Trip of a Lifetime - Day 1 & 2

After returning from the trip of a lifetime, I have been trying to decide how to document this adventure.  I think I will do a post capturing each day so..... bear with me because that will be about 10 posts!

Matt and I were given the opportunity to host a group on a trip to Israel...the Holy Land!  Never in a million years would I have thought that we would get to make this trip this early in our lives.  For whatever reason, when I think about people going to the Holy Land I imagine the older generation (and for the most part that is what we saw.)  One of Matt's seminary professors, Dr. Bill Tolar, came to Fairview last year and taught the Winter Bible Study in 2010.  On the last night he encouraged our church folks to consider a trip to the Holy Land.  He teams up with Dehoney Travel and lectures groups in the Holy Land several times a year.  He loves to see his former students have the Bible come to life in the Holy Land (the trip would not have been the same without him.)  He is 83 years old and says he won't retire as long as he can continue to take these young people to Israel.  With Dehoney Travel, the pastor goes for free with the first 5 people to sign up and the pastor's wife (that's me!) goes for free with the next 5 people.  Guess what??  We took 15 people with us therefore Matt and I were able to go for next to nothing!!  What a blessing!

We left Shreveport, La. on March 7th and had layovers in Houston and New Jersey before embarking on a VERY long flight (10+ hours) to Tel Aviv.

Part of our group in Shreveport, La.

Not the normal view out of your airplane window!

It was nearly impossible to sleep on the crowded flight due to our excitement and anxiousness.  Upon landing in Tel Aviv, we were greeted by a Dehoney representative and transferred to Gai Beach Hotel in Tiberias.

Dr. Tolar and our Dehoney Representative

 

  After a delicious meal, we went to bed anticipating the adventures that were ahead....

Delicious food

The view out of our hotel room....Sea of Galilee

**Our hotel rested on the shores of the Sea of Galilee which is fed by the Jordan River. The Sea of Galilee is 13 miles long and 7 miles wide. At its deepest point the body of water is about 150 feet deep. The peaceful calm of the Sea of Galilee can quickly become a maze of white-cap waves as a storm approaches. And like many of our Texas lakes, the Sea of Galilee is currently about 12-feet low.  

**As quoted from Jim Binns ( a fellow pilgrim on our trip)

Our Hero

Today my brother was deployed once again!  Saying goodbye is never easy but we are proud of his mission in protecting our freedom. This is his third time to serve our country on foreign soil and we love calling him "our hero!" 

Jason and DD

My siblings

Jason's Family

Governor Bobby Jindal

Jason's son, Zac, making sure all the stars are there!

Upward

Claire and Levi participated in a wonderful sports program at FBC Natchitoches called Upward Basketball.  Upward Sports is a first-class sports experience that emphasizes healthy competition, sportsmanship, skills building and fun versus the “win-at-all-costs” mentality found in many children sports leagues.  It was a rewarding experience for both of them! 

 

 

Nawlins

This past weekend, Matt and I had the opportunity to spend some time in New Orleans (pronounced in the South...Nawlins).  We were privileged to see my mother-in-law receive a very distinguished award called the Charles E. Dunbar Career Service Award presented by the Louisiana Civil Service League.  We are very proud of her and her 38 years of service to our great state!  

She treated us well in New Orleans with a wonderful night's stay at the Bienville House located on Decatur Street in Downtown N.O.

 

 

 The food in N.O. is like none other....it is out of this world.... DELICIOUS!  That evening, we dined at the Palace Cafe on Canal Street.  On the menu for me was filet mignon on a bed of mashed potatoes with blue cheese crumbles and sauteed onions.....melt in your mouth good!

One of the highlights of the weekend was our visit to the National World War II Museum.  This museum is AMAZING.  It is a tribute to those who so valiantly served our country and fought for our freedom during World War II!  It was especially meaningful and moving for our family because our grandfathers served in this war.  We also watched the 4D movie that was produced by Tom Hanks called Beyond All Boundaries.  It was an excellent re-telling of what happened....you don't want to miss it if you visit New Orleans.

 

 

Mr. Leonard served in the Air Force during Vietnam.

 

This young man lived just down the road from where Matt and I are living now.

