A Smorgasbord of Thoughts

Okay, so perhaps I won’t really be a hermit. I just think all the traveling and hoards of people were getting to me. But it’s been great to be back here in the north country, seeing my two families…and seeing the growth in three little munchkins.

And I must say that after almost 28 days of travel, it’s nice to be able to not live out of a suitcase…for a few days at least.

All of this is to not to say that I did have a good time in Connecticut and New York. A mite jet-lagged or not, I’m glad to have spent those few days with my sis, mom and grandparents. For, as we were on the train back to Connecticut from the city, I had the revelation that I wouldn’t be seeing my sister for quite some time. Unless she somehow has time off to come to Tennessee, the earliest I’ll be seeing her is October.

It’s interesting. My sister and I did not get along very well for many, many years. She’s seven years and two months my senior, which makes being very good friends a little difficult growing up. But as I’ve graduated high school, and we’ve both matured, we’ve become friends and have a rather good time with one another now. Amazing what a little time and distance do.

Speaking of time and distance, it’s been 11 weeks today since I left my southern home. Eleven weeks have passed since I exchanged goodbyes with a few of the people I love, got in my packed little car and backed out of my long driveway, viewing my little house and two of my dearest friends and roomies for the last time.

Much has happened since that day. To the untrained eye, it may seem as if nothing of significance has come from this time, but the truth is quite contrary. During my time both here in the New York and in Spain, I have learned a lot and have grown in multiple areas. And the thing is, I don’t really fully know the extent of it all. They’re more subtle changes and attitudes that will reveal themselves over time and in different places.

But I digress (as if I really have something to digress from)…I have been gone from Tennessee (and all interested parties there) for eleven weeks. But, ONE WEEK from today, I will be seeing the faces of one good friend (and co.) and one special someone who strikes my fancy.

Actually it’s less than a week by this time.

I hope I stay busy.

*EDIT*

Some photos from Connecticut and NYC here...if you dare.

"All By Myself"

When I get back to my NY home, I'm thinking about locking myself in my room and being a hermit for a couple of days.

Opps...I did it again...

The sun must be stronger here because I find myself with a scorched back and a pink scalp, etc... aaahhhh!! Blast my vanity.
.....

I was going to upload some pics...however, there doesn't appear to be a place to plug in the ol' camera on this computer. Guess we'll just have to wait, eh?
.....

Okay, I think I'll be off...because this interchange happened a few minutes ago:

Hotel desk guy: "You know there's a charge for using the computer."

I don't realize he's talking to me, so he repeats...

Hotel desk guy: "You know there's a charge for using the computer."

Me (turning around in my chair): "There is?"

HDG: "Yes. But you just paid it with that smile."

Etc...


Yeah. I'm leaving now. I guess this sunburnt skin is just too much for some guys.

Back but not quite home...

That's right. This world traveler's feet touched American soil for the first time in three weeks yesterday. It was a blessed occurrence.

I'm not quite done traveling yet, though.

I'm now found in Connecticut with my mom, grandparents and sis (who's living here for the summer).

I'm sure I've have lots to write about Spain. And I will. But not now. The hotel lobby is a little too loud for such deep contemplations that are usually found here:)

So, I'll just leave it at that. That and...water is so much better tasting here in the U.S.

Suffering for the Lord

No quotation marks here folks. No irony implied.

There was this nasty sunburn. (This is only one strip of it...there was more)...



And then this mysterious bruise showed up on my foot (origin unknown)...



Then there was this rather rough "exchange" I had with a member on the team, leaving me with...



And and a knee looking like this...



And an extra bruise added to an already bruised knee (from our dance and drama)...



Then today I was on the receiving end of a "pillow jab"...which left me with a little blood on the lip and and a bit o´ fatness...



And then I do some laundry, hang it out to dry, and come back to find this...



As well as random articles falling to their demise (okay, maybe not to their demise, but still)



And don´t even get me started on the bad hair days...and the weirdos who sometimes follow us guapas mujeres around...



But, besides being used as the team pinata (there were a few unphotographed being kicked multiple times in the middle of the night incidents, too...I´ve mentioned no names in any of the instances to protect the not-so-inocent), the time in Spain is going famously. The Lord is definately doing a work through us and in us. And we´re only half-way through...

The past few days have been pretty amazing. We´ve been in Malaga with a small Spanish church for the past few days. We were with them this morning for service, as well as on Friday and Saturday nights doing street ministry on the boardwalk by the beach. It´s a small church, but I have no doubt that God will use this little congregation in this city in a mighty way.

Right now the rest of the team is watching the futbol game of all futbol games. Though I like futbol, I can´t say that I care too much about the outcome of this game since I don´t follow soccer the rest of the time...

Okay, mis amigos, I´m off. Thank you for all who have been praying for us; please keep doing so! God is awesome and is working here in the church. It´s all for His glory.

Take care of the U.S. for me...

Hasta luego.

"Peaches-n-Cream" was popular at one point

(said in one of those brilliant English accents)

Peter: "Kellay, you've got t' get some sun on thos'legs."

Me: "I knoooow."

Peter: "They're so white. Like milk."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Well, my legs didn't really get sun, but my shoulder certainly did.

Estoy en Espana.

In case anyone was wondering, we're here.

Spain is beautiful. The Mediterranean Sea is amazing to swim in. The outreachs are amazing. The Lord is movin'.

You can go here for an update and here for some pics.

Adios. Hasta luego.