Adventures from a Far Away Country

Saturday, February 2, 2019

About two years ago our daughter began to talk to us about studying abroad.  She had narrowed her focus in her studies to the Spanish language and found she had a great affinity for speaking Spanish.  This past week her dream became a reality! It was hard for this momma's heart to let our little "baby" (22-years-old) girl fly halfway across the world, and live there for four months, but we knew it would be a tremendous asset to her dream of becoming fluent in the Spanish language.

We held a little going-away party for our daughter and her friends to come and wish her goodbye. Homemade pizza was her special request :)
I also set out snacks for everyone to enjoy as they came and visited with Danielle and said their goodbyes to her.
The day before she left on her adventure, the heavens opened up and spilled buckets of snow on our world. 

Together we took the dogs on a walk after the snow stopped, and the sun came out.          

We hadn't seen the sun in days, so the sunshine was soaked up and enjoyed immensely!


The night before she left, I cooked a roast chicken dinner for us to enjoy as a last meal with her before leaving. 


For her flight "across the pond", she boarded a large jumbo jet. The flight lasted 9 hours overnight and landed in London. She enjoyed her flight on this huge plane that seated 9 across x 64 rows. A blanket, pillow, headphones were provided to all passengers, as well as an evening and breakfast meal were served on the plane.  She really enjoyed the flight. 


Danielle traveled with a group called AIFS who took care of all the travel arrangements.  They flew to London where they spent a couple of days exploring and then would fly on to Spain.  The AIFS rep took them to Lancaster Gate Hotel. 
A picture of the room she shared with another AIFS student. Small but cozy ambiance!
She got to see a lot of sights in London in a short amount of time!  Here is a picture outside Kensington Palace. 

A picture of the iconic phone booths found in London. Not sure if they are still in use or not. 

A visit to St. Paul's Cathedral Tea Room! 

A sampling of the yummy desserts available for tea. 



The London bridge is falling down, falling down... :) 

Another glimpse of the London bridge and surrounding area. 

Gelato!

Getting a meal at one of the local restaurants.

Some of the interesting buildings found throughout London.



Then it was onward to Spain.  Landing in the city of Malaga, they traveled by bus to Granada where she will be studying. Some pictures of the countryside through the window of the bus.






Upon arrival in Granada they were taken to their host family where her host mother Adela prepared a special meal for her.  This is a Spanish tortilla which is different from the Mexican tortilla that we know.  A Spanish tortilla is more like an omelette made with potato and egg. The tortilla was served with a light salad. 



Charros - fried bread dipped in chocolate, has become a quick favorite of hers!

She has been touring the beautiful city of Granada this week before classes start up next week.  This is a picture of Alhambra, a beautiful castle located there with a lot of history!






She is touring Madrid this weekend and has told us of the incredible beauty and architecture found there in Madrid.  Her classes start Monday in Granada. She had to take an examination to test her Spanish abilities, and she placed in the upper intermediate and will be able to take all of the classes she had hoped to.  They will all be in Spanish, which will be a challenge for her, but she is up to it. Already when we are talking, she is speaking in a mixture of English and Spanish! She has a wonderful host mother who cooks her three meals a day and is as kind and helpful as she can be.

We are so excited about this great adventure that she is on, and while we miss her terribly, we are thankful for all her hard work that made this adventure possible. She worked hard to raise all of the money to go on this trip (over 13,000.00)!  She will return home the end of May, and while we miss her, we are so thankful that she has this opportunity to experience the Spanish culture and language!









50 comments

  1. Oh, Marilyn, this warms my heart, truly it does. Keeping her and you in prayer, sweet friend. Please keep us updated as much as you can, smiles.

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    1. Thank you for your kind words Linda, I truly will keep you updated on her adventures :)

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  2. Oh I know you will and do miss her, but thankfully you are able to receive pictures and connect in other ways.What an awesome experience for her!

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    1. This has truly been an incredible experience for her already! We do miss her so much, but are so thankful for this opportunity for her too. :)

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  3. Oh how exciting for your daughter!! Such a marvelous adventure! So happy that she could go...this will be a trip she will remember for a lifetime. And before you know it she'll be back home...but I'll bet she'll be ready for more adventures. May God bless her and keep her safe and strong in all situations, and help her to enjoy her stay there immensely. May God give you peace while she is away, knowing that He is with her at all times, and will never leave her or forsake her. You may rest easy, Mama! Thank you for sharing all the pictures with us. What a marvelous adventure!

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    1. Thank you for those beautiful words Pamela, they mean so much! We are able to rest in Christ when we know in His hands all is well! So thankful for the blessings of the Lord, and for this adventure that she is able to have!

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  4. What an amazing opportunity for your daughter. Thanks for sharing those lovely photos too.

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    1. It has been an incredible opportunity for her, and we are thankful that we can trust the Lord to keep close watch over her. I will definitely continue to post updates and pictures of her adventures :)

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  5. That roast chicken looks delicious. I hope your daughter has a great time and that the four months fly by for you!

