Monday, September 8, 2008

Alvaro, Raquel, Noa and Oriol visit Atlanta!










picture captions:
1- David Walker's team coming to Vilanova in October
2- David, Carolyn, Alvaro and Oriol at the Falcons game
3- The Walton family (minus Brooke) and Alvaro's family
"Some people come into our lives and quickly go,
Some stay for awhile,
Leave footprints on our hearts,
And we are never, ever the same."

This is one of my favorite quotes, and in the case with our Spain friends, it's more true than EVER! Alvaro, Raquel, Noa and Oriol just left Atlanta, after a short 3 days here, and as soon as I said goodbye, and turned around, the tears started to flow. How can people we've known for just one short year (and only SEEN in person a few times), feel like FAMILY?! But to me, and many of us here in Atlanta, that IS how you feel...like our family.

So here's a recap of what we did with Alvaro and Raquel while they were here:

Friday: They arrived to the Waltons' house in the afternoon, and then went to the Norcross Park near their house for dinner and a concert/picnic on the lawn. Michael Frank, Melanie Amos and Carolyn (me) met them there.

Saturday: Alvaro went flying around Atlanta with Randy ("a dream of mine since I was little" he says). Evidently he took great pictures and had the time of his life! Meanwhile, Crista and Raquel evidently shopped with the kids. That night, we all met back up at the Walton's house for a great cookout and time to catch up with Alvaro and family. Several people from former mission trips to Vilanova stopped by (like Scott and Jen Tanksley with baby Aron, Jenny Strange, Melanie Amos, Michael Frank, David Walker, Heather Maxey, Anne Yoder, Michael Smith, Christy A. and more, as well as NEW team members who are about to go on trips to Vilanova this fall.... like Cynda and Ray Douglas, Cibele Ziobrowski and more!).

Sunday: We took them to the 9 am service at Buckhead Church, where they got to see Steve Fee lead the worship band (he sang "Glorious One", which is Alvaro's favorite!) and Andy Stanley gave another great message about the importance of "pivotal relationships" in our lives. Noa enjoyed playing in "Waumba Land", but Oriol wasn't too sure, so we took him to "big church'" with us. After church, Jenny Strange and Dave Karger took them on a tour of Buckhead Church, and then Dave Walker and I (Carolyn) took Alvaro and Oriol to a Falcons Football Game, and Cibele (who speaks great Spanish and is coming on the trip with David Walker in October) took Raquel and Noa shopping! All of us had a great time (and the Falcons WON!)! After the game, we all met up for dinner at the best pizza place in Atlanta (Mellow Mushroom) and then we went to meet David's team coming to Spain in October, and Alvaro gave an update on how your church is doing there (including the new building, small groups, prayer requests etc.).
Monday (today): I (Carolyn) spent the weekend with Alvaro, Raquel etc. at the Walton's house, so this morning, after a great homemade breakfast by Crista, we said our goodbye's to the Walton's, and I led them to the new World of C0ca-Cola Museum. Then, I went to work (at the Coca-Cola Company down the street), and they came over for lunch after they were done at the Museum. Betsy Nicholson and Rich Richardson met us for lunch too! Finally, around 2 pm, it was time to say our goodbyes!

Alvaro, Raquel, Noa and Oriol...it was a pleasure being with you again, but way too short! Please come back soon. You are so loved here in Atlanta! Safe travels home. Please keep in touch!

For more pictures, click here:

Mucho Amor!
Carolyn

1 comment:

Unknown said...

Hi, I have visited your website,it was good as it has lots of information about work from home job.
WORK FROM HOME