We have been home for almost 3 weeks now and I feel our trip was a dream, but I know it was not a dream. My thoughts keep going back to the Boat Ride on the Sea of Galilee, the first morning in Israel. My feelings of God's presence were so great that day. I shared at our first team meeting after we returned home, last Friday, about how I felt the presence of God on the Boat and in the first convention meeting. I felt him other times also, but these two were the most distinct times. And then in the Garden Tomb, nothing! I know this may or may not be the actual spot were Jesus was laid to rest, but "He is not here, He is Risen" is so how I felt. He was not there!
I have had an overwhelming feeling of depression since we returned. It hit worst during the second week home. After sharing last week at our team meeting, I am feeling better. Keep praying for me. I know that is why I feel better, everyone is praying for me. Thank you. During our first week in Israel I hurt my left foot somehow, but it wasn't too bad. I did fine on all our walks and climbs. But since I came home I have tried to workout twice and the second time I really felt the pain. So, tomorrow I see a doctor and try to find out what I have done and how to fix it.
I hope to be able to go back to Israel again someday. It may not be in April 2009, but maybe the next time, after that. Teresa got back her pictures and mine are due in within the week. She brought hers to my work yesterday and surprised me with hers all put together in the albums and let me share with my co-workers, wow! They sure enjoyed that. We only developed the ones we took, for now. We plan to go through every one's and have more done. Just a little at a time. They are so cool to look at. I can look at most of the pictures and remember being there.
By the way, some of us went on a Greek Cruise after we left Israel. That was cool, too. It was way different than Israel. I enjoyed Myconos and Santorini , I did not get off the boat at Rhodes, but pictures show it was really nice too.
Thank you Pastor Tom and Pastor Jerry for heading up our team. I will always remember my first trip to Israel. It was wonderful getting to know everyone on our team, Donna, Carl, Bob, Jerry, Judy, Lila, Scott, Pat, Anita, Mary, Jasmyn, Sharon, David, Tom, Cindy, Linda, Teresa and me (Karen). Linda and I have been friends since 1998, when we both started going to our church (Living Way). It was awesome to be able to share this experience with her and my wonderful daughter, Teresa, who started at the church in 1992. Without my daughter, this trip would not have been possible for me. She covered most of my cost. THANK YOU, TERESA!! I remembered all the names! Yeah!
To all who read this, YOU need to go to Israel, too. Love in Christ, Karen
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Monday, August 27, 2007
See the Pictures of the Trip
Coming into Santorini, Greece
- August 2, 2007
Carl, Bob, Jerry & Tom
Cindy, Judy, Mary, Donna & Anita
Karen & Teresa
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Settling back in...
Hi everyone! I just gotta say this was an amazing trip for me. I am simply amazed by how everything fell into place for my mom and I to go. Israel and its people really touched my heart. I spent a lot of time in prayer over issues I have going on in my life. I feel I got answers for some and others I am still waiting on, but I know God is working on me.
To be honest, it's tough to be back home cause those issues that seemed to have such clear answers while in Israel have all been hitting me back home again. It's so easy when you are away from a situation, but going back into it, it's easy to fall into old habits and not consult God when I know I need to. So please keep me and our family in continued prayer as I know I am being attacked by the enemy since I have been home.
I am doing my best to keep reading the Bible (God really opened up a desire in that area for me while in Israel) and to spend more time in prayer. With my schedule, it isn't always easy, but I am working on it.
I hope everyone is well and has adjusted to being back home. Thank you to everyone that kept us in prayer while we were gone. I think it's wonderful that despite being in over 100 degree heat most of the time and all the walking, hiking and whatnot we did, nobody got sunburned, nobody got heatstroke. We all did really well. It was truly one of the best times of my life, and i pray I get to return for the April 2009 trip.
To Pastors Tom and Jerry, thank you for being our leaders. I had so much fun with everyone. You two helped make this trip great. I think you did wonderful as our leaders to give us advice, support and just simply to have fun with. To their wives, Cindy and Judy. You two are especially amazing. You have wonderful hearts and are such joys to hang around. Judy, I enjoyed meeting you and getting to know you. Cindy, I loved spending more time with you and getting to know you even better. Your heart for Israel truly shows and I thank you for sharing your experiences with us. To everyone else in the group: Each one of you touched my heart in some way. For those I go to church with, it was great to get to know you on a deeper level and get to share this with you. For those from other churches, wow, it was great to meet you all. I am amazed by how close we all got on this trip. You are all fun, amazing people and you will forever be a part of my heart through all my years. Thank you all!
Blessings, Teresa
To be honest, it's tough to be back home cause those issues that seemed to have such clear answers while in Israel have all been hitting me back home again. It's so easy when you are away from a situation, but going back into it, it's easy to fall into old habits and not consult God when I know I need to. So please keep me and our family in continued prayer as I know I am being attacked by the enemy since I have been home.
I am doing my best to keep reading the Bible (God really opened up a desire in that area for me while in Israel) and to spend more time in prayer. With my schedule, it isn't always easy, but I am working on it.
I hope everyone is well and has adjusted to being back home. Thank you to everyone that kept us in prayer while we were gone. I think it's wonderful that despite being in over 100 degree heat most of the time and all the walking, hiking and whatnot we did, nobody got sunburned, nobody got heatstroke. We all did really well. It was truly one of the best times of my life, and i pray I get to return for the April 2009 trip.
