First Christian Church, Wauchula, FL

George Watson – had his carotid artery surgery today, Friday. By 6:30 PM he was in recovery and doctors said his surgery went perfect.

Christina Milby - Need prayer,…..Nikki was rushed to lakeland hospital in an ambulance earlier this morning she has a kidney stone blocking her passage, and my papa is still in the hospital in Winter Haven. UPDATE Nikki is home and doctors are going to let her pass the stone. She has a followup with the urologist in a week or so.

  Okay, we’re going to pick up where we left off.  I’ve gone ahead and included day 2 & 3 of the trip in this blog since they are both fairly short.  Enjoy!

Day 2 – Israel Trip – Sunday, March 14

 Well Sunday began with a bagel and some apple juice, and then we headed off to attend church in Clermont, FL at the 5^th fastest growing church in the nation, Real Life Church.  It was really a great service all around.  I was able to take from it a song to introduce to our church, “Hosanna”, by Paul Baloche (giving thanks) and the Pastor was finishing up a series on the 7 churches in Revelation.  It was pretty cool to me that throughout his message he spent a lot of time discussing “locations” in Israel and how it related.  Ironic?  I don’t think so! (giving thanks)

 We followed up church with a seafood lunch at the local Red Lobster, wasted some time at the local Wal-Mart, enjoyed some ice cream then went to see the movie “Avatar” in 3D.  After the movie we chose Chinese for dinner and then it was time to get to bed.  We set a wake up call for 1:30 AM to get to the airport for our 4 AM flight.  What the what?!  

 Still giving thanks!

 Day 3 – Israel Trip – Monday, March 15

 Ring, ring, ring…This is your 1:30 AM wake up call.”  Darin and I both jump up after getting a sum total of 4 hours sleep and meet the guys downstairs at 2:15 AM.  The day starts off with a bang.  We arrive at the airport at 3 AM only to find out that the ticket counter doesn’t even open until 4 AM.  Our flight really didn’t leave until 5:30 AM.  Oh well, at least we were the first in line for a ticket.  (giving thanks)

 On our first flight from Orlando to Atlanta, just after they were finished handing out drinks and snacks the plane hit a huge air pocket and drop what felt like 1000 feet very rapidly.  When that happened the stewardess spilled coffee AND diet coke all over my shirt and shorts.  Oh well, at least the cold drink spilled last erasing the burning sensation I was feeling from the coffee which spilled on me first.  (giving thanks)

 We arrive safely and head directly to our next flight, which was going to Newark.  It thrills me to say I remained completely dry throughout the entire flight.  (giving thanks)  Once in Newark we had to go to the ticket counter to check-in for our flight to Israel.  So, after finally finishing up the game of 20 questions with immigration, having successfully convinced them that I didn’t know anyone in Israel, that no one else had packed my bags for me, that it was not a business trip, that I left the fanny pouch for my rented international cell phone at home because frankly I just don’t look good in a fanny pouch and after having finally agreeing to set Megan, my oldest daughter up in an arranged marriage with the immigration officers son I was approved to go to Israel…oh, except for the fact that I didn’t have an approved ticket to board the plane.  (giving thanks)

 After they finally figured out it was a computer error they issued me a new ticket and I boarded the plane ready for my 10 ½ hour flight into to Tel-Aviv.  (giving thanks)  The flight itself was great until, Benny gave Joe a sleeping pill to help him sleep on the flight, that’s when all the fun began.  While attempting to get some sleep on the flight so I wouldn’t be a zombie once we arrived most of my time was spent helping Joe not fall out of his seat.  The pill made him totally wacky.  When he would stand up attempting to stay awake, while standing in the aisle he would fall over his seat and right on top of me.  He would go and get a soda from the stewardess to help keep him awake and each time he would sit down with it he would fall asleep holding it and spill it right on me.  Out of six drinks he had, I managed to catch 3 and have 3 spilled down my leg.  At one point after eating dinner he fell asleep and dropped his head right into his dinner plate, knocked off his glasses, then stepped on them and broke them.  After a little while this all just became comical and oh how I wish I was smart enough to snap a few photos of Joe with my iPhone for evidence later.  Once he reads this I’m sure he’ll deny everything.  So, on the 10 ½ hour flight I got the sum total of 1 hour of sleep.  (giving thanks)

 However, the good news is this…We arrived in Tel-Aviv at 7:30 AM and it was time to start walking the footsteps of Jesus!!!

 Still giving thanks!

Michael & Renee Johnston – Baptism

George Watson - Prayer —  has pre-op testing today (Monday) and carotid artery surgery Wednesday at 10:00 AM in Tampa General Hospital. UPDATE: his surgery was moved to Thursday, we don’t know why or what time.

Carol M. Knight - Prayer for Tracy Mercer — had just returned home from a long absence and his brother (T.J. Mercer) was killed in a motorcycle accident. Prayer for their family during this difficult time.

