Ode to Bucket showers
Well, tonight we have returned to cold showers again. Boo to the limited hot water supply that comes from Butane canisters. It is 2am and I am currently boiling water. Isn't it fun! haha No, its ok, there are worse things in life than having to take bucket showers. I just think I am lucky. At least, I have a stove to heat the water!
Well, that was not the intention of this post but as I am sure you all know what happens in my immediate world gets blogged. I can't help it, but also, it keeps the blog updates coming because I love blogs. I love being able to check them and see whats going on in the world outside of my own. It allows me to get a little perspective so for those of you who don't write. You are truly depriving the world of a new fresh perspective. Just think about that tonight as you lay down to sleep!
What I really wanted to write about was my amazing weekend in Algeciras. I went home with my roommate Sifra, whose parents are American Missionaries here in Spain. They were in North Africa for a while, and now they are in Southern Spain. They have been missionaries for 20 years. I loved my time with them, and especially, my time with Sifra's mom.
She shared so much of her wisdom with me. Let me vent, and share my story of how I arrived in Spain. She examined my life experiences and pointed out key things that God is doing in my life. It was a weekend of introspection and blessings. To be able to be surrounded by family, this is one of my favorite things in the world. To meet Sifra's younger brother and see their interaction, it made me feel so at home. Saturday night, I opted to stay at home with Sifra's family instead of going out with Sifra. It was just something that I had been missing and didn't realize I missed it until I was there. Things like orders to help with dinner, eating their usual Saturday night pizza as they watched tv, and cracked jokes.
It was a great time. It was also a time of encouragement. Here was a family completely devoted to the calling of the Lord, following him everywhere. Her parents speak 4 languages while each child speaks two languages perfectly while learning others. I was fascinated at the gifts God had given them. I was also blessed by the hugs and hospitality.
It made me think a lot about what I want for my future and God willing, my family. I want my kids to know a world outside of America. I want them to learn another culture and language fluently. I want them to be comfortable outside of America, and to realize their is more to life than video games and junk food. (That is not a jab at American kids, I just know for me Junk food is one of my favorite things and for my brother video games were the end all!)
Its just interesting to see the transition taking place inside of me. I never knew there was all this desire to GO. I never knew there was this comfort in living outside of the box I had constructed for myself just a few years back. My plan was completely different than the current plan, and I realize how much more fulfilling God's plan is and has been for me over the years.
How lucky am I that he chose me! He brought me to Spain while teaching me another language and culture while teaching me how to live for someone other than myself. Its pretty amazing! He makes me less selfish in my desires, and as a result I can't figure out what is me and what is Him, which is exactly where I would want to be. I want His voice to be louder than mine. I want to decrease.
With all this proclamation comes the fear, I am afraid of falling back on my word to follow Him anywhere. I am afraid of being far from my family who I care for so deeply. I am afraid that after learning the Spanish culture I will find it difficult to want anything other than this life too.
Basically, it all comes down to fear of the transition. I am afraid of transitioning back to American life. Plus, I am afraid of not being able to transition and being stuck there as this socially awkward person. Only God can tell how I will respond, and I am confident I will not be alone, but there is so much to say how hearts surprisingly change as God opens more and more doors. After seeing the world, the options just get bigger and tougher to make, but with His voice and direction I am faithful in each step.
PS I meant to post pics but I will have to wait because I still need to download them from Sifra's computer so...Pics to come!
Well, that was not the intention of this post but as I am sure you all know what happens in my immediate world gets blogged. I can't help it, but also, it keeps the blog updates coming because I love blogs. I love being able to check them and see whats going on in the world outside of my own. It allows me to get a little perspective so for those of you who don't write. You are truly depriving the world of a new fresh perspective. Just think about that tonight as you lay down to sleep!
What I really wanted to write about was my amazing weekend in Algeciras. I went home with my roommate Sifra, whose parents are American Missionaries here in Spain. They were in North Africa for a while, and now they are in Southern Spain. They have been missionaries for 20 years. I loved my time with them, and especially, my time with Sifra's mom.
She shared so much of her wisdom with me. Let me vent, and share my story of how I arrived in Spain. She examined my life experiences and pointed out key things that God is doing in my life. It was a weekend of introspection and blessings. To be able to be surrounded by family, this is one of my favorite things in the world. To meet Sifra's younger brother and see their interaction, it made me feel so at home. Saturday night, I opted to stay at home with Sifra's family instead of going out with Sifra. It was just something that I had been missing and didn't realize I missed it until I was there. Things like orders to help with dinner, eating their usual Saturday night pizza as they watched tv, and cracked jokes.
It was a great time. It was also a time of encouragement. Here was a family completely devoted to the calling of the Lord, following him everywhere. Her parents speak 4 languages while each child speaks two languages perfectly while learning others. I was fascinated at the gifts God had given them. I was also blessed by the hugs and hospitality.
It made me think a lot about what I want for my future and God willing, my family. I want my kids to know a world outside of America. I want them to learn another culture and language fluently. I want them to be comfortable outside of America, and to realize their is more to life than video games and junk food. (That is not a jab at American kids, I just know for me Junk food is one of my favorite things and for my brother video games were the end all!)
Its just interesting to see the transition taking place inside of me. I never knew there was all this desire to GO. I never knew there was this comfort in living outside of the box I had constructed for myself just a few years back. My plan was completely different than the current plan, and I realize how much more fulfilling God's plan is and has been for me over the years.
How lucky am I that he chose me! He brought me to Spain while teaching me another language and culture while teaching me how to live for someone other than myself. Its pretty amazing! He makes me less selfish in my desires, and as a result I can't figure out what is me and what is Him, which is exactly where I would want to be. I want His voice to be louder than mine. I want to decrease.
With all this proclamation comes the fear, I am afraid of falling back on my word to follow Him anywhere. I am afraid of being far from my family who I care for so deeply. I am afraid that after learning the Spanish culture I will find it difficult to want anything other than this life too.
Basically, it all comes down to fear of the transition. I am afraid of transitioning back to American life. Plus, I am afraid of not being able to transition and being stuck there as this socially awkward person. Only God can tell how I will respond, and I am confident I will not be alone, but there is so much to say how hearts surprisingly change as God opens more and more doors. After seeing the world, the options just get bigger and tougher to make, but with His voice and direction I am faithful in each step.
PS I meant to post pics but I will have to wait because I still need to download them from Sifra's computer so...Pics to come!
posted by Jess at
4:33 PM
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