Cement, Chuckles, and Coffee.

We've all had that friend before. The one who you JUST felt enough confidence in your relationship to stop holding back your quirks, stop by their house just because you're bored and know you'll be welcome, trust to understand the sentences you can't quite form, introduce them as "one of your best friends", and say you love them in one of the deepest senses because you now know them for their beauty AND weakness. But JUST when you get to this wonderful point, your paths separate. It's time to say goodbye, or at least "see you later." If you're lucky, maybe you have many people like this in your life- showing that you've been blessed to meet some of the best people this world has to offer, even if you no longer have the same zip code. And, it means you have many homes, friends, and even family across the time zones. It's a bittersweet experience, in the truest sense.

This is mostly how I feel about Sevilla.

Three and a half months. It's hardly long enough to call myself more than an extranjera, but long enough for a Spanish handprint to dry in the cement of my life.

Granted, I still have about a week in Sevilla and about a month in Spain, but the goodbyes have already begun. I guess you could say I've become "good" at goodbyes, but that only means I know how to smile big, hug hard, only make sincere promises to departing friends that I can keep, and not be a crying mess until after its all said and done and I can curl up in my mom's lap and mourn the passing of yet another wonderful season of life with new people, new stories to cherish, and a greater understanding of just how big God is.

A friend of mine, Roger from England, recently said in a Facebook message to me that:
"Imagine you lived forever. You would put off everything until tomorrow because you know that you have forever to do it. You would never get anything done. Likewise if you knew you were living in Spain for the foreseeable future, you wouldn't do half the things you would. It's the beauty of mortality."
The beauty of mortality. How "nail on the head" of him, don't you think?

If I hadn't been living these past months knowing this was only temporary, I don't know if I would have seen Sevilla in the exact light that I have. I'd have seen the main tourist sites, but not the peculiar happenings that make up the day-to-day. Finding a favorite musician on the main walking street, a quiet walk with close friends through the garden and finding honeysuckle in Europe for the first time, the way this city looks in the rain, the golden glow of the Cathedral at night, the bird that lives on one of the terraces on my walk home who either squawks or whistles at me depending his mood, the newspaper man who always gives a grandfatherly chuckle as I wave a quick hello on my way to class late as always, weekly pizza with Bible study friends from all over the world, the gratitude of the homeless even just for some cookies and hot chocolate, the tacky but terribly convenient Chino stores literally everywhere, tripping at least twice every time I run next to the river, the joy from the first taste of homemade brownies in three months, finding tapas you love...and those you don't, hearing the faithful fountain while I do homework in the sun-filled Plaza de Espana-- those are all fragmented snippets and maybe a bit incomprehensible to anyone but me, but that's how life goes, right?

Point being, I think Roger's right. Goodbye's are hard, and they always will be. But, they're the beauty of mortality. They force us to live in the here and now. Then, we can step forward: older, more honest, more fulfilled, less cynical, hopefully wiser, and ever more dependent on His strength, hope, joy, and love. We look toward the next chapter, trusting it will be just as precious, if we will only claim His promises and walk in obedience. 

Life is often lonely, painful, and downright hard... but that's also the beauty of mortality. Christ promises us it won't last forever. So, for now, allow yourself to have a cheesy, secret little "stop and smell the roses" moment, and then go grab another cup of coffee before your next thing.

I promise a few more posts before I leave Spain. Maybe some more philosophical musings, funny stories, goofy PhotoBooth sessions with Ella, or lo que sea. 
Until next time.

How to Find a Spanish Man.

I lied. This post has nothing to do with boys, but considering the one photo of me with a boy (who I'm not dating) received more likes on Facebook than any of me on my 21st birthday or on the back of a camel, I figured the title would get your attention.

Ok, this post's a bit longer, but it's worth it. I hope. 

_____________________________________

be broken. be faithful. love God. love people.