Lidenia Servin - Prayer for the Boehm and Gicker Family — Ken Boehm passed away this morning

Carey Gannon - Zander is home and doing okay

  It took a little longer than expected but as promised I wrote in my journal daily while on the trip to Israel.  So…Today begins day 1 from my journal.  I continue to post one day from the journal over the next few weeks.  I hope you enjoy the reading and aren’t too scared by the look into my mind. (haha)  My journal notes can never replace really being there but, until you can make the trip for yourself, it’s better than nothing.  Happy reading!

Day 1 – Israel Trip – Saturday, March 13

 “In all things give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18

 This is the first lesson I’ve learned on my trip.  I arrived at Orlando International Airport with so much anticipation, so much excitement ready to sink my feet into the sands of the Mediterranean Sea.  However, God had other plans.  He wanted me to learn to give thanks in ALL things.

 Due to some really strong winds in New York our flight was cancelled and we were unable to get a new flight until Monday at 4 AM.  We booked a hotel over the phone 2 miles away from the airport only to arrive, go into the lobby and find out it was overbooked and they had no rooms available.  We checked at least ½ dozen more hotels to hear the same thing…”no vacancy.”  I was beginning to wonder if I was feeling the same aggravation Mary and Joseph were feeling as they were looking for a place the night Jesus was born.  After learning that they was not one hotel within 30 minutes of the airport that had rooms available we decided to stop the search, grab a bite to eat and relax for a little bit.

 We enjoyed a great steak dinner at Charlie’s Steakhouse and shared some really wonderful conversation.  Following dinner we hit the road and drove, and drove, and drove until finally upon arriving in Haines City we found the glorious “Inn Nova” where we would settle in for the night.  The hotel is exactly one hour away from the airport, but hey, at least we’ve got someplace to sleep.

 So it’s just after 12:30 AM and as we are all filing off of the elevator to settle into our rooms the message I needed to hear, the lesson I needed to learn came from the 67 year old “jolly” retired Pastor in our group of 4, and here is what he said.   “In all things give thanks young men, in all things give thanks.  Let’s get up and go to church in the morning.  Sound good?”

 “Sounds good brother Joe, sounds good!”

Carey Gannon  – Prayer for Annette’s nephew “Zander”—he was taken to the ER, which could not get his asthma attack under control so he is being transferred to All Children’s in St. Pete.

Linda Rogers - Prayer for her 12 year old son Jordan — he has a hip disorder called Perthes, and will have surgery  on April 29th at All Children’s.  He will be in a half body cast for 6 weeks.

Nikki Milby - Prayer for her mom (Melany) — she has a checkup with the doctor about her small intestine that she had surgery on — prayer that everything is good

Prayer request for “The Story of Jesus” – Prayer that they will be able to do it again next year

Debbie Blum - Prayer for Lisa McGee — surgery on Tuesday for her torn ACL

Leighton & Lara Bryant – Prayer for K.C. — having surgery on Thursday to reattach knee cap and repair ACL

Ray & Pat Graham – Thankful for the love shown to them during the loss of Ray’s dad

Abygail Adams – has to be taught how to nurse, she sucks so hard and fast her milk chokes her and gets in her lungs.

George Watson – had a mole removed and is having a carotid artery blockage removed

Missy Massey- Prayer — she needs to get back on track with God; also prayer for Ampara Islas — losing her mom to cancer (her mom has been given 6 months to live) — also other family issues; Praise – her mom (Lora Brewer) has been improving — she has had 2 great weeks

D’Lise Wyckoff – Prayer — Alana saw an orthopedic specialist Monday for an issue with her hand. She is scheduled for surgery April 27th., it should be an outpatient procedure; she will wear a cast for two weeks following, and have no future problems. All Children’s has not set the time for surgery

Phil Bumby - Prayer — will be handling his Aunt Catlett’s memorial at her home, Saturday at 1:00 in Gainesville and has never done something like this before.

Arlie & Linda Thompson - Praise — 1)Their son-in-law has been released to go home, (Chris Black)  2) Their daughter Arlinda has gotten the job she wanted  3) Arlie received a good doctors report.   Thank you all for your prayers

Abygail Adams - Infant daughter of Teddy & Jessica Adams; started spitting up and turning blue, she’s being taken to All Children’s.

Arlie Thompson- his colonoscopy revealed one small spot of infection, he will continue on his meds and be rechecked April 23rd.

Lidenia Servin - M.A. Drake’s wife; she had a stroke and is being sent home today with arrangements for hospice. Prayer for her and her family.

Linda LaLonde – Prayer for a friend of theirs that’s struggling with finances and her children — prayer for strength and direction

Dawn Atkinson-Jones – Prayer

Crosby Family – Prayer

Florence Kirkpatrick – Prayer — Alzheimer’s & mini strokes

Jim & Jackie Alls – Prayer for Jackie’s mother (Mary Durham) — not doing well — nearly immobile at this time

D’Lise Wyckoff - Prayer for Alana — she saw 2 specialists on Friday –pray that the results will determine what’s going on so she will get better soon;