Holy Land Trip 2014

Well, I'm sitting on the bus, on the way to O'Hare. A couple of weeks ago, i was thinking about my trip to Israel. I cannot believe that it is already here. It's a bittersweet time for me, as I am going on my first real trip outside of the US without my mom, who was my traveling companion for several years. The good thing is that the travel group I am going with are all people (well, at least most of them) from my church. In addition, Israel and Jordan weren't really places that were high on my mom's bucket list as places she wanted to travel. To be able to do so with people I know is a wonderful thing.

A lot has been going through my mind about this trip. It seems like yesterday that I had seen the article in the bulletin at church about the trip back in August 2013. The moment I saw it, I knew that I had to go. I've always been fascinated by Israel, wondering about the history, the geography, the food,the people.

I'd be remiss if I didn't mention that I wasn't the least bit afraid. After all, Israel isn't located in the most hospitable of places and seems like something or someone every day is denouncing or threatening them in some way. In today's age, there is still religious and civil unrest, even thousands of years later.

I look at it this way: you just can't be afraid. I look at going to Israel as an opportunity of a lifetime, to learn in so many different ways. I am excited to see places and areas that I was taught about in Sunday school. The stories of the Bible will take on new meaning for me, and perhaps deepen my spiritual understanding.

Am I worried? No. Anxious? Yes, but probably for reasons most people assume. I'm anxious about whether or not Im going to have the right clothing to wear, or if I am going to fit into the airplane seat. I'm anxious about whom I'll be having breakfast with, and if I do, what will I say to people? I'm anxious about whom I'll be sitting with on the plane, or my luggage making it to Tel Aviv, or whether or not I'll wake up on time for touring each day. I fear being the the person everyone will forever refer to as "that guy" that is a pain in the ass on the trip. You know, the one that everyone will talk about with their friends for all eternity.

So my anxiety is not what people assume, What I do know is that no matter what, the Spirit of God surrounds me each and every day. There is no spot where God is not. My faith in that promise calms my restlessness, and settles my soul when nerves take over.

I'm looking forward to this trip, this adventure, and the possibilities for growth as a person in character, and most of all in faith.



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