It's official, I've moved to..............Wordpress!
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Thanks!
A
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Monday, June 22, 2009
Arista...en Texas!
Driving in San Antonio...
Texas hill country...
Eating dinner with my parents, sweet!
America, the beautiful...
In the airport with my parents! My first time to see them in 7 months!
Dallas skyline...
Texas...
I'm in Texas! I flew into DFW a little over a week ago, adjusted to Texas time, packed another bag, and went to San Antonio to spend some amazing time with my family! This first week back has been full of provisions and blessings!
At the same time, I've never felt such mixed emotions...As the train sped away from Úbeda, my home for the last seven months, I found myself wanting the train to go slower. And as our plane crossed into the United States from the Atlantic, I started thinking about my family and friends on their way to the airport and thought, "Speed up, speed up!"
God is so faithful! Amen? Amen! He prepared me to go, provided senders, blessed my relationships within the church, showed Himself faithful to provide divine appointments, sustained me, and brought me back! Everything I have has either been given to me through the grace of God or bought for me with the blood of Christ!
In leaving Spain and returning to Texas, I am reminded that neither is my home. We are never at home in this world. I am a sojourner, a pilgrim, and how short the traveling time is!
How encouraging to think that, "Just as we have borne the image of the earthly, we will also bear the image of the heavenly" (1 Cor. 15:49). How amazing that, "In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immorality"(1 Cor. 15:52 &53). Over this past month, the hope of eternity with Christ has been further impressed into my daily life. I have witnessed countless examples of His amazing grace and am trying to learn more of how to live daily with an eternal perspective.
On a lighter note, it's good to be here! You better believe I'm taking in all the sweet tea, hugs, good food, and familiar faces that I can!
You're invited!
Please come to a Spanish fiesta, Tuesday, June 30th to celebrate and hear details of what you've helped make possible through these last seven months in Spain. There will be plenty of food, stories, music, and pictures. I hope you can make it! If you're not able to come, perhaps we could get together another time?
Hosts: The Young Family
What: A Spanish Fiesta!
When: Tuesday, June 30th, 6:30PM-8:00PM
Where: Trinity United Methodist Church
633 Hobson Lane, Denton, Texas 76205
Praises & Petitions:
- Praise Him for safe travels and the blessing of spending time with my family.
- Praise Him for His abundance in physical provisions for my time in Texas!
- Please pray for my faithfulness and His timing to be sent back to Spain.
It is a blessing to be here! I hope to see you on the 30th, if not sooner!
en Jesucristo,
Arista
Saturday, June 20, 2009
How to serve as a sender?
Many people have asked me how they can serve as a sender...Here is an answer!
- Prayer - Would you consider praying for me and those we minister to weekly or monthly? If so, e-mail me and let me know.
- Finances - I am praying and searching for monthly financial partners. If you are unable to give currently but would like to give when I depart, e-mail me and let me know. Monthly pledges may begin at any time and still count towards my monthly support now.
a. Check: Make your check out to CAM International, write my support account number in the memo line (090725), and mail the check to: CAM International, 8625 La Prada Drive, Dallas, TX 75228. Be sure to indicate the amount of your monthly pledge.
b. Credit Card Giving Online: Go to CAM's website for online gifts to this ministry. Be sure to indicate the amount of your monthly pledge.
c. Electronic Funds Transfer: The easiest way to give is to have contributions made automatically from your bank account each month. E-mail me for an EFT form, print, and mail it to CAM International. Make sure to include the account number (090725) on the form.
Monday, June 8, 2009
debriefing & goodbye's
If you think about it, please be praying for this last week in Spain, and this upcoming first week back in the States. It's a mix of endings and beginnings and bittersweet moments.
I'm looking forward to friends, family, and familiarity. I can't wait to be back in an English church service, and meet with all my supporters and share what the Lord has done through YOU! I'm not sucking up, it's the truth. I am excited beyond words to be in front of you and tell you of what you've been a part of.
