After a full month of life in Cuenca, I am now sitting on my hostel bed in Baños, Ecuador. This is the first debrief where I feel like I need to take time for myself to…well…debrief. Go figure. While it took me about a week to get into the swing of things with my new home in Cuenca, the Lord pulled me through, and I received the blessings He had for me. And, wow, there were blessings!
Leaving my Cuenca family was hard. Again, I dove in, gave my all, let people in, poured out and got poured into, and then I had to leave. But oh what a beautiful month! What a beautiful life I live. And if this month, after last month, was still able to be so special; if the Lord still blessed me with people I love, lessons to learn, and hope for the future, what could next month hold?
This morning in “girl time” we talked about worship. The question was asked, “What does worship look like to you?”. Normally I would say I am an experiential worshipper. I love a full room, full band, lights, sound, my favorite songs, the whole deal. But, as I began to think past my typical answer of my love for music and worshipping the Lord in song, I began to see memories flash before my eyes. I would like to share those with you:
Romans 12:1 – Therefore, I urge you brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer yourselves as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God. This is your Spiritual act of worship.
When experiential worship isn’t available:
Worship is dancing with children. Hugging, teaching, laughing. Being Jesus to His precious ones. 
It’s washing dishes and making juice.
It’s singing on top of a freezing mountain at 4am.
It’s walking “by myself” and remembering that I am constantly being pursued.
It’s celebrating lives together.
It’s walking through a waterfall.
It’s sitting in a room playing music to the Lord. Singing out despite the fact that the whole house can hear.
It’s praying over journals and writing scripture of encouragement and wisdom.
It’s sharing the hard conversations and pointing our stories to the goodness of the Lord.
It’s loving when I’m tired, sick, or my heart just isn’t in it. 
It’s pursuing beyond my own ability.
Worship is living — using the gift the Lord has given, for His glory.
