Tomorrow I leave for the trip of a lifetime. You know, the one you hope for and dream might happen, but are never really sure it will become a reality; touring the Holy Land (in the season leading up to Easter as a bonus).
I may be nervous about flying half way around the world, over the ocean, overnight, leaving all my people on a different continent for eleven days.Or maybe I'm nervous my husband won't be with me: the one who tells me where to be, what to be holding, when to be ready, and handles all the tedious details of travelling. Realizing we haven't spent this many days apart since enduring trauma together a few years ago. Yes, we have become that knit together couple, and love it.
Of course, I realize these things will work themselves out; I am schlepping to the Middle East alongside a travel-experienced friend and an organized tour group that likely will set this Type A tourist at ease.
(For the record, just because I packed 5 dresses and a skirt DOES NOT mean I'm trying to make a fashion statement every day (as I've been accused). They are just more comfortable and take no space in my suitcase! Also, for those worried, I'm wearing one pair of shoes and bringing only one more. One set of gold jewelry, one silver. One watch. So there. I can do this.)
Ahem. Back to important things.
Excitement and anticipation flood my thoughts. I can scarcely think of anything else.
It started back in August when I received this message from my friend Sue.
"Shrieeeeeeekkkkkkkk! Gladly fund the trip? But why? I still don't have that answer. What an incredible gift from multiple givers! From two friends; one who chose me as her companion, the other - her husband and my best high school buddy - treating me to this adventure. I'm still reeling at the weightiness of this generous gesture.
And also from God Himself. Convinced my Father in heaven has invited me to come and see, I've poured over the maps, the study guides, the agenda - everything in my packet and other resources (book nerd) - and I know this trip will change my life.
Tucked in my suitcase is another special gift. A thoughtful and creative young woman I love (my pastor's wife), gave me something to take with me. It's a travel journal she designed - an offering for every day I'm gone. Prayers, Bible verses, questions to answer, encouragements. In many ways, her presence will accompany me through this book.
On one of the first pages is the question,
"What are you expecting from this trip?"
I expect to cry a lot. Sincerely, I hope time is scheduled just to sit down and bawl. Frankly, I already have quite a few times and I haven't even left the U.S.
To walk where Jesus walked. To witness the stories in the Bible come alive. To imagine. To see. To taste: olives, olive oil, figs, and much more I hope.
I expect in seeing the land up close and in person to be given fresh insight and understanding to so much of the image and illustration in the Bible text. Things I have yet to know the full meaning behind because I haven't seen the trees, the stone roads, the plants, the mountains, the caves, the waters, and the people, their eyes; and how all of these interact with the Greatest Story.
I expect to marvel not just at what it looks like, but what Israel feels like: the wind, the Dead Sea, the Jordan River, the dirt paths, the rugged trees.
I expect to leave with a full technicolor representation of God's ancient plan to love, rescue and redeem all mankind, and the zeal to tell everyone I meet.
I expect to see faces different from my own, beautiful faces to enlarge my scope of loving all people created in God's image. I expect new friendships and extra affection and fun in an existing one.I expect to become BFF's with Lysa TerKeurst, our Bible teacher. I mean, maybe we already are: I have read her books, completed her Bible studies, heard her speak from the stage and met her here at Camp of the Woods once. No big deal.
Mostly, I expect to feel, know and experience God's very individual love toward me, which is a work already in progress. My feet are most likely in the shallow end right now, and I expect to be launched into the deep. I am sure I will be enamored with many things in the Promised Land (hello shopping for souvenirs!) but growing closer to God and knowing Him more intimately is the main reason for this trip.
I expect Psalm 66 abundance and Ephesians 3:20, 21 surprises.
I expect I can't really expect all God has in store for us. I've pack lots of tissues.
Lastly, I expect to take lots of photos and take good notes for anyone who'd like to journey along with me. I'll see you back here as often as the wi-fi is available- and only then - because Scott has already informed me we aren't getting a special international phone plan. That's my guy!
If you're interested I can be found on Instagram @adk_angela and Facebook Angela DeFrancis Burtis. I'd love your company.
Ephesians 3:20, 21
"Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen."
Psalm 66
Shout for joy to God, all the earth;
2 sing the glory of his name;
give to him glorious praise!
3 Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds!
So great is your power that your enemies come cringing to you.
4 All the earth worships you
and sings praises to you; they sing praises to your name.” Selah
2 sing the glory of his name;
give to him glorious praise!
3 Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds!
So great is your power that your enemies come cringing to you.
4 All the earth worships you
and sings praises to you; they sing praises to your name.” Selah
5 Come and see what God has done:
he is awesome in his deeds toward the children of man.
6 He turned the sea into dry land; they passed through the river on foot.
There did we rejoice in him,
7 who rules by his might forever,
whose eyes keep watch on the nations—
let not the rebellious exalt themselves. Selah
he is awesome in his deeds toward the children of man.
6 He turned the sea into dry land; they passed through the river on foot.
There did we rejoice in him,
7 who rules by his might forever,
whose eyes keep watch on the nations—
let not the rebellious exalt themselves. Selah
8 Bless our God, O peoples;
let the sound of his praise be heard,
9 who has kept our soul among the living
and has not let our feet slip.
10 For you, O God, have tested us;
you have tried us as silver is tried.
11 You brought us into the net;
you laid a crushing burden on our backs;
12 you let men ride over our heads;
we went through fire and through water;
yet you have brought us out to a place of abundance.
let the sound of his praise be heard,
9 who has kept our soul among the living
and has not let our feet slip.
10 For you, O God, have tested us;
you have tried us as silver is tried.
11 You brought us into the net;
you laid a crushing burden on our backs;
12 you let men ride over our heads;
we went through fire and through water;
yet you have brought us out to a place of abundance.
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