1) ARISE EARLY— I am pretty loyal to the sunrise, so
I am curious to see it from the other side. My day starts and ends with Jesus. The
earlier I awake, the more time I can spend with Jesus.
2) WALK SLOWLY—Not only is it my goal to make it
home from school without biffing it on the cobblestone, I also want to take the
time to soak in my surroundings. I want to pay close attention to detail and
remember how I felt in particular moments.
3) GET COOKIN’—(Hope my host mom has a second
apron!) I want to learn how to prepare traditional Spanish dishes from the
expertise of my host mamá.
4) SPEAK WELL—“Let your conversations be always
full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer
everyone.” (Colossians 4:6)
I want to speak
intentionally and with grace, to answer boldly for the faith I profess. I want
to master the art of the Spanish language and communicate with confidence.
5) KEEP IN STEP—“So I say, live by the Spirit, and
you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature… Since we live by the
Spirit, let is keep in step with the Spirit.” (Galatians 5:16, 25)
I want to learn more about what it is to live by the Spirit. Between traveling and lazy afternoons, my free time will consist of a lot of reading and listening to sermons. I'm pretty pumped.
I want to learn more about what it is to live by the Spirit. Between traveling and lazy afternoons, my free time will consist of a lot of reading and listening to sermons. I'm pretty pumped.
6) LAUGH OFTEN—I have the privilege of going to
Spain with two of my dear friends, Brandon and Emily. I want to enjoy them and
laugh my way into rock hard abs. I am eager to meet new friends from my
program, as well as native Spanish speakers. New friendships mean new
experiences, and I’m once hundred percent on board with that.
7) SING ALONG—Brandon, Emily, and I fully
intend on going to a Mumford & Sons concert in Libson, Portugal. Needless
to say, we will most definitely be singing. I also want to seek out local
Spanish bands with my new friend, Claira. She seems to have a legit
music collection, and I’m eager to swap bands.
8) SHOCK THE CULTURE—I know culture shock
is all a part of the experience, but I want to shock the Spanish culture by
going all in. I am eager for my first fútbol game, to learn the Flamenco (hopefully without needing any wine),
for flashy discotecas, and to give seafood another chance (maybe try some paella?).
9) WORSHIP—"Therefore I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God- this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of you mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is, His good, pleasing, and perfect will." (Romans 12:1-2)
I
There's a difference between being in this world and being of this world. I want to live life in view of God's mercy, to honor God with my body, and be transformed daily by His Word. I want to see Him in all things and trust Him when I can't see Him at all.
10) STAINED GLASS—I’ve
had this weird obsession with stained glass for a while now. It is my mission
to find this particular piece in Spain:
