What is Love?

What is love? How does it look? What does it mean to love someone? In the Bible I have found many passages that I have been meditating on trying to understand more of what Love is.

Galatians 5:6 "For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love."

Galatians 5:13-15 "You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. The entire law is summed up in a single command; 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will destroyed by each other."

Galatians 5: 22-23 "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law."

1 Corinthians 13 "If I speak in tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. When I was child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I ma fully known. And now these three remain; faith, hope and love. But the GREATEST of these is love."

Philippians 2:1-5 "If you have any encouragement fromg being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better tahn yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of the others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus."

I'm learning that Love is the most important thing to continue to learn and study about. But really loving is so much more than throwing the word around. I think about how many times a day I say, "I love chocolate, or I love coffee, or I love this or that..." really?!?! I mean those things can't love me back. What does it really mean to love? Jesus Christ is the best example of what Love is. He died on the cross for ALL men's sins. He did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but took the very nature of a servant (Phil. 2:6-7). He loves me when I dishonor Him, when I say "yes" to what I want over what He wants. He loves me when I am selfish, when I say mean things or think horrible thoughts...He still loves me. Not just me...He loves all men. He desires for all men to know Him and to know of His love, the love that only He can give. Love...what does it mean to you?

Adventures in Spanish

So learning a new language is fun, not easy, and lets just say a different exciting adventure. For example, on Friday my friend Eunice and I were on our way to Sagrada Familia. I told her "nessicito un cafe antes de vamos Sagrada Familia," translated that means I need coffee before we leave. So after that I thought she said we would get it on the way and she asked me where I liked to get coffee. I told here it didn't matter, anywhere is fine. So she started walking and I followed...so I thought. After a good 10 minutes, she told me "your coffee sure is far away" So it turns out I was following her and she was following me...with no direction in mind. We laughed for a little bit then made our way to Starbucks. I'm thankful we were able to laugh about and not get discouraged b/c she was talking to me in English and I was talking to her in Spanish. Oh the adventures.

Another thing i have realized with learning a new language is fear. Its amazing how not being able to express yourself with words can lead you to be afraid of things that you never thought you would be afriad of. Yesterday happened to be one of those days...I was afraid to even go get cereal out of my cabinet in the kitchen, b/c I didn't want to run into someone and not udnerstand them and then not be able to have a conversation. One night I literally ate peanut butter b/c I did not want to be embarassed with my American way of cooking...more like lack of cooking. I have been afraid to ask for help, b/c I know the frustration of them not being able to understand me and me not understand them and we both turn red in the face. I'm afraid sometimes to even go wash my clothes b/c I'm really not sure if there is a time when I can and can't wash clothes. Sadly these are some of the fears I have acquired being here. I'm not writing this to make you feel sorry for me...please whatever you do, don't feel sorry for me. I'm learning from these things and striving to remeber that God did not give me a spirit of fear, but of power, of love and a sound mind. Thankful fear did not stop me from coming to Spain and I'm seeking the Lord to not let it stop me from actually "being" in Spain. Its an adventure, thats all. What adventure have you heard of when someone didn't fall and scrape their knee, get dirty, fall down and get a little more hungry than usual? I'm learning and thats the important thing. I want to learn from every person i encounter each day. I am a student of the culture here in Barcelona, of Spanish, of people and I'm a student of the word of God. Its just kind of funny the things that fear will let you do. I'm glad I'm more aware of it now, so I can not let it defeat me. Its only in giving it to the Lord each day will I be able to not let fear bring me down.

Some thoughts from Spain

This is one of my favorite pictures thus far in Barcelona!

So I started language school this past Monday...Yay!!! It really is great. I'm so thankful that we even started 3 weeks after arriving, because now I'm so familar with always hearing and speaking Spanish and it has actually been a great encouragment...I understand 97% of what my professor says. Praise the Lord!! Honestly it is only because of God that I am able to speak and understand the Spanish that I hear each day...all glory to His name for that blessing! With starting language school we have met quite a few more people. They all speak in English...which is a nice break for my brain. It is really exhausting each day trying to think and speak in a language that is not your "mother" language, my friend Karin would say. It has gotten more tiring these past few days, because we actually have some what of a schedule now ontop of what we were doing before school...so at the end of each day I'm in need of good nights rest. But I love it!!! I love the language...I want to forget English. No worries I still speak english...clearly, but I really am enjoying learning Spanish in a culture where I have to learn it...its soo much easier than sitting in a classroom in the states.

On top of language school I signed up and paid for art classes yesterday at Davinci escola d'art (Catalan), in other words Leonardo Davinci school of art. I'm going to be focusing on drawing (dibujando) and painting (pintando). I'm excited to get to learn from other people and be humbled as well. yesterday when I went to the school to sign up and fill out information...which was quite an adventure by the way, I felt like a lost puppy. I needed to show my teacher some of my work on the computer and well, I'm in Spain and the computers are in Spanish and on top of that is was a Mac...so I couldn't figure some things for the life of me. thankfully I remebered how to ask "can you help me" and some people assisted me in getting to my pictures. Well then I had to wait for the teacher...who was super busy. So I walked around the small school and admired the art on all the walls, I observed how focused everyone was and how tranquel and sereal that moment was. I looked out of a window and peered at all the busy shoppers under the gray sky. I felt like I was in a movie...it was a very romantic moment in that it dawned on me that I am in Barcelona, Spain for three months...how amazing. I am only here because God provided a way for me to be here. I have never been more out of my comfort zone, never more challenged or moved in my life. It is truly beautiful what God is doing.

