Me, Myself, Moss and Madrid

So. I have been home for over a month and I never finished my blog. I have a lot to catch up on so brace yourself!

The weekend after the Corrida de Toros, we went to Bilbao, San Sebastian, France and Burgos!

Bilbao:

In Bilbao, the only thing that we did was visit the Guggenheim museum.

It was a very beautiful museum. Outside of the museum, there is a piece of art- a dog made of only flowers. In the following picture you can't see the dog completely, but you can get the idea!
Me and my friend, Carson:

This was another piece of art that I especially liked:

Outside of the museum, there is a little river/pond and a bridge that goes over it and every once in a while mist comes out from under the bridge- it looks so cool!

This is me and my friend, Kylie, outside of the museum:

After the Guggenheim, we drove to the most beautiful little city- San Sebastian! This was our last hotel of our study abroad...

...thank you, Profe. It was very nice and comfortable! We dropped off our stuff and we had an hour or so to relax and unpack a little bit. After our little break we met in the lobby, walked around the city and went to dinner.

This was a bench I saw while we were walking and I knew it would be the perfect picture:

This is a picture of me and my friend, Michael, while we were walking to dinner:

Michael was sealed earlier this month! Congrats to him!

After we all took some pictures and ate dinner (which was a little sketchy), Profe and Hermana Stallings took us to get ice cream- two scoops. It was sweet! This is me and my friend, Jeff, while we were waiting for ice cream:

That night, I walked on the beach with some friends and it was very beautiful and relaxing!

The next morning, after breakfast, we drove for an hour or so to...FRANCE! Since we were at the very north of Spain, we were able to go into the very south of France to two small towns. Here are some pictures!

Me and my two roommates (while we were in San Sebastian), Devaun (middle) and Kylie (right):

Me and my friend, Natalie:

Me and my friend, Audi:

Me and my friend, Ben:

Me and my friends (left to right), Kylie, Kristen, Bethany, Hope:

France was beautiful! I had an awesome day. That night, we hung out it the hotel and walked on the beach again. How lucky are we to just be able to walk out of out hotel and be on the beach! The next morning we got up and traveled to Burgos.

Me and my friends (left to right), Erin, Emma, Emily:

This is the Cathedral of Burgos:

I couldn't even get a very good picture because of how big it was. It is know for it's vast size and gothic architecture. While I was in the Cathedral, I saw a lot of people that were very elegantly dressed and I didn't think too much of it, until I heard what sounded like wedding music. I looked took my left and may or may not have let out a little squeal- there was the bride! I was so excited that I whipped out my camera and took a picture. I was even lucky enough to have her look over at me when I took it!

After we left the Cathedral, we went and ate lunch. While we were waiting for our food, I saw the cutest little boy:

SO CUTE!

We returned to Alcalá that night safe and sound! The next day, Sunday, was a very bitter sweet day. After church, I had to say goodbye to Leti and Fede, the daughter and son-in-law of María. I love them very much and they were just like and older sister and brother to me. Teasing and all! This is a picture of me, Miguel Luís (María's son), Leti, Rikki and Fede:

That night, we put on our Cristo Viviente program. It was a very spiritual experience for me. Each student had a small speaking part from "The Living Christ" and then there were hymns mixed in between the speaking parts. This is "The Living Christ". I highlighted my part in blue:

