My Sweet Ocean: July 2011

Thursday, July 14, 2011

JUNIPER TREE

REPRIEVE (and 101 synonyms.)

Definition:

Relief, temporary or permanent,

from something that is uncomfortable,

painful or otherwise negative.

(See previous post…Harrod Springs)

This was really the first spot that we were able to sit down and take lecture from Michael Wilcox. I would actually say it was more like a 10 to 15 minute devotional at each location. Which we soaked in with every word. At least most of us, I think. He had the most wonderful gospel snip-its along with quotes and scriptural references to the sites and characters that we learned about. He also had amazing ways of relating the information to modern day times and how to apply the things we were being taught to our own lives. There were apx. 85 people on our tour. We each had a headset and receiver so that we could hear him speak while we walked or explored. It was great to have those. Also, about half of the sites we went to had small gathering places with seats and sometimes a pulpit that he was able to speak from.

THE JIST OF MICHAEL WILCOX:

We all need reprieve. We all want to rest from the ‘heat’ of life under our own ‘juniper tree’. We sometimes need to rest in the shade for a bit. When we get depressed or sad. Or when we feel like our strength is diminished. The Lord says that’s OK. But only for a while. He needs us to move on. To strengthen and keep the faith. He needs us to continue on with our errands. It is not good for us to wallow for too long. We will not progress.

Grief does something to our faith. Then we fear. What do we know about fear? That most fears are irrational. We need to trust. To stop and rest under a tree for a bit is OK, to hide in a cave for a while is OK …but then …MOVE ON!

When we are worried about whether or not we have the strength to carry out our tasks for the Lord, or whether we are making the right choices, it’s OK to ask the Lord for guidance. For small ‘signs’ that He is still there and that what we are doing is correct. Wilcox calls this “fleece asking”. God will give these tender mercies to us, just as Gideon asked for morning dew on lambs fleece in the desert. He was not a sign seeker. But needed some re-assurance that he was on the right path and that the Lord was backing his strength to lead the soldiers. He even asked 3 different times for reassurance. And God still answered!

*NOTE* In know way am I trying to remember everything that Michael Wilcox told us about, or trying to rephrase the information we got from him. I am going off of the notes which I took. So if something doesn’t sound right or scripturally correct- I am sorry. That’s why I won’t be delving into a lot of the scriptural stories and information from each sight. Just some fun and pertinent applicable excerpts.

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

FIELDS OF ARMAGEDDON

These fields are located southwest of the southern tip of the Sea of Galilee in Southern Israel, near the town of Megiddo. This area is relatively close to the boarders of Syria and Lebanon. For those family members who know the Richfield Valley, when my Dad asked about the apx. size of the valley of Armageddon, I would say it’s roughly the size of that Valley spanning from Venice to Monroe in length. The width between hill span was closely the same as well.

I’m looking forward to the fall, when I can spend a little more time delving into books & scriptures regarding Armageddon.

DEAD SEA/ JORDAN RIVER

We finished up our final day in Jordan by heading down to the Dead Sea to “float”. Then we stopped at the Jordan River which boarders Israel. The Dead Sea was expectedly slimy and buoyant. And float we did! It’s salty like the Great Salt Lake times 10. I made the mistake of shaving my legs that morning. Every nick and scratch filled with salt and lit my legs on fire. Even dry knuckles seemed to sting a little. Some people lathered their bodies in mud from the sea, hoping for a nice healthy glow.

The Jordan River was interesting. This particular part of the River is within close (probably a few miles) of where Christ was baptized. It was very slow moving and clouded with mud. A few days later we made a stop closer to the mouth of the River. It’s an entirely different spot- rushing and flowing and clear. So look for those pictures in a few days. The section that we visited on the boarder was maybe 20ft or so in width. Their was a guard on our side and Israeli guards facing us on the adjacent bank.

Churches from around the world have started building memorial chapels for Christian faiths to come worship at this sacred site. I believe one of the chapels below is Russian.

JERASH

HIGHLIGHT

Jerash is a city in Jordan which houses an 800,000 Sq. ft. field of Roman Ruins dating back as far as 3500 BC. Pretty neat! This was a highlight of the trip for Todd and I. We weren’t expecting to see such an extensive amount of beautifully preserved ruins.

Another neat surprise was when we walked up to the theatre ruins- we found a girls school group just entering as well. They were on a field trip. We walked up just in time to hear a group of men with bagpipes started to play for the school children. The most beautiful tune of Amazing Grace filled the surrounding area. As I stood half way up the stadium and turned to overlook the valley- I found myself in the right place at the right time. It was one of those unique times when the universe comes together with all your senses. I soaked in every drop. After the song was over, (or maybe it was before- I don’t know- actually) The school girls put their arms on one another’s shoulders and freely danced in a small circle as teachers and tourists clapped in unison.

It was interesting to me to see that the people in Jordan were just as cautious of us, as I see us being of them as a society as a whole. When we walked through the small market area- it was apparent that the mothers had guarding eyes on their children and the men on the mothers. Guarding from us! WE were the unknown to them. This is not to be confused with unkindness. It was just cautious. The men were friendly, the women quiet, and the children in awe.

