Three and a half years ago I had the opportunity to study in Toledo, Spain for six weeks. I had a great time full of learning and exploring a new culture. During those few weeks, I never thought that I would return a year later and be in Spain for another 2½ years!

On my last night in Toledo, I was overcome with sadness at the fact that I was leaving… but deep inside me there was something was pulling me back to this country. I have never in my life felt such a strong conviction of what God was calling me to do and where to go. I got off the plane in Michigan and informed my parents that I was going back to Spain. Me, a homebody! The one who always opted to stay at home and never wanted to leave. Yet, I knew without a shadow of a doubt that I was supposed to go back to Spain. At that time, I did not know the reason but I knew I was going to go. There began my journey of finding a way back to Spain. The following August after graduation, I boarded a plan and headed back to Spain for a ten month commitment that turned in to 2 ½ years. 🙂

Toledo, Spain

Yesterday, I had the opportunity to go back and visit Toledo for the first time since I left a little over three years ago. It was such an amazing feeling to be back wandering through the streets of such a historic city that has such special meaning to me. It was fun to reminisce about my time there and to think back to that moment when I knew I was going to come back to Spain. As my time here in Spain is coming to a close, it was very meaningful to go back to the place where it all began.

English Connect

Last year, I started working closely with some friends who have had a dream for many years to open their own English Academy here in Caceres, Spain. Last month, after many planning meetings and iterations of the business plan, we opened the doors of English Connect! It is an amazing privilege to be part of helping a dream that these women have had for years become a reality.

At the beginning of the summer my church pastor talked about making this summer a summer of significance. He referenced the song “Back in the Summer of 69” and raised the question of whether we would remember the Summer of 2014. These thoughts have stuck with me as I have gone through this summer and have caused me to think about if this has been a summer of significance.

As I sit here reflecting on the events of this summer, I can honestly say that for me this truly has been a season of significance. It has been filled with weddings, blackberry picking with Mum, reconnecting with friends, helping Dad set up his fish tank, participating in service projects with church family, preparing for grad school, getting ready for a new year teaching and simply enjoying life back in the States! I have become more involved and connected here and love the way in which Franklin is becoming more like home each time I’m here. The support that I feel from the people around never ceases to amaze me. I am so blessed to have amazing friends and family who get behind me whether they have known me for a lifetime or just a few months. The love they demonstrate is incredible.

I have been challenged to think about things in new ways, to ask hard questions, to embrace moments no matter how big or small, to cherish time with people and to keep dreaming big! I am leaving the USA after an incredible summer, and I’m heading back to Spain with an eager anticipation to return to a city that has been my home for two years. I can’t wait to walk through the streets that are so familiar, to meet friends for coffee at the local coffee shop and to be in the place I know I’m supposed to be for now. I’m expecting great things for this next season in Spain!

This year abroad has provided me with a number of opportunities to travel around Europe and enjoy new cultures, food and architecture. It has been an amazing journey of learning and creating incredible memories.  One trip that impacted me was a trip to Sevilla, Spain.

Seville, Spain

A few weekends ago, I went to Sevilla with two friends (If you ever make it to the region of Andalucia, Sevilla is a must visit!) The weather was gorgeous and we got to enjoy tapas, flamenco, and see some amazing sights. However, the thing that impacted me the most was on a walking tour of the city. Our guide´s name was Juan, and he gave us the background history of Sevilla and the not-so-talked about stories of politics. It was fascinating. At one point on the tour as we were meandering down an avenue of trees along the river, Juan received a phone call. A few moments later he started shaking all of our hands and had a huge smile on his face. As we gathered around curious as to this behavior he started to get choked up as he told us he had just got a job and was starting in September! Juan has a degree in engineering and has been looking for a job since he graduated three years ago.

The unemployment rate here in Spain is currently at 26%. It is something that surrounds the people here in Spain. The number of individuals I know in my close circle who are unemployed and have been for years is very high. So, to see Juan get a job after so long and to see his raw emotion after that phone call was a touching moment.

It´s sometimes the unexpected moments that make us see things in a different light and to really appreciate what we have.

*Unemployment rate from the National Statistics Institute http://www.tradingeconomics.com/spain/unemployment-rate

“I am a Promise. I am a Possibility. I am a great big bundle of Potentiality.” These are the words to a song that my Mum sang to me and taught me when I was growing up. Words that come to mind when I teach. Words that I want my students to believe. Words that are so true, yet sometimes so hard to believe. I have recently caught myself humming this song as I am in the classroom with the students. It is something that I want each and every one of them to hear, to believe and to live in. Each student is unique. Each student has great potential. I want them to dream…to dream BIG, and to pursue the passions and desires that they have.

As I was thinking about this for the kids, I realized that I too am a promise, a possibility, and that I have potential. But this is not something just for me or for the students…this is true for everyone. “[We are] fearfully and wonderfully made.” I can walk with my head held high because I am loved with an unconditional and sacrificial love and because “when I am weak He is strong.”

So, as you go throughout your day today know that You are a Promise; You are a Possibility; and You are a great big bundle of Potentiality! 🙂

Here is a link for the song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zo98dekGMyE

I Am A Promise!

I have a great job that makes me smile every day! I find it ironic how I started out thinking I would study Education at university but ended up studying Business Administration and now, I’m a teacher! 🙂 I get to spend my days teaching kids ranging from preschool through eighth grade. I love to see them try so hard to pronounce a word and then smile really big when I tell them they got it…they did it well! We have fun in the classroom while learning English through playing games, doing crafts and worksheets, having conversations and eating American/British treats! If there is a reason to have a party, we will have one! It’s a great chance to teach them about other cultures and history as well as doing something a little different in the classroom.

