with arms wide open

I had the opportunity to go to Wilderness Ranch in the San Juan mountains of Colorado for the 3rd year in a row last week with some of my closest Young Life HCHS students. The week was more than I could have asked or imagined. All week we sang Nickelback and Creed songs, ate mash pot and other carb-filled 2 cup sorta foods, hiked lots, played lots, shivered lots, laughed lots, listened to HCHS choir songs live, read scripture together, prayed together, drank lots of iodine, resided with marmots, were led by the 2 best guides ever, and overall became bffls with everyone in the wolf pack.

We sang all week, "with arms wide open", as a joke, but I think God gave so abundantly because we lived all week with our arms open to Him in His wondrous creation.

Needless to say, my heart is very thankful.

My eucharisteos and some "photographs" below:

Stillness in the Wilderness.Solitude.Layers of clothes.Tough climbs and amazing vistas.Life stories.Trail meals.Hot chocolate.Bug bites and scratches.Sleeping under the stars.Having seen from the mountain top.

the view from my hammock

"looks like we made it!"

boy band pose!

Psalm 136
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
for his steadfast love endures forever.
2 Give thanks to the God of gods,
for his steadfast love endures forever.
3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords,
for his steadfast love endures forever;

4 to him who alone does great wonders,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
5 to him who by understanding made the heavens,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
6 to him who spread out the earth above the waters,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
7 to him who made the great lights,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
8 the sun to rule over the day,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
9 the moon and stars to rule over the night,
for his steadfast love endures forever;

10 to him who struck down the firstborn of Egypt,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
11 and brought Israel out from among them,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
12 with a strong hand and an outstretched arm,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
13 to him who divided the Red Sea in two,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
14 and made Israel pass through the midst of it,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
15 but overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red Sea,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
16 to him who led his people through the wilderness,
for his steadfast love endures forever;

17 to him who struck down great kings,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
18 and killed mighty kings,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
19 Sihon, king of the Amorites,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
20 and Og, king of Bashan,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
21 and gave their land as a heritage,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
22 a heritage to Israel his servant,
for his steadfast love endures forever.

23 It is he who remembered us in our low estate,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
24 and rescued us from our foes,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
25 he who gives food to all flesh,
for his steadfast love endures forever.

26 Give thanks to the God of heaven,
for his steadfast love endures forever.

gracias de Lima

chirimoya (Peruvian fruit)=valentine from God.

About a month ago I had the amazing opportunity to travel to Lima, Peru for 12 days as my graduation gift to visit one of bff's, slash newly BOYfriend:). Towards the end of my time there is when I was inspired to start this blog and base it on eucharisteo. My heart was bubbling over with thanks, and still is, for what God gave those 12 days. Here are a few eucharisteos of many that I recorded, along with some pictures from my trip.

Getting to the day you've been looking forward to for what seems like forever.Fresh fruit.Walks in the park.Attempting to speak Spanish.Worship en Espanol.Classical music and shuffling feet.Stunning sites.Trusting, not knowing, following his lead.Giggles from the maid in the kitchen.Golden Hour.Honest conversations.Being giddy.Siestas.Walmart feet.Scripture that declares Your greatness.TRUTH.

~N

el primero

hearts flood with thanks

at the experiences shared
a picture and memory
reveal the joy of the gifts.
gracias Abba.

The title of my blog, "Vida en Eucharisteo"...."Life in Thanks" is a phrase, a word I should say, that has changed the way I see life. Eucharisteo is simply the Greek word that means, to be thankful. Ann Voskamp's book, One Thousand Gifts, discusses the key to intimacy and joy in God is a heart of gratitude, in good times and bad. The author took on the challenge of recording litterally 1,000 things she is thankful for. After reading this book, my sweet (former) roomies and I took on this same challenge. This is not easy when our selfish selves want everything that we don't have and want to be anywhere but here. But, Thanks changes things, I have learned.

So, welcome to my blog of my life in thanks. Not a record of me venting, or a record of the places I go, but a record of my eucharisteos in life as I journey in to a new season of life. Please do join me in this journey of thankfulness.

Perhaps you will be spurred towards a heart of gratitude in your personal life journey. Perhaps you will take the challenge of recording 1,000 gifts in your life. Who knows, maybe God will radically transform your life from just a little thanks, like He has mine.

Today I am thankful for the desires of the past coming to fruition in the present.

Gracias Abba for your generosity. Thank you for the rain after seasons of dryness.

~N