THE LIVING CHRIST
THE TESTIMONY OF THE APOSTLES
THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS

As we commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ two millennia ago, we offer our testimony of the reality of His matchless life and the infinite virtue of His great atoning sacrifice. None other has had so profound an influence upon all who have lived and will yet live upon the earth.
He was the Great Jehovah of the Old Testament, the Messiah of the New. Under the direction of His Father, He was the creator of the earth. "All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made" (John 1:3). Though sinless, He was baptized to fulfill all righteousness. He "went about doing good" (Acts 10:38), yet was despised for it. His gospel was a message of peace and goodwill. He entreated all to follow His example. He walked the roads of Palestine, healing the sick, causing the blind to see, and raising the dead. He taught the truths of eternity, the reality of our premortal existence, the purpose of our life on earth, and the potential for the sons and daughters of God in the life to come.
He instituted the sacrament as a reminder of His great atoning sacrifice. He was arrested and condemned on spurious charges, convicted to satisfy a mob, and sentenced to die on Calvary's cross. He gave His life to atone for the sins of all mankind. His was a great vicarious gift in behalf of all who would ever live upon the earth.
We solemnly testify that His life, which is central to all human history, neither began in Bethlehem nor concluded on Calvary. He was the Firstborn of the Father, the Only Begotten Son in the flesh, the Redeemer of the world.
He rose from the grave to "become the firstfruits of them that slept" (1 Corinthians 15:20). As Risen Lord, He visited among those He had loved in life. He also ministered among His "other sheep" (John 10:16) in ancient America. In the modern world, He and His Father appeared to the boy Joseph Smith, ushering in the long-promised "dispensation of the fulness of times" (Ephesians 1:10).
Of the Living Christ, the Prophet Joseph wrote: "His eyes were as a flame of fire; the hair of his head was white like the pure snow; his countenance shone above the brightness of the sun; and his voice was as the sound of the rushing of great waters, even the voice of Jehovah, saying:
"I am the first and the last; I am he who liveth, I am he who was slain; I am your advocate with the Father" (D&C 110:3–4).
Of Him the Prophet also declared: "And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives!
"For we saw him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father—
"That by him, and through him, and of him, the worlds are and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God" (D&C 76:22–24).
We declare in words of solemnity that His priesthood and His Church have been restored upon the earth—"built upon the foundation of . . . apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone" (Ephesians 2:20).
We testify that He will someday return to earth. "And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together" (Isaiah 40:5). He will rule as King of Kings and reign as Lord of Lords, and every knee shall bend and every tongue shall speak in worship before Him. Each of us will stand to be judged of Him according to our works and the desires of our hearts.
We bear testimony, as His duly ordained Apostles—that Jesus is the Living Christ, the immortal Son of God. He is the great King Immanuel, who stands today on the right hand of His Father. He is the light, the life, and the hope of the world. His way is the path that leads to happiness in this life and eternal life in the world to come. God be thanked for the matchless gift of His divine Son.

THE FIRST PRESIDENCY		THE QUORUM OF THE TWELVE

This is "The Living Christ" in Spanish:

EL CRISTO VIVIENTE
El Testimonio de los Apóstoles
La Iglesia de Jesucristo de los Santos de los Últimos Días

Al conmemorar el nacimiento de Jesucristo hace dos milenios, manifestamos nuestro testimonio de la realidad de Su vida incomparable y de la virtud infinita de Su gran sacrificio expiatorio. Ninguna otra persona ha ejercido una influencia tan profunda sobre todos los que han vivido y los que aún vivirán sobre la tierra.
Él fue el Gran Jehová del Antiguo Testamento y el Mesías del Nuevo Testamento. Bajo la dirección de Su Padre, Él fue el Creador de la tierra. "Todas las cosas por él fueron hechas, y sin él nada de lo que ha sido hecho, fue hecho" (Juan 1:3). Aun cuando fue sin pecado, fue bautizado para cumplir toda justicia. Él "anduvo haciendo bienes" (Hechos 10:38) y, sin embargo, fue repudiado por ello. Su Evangelio fue un mensaje de paz y de buena voluntad. Él suplicó a todos que siguieran Su ejemplo. Recorrió los caminos de Palestina, sanando a los enfermos, haciendo que los ciegos vieran y levantando a los muertos. Enseñó las verdades de la eternidad, la realidad de nuestra existencia premortal, el propósito de nuestra vida en la tierra y el potencial de los hijos y de las hijas de Dios en la vida venidera.
Instituyó la Santa Cena como recordatorio de Su gran sacrificio expiatorio. Fue arrestado y condenado por acusaciones falsas, se le declaró culpable para satisfacer a la multitud y se le sentenció a morir en la cruz del Calvario. Él dio Su vida para expiar los pecados de todo el género humano. La Suya fue una gran dádiva vicaria en favor de todos los que habitarían la tierra.
Testificamos solemnemente que Su vida, que es fundamental para toda la historia de la humanidad, no comenzó en Belén ni concluyó en el Calvario. Él fue el Primogénito del Padre, el Hijo Unigénito en la carne, el Redentor del mundo.
Se levantó del sepulcro para ser las "primicias de los que durmieron" (1 Corintios 15:20). Como el Señor Resucitado, anduvo entre aquellos a los que había amado en vida. También ministró entre Sus "otras ovejas" (Juan 10:16) en la antigua América. En el mundo moderno, Él y Su Padre aparecieron al joven José Smith, iniciando así la largamente prometida "dispensación del cumplimiento de los tiempos" (Efesios 1:10).
Del Cristo Viviente, el profeta José escribió: "Sus ojos eran como llama de fuego; el cabello de su cabeza era blanco como la nieve pura; su semblante brillaba más que el resplandor del sol; y su voz era como el estruendo de muchas aguas, sí, la voz de Jehová, que decía:
"Soy el primero y el último; soy el que vive, soy el que fue muerto; soy vuestro abogado ante el Padre" (D. y C. 110:3--4).
De Él, el Profeta también declaró: "Y ahora, después de los muchos testimonios que se han dado de él, éste es el testimonio, el último de todos, que nosotros damos de él: ¡Que vive!
"Porque lo vimos, sí, a la diestra de Dios; y oímos la voz testificar que él es el Unigénito del Padre;
"que por él, por medio de él y de él los mundos son y fueron creados, y sus habitantes son engendrados hijos e hijas para Dios" (D. y C. 76:22-24).
Declaramos en palabras de solemnidad que Su sacerdocio y Su Iglesia han sido restaurados sobre la tierra, "edificados sobre el fundamento de... apóstoles y profetas, siendo la principal piedra del ángulo Jesucristo mismo" (Efesios 2:20).
Testificamos que algún día Él regresará a la tierra. "Y se manifestará la gloria de Jehová, y toda carne juntamente la verá" (Isaías 40:5). Él regirá como Rey de reyes y reinará como Señor de señores, y toda rodilla se doblará, y toda lengua hablará en adoración ante Él. Todos nosotros compareceremos para ser juzgados por Él según nuestras obras y los deseos de nuestro corazón.
Damos testimonio, en calidad de Sus apóstoles debidamente ordenados, de que Jesús es el Cristo Viviente, el inmortal Hijo de Dios. Él es el gran Rey Emanuel, que hoy está a la diestra de Su Padre. Él es la luz, la vida y la esperanza del mundo. Su camino es el sendero que lleva a la felicidad en esta vida y a la vida eterna en el mundo venidero. Gracias sean dadas a Dios por la dádiva incomparable de Su Hijo divino.

