My first Journey to the Holy Land: Entry #4

 

Here is what I wrote on the airplane, oblivious to ... never mind, I said I wasn't going to talk about that (plane crashes)...

Sometimes it is hard, and even seems wrong, to choose JOY. Interesting. Joy is one of the things I was writing about Wednesday, January 29, 2025:

And that's where I stopped. It was time to put things away and get ready to land. I was rambling anyway... Let's see if this is readable. I hope I don't have to retype everything. I'm just glad the notebook still had what I wrote, even though I didn't have my laptop connected to WIFI.

My first Journey to the Holy Land: Entry #3

I started to write this on the airplane on the way to DC on Wednesday, but after the horrific news I didn't feel like finishing it. Whatever I may have to chat about seems.... vain. That old word from KJV seems to fit perfectly with what I have been feeling the last couple of days. Everyone knows the news today, but, if someone happens to read this in the future, they might not know... [There have been 2 deadly airplane crashes this week.]

But let's not talk about that right now.  It IS in the forefront of my mind, and it seems cold to say this... but I can't let it steal my joy or make me afraid. 

So, here is what I wanted to tell you...

Let me tell you about this little Bible that I am bringing in my carry-on bag:

About 45 years ago, my grandma went to Israel to visit her mother. I never met my great-grandma, Effie Dugger. My grandma, Orabelle Youngs, had about 6 or7 grandkids by this time. I guess she bought us all little Bibles. She asked her Mama to sign each one. 

This one is mine. A beautiful, mother-of-pearl Bible. It says, "Jerusalem" on the front and has maps and pictures of the Holy Land inside. I loved this little Bible, but I was very young and have never been careful with things. I immediately added my signature to it, proud that I knew how to write my full name. 

My mom wisely put it up for a few years, and now, I am bringing it with me on my trip to Israel. Maybe I will visit my great-grandma's grave in a few days and read a Psalm from the Bible she signed all those years ago.

This isn't what I wrote on the plane though. I am trying to keep these short and interesting, so I will end here with a verse Effie loved:

 "But Jerusalem, which is above is free, which is the mother of us all." Galatians 4:26 

My first Journey to the Holy Land: Entry #2

 I'm signing in on my phone today. -just checking to see if I can write and post blog posts on my phone, so I don't have to bring my laptop.

It's hard to know how to prepare for a trip like this. I've never been overseas before. -doin' my research and following ALL the advice from everyone!

It's weird to think I will be in a foreign country next week at this time. 

I hope my chickens will still be alive when I get home... 🏡 

Aunt Sheryl sent an email explaining what to do if a siren goes off and making sure we have insurance. I have no idea how I will react to frequent visits to the bomb shelter. Will I panic? If I think about it logically, statistically speaking very few civilians have been killed over there. There have been more murders in Kelso/Longview (towns near me) this past month than there have been in Jerusalem, and Jerusalem is a MUCH bigger city! That doesn't really make me feel better.

The verse I read this morning:

"The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand " (Psalm 37: 23-24 KJV)

Aunt Sheryl said to recite Psalms when the siren goes off. The WORD is my weapon! 

... let's see if I can add pictures and post this from my phone!

...well, I can't figure it out... I'll post this and try again tomorrow 

My first Journey to the Holy Land: Entry #1

 Today, is Sunday, January 26, 2025.

It is a cold, beautiful day here in my neck of the woods. The sky is clear, and the sun is warm- at least between about 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm. We have had a mild winter, so far...

But I didn't sit down to talk about life on my mountain. Today, I begin a new story. Not one from the scriptures, or history, but a story that has not been written yet, and begins:  TODAY!

I AM GOING TO ISRAEL!!!

Sorry to spring it on you guys like this. I half-expected the trip would get cancelled. But here it is, almost the end of January, and the flights (United and Lufthansa) to Israel have resumed!

In exactly one week, yes, just seven days, from right now, if God wills and things go smoothly... I will be 🛬flying over the Atlantic Ocean, heading for Israel.

Why do I say my journey starts today?

Well, today it finally sunk in that this is really happening! 

I have friends and relatives all over the world.

My parents, siblings and my daughter have traveled to many exciting places, but I am content right here in my old, little house far away from... well, anything really. I remember the first time I followed my future husband up the Kalama River Road. I kept admiring the beauty of this place, and somehow, I knew I was coming home. Why would I ever want to leave?

I enjoy seeing pictures of faraway places and hearing stories from people who have traveled the world. But, when they say, "You should come with us next time!" I laugh and answer, "Ya, that'd be fun." But I don't really mean it. I mean: "Oh, no. Not me. I have too much to do, right here. I can't leave. I don't want to leave. I'll be the one you come home to and share all of your stories. Someone needs to be that person!"

Well, one of my many aunts had it on her heart to visit her sister, who moved to Israel two generations ago. She invited me to join her on this adventure. She has been many places. But I have never stepped off of this great mass of land called the Americas. Why should I?

Well, if there is one person in the whole world who could convince me to venture away from my home-country, it would be her. How could I say no?! Besides, neither one of us are getting any younger.

Of course, being a storyteller at heart, I must record this once-in-a-lifetime adventure and share it with you all. I'm sure parts of my story will be silly as I awkwardly maneuver my way through new experiences. Go ahead and roll your eyes and laugh! You know, I will be laughing too! And, unlike my straight-forward brother, I will absolutely be writing between the lines! 😂

I don't know how often I will be able to write while I am away, but my pencil and paper will be close at all times.