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    1. Thank you, we miss her dearly, but are so thankful she is getting to experience this adventure :)

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  6. Marilyn, it is so hard to let our little chicks leave the safety of the coop. My daughters all went abroad for either vacations, schools, or mission trips. I was happy for them but happier when they arrived safe and sound back in the good old USA.

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    1. Thank you for your words of encouragement Gina, they mean so much! And yes, I am so thankful for her to have this opportunity, but will be even more grateful when she is back on US soil indeed!

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  7. How exciting for your daughter. She sounds very special. I know you will miss her. The pictures are beautiful. The homemade pizza and dinner you made sure look delicious.

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    1. She is a special sweet girl, and we miss her so, but are so thankful for this opportunity for her! Homemade pizza is a family favorite around here :)

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  8. How exciting for your daughter, to experience the joy of living in another Country and improve her linguist skills is an amazing opportunity. You loved her enough to let her go, secure in the knowledge that she loved you enough to always come back. What an adventure.

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    1. Thank you for those sweet words, I love how you said it so well! It is an adventure for her, and us too. Thankful for our trust in the Lord to keep her safe in His care while she is gone! Thank you for your visit :)

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  9. Oh my goodness, those pictures of Spain bring back so many memories!!!! We lived in Spain 1970-73, while my dear husband served in the US Navy. We LOVED IT. Granada was a favorite place. May your daughter have a fantastic experience while she is there, a grand adventure that is for sure.

    Your homemade pizza and the chicken dinner look so yummy. I think I just might make a homemade pizza tonight. Haven't made one in awhile.

    Have a lovely Sunday ~ FlowerLady

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    1. That is so wonderful to hear Lorraine! I have heard great things about Spain, and especially Granada. It has been an amazing experience for her so far! I imagine you had a grand time living there! Sweet wonderful memories for sure! And yes, homemade pizza is definitely a favorite at our house! Blessings :)

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  10. I am so excited for your daughter, Marilyn! Rest assured she will come back with memories that will last a lifetime. I still recall the ten weeks I spent in the British Isles while in college - what an amazing and life changing experience that was. Your daughter is bound to feel the same.
    Blessings!

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    1. Thank you for your kind words Martha Jane, they are appreciated, and truly we are so thankful for her to experience this adventure! She has had a great time so far and has seen so much. We miss her, but are happy she is having this adventure! Blessings :)

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  11. Best wishes to your young woman!

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  12. Thank you for the photos Marilyn. I loved seeing Spain and Granada. Seems like Spain gets left out in so many adventure shoots! How wonderful for your daughter to have this experience. She sounds like a very determined and focused young lady... and I'm sure she'll have a great adventure to remember forever. I still remember, at age 25, how my ex husband and I sold everything and took a 6 week motorcycle trip across the United States! I have wonderful memories of it, glad we did it, and have a photo album to prove it! We carried everything with us, camped mostly (can you picture a motorcycle packed with a tarp, sleeping bags, pillows, food, clothes, small ice chest, lantern, etc.?) It was a hoot and I cherish the memories. Now when I see oldsters cruising down the highway on their bikes, I don't have any regrets that I didn't do that! Your daughter will feel the same. The 4 months will go by very quickly I'm sure. Glad you got the snow you had been yearning for! Hugs.. Marlyn J.

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    1. That sounds like an amazing trip for you and your ex-husband to have together! It would be wonderful to see the United States like that, wow! I'm sure you had some grand adventures together! I know our daughter is so happy to be doing this, she worked so very hard to have the $$ to go, and I know that she is safe in the Lord's care. Yes, I'm sure the 4 months will pass quickly for her, we miss her terribly, but are thrilled she is having such a great time. And yes, we have gotten the snow, and more expected tonight, I'm thrilled! :) Thank you for your wonderful email today, I will respond soon, love and hugs!

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  13. Congratulations to Danielle! How exciting and wonderful this is for her. I know you miss her, but the time will go quickly. She'll be back before you know it, and I know she will continue to share her experience with you as it unfolds. This time abroad will impact her life forever! I so enjoyed the photos and your narration. God bless you all! Hugs, Nancy

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  14. Such a beautiful experience for your daughter. I enjoyed the photos of all don. It’s one of my favorite places to travel. I really know how you feel. Alex went to Japan every summer from 13 years old on and taught English in private schools. He got his Masters Degree at 19 and moved there permanently. In the 11 years since, we’ve only seen him 6-7 times. So hard on a Mama’s heart, but he’s happy and we FaceTime several times a week. I am SO grateful to FaceTime.
    I pray she has a wonderful adventure and that she come s home safe and happy.
    Blessings,
    Betsy

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  15. Though I know you miss your daughter dreadfully the four months will fly by and will soon return to tell you many exciting stories of her travels. How wonderful your daughter is able to visit Spain and continue her studies there and soak up the smells, sights and ambiance of a new country. She will have the best time studying and soaking up a new culture. Your Danielle sounds like a most delightful young lady! How amazing she raised all the funds for this trip of a lifetime. You must be so very proud of her,lovely Marilyn, and quite rightly so.

