thanksgiving in October!!

It’s already been a month and our time in Nicaragua is coming to an end. It honestly baffles me how fast time goes by— I feel like somehow I’m still living in the month of July but here we are, in October, and over halfway through this semester trip! The past 3 days, my squad and I have been able to reflect and celebrate the past month here in Granada. We celebrated Thanksgiving yesterday because one of our squad mates is Canadian and it was the day they celebrate— and honestly, why not?! Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday so the fact that I get to celebrate it twice in one year makes me so happy. (Side note: I’ve never actually hosted thanksgiving but yesterday was so much fun- cooking with the squad and setting up the table and chairs…I’m still excited thinking back to it!!!) 

My favorite part of our dinner last night was when we went around the table and all said something that we were thankful for. One thing I love about M squad is their heart of thankfulness and the way they regularly share what their thankful for, giving glory back to the Giver of it all. 

So, in honor of Canadian thanksgiving, here are some things I’m thankful for!

•(what I shared last night): For God’s plan that is way bigger than mine and the fact that through all the small details of life, He placed me in Nicaragua to celebrate thanksgiving on October 10th because it’s Canada’s holiday and I get a whole new community of 16 individuals to celebrate it with!! (like what really!!! It blows my mind)

•For the 16 individuals that I get to do life with for this season!! They’ve encouraged me so much and I’ve learned so much from them

•The people at the ministry site that we’re living at. They are so patient and so kind!! I think they think I know more Spanish than I actually do but they are so patient with me and always willing to help. They are so full of joy and work hard and with excellence. The relationships they’ve built within the community we do ministry in is authentic, admirable and set such an example for the importance of a relational ministry. 

•Prayer walking ministry days. These were my absolute favorite!! They made me so excited because you never knew what you would walk into or what story you would hear, but it was so fun to see how the Lord would show up. Also, returning back week after week to see the people and families we prayed for was so encouraging to me. 

•The fact that the Lord really doesn’t need us to do any of this, but He chooses us anyways and let’s us be a part of what He’s doing here on earth!! Because He’s good and He wants relationship with us and He uses us anyways!!

•5am prayer times!!

•Walks in the soccer field or down the dirt (mud) path. The other day during one of those walks, I thought about all of the conversations I had with the Lord this past month in the soccer field or the muddy path and it made me a little teary— the fact that I always knew He would meet me there and every time He really did. 

•God’s love!!!! The Lord has taken me on a long journey (and continues to!!!) for the past 2 years and it’s been so cool and so sweet to see the full circle moments He keeps bringing me back to within that time— maybe I’ll write about that next!!!

 There has been so many times this past month that I’ve waken up or just sit in a moment and feel like the most blessed person. I get overwhelmed with how good the Lord is, how big His love is and just His intentionality in alllll the details of my life. 

My squad and I will be leaving bright and early tomorrow to head to Costa Rica for our last month on the field. Pray for us as we head there: for safe travels, for our ministry there and for us to continue to grasp the knowledge of just how much we are loved by our Maker!!

Be blessed friends!! 
MK