lavender tea... pure joy

one of the things my sister got me for christmas was lavender tea. when i went to visit last year to columbus, we went to the coolest tea shop ever and had the most incredible tea. she got a lavender latté and then later bought me the tea. it's one of the things that makes me happy, just smelling it and having it. part of it is the memory and that it's from my sister, who i love. but part of it really is the tea and the lavender. it just smells and tastes SOOOOO good. and it also is calming, since it's lavender. :-) happiness! and so nice in the midst of change and transition.

Glimpses of Revival

Here are a few pictures that bring me joy and give me goosebumps... they are of Italian students praying and praising God.

They give me goosebumps because more than anything I long for God to bring about revival in Western Europe, for students and people in general to be struck by who they are and who God is, kneel before him in repentance and in worship of an Almighty, Powerful and Loving God. These pictures seem to be glimpses of just that. And they are not just limited to Italy, it IS happening all over Europe, not quite in the magnitude I'd like, not quite yet, but I believe that the Lord is at work in MIGHTY, MIGHTY ways. In the hearts of students of Spain, in the hearts of Western Europeans, and in the hearts of the peoples of the world.

"After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.” - Revelation 7:9-12

Come Lord Jesus, Come!

Spring has arrived!

It seems that spring, or la primavera, may have finally arrived to Madrid (at least for the week). And I am overjoyed! I am still adjusting to the time change (which occurred here last weekend), but I am loving the 70-80ºF (20-30ºC) weather, the sun and just the happiness of spring.

While I haven't had much extra time, it has been just nice to wear short sleeves, skirts, dresses, sunglasses (with actual warmth) and either a jacket (versus a coat) or just carry it! Fun, fun fun!