I’ve always had crazy dreams. But then I got pregnant, and my hormones made my dreaming even more out of control.  I’ve started having dreams about the baby a lot.  The most common, reoccurring dream I’ve had is that the baby is born and can talk.  It seems to be a pretty normal thing in my dream and no one seems concerned by the fact that I have a newborn genius.  I guess people expect that from me & my husband. Right.

In a recent dream, not only did my sweet little girl talk…but she had the entire bible memorized by the time she was born.  Yikes.  It’s pretty sad when a 2 day old baby is smarter than you. In my dream we were at my parents house and our baby corrected something her Mimi said by reciting Numbers 1:7.   I thought wow this must be a sign from God or something and this verse must mean something really great! So we went and looked it up.

Numbers 1:7 Of Judah: Nahshon the son of Amminadab.

Yup that’s it.  Be impressed, it’s very deep. I guess I better not put my bible (aka iPhone…YouVersion) next to my belly when I’m reading just in case she’s studying up.  Can’t have my infant be smarter than me.

What crazy dreams did you or your wife have during pregnancy?

I had planned to blog everyday on our trip to share with you what we are experiencing.  However, it simply can’t be done.  I’m taking in so much, learning so much and I can’t begin to sort through it all in my brain.  It truly is a life changing experience and I’m so thankful I am here.  It will probably take me a while to really break down everything we are seeing and learning before I can share it with you, but don’t worry… I will.  I know you were concerned.

However, I will share with you a few highlights so far!

Nazareth – I really liked seeing this “village” where Jesus grew up.  It’s so incredible to see history really unfold before us and how real everything becomes by seeing the places where amazing things happened!

Dead Sea – We all know I’m not a huge fan of water, but I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to swim in the dead sea.  However, I did not know that you float in it!! It’s the coolest water! My favorite because I don’t have to worry about going under water

The Jordan River – This is by far the highlight of the trip.  Brook baptized me in the Jordan River.  Such and incredible experience we were able to share together and be baptized in the place that Jesus was. More great pictures to come from this soon!

The Sea of Galilee – We took a boat ride across the Sea of Galilee.  This is where Jesus walked on the water.  Wow.  Can’t even begin to explain how neat that was.

Western Wall (Wailing Wall) – This was a great experience. This I am still taking in.

Jerusalem – Just incredible.  We’ve only spent one day here so far and I’m really looking forward to learning more and digging more into this city.  I love it!

More to come soon… my brain is processing!

I have  a serious case of OCPD.

Obsessive Complusive Packing Disorder.

It’s a real disorder.  Go look it up.  I’ll wait.

………………..waiting…………………waiting…………………..

Ok… maybe it’s not, but you actually believed me there for a minute huh!?!

We leave for our trip to Israel in 3 days, and I have begun the packing process.  Yes, it’s a process.  I do not believe in throwing things in a suitcase the night before.  I do not believe in just grabbing whatever clothes out of the closet.  It’s important.  It’s planned out. 

It’s the curse of the planner within me.

Last night, my husband went to play basketball like he does every Tuesday and left me home with my spreadsheets and suitcases.  Wow, I had a blast.  Before I knew it, three hours had gone by and I was wide awake and in a great mood.  See…it’s a disorder I tell you. 

Along with preparing our suitcases, we’re preparing our hearts and minds for this trip.  It’s going to be a life-changing one.  I’m excited to see the bible unfold before me.  I can’t wait to see the stories I’ve learned literally jump off the page and become real. 

Please follow along with our trip as we’ll be blogging about it the whole way!

What kind of a packer are you?

Nope, I didn’t stutter.  I don’t.  I did for years.  Many many years. But as I get older and grow in my relationship with Christ, so changes my daily routine with Him. 

I read my bible this way:

Ok Ok…I know, I tricked you.  I DO still read my bible, just not in the conventional way.  I’ve read my bible A LOT.  I’ve read many different versions, in many different ways.  I’ve studied, I’ve bled (paper cuts), I’ve highlighted. Been there, done that. 

I think Christians get into the mindset that they have to spend a certain amount of time sitting in the quiet reading Leviticus everyday.  If that’s the place you are in, and the relationship you have with Him…more power to you.  It’s just not me. 

I’m in a stage of learning to really depend on God.  I’m learning to pray in a whole new way.  I’m walking into a whole new level in my relationship with Him.  It’s exciting, it’s difficult, but it’s the best place I’ve ever been in. 

Where are you in your relationship with Him? What can you do to freshen it up and make it deeper and more relational?