Don't Worry, Be Overjoyed

I’ve been here in Spain for two months now! Two months! WOW! I have so much enjoyed my time here and I don’t want it to end, but I’ll admit, I miss home and I’m ready to be there, but I know I will never have this opportunity again, so I’m trying not to wish it away.

This past week was my last week of school before our break! WE DON’T HAVE ANY SCHOOL NEXT WEEK! Woot Woot! This past week was pretty normal and chill. I didn’t have much homework, thank goodness! Tuesday afternoon I worked tutoring two little girls in English; very tricky. Wednesday after classes our school had an early Halloween party and I dressed up as a CRIME MAKER, AKA “burglar,” but because I’m Michaela and I couldn’t think of the work for criminal/burglar in English I kept saying Crime Maker! I think I like that title better anyways :) Wednesday afternoon, I helped lead worship night at school. Thursday night we went out for Pizza at Domino’s and for ice cream with our mami. Delicious! I honestly don’t think I’ve ever had Domino’s pizza before coming here to Spain. Ironic huh? Friday: last day of classes! And the day that practically everyone in my school and even my teachers left to travel other parts of Europe.

We have this week off and I’ve heard that it’s because our profs want to give us time to travel the world without having to miss 500 days of school. I’ll admit I’m completely jealous of all my friends who are currently traveling in Italy, Ireland, Switzerland, and other countries around Spain. I decided to stay in Sevilla for a few reasons; I’m saving money, I’m going to Ecuador at the end of this semester, so I couldn’t necessarily justify going on a $300-$500 trip to Ireland, even though that’s all I wanted to do here in Spain. I’m also spending the week exploring this beautiful city I live in, spending more time with my host mom and sister, learning to cook traditional Spanish meals (like my favorite, Tortilla de Patatas), and spending time with the four other people who decided to stay here. I know now is the time to do the world traveling that I want because I’m here and I’m single and not tied down, but honestly, I have my entire life to travel! I’d love to travel with my husband and family and friends! I have (hopefully) 80 more years for traveling! And if not, heaven is 1,000 times better.

I want to talk a little bit about being content where we are.

My current situation; although I would rather be traveling Europe, I am happy staying here in Sevilla. This city has so much to offer! And a lot of it is free thank goodness. Yesterday my friend and I spent the afternoon exploring parts of Sevilla that we’ve never seen or only seen once or twice. It was wonderful! We had no agenda (other than to eat ice cream), we had no time frame, we walked aimlessly throughout the small streets, took the time to snap pictures of things we walk past every day, we even people watched! (I was thinking of you mom.) It was nice. I have plans to visit (FREE) museums, parks, and even go to the zoo one day! I’m excited to know the city I live in better. I may rather be traveling, but for now, I’m content being where I’m at right here in Sevilla.

If you would have asked me a year ago if I was glad to be single I would have laughed in your face. I went through a break-up, and as much as I played it cool and didn’t care, I cared. A lot. It sucked! It still sucks! All my friends kept telling me there are many fish left, it was his loss, you’re going to enjoy being single and I honestly just wanted to tell them all to shut up and that they didn’t understand what I was going through.

Now if you’d ask me if I’m glad I am still single, I wouldn’t laugh, but I still wouldn’t say “oh yes, I’m ecstatic”. But being single can be a great thing. I honestly probably wouldn’t be here in Spain if I was still in that relationship. I wouldn’t have some of the friends I have today. I probably wouldn’t be as close to my parents as I am now.

I’m 20, I’m single, two of my friends just got engaged, and all but one of my friends are dating the people they will most likely marry. That sucks. Don’t get me wrong, I am so overjoyed for them! Seriously guys I’m so happy for you! They’ve found their person, the one they love and will marry and that brings me so much joy.

I’m 20 and I’m single. My mom was married for two years at my age. I feel the pressure! But over the past year, even the past six months, I’ve learned to be content with being single. Enjoying my time to be myself, to spend as much time with my friends and family as I want, to focus on my relationship with God rather than a guy. Yes, I desire to be married and have kids someday (hopefully not too far away). But for now, I’m content being where I’m at in this stage of singleness.

Two years ago I was in my first semester of freshman year at Grace College; my home away from home. I had never been so happy than I was at that school. My roommates instantly became my best friends. My friends were my family. My team was always there for me. The campus was beautiful. The town was perfect and quaint. However, two years ago, when I went home for fall break I decided that I was going to change schools and move back home all to save some money. I hated the decision I made and even today I wish I could go back and decide to stay at Grace. Leaving my home away from home was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do. I miss it so much. I miss my friends, my team, my small town of Winona lake. Even now it makes me tear up.                   Miss you cuties :) 

But God has a plan, right? He brought me to Cornerstone for a reason. I met some amazing friends, I live at home with my awesome family, I met a lady who has changed my life, I had an amazing volleyball team, I learned how to adapt and step out of my comfort zone, I’m here in Spain! I have resented my time at Cornerstone, but for now I’m content being where I’m at in a new and different school.

I’m a college student; that almost automatically implies that money has, is, and will always be an issue. I’m a huge worrier. The “what-ifs” in life constantly consume my thoughts. What if I can’t pay for college? What if I don’t graduate? What if I don’t get a stable job? What if I don’t get married? What if I can’t have kids? What if my parents die? What if…? God has taught me so much patience and trust in the past six months. I had no idea how I was going to pay for this semester in Spain, and I still don’t really know how I’m going to. But I know God does and I know He will help me every step of the way. I work in a nursing home, I love my job, my coworkers, my residents, but I don’t like the pay so much. Money, why do you exist? Yeah, I don’t know either. But for now, I’m content being where I’m at with my financial situation.

Like I said in a blog a few weeks ago, joy is not dependent on our circumstances it is dependent on our attitude about our circumstances.

Don’t just be content. Be overjoyed.

Thanks for reading my blog! I love you and I’ll see y’all soon!