To be foreign is to be mysterious I guess. Which to me would mean in context, that foreign is only a word we should use until we get to know the unknown, at which point the world becomes smaller in my eyes. Less foreign. Less scary. More brotherly.

Countryside heading down from Jerash, Jordan to the Dead Sea.

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WHY THIS BLOG

My Sweet Ocean is inspired by my recent journey to the Holy Land. This 17 day period was one of the HIGHLIGHTS of my life! It sits right up there with the day I got married, and the birth days of my two beautiful children. I am so blessed!

This has been a dream of mine since mine since I was young. While I was in college, I submitted my application to study abroad at the Jerusalem Center. On the day of the deadline to get money back, I knew, though I didn't know why at the time, that I was NOT to pursue that opportunity. I drove down to the University in a horrible snowstorm at 6am so that I could get my application money back before it was too late.

I never questioned my decision to pull out, But did wondered why I didn't feel like I should take that lifetime opportunity, thinking I'd never get a chance again.

As last year approached and we were told of the opportunity that we could part take in to accompany Todd's parents and other family members on a tour group to the Holy Land- I was overwhelmed. Overwhelmed with question. worry. excitement. responsibility. Was this an opportunity that I was supposed to take? It must be. But really? Right now? Todd and I were just gearing up to the idea of another round of fertility medicine in hopes of expanding our family. We have always wanted more than 2 children. We had already put it off longer than we wanted. Why was this opportunity coming at this time? A few things had taken place with in the 6 months prior, that helped clarify our decision. One of those was a blessing I had received, which helped me recognize that I was embarking on a different season in my life. That a crossroads was eminent and to set my sights on what those roads might be. Another interesting aspect was that even though Todd and I were planning to move forward with adding to our family, we had made the decision against the fertility medicine, (which the prescription was in our hands, and we through it away) just 4 days before finding out about the opportunity to go to Israel. We had already known that we were not to pursue that avenue at that time. Things began to make a little sense.

I still thought though, - if I go I will have to wait an entire year to have another child. I don't know if that's what the Lord wants for us. Is it a wrong choice? Is it a right choice? Do I leave my children? They are young. Who will watch them? Will they be OK. What if we aren't OK. This is a big risk. Is it irresponsible? OR...is this one of those roads that I should take?

We made the decision to move forward with this amazing trip.

I knew as it got closer I would have some worries and fear. But it was a decision that from the minute I knew- only had one answer. The answer to GO! It was the timing I had a hard time with. The only thing that would have stopped me, would have been-something wrong with one of my children. Myself, Todd or the whole Tour being canceled. Which towards end of the wait- as it got close, with EGYPT falling apart and an Israeli bus bomb- I was almost at my whits end wondering WHY? WHY? Please cancel the trip. I knew I would never cancel on my own... so I prayed that the tour would be cancelled. I knew I would never cancel on my own...because from day one...the decision was right. Though I had to muster all my courage and faith- I was going to go. About 6 weeks prior to leaving, babysitting was a worry. Things were starting to unravel. That is one of the times I was starting to get down and think- no way. I can't leave my children that long and not know that everything is in place perfectly. With in a matter of 2 days, somehow miraculously every little was taken care of on that end...even to the extent of having double coverage if needed. I had commitments and support for the kids which was immeasurable. I had a calmness that they would be taken care of.

A week or so before we left, when my nerves were at their highest, I remember contemplating the small but present fact that I might not make it home. That accidents do happen. That we are traveling to the other side of the world, and that there was even a small possibility that we would have a difficult time getting home if the middle east were to have some type of uprising where we were. I remember clearly, making a conscious decision that if anything were to happen to me or Todd- that this was still, the right decision, and one that for us as individuals and as a couple would have a lasting and eternal impact for good on our family and children. It was then that I put all my hopes, faith, and fears into my Savior and set out on one large part of mine errand for the Lord.

Now- as we have returned and my dreams have come to fruition, I am amazed at the miracles that have and do take place in my life. More so than ever before. I have more TRUST. more LOVE. more FAITH in my Father in Heaven and in His Son. They are in the details of my life! They run the show. I have always known this...but I am now learning to allow them to lead me more fully into what they would have me do.

I still feel that I am in a season of crossroads, trying to figure out which paths I should be taking as some opportunities are quickly emerging, while others are fading.

With this though, I am excited! I feel I have so much to do. So many things to accomplish- and not enough time to do it. I only hope I will continue to find Joy in my journey- and sunshine for my soul!

I've found myself wanting to share more of my thoughts and journeys of this trip with all of you who have inquired, and those who know the depth of what this experience has meant to me.

I want to thank John and Anne for sharing this amazing opportunity with us. For being instruments in the Lords hands for Todd and I to enjoy this opportunity with them and his brothers and Lesa. I wish even more of the family could have been involved. My questions and prayers as a young adult, wondering why I was not to take the Study Abroad opportunity, were answered and fulfilled this year. I was able to see this Land with them and my wonderful husband at my side. I am thankful that this was in the cards for me. That, even though I thought I'd be the mommy with 5 kids at my heels right now "in the thick of it", by only having my 2 children - was in direct accordance with being able to take this opportunity at this specific time in the history of the world.