Why not?

I'm not a great long term planner. I love spontaneity. It drives many of the people around me nuts, because I tend to change plans more often than I change my shoes. (I also love shoes.) I secretly love it when people cancel plans because then I have Found Time, and Found Time is my favorite! With Found Time, I have room for adventures.

Last August, I was sitting at the Skipper Canteen in Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom (I also love Walt Disney World) when my phone - and my husband's phone - alerted me to a message. It was Marty inviting us on a tour of the Holy Land with a group of pastors in January. John and I read the message at the same time, and I had only one question before accepting: Will I need to get any shots? (I DON'T love needles.) When the answer to that was no, my answer was YES!! 

I have never had a particular inkling to travel to Israel and Palestine, but why not?

John was decidedly less eager. He's had some pretty serious health issues, and last August we had more questions than answers, so I'll cut him some slack there. Also, he's normal. He doesn't make knee jerk decisions about traveling halfway across the world. He thinks about things, weighs pros and cons...like a normal person.

But we have answers now. John's got what I'm classifying as a nuisance cancer. It's a non-Hodgkin lymphoma that likely won't kill him. He's been receiving chemotherapy, and his symptoms are lessening or disappearing. He has some lousy days, but overall he's feeling better. His doctors all say he's fine to travel. (YAY!)

We're leaving tomorrow night. All I have to do is pack. (I have been planning that part.) Someone else has put the itinerary together, purchased our tickets, made our hotel reservations... and I'm ready to go along for the ride. They tell me that we are going to see the Actual Spot Where Jesus Was Born. Okay... 

I'm looking forward to seeing the Sea of Galilee, the desert landscape, the Dead Sea, and an olive or fig tree. I'm looking forward to having those images in my head as I read scripture throughout the rest of my life. 

And hummus. I'm looking forward to eating hummus very near the Actual Spot Where Jesus Was Born.

Also, these are my dogs. They're staying home and are not germane to this post. I did, however have to see if I knew how to add photos.