In 10th grace, my Apologetics teacher, Mr. Speropulos, asked us to create a tentative life motto. Which the meaning of mine matures as I mature, the motto itself has remained the same. Different years and seasons of life have given me a greater understanding of each concept, and while this semester has been about all four, I want to elaborate on the last one. I know some people want to hear of my travels, classes, and, well, I don't really know what you want to know. But, if you want to hear of my travels and destinations, my FaceBook albums will suffice. For everything else in life, here goes. It won't be terribly funny and as of now, I can't think of any interesting tidbits or trivia, but I, as always, will try to make it worth your read. On we go...

LOVE PEOPLE. I love being around people, laughing with friends, and sharing memories with those around me... but that's not loving people. That's loving what people can do for me, how they make me feel. Loving people is listening to them. Learning from them. Allowing them to inform your understanding of love, good food, family, music, Christ's world, and life itself. Sincerely affirming them and what they have to offer. Listening to, speaking, and seeking TRUTH with them. Allowing yourself to change because you know them. Hoping that they feel even just a little more loved and appreciated after your interaction.

When I arrived in Spain, I wanted to check off lots of bucket list boxes, meet new people, try new food, and gain a new perspective. As I sit in a hostal in Athens, Greece, I can successfully say I've diversified my passport, checked many of the bucket list boxes, eaten way too much good food, developed a sincere love for flamenco music, riden a camel while standing up, turned 21 in Paris, and have a few stories under my belt that my daughter will hear when she is old enough to learn from them. However, these things are far from what I love most about my time here (which, thank GOD, isn't over yet.) My biggest blessing in Spain has been the people I have met and learning from them as I watch them live their daily lives, even if it is only for a short time. Whether they meant to or not, they have taught me about how they understand their world and how to better love Christ.

From my American friends I have seen how to work hard while never forgetting to have fun, and never miss the chance to make a memory. From the Brits, how to listen well and always seek adventure, especially if you own a motorcycle. From the Danish, that a simple meal can be transformed into a memory. From the Africans, how to create beauty with expression and without fear, and what it looks like to dare to change the world around you. From my brother and his wife, how to maintain an obedient thirst for Christ's will, Word, and prayer. From my 6-year-old niece, how to make a great tent from bedsheets and never be afraid of new people and cultures. And from my Spaniard friends... I may never know how much they taught me. How to enjoy people, life, and the little moments and conversations of every day. How to walk slowly and eat slower. Not to worry about today, and definitely not tomorrow. When to ignore the plan for the day and listen to a homeless man's wisdom or the worries of a friend. Why to appreciate a job, any job, just because you're blessed enough to be employed. How they care for the marginalized and the poor, what they have learned from their families and relationships, how to surround myself with good people. How to cry hard,  and laugh harder. They have demonstrated joy in the midst of a deeply broken and hurting world. The have taught me that without the Gospel, we have no hope.

Granted, I have also seen desperate brokenness, as well. However, I'd say I didn't learn this from any of my new friends, as much as they simply confirmed the sin I see in myself every day: judgement, selfishness, pride, lack of faithfulness and joy. These are realities we will never escape, yet He allows us to see beauty in the brokenness.

Instead of seeking people to appreciate and understand us, I'm learning that loving people is appreciating and understanding them. Only then can you enter into relationships in which you can love and discover His truth together.

Possessing a photograph of the sun setting on Plaza de Espana in Sevilla or a cloudy day in the port of Copenhagen may prove that I studied abroad, but it demonstrates nothing of what I learned here. 

The mental photographs of smiles, tears, kind eyes, and faces searching for truth-- these are the memories and lessons I want to share and those my children will hear. Some of those I've met I will never see again, some will always find a friend in me and I in them whenever life crosses our paths again, and some have become best friends. The Estrellas, Chemas, Michaels, Sarahs, Birgits, Rogers, and the Moroccan artist whose name I'll never know--these are the people who shape our lives. These are the people who are developing my understanding of growing up from the ground I'm rooted in. This is why we travel, explore, don't take care, take risk, and WANDER, because indeed, not all who wander are lost.