One of the things that I am learning about is how precious time is. I am seeing how ridiculously busy I am in the states. I hate it. I have never been more at peace with life than I am now. We take so many moments for granted and we miss so many opportunities to truly love and develop relationships because of a meeting for this club or this event is going on, or we have to work or we are taking more hours than we should so we are studying all the time. is it worth it? For me...no. People deserve more time. Don't get me wrong...I definitely fit the mold of an overinvolved college student, but I pray that I when I return to the states that God will give me wisdom in how to have a less stressful life. I pray that we will all examine our lives and see where we spend most of our time. Is it things that really matter? How deep are our friendships? How much sleep do we get at night? Who are we living for?...are we living to be excepted by a job, our friends, family expectaions or whatever. What and who are we living for? These are challeging questions for me...I'm a people pleaser and I don't like when I upset someone or someone doesn't like me. Sad. Really it is sad. I want to choose each moment of each day to give to my God. The Lord of Lords, The King of Kings, The Prince of Peace, My Creator and giver of each day of life. If I give Him all things He makes life for me and I have to choose to say yes to His will for my life...and lets face it...who knows better than the one who created my inmost being, who knit me together in mother's womb, who laid out my days before me...the one who made me does. (Psalm 39)

Speaking without words

Here are a couple of pictures of my favorite door and graffiti...and I'm not computer savy...so i have no idea how to turn them upright. But pretty cool uh? If you want to see more pictures of Barcelona just send me an e-mail and I'll send you a link to look at them

Today I went out with a friend from my residencia. Her name is Eunice; she is very funny and her English is very good. She offered to show me some more places where I can buy groceries for a better price and then we went to buenas migas for some coffee and to practice speaking in English and Spanish. As we were walking and struggling to understand each other, I started to think about how much I depend on my words to express who I am...or really to make myself feel better about who I am to other people. I think that makes sense? Now I'm learning, for most of my time here all I really have are my actions and simple gestures, such as smiling, hugging, or the traditional kiss on both cheeks, to show my love to other people. Its very difficult and honestly today was a day where I got very frustrated with just being able to explain to someone that I lost my glasses. My pride is being knocked down in every way and I'm being filled with humility, which is beautiful, but man its not fun to go through. I long to speak and understand Spanish better, but honestly right now its to make myself feel better about myself...which is probably why it is soo difficult. I'm learning so much about how selfish I am and that the things I feel I need I need the most, I don't need. All I can do is keep trusting in the Lord for his timing in understanding this beautiful language...thankfully he is continuing to give me the desire to learn it, but not without a struggle.

Life in BCN so far

Well, I have now been in Barcelona for almost 3 weeks. It is all kind of blurr to me now that I think about it. Sadly I have been sick for a little over a week now, so that has limited me to not really function as "julie," but I am getting better and am learning how to function despite how I feel. So basicly the past week I have been trying to take it easy and rest alot, which has been difficult at night, but during the day has been good.

Besides being ill, I have been exploring this beautiful city and learning to let it become my home. Mine and Tanner's schedules have been a bit empty b/c we haven't started language school yet. So Tuesday we decided to get together and hang out, b/c we have both been getting pretty bored. So we met and had coffe at Buenas Migas...which is a wonderful, adorable, amazing coffee shop! That is one thing about Spain I know I'm going to miss when i return home. Not to mention the chocolate here is incredible as well...I have pretty much been having a bar a day...I'm totally justifying it too by saying I walk at least 5 miles a day. Anyways, after we had some cafe con leche and chatted for a bit we began our mission of taking pictures of random things. I focused on doors and grafiti. my first day in BCN i could not get over how beautiful and different all the doors are here. I know...I go to Barcelona and the thing that impresses me the most are doors! And the grafiti here is not considered rude or disrepectful to property, its considered art...and some of it is really impressive. So Tanner and I walked around the city doing that and stopped for lunch at this great little Mexican restaurant...its my favorite place to eat so far!

After lunch we wanted to see if could find our language school...which we start on Monday. We will be going to class from 1:30-3:30 5 days a week for 2 months. On top of language shcool I've decided to take some art classes as well. So I went today with Eva, another girl here from the states, and looked at her art school. the school is soo adorable and very ecclectic (sp?). I must say I am little intimidated, not b/c of the art aspect, but the spanish. Not being able to understand what people are saying and not being understood is a frustration i am very well aquainted with now. Today though the Lord reminded me of a verse in 2 Timothy 1:7, "For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and self-discipline." I can't let fear stop me from doing what i love and desire to learn more about.

There is a little bit of what is going on. I'm going to try to be better about posting and I'll try to put some pictures up later as well!