Sarah Wennersten
January 3-9, 2011
Week in Review- Israel Reflections
Where do you even start to wrap up a week touring the Holy Land? So much happened in ten days...we were busy all day long every day.
The trip started out in the desert, wilderness, and around the Dead Sea. Being in the desert was my favorite part of the trip. I loved being out in the nothingness. I loved seeing and experiencing where the Israelites would have wandered and where Jesus was tempted. I loved feeling and hearing the rocks under my feet. On this section of the trip we did lots of hiking. If there was a mountain to climb we climbed it; the hard way. We climbed Masada, Qumran, and many other sites. Masada was an interesting hike for me. That morning after breakfast I got really sick and felt super nauseous and needed to throw up. When I finally got off the bus it was really bad. I ended up at the back of the group with Joey; he told me afterwards he didn’t think I was going to make it. But I did. It was tuff, but I had good friends along side me the whole way. Jared ended up taking my backpack which I loathed. I hate it when boys carry a girls’ bag like that; I think girls should pack only what they can carry in that kind of situation and not expect boys to just carry it. But, they practically ripped it off of me and assured me that they knew I wasn’t taking advantage of them. It did help a lot to have the load off. Once to the top I started feeling a little better and Joey said I had color back in my face. I thought I was in the clear but then the hike down came. My legs were so incredibly weak I could not support my weight. They were shaking worse than they ever have before. Finally I had to sit down. Soon I was surrounded by about 5 people all taking care of me. Mrs. Whitling, Scott, Brandon from Hawaii and a few others got me shade, water, and energy jelly beans. Scott turned out to be a paramedic and he made me drink so much water. Every time I drank I thought I was going to throw up but he still made me drink. When we were finally up and walking down again he was constantly saying “suck it down”. We made it back to the buses long after everyone else but no one seemed to notice. Scott then handed me two 70 once water bottles and told me to drink. I ended up putting one in my camelback and drinking on the other. The whole fiasco made the trip very memorable... the struggle to the top, collapse on the way down, and then being drowned by drinking so much. As much as we can figure I got some sort of stomach bug from breakfast which made me sick and therefore sapped my energy. Besides that hike on all the others I was toward the front of the group, ready to go. Right after Masada we hiked Qumran where the Joshua Monument is. It was a pretty difficult climb and a little sketchy. At one point I was pulling myself up onto a ledge and got caught on a bush which then ripped my arm as I came up. It hurt pretty bad and bled. I didn’t think it was that deep but I still have scars from it... oh well, battle wounds are cool I guess. Along with cutting my leg on that climb I was pretty beat up. Once to the top however we got a great view of the valley on one side and the wilderness where Jesus would have been tempted on the other, it was a really neat experience. Here we had time to reflect on what God had done in our lives this year. We each picked up a stone (I carried mine up with me from part way up the mountain) and wrote with a sharpie what we have learned. Mine was easy. One word: freedom. We had time to just sit and reflect and praise God. I sat on the rocky hillside looking out over the wilderness thinking about this year. For those of us who made the climb it was neat time to be together and to be with God. Then all together we stood atop the mountain and shouted the Shema across Israel. I was working hard to fight the tears. That day was a good day for sure. We did many more hikes, with many more stories accompanying them, all of which are to be told in my Israel journal. And, of course, since we were staying right off the shore of the Dead Sea we did go for a float. An interesting experience indeed.
The next part of our trip took us to the Sea of Galilee where Jesus spent most of his time of ministry. We visited many city ruins, climbed up the cliffs of Mr. Arbel, sat on the Mt. of Beatitudes, swam in the Galilee, took a boat ride on the Sea (which was super duper fun), and had a bit of down time in the evening to relax a bit. I think the boat ride was my favorite part of the Galilee. We had time at the beginning to reflect again on Christ and just think and pray. I stood at the front of the boat and let the wind whip my hair and just soaked up the sea and all that happened there. After that time came the dancing. Oh boy did we dance. First were group dances where we danced around the boat and then in a big circle holding hands. We did different jumping steps and then on the cue of the music you would all raise your hands and go up and in the middle. So on a little boat we had a big circle of people jumping around and holding hands suddenly converging on the center all at once. It was crazy and so much fun. After the group dances we made a circle and people would randomly go in and do a move and jump out. I pulled my sprinkler move. We had such a good time as a family just enjoying each other and the company.
The final major leg of our journey brought us to Jerusalem. I really enjoyed Jerusalem and seeing and feeling the city. There is so much in Scripture about this one city. All that happened here, is happening, and will happen blows my mind. I was struck by how God’s hand of protection has been over this place. I was also struck by how the Israeli people will give up land and rights just to keep the peace like at the Temple Mount/Dome of the Rock. I loved Hezekiah’s tunnel, the Mount of Olives, and just walking the streets. Jerusalem was an excellent way to wrap up our trip.
