Thursday, March 5, 2015

Sheraton Hotel
Washington, D.C.

Here I sit, in a super nice hotel room, drinking coffee and reading my Bible. Of course my mind is wandering...we leave for the airport at 1. Our flight to France leaves at 6:50 pm. And we'll be in Spain by 9 am tomorrow! Although, when I say 9 am, I mean Europe time...which is actually 3 am here in America. So that should be interesting. I like my sleep, so not sure how tomorrow is going to go! 

Coffee. Lots of coffee. Which I am totally ok with. :)

So, Spain, huh? I can't believe it's finally here! I am probably equal parts excited and nervous. I love traveling, and for some reason have always had a love for Spain! It's always been a dream to go there, and the fact that it's for missions just makes it so much better! Did I see myself working with Muslims? Certainly not. But I guess just because God gave me a passion for Spain doesn't mean I have to work with Spaniards. Let's face it, God has a crazy way of planning things out.

With all of the anticipation for this trip, I've been thinking more and more about my relationship with God. Lately, this thing with ISIS has been really getting to me. But, ISIS isn't the only thing persecuting Christians. Christians are persecuted everywhere! It even happens in America (although it's more verbal than anything else). And it makes me think: if I was being persecuted, would I be able to still stand by my Savior's side?

It's a scary thought...one I prefer not to think about. But it is pretty thought provoking. I've spent my whole life in a good Christian environment. Never has anyone held a gun to my head and asked me if I believed in God. Never have I been tortured so much that you can barely recognize me [To be honest, I don't even go up to random people and talk to them about god. And I should. Really. I live in America. I have the freedom] And you know what? I should be experiencing that! Do I want to? No. Do I think I could get through it? No. But, God made the ultimate sacrifice for me. He died. For me. So I should be willing to go through anything for him!

Anyways, just a thought. But, in light of that, please keep my team in prayer. We should be safe, but we are in a different country...

XOXO, Nichole

Spain On My Mind

I've been back from Spring Break for 2 days, and I am definitely having withdraws. Now, it was no ordinary Spring Break, and here's why: I went to Spain to serve the Lord. And what I experienced there was more amazing than anything I could have experienced at the beach.

In the next few posts, I plan on going day by day and writing about everything in detail. Unfortunately, I don't have the time for that now. Nope..as soon as we got off the plane in DC, it was back to reality. Back to school and classes and tests, quizzes, and projects. I also seem to have acquired some kind of cold or sinus infection, which makes jet lag even less fun. And I should be studying for my Spanish class right now, but instead I'm getting distracted on my computer...

I can't wait to share everything with you guys! God truly worked in my life in an amazing way. My eyes were opened to a different religion, one I never would have given a second thought about before. I built relationships with people that I never knew existed. I learned to love the teenage girls in Leganes, and they will forever be in my heart. I learned how to have a stronger prayer life. I discovered friendships that I hope to keep forever, and got to know people on my team like I wouldn't have thought possible. We became a family. And it was amazing.

But, sadly, that's all I can share for now. Keep a lookout, though, because I hope to start posting each day soon! And I can't wait for you to experience my trip with me through words and pictures.

XOXO, Nichole