Israel, Egypt, and a Prayer to God

Sitting here on a rainy day, I've come to realize how much faster and more enjoyable life is when I'm doing things. I went to Israel and Egypt November 3-20th and had such a great time! My favorite story is that there was this old man in Bethlehem who was the boss of an olive wood shop. He saw me and said, "There are beautiful women in America. I will give your father 500 camels if you marry my son." I told him jokingly, "Well my dad's right up there. You can go ask him." I told my dad what the man had said, and my dad replied, "500, no, 600, yes!" It was the running joke of the tour. We later talked about how it would be hysterically disappointing if he shipped 500 camels made out of olive wood to home to Santa Barbara. But, if they were real camels, what would we do with them? I recommended we put all the camels in the stables near the llamas, across from Luther Glen near Camp Yolijwa and give camel rides to the campers to raise money for camp. haha. It was a pretty outrageous plan. Needless, to say, I will not be marrying a random Israel stranger's son.

I applied to Fuller Theological Seminary as a possibility for next year. I'm not sure if this is where God wants me next year, but it's worth a shot if nothing else comes up. Plus, I know I'm supposed to go into ministry, and this seems like a pretty fair option... okay more than fair. So, we'll see what happens with that.

Laura and I are throwing a Christmas party this Saturday and the weather forecast says it's suppose to rain... boo! Hopefully the party will be just as fun and eventful despite if it rains or not.

Another cool story about Israel and Egypt is that we had a healing service for my dad on the Nile River on a cruise ship. We were on the top deck and Pastor Harry anointed my dad's head with oil, we prayed over my dad and laid hands on him, and we all said the Lord's prayer together. Pastor Harry and another woman read from the book of James, in English and Spanish. Lord, help my dad and his unbelief that he will get better. Even if getting better means that he will not lose hope in life nor in you Lord Jesus.

I would like to end with a prayer...

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank you for life, and the chances we get to save the world and make the world a better place. Thank you for the gift of Your forgiveness, love, and compassion. Help us to show these things to the people around us who have not seen your goodness. Bless the poor in spirit, the meek and the lonely. Heal the sick, the oppressed, the hungry and the needy. Let the people of this world change their ways to see, know, and worship You, our Lord, Jesus Christ. Heal my dad of Parkinson's Disease, help my sister to come back to and to know You and love You and long for You Lord God. Help my mom's confidence and turn her passivity into strength. Help my best friend's insecurities to turn into confidence about her body. Bring these beautiful people Your love, oh Lord, for it reaches to the heavens and stretches to the skies. Thank you for my faith but help my unbelief. Give me confidence, comfort and wisdom this Saturday as I'm set to do something challenging and vulnerable. I love you Lord. In Your name I pray Lord Jesus,

AMEN!