What a morning to remember. This past Sunday, I traded the comfort of my warm bed for the thrill of a mountain sunrise, shared with a team I’ve come to love over the past four weeks.

Some of my teammates had already walked the same mountain during daylight. So they had the idea to hike up to see the sun push through the horizon, So at 3:45 a.m., more than half of our team rose to the challenge, we had headlamps, water bottles, guitars, and cameras ready for when we got to the top.

I had slightly shaky legs, I was sweaty, out of breath, and very tired, the kind of tired that sits on your shoulders and makes every step feel deliberate. Yet there was a strange comfort as well. I was surrounded by people I love, and care about. People who can make me laugh and feel safe, as well as help me better myself and gain a closer relationship with god. They keep me accountable.

As we pushed through and finally reached the top, a moment of relief washed over me. The sun, of course, wasn’t quite ready to come up, and so we waited. At 6:00 a.m. the first hints of light began to creep along the rim of the mountains that surrounded us. In that patience, there was something almost holy, an ordinary moment that required us to slow down, to be still, and to watch Gods creation in all its glory.

If we’d slept a little longer, the walk would have felt easier, we would have been able to actually see where we were walking. But we chose a different path one that required us to stay present, to lean into the collective. Staying together added a layer of meaning that would have been impossible to recreate alone. We found ourselves laughing, singing, and taking a lot of photos. I mean like a lot of photos. We've only been here for a month and our shared album has way too many photos.

Watching the sun come up was, itself, a lesson in grace. The first light bled pink into the clouds, then burned brighter, painting the sky. In that glow, I felt a surge of peace. That I was right where God wanted me to be. All these opportunity's I've been given to see the beauty of his creation. it was a reminder of what can happen when we choose to show up, show up again, and let the world unfold where we are placed by God. And I am just so amazed that God has placed me here in Albania. And I am so excited for what else is to come while I'm here.