The first thing that hit me in Israel and kept hitting me was the patriotism. Every male serves in the armed forces for two years when they turn 20. And then they are on the reserves for the rest of their lives. Every Israeli man you see is a trained soldier. These people give so much to protect their country. I was stirred by their patriotism and was strongly considering joining the US National Guard but have mostly decided against that even though I still have a longing to serve my country in that way. I have known all along that I was willing to give my life for my country and fight for the freedoms we hold dear. Now I know I will hold loyal also to God’s country, Israel, and stand by them no matter what.
I realized while I was in Israel just how important this place is. I always knew it was special, and that God’ chosen people where special. But experiencing it made it so much more real to me. I came to the conclusion that: I will die for my family, I will die for my country, and I will die for the nation of Israel- God’s chosen ones.
There is such an incredible amount I could write about Israel... But it is in my heart and mind and soon will all be down on paper.
Spring Break
Right after we landed in LA from Israel I was heading over to Southwest to try to get on an earlier flight than 3pm. We had left Israel at 1am their time and landed at 6am our time; with 14 hours in between. I was very tired and didn’t realize how big the terminals are and so I walked with two suitcases and one duffle bag from terminal 3 to terminal 1. I was very tired by the time I got there and had to take many breaks. Once there this annoying lady was yelling at everyone and so I got in line to check in. I was not able to check in because I was so early and I couldn’t change my flight. So I got in line to be helped by a real person and waited to be helped. I called by mother on Eric’s cell phone since mine was dead and she started working things from her end. I got the counter and the lady was most unhelpful. Eric was trying to get on the same flight as me and got to get on. So I walked away dejected and without a phone. I found a corner with an outlet and sat down with all my bags on the floor and charged my phone. When I was finally able to talk to my mom I had found out Eric had gotten on the flight and was becoming delirious at this point. As soon as I started talking to my mom I felt the tears rising up. I fought them off for a while but finally they came out. I must have been some sight. Curled up hugging my knees on the airport floor crying. Oh well, I guess that’s what being tired, sore, and frustrated does to you. So I got back in line to try again and mom called Southwest and got to talk to the most helpful woman. She was able to help us change the flight for the online fare of 13$. I would have had to pay 185$ to do it at the counter. So the lady mom was talking to went above and beyond to help us. It was great. I ended up on a 10:45 flight and took off through security. Turned out that Kaylee was on the same flight for Seattle since her grandpa was sick. I almost missed my flight because I had just sat down with Kaylee and her sister without checking the gate number and was one gate off. I didn’t even see everyone load. I heard my name over the loudspeaker and went to the desk. She simply said “you can load right there”. Oops. But I got on without delaying the flight. I was the last one on besides Kaylee and I got an exit seat. It was so nice compared to how cramped the El Al flight was. I sat next to a neat lady and we talked most the whole time. We stopped in Oakland and Kaylee came up to sit with us and we all talked some more. Through our conversation with the ladies and the flight attendant I became interested again in maybe being a flight attendant. I looked at it awhile ago but I thought it seemed to binding. Then I found out that Southwest has super flexible hours. You work pretty much when you want, and the pay is really good. Especially when you are in the air. My biggest dream right now is to travel and see the world. I could defiantly do that by working as an attendant. We will see. I still have a huge passion for health and fitness.
Once we landed in Seattle I felt so good. It just felt amazing to be home. Mom and I went out to eat at Chang’s Mongolian Grill and did a little shopping. Basically I wasted this whole week... and it felt so good. Except the spiritual dryness part... that felt not-good. Monday I slept, ate, read, and slept. My body needed it. Through the week I rested a lot, wrote an essay for a scholarship, applied to a new college (oh is that a whole other story), finished a book, visited my youth group, went to an Easter service, went to church, and chilled with family friends. I think going to church was one of my favorite things about going home. It was so good to be surrounded by my church family like that again and to be loved on.
Ok... so college. For about a year now I have been struggling between choosing which school to go to. I could not decide between Corban University in Salem Oregon and San Diego Christian College. Then over break my parents got a newsletter from the school they both graduated from talking about their exercise and fitness management program and major. Wayland Baptist University in Plainview, Texas seems like it could be the answer. It is over 10,000$ cheaper than the other two and seems to have the best kinesiology program. From what I have learned so far I am really impressed with the school. They are very well-founded and respected. The school is bigger so if affords more opportunities. I am still not sure where I will be attending in the fall...it is such a tuff decision. All three are good schools and offer different perks. Ugh. Decisions, decisions.
This week I am going to pray for Israel. We saw so much while we were down there that it’s hard to put into words what exactly I am going to pray for. Israel has been creeping into my dreams constantly and has been a burden on my heart. I will pray for continued peace and that God’ purpose will continue to be worked out through his people.
