Last night before going to bed, I spent some time with my gratitude journal recapping the past week. Since my parents were visiting it was hard to keep up with the journal, but was worth it to reflect back on what we enjoyed together and all the ways God blessed me during their stay here. I was overflowing with gratitude! Really, I felt like the blessings just kept coming to mind.
That was interesting because earlier in the day after we had taken my parents to the airport, I was in a sad mood. I was mainly sad because my parents had left, and I missed them. But part of that was because I felt like I was left here in Madrid...alone. I'm not of course. Not only do I have my husband and daughter but we're making new friends...God is providing community. But I think now that I have a child, I am more prone to missing my family. I wish Charlotte could spend more time with her grandparents, great-grandparents, uncles, aunts, etc. I wish I could be near them while I'm raising a child so that they could enjoy watching her grow with Brendan and I. For the first time in a long time, I miss my home (the place where I grew up). But I know that God has brought Brendan, Charlotte, and myself here to Madrid...this is where He wants us NOW. Maybe not forever, but maybe so. I don't know about the future, but I know that we are in the midst of God's will for us. And it is not easy or comfortable or convenient. So, yesterday, before the joyful blessings easily flowed out, I tearfully thanked God for anything and everything I could think of...even if I repeated myself. And there was joy in that tearful thanks too.
This week's blessings....
132. having a "sleepover" in Charlotte's bedroom while my parents are in town...sleeping on a trundle bed makes me feel like a kid!
133. grandparents helping with Little One when our landlady popped by and I tried to communicate with her in Spanish
134. cooking and catching up on life with my stepmom
135. Super Mario Bros....also makes me feel like a kid!
136. 4 adults being silly while playing video games
137. listening to my dad read books to my daughter
138. Charlotte's little head peeking up over the crib bumper & spying her parents in her room with her this morning
139. my first Mother's Day...as a mother
140. the love God has given me for Charlotte
141. forgiveness from my husband
142. riding the Metro now being as familiar as driving a car
143. friendly Spanish people who love to talk to babies
144. Charlotte's attempts to entertain people...with smiles, giggles, and coos
145. exploring an old city
146. awe-inspiring cathedrals
147. new foods and old favorites
148. free drink refills at TWO restaurants this week
149. Charlotte snuggling in my lap on the train back from Toledo...laying her head on my chest and closing her eyes to sleep
150. foam puzzle mats to create a softer playspace for baby girl
151. a beautiful new teapot from my husband and daughter for Mother's Day
152. another Sunday afternoon in Retiro...this time with my parents and a great new picnic blanket!
153. laughing about locking myself, my parents, and my daughter out of our flat
154. Charlotte's "magic closet" - what her Papa calls the elevator at our apartment
155. my mother and all the mother-figures in my life
156. musicians playing music on street corners, in the Metro, at open-air cafes, and at strategic tourist locations :)
157. Charlotte's cute new sound - "ta-ta"
158. Lisa (my stepmom) having a great camera and loving to take pictures
159. no blisters after a week of much walking
160. 60 degree weather in May
161. Brendan and I reminiscing about our first trip to Spain 7 years ago - when we first met
162. Lisa cooking dinner for us in our own home...yummy chicken spaghetti!!
163. overcoming my fear of heights to climb a church's towers to see amazing views of Toledo
164. Brendan and Lisa encouraging me to keep climbing the stairs to the top
165. narrow, cobblestone streets
166. my parents were able to visit us in our new home/city
167. Brendan and Dad discussing Mario Bros. strategy :)
168. my Dad's quiet demeanor and encouragement of me as a wife & mom
169. talking to my Mommie Mop (grandmother) on Skype on Mother's Day
170. how God is transforming my heart, soul, and spirit with intentional thanks
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