However, I've also grown really accustomed to speaking Spanish all the time, and sometimes feel that I can even express myself better in this language. And I will dearly miss, my church family here, especially the youth. At my going away party, they gave me a silver bracelet and inscribed "Tus Amigos" on the back. The youth gave out of what they have to give me something to take with me to represent them and remember them in the states.
Also, I am leaving right as I'm really beginning to build friendships, not just people that I hang out with, but friendships, with people my age who are far from God. And strangely, I have grown incredibly comfortable living in another culture. I don't know how to say it other than, God is good, and He just prepared me and has prepared a place for me in Úbeda. I'm looking forward to returning in the Fall!
Me voy, pero mi corazón está aquí. I am going, but my heart is here. Please pray for the Lord to use this time in the states as a rejuvenating, equipping, and worshipful time to be there, but to be sent back out in His timing.
The next two days will be 100% full of food, kisses, hugs, tears, and goodbyes. I am leaving for the airport (in Madrid) this Wednesday, and I arrive in Dallas this Thursday.
I'll see you soon! LOVE YOU!
Arista
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Desde Mi Interior
Las Letras de "Desde Mi Interior" por Hillsong, Unidos Permanecemos.
A veces te fallé, mas tú fuiste fiel,
Tu gracia me levantó, me basta tu amor,
Dios eterno, tu luz por siempre brillará
Y tu gloria, incomparable sin final.
Señor, tu voluntad permanecerá,
En ti me quiero perder en adoración,
Dios eterno, tu luz por siempre brillará
Y tu gloria, incomparable sin final.
De mi corazón te doy el control,
Consume todo mi interior, Dios.
Justicia y amor me abrazan, Señor,
Te amo desde mi interior.
Dios eterno, tu luz por siempre brillará,
Y tu gloria, incomparable sin final.
El clamor de mi ser es contigo estar
Desde mi interior mi alma clamará.
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Beginnings & Endings
Saludos from Andalucía,
Something I have grown very fond of in Spain, is sitting at a table, to small for the number of people gathered around it. I think in the states, it would be considered crowded, but here, it is a sign of family.
A new friend...
Last week, I found myself sitting at such a table with friends from church and a new acquaintance. We are the same age and he is a native of this city. A was asking me to explain why I'm here and why I'm a Christian. He is very open to talking about spiritual things, especially Christianity. As we were talking, it was as if the plot to humanity's play, The Purpose of Life, was unfolding. During our conversation over coffee and dessert (several hours), I watched as a reality hit him head-on. The thought of eternity, the thought that this life will not last forever, the thought that we were not made for ourselves, completely changed his demeanor. It is no accident that he found himself sitting at a table with five Christians, pondering the Gospel message of Christ crucified and Christ risen.
College Ministry
Throughout my time here, I have thought about the differences in high school students and university students. In this city, I am mainly serving with jovenes en instituto (students in high school). I loved my years in the college ministry of my church in Texas and lately, have been desiring to have more relationships with university students here. Let's just say, walking with God, will lead you to things you never expected! Literally...
Recently, I was walking through one of our main plazas and spotted a group of young people wearing flip-flops and t-shirts. I did a double take, and immediately knew they were Americans. Spaniards don't wear flip-flops and they definitely don't wear t-shirts. I lingered around to see if I could hear what language they were speaking to make sure, and sure enough, it was a group of thirty university students from the states! The group of sophomores just arrived a day before to spend a month here studying Spanish. So far, it has been an amazing opportunity to share life with them as they are taking in the sights and sounds.
Future Plans
After much prayer and wearing down the passages in my Bible about seeking the Lord's will (serious!), I have some updates to share and wanted to communicate my plans for the future. I will arrive in Texas on June 11th, and spend the following two months with my family, visiting friends and supporters, celebrating weddings, and raising support. Why will I be raising support? Because I would like to return to serve here for a little while longer! I would like to return to Spain in August 2009 and remain until May 2010.
The Lord has been confirming this decision in the past two weeks and I'm excited to follow where He leads. I have been granted two years of residency, and the leadership of the church has asked me to return and continue serving with them. I have enjoyed being a testimony of Christ in this culture and serving within the church here.
