Signing On - The first post!

Well, this is the first, of perhaps many blogs. I'm not huge in typing everything out for others, but hey I'm living in Spain for the next 4 months and figure people may want to know how life is lived over here.

I've been gone from home exactly a month. I got on an airplane 4 weeks ago headed to Paris, and with the plans of getting on a plane the week after and being in Wales for 6 months. But much to my surprise and dismay, my time in Wales consisted of the airport and airport security van. I was in Wales for all of an afternoon, and was escorted back to Paris in quite a hurry. My team member and I (Katie) got back to Paris not really knowing what would happen next.

The next few weeks left us waiting and wanting to know what the next several months would hold for us. After a few days, we were assured that going back to Wales would not be a possibility. We awaited a few more days for new possibilities. We were finally handed two options, Hamburg, Germany and San Sebastian, Spain. As many of you know, we chose Spain. At the time it was the option we knew the least about, but we both felt drawn to that option, and one of the Paris team members said the SS was amazing!

So a few days later we found ourselves awaiting our 7:15 AM train to depart. We were excited and anxious to be out of France! Not that Paris did not have it's high points, we were just ready to be in our place and start our work in our city.

Well, we have been in SS for a week now. And I must say I absolutely love it here. The pictures cannot even capture the amazing beauty around us. We have explored our city and the coast line and finally have a schedule (at least this week!). We are settling in and becoming acquainted with those we will be working with the next few months.

There are still a few unknowns right now, but I'm looking to the future and know that my FATHER is bigger and greater than anything the world can throw at us. I know that all things happen for a reason. My plans are not always HIS plans, a lesson I constantly have to learn.

While in Paris, God blessed me with a wonderful group of friends. I cannot express how they spoke measures into my life when I needed it most. I was away from the familiar and faced with many new obstacles I never could have prepared for. I am blessed for having become their friends and hearing their stories.

Last night as I read a very familiar passage (Ps 23:2) I looked on it with new light. This past week, our plans have been canceled or changed nearly every day. However, this often left time to go walk along the beach and much needed time to process the last few weeks and relax. HE led me here, to sit in the grass, walk along the coast and soak in HIS amazing creation and beauty. It's been so long since I've felt so much joy. There's no stress, no worrying, no frustraion. Just joy in HIS presence. My soul and cup runnteh over. HE has filled me to the max. Now is my time to GO and fill someone elses cup with HIS amaing love.

This is my hope, that all my know my FATHER as I do and feel and truely know HIS love as I do.

Please keep me in your thoughts as I live in Spain for the next four months and that in all I do, HIS NAME will be known to those around me.

- jennifer