...here's to the next month or so.

Until next time.

besos.

Live News Update

This is happening. Right now. And I couldn't be happier. 

Family. <3 God is so good.

More later. Happy SBXIII.

Mundane and MY FAVORITE.

Random update as a reminder that not all life in Spain in trips to Paris, Portugal, and my puppy.

Mundane:
I had an art presentation today on Francisco de Goya's etchings. I used Prezi for the first time. Life-changing. Following is a sampling of the subject matter. What you're about to look at is a mutilated figure shishkabob style on a tree branch. Yeah.

De Goya reminded me that like all humans and human constructs, we are broken and beautiful. We produce everything from the beauty of flamenco to terrible things like the Inquisition. Anyway, if you'd like to see more, google "Disasters of War." De Goya even painted a few chinchillas. Google those, too, if you don't know what they are.

MY FAVORITE:

This many days until I get to see my brother, sister-in-law (read: sister), niece, and nephew.

FREAKING OUT.

Keep the those questions and requests coming.

besos.

If you don't mind...

I'm going to try to make this blog thing interactive for those who'd like to participate.
If you don't mind, feel free to email/FB/or comment me questions or suggestions for the next post.
I'll do my best to answer any and all.

We'll see how this goes...

1.2.3...21.

My sincerest apologies for the lack of updates. Let's chalk it up to me being busy making the experiences I'll now blog about. However, we have a lot to catch up on. I'll do my best to make this comprehensive with a side of chuckle.
I like lists, so here we go.

1. Life in Sevilla:
I suppose you could say we're all settled in. I have class in the mornings and evening... all of which are superinteresante. Did you know that Andorra (the country between France and Spain that no one knows/cares about) has a population of 86,000 people, is a tax haven, and is the supposed location of Genovia (for all you Princess Diaries fans out there)? That's the size of some of the towns in NorthEast Tennessee just to give you some perspective. Que interesante.
Other than classes, I've spent most of my time trying out as many tapas as possible, playing futbol every Monday night, and  have even made it to a Sevilla (NOT Betis) futbol game against Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey. Oh, and the Arab Baths... put it on your bucket list. After the Baths I felt like jelly for about three days. Such a relaxing place. The rest of the day-to-day is lots of biking, drinking cafe con leche with friends, running by the river, volunteering, Spanish TV series with my host family, hanging out with our rockstar staff at ISA (my program, International Studies Abroad), staying updated on the new Pope, and CELEBRATING MY 21ST BIRTHDAY (See "Paris"). There are so many people to learn about and learn from here. It's overwhelming. 4 months could never be enough time.

Andorra's the "AND." in the top right. The poor thing doesn't even get it's full name spelled.

The TV series we watch every Tuesday night. Addicted.

2. GBU y otras cosas:
Speaking of cool people to learn from... Grupos Biblicos Unidos. Basically Campus Crusade but for Europe. It's been quite literally a blessing from heaven. The people I've met, friends I've made... God is so good. There are students from all over the world in the Bible Study, and one precious girl I've met, Estrella, even introduced me to my new church family. God has answered prayer all over the place.
I suppose this is as good as a place as any to insert some of the progress in this "Ground and Growth" concept. Honestly, I don't have much to elaborate on yet. Life has just been happening, with little time to process. Which has probably been good for me. But, I CAN say Christ has given me reassurance. I'm realizing the simplicity of the Gospel. The simplicity of His commands. Maybe in all this, I just needed to breathe some child-like-faith air away from the spiral I was in in the States. Here, what I think about denominations, Business as Missions, or the role of women doesn't matter as much. What matters is if Christ is seen through me. Joy, forgiveness, peace, assurance in salvation, and hope for eternity. These concepts have long seemed redundant and obvious, but I lost sight of them. In a culture that looks at so much religion but doesn't actually SEE it, that hears so much religiosity but doesn't or can't LISTEN to it and what Christ offers... one can't help to realize what's most important. I had lost Gospel vision. I had forgotten that the point of this life He gives us isn't to belong or to figure out how to make people like us but to draw people to Him. As my dear friend Krump reminded me, the promises of following Him are nothing short of uncomfortable, lonely, and risky. The road is absolutely terrifying. He doesn't call us to normal or comfortable or settled, but to claim His promises of sufficient grace to love those around us. He simply calls us to obedience. I have failed, am failing, and will continue to fail at this a lot. Yet, His strength is made perfect in our weakness. Poco a poco. ....that's all for now.

