On A Personal Note...

As many of you know, I've never done a blog before. Thus far, I've treated it much like a travel journal, attempting to keep you all up-to-date on my activities here in Spain. I hope it has been a joy for you!

I am so grateful for all who are faithfully praying for me...seriously, I feel soooo covered here, it's incredible. To all of you, I say thank you with the greatest amount of sincerity I can muster!!

Perhaps this will sound cliche, but I mean it: God is sooooooo faithful, oh so faithful! I just love how all of us who know Jesus end up proclaiming the same things whenever we experience a new encounter...He's so good, so faithful, so holy, so loving, so lovable...He really doesn't change, then, does He? Nor does He only pertain to one place..."Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me," (Ps. 139:7-10 ESV). Haha!

Yes, He is here in Spain too. Be excited! May I testify that you all have brothers and sisters who love to worhsip Jesus in Granada, lifting the city to Him, desiring to "seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness...". They are wonderful, so welcoming and kind and enthusiastic! Please pray for them, as well, especially as they are by far the minority here it seems. These days are tough for all of us, no less for the people of Andalucia. I wonder if this economic crisis is not an open door to reach the hearts of Spaniards with the Gospel? So many big, beautiful, ancient churches...I think they could use a little Holy Spirit wind :).

I am truly seeking to be on God's page these days. He wasn't kidding when He said the Holy Spirit is our teacher...ha, no one can convict and teach and reveal like He does! For those of you seeking to know how to pray for me, may I suggest three things?

1. Do ask the Holy Spirit! Haha! Truly, I feel like a splat of paint on a canvass, needing Jesus to made some artwork out of all my confusion and emotion and action. He knows what I need and what is best at all times. I trust Him to tell you what to pray for ;).
2. Native spanish-speaking friends! I desire so strongly to improve in my speaking skills, wanting Spanish to become second nature to me! I've dreamed of this. If Jesus has other plans for this trip, then I will be open. I've asked Him to change my desires if they are not in line with His.
3. That I will "seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness," something the Lord has impressed very strongly on me recently. I've become aware of a spirit of slavery that attempts to bind me to a self-centeredness that drives my desires and actions. I've felt much like Paul in Romans 7, but I realize Jesus' blood has cleaned me and His Spirit makes a way for me to walk in His love for those around me, with a desire to look to their needs before my own. Please pray that I will grow in this kind of love.

Thank you so much!!! Please don't hesitate to post a comment or facebook me or email me with any questions or thoughts or prayer requests! I do have down time here, though it may not seem like it :).

"The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O LORD, endures forever." (Ps. 138:8 ESV)

Much love and thanks and blessing,

Brittany