I thought this blog that I have been planning in my head and compiling pictures for since month one would have all 11 months in it and I’m sad that it won’t.
If you know me, you know I love nature and especially sunsets. I love the colors and the science behind how it all happens. every time I see a super colorful sunset I am always taken back by its beauty. I can’t help but be in awe of God’s paintings in the sky.
this blog has one to two pictures from each month of a sunset. please enjoy beauty through my eyes the past 10 months.
Month One.
Nicaragua.
on the plane to Nicaragua, my first international flight. one of my favorite plane window shots.
there was not many sunsets that had a lot of color in Nicaragua, but I remember this night. we were hammocking in our corner as always, giggling away. just getting to know each other.
Month Two.
Jaco, Costa Rica.
one of the most beautiful sunsets I’ve ever seen in my life. this night we were celebrating Mac’s birthday with a picnic on the beach and swimming. I remember trying to get a time lapse of the sky because it was just that magnificent. I ended up messing up the time lapse so I sat there and watched the colors fade away.
Month Three.
Boquete, Panama
this month we were up in the mountains in the valley. it rained a lot there. there wasn’t many sunsets or sunrises. this night we were driving home from hanging out with a church and my TL at the time snapped this on my camera as we were driving home. I love this picture because it kinda symbolized the month for me looking back. blurry and messy – but still beautiful and full of color.
Month Four.
Casablanca, Morocco.
we were in Morocco for six weeks so there are a couple more shots. plus there was some great color in the sky most nights. this first shot was on top of our host familys house. that roof was such a blessing for us.
Marrakesh, Morocco.
this picture was after a long day of adventuring at the Medina on a rooftop drinking espresso.
the morning after we woke up on the stars in the Sahara Desert.
this sunset is special to me because it was on the balcony of the family we nannied and taught homeschool for. we had dinners with them, worshiped with them and laughed so much. I miss this family dearly.
the night of team changes, our new team walked to this beautiful mosque and the sun was lit up behind it.
Month Five.
Ethiopia.
this picture was taken off of the patio that we hung out on a lot. I love the rays of light in this picture.
Month six/seven.
South Asia.
Mads took this picture in her remote village because I didn’t go outside at night for four weeks.
Month Eight.
Kathmandu/Gorka, Nepal.
these sunsets in Gorka were so beautiful. this was after a “not so hard” hike straight up the side of the mountain. LOL. the people of this country are some of the most beautiful people I have ever seen. Waking up to the Himalayan mountains in your backyard is nothing I have ever experienced before. I loved it.
we got to have nightly fires and this beautiful sky came out of no where.
Month Nine.
Myanmar.
this was a pretty sunset at the beach. there’s something about the crashing waves and a pretty sky that makes this girl pretty happy.
Month Ten.
Phuket, Thailand.
this was taken tonight. those cotton candy skys are always a good note to end on. I got to sit outside with Mads, eat way too much McDonalds (we were feeding the feels) and listening to good music. times like this I am going to miss more than I can express.
this is my farewell letter. it makes sense that I’ve been collecting memories with sunsets for the past ten months. God knew before we left, that we were going to come home early. He isn’t a God of confusion or surprise. He KNOWS everything. From beginning to end. The sun is setting in this chapter of my life and I am sad.
I didn’t think the race would end like this. I really didn’t. I am feeling so many emotions. Sad to leave my people but excited to be home with my family, friends and my sweet Cameron.
I have gotten a lot better at processing my emotions and feelings, but I need to do them at my pace and on my time. Please be praying for me! I want to feel everything I am supposed to (that’s huge growth if you know me), everything that the Lord wants me to feel.
Thank you to everyone who has supported me on this journey. I really couldn’t have done it without you. When I first started fundraising for this trip, I just asked God “if this is meant to be, bring your people to me. Bring your warriors.” and that’s exactly what he did. every single person reading this and more.
Thank you Father for the refining me throughout this whole process, helping me love myself and others around me better. Thank you for letting your Word come alive to me. Thank you for the community of people you surrounded me with for the last ten months. Thank you for letting me experience your Church all around the world. Thank you for expanding my capacity.
God is a perfect and GOOD God. I believe that. I believe he is sovereign over all and he works ALL things together for our good.
until next time,
Lauren