I love to see the students’ enthusiasm for life, their joy over the simple things, and their amazing ability to learn (kids pick up languages so quickly). I enjoy sitting round the table having full conversations in English with my older students. They are so determined to communicate that it reminds me to maintain that determination as I continue to learn Spanish. I walk to work every day being reminded of how blessed I am to teach and interact with these kids!

This past month has been full of Christmassy activities. The class presentations went well and the cookie decorating was a huge hit! The pride of the parents hearing their children speak English and the smiles that were on the kids’ faces as they presented and sang were amazing to see. I had some friends over to decorate Christmas cookies which was a lot of fun…it was a first for many of them because it is not a tradition here in Spain. I enjoyed getting to share some American traditions with my students and friends.

Decorating Christmas Cookies!

The Christmas production at church was a success, and I had so much fun playing the flute! I had forgotten how much I love playing. I also got to spend a few evenings walking the streets of the city with my roommates enjoying all of the Christmas lights that shined bright. It makes me think of how bright the sky must have been when the angels told the shepherds the amazing news that Christ had been born. What a night that would have been!

Thousands of years ago prophecies were fulfilled with the birth of Jesus Christ. What greater gift could we have been given? 

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

Isaiah 9:6-7

The much anticipated day for me to come home has arrived! Tomorrow I fly home and will get to see my family and friends. Needless to say…I’m pretty excited! Hasta luego España and Hello United States!

What an incredible past few weeks it has been! Multiple Thanksgiving celebrations and now prepping for the Most Wonderful Time of the Year! One of the Thanksgiving celebrations included having thirteen college students at my apartment and enjoying some typical Thanksgiving food and American culture. It was an awesome opportunity to talk about the origins of Thanksgiving: how there was a desire to freely worship God and how the Pilgrims gave thanks to Him for His provision through the ups and the downs of their journey. It was a wonderful time of laughter, fun and way too much food! I also celebrated with my friends Tim and Paula, their family and some of their friends. It was a wonderful mix of Spaniards, Americans and Brits celebrating together. It is so cool how holidays can bring together people from all different cultures and backgrounds! It was fun to prepare all the food and decorate to celebrate such a fun day.

Happy Thanksgiving!

I was talking to a friend today about how I sometimes feel like I am living in a dream. I am so blessed to have the opportunity to live in Spain and learn a new language and culture. The friendships that surround me are amazing. I am a creature of habit…I go to the same coffee shop, the same copy shop, the same post office, etc. even if it is not the closest to where I may be at the time. It may seem a little crazy at times, but I love the relationships that I  develop with the workers in all of these places. I have become a familiar face; and each place I go, I desire that the love of Christ shines bright through me. When I think about how great His love is and how incredible He is, how can I not share it in some way? This city holds a special place in my heart and I grow to love it and the people here more every day.

Christmas is on its way…Christmas music can be heard in stores, lights are being hung, Christmas productions are being practiced and cookies are being baked. Over the next few weeks, I’ll be preparing my students for the Christmas presentations that each class will give for their parents, rehearsing music for the church’s Christmas play and simply enjoying the season that is focused on the birth of Jesus Christ and what an amazing gift came to us 2000 years ago! I’ll be home in 19 days…not that I’m counting or anything 🙂 …and I can’t wait to spend Christmas with family and friends!

Christmas in the Plaza Mayor

It’s been a month since I arrived in Spain!! This month has been full of amazing experiences and wonderful memories! The past few days, I have been reflecting on my summer at home and how incredibly orchestrated it was to get me ready for a fantastic time in Spain!

Home…Franklin, TN became home for me over this past summer. It was hard to leave the familiarity of Michigan and my childhood home, but God had great things waiting for me in Franklin, TN that would help prepare me for a second year in Spain. My family spent lots of quality time together; I got a great job with a fun-loving, easy-going boss who always reminded me to enjoy the moment; I met a great group of women through Mah Jongg; and gained an incredible group of friends through our church Full Life who challenge and encourage me in countless ways! To top it off, my twin brother got married!!!

Jonathan’s and Emma’s Wedding!

This summer I feel like I created a life in TN full of amazing friends, a great church, and the best family I could ask for! I am in awe of the greatness and majesty of God. He never ceases to amaze me in how he continually pours out his blessings! I left the States feeling refreshed, loved, and supported.

Spain is home for now, and what an amazing home it is! My classes are going really well, and I have been blessed with wonderful students. I am continually grateful for the people whom God has placed in my life both near and far. I have the incredible opportunity to be here in Spain, and it is an experience I am living to the fullest: making all kinds of memories along the way!

It has been a week since I arrived in Spain, yet it seems like I have been here forever!

The transition has been much easier than last year since I am already familiar with life in this city. I have been blessed with amazing roommates who are seeking God. It is wonderful to get to share this year with other godly girls who I know will become good friends and who will challenge and encourage me throughout this year. They are both Spanish and speak no English, so it is a great opportunity for me to learn and practice!

Me and my roommates, Sara and Sara, sitting in the Plaza Mayor.

This week was my first week of teaching, and it’s going well! Each child is unique and I am looking forward to getting to know them all this year. I work with another teacher who is an incredible example to me in how she interacts with the students and challenges me to strive to improve. The way that she demonstrates love to these kids is inspiring. I desire for the love of Christ to overflow from me into the lives of those around me.

Please pray for:

• A sensitive and open heart to hear the Holy Spirit’s leading
• Continued opportunities to build relationship with Spaniards
• For grace and patience with teaching

Thank you for your support, prayers, and encouragement as I continue on this adventure! I know that God has mighty things in store for this year!

God Bless!

Hannah