The Promised Land

Well, here we are in the Promised Land… and our troubles are still with us. Many people told us to enjoy ourselves on our trip and for some crazy reason I thought we would get away and actually enjoy ourselves, that being away from “it” all would be the ticket away from pain. Well, I couldn’t have been more wrong. Grieving is grieving no matter where you are!!! Nonetheless, we are trying very hard to just be and soak up the culture and take-in the experience before us.

So far we haven’t seen much. We wandered through the old city and wailed at the western wall. We went to the Holy Sepulchre Church where, supposedly is the place, Christ was crucified. I’ve formed a few opinions so far and they may change over time, but so far I don’t get the whole thing about people feeling Gods presence here… More than other places in the world. I’m not taking away from the fact that this is REAL stuff and it’s the Bible land… It’s just that so far all of the holy sites have been turned into shrines and I just don’t get it. It doesn’t remind me of our Shepherd, Jesus Christ. But, again, that’s just my opinion and anyone can disagree.

Anyhow, it’s tough being on this trip but we are powering through and hoping something good comes from it. Our prayer is that God makes us feel like His beloved children, that He reminds us that He loves us and will not forsake us. Of course we know what the scriptures say, but we want to “feel” it. ***on a side note, and I’m just throwing this out there for anyone who may still read our blog- Please don’t feel the need to apologize if you bring tears to our eyes when talking with us. We cry on our own in private, in public and in talking with others. Honestly, it is relieving and feels good!!! So, in all love, don’t apologize and please don’t tell us not to cry. (just putting that out there)

7 comments on “The Promised Land

  1. Wherever you go,there you are! Glad to hear you two arrived safe and soybeans. My phone wrote soybeans instead of ‘sound!’.

    I always wondered at how people said they went to Israel and found the Lord etc..is it neat knowing Jesus walked the ground your feet are resting on?

    Stay strong together you two! Crying does feel so good! I’m guilty of feeling guilty..it sucks watching the people you care about hurting and aching! Awesome that you have this blog (that I’m sure many people still check daily)…so you can communicate and vent/share in the way you are able!

    Have a safe trip! Love!

  2. Hello Daniel and elisabeth – i too check your blog still once in a while, emotional pain sucks 100%. Funny how u wrote you don’t even know if anyone is still reading it – there are so many of us out there who read it to identify with what you are feeling. It is amazing to me that you r so honest about the pain and how raw it is. I totally ‘get’ thinking if you go somewhere far away it will stop the hurt even a little and allow some light back in. I’m still waiting. Another thing you talked about – knowing the scriptures … as do I … but you want and need to ‘feel it’. Aaahh … that is, Unfortunately part of this journey you are on. You want to get off, make it stop, almost can’t take the pain and your heart hurts so terribly it literally feels like it will stop beating. But God is love. And there will be healing. Hold on to each other. Rediscover each other. I pray your ache slowly leaves you and you are able to move forward.

    • I like how you stated that “God is love.” In my own life, I find that I can’t always trust what I am feeling…but I can always trust WHO GOD IS…God is love, knowable, creative, forgiving, honest, capable, powerful, compassionate, gracious, merciful, mighty, victorious, Lord, defender, just, everlasting, righteous, a fortress, salvation, a refuge, peace, faithful, light, … In God I Trust…

      • And what I mean by “feeling” above is not emotions…because those are real and human…I was talking about my own feelings about whether or not He is present in my life. Those feelings are up and down like a roller coaster. Sometimes I don’t “feel” Him, but that doesn’t mean He isn’t there. Sometimes He makes His presence know to me in a clear way. I can count on Him because of WHO GOD IS, not how I feel about Him…that was my point…

  3. marilyn shadr on said:

    Just letting you know I still check your blog at least once a week & continue to pray for comfort & healing for both of you. God bless, Marilyn

  4. Leah S on said:

    Glad to hear you arrived safely and are able to see the city. I know some of us told you to enjoy yourselves, mostly because we weren’t sure what else to say. I guess better words would be, allow yourselves to be open to the experience, culture & history that surrounds you. We are still praying for you & Daniel daily, continue to lean on the Lord & each other. We love you!
    – the Siapin fam

  5. I started to search for another item and I saw your blog link pop up, so here I am.

    I loved my trip to Israel; but of course, under different circumstances.

    I get the whole gaudy tourist trap thing; but the reality of the Christian faith is that no one place is holy — only His true Zion, His true Remnant, His dearly loved saints — who will be gathered to experience His true salvation — healing, wholeness. It can’t be manufactured by trinkets or pep talks… it is a matter of His presence.

    Hope to see you again when you get back,

    Peace,

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