How exactly...

... does one condense a three week trip to Israel into a short(ish) blog entry? How do you adequately describe the adventures, the revelations, the changes in your soul through experiencing Jesus' country first hand?

I am currently in the process of going through about 3800 photos, editing them, and soon will upload them (don't worry, I'm only going to upload about 1000, as if that is any better). My hope is they will somehow convey what I have experienced and describe what has changed me, as a person, as a believer, and my general perspective on life.

I come away from the trip amazed at how big God is and yet how He loves to meet us in the details of our lives. Here are some of these details from the trip:

• we began our trip at a kibbutz that was also hosting an international bird festival. I was intrigued not only by the armloads of camera equipment walking into the dining room, but also by the people from literally over the world that were fascinated by these little flying creatures that God cares so much about. Israel is a major migration path for millions of different birds migrating from Europe down to Africa. 
• toward the end of the trip, God stopped me and gave me my own little bird watching opportunity on the Sea of Galilee. It was like they were showing off and putting on a show just for me at His request. 
• warm hot tea with steamed milk. Over there, when you ask for milk for your tea, you are likely to get a steaming hot cup of milk to add to you tea's goodness. It was amazing. 
• happening up on a bar mitzvah going on at the Zion Gate at the Old City of Jerusalem and getting carried along with the celebration. 
• getting approached by three young Israeli soldiers for a small interview and then in return getting their photo. 
• Getting a "drive-by" from Israeli jets as we were at the Dead Sea. They were low and they were very loud. 
• It seemed that every important site we toured, including the Garden of Gethsemane, the Garden Tomb, the Seven Stairs, the Western Wall tunnel, the old City of David, and the Baptism site were not crowded and at times our group was the only group there. We were able to truly focus on what our guide was telling us at each of these sites.
• Coming up from the sights, sounds, and bustling of the city of Jerusalem to the over-look and exquisite view of Mount Arbel which was peaceful, chilly, calm, and overlooking the beauty of the Sea of Galilee.

More to come; this is just a start on the journey I've recently taken that has had an immediate change on my life, and will continue to bring about change for years to come.