2010 Israel Team

WELCOME HOME TEAM!!!!!!

Good Morning Fearless Leader Bix!


11 hour flight, with kids making noise the whole way
9:05 and they've landed, and look wide awake...(no one sick on the plane,Praise God)




Hannah sees her family inside waiting!




Watch Out! Palestine People just like you, and slap a bracelet or ring on your finger, and you become engaged! HAHA Hannah, great story.

********************************************************
I am trying to write this without tears, though tears are running down my face, it is tears of joy. Tears that God has been with me this past year as I made the tough decision to work on my Master's and decline the opportunity to return to Israel. That does not mean my heart is not open to the calling and praying for the team as they embark this morning on a wonderful journey. My journey today is different. As I learn the struggles of writing, and learn the keys of hope. He is right beside me writing my story. I am so blessed to know that my journey and experiences have molded me to the person I am today. It will be a wonderful 10 days for this team. God, may they embark on a journey fully dependent on your love and strength; for some, new challenges of braving heat, flexibility, to pray harder, have courage, try new foods (though hummus and falafeh is good),and language barrier--will be enough to put total trust in your hands.
Matthew 7:13-14
"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction and many enter through it.. For small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it."
My story is on this site.

Praying for lives to be changed! Hearts to be opened.

Garden of Gethsemane
John 17

Game Show 4th of July

"Minute to Win It" If you have no idea what I'm talking about, you are missing out on a fun show. Ok, so I was clueless till today too. We played about 12 games...I have videos and pictures to display. We were in groups of 3, and we all picked which items ahead of time, we would do. Each task had to be done in under a minute, but you were being competitive with the other 3 groups. Every second seemed to count. Lots of time went into this. A whole Month's planning. Thanks guys, it was a blast!!!!!!!!!!! Need some ideas?

SUPPLIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



Tweeze Me!

Use tweezers to maneuver a tic tac through a
tennis racket and land in a cup.




Johnny Apple Stacking
-Stack 4 apples and they have to stay up for 3 seconds.






Marble Sticky ball
-A piece of double stick tape was placed at the end of the table. Then we rolled marbles to see if we could get 4 to stay.
It took me 46 seconds.





Junk in theTrunk
Ok--So here is my video. It is not as comical as the one on FB!
Kleenex box with 6 balls. Shake and rattle








Tic Tac Toe
---Object to get 3 in a row.
Notice all the hands in the way trying to help catch balls.




Breakfast Scramble
Assemble the front of a cereal box that has been cut up in 16 pieces.
(They all said it didn't line up well)







Cotton Ball
Put Vaseline on your nose;stick cotton balls on your nose(1 at a time)


.




Shoe Fly
Throw the shoe onto the table, and hope it lands!!!






Knock it off--soda cans stacked and shoot with rubber bands
Suck it Up-- we used a spaghetti noodle and 5 pasta noodles !
Wheel a deal- sort 20 cards into 5 identical groups, 1 at a time
(we had some creative names, but unfortunately, our papers kept blowing in the pool)

4th of July Celebrations:



We played Wits and Wages: Trivial Questions:
How many pounds is in a gallon of water?
How many inventions did Thomas Edison patent during his 84 year life?

Need a Smile :)

This came in the mail this morning :)
Thanks Kaleigh! It was so thoughtful of you. I will remember the precious ark that you sent my way. Think we need to build one with all this rain. HAHA!
I am soooo blessed today in many ways with this unexpected mail. His Grace is Enough!!!!!

Lord move, or move me

Lord, move in my heart today. There's a rock of understanding standing in my way. I feel so far away today. Bring me grace, and peace, that you are working. Work in me as I begin this new class and learn a knowledge of information that is new to me. Father, I am praying that you take everything I am holding on to, and take me out of complacency, where I've been so long. Lord, please move in my heart today.
Here is my prayer as I read these lyrics to FFH--Lord Move, or move me.


Lord move in a way, that I've never seen before
Cause there's a mountain in the way and a lock on the door
I'm drifting away, waves are crashing on the shore
So Lord move (move), or move me.


