NINETY-EIGHT DAYS AWAY

The cat is out of the bag. It's been a tough critter to keep in there, I have to admit! I've been sitting on this news, this God-sized news, since mid-May.

Not knowing how to share it.

Not wanting it to sound boastful.

Not wanting to draw attention to myself.

Not wanting to rush in, like I have been known to commonly do.

Here it is, if you've not heard (read)...

In ninety-eight days I will be boarding an airplane and flying to Israel. The Holy Lands. The land where my Bible, and yours, came to be.

I will admit there are so many emotions welled up inside me.

Firstly, gratitude. A deep-seated desire to go on a trip like this had been growing inside my heart and mind for the past almost 7 years. Members from my church, Pittsburg Free Will Baptist, have gone a few times before and I struggled with being excited for each traveler--thrilled for them, yet inside burning with envy. It was a request only God and I knew about. It was beyond any and all abilities I had to make it happen, so I never shared it with a soul. But my parents, I truly believe, led by God have gifted me with the trip. And as a cherry on top of a hot fudge sundae might have, I'll be traveling with some very dear to my heart Christian brothers and sisters!

Secondly, anticipation. I want to soak it all in. All of it. ALL of it. I want to experience the whole experience! I want to take a million pictures. I want to journal every step we take. I want to blog across the miles. I want to go as a sponge ready to soak every ounce of the opportunity into my pores. I don't want to miss a single thing. I want to be awed. I want to be spell bound. I want to stand speechless in every nook and cranny of Israel. I want to be able to share all I've seen/done/tasted/touched/smelled/felt with so many others.  

Thirdly, anxiety. The thought of a 14 hour flight doesn't bother me. The fear of visiting a country in unrest doesn't keep me up at night. The very idea of attempting to pack for 10 days and keep it under fifty pounds is daunting but do-able, thanks to Pinterest! What I'm most anxious about is who I'll be when I return. I DO NOT intend to come back the same person. I want to be changed. I want to be filled. I want to be seeing with different eyes, loving with a different heart and beholding things, especially my Bible, in a different way. I want to be a better wife, mom, daughter, sister, Sunday School teacher, church member, Christian.

So, if you would, please pray.

Our flight leaves St Louis on Monday, February 15th, 2016. Our tour is jam-packed with things to do and things to experience. I hope to post an itinerary of the 10 days before I leave. I want you all going with me via this very blog. I'm intending to post each day, filling you in, letting you know, carting you all along with me in a sense. We will be returning to the US on Wednesday, February 25th.

There it is. My over the top, could only come from God, I've been holding it in for a looonnnngggg time news.

Rejoice with me over being a recipient of a blessing straight from the hand of God!

Ninety-eight days and counting,
Malinda    

PROVING GROUNDS
Today's reading: Deuteronomy 13-15

"...The Lord your God is testing you to see if you love him with all your heart and soul." Deuteronomy 13:3 NLT

The passage warns about idolatry.

It is very implicit in regards to what the children of Israel must do about things that tempt them to wander away from God.

Even the smallest things.

Even the tiniest of temptations.

Things will happen that draw our hearts away from God.

Good things.

Lives that unintentionally become crazy, hectic and godless.

Ministries that keep us from worship.

Rules and regulations that keep us from loving.

Abilities that keep you from giving Him all the glory.

We will all be faced with things that bear the marks of proving to God if He is our Lord, or not.

What might it be today? Who might it be today? How might it happen today? When might you be faced with it? Where will it occur?