We arrived at DFW yesterday afternoon at about 1. Lines were short, security checks went smoothly, and we even had time to eat Texas barbeque one more time before we left. Our flight to Newark was ordinary, no falling oxygen masks or crying children. We arrived and waited until 11 for our connecting flight to Tel Aviv. We met with Susan and others who had been flying standby. Poor Susan, she ended up at Newark airport far longer than she anticipated. Actually she had enough time to go into NYC and walk around for a while. We also had to change terminals upon arrival, which included a long walk to the farthest gate. Luckily, we must have looked disabled, because a nice man driving one of those carts let us get on. He did not, however, have a horn and proceeded to tell everyone to “move it!” “wake up!” and made his own high pitched beeping noise. Unfortunately for people in our path, his thick accent and speed on the cart made it difficult for people to understand what he was saying in enough time to react. That was fun. Security was extremely high when we boarded for Tel Aviv. Our bags were searched again and we were “frisked” by burly women. That was fun too.

After what I would call a shockingly long flight, we arrived safely in Israel, boarded a bus and went to our hotel. We pulled up at about 7:00 pm (Tel Aviv). It rained a little on the bus ride and we could tell it was windy, but never expected what would slap us in the face when we stepped off the bus. Gale-force winds! (As a side note, the luggage my parents bought us has wheels that spin all the way around, not just forward and backward… so as we unloaded our suitcases from the bus and turned to get others, the versatile wheels that came in handy at the airport while maneuvering around a billion people, were jet action propellers to push the luggage as far as it would go…in my case, into the wet street. Sorry that was a long side note)

I said the flight was “shockingly long”…let me explain. I naively thought that since we were traveling overnight that I would just sleep. Well, no. I looked around the plane like a wide-eyed kid who just had a coke for about 13 hours. I watched 3 episodes of CSI, Disney’s The Game Plan, and two cooking shows….then with 10 hours left and only reruns to be seen….right….Oh and I also sat by a man who was so tiny he laid down in his own seat.

I know this is going to be a long post, so if you have made it this far, I applaud you.

Our hotel is so wonderful. There is definitely a difference between 4-Stars in the US, though. The one thing that we did not know about is that we are beachfront on the Mediterranean Sea. You can hear the waves come crashing in from our room. And can view God’s beauty from our balcony. It is amazing. We are only staying here one night and I am slightly disappointed, but with tomorrow’s adventures I am sure I will quickly forget. The city is what Jesus would have called Caesarea, right on the coast. Pictures to come, I have been up for over 24 hours and don’t think that part of my brain is functioning. One drawback I am noticing as I sit here and type, the winds are howling like crazy. It is a piercing banshee-like scream. Hope it doesn’t interfere with my date with Mr. Tylenol PM.

All is well, and Jordan is not sick… yet. But seriously, we are so blessed to have made it thus far in our travels and God continues to bless each of us with everyday. Jordan and I have both said many times today we cannot believe we are even here. Thank you for all your thoughts and prayers. God be with you.

We leave in 4 days for Tel Aviv, Israel. Our entourage (two moms, a dad, two sisters, and maybe a memaw) will take us to the airport at noon on Monday. We can't wait! But we also can't sleep. I am nervous about being safe, Jordan is nervous about what he will eat. Stark contrast!

I hope to use my pleo like she did last year. I am determined to be diligent about journaling while we are gone. (Pat says, "we'll see" she STARTS a journal every year) Also, he is going to show me how to upload videos. This will be something new. David and Pat have never filmed in Ethiopia. If there is something you would like to see, Israel or Ethiopia, just comment. As I journal, I will try to load the pics you request.

Please pray for the success and spread of the Gospel as we travel to parts of the Ethiopian countryside that have not been visited in the past.

How many holiday parties/celebrations/family dinners/outings/gifts exchanges can their possibly be?? Not just parties, but... with this group of family on this day for breakfast, this group wants to go out for lunch, oh, and "I have a gift for you but I don't want to give it to you tonight with everyone so we need our own party just for that!!" Don't forget your own Christmas with your own husband, but...alas I think we're booked solid: breakfast, lunch, and dinner for the next week. AHHHH! I miss Halloween.

I AM thankful to see family. Tonight is Matthew's 2nd b-day party. I can't wait to see him with a face full of cake, just like mine!

Oh I forgot to mention: It is a very BAD idea to do all your shopping the week before Christmas!

Tomorrow I will be 25 and am not happy about the fact that 25 = a quarter century.

In other news... Jordan and I are hosting a christmas party...
If you are out of high school, consider yourself a young-person, and can be in Fort Worth on the 29th... you're invited and can bring a date.

Carrie, Josh, Ben, Lindz, Justin, Karrie, Jolynn, Adeline, Andrew, Brandon and anyone else who may be reading this, even if I don't know you, I'd like to...

When: Saturday, Dec 29; 6:30 p.m.

Where: 1601 Skyline, Fort Worth (this is not our house so don't get confused...print a map)

What to bring: A "re-gift" something you got for Christmas, but want to pass on to some other lucky winner.

What to wear: Holiday Formal...girls, get excited...guys, tough it out for your dates.

There will be snack food and sweets.

All of you who I see twice a week, expect an paper invitation.
Hope EVERYONE can come.

I was recently reading an article online about the "true" meaning of Thanksgiving. The following are excerpts I found interesting.
"Contrary to popular opinion, the Pilgrims didn't wear buckles on their shoes or hats....And, most importantly, their first harvest festival and subsequent "thanksgivings" weren't held to thank the local natives for saving their lives."

"Do you know there are public schools in America today actually teaching that? Some textbooks, in their discomfort with open discussions of Christianity, say as much. I dare suggest most parents today know little more about this history than their children."

"But it wasn't just an economic system that allowed the Pilgrims to prosper. It was their devotion to God and His laws. And that's what Thanksgiving is really all about. The Pilgrims recognized that everything we have is a gift from God – even our sorrows. Their Thanksgiving tradition was established to honor God and thank Him for His blessings and His grace."

To read the whole article go here.

Even if you still fully intend to eat your turkey on Thursday while envisioning happy pilgrims and indians with sweet cartoon faces, I hope you and yours have a great Thanksgiving holiday. Spend all the time you can with your loved ones, thanking God for the blessings we are afforded in our comfortable lives.