pick a country & go

A month or so ago, I found that I had some extra time in my schedule. With summer flying in full force, I knew I wanted to pick up a transoceanic trip before we lost some of our routes come autumn. As I stared at the computer screen, I called out to my roommate asking what country I should go to. She patiently listened to me list off all my available options and finally replied, "Really?! Any of those places would be amazing. Which do you want to visit most?" The impossible question. Um, all of them?! I don't know how, but I finally settled on Barcelona. And I'm glad I did. 

View from my hotel room.

I started off the day running to the grocery with some of my crew to get some snacks for the beach. We then walked through a beautiful part of the city to get to the beach. This was my first time seeing the Mediterranean Sea...and it was stunning.

I knew that I wanted to see as much of Barcelona as possible on my layover and my best bet to do that was via the Hop On-Hop Off tour bus. I'm thrilled that I ended up doing that, I was able to see so much of Barcelona that I wouldn't have been able to see otherwise. First stop on the bus—Barri Gòtic. 

Barcelona Cathedral

The Barcelona Cathedral is absolutely HUGE. I was not expecting to see this when I walked around the corner. I stood in awe for a few moments before I headed back to the bus. I opted not to go inside because I knew of other places that I intended to spend more time....like...

Casa Batlló. This stunning piece of architecture designed by none other than Gaudí himself is a must-see. I really wanted to go inside but the entrance fee was pricey at €20,35 and had already planned to see La Sagrada Família. Next time though...

Speaking of which...La Sagrada Família was next on the itinerary. I truly don't know how to explain in words the beauty of this place.

Walking in, you're bombarded with sensory overload. It's overwhelming...the complex details and beauty this place holds is incredible. I have never seen anything like it.

La Sagrada Família is called 'Gaudí's dream', and rightly so. It's breathtaking.

While I was in line, waiting to purchase tickets for La Sagrada Família, I met Marcela. We talked for quite a while and ended up deciding to walk through together. I'm so grateful to have met this sweet girl! It made the experience even more fantastic than it already was! 

When we were deciding which tickets to purchase, Marcela convinced me to get the tickets that allow you entrance to the towers. Smart girl that Marcela.

View from one of the towers.

Stairs to exit the towers.

La Sagrada Família was my favorite part of Barcelona. The beauty of it literally brought me to tears and photos do it no justice. It is magnificent.

The last stop I made was to Park Güell, another extraordinary work of Gaudí.

The sun was setting over the park and I knew I had to catch the last bus back to my hotel. I slept most of the way back as I was exhausted after working all night and exploring all day. Barcelona blew my mind. I immediately fell in love and cannot wait to go back again!

Until next time,
xoxo

you're enough for me

Currently, I find myself curled up on the couch in my favorite blanket, the crisp scent of fall filling the room, Tucker nestled in my lap, listening to the worship music playing in the office. In this moment, I am reminded of the goodness of the Lord and the grace that is constantly being poured out upon me. Simultaneously, I am reminded of my own depravity and desperate need of that grace.

"For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life."

Titus 3:3-7

Oftentimes, I feel like the first person described in that passage of Scripture. I feel foolish, disobedient, and led astray. Why would God extend to me so much mercy when I am so unworthy? I have been saved by His grace, so that I might make Him known throughout the world, for His glory. Yet, here I am, once again, in need of His continual forgiveness. 

"Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions. Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness. For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace."

Romans 6:12-14

The Christian life is filled with trials and tribulations. It is not one marked by health, wealth, and prosperity. It is not about 'becoming a better you' or living 'your best life now'. It is about seeing and savoring Jesus Christ. Knowing Him and being known by Him. Becoming more like Him through time spent in Scripture, soaking it into every fiber of your being, becoming like Him through prayer...even in hardships. 

"But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith—that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead." 

Philippians 3:7-11

I pray that my life is marked by a consistent walk with God on a day-by-day, moment-by-moment basis. That I live an all-out, unashamed, radical, unhindered life endlessly proclaiming the gospel of Christ unto death. 

"Therefore, therefore, do not lose heart, but take these truths and day by day focus on them. Preach them to yourself every morning. Get alone with God and preach his Word into your mind until your heart sings with confidence that you are new and cared for."

-John Piper

san antonio riverwalk

San Antonio. Known for the Alamo, Spanish missions, great food, the Riverwalk, and more. I had a long layover recently and since I had never been there, I asked for suggestions on what to do. The verdict? Explore the Riverwalk. Thankfully, it was only a few short blocks away from my hotel so I was easily able to walk there!

I love when I go to places that I can just walk around and enjoy being there. When I don't have a long list of places I have to see or things I have to do...I feel free and relaxed. The Riverwalk was exactly that for me.

As I was walking, I noticed a small shopping center. I decided to go in to cool off for a minute and then, I saw this.

I was awestruck. I absolutely love blown glass. I had a professor in college that studied art and had experience in glass blowing. He would talk about the intricacies involved in the art and I was fascinated from that moment on. Unfortunately, I lost the business card of the artist that created these pieces. She is brilliant though! I'll do my best to make it back next time I'm in San Antonio so I can get her information.

I love San Antonio and am excited to have another layover there again. If I do, I'm taking Kelly with me...she spent a summer there a couple of years ago and I would love to have her show me around!

gluten free finds: cinnamon works {seattle, wa}

Next time you're in Seattle, make sure to stop by Cinnamon Works for a delicious gluten free treat. It's location in Pike Place Market is perfect for a quick snack while you enjoy browsing the local shops.

I considered getting the banana bread, but since it's nearly impossible to top my chocolate chip banana bread, I didn't want to be disappointed. So I got the monster cookie...and as you can tell...it lived up to it's name. The thing was huge! It was soo good though! Kelly even tried it and said she couldn't tell that it was gluten free! I'm pretty sure I spotted a sign for gluten free honey buns but they unfortunately weren't making them while I was there. You can bet I'll be looking for that next time I'm in town. Cinnamon Works is a must-eat while in Seattle! If you try it out, let me know what you think! Know of other gluten free places in Seattle? Let me know so I can try them out on my next layover!

Until next time,

xoxo

massages, sushi, & shopping in salt lake city

Sometimes on layovers, I arrive in a city that has a million things to do and feel overwhelmed with all I want to accomplish in __ hours, when in reality, I just want to relax and unwind from a long day of flying. I recently had a layover in Salt Lake City and did just that. There is a massage school there that offers fantastic prices on all types of massages by either a student or a licensed massage therapist. That being said, my layover consisted of a massage, sushi, shopping, more sushi, and sleeping. It was wonderful.

View from my hotel room. (Please excuse the dirty window)

City Creek Center is a new mall located within walking distance of our hotel. We headed there and browsed for a while after getting sushi from Koko Kitchen for lunch.

After shopping, we went to Temple Square to see the Salt Lake Temple and explore the temple grounds. The area was stunning, the view was impeccable, and the weather was perfect.

I'm not sure that I would have done anything different on this layover. In fact, next time I'm in SLC, I will likely do the exact same thing. Not much beats sushi, shopping, and a massage.