Do you ever have those days where you just feel blah? Well last night I was in a big funk. I have been here for over two and half months and I think there are times when I just hit a wall. I think it was a combination of things: I was worn out from our weekend excursion to Granada and Cordoba, I was still sad from saying goodbye to my mom, I was tired of speaking spanish, I was feeling sick, and I was (and still am) having some weird problem with my eyes where it hurts to be in the light or open them. So as I sat there alone in my very dark room (literally almost all the lights were off because of my eyes) I decided to journal. I have been reading this daily devotional since I have been here: Jesus Calling by Sarah Young. I have posted a few of it's entries before on here. They are all written from the point of view of God talking to us based on certain passages from the Bible. I  have absolutely loved reading them every night and seeing the Word come alive in a new way. That night, the entry was so comforting to read: 

"This is a time in your life when you must learn to let go: of loved ones, of possessions, of control. In order to let go of something that is precious to you, you need to rest in My Presence, where you are complete. Take time to bask in the Light of My Love. As you relax more and more, your grasping hand gradually opens up, releasing your prized possession into My care. You can feel secure, even in the midst of cataclysmic changes, through awareness of My continual Presence. The One who never leaves you is the same One who never changes: I am the same yesterday, today, and forever. As you release more and more things into My care, remember that I never let go of your had. Herein lies your security, which no one and no circumstances can take from you." 

Jesus Calling

Psalm 89:15; Hebrews 38:8; Isaiah 41:13 

I love Spain more than I ever thought I would; and I know it will always be apart of me. But there are times when I just want to be in Austin, Texas in my own bed with my family and with all the conveniences that come with living in America. It was so encouraging to read that entry from Jesus Calling and to hear that even in the midst of "cataclysmic changes" that God will never change and He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. That has been one of the main things I have learned since I have been here: how FAITHFUL God is. I have never experienced his faithfulness like this before. So I know that even though I have nights like last night and sometimes get in funks, I am here in Sevilla for a reason, and God has already laid the path for me and He will walk with me along it holding my right hand. I know I am going to look back on these four months I had in Spain with an ache in my heart because I miss it so much. I only have 48 more days here and I want to live each one with a purpose. 

If it's not too much, I'd like to see a concentration camp

Well we did it!! Mother/Daughter weekend in Barcelona and Sevilla was a major success. Mackenzie and I's moms arrived in Barcelona on the 15th and left Sevilla the 22nd. It was so much fun being with them and exploring a new city together. I also loved being able to show my mom my world in Sevilla. We took literally over 2,000 pictures...so imagine how hard that was for me to pick which ones to put on my blog. I chose the ones that highlight our favorites parts of the trip. It makes me all happy inside just looking at these because the last few days were so great. 

BARCELONA DAY ONE:

We all arrived outside our (adorable) apartment at the same time. It was such a surprise to just turn a corner and see our moms standing there with all their bags. We then began our adventures in Barcelona. As you will see from the pictures, Mackenzie and I had lots of laughs watching our moms. For example.....

They chased pigeons and tried to touch them

They got "blessed" by strange fairy street performers

We visited another outdoor market that was absolutely insane. 

Then we proceeded to the Gothic Quarter, my personal favorite. 

Barbara's Birthday Bash in Barcelona

Mock always Thinking Theta

TDM 

The Waterfront. Another favorite. 

At Mom's Birthday dinner with our great waitress! We got so many things for free because we were some of the only ones in the restaurant. (And because I asked at one point how much the rolls cost and I think they felt bad for us)

Our cute apartment! Who found it?? Babs

BARCELONA DAY TWO: 

This was our more intense tour day. We went to an AWESOME breakfast (thanks Lizard) and then went to the Sagrada Familia, Parque Guell, and Casa Batllo. Gaudi...you da best. Miss you. xoxo. 

Sagrada Familia 

Parque Guell 

We bought my dad their CD

On the roof of Casa Batllo 

BARCELONA DAY THREE: 

We decided to take half the day and ride the train to Sitges, a small beach town 40 minutes away. We got back in time to do a small hike to Montjuic where we tried to go to "Epcot", but we walked around the Olympic stadium and saw the fountain show instead. 

Not staged. Never in my life have I asked so many people for directions in Spanish. A common theme of our time in Barcelona. 

Mindy Lechlitner reporting live. 

When we got back to Barcelona we went up to Montjuic around sunset. Mock lookin good. 

We turned the corner and the light show had started early! This was such a fun surprise because it was on our list of things we wanted to see, but we didn't think we would be able to. I think we had the best view. 

