This past Sunday I swung by Sao Rafael, Portugal for the day. Yes I went to a different country just for a quick day trip, and let me tell you friends, it was so amazing. I can't even begin to describe to you how beautiful the beach was and the rocks and caves and crystal clear water. It was breathtaking and I tried my best to soak it all in. Of course I took pictures and the pictures turned out great, but there's something about seeing things in real life; they're just so much better.
My friend Monica and I spent hours exploring. We swam around a few cliffs to explore some caves (which we didn't actually go into, but should have), we climbed some rocks and jumped off of them, and we climbed some cliffs and explored those. I can't even describe to you how magnificent the view was. But here's -->a little view for ya. We were so in awe of how great God is and how beautiful of an artist He is. We just started singing "How Great is Our God". Maybe we sounded awful to the man sitting 15 feet away from us, but in that moment I could not have been more content or satisfied with my life.
Seriously, if you have the chance, go visit this place and bring shoes, sunscreen, and goggles.
The rest of my week last week was fairly good. It was a shorter week with not having some classes, unfortunately due to the death of the father of one of my professors. It was also a week full of exams. I did great on some and not so great on others, but I can only up from here! Right?
It was also a week of HUGE changes and decisions for me.
I have decided to change my major and I am no longer studying elementary education and I am now going for Spanish (major) with a Business Management minor. I didn't feel called to teach or have the die hard passion like most people in the education program have and that was something I had been debating ever since I chose education as my major. I'm not entirely sure what I will do with my major, although my dream is to become a translator in a hospital, but I feel a lot more relaxed about my future now. Until the next difficulty arises.
I have also decided that two weeks after I get home from Spain I am going to study abroad in Quito, Ecuador for 2 weeks!
Yes, I know, I'm crazy and I'm spoiled. But what great opportunities God has presented to me! Yeah I'll be broke when I get home, but I trust God.
HE IS SO GREAT!
So, let's talk about hospitality, the title of this blog post.
Last Wednesday at my school's worship night, our awesome Missions coordinator talked about hospitality. This was Cornerstone's chapel theme for last semester, so I wasn't too enthusiastic to hear yet another spiel on what hospitality is and what it means to be hospitable. But then I got to thinking about my host mom and the people at the church I've gone to. Maybe my host mom isn't a Christian, it's hard to know, but she is so kind, gracious, and very hospitable. I have been blessed by her in so many ways.
Yeah, she may be kind of forced to invite me into her home, since it is where I have now been living for a little over a month (WOWZA!), but the way she makes me feel AT home is indescribable. The other day I was telling her about my favorite american foods and French Toast was something that came to mind (man I miss that stuff.) She asked me what it was and how to make it, then come Saturday morning I wake up and she says she's going to make me French Toast for breakfast.How sweet is that?! Seriously! They usually just eat toast and coffee here for breakfast, but she took the time to go to the market, buy the ingredients, cook, and serve me French Toast. Yeah, it may have tasted a bit different, and there was no syrup, but it was the thought that counted!
She also tells us we can help ourselves to whatever we want and that we don't have to ever be afraid to ask for something. Which is funny because I'm always afraid to ask for more toilet paper when ours is out because I feel like we go through it so quickly. Yes, I know, I'm strange. But anyways....
Hospitality, that someone in every country can do and something that is understood by all. It is a universal language like love, and it is a way to show love.
John 13:35 "By this everyone will know you are my disciples, if you love one another."
Love,
Michaela
PS: When I get back to the states I want everyone to pronounce my name how they do in Spanish, it's much more beautiful. (Me-kai-la)
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