-in-seek variant where everyone ends up hiding in the same corner by the end of the game with the last lonely person wondering where everyone went. Isma sweetly decided to stay and keep me company. Enter Miki..or Micah if you want the English form of his name, the youth pastor's oldest son. With a toad.
I take one look at it and almost jump with excitement. I love animals. Even toads. Or perhaps especially things like toads, frogs, turtles, and pet insects. Wrinkling his nose, Isma looks at the toad disgustedly and says, "Touch it, and I'll have to leave." Do I listen? Nope. The rest of the weekend the others teased Isma about how I left him for a toad...that perhaps I could have kissed it hoping it would turn into a prince. And so now, it's just a funny memory between us. The day I left him for a toad.

Giving Thanks

I celebrated Thanksgiving with Angelita's family and a family friend. Her daughter married an American, so they celebrate each year. I made the pumpkin cake again. Found out, after the fact, where they store the frozen crusts (the dough...you still have to form it in the pan) in my grocery store. The evening was wonderful; we ended up staying until around 12 am. Dinner conversation: a trip to Thailand and Laos on motorcycle; bugs that bite including lice, worms, and ticks; strange food including ingredients we can't find and eating bugs; and other travel adventures. Angelita's grandson and his wife, Juan Marcos and Yoli, entertained us all with their adventures. Sorry, still no photos.

Two weekends ago was full with Isma's cousin's birthday party, a visit to Colmenar youth group Saturday evening (about 45 min from our church), a Sunday lunch in an empty house (wonderfully relaxing), and Sunday evening filling boxes to send to the Sahara for Christmas. I could summarize it as a weekend of reaching out to new people. Meeting Isma's family, meeting and encouraging the youth from a smaller, more isolated city, and sending boxes full of goodies to unknown kids in Sahara in Morocco. It was a weekend full of blessings.

This weekend is an extra long weekend because I have work off both Monday and Tuesday. put that on top of the fact that I don't work Fridays, and I have a mini-vacation. Friday was the normal clean, cook, relax, shop day. I took advantage of Saturday to spend the morning with Isma looking for Christmas presents and the afternoon we picked up Tamy to hang out with the youth pastor's kids. Sunday was the third time I meet with a mini-group of younger girls from youth group to have a Bible study and accountability group. The experience reminds me of when I was in youth group in middle and high school and how much the women who led my discipleship groups affected me. Ann Smits, Rebecca Farrer, and Marti Stittsworth all are examples for me of how to gently lead others to question, search, and reach out to others in love. I am praying that I can lead them well as we all learn together. Today I've taken advantage of the time to cut my hair and translate part of a Bible study to English and try to relax and read a bit. It's been a relaxing day so far.

Cookies and English Camp

My birthday weekend, I went to English camp like last year. Friday Isma and Tamy came over to make gingerbread cookies with me for the youth group. Saturday, early, Tamy took me to the train station to meet my friend Carmen to go to Guadalajara for the camp. Carmen brought the most scrumptious oatmeal cookies, of which I think we devoured about ten each before getting to the station in Guadalajara to get in the van to shuttle out to the camp. Two of my private students, Marta and Sergio, and their mother, Paqui. My workshop about Thanksgiving went well. And for the next workshop I went to a class to learn to make pumpkin muffins. Mmmm. Isma wasn't going to come, so when I saw him standing by Tamy when we drove up at the camp, my cheeks turned bright pink and hot...well there was a smile in there too. Carmen enjoyed that, taking the opportunity to tease me. Oh well, I was very happy Isma came.

Sunday I celebrated my birthday by staying home for lunch, eating chili and cornbread with Isma at my house. Sometimes Sundays aren't very restful days, with so many people, so I considered it a birthday present to myself not to invite anyone else, to be antisocial, and relax. I was given a couple frog themed presents...that has a story behind it. I'll tell you the story later (it's already 10 pm...too late to begin to formulate it, especially since my brain works slower after 10 pm).

I've posted some pictures from the English camp and cookie baking the night before. Hopefully I'll have some from Halloween (that depends on the teacher who has them) and Thanksgiving soon.

Cookies and English Camp

Weekends in the Park

Two weekends ago I went to Retiro Park to go for a tour with my friend Carmen of the park, with an emphasis on the history. Unfortunately, she came down with the flu and couldn't meet up with me. I think that her elementary kids probably passed it along to her. I learned a lot during the 2 hour walk around the park. For lunch, Isma met up with me in the park, and I can't say that I complained about having a picnic just the two of us. I've got some pictures of the rose gardens and the park with fall leaves.

