St. Thomas, Salsa dancing, Movies, Church

This was a shorter school week because on Wednesday we didn't have classes in honor of our patron saint, St. Thomas, who is a saint of students, according to my host mom. That day I went running with P while it was a light mizzle/drizzle. To natives, we looked funny due to the fact that we were mainly running in the streets and not parks! This city, though it's smaller than most, has some serious hills. Afterwards, we did this fun partner ab work out which left its mark on me. The next day it even hurt to laugh, but it was a good soreness. Her initial question: "So how girly are you?" My response: "Not very. Why?" What I had agreed to was this workout laying down on the wet pavement, but it was a blast. I have a huge park behind my apartment which I need to start taking advantage of so I can start running more.

That day I just curled up with a good book I'm reading which was nice. Currently, I'm working on a Bible study by Jerry Bridges called the Fruitful Life which is already revealing scriptures and truths that I need to cling to. Here are some great passages on submission which is a topic that I often need to reminded about: Colossians 3:22, 1 Peter 2:13, and Ephesians 5:21.

Here is a verse that has a get pumped up feel: Col 1:29 "I labor, struggling with all His energy, which so powerfully works in me."

I have to share these remarks by Jerry Bridges in the first chapter. "To the qualities listed in Galations 5- love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control- we can add such traits as holiness, humility, compassion, forbearance, contentment, thankfulness, considerateness, sincerity, and perseverance...This is an awesome list of character traits to pursue, and our first reaction, if we are realistic at all, is probably to say, 'I can't work on all of these.' That is indeed true, if we were left to our own devices. But these traits are the fruit of the Spirit, the result of His work within us. This means not that we bear no responsibility for the development of Christian character but rather that we fulfill our responsibility under His direction and by His enablement."

Get ready to have your socks knocked off...ready? Are you sure because you look a little nervous? Okay, so I went salsa dancing on Thursday night! Dude it was sweet and so freeing to just let go and step out to try something new. Now I'm obviously still learning the basics, but it was so much fun and a work out. Sadly the floor was super slick so that made dancing a bit difficult. Please continue to pray for my classmates who are indulging in too much drinking. I love them dearly and am praying that they will see that there is "more to life than chasing down every temporary high", this is from a contemporary Christian artist, Stacie, Orrico.
Friday night I went over to T's house to watch a movie in Spanish which is good practice for learning how to say common phrases and for listening. This weekend I have been watching Zoey 101 in Spanish which is pretty funny. Yesterday I went exploring with T to find the Evangelical church which is conviently right in between our apartments. So far we have 3 of us going to the service tonight at 630pm which would be around the time most of you will be getting out of service for the morning. I've had a pretty laid back week. So you know how it was raining all day on Wednesday...well sunny with a high of 68 on Thursday and Friday! I walked to school with my t-shirt soaking up some vitamin D. Temperatures have gone back down for us which means the 50s ;-)
I know you all are waiting patiently for pictures, and I promise they are coming, but I still need to clear some memory space on my computer. I'm actively seeking out my classmates for some assistance. I do now have a card reader to put my pictures on here though so that's great.

This week's prayer request: Loving my classmates where they are at, seeking God as my hope, strength, and assurance, reviewing Ecclesiastes 3:1-11, and getting a conversation partner this week [This would be a Spanish student from the univeristy who would meet with me each week to speak in Spanish].

Some insight and wisdom for you who are univeristy students: Take compassion on the international students at your university. Reach out to them. Invite them to stuff. Being an international student, I know the longing to be included in the culture I'm living in, wanting to know the slang, wanting to make friends who speak the language, and just wanting someone to reach out to me. Thank you for reaching out to men and women from around the world and seeing God's heart for the nations. He created the world, not just the United States. Do you see how He is brining parts of the world to you? Love them. Reach out.

Mat 7:13	"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.
Mat 7:14	But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

John 14:27 My peace I leave with you, my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

Hasta luego...
God's Servant