6 hours and then some

First day of school and I'm beat! I couldn't keep my eyes open during the last few classes, but I barely made it! I have classes on Monday from 6am-1pm! Sick huh? Well imagine me! Well
soon after we finished class we gathered in the cafeteria to celebrate Tori's birthday (Sweet girl from Colorado, for those who see picture she's got dark black hair, tall, skinny, you know the drill) and begin planning our adventures!
Turns out planning takes more than skill! Eventually we got the group to the beach, some on bikes and other in a van, to enjoy the wonderful sun and fun before it escapes from us, for the fall! Between the sun, warm water, and wonderful company i was completely satisfied! As i laid on my towel I thought how intricate the plan was in bringing all these great people together! We were hand picked to learn, study, and Love each other (as much as possible) for this very short year of our lives! We don't know what is ahead of us but i'm sure it will be much more than any one of us ever expected!

Daily Stuff

Today was sunday for me! I was totally asleep until 11:30, just like walla walla! I had a room mate last year at walla walla and this year it's looking like there won't be one in my horizon! I woke up did my devotionals, which is very achievable with out a room mate cause it's always quiet! God spoke to me softly and with the touch of a loving father should me more of his beautiful plan for my life! Look up Ephesians 4:14-16 and search your hearts to find the truth!
After lunch allyson Cronk and I went to the guys dorm to go on a bike ride and there we met shaun, nate, and chris! We got distracted by a group of people going into the church (which is right under the guy's dorm) so we went in to see what all the fuss was about! We found out that they were showing a movie (some thing they do all the time i guess) in the church and mind me this aint no pg movie like most adventist schools require them to be! Well it was a good movie but we'd rather go on a bike ride then sit inside so we readied ourselves we headed into town for another adventure! Turns out we had forgotten that it had rained and the mud was running thick! We biked straight into the thickest mud i have ever felt! It suctioned it self to my feet and in ankle deep water we made out way under the bridge!
From then on it was laughs and good times! Dinner, worship, and the usual guys and girls basketball game went on before I could realize where the time went!
I love this place! The people are so friendly and ready to be at your service! Even today i have met 6 other people and I love that! There aren't many students but they all are so sweet and welcoming!
As i walked back from the gym I stared at the moon! How wonderful God is to share just a glimpse of his perfection with us! I praised him and wished that all of you could join me in watching the moon and stars!

Travel Review

Well it's come true! I'm finally here and I'm loving it! The weather is great the beach is beautiful! The cities are warm and the people are so hospitable! I can't image ever wanting to leave! Ok so I miss American and (mom and dad) every one else but come now, this is such a great opportunity!
I landed in Madrid early Monday morning and was affectionately greeted by my grandparents! We made it home after eating breakfast and called my parents. The day went by so fast and the disorientation hit like a rock! I took a siesta and woke with a start, not remembering were i was! Soon we did the few earns I had waiting and we sat to look at photos! I showed my grandparents everything from Freshman year in high school to freshman year in college! The time flew by and we were asleep before we knew it!
The next few days were a blur and a few tears we spent as i longed for my common ground and home! The language is a bit harder than i thought it would be to conquer but i seem to manage!
I made a safe trip with too many suitcases to Sagunto where i was picked up by some one from the school! Everyone is so warm it's easy to feel at home! The American group is small but we are getting to know each other and i rest assured that we will all be close friends.
This morning i took a placement test and it feels like i don't know my own language! I guess i should have read more Spanish romance novels!
Well i'm off to eat lunch and take a siesta!
Bale? Adios!

Functional Thinking

Home is where the heart is!

Today I lay flat on my back staring at the fan in my room! With out thinking I moved in my memories through time. From birthdays, family trips, laughter, high school crushes, and the inevitable move from state to state with my family, to innocent cries and foolish tears.

I changed my life dramatically in the last few months and although life has been tough, I'm making it through. We all go through change in our short lives, always moving even if we go no where. Our very functional brains have the capacity to change us in ways we can not imagine, and if that involves moving you to the other side of the world (Spain for me) so be it! Changing takes big moves, and moving takes big changes! A rhetorical statement that means the world to me!

My whole life has been one big move! From Spain to America, Oregon, Washington, California, the story goes on. Amidst all those moves I think I lost the factor of where exactly home was. Was home where I was born and took my first steps, or is where I learned to make friends on my own. Is home where my best friends live or the town I spent most my life in? Does home really have to be a place, because I can’t put my finger in which one is the best?

What I mean by that is that home for me can’t just be Spokane (any longer) or Madrid, or even Roseburg! Home has to me is where I know I belong. Although that definition changes drastically as I get older and grow new friendships it always will be kneeling in prayer with my heavenly Father, by my mom’s side in the kitchen, with my best friends laughing, and in the arms of those I love. My home is not found on the map, but in my heart. Only there can I find my place, my home! It’s tough some times to feel like a stranger in your own home, but I think I’ve found that place, and I know where to run when life hits me hard.

Where’s your home?