The Thursday after, those of us in the youth group had to say goodbye to two of our friends, Anderson and Israel (Isra), who left to go back to their home country, Brazil. We went out to a Brazilian restaurant to "celebrate." I suppose it was a celebration of our friendships, though most celebrations don't end in tears. Friday they left for Portugal, and by Saturday afternoon, they were on the plane for Brazil. Their presence is missed so much in youth group and Sunday morning. I think we all miss hearing Isra's beautiful voice and both of their powerful prayers and encouraging words and Anderson's samba dancing.

This past weekend Isma took me to see the Templo de Debod, which I know Amy saw about a year ago. Okay, more than a year ago. We were going to go on the teleférico (cable car?) above Madrid, but it was really windy, a little cold, and the line was long. An authentic Egyptian temple seemed like the better option in the moment. Afterward we went to eat at an Indian restaurant nearby. I'd have to say that the last two Saturdays have been wonderful.

This Thursday I went to eat with some of the other teachers at a pizzeria down the street from the elementary school. I'm enjoying the new atmosphere this year with more young teachers and some new attitudes.
This weekend is English Camp. I went last year, but this year I'm going to be leading a workshop about Thanksgiving. I'll let you know how it goes!

Retiro and Templo de Debod

Of friends and students

You know how good it feels to be wanted? Tuesday, upon my arrival at my students' house near the school, Marta burst out of her room with an anticipatory smile, ready to greet me with kisses and hear about my summer and tell me about hers. Sergio also, came out to say hi, a little bashful but happy to see me. Marta and Sergio are siblings, preteens I taught private English lessons to last year, and thankfully am continuing with this year. Last year I went to see the family in a play at their church and it's delightful to work for them. They also contract someone to help out with the cleaning in the house a few days a week, and she used to make an orange juice for me every Friday when I went to give Sergio a lesson. On my way from school to their house, I ran into the woman, Lucia, and we got to catch up in the 3 extra minutes I had. Then, I walked as quickly as I could so I wouldn't be late for the classes.

Wednesday was the third Bible Study. We're studying Mark, noting how Jesus mentored the disciples and how he interacted with the people, learning to be mentors ourselves. It's been delightful so far, and I've noted changes in me as we've gotten into the word more. It's great having a group of people to study with, and since we have "homework" for each day, it's creating a habit of reading and praying every day. I notice the difference when I spend more time with God...we're better friends. Funny how that works.

At school (work) we're working on classroom management and preparing to give the science test next week. I'm relating to the kids well, even better than last year, a good consequence of being in the main classroom the whole time and co-teaching. Some of the kids' lives really depress me, so with them I'm trying to give lots of love while balancing it with the needs of the whole class. At least there are two of us in the classroom. There is always so much to learn, and then some things that can be improved but never mastered, and then others that are new every time and so a mystery.

Back in Spain

Okay, I've been back for almost a month now, and shamefully haven't written or posted anything. My way back to Madrid was fairly uneventful; no running in airports to my delight. Dad and Mom drove me to Chicago where we played multiple rounds of Skip-Bo before I left to go through security. In the airport in Chicago, I met a young woman from India and we sat together during the long flight, during which I don't think I slept a wink. I was a very sleepy girl by the time Isma picked me up the next day at the airport and took me to his home for lunch. In bed that night by 8:30, I slept a straight 12 hours. Since then, I've connected up with old friends for picnics, started with a Bible study which is a formation for mentors, and investigated a Spanish class that ended up not panning out. October 1st was my first day of work, and last Wednesday I finally ironed out the last details in my schedule. I work Monday through Thursday, Friday for working on my private classes' lessons and housework. Two weekends ago the youth had a retreat in Camarma and last weekend I went to a church "yard sale" with my friend Carmen. At the later, I of course bought books. Four. I swear I tried, but just couldn't resist.

Here's some photos from a birthday party and the camp two weekends ago.

Birthday and Youth Retreat

Olympics to San Isidro

Saturday was the Olimpiadas Evangelicas (Christian Olympics) here in Madrid. Churches from all over the area came to compete. Some of the kids from the school I volunteer at competed with their school. It was enjoyable to cheer for the kids doing the track events. Cristo Vive, my church, came in first, la Elipa (Isma and Guille's church) came in second, and the elementary school La Alameda, third. Yay!

