A day alone in Spain...at last! :)

So today I took a day for me and God...and itwas good!!!I left Kels and Ash at the apartment around 12:30 and spent the next hour shopping. I then went and ate some deliciousness at a place called Pita Inn...had a lamb pita...SO good...and read a book for a while. After that, I stopped into a chocolate shoppe/bakery for an enrigo (homemade truffle...SO good) followed by a metro ride to beach,..only rather than making my way to the beach, I found a park full of grass and trees (a rarity is Spain) and spent some good time there with God. I finished a book my mama had given me called Sacred Pathways and figured out my 3 dominant ways I connect with God,as well as gained some insight into friends/family and how they relate with God...even in ways I don´t get.
Upon completion of the book, I put some of what I learned into action... My 3 most dominant traits are Contemplative,Enthusiast (which are both tied at #1), and Activist (falling as #2 by a point)....not too shocking. Contemplatives are those who love God through adoration (viewing God as their lover and as Father and Bridegroom and Friend predominantly). Enthusiasts are those who love God with mystery and Celebration..as the book says "if they theirhearts aren´t moved, if they don´t experience God´s power,something is missing" They´re also the cheerleaders and joyful celebraters. and Activists are those who love God through confrontation such as Elizabeth Fry, Lord Shaftesbury, William Wilberforce and John Wesley. None of these should be shocking if you know me. :) The book points out strengths and weaknesses of each path...so I spent time brainstorming good ways for me to recharge through these as well as areas to repent where I´ve missed the mark/fallen short in my weakness. It was REALLY good... especially when I took sometime to just be with God as a lover and husband...SO good for the soul. I also tooksome time to weep over some brokeness that the book drew out in me. A part of thea activist part says " the church has frequently had an uneasy relationship with activists and prophets. We fondly remember those who have died but often loathe those who are still living. this should lead the actiavist to love God all the more because God may frequently be his or her only friend!" I am an activist, to the core and there ahve been times where I´ve really felt like God is my only friend (although He´s been SO good at developing a great support system for me...my parents,my friends, and members of my church back home) or that people loathe me (and there are those who do...which is SO hard on my tender heart because I do love people so much and care so deeply for them). I realized I had some pain and bitterness from this.... it was good to start to go there with God and weep and mourn some of this (only i know there´s further to go..in God´s timing we´ll get there).

I also just spent some timepeople watching in thepark, and once again my heart was brought toweep and pray for the people of Spain... they are hurting and broken with no one tohelp....Please be praying for this country, this place. They are so broken and in need of the Savior! Pray for workers to come into the fields to bring forth the harvest!...God has hearts that are ready..we just need willing workers!!!!!! One little boy was really hard for me to watch.. he had to be about 3 or 4.. but his mom was ridden down with defeat... bitterness, pain, which reflected in the son as he played ball... he fell at one point while running and his older brother pointed and laughed at him and you could see the pain on his face. I wanted to run and hold him as his mom sat thereon the phone oblvious to what was going on...Knowing this wasnt an option I prayed for him and his family. I ask you to do the same...he was socute!

After the park, I went pack towards Las Ramblas to a cute little cafe by the metro,and spent some time planning, praying and thinking with God.... and God once again confirmed and grew in me the heart of evangelism and showed me where I really lacked boldness this last school year...AS I repented, God blessed me with ideas for both prayer and evangelismand showed me how closely both are linked in ministry... you can´t do evangelism without prayer.. they need each other. I´m excited to put together some intercessory teams for evangelismback at school!

Now I´m back at the apartment, waiting for Kels and Ash who have the keys... but it was an amazing day with God. Calm, relaxing, but good!

Hope your day finds you filled with grace, love, truth and the presence of Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Much love,
AZ