Los Fotos y la iglesia!

These are pictures from yesterday in Toledo!

Now, about today!

Today was a little bit rougher than yesterday. Now that i´m starting to get comfortable,I´m starting to get homesick of the things i´m most comfortable with at home. I haven´t gotten to speak with most of my family, friends, or my boyfriend. So that has taken an extra toll on my emotional state. To top it off today, I had a horrible embarressing experience at church today.

A Mi Iglesia en Tennessee

At my church at home, we take communion every week, and I take it very seriously. I think it is an incredible spiritual experience with God. I believe that if you believe in Jesus and that you are his child if you have asked him to forgive your sins and ask him into your heart. And if you checkd all of the above, you may take communion.

A la iglesia de Catolics

I had forgotten that catholics believe in transubstanciation. ¨In many Christian churches, the doctrine holding that the bread and wine of the Eucharist are transformed into the body and blood of Jesus, although their appearances remain the same.¨. I had forgotten that you can not take communion in a catholic church if you do not belive this.
Hoy
Not only was this was a horrible mistake to make in a catholic church, but in a church where you barely speak the language. So this afternoon like everyone else, I got in line to recieve commonion. I paid attention to the order to make sure I was doing everything respectfully and correctly. The priest held up the bread and said ¨de el cuerpo de cristo¨ (of the body of christ) . He then placed the bread in the persons hand, or mouth. When it came my turn, he handed me the bread said the phrase, and I ate the bread. He stopped me. There was some confusion and he told me to go sit down. He followed me and took the bread away. Later, he came to me and asked me if I was a christian, if I believed in jesus, and if I was catholic.
Yes, Yes, No. He then asked about transubstanciation which my reply was no. He then told me that he could not give me the holy bread and i could not take communion with the catholic church because i was not catholic. This was incredibly embarressing and I was trying my best to hold back my tears.

Mi Madre

My mother was with me the entire time and was very understanding, as to why I was emotional. She walked home with me quietly asking me questions about my religion, and reassuring me that that everything was okay. She reminded me sweetly that we believed in the same God, and that we are sisters in Christ.

Almarzar

When we returned we set the table for lunch. Lunch here is the biggest meal of the day! We had pancho (Cold soup made of tomatoes, onions, peppers,), bread, beef, potatoes, strawberries with whip creme, and little donut like pastries, and red wine. My Madré´s daughter and her family came to visit! Sh had two little hijos (children) who spoke a few phrases in english. I enjoy practicing my spanish with children the most, because they don´t get frustrated if you mess up and usually their vocabulary is smaller.

Siesta

I was so tired afterwards I took a long siesta (nap), and now I am at this little internet cafe writing this.
I miss and love you all!
Hannah