To Pastors Tom and Jerry, thank you for being our leaders. I had so much fun with everyone. You two helped make this trip great. I think you did wonderful as our leaders to give us advice, support and just simply to have fun with. To their wives, Cindy and Judy. You two are especially amazing. You have wonderful hearts and are such joys to hang around. Judy, I enjoyed meeting you and getting to know you. Cindy, I loved spending more time with you and getting to know you even better. Your heart for Israel truly shows and I thank you for sharing your experiences with us. To everyone else in the group: Each one of you touched my heart in some way. For those I go to church with, it was great to get to know you on a deeper level and get to share this with you. For those from other churches, wow, it was great to meet you all. I am amazed by how close we all got on this trip. You are all fun, amazing people and you will forever be a part of my heart through all my years. Thank you all!
Blessings, Teresa
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Saturday, August 4, 2007
Thanks and glad to be home!
Pastor Tom and Pastor Jerry, thank you for leading this wonderful trip to Israel and Greece. You did an awesome job! For those of you that prayed for us on this trip, thank you and start preparing to join Pastor Tom in 2009. You will have an awesome and wonderful time!!
Thank you Dave Frankenbery for allowing Anita to go on this trip and for providing the transportation to and from the airport. She was a wonderful room mate and we had lots of fun together getting to know each other much better!!
I'm glad to be home minus one suitcase that didn't make the flight from Atlanta! There were about 8 bags that didn't make it on our flight. I got a phone call this morning that my suitcase has arrived and will be delivered by 11:00 am. I hope the rest of the bags have also arrived and will meet up with their respective owners soon.
I went to my brother's house last night after getting back from Sea-Tac and was greeted by a very enthusiastic Jeff and Rachael! They were so happy to see their mom again. The other two were also happy but with a little less enthusiasim in their greeting. After greeting my family, I found out that the plumbing in both bathrooms isn't working properly so one of my first phone calls this morning will be to get a plumber over here to fix the problem. I didn't get to bed until about 1:45 am this morning only to be wide awake again at 3:00 am. I fought the urge to get up and was able to get a couple more hours of rest (not necessarily sleep but rest). By 5:00 am, my body wouldn't let me rest any longer and I had to get out of bed. I'm sure I'll be ready for a nap in a couple of hours. I also found out that Jonathan was going surf boarding this morning at Westport with Josh Thomure, Daniel Searles and a few others from the church. Please be praying that the friendship that has been started with Josh over the last 3 weeks while he was taking care of the animals for me will be fruitful for God's kingdom and that Jonathan will be opened up by the Holy Spirit to a living relationship with our Lord Jesus. God is able to turn the hard heart to softness through the Word and the raining down of the Holy Spirit. Do it Lord!!!
More to come,
Mary
Thank you Dave Frankenbery for allowing Anita to go on this trip and for providing the transportation to and from the airport. She was a wonderful room mate and we had lots of fun together getting to know each other much better!!
I'm glad to be home minus one suitcase that didn't make the flight from Atlanta! There were about 8 bags that didn't make it on our flight. I got a phone call this morning that my suitcase has arrived and will be delivered by 11:00 am. I hope the rest of the bags have also arrived and will meet up with their respective owners soon.
I went to my brother's house last night after getting back from Sea-Tac and was greeted by a very enthusiastic Jeff and Rachael! They were so happy to see their mom again. The other two were also happy but with a little less enthusiasim in their greeting. After greeting my family, I found out that the plumbing in both bathrooms isn't working properly so one of my first phone calls this morning will be to get a plumber over here to fix the problem. I didn't get to bed until about 1:45 am this morning only to be wide awake again at 3:00 am. I fought the urge to get up and was able to get a couple more hours of rest (not necessarily sleep but rest). By 5:00 am, my body wouldn't let me rest any longer and I had to get out of bed. I'm sure I'll be ready for a nap in a couple of hours. I also found out that Jonathan was going surf boarding this morning at Westport with Josh Thomure, Daniel Searles and a few others from the church. Please be praying that the friendship that has been started with Josh over the last 3 weeks while he was taking care of the animals for me will be fruitful for God's kingdom and that Jonathan will be opened up by the Holy Spirit to a living relationship with our Lord Jesus. God is able to turn the hard heart to softness through the Word and the raining down of the Holy Spirit. Do it Lord!!!
More to come,
Mary
We're Home!
Well, we are home... tired but here.
Each team member did great... I am proud and thankful of each one of you.
You were each wonderful, responded so well to each other and leadership, and extended happy grace to all when fatigue hit!
We had an awesome time... a lifetime of memories and 26gb of pictures. Just arranging and deciding which to share and reproduce will be a large, happy, job.
I'm up late, waiting for the benadryl to kick in so I can get some halfway decent sleep.
In the meantime, thanks to all who stayed behind and prayed and supported us in going. You are a part of any spiritual benefit reaped on this trip.
To each team member, please post much in the next few weeks. The posts don't have to be in a particular order, we just want to hear your impressions and thoughts, with or without photos. We love everyone's comments by the way.
Blessings on each of you, and mark your calendars for April 2009!
Shalom,
Pastor Tom
Each team member did great... I am proud and thankful of each one of you.
You were each wonderful, responded so well to each other and leadership, and extended happy grace to all when fatigue hit!
We had an awesome time... a lifetime of memories and 26gb of pictures. Just arranging and deciding which to share and reproduce will be a large, happy, job.
I'm up late, waiting for the benadryl to kick in so I can get some halfway decent sleep.
In the meantime, thanks to all who stayed behind and prayed and supported us in going. You are a part of any spiritual benefit reaped on this trip.
To each team member, please post much in the next few weeks. The posts don't have to be in a particular order, we just want to hear your impressions and thoughts, with or without photos. We love everyone's comments by the way.
Blessings on each of you, and mark your calendars for April 2009!
Shalom,
Pastor Tom
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