24 May 2010.

In the words of Max, “LET THE WILD ROMPUS BEGIN”.

Praise God. I’m finally on my flight to Madrid, after a thrilling seven hour layover in the New York City airport, full of mullets, three dollar packs of gum, changing many dollars into euros. And guess what else? I’m typing this on an AIRPLANE. I didn’t even know you could use computers on airplanes. Iberian Airlines, you have advanced technology. But hang on just one second. I’m flying with Iberian Airlines to Spain (yeah, I hadn’t heard of it either) and after I booked, I decided to read google reviews on it. I nearly peed my pants. Let’s just say I’m relieved not to be flying in a cardboard box. But you know, PROPS TO YOU, IBERIAN AIRLINES. I don’t care what those angry reviews say. YOU HAVE ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY.

Anyway, bring it back down. The point is, I have nothing to blog about because this rompus has only just begun. But due to the fact that I have seven hours left on this flight, I am going to darn well find something interesting to blog about. So for starters, I’ll set the scene of my life as of late for you:

Iberian Airlines, flight 6252

Seat 32 C

Chewing black gum that cost me three bucks, much to my dismay.

Freshly reddened hair.

Yoga pants with the big hole in the back--yes, I am actually wearing them in public. Sometimes (most times) I just want to do what I want.

Today I made 4 new friends.

The man in front of me is practically laying in my lap. I think he’s enjoying sitting his seat directly upright, only to crush my knees and shock my nerves 10 seconds later. It’s a cruel joke. The things people do for fun these days are totally and completely outrageous.

In other news: I am happy to report that the Asian population in the New York airport is very high, particularly attractive/indie asian men. This is surely something to be thankful for.

While sitting on planes and outside of gate 4 for large part of my day, many incredible things were witnessed. First, I made a lot of friends today. A girl name Deena. We met in Raleigh, and both bonded over our fear of Iberian Airlines. She is vacationing with her family but had to fly alone, and she just so happens to be on all of my flights. She’s a musician and is going to teach it one day. It’s been really fun to have a spontaneous travel buddy. And I’m really thankful for it! (Thanks Lord.) Then, there was a nameless boy who trekked with me throughout the entire airport to find our terminal. Both he and I had to wait in the same gate for the same flight but neither us, nor the people in the airport could tell us the right way to get there. So after braving many broken buses and airtrains, security for the second time (where they searched and researched my purse), rechecking in, and getting another new boarding pass from someone who only spoke spanish, we arrived at terminal seven. ptlptlptl. If it hadn’t been for him, I more than likely would have missed my flight--yes, even with a seven hour layover (you just don’t understand.)

Now for a list of more of the interesting things i saw today:

1. my dream asian man.
2. the best mustache i’ve ever seen. we’re talking, covering the cheeks, curling at the edges stuff. it was for real.
3. so. many. ethnic. babies. beautiful.
4. the ideal, classy British Family.
5. found a nook in the airport with great pastel colored seats and beautiful light. it made everything worth it.

Maybe the thing I’ve loved the most so far is the way that ever since I got to my gate, Spanish has been preferred over English, even though we were still in the United States. I loved hearing the flight attendants come on the loud speakers first in Spanish, then about five minutes later in English. It’s really refreshing to see how the rest of the world lives. I love spanish. I’ve been studying it for nine years---it’s about time i use it. Since I’ve been on the flight, everyone has addressed me in Spanish. Sometimes I forget that I speak Spanish, so when they do, I stare back at them dumbfounded, when in reality I know perfectly what they are talking about. Ha! It’s funny how that works. So I’m really thankful for this season to practice that. For a season of overcoming fear in a different language.

Ha. Guys, I just understood something in my heart when I wrote that i’m overcoming fear in a different language. Maybe, oh just maybe that’s prophetic. Yes. Yes to a new love. Yes to a new confidence in the Lord. Yes to overcoming fear in a different language. He is the most intentional person/God/being/youknowwhatimean I’ve ever met. I love that about Him.

Something comes to life inside of me when I speak Spanish. Something that I love very much.

So, if you’re in the business of praying for me, pray for just that. For a new confidence in myself and in the Lord. I’m growing up these days. Pray that for a grace to just enjoy myself and the Lord--to rest, to relax, to learn. And pray for me to have confidence in my Spanish speaking, and not to give up or quit when I fumble over words and pee in my pants because I know of nothing else to do with myself.

This blog may need intercession, too. Thanks for reading this far, friends. I love you all so much. Thanks for being so intentional in loving me. And I pray that the Lord would meet all of your hearts where you’re at TODAY. Because He wants to. Because He is intentional with you, because he’s called you and he loves you. And because that is nothing to be scared of.

So. Here’s to Spain, the Romper, and the beauty that’s so evidently alive in the Lord. May all of our hearts be awakened to the beauty that rests there---they beauty we were made for.

I arrive in Madrid at about 10:30am their time, which is about 4am our (your) time. From there, precious Dr. Fisher is putting me in a cab to my host family’s home. I cannot wait to meet them. This is literally a dream come true. Oh Juan and Maria, I’m going to love you!!!

hasta manana mis amigos con pollo.

con mas amor que las estrellas.

brooke. c:

ps. the man in front of me just his my knees again. just in time.