3. Barcelona & Valencia
Goodness. Where to begin. Four of us travelled to Barcelona about two weeks ago for a whirlwind of a weekend. Two flights, two cities, and a bus in three days. Mostly, I'd recommend you go to Facebook and check out the pictures. Words hardly do it justice. However, a brief overview: We hit up La Sagrada Familia, Parque Guell (a Gaudi creation), Las Ramblas, Monjuic, and quite a few snacks in between all of that. I was also able to see two friends of my family that we have known since the Browns' days in Barcelona. Little by little, I feel like I'm experiencing some of my family's history. It's honestly pretty cool. Valencia was basically one big fieldtrip to the Aquarium, which was well worth it. ...I know that all sounds very report-y, so if you want actual fun pics and anecdotes, hit up FB.

Barcelona, Plaza de Catalunya (I think)/ Shameless selfies with mis amigas.

Valencia, Cathedral.

5. Paris
Audrey was right, Paris is always a good idea. Even if was a bit chilly and rainy, the world's fashion capital didn't disappoint. We toured a bit, ate way too many crepes, and mostly enjoyed just a small peak into every day life in Paris. Montmartre is hands down my favorite. Three years ago on my high school capstone trip to Europe, I, and three of my closest friends Noelle Sibley, Melissa Auter, and Bekah Presley, found ourselves in a hole-in-the-wall piano bar with slightly overpriced crepes. Nevertheless, it was exactly how I had always pictured Paris: the artists corner with people who loved beauty, art, each other, and cigarettes. Three years later, I found my way back and would still pay 7 Euros for the crepes in that bar with the same tipsy pianist any day. It's hard to explain, but some places just feel like pockets of home. It's safe to say Paris not only took my iPhone, but also gave me some perspective in return.
Oh, I also got to spend my 21st birthday there. No pasa nada. :) It consisted of a visit to Notre Dame, a nutella and banana crepe, and a flight home which was ended with quite a few letters and packages and friends from back home. I still feel so loved. After spending my 16th in New York with Mariah, my 18th in Rome with all my closest high school friends, and my 21st in Paris with two of the coolest study abroad friends I could ask for... I'd say I've successfully completed the birthday triumvirate. Here's to the 21st year.

Versailles and Eiffel Tour.

The view of Montmartre from the Eiffel Tour.

Pictures from Paris and other things will be up later today. Ojala.

and, as promised, 6. TEO. Ok, not really. But, here's a video regardless.

...slightly awkward. but there you go. I'll see if I can sneak attack a video of Teo sometime.
Until next time,
Liz.

It's the little things.

There aren't many foods I've missed from the States; me encanta la comida de Espana. However, there are some comforts (or maybe just one) which the cuisine here just can't seem to match.
As I mentioned before, they say the quickest way to a Spaniard's heart is through American cookies--allegedly ours are sweeter and less dry. So, I did only logical thing: I scoured Sevilla for vanilla extract and chocolate chips (two ingredients not common in pasteles Espanoles) and made some cookie dough.
I lost count of how many my host sister ate, and had enough to give our rockstar staff at ISA a mini-"Feliz de San Valentin" bag of goodies.
Cheers to Nestle and the power of semi-sweet chocolate morsels.

Stay tuned for the next post. If all goes to plan, my new dog "Teo" will be making a video appearance. It's time y'all met.

xoxo.