As I am about ready to fall into my bed in exhaustion, I just wanted to quickly post that our crew has returned safe and sound, and we are praising God for safe travels, and to be back in our family's arms again. To carry my kids around like a horse, to tickle, to laugh and to be reunited is an enormous blessing at the end of an incredible journey.
Today began technically last night, if you follow me :)
We arrived and checked into the Tel Aviv airport, headed to Paris, caught some uncomfortable winks, headed to Minneapolis, dove into some American food again, and then landed in Omaha, before making the trek back to Rock Valley.
The goodbyes were bitter sweet, as the entire group of 26 has grown to be like a family! Hard to put into words how thankful I was to hear each person's story, and to be reminded again and again that God is on the move in some mighty ways within the people of this group and within His Kingdom.
This was oh so much more than a 'tour' of the Holy Land. This was a faith deepening and love entrenching journey into our faith, into knowing our Lord, and into being devoted to making disciples as we go forward.
So - go ahead and chuckle if you must, it was a long day!
Who knew an airport could be so busy for 1:00am flights!
I hear ya Mason....I hear ya!
This is what it looks like flying into Paris, France at 5:00am - they don't call it the 'City of Lights' for nothing!
Desperately trying to find a place to rest in the Paris airport. We caught a few winks....
And then Cory and I may have spent about a half hour playing some video games :)
The plane from Paris to Minneapolis - not in NW Iowa anymore!
The beautiful farmland of Iowa once again - have missed the green!
A great reminder here in this picture. As our hometown area was experiencing a Tornado Warning, we flew high above the storm clouds, and it was clear and bright as ever! Reminder that sometimes we just need to see past the storms of life to see the absolute beauty that is on the other side!
For you have created all things Father - in you, by you and through you they have their being!
Couldn't figure out what this wet stuff hitting our windshield was on the drive home. Haven't seen this for almost 3 weeks!
Haven't seen this either the past 2 weeks. Our journey was consistently a beautiful blazing blue sky with a hot sun.
IT IS GOOD TO BE HOME. A LIFE CHANGER AND A FAITH CHANGER THAT I AM PRAISING GOD FOR TONIGHT, AND FOR ALWAYS!
