We are signed up to go to Israel in a little over a month!
With the rockets flying and the 24/7 news reports of the awful stuff going on in that country, you’d think this chicken chick would be looking for every possible way of getting out of going there! I don’t do danger!!
But I am still extremely excited about the trip. The thoughts of walking where Jesus walked, seeing sights He saw and breathing air that might contain one molecule of the oxygen that went in and out of His lungs are exhilarating to me!! I know that last part is weird, but that’s my brain for you.
My husband – the guy who jumped out of airplanes when we were just married (when I was sure I’d be a widow before our first year’s anniversary!); who trained to scuba dive in underwater caves; who skied off a mountain, breaking nearly every rib and permanently injuring his spine, and then went back to try to ski again 2 years later, although he was still partially paralyzed from the other ski accident; who has made me ride on the back of motorbikes off the beaten path of almost every country we’ve ever visited – that guy is scared to take this trip to the Holy Land! He’d probably rather I use the word “apprehensive.”
Is my sense of adventure finally kicking in? I cancelled out on a trip to Israel 10 years ago. But this time I really want to go!
Let the rockets fly! My God is an awesome God and He still loves Israel and instructs us to love her too. “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May those who love you be secure.”(Psalm 122:6 NIV) I love Israel, so I am secure. Period. However that plays out with God.
When we decided to go on the trip we laughed: “What better place to die than the Holy Land?” I think these words may now seem closer to the truth than my husband was honestly thinking. I’ve got a lot more living I want to do. But if my time is up (and only the Good Lord knows when that is) wouldn’t it make a better story to die in Israel than in a car wreck on Interstate 85? Or on the streets of Chicago? Or even in a ski accident in Colorado!
So, unless the State Department intervenes, the tour company cancels, or God tells me “NO!” we’re going. And so far I get nothing but a “thumbs up” from my Lord!
The Smell of Jesus 
July 21, 2014 at 4:02 pm
Varner, we are having a meeting Tuesday night with the travel company rep about our Oct. trip to the holy land. We are too apprehensive about the situation and don’t see things improving anytime soon. Will let you know what they say.
July 21, 2014 at 11:52 pm
Thanks Mary Ann. I still have a peace about going.
July 21, 2014 at 5:24 pm
VARNER…ONLY YOU WOULD VENTURE OUT TO A DANGER ZONE. WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO “WIVES, SUBMITT YOURSELF TO YOUR HUSBANDS?!?” FOR A ‘SOTHERN BELLE” YOU CERTAINLY ARE BRAVE AND ARE DEFINELY “STEPPING OUT OF THE BOX.” BUT IF THIS IS WHAT YOU FEEL GOD IS TELLING YOU TO DO THEN I SAY….”YOU GO GIRL”….AND MAY ADONAI SEND HIS BEST LEGION OF 10,00O ANGELS TO
WATCH OVER YOU! SHALOM!
July 21, 2014 at 11:51 pm
Dolores, you know the relationship JD and I have – it’s very give and take! (I’d like to say “Submit, hell!” but that’s a bit strong :)) I have gone along with a lot of his wild and crazy ideas for nearly 50 years. This is mine. However, I will submit to the Lord should He make it plain that we shouldn’t go over there at this time!!