One Thousand Gifts - Post #5

The past week has been really beautiful here in Madrid. Charlotte and I have enjoyed some time at our nearest park, Parque de Berlin, during the week, and all three of us went down to Madrid's most famous park, Retiro, for a leisurely Sunday afternoon (with about a million other people!). Even though I normally do not like crowds (I can kinda get claustrophobic at malls during the Christmas holidays...so I now avoid the mall during that time of year), I actually really enjoyed being surrounded by so many different people while we were at the park. Would I love to visit the park during the week when it is less crowded? Absolutely. But Sunday's at Retiro are what people in Madrid do, and it was neat to be a part of that. Plus, the park is so big it was easy to find a nice shaded area to spread our blanket out and relax, in relative quiet. :)

My continued list of thanks....(and check out some pics of our time at Retiro at the end of the post)

95. Brendan picking up pastries on his way home from work
96. leaving our kitchen window open to the beautiful weather and sounds of other people in their flats
97. American TV shows in English on Spanish TV
98. a sunny, cloudless day
99. cuddling and reading books to my daughter
100. eating breakfast together as a family
101. the opportunities God is giving us here to witness to others
102. getting to experience a different culture by living in it
103. Haribo gummy bears :)
104. you've shown me the importance of community with other believers and that you always provide that
105. the way Charlotte looks up at me when she sits in my lap
106. pictures that capture memories
107. allowing me to enjoy busi-ness and large crowds on a Sunday afternoon in Retiro Park
108. making people and cultures different/unique
109. quiet in the midst of the busy park
110. the redemptive work you've done in my marriage
111. seeking me when I strayed from you, and seeking Brendan when he was without you
112. providing us with a home

{Eating lunch on a patio near Retiro}

{People rowing on the lake in Retiro}

{Brendan & Charlotte relaxing in the park}

{The Crystal Palace in Retiro}