Sunday I missed the bus to go to church because I had forgotten my bus pass in the apartment, and didn't remember until I had already walked all the way to the bus stop. By the time I walked home and back to the bus stop, I had to wait for the next bus. I ate lunch with a family from church after service, and then had youth group in the evening. Isma was preaching, who I enjoy listening to.

Tuesday evening there was a surprise dinner at my apartment. Angelita's brother (he's 85 but pretty spry) was at a pastor's conference in Toledo and came up to see her and the family. They hadn't seen each other in 3 years. And the girls (Mar, Stefy, Raquel) hadn't met him, or didn't remember. What fun. Maria Ester, Angelita's daughter, brought strawberry shortcake. It reminded me of summer (well, June in Indiana).
Thursday I went to see Alba, one of the girls from church, graduate from high school. It was a nice affair, though although I was respectful during the infinite speeches, I probably could count the words I listened to on my two hands.

Today is San Isidro, one of the biggest festivals in Madrid. Yesterday the girls in school wore chulapas (a traditional dress) and we danced the chotis (traditional dance) during recess. Everyone was in a great mood. Some of the girls taught me the dance and laughed as I did it. Oscar, our Puerto Rican assistant, danced the chotis with one of the older teachers, but then gave in to his roots and began to dance salsa. During breakfast/recess, the cafeteria served us calamares and hot chocolate with cookies. Today there is no school, and so the real celebrating starts today (beginning with sleeping in).

Friends, School, and Taxes

April 24-26
Friday after work I promised myself to conquer my 100 million task-long-list. I think I crossed off two before heading off to the young adults' small group. They were the most time-sensitive things, though. I was working on a "station" for a prayer night we were having Saturday evening. Basically, the stations consisted of a table, maybe paper to write on, and a short reflection, questions, and verses to think and pray about. I was doing one about carrying others' burdens and putting all your burdens on Jesus.

Saturday morning I went grocery shopping before heading over to San Fernando to help clean and paint the church. I was worried about getting a t-shirt very dirty (since I have a limited supply), so someone lent me a t-shirt to wear for the day. The irony is that I got not a pin-drop of paint on the t-shirt. My pants, the ones I own, on the other hand, looked half white, half the original blue. It ended up coming out in the wash. In the evening, we had the aforementioned prayer and worship night. It was good to spend time praying with friends for the group, church, and community and to sing together. The next morning I had a pounding headache, so I stayed home from church and slept. By the evening I was feeling somewhat better, and went to youth group. Even if I hadn't been feeling good, I may have gone because I needed to bring the snacks (sandwiches and homemade chocolate chip cookies, mmm) and I wanted to hear Guille, one of my friends, preach.

April 27-May 3
This week Eusebio was in Romania, so I substitute taught his class. Because I was taking on more responsibility and doing more work than usual, the school paid for my lunches. Nice bonus. The first day was horrible, but as the week went on, things went much better. It's amazing to see the difference between the two classes. One class is measurably chattier than the other, and mainly for this reason, the number of times the teacher must say "quiet," they get less done. Between Wednesday and Thursday I watched 1972 movie "Sleuth" with Laurence Olivier and Michael Caine at Isma's house. There was no school on Friday, so Isma, Guille, Tamy, and I went to Parque Juan Carlos all day. We played Uno, talked, and lied around relaxing. A few of them got a little pink, but I was fine (thankfully...I do need to buy sunscreen, though). Saturday, my church had a barbecue in Alcobendas at the seminary where the pastor lives. I enjoyed getting to know the people in my church a little better. I talked with one of the women from Romania, Mihaela, who is an English teacher for businesses here. She lived 8 years in London, and has been here for about five. Such an interesting lady. After the barbecue, Isma and I took a walk from my house down to the river. I have some pictures in a previous blog. On our way back, yelling and fireworks filled the air. It appears that we were the only ones not inside watching the soccer game. Real Madrid lost. Boo hoo.





