Today is a good day.

I'm still adjusting to life over here in Madrid, so I haven't been able to post that much. After class yesterday, I was feeling down and homesick. Life is just different over here and sometimes it makes me feel totally uncomfortable. It's definitely not as conservative as the U.S. and the South, and a lot of students like their freedom when it comes to traveling to another country where they have no rules, no reputation to worry about, etc, etc,...you get my drift. I also haven't been loving my classes which consisted of 6 native speakers, me, and a lot of pressure. So yesterday I was asking God to give me grace for the whole situation and He totally worked everything out because of His goodness and grace and love and faithfulness to complete the work He's started! Yesterday was the last day to change classes, but I came to school early today feeling hopeful and managed to get changed to another class. And I love it. I got 2 new female teachers who are so sweet. I didn't feel any pressure in class and I really enjoyed learning! Nerdy, I know. And after class, one of my teachers who is so kind, asked me if I was a Christian. Random! But yes, please, I'll take it!! I said yes and she invited me to her church this week. So Toni and I are going to visit her iglesia on Sunday! Pretty cool. AND today is a great day because I got a package from my awesome sister!! Thanks Nat!! She sent me a really cute card and an awesome, homemade coffee sleeve! So eco-friendly of her. It made me so happy. And Mom figured out how to work Skype!! Good job, Mom!! I love skyping with you :)
So what's new in the house, you ask? Great news, we got a new bird! Woohoo!! Add to the collection. His name is "Freaky" and his hair sticks up when you call him by name. Esperanza calls me in to see him a few times a day because she thinks he's so funny. The sad news is that one of the parakeets has a hernia. But don't worry, Esperanza is going to put him in her purse and take him on the metro so he can go to the vet! She's been so sweet cooking for us. Fried ham with a side of mayo...yummmm!!! I still love her for doing that to us. I told Toni I would pay her 5 euros if she ate my ham but she turned me down. Hmmm what else..Toni and I went to a Futbol game! It was so cool..the veterans were playing which was quite impressive. These Spaniards don't kid around with their soccer. It was a charity game, no big deal, and the fans make the Iron Bowl look like a joke! Everyone had noisemakers and were going completely wild and all wearing jerseys, little kids and all. There's a bull fight on Thursday that we can go see, but I decided to turn that one down. I might get a little queasy seeing all 8 of those bloody bulls get stabbed to death. Esperanza was so proud of me for saying no. I felt like she was thanking me for saying no to drugs or something, she was ecstatic. Let's see what other good news I have. Oh yeah, I found the cookie jar in the house! That's great news.  Not that I don't like the ham or anything!
Here are some pics I've taken recently

Leave it to the Europeans to have a nutella flavored cupcake..they love Nutella! Yum!

Our little breakfast that we have everyday. An "ironed" ham and cheese croissant, crackers, nutella, jam, tea and juice

I found some little Spanish womb-mates!! 

Friday=new sheets..pretty exciting

Our after-school tea time

My tea and "bon bon"..sorry I haven't unpacked my brush yet.

Here are my clothes hanging to dry outside my window

The aquaducts in Segovia, about 1.5 hours outside of Madrid

Mis amigas, Toni (Wisconsin) and Ashley (Texas)

Segovia

Peek-a-boo

This is the castle in Segovia--Walt Disney used this castle as a model for Disney World! 

Futbol game

Front row seats!

Gramps still kickin' it out there

Well, it's time to go run in the rain to the metro to go home because it's siesta time! Adios amigos, I hope y'all are melting away in the heat back home!

Philippians 1:6 "For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus!" .