SEVILLA DAY ONE:

We woke up that morning in Barcelona at 4am to catch our 7am flight to Sevilla. This was possibly one of the longest days of my life. And it didn't help that I thought I was going blind for part of it. We went to our favorite cafe near our church in Sevilla Este, went to the world food market by the rio, went on a run, and then walked around some of our favorite places in the city. The night ended at our favorite restaurant, Mama Mia's, where we of course ordered way too many pizzas. 

Not planned. We love to match! 

Here comes the series of AWKWARD jumping pictures. Our moms made us do it. Could we be any more touristy? 

HA! The most awk one by far. 

SEVILLA DAY TWO:

Mackenzie and I had class from 9-5pm (we don't want to talk about it) and so we met up with our moms after that for our rio photoshoot. Then we had quite a memorable dinner....stalking tables waiting for people to leave at Los Coloniales. A few snickers bars later, and we decided to go to a different restaurant. Then we met some of our friends at La Carboneria, a Flamenco place that has free shows every night at 11pm. It meant so much to me that my friends got to meet my mom. I loved that night. 

How many bags you got, lady?

Suz......

SEVILLA DAY THREE: 

We took them to Kiko's for cafe and tostada and walked around the Plaza de España and rented paddle boats on the River and then we had a quick (not our favorite) lunch and had to walk them to the bus station. The weather could not have been more perfect. 

You are cordially invited to the wedding of Rachel Florence Culwell and Mackenzie Elizabeth Lechlitner the 28th of September 2011

We could not have asked for a better time with two of our favorite people in the world. I am so blessed to have a mom like I do and I so appreciate her coming to see me in beautiful Sevilla. I was a little homesick when they left (nothing that a good run won't fix....right mock?) but everything about the weekend was such a blessing from the Lord and we all made so many special memories!  

Obrigadaaa

ISA has several excursions that are included with our program cost. So they seem free in my mind. It is a great feeling...to be totally taken care of, driven around, fed, given a hotel, and have lots of free tours after experiencing traveling on your own. Of course, the weekend wasn't really free....thanks mom and dad....but it seemed like it at the time. It was so fun to spend good time with Mary, Denise, and Emily...my bestiezzz 4lyfe from ISA. You may notice a theme in all of my pictures.....they are the only ones in them. I have other friends, I promise. But you wouldn't know it from the pictures. The four of us became friends in Toledo and it's been all uphill from there. It's so fun knowing people from all over. Emily is from Seattle, Denise is from Ohio, and Mary is from TEXAS!!! (And is another fighting Texas Aggie I might add). Denise and Emily hate when Mary and I talk about being friends once we go back to College Station....sorry boutchyaaaa but we are going to bestiez...right BG? 

Anyways, back to Lisbon. The city reminded me of Sevilla in a way; I feel like they really have similar vibes. It also reminded me so much of San Francisco, which if you know me well you know that is one of my favorite cities in the world. Lots of hills with buildings right near the water, trollies everywhere, and a bridge that looks exactly like the Golden Gate Bridge. We visited several of the must see's...please don't ask me to name them because I am not sure if I could. It was cool hearing people speaking Portuguese. I thought that Spanish and Portuguese were very similar, but for the most part we spoke English with the locals. The people were so friendly and nice, the food was different and yummy, the pastries were to die for (so I hear....stupid lent), and the pictures turned out great. And it's all about the pictures. I have become the designated "solo-shot taker" when it comes to pictures. I could, and I will, make a whole album of all the pictures I have of just Mary. So be prepared for some of my favorite solo shots of my friends. 

The second night was so great. We bought crackers, cheese, chorizo, oranges, and wine and ate in our hotel rooms and watched VH1. I miss being able to just hang out in a house with my friends. We aren't allowed to have friends over to our host family's houses and that has been one thing that is annoying about doing the homestay. If you are ever feeling like you want to stay in and watch movies...and let's face it, I want to do that alot....you can't. So that night was absolutely perfect. We also watched Zoolander, which lets also face it, is a classic...and drew fake tattoos all over our bodies. Overall, a great night. 

I would definitely recommend Lisbon to anyone and everyone. I think one of the reasons I loved it was because of how much it reminds me of Sevilla. So moral of the story is: Sevilla is the best place in Europe. 

I am SO excited for this weekend. Mackenzie and I are meeting our very own MOMS in Barcelona. Will Europe be able to handle Barbara and Mindy??? Time will tell. Many pictures and funny stories to come. Be prepared.