I spy...

 

These are the horses that give tourist rides every day who live below our apartment terrace. This beautiful gal can see the mountains and Mediterranean Ocean from the same spot.





This is the park in Mijas, a 5 minute walk.  I love it here because I can see all the way across to Africa here on clear days!  (Or I can look way up the mountain behind the village).



These are two views from the steep climb behind our village.  The first picture shows the top of our apartment building and the second is from a morning hike with the family.  Our apartment faces the trees in the center of the photo. 

Below is our kitchen; I was learning about cooking chorizo (chore-ee-zo) sausage, a Spanish favorite.  It wasn't as spicy as we thought.  5 thumbs up!

Here is another viewing area in Mijas.  More awesome views of the Costa de Sol!

Below is our view from our bus trip down to Fuengriola; a coastal city.  We visited the playa (beach).  This would be looking at the coast/mountains headed northwest up the coast.

An old church (iglesia) that one can visit in and around.  We can also see this from our apartment.

Thanks for viewing this far!  We are learning so much about God's plan and motherhood; and getting to see awesome new places.  I LOVE that our children are here for this!  We miss you!

shout out!!:      thanks Christy and Rob for following us (miss you tons) and asking us to do this!



Seek and you shall find

Have you ever said that?  I have said it many times.  I have even read and underlined the passage from my bible; Matthew 7:7+8 "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you shall find; knock and the door will be opened for you.  For everyone who asks, recieves; he who seeks, finds; and to him who knocks the door will be opened."  Honestly, I did not fully understand these passages until now.  I have never let my life depend on these words about asking, seeking and knocking.  I just closed my bible and went on my way, figuring out how to push the door open on my own.  Well guess what? I can't do that now!!  Mike and I have, in faith, left the path for our life rest solely on Him. We must ask Him, seek Him and knock.  We are knocking HARD!  But He will, as promised, give us the answer and open the door. 
I am encouraged to write this as I share with you the seeking Mike has done.  Mike has been an excellent student!  At class early, taking notes, staying late.  He schedules meetings with wise advisors to discuss and sort through.  We converse about assignments (and not just the night before they are due!).  I am proud of the dedication Mike has as he leads us to our next phase of this journey together.  This is REAL!  He knows, as I mentioned above, that this is not just a "should I buy the red one or blue one?" kind of question.  And I am so excited at this commitment because I know that God will come through.  Now wait and see how...

SHOUT OUT/REVISED

REVISION!!  This just in; also a package from Auntie M for us with goodies! 3 pieces of mail in the first month!This is our first shout out to Sally, our mom who mailed us our first snail mail!!  It was a Happy Birthday card for Mike!  Also, following closely is my mom, Wanda who has sent us some postcards from her time in Myrtle Beach.  Way to go Mom's!!

Seriously

So I've decided to post at a risk.  I'm putting myself out there.  What's life if I don't?  Most of the dear friends and family reading this would not like to hear more about the laundry; you want to know HOW I'M DOING?!  Well, to be honest, the first few days were a blur of major jet lag, followed by some sharp homesickness (for a house I don't have anymore!!!!) and the I-don't-speak-Spanish-where-can-I-get-milk feelings.  But then I remembered that GOD SHOWED UP.  Actually, He was ALREADY here; preparing this place for us in 2011.  The hard part was leaving what I knew.  I really thought I 'had it all' and no, I cannot predict where God will send us from here.  But, with the power of the Holy Spirit I let it go.  The job resignation-house selling-moving-packing and moving again is behind me.  Now, I'm not saying that everyday "It's all good!"  There is still whining and puking and dirty dishes.  But those are concrete aspects in my life as a wife and mom of three.  I gave up the rest with the promise from God that there is more.  I have peace like I have never had before.  Peace given freely to me; not peace that I earned from figuring it all out on my own.  I feel as I can relate to Abraham who was asked to give it all up; but did not have a reason why or a map of where he was going; and yet "He did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God; being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised."  Romans 4:20 +21.  There may be times when I need you to remind me that I wrote that.  But I am also looking forward to the blogs that will follow filled with God's faithfulness and provision.  Can I get an 'Amen?!'

ARISE 2 FREEDOM

Learning this afternoon with Stephanie Fisk, G42 Graduate.
She has returned to Mijas to open a chapter of MATTOO ( http://www.mattoo.org/ ) Men Against The Trafficking Of Others.
She has shared her heart and passion for beginning the fight here in Spain
for God daughters, who have been sold into the sex trade and human trafficking.

Read more on her journey at:

http://www.arise2freedom.com/

Telling your story

Learning this morning from my friend, fellow intern, Dennis Gable.
Dennis is halfway through his G42 time here.
Please visit his website to hear about his story.

http://dennisgable.wordpress.com/story/

Just saying

Denise here, again.
I just wanted to share some funny things I have learned in my first few days...
a.  When someone tells you to 'meet them at Rogers pub'; that is probably not the name of the place, rather, it is probably the owner.
b.  When someone is giving you directions (in English, even!), telling you that it is a white building does not help in this village.  (If that does not make sense to you, look at some pictures of our village!)
c. 10 am does not mean 10 am; it means mid-morning sometime.
d.  lunch break at a store may (or may not be) 2-3 hours long.  (Decidedly UNhelpful when trying to get out to buy a husband a birthday gift)
e.  I have been able to get around by repeating the phrase "Espana un poco.  English, por favor."  (Spanish, little.  English, please).  This and my adorable Sal waving at every passerby saying "OYA" (Hola) has been really helpful!
: )

Hola

Denise here!  The kids and I went for a walk around the village today and saw the amazing views from the high hilltops around our new home.  WOW!  It's already beautiful; but I can't wait for the day when I can see Africa from across this side of the Mediterranean.  The kids are definitely exploring all the nooks and crannies of our apartment.  They love to sit out on the terrace with our laundry waving above their heads.  That sounds lovely; but I had to do all that laundry by hand so it's not as lovely to a grown-up.  I have to admit, though, that I love being outside without our coats.  They said we should bring our winter coats; HA!  New Englanders they are not.  Everyone enjoy your snow and email us photos of your snowmen!  P.S. send mac and cheese and coffee creamer if you decide to mail us a package!

Three Wise Men came to town last night

Merry Christmas!!
Today is Christmas is Spain, Last night there was a parade to celebrate the Wise Men coming to bring gifts to the King.

Costa del Sol, and our new home.

Middle of the picture is our balcony overlooking the town sqaure, second story (ground, 1st, 2nd), So yes....12  - 50lb bags up 40 stairs.