What do I miss?

People ask me all the time what I miss from the States. Besides my family, my friends, my church, my job, cropping with my friends, shopping at Mardel's and Borders and Costco, understanding people when they talk to me, and the mountains and trees of Colorado, restaurants are one of the things I miss.

I loved going out to eat with my kids or my friends at Ruby Tuesday, Chili's, Sweet Tomatoes, Olive Garden, Peking-Tokyo, Red Robin, House of Windsor or California Pizza Kitchen. We have a couple of American-style restaurants and we do have McDonald's, Burger King, Kentucky Fried Chicken (although I have not seen one yet), Pans & Company, and Starbucks, but not here in Cuéllar. You have to drive to Valladolid or Segovia and we don't do that often. Besides, in a way, I guess I do have a great restaurant right here in Cuéllar. I usually have at least one meal, and sometimes two, every day at Jon and Kathy's and she is a great cook, so I shouldn't complain.

But next fall, when I am back in the States, don't be surprised if I call you up and ask you if you want to meet me for lunch or dinner at one of my favorite spots. Besides the food, I will enjoy catching up with you and sharing about what God has been doing in both of our lives.

Thanksgiving Weekend

Well, I've celebrated my first Thanksgiving in Spain and it was very nice. Several members of our team gathered in Madrid at the home of Jerry and Peg Schweitzer. We were joined by two teachers from the MK school where Jerry and Peg teach.

We had a traditional American meal. Here's a picture to prove it. We also had pumpkin and pecan pies. And then after dinner we went around the table and shared what we were thankful for. It was good to hear about what God had done in each person's life this year.

I spent the rest of the weekend in Madrid with the Schwietzers. They took me shopping and showed me their school and we went to a Swiss Bazaar and they even showed me a few sights in Madrid that I hadn't seen yet. This is the Cibeles fountain. The Real Madrid fans jump into this fountain when the team wins a championship game.

I had a great Thanksgiving, considering that I was so far from family and friends "at home" and everything familiar. I am part of a great team of people here in Spain and I am very grateful!

Birthdays

I know there are people my age that don't like to even think about having another birthday, but I'm still enjoying them and this year was no exception. It was my first birthday in Spain and although I was missing my family and friends, they really came through for me. They sent gifts and cards and emails. It was great!

I spent the weekend with friends/co-workers in Salamanca. We had a delightful time. I think I played UNO with their 5 year old two dozen times! But he is such a delightful little boy, that I didn't mind. They even had a cake for me after church on Sunday! And when I returned to Cuéllar on Sunday night, Jon and Kathy had dinner for me and another cake! I am blessed with wonderful friends and family.

So to all of you who sent birthday greetings/gifts -- THANK YOU AND BLESS YOU! You're wonderful and I don't know what I would do without your love and support.

November Update

"This world is not my home, I’m just a passin’ through..."

These words are from an old Gospel song that I used to sing in the church where I came to faith in Christ. Some might say they’re hokey or cheesy, or worse, but things have happened lately that brought these words to mind.

I have some friends that are serving in Pakistan and the people whom they have lived with and loved have been devastated by the recent earthquake. My friends were on home assignment when this tragedy happened and rushed back to help those who have survived. As I have read e-mails from my friends and others who have gone to help, I am heartbroken over the devastation and loss of life. At the same time, I am filled with hope for the people in this region. God is opening doors for them to share His love, in very tangible ways, with those who remain. It is a daunting task, and they need your prayers, but they are trusting God to bring "beauty from ashes."

Why does it take tragedy - like the earthquake in Pakistan, Hurricane Katrina, 9-11, Columbine - to awaken us to what is most important? We are so easily "sucked in" to the values of the world in which we live. We waste so much of our life in meaningless activities and spend so much money on things that will not last.

Most of Spain is living in darkness. The people I pass on the streets every day look miserable. Most have forsaken the religion of their parents. Those who still practice their religion find no hope in it. Most live only for the moment, without the joy of knowing their sins are forgiven and they are loved. They live wasted lives. Pray with us that God will break into their lives with His truth and His love.

This month’s quote:
This is part of a weekly devotional e-mail that arrived just this morning. I thought it very timely. If you’d like to read the whole thing, you can find it in the previous blog posting.

You’ve seen people treat this world like it was a permanent home. It’s not. You’ve seen people pour time and energy into life like it will last forever. It won’t. You’ve seen people so proud of what they have done, that they hope they will never have to leave—they will. We all will. We are in transit. Someday the plane will stop and the deboarding will begin. Wise are those who are ready when the pilot says to get off.

-- Max Lucado, And the Angels Were Silent

Praises:
1. I had a great time visiting with some very dear friends from Colorado this past week. (They also happen to be Kathy’s parents.) My kids will be here in less than seven weeks!
2. Our first two courses for the online school are underway and we are receiving good response from the students.
3. My need for monthly support is down to $60.
4. My foot is doing much better these days. I only have occasional pain.

Prayer Requests:
1. Pray for Spain. Pray that God will open hearts to receive His love and salvation.
2. Pray for those who are currently enrolled in our online school. Pray that what they are learning will be used by God to bring the Light to Spain.
3. Pray for those working in Pakistan. They are heartbroken and exhausted and don’t have the resources necessary to help everyone who comes to them.
4. Pray for diligence in studying for my Spanish driver’s license. We have contacted a school within walking distance from my house and I will probably begin with them next week.

Be Ready

I received the following message from Max Lucado this morning. Well, not from Max personally. It really reminded me of how often we let ourselves get caught up in things that don't matter, at least not for eternity. How much time (and money) do we spend making ourselves comfortable here on Planet Earth instead of investing our lives (and our money) for the Kingdom? How often do we spend our time (and our money) on things that don't satisfy? It gave me pause, and I think it may do the same for you.

"No one knows when that day or time will be, not the angels in heaven, not even the Son. Only the Father knows." - Matthew 24:36 -

His message is unmistakable: He will return, but no one knows when. So, be ready.

I was reminded of this not long ago when I boarded a plane. I walked down the aisle, found my seat, and sat down next to a strange sight. The man seated next to me was in a robe and slippers. He was dressed for the living room, not for a journey. His seat was odd, too. Whereas my seat was the cloth type you normally see, his was fine leather. "Imported," he said, when he noticed I was looking. "Bought it in Argentina and put it on myself."

That was only the beginning. His fold-down table was of mahogany. There was a portable TV installed next to the window. A tiny ceiling fan and globed light hung above us. I had never seen anything like it. My question was the obvious one, "Why did you spend so much time and expense on an airline seat?"

"I live here," he explained. "I make my home on the plane." Incredible. The man made a home out of a mode of transportation. He made a residence out of a journey. Hard to believe? You think I’m stretching the truth? Well, maybe I haven’t seen such foolishness in a plane, but I have in life. And so have you.

You’ve seen people treat this world like it was a permanent home. It’s not. You’ve seen people pour time and energy into life like it will last forever. It won’t. You’ve seen people so proud of what they have done, that they hope they will never have to leave—they will. We all will. We are in transit. Someday the plane will stop and the deboarding will begin. Wise are those who are ready when the pilot says to get off.

I don’t know much, but I do know how to travel. Carry little. Eat light. Take a nap. And get off when you reach the city.
___________________________
From And the Angels Were Silent
Copyright 1992, Max Lucado