Sunday was Mother's Day here (Mom knows, since I called her), and Isma and Guille's mom invited me for lunch. It was wonderful to be included in their family for the day (and their mom cooks the most delicious food). After lunch and relaxing for a few minutes, the three of us left for youth group. Isma was leading that night, since all of the leaders would be at a church meeting about selling the existing church plots to buy land to make a church in which all of the smaller congregations could worship together. That was an emotionally charged meeting, I'm sure. What made the evening even better was locking the keys in the car and having to go (with someone else's car) the 30 minute trip back to Guadalajara to get the extra keys). Pffff. After all that hullabaloo, the evening went well, which I'm sure was not our doing.

May 4-8
This week I've been running around fretting and doing legal things. Monday I stood in line to get my application for a Spanish class next fall. All week long I was trying to complete my tax papers to turn in at la Hacienda. Each time I thought I was finished, I'd see another blank that I couldn't answer without 1. papers from my house or 2. explanation from someone who'd done it before. Wednesday, on my way to Guadalajara to visit Isma and his mom, I stopped in Alcalá, one city further out from Madrid than mine (Torrejón) to visit the language school and look into classes there. Turns out that each school does it differently. Near where I work, the deadline was Friday for every language. In Alcalá, you can't sign up for classes until September. Thursday I decided to stay in Madrid for the afternoon to do errands. After school let out for the morning at 12:30, I ran to Hacienda (like IRS office?) to turn in my papers and do whatever else they told me to do. That went smoothly. Then, to kill time until 4pm when the language school's office opened, I went to Retiro Park to relax and work on English classes. Around 3:40, after grabbing a hamburger for lunch at Burger King, I caught the bus back to the neighborhood I work in, waited in the ginormous line at the school, and turned in my papers. (side note: ginormous really is a word, from c. 1948, combining gigantic and enormous. Can you tell I looked it up?)

It's a relief to have those papers out of my hands. Now I just need to wait for Hacienda to send me the papers by mail, and see what I do with them at that point. They said a few days, others said a few weeks, and other people have told me a month. So, I'll be patient.

Thursday after shopping:

Laughing fit. Ouch.

Misión Posible

The slogan of the weekend.

the high school

the speaker

The group that led worship was from Madrid, many from the church that Angelita goes to (one is her granddaughter Elisabet and Elisabet's husband)
Laura and Guille

youth from the group

Yedsim and Rebeca

Ester and I with our tongues stained by the Fun Dip. Go American candy!!!

I look like a kid!

Victor, Yedsim, and Samuel

The 9th-12th of April was Misión Posible, a reunion of Christian youth (the definition of youth is much more ample here), from all over Spain. Around 1,400 believers came to the conference in Huesca, I do believe. Huesca is in Aragon, which is to the east of Navarra (where I was before), and about 3.5 hours from Madrid by car. It only happens every 2 years, so it is a big event. It was awesome to sing with so many people, praising, listening to the messages, and going to workshops, and jump around during the evening concerts. Other than being an encouragement and motivator to action, it's a way to network with ministries from within and outside Spain. The weather was icky, but it was cool to see the sun come out in time for Sunday, a resurrection of sorts from the former foul weather. I enjoyed the time, but would have liked a little more substance in the songs, which were a little self-focused ("I want to," instead of "God is..."), and less free time (perhaps time with those my age to reflect, time where everyone does Bible Study...otherwise it's quite noisy, etc.). It kind of reminded me of a condensed version of CIY.

The majority of the group from San Fernando went up by bus. I rode in a van that went along with the buses with some of the other girls. I have to confess that I probably slept about an hour of the trip. We stayed in a public boarding school in Huesca, from which you can see the Pyrenees. How beautiful they were, snow covered peaks beyond green and yellow farm fields. The high school the conference was at has a building that looks like a pyramid, hence the name IES Pirámide. The trip home was a wonderful opportunity for me to talk to Debbie, asking advice and wisdom. I ended up staying at Debbie's house Monday (spent the night Sunday night on the couch) to keep the kids company while their parents were in Madrid with the youth from the Canaries (see previous photos to see photos of Jacob and Rebecca...their brother Nathan was there too) .

Sun-shiny Sunday

What a wonderful weekend. Yesterday, I must truthfully say, was a wonderful day. I went downtown Madrid with a friend to look at camera lenses, relax in Retiro Park, and watch the Clint Eastwood movie, Gran Torino. It's March, but the temperatures are almost in the 70s. The summery weather makes a body want to stay outside, strolling, lying in the grass, playing catch...which reminds me that I should buy a ball. At the end of the day I was so so tired, but there are moments when the state of the physical body doesn't matter much, because a sleepy happiness is still happiness. On the way home from Madrid, I got to change the gears in the car from the passenger seat. Maybe someday I'll drive a manual...maybe...

