Last month, my husband and I, along with one son and thirty one other people from Texas and New Mexico, toured Israel, the Holy Land. It was a great trip in a lot of respects. We met some wonderful people who love Jesus, have quick senses of humor, and are great conversationalists.
I spent nine days focusing on one son, a rare treat as the mother of four.
I saw some beautiful sights and ate delicious food. I tried to eat my weight in hummus. It’s served even at breakfast, so that’s an easy effort.
I sailed on the Sea of Galilee (see picture above), rode a camel, and floated in the Dead Sea.
(My camel buddy was Kelly.)
(No picture of me floating in the Dead Sea exists. A praise.)
I saw a double rainbow over the Promised Land. Beautiful and breathtaking.
After our Israel trip, we tagged on three days in Jordan and observed our other son haggling with taxi drivers over correct fares…in Arabic. We met the friends he’s made–Muslims and Christians–over there. We experienced the family-owned business where he eats a lot of his meals and the cross-fit gym where he works out.
(At the Roman Ruins in Amman, Jordan)
We did more siteseeing at Petra and experienced the state of the world now, moving through two security checkpoints, including a pat down search just to enter our hotel.
(The Treasury at Petra)
Yes, we had a fabulous trip, and I’m grateful for it.
But I know the people who ask me, “Didn’t you love being there? Wasn’t it wonderful?” are asking for a different answer. They want to know, “Didn’t you experience Jesus in a real way? Couldn’t you feel His presence like never before?”
Well, actually, no.
I didn’t get a tingle when we visited the beautiful, traditionally-accepted spot for the Mount of the Beatitudes. Goosebumps didn’t pop when we saw the traditionally-accepted place Jesus was baptised in the Jordan River.
I had special experiences with our new friends, but they could have happened anywhere in the world. I kept thinking about what the angel told the women at the empty tomb on the third day, “He is not here; He has risen, just as He said.” Matthew 28:6
His footprints marked Israel thousands of years ago, but His fingerprints linger everywhere today. Praise God I can experience Him any time, anywhere.
(If you’d like to see more pictures from our trip, please visit my Facebook page.)
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