Month: June 2019

This year my 1st full day in Israel was on Memorial Day for the U.S.  We started in Ceasarea and ended at the Sea of Galilee. But in the midst of it, we stopped to remember… to remember that freedom isn’t free, and to be grateful for all who paid the ultimate sacrifice for us.

As on every day of the tour, we began by reading Psalm 91 out loud together (on this day Pastor George and Terri were on our bus and led us). Then we prayed and thanked God for his protection and leading.

 

Next we visited Ceasarea on the Mediterranean, saw some ruins (including an aqueduct) and other parts that are still in use (like the amphitheater).  We also visited Mt. Carmel and saw the Jezreel Valley (a.k.a, the Valley of Meggido).

We planted trees! It’s a big deal — over 2 Million have been planted since they Jews returned to the land in 1948. It was truly an honor to remember those who gave their lives by planting trees. Several leaders and guides shared, and then we got to work in the hot Israeli sun. Our trees will be irrigated for 2 years, and then grow on their own. I like to think of how big they’ll be in ten years – and the part they will plant to make a difference in the land. I am thankful for Albert who helped me plant it too!

On to the Sea of Galilee, with our next stop on the Mount of Beatitudes for a teaching from Matthew 5. I can picture the people sitting on the hills and hearing Jesus with the wild grasses and the wind softly blowing and the sea below. It seems so wild in spots, I think it probably looks pretty much the same as when He walked there with his disciples.

We stayed at the Sea of Galilee Hotel in Magdala (remember Mary Magdalene? – she came from there). The scenery was breath-taking, and as evening came the winds increased making the palm trees sway. We slept with our door cracked open, again… enjoying the gentle breezes and sounds of the Galilee.

I am grateful for every moment. and I for now will leave you with these words from Matthew 5:

“What delight comes to you when you wait upon the Lord! For you shall find what you long for. What blessing comes to you when gentleness lives in you! For you will inherit the earth. How enriched you are when you crave righteousness! For you will be surrounded with fruitfulness. What bliss you will experience when your heart is pure! For you will see more and more of God.”

And I say, amen, so be it Lord.

Scripture quotations marked TPT are from The Passion Translation®. Copyright © 2017, 2018 by Passion & Fire Ministries, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

As I sit on my couch enjoying the early morning sunshine in Michigan, I am so grateful that just two weeks ago I was waking up in Israel at beginning of a wonderful trip. It was a great joy and blessing, so I want to share it with all of you. We did so much and my heart is so full that I’ll need to share it in “bite sized” pieces.

Days 1 and 2 were travel days where sleep was hard to come by since we were all so excited to get to Israel. We were at the airport by 8:30 am on Saturday and did not arrive in Israel until Sunday evening.  It wasn’t easy, but it was so worth it! First there was a short flight to Chicago, a delay of the flight to Newark, a force in change of planes due to issues with plane 1. We arrived in Newark, NJ and had to collect our bags very quickly, change terminals and then check in at El Al. But 1st we had to go through interviews with El Al/customs that were very rigorous, I had to answer questions for 30 minutes.

The flight left at 11:30 pm and finally, on Sunday evening we arrived at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv, Israel. We got through customs, collected our bags, met up with the rest of the tour and our four buses headed to The Western Lagoon Hotel in Netanya. We had a lovely dinner and went to bed.

 

The next morning we awoke to a beautiful view of the Mediterranean.

I’ll share more soon, but for now I leave you with this encouragement from Jeremiah 29:11-12 (Good News Translation)

“I alone know the plans I have for you, plans to bring you prosperity and not disaster, plans to bring about the future you hope for. Then you will call to me. You will come and pray to me and i will answer you.”

Oh how He loves us!