One Step Ahead

After a long week, coming home early on a Friday afternoon wasn't giving the normal happinesss it usually brings. Usually I am overly excited for a weekend to explore more of Spain, after completing a week of doing my best at teaching the English language to 8-12 year olds, but this Friday felt different. This week was much harder than the past weeks, the students were more difficult than I am accustomed to (just ask my mom). I was frustrated and exhausted and the only thing I wanted this Friday afternoon was to be surrounded by my people who know me best. I wanted to walk into their rooms and just lay down at the end of their beds and vent or plan a wine and cheese night.

But being in a foreign country, all I had was myself and my phone to communicate with. Luckily, Jesus showed me once again He is always one step ahead. I heard my host family come home and then my host sister, Lucia, coming down the stairs. She went into a closet and came out carrying a large pan and told me she was making a surprise for dinner. Dinner was a delicious chicken and noodle dish, but after she pushed my host mom and I into the living room with a glass of red wine while she prepared dessert. When dessert was ready, I was amazed and ridiculously excited when I saw a Nutella crepe, a large serving of vanilla ice cream, and 2 Ferrero rocher chocolates!! It was everything I didn't even know I needed. 

It sounds so silly - to be relieved that easily from my loneliness. But that dessert and dinner reminded me of crepes on Home street in Houston; it reminded me of always eating dessert with my family (lots of ice cream); it reminded me that there isn't much that can't be fixed with a good dessert, better company and glass of red wine. I'm thankful once again for this family for being so similar to home -- and always thankful for my friends and family back home.