Caesarea

Day 1 

Caesarea

At all national parks this little goat was there... Amanda and myself found a new friend :)

You know, there are no words to describe Sonie! She is just an amazingly fun woman! So glad she was part of our team!!

Acts 25:13 starts the scene for this Colosseum. Paul would have been down where Johnny is, talking to thousands about Christ while he was imprisoned. Praying I can have his boldness!

The colloseum was enormous! The amazing thing is that you could hear every word the person at the bottom was saying while you stood at the top.

I constantly had to stop and remind myself where I was and who had been here before me. It may have been thousands of years before me, but no less amazing! Paul was an amazing man sitting in the Colosseum listening to Tom read the scene play out in the bible was very emotional for me as I looked towards the bottom and imagined the scene play out.

The staircase leads down to where they say Paul was held.

The jail cells...  obviously there are some modern additions!

Couldn't believe these shells all over!

Next to the colosseum was Herod's palace.

Herod had an amazing view from this palace. It said it was ONE of his palaces... Ponchos Pilot had stayed in it as well.

Can you imagine waking up to this view?! That is part of the ruins from the palace that you aren't able to walk to jetting out over the sea.

So this palace was right next to the Colosseum and then next to it was a chariot racing amphitheater. It was all very close together!

Johnny climbed EVERYTHING. This was the back of the stadium.

Coming out from the back where they would have kept animals.

Just imagine these seats filled with people. I bet it was a lot more entertaining than spending $10 to watch a movie!

Pus you got the amazing view!

This was on the top of the stadium... I think it looked like where the rich people would have got to hang out during the races!

Now back behind the stadium you have some of the public bath areas.... there are so many!

The Romans really loved public bathing...  hmmmm

all part of the bathing area!

Love how you can see how much time has passed. 

The end of the arena.

Through the entire trip I was in awe at the artistry of the time. If someone were to ask for a floor like this in their home the creator would go design it on a computer. This is all tiny little tiles laid out by hand to make this beautiful piece of art work! Was so in love with the floors. CAN NOT believe how well they are preserved after all this time!

      

Delicious frozen lemonade with mint on the Mediterranean!

I pray for the boldness of Paul. I feel like this trip has really helped me to grow in this weakness of mine. Being able to speak up when I feel God speaking to me and not worrying about what others may think. Because no matter what people think, He is the only one that matters.

4 “My manner of life from my youth, spent from the beginning among my own nation and in Jerusalem, is known by all the Jews. 5 They have known for a long time, if they are willing to testify, that according to the strictest party of our religion I have lived as a Pharisee. 6 And now I stand here on trial because of my hope in the promise made by God to our fathers, 7 to which our twelve tribes hope to attain, as they earnestly worship night and day. And for this hope I am accused by Jews, O king! 8 Why is it thought incredible by any of you that God raises the dead?

Acts 26:4-7

This is only the first part of day 1!!! I still have 2 more sights to upload for the first day! Stay tuned! 

there and back again!

So I have spent the last few days trying to figure out how  I would share what I saw, felt, tasted, smelled and fell in love with... I still haven;t figured that out but thought I'd just start and hopefully you will get a tiny taste of it. So I'm gonna start at the beginning and work my way through day by day.

I can honestly tell you that leaving my family on that Friday night was one of the HARDEST things I have EVER done!! The whole day I was a mess! Too many tears to count! The drop off... what can I even say?! I gave all my hugs and kisses and we had a family prayer at home so that when we got to the church office we wouldn't have to do it in front of everyone. I decided that I would just get out hug the kids and let Jon take them home so they didn't have to see me leave. The whole car was crying!  Jon carried my bags up while I got in the back seat and hugged and kissed my babies again before I left.  I cried when I hugged them and after they pulled away. I walked into the office and they had some of the church family there to pray us off... so I just kept on crying!!  Once we got in the van to head out I had a peace come over me that stayed with me the entire trip. God really held me close so I didn't have any breakdowns the whole trip. It was quite amazing considering the state I was in when I left.
I took a one hour nap before we headed to the airport at 3:30AM and started our journey.

So I thought I would share this first little bit of my journal before we headed out.