I've look every where to find
A simple peace of mind
I can't find nothing on my own
So I got to leave myself behind
Take up this cross of mine
Give away everything I hold onto

Lord I know the only way is through this
Lord I know I need you to help me do this

If you need to be refreshed in Christ, and back to the Gospel, I urge you to listen to this song. I have been reminded of the Gospel for the past week, and how we need to preach the Gospel to ourselves. Christ come back into my life. I am at your feet crying out. Precious Redeemer, please heal my soul. Forgive me, for I have walked so far away from you. Bring me back to the Sea of Galilee, where you called your disciples to be faithful to the One who is our living God.
I've been asked by several, if I'm returning to Israel this year. The answer is no. But my heart is there. I've been re-living my life there, and all the memories and challenges God has given. What a great experience I've had, and praying for this year's team. Remembering the life Christ lived, and the grace and love He has given us. Freely forever, one day he is coming! It will be a glorious day. Matthew 24:42"Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come"v.44"So you must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him" I am reminded to be intentional in your relationships with others. Be intentional of those around you. Those who know Christ, and those who may be in need. Reach out to someone today who is in need.




No turning back, I'm giving all of my life this time. Because dying you've saved me. Buried you've carried my sins far away. Your love makes it worth it.

East To West- Casting Crowns w/ Lyrics

This is my prayer tonight. I feel so alone, and so ready
to give up! I've been challenged to not give up and not let
School become my idol. Now, there's a thought. What does it take
to Trust in God's plan?
Prayer and Obedience every step of the way.
This is step 1: Praying these words below:
I'm reminded of this picture of the Sea of Galilee and thinking
of how peaceful it is, and the peace that comes from God.


Here I am, Lord, and I'm drowning in your sea of forgetfulness
The chains of yesterday surround me
I yearn for peace and rest
I don't want to end up where You found me
And it echoes in my mind, keeps me awake tonight
I know You've cast my sin as far as the east is from the west
And I stand before You now as though I've never sinned
But today I feel like I'm just one mistake away from You leaving me this way

Jesus, can You show me just how far the east is from the west
'cause I can't bear to see the man I've been come rising up in me again
In the arms of Your mercy I find rest
'cause You know just how far the east is from the west
From one scarred hand to the other

I start the day, the war begins, endless reminding of my sin
Time and time again Your truth is drowned out by the storm I'm in
Today I feel like I'm just one mistake away from You leaving me this way

I know You've washed me white, turned my darkness into light
I need Your peace to get me through, to get me through this night
I can't live by what I feel, but by the truth Your word reveals
I'm not holding on to You, but You're holding on to me
You're holding on to me

Jesus, You know just how far the east is from the west
I don't have to see the man I've been come rising up in me again
In the arms of Your mercy I find rest
'cause You know just how far the east is from the west
From one scarred hand to the other
One scarred hand to the other
From one scarred hand to the other

The Essence of His Presence

I'm reading a new book, I just pulled off the shelf. Yeah, a little distraction from the papers. But anyhow what else is there to do at 12AM.
The Essence of His Presence--Lloyd John Ogilvie
Christ wants to bless my life? That is the question of my life. Yes, I know in my head it is truth, but do I really believe it in my heart? Have I let my frustrations dig a hole in my heart that seems too deep to heal? I somehow forgot how to give God my struggle, how to have peace, how to have Christ as my authority, sing my way through the day, find my way out of loneliness, be honest with others, and guard myself from Satan's attack. I took a time out tonight, and feeling so needy spiritually, and not even sure what I need or what's wrong with me. A time out to be quiet and reflect on God's tenderness, kindness and forgiveness. Remembering the quiet times in Israel, reflecting on the quiet moments Christ took when the busyness of life got in the way, or the busyness of the atmosphere became too strong, and he went away from the city to pray. I too am moving away from the city to pray. Where exactly..maybe on a hill over-looking the view of paradise. Galatians 5:1 "...Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." The Lord gets inside of us and frees us by his forgiveness. He takes all the worries, fears, fantasies, and tangled up mess we find ourselves in daily and forgives. His goodness is only imputed to those who trust in Him and is filled with the Spirit. I somehow needed to be reminded of His goodness. I need more faith; my faith is dwindling. I'm focused on the things of the earth, and not on things above(Col. 3:2). "If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you"(John 15:7) Yes, that seems beyond my reach, beyond what I can have faith in. But God says, trust me. Hold my hand and trust me.
Christ is at work, but we have to be open to the life's tasks ahead of us, and invite him in on our concerns, values, goals,to be conformed to His will for our life. Be open to the warmth of his love. That is what I am learning tonight. I am worn down, emotional as ever, wanting that fellowship with my Father. He is waiting, with open arms, helping me to grow in discipleship.