My semester in Spain is quickly approaching the end. I can hardly believe it... this one has gone by faster than any semester of my life (and that is saying something). It feels like I have hardly done or learned anything because it has flown by, even though I know that is not true as I have experienced so many new things and learned so much about myself. There are many small things that I will miss: siesta time in the afternoons, my walk to school over the Guadalquivir River everyday, toasted bread with marmalade and black tea each morning, going out for tapas at 10 pm.... And there are also of course big things I will miss: the truly incredible friends I have made while here, my señora's kind hospitality, the opportunity to travel, the wonderful professors and administrators at school I have gotten to know... But at the same time, I am preparing myself to come home. I'm sure going back will be a bigger adjustment than I am expecting, but I am so looking forward to seeing friends and family back home, and getting back to the familiar culture and lifestyle that I know and love, and which I think I will be able to appreciate even more now. I am constantly thanking God for the ways He has blessed me and praising Him for His consistency and never-failing goodness... Even as I am leaving a new home to return to old familiar ones (both Kansas and Wheaton), He is and has been present in each of them always. I can trust Him as I leave this adventure and begin a new one. He is with me wherever I go (Joshua 1:9).
This last week since getting back from Switzerland has been very busy, but full of wonderful things. Kate and I spent all week planning and preparing for a surprise bridal shower for our two engaged friends here: Jana and Amber. We had the surprise Thursday after school in the library and they were both shocked. We had planned some fun games and made cookie cakes, etc. and it was fun to hang out with all the girls, including the staff, from the program. I am so excited for both these wonderful ladies as they get married in June and December, respectively, AND I will get to go to Jana's wedding in Iowa this summer which I am beyond excited about!
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| Kate and I baking the cookie cakes for the shower at one of the school administrator's houses! |
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| Kate and I with the brides-to-be |
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| The beautiful brides :) |
Friday we had our final excursion with the school to Huelva, which is west of Sevilla. There we got to visit the monastery where Christopher Columbus spent time praying and waiting before his voyage to the Americas, and then we saw replicas of his boats very close to where they were constructed. It was a very cool field trip, which then ended with an afternoon at the beach outside Huelva! It was a wonderful day, and night as well back in Sevilla. Some of the girls and I went out for what is literally called a nacho mountain from one of the bars, then got ice cream, and had a movie night on my friends' apartment roof.
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| The monastery where Columbus lived |
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| A contract signed by Columbus and Queen Isabel |
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| On La Pinta |
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| Beach day with school! |
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| Out for ice cream |
Yesterday a few friends and I took another beach day to Matalascañas. It was a lovely, relaxing day and I am loving the opportunity to take day trips to the beach, which I have never had in my life! This morning I got up early to watch some friends run a 10k in the northern part of Sevilla. It was super fun to watch and support them (since I am not a runner myself) and to experience an event like that in Spain. This week will be my last normal week since our last one is full of final exams. I pray I will truly be able to take it in and begin to prepare my heart to say goodbye to this beautiful city!
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| Matalascañas |
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| Beach day with the ladies |
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| Jana and I after her race |
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