Laying on the seats in the airport going between ecstatic and frantic.

I have left behind my heart and feel a little empty.

I so often forget what its like caring for myself and not worrying about someone else's needs.

Going to fill that emptiness with Him. Dig in. Study Him. Love Him. Breathe Him. Walk in His footsteps, and be His hands and feet.

I pray for a whole transformation of the heart, mind and spirit. A feeling of rejuvenation. I want to be His fully.

I pray you open my eyes to your wonders. Reveal yourself to me in ways I can't even imagine.

Be with my family, keep your loving arms around them. Give them comfort and peace as I am gone.

And then we were off! Headed on the most amazing journey with Him guiding our path!

Cry day

Well now. That was one of the hardest evenings EVER! Saying goodbye to your babies and hubby is never fun but man!!  My kids must have inherited the Lusch tears.  

Laying on my hotel bed trying not to worry or wonder if I left anything at home.  Praying that if I did it's not too important! 

Just laying here thinking about all the love and support I have been shown through the first mention of going has just been amazing! The outpouring of prayers has been immense!  God has put some of the most amazing people in my life. Some old and some very new. But all so incredibly fabulous! 

Our family has grown so much in the last year and it's been incredible. God is incredible.  The hearts of the people He has put into our lives are huge!!  My family is greatful for you all. Whether it's been through prayer, love, or financial support for my trip. THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

 

We leave Oregon around 8am and should arrive in Israel around 2pm Sunday (10 hours ahead)  so around 

4am Sunday Oregon time. YIKES!! Pray for traveling mercies and no canc elled or delayed flights!!

Love you all!! 

-mama

Wake ups

Whenever something big or exciting is about to happen we use the term "wake ups" with the kids. Its our count down system... 3 MORE WAKE UPS and mommy is gone.  Today that is what I told the kids after we finished breakfast. Peighton's response? a NO!!!!! Mom I don't want you to leave for 500 more wake ups! 
Ummmm, break my heart much? 
I took in a deep breath asked God to hold my tears back and was able to talk without a waterfall pouring out of my eyes.  I was very proud of how well I held myself together :) Here is what i said...
You guys are gonna have so much fun while mommy is gone! You get to have Grammy and Nana and Auntie Doodoo come over and play! Isn't that the best? Where I'm gonna be is with little kids like you guys who don't have anyone. You guys have a mommy AND a daddy who love you all SO much! PLUS you have so so much family!! So many people to love and spoil you all. Theses little kids don't have any family. AND guess what? Mommy gets to go love them! For this little bit of time I get to be the mommy they don't have and love them and hug them and tell them that Jesus loves them.  Don't you think that's pretty cool?
In unison... yes mom.

Well glad that's settled. I know that speech was more for myself than it was for the kids. I've been having such a hard time thinking of leaving the kids. Mostly Marek cause I know the other 3 can comprehend what is going on and that I will be coming home. Sometimes my empathy is so overwhelming I can feel their little hearts breaking! Man!!!! I blame it on my genes... this stinking Lusch  blood that runs through my veins
I have been making loads of little videos for Jon and the kids of me just being a dweeb so Jon can play them when I'm gone.  Hoping that will ease their little hearts. Also every morning they will be getting a card from mommy with some sort of fun treat for the day.  It'll be exciting to come home and hear about the fun stuff they do with out me! Especially the roll of bubble wrap I bought and told them to have a early morning dance party on top of it before daddy leaves for work! I have a feeling Jon won't like them all as much as the kids :)
 Well I only have 3 more wake ups so I'm gonna go hang with my babies!!! 

His perfect way

This God—his way is perfect;

the word of the Lord proves true;

he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him.