A few, random things you might like to know: (that I hesitate to share, but... hey, why not? I mean, how many people really read this blog anyway? 😏)

#1- I'm bringing Adam's peanut butter and blackberry jelly. (I knew you would want to know)

#2- I'm super excited to meet an Arab Christian lady who is a longtime, close friend of my mom's cousins. I'm planning on visiting her on the 9th. I have so much to learn.

#3- I'm bringing Mt. Saint Helen's ash to show my cousin's grandkids! Is that silly?

#4- My Aunt Tzirel converted to Judaism many years ago. It's probably been about 35 years since I have seen her. I'm very much looking forward to celebrating Shabbat with her! You all know how dear the Sabbath is to me. I'm sure it will be a touching and meaningful experience.

#5- One of my cousins is a homeschool Mama, like me, and we get to spend time at her house! I've never met her. I think she lives near, what I call the Sea of Galilee (I'm not sure if it is still called that..). That is the area that I am especially interested in visiting. Hopefully, we will get to visit the Jordan River too! I can't believe I might actually dip my feet in that river I have read so much about! I know it's just water, but maybe I will scoop up a tiny bit to bring home. Is that legal? I can't believe this is really happening!

#6- I'm digging out my skirts and long-sleeved shirts for this trip. I'll be dressing like I did as a homeschooler in the 80's! IYKYK Should I braid my hair in one long French braid too? (But I plan to wear pants on the airplane!) 

#7- I'm curious what it will feel like to step onto Israeli soil for the first time.

#8- I don't know what else, but I wanted to have eight... so, yeah. Oh, I know! "Todah rabah" is "thank you" in Hebrew. I want to remember that, and use it often.

So, please remember us in your prayers.

 If you have suggestions on what I should bring from the Pacific Northwest, or what I should do n Israel, let me know.

We leave DC area February 2cnd and come home on the 18th. If I don't write during our trip, I'm sure I will have a lot to write about when I get home.

I leave PDX in 3 days!

I Peter 3:9 "The Lord is not slack concerning His promise..."

Joseph: A Life of Tragedy

Forward

I wonder what she saw when she looked into his little face for the first time. All those years filled with so many emotions: Love, anger, jealousy... finally bringing this moment of pure joy. 

-all the prayers she had prayed 

-the home remedies she took

 -even, demanding a child from her husband. (who reminded her where babies actually come from) ...

 And now she was complete. Her own little son, Joseph. The name she gave him means: "God will add". She was confident more blessings would follow.

Blessings DID follow. Joseph's childhood was filled with everything a little boy could want. His mother and father both doted on him, as older parents often do. They loved hearing his little stories and thoughts. Soon, more good news- another baby was on the way. Joseph would soon have a little brother. 

Joseph: The Son

What a happy home Joseph enjoyed.

UNTIL... his mother died giving birth to his baby brother.

How Joseph grieved. Poor little motherless boy. 

But it didn't take long before he settled into the role of favorite son. His father made him a special coat to symbolize his elevated status in the family. Then, the dreams came. Dreams that promised even greater things! What a wonderful life Joseph enjoyed!

Joseph: The Slave

UNTIL... his brothers tore off his coat, threw him in a well, and sold him!

As he walked along, probably handcuffed, probably behind a camel, he felt the hot sun on his back and tasted the dust. Why do bad things keep happening to this kid? Only 17 years old. No one likes him, really (except his dad). He has no friends. And now he is on his way to be sold as a slave. 

He worked hard as a slave. Determined, that if this was his position in life, he would do his best. Potiphar was impressed. Joseph did a great job handling the finances. Soon things were looking up for Joseph. He was still a slave, but he was treated well and had a lot of freedom. His new home in Egypt was comfortable.

Joseph: The Prisoner

UNTIL... he was falsely accused by his master's wife and thrown in jail!

This dungeon- his new home. Eating bread and drinking water. What a misery life had brought him. But if he was going to be a prisoner, he would be the best prisoner he could be. Soon he was serving the jailer. 

One day he was bringing food to the other prisoners when, whom should he meet, but a couple of guys who used to work for the Pharoah himself! Joseph listened to their stories. He interpreted their dreams. He asked to be remembered, but they forgot. 

He was still a prisoner. Forsaken, forgotten, alone...

Joseph: The Ruler

UNTIL... Pharoah himself had a dream and needed an interpreter! Joseph was remembered and called for.

God gave him the interpretation of Pharoah's dream. He became the second in command. Soon he was married and had two sons. Seven years of plenty followed and life was good.

UNTIL... A famine came. And who should walk in asking for grain, but his BROTHERS!!! The very ones who hated him and tried to kill him. 

Joseph tested them. Eventually he shared with them his identity. He showed them his tender heart. He hugged them and cried. Then he said something that makes us stop and think.

All of those terrible things that happened to him -those moments so dark it seemed his life was over. -when people closest to him, abandoned him, rejected him, turned on him and forgot him- those exact circumstances were NECESARY! He was thankful for those tragedies. Because, if it hadn't been for those exact circumstances, Joseph would not have had the opportunity to save the lives of many people, including the very people who tried to destroy his life. 

Now, when I hear someone's story- so filled with pain... and someone else whispers that maybe they deserved it somehow, maybe they have a lesson to learn, or maybe God is punishing them... I wonder if there is a different reason for all of the pain. 

Maybe bad things happen because we live in a world that is broken - filled with broken people. Yet, God can use those EXACT moments that were meant to destroy us, to bring healing- not just healing for us, but healing for every person we come in contact with.

Genesis 50:20 KJV "...you thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good...to save much people alive."

Choose life! The world needs more people like you!