Over the past month, I have been trying to discern if He was leading me back to the states to work full time, take classes at seminary, or return here and be salt and light in this culture. Why go back? Because, "He told them, The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. Go!" Luke 10:2-3
Whatever my geography, my prayer is that people would see the love of God in my life, and that they would hear and understand that the same is available to them.
Prayer Points:
Arista
Something I have grown very fond of in Spain, is sitting at a table, to small for the number of people gathered around it. I think in the states, it would be considered crowded, but here, it is a sign of family.
A new friend...
Last week, I found myself sitting at such a table with friends from church and a new acquaintance. We are the same age and he is a native of this city. A was asking me to explain why I'm here and why I'm a Christian. He is very open to talking about spiritual things, especially Christianity. As we were talking, it was as if the plot to humanity's play, The Purpose of Life, was unfolding. During our conversation over coffee and dessert (several hours), I watched as a reality hit him head-on. The thought of eternity, the thought that this life will not last forever, the thought that we were not made for ourselves, completely changed his demeanor. It is no accident that he found himself sitting at a table with five Christians, pondering the Gospel message of Christ crucified and Christ risen.
College Ministry
Throughout my time here, I have thought about the differences in high school students and university students. In this city, I am mainly serving with jovenes en instituto (students in high school). I loved my years in the college ministry of my church in Texas and lately, have been desiring to have more relationships with university students here. Let's just say, walking with God, will lead you to things you never expected! Literally...
Recently, I was walking through one of our main plazas and spotted a group of young people wearing flip-flops and t-shirts. I did a double take, and immediately knew they were Americans. Spaniards don't wear flip-flops and they definitely don't wear t-shirts. I lingered around to see if I could hear what language they were speaking to make sure, and sure enough, it was a group of thirty university students from the states! The group of sophomores just arrived a day before to spend a month here studying Spanish. So far, it has been an amazing opportunity to share life with them as they are taking in the sights and sounds.
Future Plans
After much prayer and wearing down the passages in my Bible about seeking the Lord's will (serious!), I have some updates to share and wanted to communicate my plans for the future. I will arrive in Texas on June 11th, and spend the following two months with my family, visiting friends and supporters, celebrating weddings, and raising support. Why will I be raising support? Because I would like to return to serve here for a little while longer! I would like to return to Spain in August 2009 and remain until May 2010.
The Lord has been confirming this decision in the past two weeks and I'm excited to follow where He leads. I have been granted two years of residency, and the leadership of the church has asked me to return and continue serving with them. I have enjoyed being a testimony of Christ in this culture and serving within the church here.
Over the past month, I have been trying to discern if He was leading me back to the states to work full time, take classes at seminary, or return here and be salt and light in this culture. Why go back? Because, "He told them, The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. Go!" Luke 10:2-3
Whatever my geography, my prayer is that people would see the love of God in my life, and that they would hear and understand that the same is available to them.
Prayer Points:
- Ending/Beginning, please pray for a good ending to these seven months here in Spain and for the process of transitioning into American culture.
- Please pray for my new friends...
- Please pray for me as I begin the support raising process and submit plans before the Lord. Please pray for people to send me back out into the harvest field.
- Please praise Him, for His sovereignty, for His goodness, for His faithfulness, and His grace in my life and yours!
Arista
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Flamenco shoes...
So, I'm going video crazy...
My friend, Luisa, has a niece named Laura. Laura is a six-year old, with the gestures, accent, and Andalucían pride of a sixty year-old woman. She's precious!
As we were walking to take her to her dance class, her high-heels started hurting her feet. So we stopped so she could change her shoes. Pay close attention to her accent!
My friend, Luisa, has a niece named Laura. Laura is a six-year old, with the gestures, accent, and Andalucían pride of a sixty year-old woman. She's precious!
As we were walking to take her to her dance class, her high-heels started hurting her feet. So we stopped so she could change her shoes. Pay close attention to her accent!
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