2Sa 22:31

The whole time I've been gearing up for this trip I've known it was in Gods plan for me to go. But now that I only have 22 days left to go I'm freaking out! I keep asking Jon "what was I thinking???" Then I remember it wasn't me. I was not the one who had this plan all mapped out. So I am going to cling to this verse that says His way is PERFECT.
So the word perfect is an adjective... which if you aren't sure, an adjective is a describing word... it is a word that gives something that attribute. So the word perfect is describing Gods way. What is the definition of perfect you ask?? Well let me just tell you-  

:having no mistakes or flaws: completely correct or accurate:

So here's what we have learned thus far-

*God's way has NO mistakes

**NO flaws

***it is COMPLETELY correct

****it is COMPLETELY accurate.

The word perfect should not be used in a sentence with any humans on this planet. There is only one person or thing that has ever existed that could have this word attributed to them. I typed in the word perfect into google.. just wanted to see what would come up. people. Lots of people, a few celebrities but mostly just people who work out. A LOT. I'm sure if I didn't have a blocker set up on google there would have been some other images of a lot less clothed people, but glad I have that set up. :) Everything on this earth has a flaw, something imperfect about it. 
I can't even fathom what perfect actually is. 

The other word that really sticks out to me while I am battling my anxiety is shield.

When I think of a shield I think of something you'd see in a movie about gladiators and spartans.. Or perhaps Captain America's disc. But when I looked at this verse in the King James version the word is actually Buckler. What in the world is a buckler you ask? Let me teach you your new thing of the day!  :)

A buckler is 

A portable shield;  A shield surrounding the person; A large shield protecting the whole body

It makes me feel good to know that when I dig in and seek refuge and follow His perfect way, He will be my full body armor to protect me. Nobody walks out into the battlefield with out their armor on. You also wouldn't pick the bullet proof vest with holes in it. He has a perfect way for me and as I dig into Him more I can feel His arms shielding me from my own bullets. These thoughts and feelings of anxiousness are not from Him but He can protect me from them if I let Him. Putting my trust in Him fully and all His perfect plans for me.

Thanks husband for sending me to 2 Samuel 22 today <3

panic.

This is my panic face.

(excuse the lack of makeup)

Last night I started making videos for Jon to share with the kiddos while I'm gone... bad idea! During every video I had to fight my tears, then take a break before I made the next one. I then tried to make one for Jon. Key word TRIED. His video is approximately 5 seconds long. Lost it. I was already annoyed with my dreads... so I took my panic out on my hair :( and immediately decided they were going. I should have slept on it and waited... but oh well.  They are not totally combed out and my hair is a waxy mess but its too late now. 

I thought I'd wake up feeling refreshed and ready to go... BUT that did not happen. I am now getting my kids schedules all written out and planning the freezer meals I'll be making and finishing up my list of things I still need to get before take off. 

It is quiet time at our house right now so I was able to sit down and get some of my own quiet time in with our Father and He always has a way of settling me down. I am still panicky but not running around ripping my hair out like I was. 

One of my lovely sisters in Christ sent me this scripture today... - Thanks Bizzle :)

You keep him in perfect peace

whose mind is stayed on you,

because he trusts in you.

Trust in the LORD forever,

for the LORD GOD is an everlasting rock.

Isa 26:3-4

Did you know that the word PEACE is a noun? Not a describing word but a person, place, or thing. I'm gonna say it is a thing or maybe even a place or ok a person...This was the first definition that popped up for me-

a state of tranquillity or quiet:

So this PERFECT PEACE is something. I can have it. Does this blow anyone else's mind? The feeling of perfect peace is something that God can give to me... like I would give my babies a kiss. It is something that no human can give... I couldn't hand you a bowl of peace and you could take a bite and feel better. But He can. He is almighty and all powerful. You guys!!!! Do you hear me? Peace is a thing, it is a place that only He can take you. wow. No other person can do that. 

Just sitting here working this all out and writing it all down makes me feel amazing. He has got this whole trip in His hands. Yes, I already knew it and I will need reminding every single day until I am back home with my loves... but sheesh. You never know what you'll learn when you sit down and study out a verse.

You should feel my pulse it has slowed waaaay down. 

My head is a crazy place to be inside of... so, sorry if you are catching a little peek.

Praying that we can all find that perfect peace he promises if we trust Him.

Too bad I didn't study this out BEFORE I combed out my dreads!!!