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  16. Best wishes to your daughter on her wonderful adventure. Time will speed along and she will be
    back to share with you in person and how proud you can be of her accomplishments.
    Phyllis

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  17. What a wonderful experience for your daughter! Wow...that is really something that she raised all the money for her trip...that is one dedicated young lady! You surely are so very proud of your girl but I know you are already missing her like crazy. The time will fly by for her but you, well, maybe not so much...but you already knew that I'm sure. Have a beautiful week, dear Marilyn! ♥

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  18. I really love the photos from Spain! How interesting! I'm not sure I'd be strong enough to let my kids go, no matter how old they are, ha, ha. It must have been so hard and bittersweet. Her pictures are amazing, though.

    Your pictures make me think of here and now. It's been so cold and snowy--we had several days where we just couldn't go outside except to do the chores. I am NOT a snow-lover, so I've been holed up feeling rather "blah". It looks pretty from afar, but I'm ready for summer, lol.

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  19. Congratulations on your daughter's achievements. Of course, she just had to go to Spain for this study. One of my cousins, a retired professor of foreign languages at U of Cal at Berkley spent long periods of time in Spain. My husband sometimes watches old Spaghetti Westerns (the most well-known starring Clint Eastwood) which I never cared for until I began to notice the fascinating landscapes and architecture. Most are filmed in Spain. Now I watch with him, but ignore the plot and admire the cinematography. Best wishes to your daughter in this new adventure... And, to her mom too!

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  20. Congratulations!! How very exciting. That is fantastic she saved for her education and the trip to Spain. Well done to her and to you and your husband! We are doing the same with our boys. Both have been working and saving as well. Sam just finished Basic Training and going on to complete is MOS at Fort Gordon, Georgia.
    We both will have our kids come home in May. Sam will be graduating from AIT, for the Wisconsin National Guard at Fort Gordon, Georgia in May.

    Spain would be fun to visit. It looks beautiful. Thank you for sharing and please keep us posted.
    I will be praying,
    Carla

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  21. OH how hard it is to be a Mom and watch your children spread their wings. I'm so glad that you are a part of her wonderful journey and adventure. Thank you for sharing so many wonderful pictures.

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  22. This is so exciting for your girl!!! She will appreciate it all the more and treasure the memories because she worked to achieve her goal! Praise God for supportive and loving parents too.
    Oh, and I'm loving all your snow pics!!!

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  23. Four months is a long time, but it will go fast, at least for her it will.
    How wonderful she is letting you know how much fun she is having and you share with us.
    Keep us informed. Love the pictures.

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  24. Wow! What a wonderful experience and a great age in which to experience this and learn the language. Good for her for reaching the money goal. Thank goodness for modern technology which will make it possible for you to be connected in an instant instead of waiting 2 weeks to get a letter! You had some special times before she left, too. Blessings.

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  25. What a fantastic opportunity! And, you'll be able to live vicariously through her!

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  26. viewing life through your lens is always a treat, friend.

    you make winter smile!

    ;-}

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  27. What a fantastic experience for your daughter. The Spanish language is beautiful (I'm a Spanish teacher - :)) An immersive experience like she's having is the best for language learning! Granada is such a wonderful city and I hope she visits the Alhambra often. It's truly breathtaking and there is so much history contained in its walls.

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  28. I am thrilled for her to be able to do all this. Bless her heart...I so wish her much luck and even more blessings. She is having the time of her life and the memories of such an experience will stay with her for life.
    All the photos are wonderful, the foods there look amazing and I've ALWAYS wanted one of those red telephone booths....:)

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  29. I enjoyed reading about your daughter's adventures. It is so neat she has the opportunity to study overseas! I pray they will be a blessing to those they minister to. :)

    Hugs,
    Ashley

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  30. Amazing photos, delicious food and beautiful place☺

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  31. I hope you are making plans to visit her.

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  32. Oh Marilyn, what an amazing adventure. I bet she's having the time of her life!!

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  33. Very exciting!! The daughter of one of our best friends spent sometime in Spain as well and it was a good experience for her. I hope this will be a wonderful experience for your daughter.

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  34. What a truly amazing adventure and fantastic opportunity.
    I loved seeing all of the photographs too.

    All the best Jan

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  35. Oh, what an exciting adventure for your daughter! I have been praying for her {and for you, my friend} and I truly hope she has amazing time. Will you be able to visit her while she's there? Wouldn't that be just grand?!

    Thinking of you, my lovely friend, and wishing you a beautiful Valentine's Day. Hugs!

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  36. You gave your daughter a beautiful send-off Marilyn. I'm sure that you will miss her but what a treat for her. I studied abroad and it was amazing experience.
    Amalia
    xo

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  37. Oh this made me almost cry dear Marilyn!

    i can relate to your feeling on her leaving completely my friend!

    it is both Hard and Pleasure as parents live their lives through their children ,

    achievement of kids make them feel proud more than they felt for themselves when they succeeded .

    i am happy that she set her goal and on her way to achieve it ,my heartiest best wishes for her !

    London has beautiful architecture

    Spain is such an appealing destination ,loved the glimpse of Spain !

    having familiar people abroad makes it easy to stay and move around in new place .

    her room looks cozy

    i am sure four moths will fly quickly and she will be with you again with her language diploma !

    Blessings !

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