To Sing or Not to Sing...

I came across this article yesterday regarding the Spanish national anthem. Apparently, the Spanish Olympic Committee wanted their athletes to be able to sing when the Spanish national anthem was played so they held a contest to find new words to the song and created quite a stir. I'll let you read the article to learn all the details regarding why there have been no words since 1978 and who objected to the new words.

January Update

Back to Work
My time in the States was very fulfilling and I enjoyed spending lots of time with my children. We spent Christmas Day with some very good friends and had a great day. It was definitely a “White Christmas.” I arrived back in Spain on Wednesday, Jan. 9, and will be back at work on Monday. We have a lot to accomplish in the next several months and I would appreciate your prayers as I try to balance my time between the FIEIDE office and my “office” at the Haleys’ house.

This month’s quote: A rabbi taught that experiences of God can never be planned or achieved. “They are spontaneous moments of grace, almost accidental.” His student asked, “Rabbi, if God-realization is just accidental, why do we work so hard doing all these spiritual practices?’” The rabbi replied, “To be as accident-prone as possible.”

Philip Yancey, Prayer: Does It Make Any Difference?

Praises & Prayer Requests:

• I had a great time celebrating the holidays in the States with my children and friends. The time went by very quickly and my days were very full. I’m grateful for good health and safety as I traveled.
• As we begin 2008, we have identified several projects we would like to accomplish this year, many before summer. Most of them are related to our online school, although some are for the FIEIDE (the organization of Spanish churches we work with). Pray that we will stay focused on our goals and accomplish much to strengthen the church here in Spain.
• Continue to pray for the relationships that Kathy and I are making through our English conversation group. Pray that the Holy Spirit will draw them to Christ.
• Continue to pray for needed financial support and an improvement in the value of the dollar here in Europe. I am thankful for some special year-end gifts that have helped “fill in the gaps.” God is faithful!

Merry Christmas!

Tonight my children and I attended our first Christmas Eve service at our home church in Denver. We have always either been in California, Montana or Spain for Christmas. It was very special to be worshiping the Lord and celebrating Christmas with so many good friends.

I pray that as each of you enjoy the season, you are reminded of the great gift we have been given in Jesus Christ! May the Lord bless you and your families!

December Update

God is Faithful!

This year was another year of transition for me as we moved to the Barcelona area. I have changed my place of residence seven times in the last 4 years. For someone who had made only one major move in her adult life (from California to Colorado) these transitions have been a bit stressful. Sometimes I think the Lord is providing me with new ways to lean on Him. The financial insecurity involved in being a missionary is also a new experience. My husband and I always had good, steady jobs and didn’t need to be concerned about the next paycheck. This too is one of the ways the Lord is stretching my faith and helping me to rearrange my priorities. In the midst of these “trials” God’s goodness is very evident in my life. As this year ends and a new one begins, I have many reasons to praise Him.

I am looking forward to spending Christmas in Denver with my children and dear friends. God has provided most of the funds for my ticket home (through my children and some friends). Perhaps He knew I needed this time at home to be encouraged, to recharge my batteries and gain a fresh perspective.

This month’s quotes:

“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord'.” Luke 2:8-11

“And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6b

You know you're in Spain at Christmas time...

It's been interesting to hear about different holiday traditions as Kathy and I have our English "students" share on Wednesday nights. Many of them are very similar to ours and others are very different. Folks decorate here with lights and Santa and Christmas trees, like we do in the States. However, I was a little surprised to see this decoration hanging from my neighbor's balcony. I've seen Santa climbing up the side of an apartment, but I've never seen the three kings doing it.

This highlights one of the differences between a Spanish Christmas and an American one. They celebrate King's Day on January 6 and for many Spaniards, this is when they do their gift giving, since this is when the child Jesus received his gifts. Some exchange gifts on December 25, and some do it on both days, but I think most wait until January 6.

I found this article regarding Christmas in Spain that you might find interesting. At the bottom they tell about a custom here in Cataluña that is unusual, to say the least.

I leave for Denver in less than week and I'm excited to have a white Christmas and see my kids and enjoy my first Christmas Eve service at our church (we have always been away for Christmas). I hope and pray you are enjoying the real reason for the season and not getting caught up in the media-driven, and perhaps guilt-driven, excesses that can so easily take over.