The Cost of Victory

A trip to New Orleans wouldn't be complete without a visit to the famous Cafe Du Monde for Beignets and Cafe au Lait!  

Yummy....makes my mouth water just looking at it!

Coffee Connoisseur 

The finished product...I really wanted to lick the powdered sugar too but thought that might be inappropriate.

Sights you might see while taking a stroll around the French Quarter:

 

 

 

 My Uncle Don and Aunt Mary who live in New Orleans treated us to a wonderful lunch and a trip to the French Market to buy souvenirs.  If you see them around town, stop and say Hi!

St. Louis Cathedral in Jackson Square

We had a great time!  It was a much needed get-away!

Laissez les bon temps rouler!

Celebration

Since my last post was a little depressing, I thought I would add a happy post!

A few weeks ago, Claire celebrated her birthday with a sleepover and the girls had a blast!  I can't help but smile when I think about the giggles that I heard until the wee hours of the morning. 

I think they FINALLY went to sleep between 1:30 and 3:00....that's when I stopped hearing them giggle.  I thank God for Claire's friendships!

Merry Go Round

Have you ever felt like you were on a merry go round and just couldn't get off??  That's the ride I have been on for the past several weeks and it hasn't been all that fun!  

Being in the ministry is a blessing as well as a challenge at times.  Growing up in a pastor's home helped prepare me for many of the situations my family has encountered.  We have been traveling to the hospital (an hour away) several times a week to check on and pray with a dear lady in our church who had a surgery with many complications following.  I covet your prayers for her as she continues on the LONG road to recovery and as she is also approaching the one year death anniversary of her husband.  

I attended two funerals last week.  One was like a grandmother to me as I spent many hours playing at her house with her grandchildren while growing up.  I loved her and called her Momo.  God was gracious to her in bringing her home as she was suffering with Alzheimers.  The other was a precious 10 month old baby girl that was in the nursery at the Wee School were I substitute teach.  She was born with an extra chromosome but was a delightful, sweet baby girl.  She had some health complications but seemed to be improving when God called her home.  Her family is strong in the Lord and had a peace beyond understanding at her services.  They feel that their gift from God accomplished her purpose here on earth in her short months.  I know she touched me and I am honored to have been a small part of her life. 

Yesterday, I was preparing to attend the viewing of another saint who has gone home to be with the Lord but those plans changed (*with a phone call) and I will be attending her funeral today instead (barring that the weather holds off....it's suppose to snow here but I'm not holding my breath!).  This wonderful lady spent many years in the education system teaching boys and girls to love learning.  I didn't have her as a school teacher but was privileged to have her as a Bible teacher.  She was the best VBS teacher and really made the Bible Stories interesting and helped them come to life for us.  She will be missed and remembered!  

*My plans changed yesterday when my cell phone rang and someone inquired "Where are you?"  I knew by the tone of the voice something was wrong.  A sweet lady from our church had just wrecked less than a mile from the church on her way home from the beauty shop.  I turned the car toward home so we could be there to support her family and friends.  She is now in Heaven praising our Savior!  Pray for her family as they deal with this sudden unexpected death.

Who knows (Only God does) what this weekend holds?   Sometimes our plans must change according to HIS will.

I can't say that I  understand all of this and know that I never will...but I DO KNOW that God has a plan and a purpose for ALL things and I MUST trust HIM.

I do hope that the Merry Go Round stops soon so I can get off to rest.  :)

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in time of trouble." Psalm 46:1

Nine Years Old

Dear Claire,

    Nine years ago, you changed our lives forever!  You made us parents and we embarked on the greatest and most difficult journey we have ever faced.  Thankfully, God has equipped us with the tools we need to raise you in a secular world.  You have blessed us with your sweet, sensitive spirit and we are thrilled that you have surrendered your heart and life to Jesus.  We pray for you daily to follow God's plan for your life.  Always remember Jeremiah 29:11, "For I know the plans I have for you says the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future." 

     It is hard to believe that you have been with us for half of the time we will have to teach you all that you need to know before leaving home!  We hope that the next nine years will slow down because there is so much to learn!!  We will always be your greatest fan and will be here to love and encourage you in this journey of life.  You are a precious treasure to us!  

With all our love,

Mom and Dad