Today there is a potluck at the church. I forgot (until yesterday morning) that I needed to make food, so I will buy an empanada or a tortilla on the way to church to share. I have some chicken in cream of mushroom soup to eat myself. After the potluck there is youth group. I think I'll slip away between the two to read and write a bit, to recharge my people friendly battery. Being around so many people all day is enjoyable, but quite tiring.

Dad, I read this in a book that I'm reading, and thought you'd enjoy the sentiment:

"There is no more thrilling sensation I know of than sailing. It comes as near to flying as man has got to yet--except in dreams. The wings of the rushing wind seem to be bearing you onward, you know not where. You are no longer the slow, plodding, puny thing of clay, creeping tortuously upon the ground; you are a part of Nature! (...) Your spirit is at one with hers; your limbs grow light! The voices of the air are singing to you. The earth seems far away and little; and the clouds, so close above your head, are brothers, and you stretch your arms to them." (apologies to Jerome K. Jerome. "Three Men in a Boat")

Can't wait to go sailing with you when I get home!!

Crash Course in Sledding

Last Saturday, a group from the church and friends went to Cotos, which is about 2 hours by train, to sled and enjoy the fresh air. Each time I leave the city, the fresh air revives me. I need to leave civilization more often, I think. I was the first one at the train station that morning, arriving at 7:50 AM after having only slept six hours the night before. Around 8:25 the rest arrived and I forced my drowsy self to stand and greet the others. I took advantage of the trip to get to know a couple new people. In Cercedilla (Amy, we changed trains here to go to Segovia and met that Puerto Rican and Russian), we transferred to an ancient, sluggish, and charming train that took us as far as Cotos. The slopes were jam packed with kids sledding, so we pulled our four sleds to a slope a little more removed from the action. I understand now why it wasn't as populated. They were few the runs that didn't end in a spectacular crash due to the many large bumps. I got about six runs in total. My final run was with Guille, and we took a flying start, racing down the hill. It ended in a complete wipe out. I left my DNA on the slope, and my nose is still a little sore from where I bonked it on Guille's head. He took the brunt of the fall though, since I fell on top. I'm quite proud of the blood stain I left in the snow...like in the movies! Well, maybe not that spectacular. I'm very happy that no one was seriously injured.

After getting back to San Fernando, I helped cook for a dinner at the church in Canillejas. It was a late Valentine's Day dinner with entertainment, a fund raiser for the youth retreat during spring break. At the end of the evening, I was so tired I could have slept standing up, but I was also very contented. Sleepy and happy. The snow and fresh air combined with working in the kitchen made a full day, but a very good day as well. I had a lot of fun in the kitchen working with the others and I always enjoy work that brings visible results.

Sledding

How are you?

One of Colin's friends wrote on my wall to find out what I'm up to by asking, "How's Spain?" I would suppose that this question means the following: "How are you (friend, who happens to be in Spain)?" "What is Spain like?" "How do you like Spain?" or "What in the world are you doing in Spain?" However, I always imagine it a little differently:

"How is Spain?"
"Well, last time we talked, it was a little depressed...but excited that Carnival is coming up! A little short on money too."
"Oh, yes? And the kids?"
"Well, the ones that are here are fine. You know, she's been adopting a lot of kids from Morocco and Latin America. And how are you?"
...

So, next time someone asks me, "How is Spain?" do not be surprised to hear, "Fine. I'm good too."

....
This week has been a hard one here for the church in Madrid. In the last three days, three people have died: a friend's father, a pastor's son, and a friend's uncle. Prayer from one part of the church family for another would be much appreciated, as many Christians (churches and families are usually rather connected) around Madrid are hurting right now. Especially for the first person mentioned, as she and her mom are not only suffering with the loss of the third member of their family, but he was also taken from them in minutes with no previous warning. Thanks in advance for your prayers.

Grumpiness and relaxation

Yesterday I was a grump, so today it was good to relax. After getting back from ECA, I saw Siete Almas (Seven Pounds) with some friends. Interesting movie, though one that left me in a somber mood.

Today has been a quiet day full of cooking, cleaning, taking a walk, writing a letter, and putting some things in order. A friend came over to eat chili and cornbread with me, and then stayed to do some work. It's very nice to be with someone, without talking much, just to be.

