Vacation

I haven't updated in forever.

I apologize.

The quick version:

1. I'm back in Georgia.

2. I'm soaking up every second of summer vacation that I can.

Love from a relaxed and sunburned Lauren.

You can sleep when you're dead

This past weekend = craziness. Seriously. Complete and total insanity.

Thursday night was the Fellows last night at the beach and our last time all together as a Fellows class (I'm still in denial, so this doesn't make me sad yet). We, of course, celebrated with lots of funny, cheesy beach pictures, which I have to share because they are just too great...

We look like we belong in a frame...

Don't we make a cute family?

This picture/these people just make me laugh.

The ladies (aka Fellowettes)

The gents.

The youth group Fellows (looove this crew. we had a lot of fun this year.)

Friday we woke up bright and early to road trip home (insert 4 hours of sleep here). One Chick-Fil-A lunch pit stop and lots of car dancing later, we were back in Nova. Friday night was our Fellows Year-End Banquet. My parents drove all the way up from Atlanta to be there, and it was such a great way to end our Fellows year. We had our families, host families, mentors, church staff - everyone involved with the program this year - there with us to celebrate the past nine months. It was amazing to see the "village" it really does take to make Fellows happen, and to see everyone who has supported me through this experience in the same room. We, of course, sang "I'll Fly Away" to close out the year, and just like that, I was done with my time as a Capital Fellow.

I didn't have a lot of time to think about it, though, because life kept going full speed ahead. After a few celebrations Friday night (insert 3 hours of sleep here), it was time to start packing up my room in Great Falls. My parents loaded most of my stuff Saturday morning, and after a lunch with my host parents that afternoon they were off again to Atlanta! (They are rockstars and made it all the way back on Saturday. woah.)

Saturday night I got to have a mini UGA-in-DC reunion while Cleveland was in town! Four of us had a yummy homemade fajita meal before heading out for the evening.

Sunday morning (insert 3 hours of sleep here) was my last Sunday at McLean Pres. The youth group Fellows helped coordinate our last monthly breakfast for the youth and had the chance to say a thank-you to the students. It was a great way to wrap up our year of ministry!

Add in brunch with Cleveland and Wendy, fro-yo with Caryne and a movie night, and you have one busy, wonderful weekend. With only 10 hours of sleep to get me through the whole thing. Impressive, no?

Love from a very sleepy, very happy Lauren.

To you nine...

[This is part of the thank you I gave to the Fellows at our end of year banquet last night. I have no better way to sum up what the year and these people have meant to me.]

The biggest lessons of my Fellows year came from that which was not planned, scheduled or scripted. I have learned from conversations and jokes shared around the dinner table. I have learned from the prayer requests shared, prayed over, and answered. I’ve learned from the prayer requests that were not answered, or at least not in the way we expected. I’ve learned from discussions of the books everyone was currently reading, or the music everyone was listening to (which in our group, was an incredibly diverse and passionate list). I’ve learned the most from my fellow Fellows. So, while a thank you to our leaders, teachers and volunteers is absolutely warranted and much-deserved, I have to offer the greatest thanks to you nine who have challenged me, encouraged me, pushed me, prayed for me, cried with me, celebrated with me, and walked alongside me these past nine months. Thank you for the memories, the hugs, the words of affirmation and, of course, the quote board. Thank you for showing me the body of Christ. My experience would not be the same without your friendship and faithful presence throughout this Fellows program.. You all made my Fellows experience what it is. I love you all – thank you for everything!

Lauren

DC Bucket List

The last few weeks of living in DC have brought with them: craziness. lack of sleep. lots of "see you later"s (I am still refusing to call them goodbyes). But most importantly, they have inspired my DC Bucket List - things I absolutely have to see and do while I still live here in our nation's capital. Here's a look at a few of the highlights so far...

Went to the National Cathedral...

the Newseum...

and Arlington National Cemetery, just in time for Memorial Day...

And, even though there is no picture, I've also hit the National Portrait Gallery and National Gallery of Art. Whew! I am feeling pretty darn patriotic, folks. And there is still more to come!

Love from your favorite tourist,

Lauren