Noeline

I just got an email back from Lori at Show Mercy that said I will be able to have a special time to meet our girl Noeline that we support! I had already figured they were gonna let me but when I read the email it got me all emotional and so excited! The kids are gonna make her some special things for me to take to her and I'll bring lots of pictures for her to keep. I also learned I'll not only get to have the one time with her but that she is involved in one of their feeding groups so I'll get to see her then as well! I AM ECSTATIC!!! 

Less than 5 weeks Noeline and I'll be there!!!

but Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” Mat 19:14

Uganda dinner fundraiser

Tonight we had our last fundraiser to help get the last of our team all funded for our trip. It was a dinner and baked goodies auction. It was an amazing success and once again we were blessed beyond measure! We served a Ugandan style dinner including beans & rice, chicken and chipatis and had some delicious desserts to action off afterwards. 

Sonie and Debbie did an awesome job decorating!

By the time we started all the tables were filled and it was quite crowded!

Aren't the masks awesome??! Sonie is awesome.

These are called Chipatis... kind of like a tortilla. Here is a link to a recipe if you'd like to make some yourself and taste some yummy Uganda food. 

http://www.watoto.com/about-us/news-updates/making-chapatis-ugandan-style

Did I mention the decorations were awesome? 

This is only some of the desserts! The yummy key lime cheesecake I got isn't even on the table yet! 

Most of our team... and yes Erick thinks he is an African warrior apparently.  

THANK YOU to everyone who came tonight and supported the team! I know I am speaking for everyone when I say you have touched our hearts and we are forever grateful for your love and support! 

To the choirmaster: according to Muth-labben. A Psalm of David. I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart;
I will recount all of your wonderful deeds.   Psa 9:1

Love is kind

My wonderful hubby took me away this weekend for a little breather. A nice break for the two of us before I head out on my trip (27 days left)  and he is a single dad for 15 days!u

If you know my husband at all, you know he is a nerd :) so you'll understand just how much he loves me when I tell you he took me to chocolate Fest when right next door comic con was happening!!! Are you impressed? Because I was and still am! Chocolate Fest was amazing and delicious! I am a true believer in samples and I will gladly sample chocolate at any and all times of the day. My husband knows my heart <3 

We had a great time just walking around with each other eating candy and able to have a conversation and were even able to hold hands. Those tiny things you take for granted when you are so used to holding the littles hands. His hands were clean and not even sticky!!! I forgot what it was like holding hands with a hand that wasn't smaller  than mine. 

He also had made dinner reservations at a restaurant called Sauce Box (super yummy)  I don't even think there was a high hair in the whole place! We ate by candlelight  and had delicious food! 

I even got to wear my new fancy hair clip!!

Laying here by my sleeping husband and just feeling so blessed this morning! God gave me this incredible man to share my life with. In 27 short days I will be heading out and wishing it was a trip we could make together. But we decided we will  one day. When we are old and our kids are grown. For now he is trusting in God and sending me out on my own. Love him. Love Him. 

Thank you God for my amazing husband and father to our children, you have blessed my life abundantly.

Love suffereth long, and is kind; love envieth not; love vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not its own, is not provoked, taketh not account of evil; rejoiceth not in unrighteousness, but rejoiceth with the truth; beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.  (1 Corinthians 13:4-7 ASV).    

nothing vs. everything

 In nothing be anxious; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. Phl 4:6

Yesterday I was able to talk with my handsome Uncle Stephen for a few minutes and he was asking if I was excited for my trip, I said yes but that I was also really anxious about leaving my family for 15 days. This is the verse he gave to me :) God always knows what to give me when I need it and always uses different people to do so. Uncle was telling me he did a word study on this verse, so I thought I'd do a little of the same. It is amazing how you can read a verse so differently every time you open your bible.

¹noth·ing

 pronoun \ˈnə-thiŋ\

: not anything : not a thing 

  something that does not exist 

:  not any thing :  no thing <leaves nothing to the imagination>

ev·ery·thing pronoun \ˈev-rē-ˌthiŋ

: every thing there is : all that exists

: all that is related to a particular subject

: all that is important

Be anxious in NOTHING....  not one tiny little thing. Not even that tiny crumb that just fell on the floor while the kids were eating and you have guests coming over!  