This evening I'm getting ready for sharing a thought in church tomorrow since we have "culto libre," an open service with no prepared sermon. The youth are leading it this week. I'm very intimidated, but it will be fine I'm sure. What are they going to do? Eat me or something?

I was looking over the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette and saw this article about a Bible class for adults with special needs. It is wonderful to see God working in this group's lives.

Goodbye sniffles.

Sunday I was still a little sniffle-y, but by Monday I was feeling fine, with only a minor lingering cough and slight oddness to my voice. This week, I went to church in the morning at San Fernando. Traveling by public transportation makes it difficult to arrive exactly on time, so I reached the church about 30 minutes early. I used the time to have a devotional and a cup of coffee, or rather milk with coffee, at a nearby bar. In the evening, the youth planned the semester that we have just begun. I hope that this semester is a good one for the youth group, in which all examine what we do and are able to build each other up, the young and the older. It was good to hear a discussion about integration into the church as a whole as well, because it is important to not feel or be disconnected. We are not our own entity, rather the church is a community of all ages, serving together. Speaking of connections to the church body, I have been reflecting on how I relate to the church here, where I should be, and what I could be doing. I'm not sure if I should stay in the church in Canillejas where I have been, or if I should move to San Fernando, where I have been with the youth. It's a smaller church where I know the people better. I think that going to one church in the morning and then meeting with others in the evening, being here in Madrid for such little time, is stretching me a little thin. I hope to decide in the coming week whether to go or stay.

Vacation!!

I know that I’ve been neglecting you all lately, so my profuse apologies. These last few weeks have been consumed with Christmas shopping, baking, and outings with friends and the church group. I’ve been busy with work as well, lesson planning and creating materials for classes. Let me catch up on what has transpired since I last wrote, ashamedly almost a month earlier.

December 8th was Immaculate Conception Day, a just reason in Spain to cancel school. Saturday was Constitution Day, so I’m not quite sure if the holiday was moved to Monday, or if we didn’t have school for Immaculate Conception Day. At any rate, it makes little difference from a practical point of view. There was no school, and in many cases, no work, a fact that many of us took advantage of. Thursday afternoon after school, I substitute taught in a private class of 4-5 year olds for a friend. Crazy! After that, my weekend began. Friday afternoon, I left with Tamy, Eva, and Sara, all from my church, headed for Rascafrías, where the youth groups from Canillejas, where I attend Sunday mornings, and San Fernando, where I go to youth group, were to have a retreat. It was good to meet people I hadn’t talked to before and to grow closer to some of those I already knew.

Monday Isma, Tamy, and I went to Aranjuez, a royal palace established on the banks of a river and surrounded by an arboreal park. It was beautiful, despite the constant drizzle of rain. After taking a nauseating amount of photos of ourselves, we went to Chinchon to eat lunch. It finally stopped sprinkling, so our wandering search for the restaurant where Ismael had been last time didn’t leave us drenched. On the way home, we stopped by to see some friends and take (guess what) more pictures. The Tuesday after such a wonderful extended weekend is always a rude awakening, returning to real life with my longest day of work, but it doesn’t make the weekend any less sweet.

The next Friday evening I went with some friends to see Cortylandia at the Corte Inglesn near the Puerta del Sol. Amy will remember the Puerta del Sol…the plaza where the bear is. Here’s a link if you want to see what it was like: Cortylandia. Saturday we went to hand out coats to homeless in downtown Madrid. Drizzly, wet, and cold...we were laden down with bags full of coats and our sandwiches and so couldn’t use the umbrellas we had brought. The trek was a success in that we found where the homeless are and aren’t. Or better put, my group mainly found where they are not, the other group found where they are. I hope that armed with this information, next time we can serve even more people and have some meaningful conversations. That Sunday I attended at meeting at church about the volunteer work I do at La Alameda elementary school, so didn’t go to youth group until the very end, in time to eat and say goodbye to friends.

This last week before Christmas vacation was quite a doozy energy wise. Monday, was English class with Tamy and Sara at my house. Afterwards, friends came over to help make gingerbread cookies. They were a great help, especially spirits wise, as the flat appearance of the cookies was beginning to stress my cookie ideal. Wednesday I went with the kids to see the Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens in an English theater. It was great, though not appropriate for half of the kids who came from our school. It was acted for kids, but the English was more than above their level. I think the first graders understood “sit down,” “stop,” “yes,” “ghost,” and “Merry Christmas.” Not much more. It was fun during the play, but a mess coming and going since they miscounted the kids and didn’t have enough room in the buses. Imagine running through the streets with first graders looking for a taxi. Nightmare.