LA PRIMERA PRESIDENCIA		EL QUÓRUM DE LOS DOCE

My favorite hymn that we sang during the Cristo Viviente was "Yo Sé Que Vive Mi Señor". I know that my Redeemer lives. I am so grateful for His sacrifice for me. I love Him and I want to be more like Him. He is the perfect example. Christ lives.

We did the Cristo Viviente in the church building on the grounds of the temple, so we took some pictures after.

Me, and my friends Aubrey (left) and Erin (right):

Me and my friend, Laura:

Me and my friend, Anna:

Me and my friend, Rinna:

I had a wonderful last Sunday in Spain. On Monday, I spent the bulk of the day studying and going to class, as well as having our last Family Home Evening. I couldn't believe how fast the time went...two months seemed so long at the beginning of the trip! Tuesday brought a lot more mayhem...I wish this picture could really portray the craziness and pure insanity of finals- which were the next day.

I had some serious goals and studying to do on Tuesday because Tuesday night we went to Les Miserables in Spanish in Madrid!

It was INCREDIBLE. I already love Les Mis, but in Spanish it was just as cool! I was very glad that I knew all of the songs and story line before hand though. Otherwise, I think it would have been much harder to follow. We all left Les Mis on a natural high. That natural high quickly became a low, however, when we missed the last train from Madrid to Alcalá. Through a series of metros, long walks and busses, we made it back to Alcalá...at two thirty in the morning. The next morning (after one hour of sleep) I took my two finals. There may or may not have been a Red Bull involved in between the two tests as well... :) You gotta do what you gotta do! I was relieved after my finals and was able to breathe much easier! That night, we had our last dinner as a group and said our goodbyes to everyone. It was not too tearful of a night because we knew that we would see each other in a matter of months. The next day, Thursday, I had one of the best days of my whole Spain trip! After I got the stress of packing out of the way, I spend the rest of the day in Madrid! Madrid really is such a beautiful city. I was able to meet up with some friends as well as spend some time on my own.

I am so grateful for the opportunity that I had to go to Spain. I miss Spain but I am happy and grateful to be back with my family. I am grateful for the blessing of being able to speak Spanish. I am grateful for such a supporting family. I am grateful for BYU and the opportunities it offers. I am excited for the adventures that are in my future!