But in EVERYTHING by prayer and supplication.... ALL things! Even that tiny little crumb that fell on the floor while the kids were eating and you have guests coming over!  

Sometimes it blows my mind that God cares about it all. EVERYTHING!   Sometimes I get worried over the tiniest most insignificant stuff known to man kind and He cares about it because I care about it. Not even my own husband cares about those things!  (LOVE my hubby)

The other day Marek got hurt and I kissed his owie and he was fine again and ran off to play and I just sat there so overwhelmed with emotion that while I am gone for 15 days I won't be able to kiss his boo boos!  That's how my brain and heart have been lately so overwhelmed with joy for this trip and then all of a sudden I'm in a panic over little things. My children are so blessed to have a mommy and  a daddy who love them all to pieces and do anything and everything to move mountains for them. I keep reminding myself that while I am gone for those 15 days without MY babies owies to kiss better, I will be able to kiss someone else's babies owies all better. I cannot wait to get to the orphanage to love on all those kids and share His love and and tell them that they have a Father who cares about EVERYTHING.

I'm sure I will still have my freak outs over the next 30 days and probably a few while I'm gone. But I take comfort in knowing that my Father will be taking care of my family back home. 

give thanks.

Watched this video this morning from Lori from Show Mercy and it really tugged on my heart.

We had one of our final meetings last night for our trip and I left it so excited! I am excited for the work God is going to do in me. I know we are going to serve and show His love to His people , but the work he is and will be doing in me I think will be even bigger.
We also went through some of the stops we'll be making in Israel which gets me excited in a whole other way! I am going to walk in Jesus' footsteps. I am going to walk in Jesus' footsteps. I am going to walk in Jesus' footsteps!!!!! Sorry I just had to repeat that a few times because I still can't believe it is really going to happen!!!!!!

Today I am going to be thankful for everything God has given me. Hope you all do the same!!!

so blessed- Dani

O give thanks unto the LORD; for he isgood; for his mercy endureth for ever. 1Ch 16:34

Overflowing

I have always, ALWAYS wanted to go on a missions trip!  Once I started having kids I kind of pushed it out of my head as a possibility. I thought maybe when the kids grew up it would be something Jon and I could do together.   2 1/2 years ago a few people were going over to Uganda from our church and I wanted to go so bad!!! But God decided we should add another little blessing to our family and I found out we were expecting our little Marek. Last year our Pastor went alone and held a pastors conference and he'd send little updates for us and I could feel my heart being pulled to Uganda. When he came home he told us that next year he wanted to take a team with him.... and  here I am almost a year later, on that team and almost ready to head out!

We started fundraising in June, and in November I really started to feel the pressure. I hadn't even made it half way and I only had 3 months left to go. We'd planned on saving money and knew we'd have a pretty good chunk in the end to pay but not THAT big of a chunk. One of the ladies in my bible study (a very wise lady and one of my dear friends) told me I need to send out letters. I had already thought about it, but the idea of asking people for money just really didn't feel right to me. The way she put it changed my heart and gave me hope. She said. send out the letters and give those people who aren't able to make a trip like this the chance to help. There are so many people who have always wanted to go but were never able to, let them have an opportunity to show Gods love. So I prayed about it and sent out letters to whom I thought God wanted me too. I chose a lot of people who I not only thought might want to give but people I knew would be strong prayer warriors for myself, my family, and our team. Now here I am 3 months later my trip is now paid (if you know me, you know I cried. A LOT.) Not only are my funds raised but my shots were almost all paid for as well... ok now I'm starting to cry AGAIN!! 

At this second I am having a hard time believing there are people who don't believe in God. As I sit here typing I can physically feel his love surrounding me. All of you have blessed me beyond words. I will be sending out thank you cards to every single person that helped me get to where I am, but I wanted to wait until I could send a few pictures of my trip with them.  God put this verse on my heart to share with you all and I hope it blesses you as it does me. 
    
 And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible. Mar 10:27

With Him and only with Him am I able to go on this amazing trip!! Thank you all!

This is where I'll be updating everyone on my trip as I get closer to leaving, how I'm feeling, how my kids are feeling and during my trip as I am able to.

                   Praying God blesses you today!!!!