Thursday I was excited to get to spend an hour with the entire class, teaching about Christmas in English. First, the pictures from home with our Christmas traditions, second the book "Twas the Night Before Christmas," (and for my eled friends, I did a walk-through first and comprehension questions throughout), and third a memory game with Christmas picture cards I had made. When the kids left, I gave them the gingerbread cookies made earlier in the week. In the after school program, we had fun playing games and giving out cards to celebrate the coming Christmas. Coming home, I had a scare when a girl about my age fell from the bus while getting off, hitting her ribs against the curb. The bus driver called the EMS, and stopped the bus until they came (20 minutes later). I’m sure she’s fine, because although she was having a little difficulty breathing, she was sitting and responsive. When the next bus came around, we all got off, and everyone was relieved (some angry, others concerned about the girl, others clueless) to get home.

Friday morning I had an appointment for my NIE (residency card). I will receive it in less than 40 days! I also went to an English bookstore that was in the same neighborhood and looked at the books and teaching supplies. Stuff is expensive!! That evening, I went to a dinner with my small group at church at a pizza place. Saturday I ran errands and did last minute Christmas wrapping. Angelita came home to grab some things and spend the weekend at her son’s house. She is still in the hospital for rehabilitation, but they are letting her out for some of the holidays. We still don’t know when she’ll be home for good. Saturday evening I went with my friend Isma to see the living nativity in Buitrago de Lozoya. Here’s something about it: Nativity (Click on "escenas" on the left, then click on each link below to see the parts of both the story before-hand and the nativity walk-through in the castle...these are under "trabajos, "política y religión," "mercadores," and "la anunc. de las profetas"). I felt sorry for the kids that had to stay in the cold like statues for the display. Despite that, I was able to enjoy myself immensely. Sunday morning I went to the church in San Fernando to see some friends sing and ate lunch at Tamy’s family, who live in the same building as me.

And now I’m in Pamplona, enjoying cooking, talking, and playing games with the family and family friends. It doesn’t seem like Christmas is tomorrow, but I’m sure the excitement of the two youngest Veldts will make tomorrow morning special. And we all have much reason to celebrate the day, even if we are all missing some things or people.

December

English Camp and my birthday

I spent my birthday at an English camp, and one of the my missionary friends gave me peanut butter for my birthday. Mmmm. I was sung to two times on Saturday, and another time on Sunday. It was really nice to feel so special and wanted. The youth group gave me a long, warm sweater...I guess they give birthday gifts...it's a pretty tight-knit group. Eva, one of the young women who lives in my apartment building and is in my small group with church gave me a pretty scarf when I invited her over for hot chocolate. Angelita made me a pretty cream colored scarf.

I had a wonderful weekend at English camp. Well, wonderful and not at the same time. I woke up sick (a cold) on Friday morning, but I decided to go to camp anyway. By Friday evening I had a bad sore throat and I suppose a kind of high fever (I was soooo cold and three coats, a sweater, and a blanket didn't help.) I like to believe I'm on the mend now. This weekend I was very tired, but enjoyed it anyway. The place we went was absolutely beautiful. I forgot to take photos, but I stole some from my friends Tamy and Ismael.

My favorite part of the camp was being in the mountains and having time to spend with friends. I enjoyed meeting the Spaniards too and having conversations with the language learners. It was a camp for high schoolers through adult. Many people said that they could sense a difference in the workers (us) at the camp. We hope that it opens doors to people who are searching for more meaning in their lives. Many did not want to leave at the end of the weekend. I know I didn't!

Some other highlights:
Skipping rocks (or failing, then watching others do so)
Crawdads
Looking at stars
Smores and a campfire
Church service in English
Getting closer to people here
Climbing a tree

English Camp

We're having Thanksgiving here this Thursday, since the lady I live with is getting a knee replacement before the real Thanksgiving. Various of her children are married to Americans, so it will be a real Thanksgiving, I suppose. The trickiest part is getting the turkey here before the Christmas season. You have to order it special.

Oh, and Amy...thanks for writing. Looking at wedding rings must be exciting!