What a week...

It has been a week to remember.

Both incredibly historical occurences and small day-to-day life happenings have made the week very interesting to say the least...

-The South, including my old town, was devestated by one of the deadliest tornado outbreaks in the last 50 years.
-Osama bin Laden, one of the most infamous terrorist leaders in history, was killed by US forces.
-A monumental royal wedding took place in England (although I didn't care too much for it I still found it worth noting..)

On the brighter daily-life side:

-I played in the street for money for the first time and we were threatened by a homeless man with a knife (sorry mom if you are reading this for the first time, but we are ok..)
-I played electric guitar for the first time in almost 8 months at church with friends.
-Another famous week-long festival has started here in Sevilla:  Feria de Abril (lots of photos will be taken)
-We went to our first baby shower as a married couple!
-We celebrated our 4 year "dating" anniversary!!!

God has used many of these, if not all, to strengthen our faith in him.  Whether it be through heartbreak over losses, joy through the beauty of new life, or the exciting growth of our own relationship and community with other believers, God has and will always provide as well as receive the glory.  Last night at church, we sang "How He Loves Us" by John Mark McMillan.  The beginning of the song says, "He is jealous for me, loves like a hurricane, I am a tree bending beneath the weight of his wind and mercy."  It hit Emma and I pretty close to home.  We were reminded that the extreme power of a storm can destroy an entire community but at the same time God's love is an all-consuming, overwhelming love that pursues us without end.  It will change you completely.  It will wreck you, but bring ultimate peace.  There is hope in the aftermath of it all.

Tomorrow starts our work week and we will continue on as usual.  We look forward to our first maternity photo shoot with our friends Andy and Jamie who are expecting a baby boy any day now.  We hope to learn how to dance "Sevillanas" with our friends Jordan and Sarah to prepare for Feria.  We look forward to talking with more friends and hearing updates from back home.  Finally, we look forward to spending quality time with Emma's dad as he comes to visit this weekend! 

A picture from a recent trip to Matalascañas. It's nice only living 1 hour away from the beach!

We be back! Espana 2011

After 24+ hours of traveling over New Year's Eve/New Year's Day we are back in Spain ready to face 2011 abroad!!!

Although we normally like spending New Year's Eve with friends, not many people can say they spent New Year's Eve traveling forward in time and watching the movie "Easy A" while hovering thousands of feet above the Atlantic Ocean like Emma and I did.  We were surprised also to find that there was NOBODY on our plane to Spain.  It was a big plane with 8 seats wide.  Everyone on the plane could have laid down by themselves in a 4-seat middle row... which Emma and I did after seeing that nobody would sit there.

We were also surprised, that there wasn't even a countdown or mentioning of the New Year on the plane.  No mimosas, whistles, confetti, black eyed peas, ham, or greens......  It was a good flight though.

Emma and I getting ready to get on the plain bound for the Future/Spain!!!!

Although it's nice to finally be back in España, we loved everything about being home for the holidays:  family, food, weddings, friends, presents, snow, etc, etc...(all of which to be posted hopefully this week in another gigantic post).

We love the holiday feeling and everything that comes with it.  Normally, in the states, there isn't another holiday until Valentine's Day (which Wal-Mart was already preparing for a few days after Christmas...)  but here in Spain they are still celebrating the Christmas season!!!!!!!! So Christmas continues for us here in Spain with pretty lights, food, and more celebrations at least until January 6th!!!!

Quick Spanish Culture Lesson:  (might be boring)
The 25th of December isn't the big holiday in Spain like it is in America.  Neither are Christmas trees everywhere like in the States, although they still have them.  Nativity scenes called Belenes are everywhere.
-December 8 is the "Immaculada" or the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of Mary... there is singing and concerts by unprofessional groups of men called tuna singers.  It is typically the start of the religious Christmas celebration.
-December 22 is the day of the big lottery in Spain and everyone sits around waiting and hoping to win El Gordo (the fat one).  It's been a tradition since 1812 and there are many prizes won that day.  Also the kids Christmas vacation starts this day. 
-December 24 and 25 is "Nochebuena" and Christmas Day.  These days are celebrated as a national holiday but they are more calm and generally just consist of eating a meal or something together as a family.
-December 28 is the day of "Santos Inocentes" and is our April Fool's equivalent.  It's origin is from the massacre of children that the King Herodes committed in Judeus which didn't seem to funny when I first read it hehe but......  This day is for playing tricks on friends and family, and the national media get involved by broadcasting crazy facts and news which Spain normally loves.
-December 31 is "Nochevieja" and they eat 12 grapes for every ring of the bell to bring in the New Year.
-January 6 is the Feast of the Epiphany or also called Dia de los Reyes Magos (day of the 3 Kings or Magi) This is Spain's Christmas day.  There is some celebrating in the streeeet and the kids receive presents from the Magi which kinda makes since because the Magi brought gifts to Jesus....  Santa Clause or Papa Noel might bring gifts but it's normally the 3 kings who do it.

AAAAAlllllllllll that to say we are excited to still be celebrating Christmas!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Saying adios to Sally.... she was sad....

Waiting in the airport in Madrid for 7 hours before our 6 hour bus ride...

passing time while Emma was sleeping at my feet. (even though she took this pic)

back on the streeetss of Sevilla!

First night back.  Soup and Dexter marathon.

More lights!

Watching some street performer.

Calle Sierpes at night!

 Christmas vacation in the states coming soooooon!!!

Mucho amor y Dios vos bendiga!

Cristobal Wesley y Queen Isabemma!

The tomb in the cathedral where part of Christopher Columbus is buried.

In honor of Columbus Day, which was celebrated this past Monday (I think) in the United States, here is a little post from the founder of the "Americas" ...   and the King and Queen of Spain who hooked him up with 3 tight boats.

Emma and I live in Sevilla, the capital of the Andalusian province.  Christopher Columbus sailed from Spain a little less than an hour from where we live and resided in our town before he left!  We live down the street from where part of his body is buried!!  We're so lucky!  Apparently everybody wanted a piece and Sevilla got some of it!

And coincidentally, Spain celebrates Columbus Day too (sort of)....  They call it El Festival de los Naciones (Festival of the Nations)  OR el Dia del Virgen de Pilar (Day of the Virgen Pilar).  Neither really have anything to do with Columbus, but it's nice to celebrate.  We also didn't have school that day!!!

Here's to you Spain, Christopher Columbus and free refills that are mostly found in AMERICA!