movies, sermons and attitude checks

This last weekend was an enjoyable weekend...for the most part. On Friday, Ryan and relaxed a little and did some grocery shopping. In the evening, we played "Duel" (it's a game show on TV but Ryan and I play along with it) and that was lots of fun, as it always is. Saturday we were able to sleep in...well, I did most of the sleeping in. Ryan is usually up by 8 on Saturday mornings. It was laundry weekend so we did that early afternoon before going to see "Wall-E", the new Pixar movie. I would recommend it. I love pretty much all the Pixar movies (although "Bug's Life didn't stand out to me) and I can add "Wall-E" to my list of favorite Pixar movies. I think my favorites so far are "Finding Nemo", "The Incredibles", and probably "Wall-E" now. Oh, and "Monsters Inc."
Sunday was the EuroCup final, Spain versus Germany. We were so excited to find out they were showing it on ABC so we got to watch it. We were even more excited when Spain won it. Amazing!
Sunday morning there was church of course. We went a little earlier to help out with prayer teams at the end of the first service. RVC just finished a sermon series on the names of God and it has been incredible. And yesterday we had the perfect chance to put what we had heard in the message at church to good use...All this last weekend there was an event going on in Loring Park, a park we live only about a block away from. It was an event that I wasn't too happy was taking place in the park to begin with, but the biggest pain it creates for us is parking. Since we park on the street, sometimes it's hard to find a parking spot that's close by. This weekend was extra challenging. Between Saturday night and Sunday afternoon after church, we drove around for a total of an hour looking for a parking spot. Sunday, right after church, we had the message from church (the name of God was Jehovah Shammah--God with us) clear in our minds and we were definitely reminded of it while driving around. So we had a little attitude check, a reminder that God is with us...sitting in our car with us while we are driving around looking for a parking spot...
And that was my weekend.
oh, also exciting. The Vida Abundante website is looking good and getting updates. I have had fun helping Ryan with it (www.vidaabundantevalencia.com).

two months, three weeks, and today

It has been almost exactly two months since I wrote my last post. My last post starts out by saying "nine days left until Spain". That time has come and gone. We were in Spain for three weeks and it was a very enjoyable time and I wish we could have stayed longer. At the beginning of the trip, three weeks seemed like a long time, but they went by so fast and there were things that we didn't get to do.
While we were there, I had hoped to go see my friends in Cartagena, the city south of Valencia that we lived in for three years. All four girls were actually there but sadly I wasn't able to go see them. There were also some friends houses in Valencia that we never had the chance to go to.
While it seemed like there were a lot of things we didn't get to do, I left Spain feeling much more connected than I had in years. That was a nice feeling. It has also made me so much more impatient. We will probably visit again in a year and a half, but I wish we could do more than just visit. All in God's timing....
This summer my whole family is going to be in Spain, except for me and my hubby. Someone told me the other day that it's all part of being an adult. And I understand that but knowing that doesn't make me miss my family or Spain any less.
Last week, I was able to more of something I really enjoy. I have had the opportunity to sub at an ESL school...so I go and teach English to immigrant adults a couple times a month. It has been a lot of fun to be able to do that and I feel like I learn something about myself every time I teach. It is exciting to see students respond and to be able to work out everything as I teach.
I also have been helping some with my parents church website (check it out: http://www.vidaabundantevalencia.com/) and that has been fun too because I get to practice my Spanish and also help my husband with his.
I have been working on reading the book of Ezekiel. It has taken me longer than I expected...it's kind of a hard book to read, but I am getting through it. Next book I read will be a New Testament book. I haven't decided which one yet. Any suggestions?
I guess I will close here. Just an update on my life. More later.

A day in the life of...

Nine days left until we go to Spain. Yes, I am excited but I think my excitement has changed a little in the past few years. Maybe because I would like to stay longer, but I know I can't. Or maybe because it is different with not as many siblings there, even though I definitely enjoy getting to spend quality time with those that are in Spain. Or maybe because I am older and married and I have a different relationship with my family then I did when I was younger. I do know that I don't know what I would do without my family. I was watching the show "Numbers" recently and something someone said on the show reminded me of how I feel about my family and being far apart from them. It was also something that showed me why I feel frustrated when I don't have contact with my family. Since I am already so far away from part of my family, if I don't have contact with them, it's as if a big part of me were missing. It is hard to explain the feeling, but that's basically it.
On a different subject...today it was finally warmer, but very windy outside. I guess I can't complain too much about the wind. Spring has taken it's time to arrive so I should be happy that it seems like it finally has.
I am teaching tonight. This is my third time and I am still a bit nervous. After this class, I will have taught three levels of English understanding. I have had fun so far and catch places where I know I can improve. At the same time, each class is different so I have to gauge what works for each class and what doesn't. What works for one class might not work for another, especially if they are at a different level with their English.
One of my close friends from college is moving away and it saddens me. I am really going to miss her. I realized that I am not very used to people moving away because I usually am the one that moves. Saying goodbye is hard but I trust this is a friendship I will always have.
Summer is coming up too. I am not sure if there is anything specific to look forward to this summer but I am hoping it's a good one.