And this not from ourselves but by the Grace of God...

So, another Christmas has come and gone another year has just begun and I sit on my bed with the music on blast, sipping on some digestive tea typing, waiting for something not sure what, and my mind spinning with thoughts that I cannot put to rest. I am so thankful for what has been given to me this year and cannot wait for what is in store for me. This beautiful gift of studying abroad and meeting some of the most beautiful people I have ever met has been so much more than I could have asked for. The first four months have been crazy! Some days I felt like I was on top of the world, like I was invincible and others I felt like no encouraging words could make me stand to my feet. I felt broken, alone, and frustrated some days and even abandoned at times even while talking to my family with so much frequency but the truth is that not once was I alone, not once was I forgotten, and not one day went by that someone wasn't praying for me. All part of the study abroad experience I guess, the ups and the downs. I danced with the lovely thoughts of me being in Spain and all the great things I was going to learn but refused to take into account I was going to feel so down sometimes. It all seems so beautiful before leaving home and when you get here you realize that nothing is ever perfect and everything takes some work, some sacrifice, and plenty of prayer. Now don't get me wrong, looking at what I just wrote makes me sound like I have not enjoyed the time here, that would not be true. I have met some amazing people, built some great relationships, learned to cook better, manage my money better, deal with problems, and appreciate people for everything they are to me both good and bad. These past four months have grown me. More than I expected, and sometimes, more than I wanted. In sum, the four months abroad felt like 4 years at home.

 I truly love Granada and everything is has to offer. That was especially confirmed after one week in Dublin, Ireland where nobody(except the bar tenders) seemed to believe in working after 5pm and the closest market was about 30 minutes away. Granada has a beautiful church family that has helped me feel more at home and one of the women at the church is constantly checking up on me and making sure I am ok, Raquel has truly blessed my life not only through allowing me to take part in the worship group but by being such an important figure in my life out here.

 I look forward to the next 8 months I have left here in Spain. I cannot wait to see what God has in store for me. I cannot fear this coming year but face it with a smile. God is good, no, God is GREAT. What comfort to know my future lies in the hands of the Creator of every thing! For those of you who read this, don't hesitate to write to me and even give me your address! Granada is in no short supply of postcards!!!

Now, I realize that I have not done the things I have learned in a while but since this is the start of the new year I will do a 12 month timeline. I did after all say that this YEAR was crazy and the actual study abroad experience has only taken up 4 months, the other 8 were pretty essential in finishing up the 2011 year. With that said I present:


Things that happened to Foli in 2011!!!!!
January- Started in a small group with a great group of girls. Started my second to last semester at CSUF.

February- I am sure something happened to me directly but I cant remember so I am just going to say that Valentine's day happened and thus started one of the most awesome relationships I have known, my brother and Brianne<3 Love them bof:) Quick edit, don't know how I could have forgotten but I took part in the marriage of Tanya and David Barrera<3 Don't have a picture though!

March- Daddy turned another year older and I got to experience the most awesome thing I have lived through, the birth of my niece Noelani<3 Mexico kicks El Salvador's butt in soccer 5-0 and I get disowned for saying El Salvador would lose...

April-Highlight of my month; going to Tijuana Mexico with the kids and spending a whole day with them<3 Miss them all a ton.

May- Finished my semester well:) Start up a bucket list with my best friend Nat for things that had to b done before I left for Spain

June- Turned 21, went to Knotts with my family for my birthday then drove out to San Diego(my favorite place in the world) but didn't make it cus of traffic but ended up at Farrel's and ate yummy icecream... yes that was the highlight of my month.

July- Finished all the visa paperwork only to find out my grant was withdrawn because of a new bill that lowered the bar and took back any financial aid given to some students. I thought I wasn't going to study abroad anymore but my brother in law and sister offered to lend me the amount that had been taken<3 Family once again proves to be AMAZING.

August- Little brother turned 12! Finished up preparations for the year abroad, had a going away party, got on a flight to Madrid, met a ton of people, went to Granada on bus, and arrived to the most beautiful city I have ever seen.

September- Momma and brother-in-law turned one year older and I moved into my first flat and even though I loved one of my flatmates I didn't like the place very much so after one month__

October- I moved into a new flat:). Started my classes. Started playing in the worship band at church.


November- First visitor from Cali came to visit, I went to Rome and ate the best pasta in my life. Sister turned a year older.

December- Brothers came to visit and spend christmas with me, I went to Dublin and spent New Year with my roomies and a bunch of people I didn't know, got pretty homesick, but all in all pretty good new year, different for sure. Older bro turned a year older and I finished 2/4 classes.

That sums it up for now:) Pretty soon I will update the past blogs with relevant pictures:)










Oops! I forgot to mention.... I may have cheated a bit...

Merry Christmas to me!!!!