I love Spain!

For those of you who didn't already know, let me reassure you, I love Spain. Wow I don't even know where to start. I should have written this last night. I arrived in Madrid yesterday at 9 in the morning. As I flew in, it was almost overwhelming, as I remembered taking off a year and a half ago not know when I would return. As I made my way to the metro to get into the city I felt as though I had never left. I felt at home. The only strange thing was as I got on to the metro I looked around because I felt as though I should have somebody with me. That has been the strangest part so far, is being alone. Luckily as I made it to my stop in the city, Dr. Rosenberg was waiting outside the train stop. I dropped my luggage off at the hotel, and then we headed off to take care of some items for the program. I just loved absorbing in Madrid again. Even in this insane heat, I love this city. Madrid has a smell, which I really do not have any idea how to describe. Not necessarily pleasant, but definitely present. I took some time yesterday to walk around and get to know the area where I was living. It happens to be one of the few areas of Madrid that I am not completely familiar with since I never served here. I am enchanted by los madrilenos and the way the speak. I hadn't realized how much I missed it. Simple things like seeing the gypsy with her palm leafs, and the mysterious liquid that falls from the buildings made me laugh. Since I needed to stay awake in order to adjust to the time, I decided to make a quick trip down to the temple. The "temple square" in Madrid is really special to me for two reasons I got to serve there and testify there, and when I was on study abroad I actually studied in the institute building there. I talked to a few missionaries that were there, it is crazy that I have been home for a year and a half. I only know 2 missionaries that are still here. My mission president happen to be coming there to give someone and interview, so I was able to talk to him for a minute. Then the hermanas told me the institute was having a birthday party. So I went over there, and ran into several people that I knew. It was particularly nice since I had been fearing that nobody would remember me. So hearing "HERMANA WILLIS!!" Just about made me cry. :) Two of the guys that I knew invited me over to eat, that was an interesting experience. They also invited me to go dancing, which was VERY tempting, but I decided I ought to get some sleep so that my body wouldn't be completely off. :) As I walked home at 12:30 am it was wonderful to see the streets still alive. The large street that passes in front of the hotel is beautiful. Between the two lanes of traffic is a park. A couple of restaurants are in the park, and it was so fun to walk by and hear the people talking outside as a piano was being played. The ambiance was amazing. City life intrigues me. Today I walked around a lot more to see what stores were around. I also gathered up information to help those that are coming with the program. I met 4 out of the 15 today. While I walked around downtown, I walked through Plaza Mayor. I was looking across the crowd when I saw this lady. I recognized her face, and then I heard say to her friends I know her. It dawned on me that she had come to English classes that I had taught over 2 years ago. It was a fun small world connection to make. I look forward to the many adventures to come. I love that it feels like home. :)

It's about time...

Well the month of May has clearly come and gone... and quite quickly I might add. It seemed to be a whirlwind month as I found myself all over Arizona, Texas, and Las Vegas. :) I guess I will begin with the beginning of the month. The 2nd of May was my Dad's retirement ceremony from the United States Air Force. The ceremony spoke to his excellence in his military career. The day was an emotional one for all of us. As I talked to my siblings, particularly my brothers Stephen and David we echoed the same sentiments of pride in all that our Dad has accomplished. As the general made some of his remarks we soon realized that we only knew of a small portion that my Dad had contributed. Not seeing our dad in uniform will be a hard change. Whether it was his flight suit or his dress blues, we always associated it with Daddy. It's funny how many chapters are beginning and ending in our family. My Dad will be a civilian. My sister Rachel celebrated her first Mother's Day. I will be leaving Provo, going to Spain again, traveling Europe, moving to Phoenix, and starting a real job. David enters the MTC this Wednesday headed to Monterey Mexico. It's very crazy, I question how we got so old. Timothy finished his first year of High School, and Thomas his first year of middle school. I am excited to see the places our family will go. I am so proud of my parents and my siblings. They are amazing people. I am grateful for the relationship that I have with each one of them.
The day after my Dad's retirement ceremony, my brother David went through the temple. What a wonderful blessing to be surrounded by nearly all of my family. Including my 90 year old grandpa. Who we celebrated his birthday that night. We had a great time. Since my dad's family is all over, it isn't often that we all get together. At the end of the party, somehow it became a game to see how many cousins my brothers could toss.... oh boy only in the Willis family. :)
A week later my good friend Stacey got married. The wedding was beautiful. After which my friend Drea and I drove to Moab. Then a week later I was in Texas for a friend's graduation. The next week I went down to Vegas to visit my sister. So to say the least it was been a busy month, with not much time to slow down. I am headed to Spain in 2 weeks and 2 days. Its hard to believe.