"I Will Follow You" (March 14)

"Do you follow me?" I have heard this question probably a hundred times since I stepped onto the bus that first night at the Tel Aviv airport; we all have. It is something that our beloved tour guide, Saad, asks quite regularly in his teachings. Almost as if he uses it in his speeches as I tend to use "umm." He makes a point, and then says "Do you follow me?" He defines a word, and then says "Do you follow me?" He makes a joke, laughs at himself, and then says "Do you follow me?" Over and over, often to the amusement of his listeners, he uses it.

As we made our way out of the church building at the Mount of Beatitudes this morning and walked down to the spot where Jesus preached His sermon, I heard it again, "Do you follow me?" This time, however, it wasn't with my ears that I heard it, but with my heart.

We sat down on the rocks and looked out over the Sea of Galilee, and I was speechless. JP Spees (KSBJ DJ), opened the Bible and just stood there. He was overcome with emotion. We all were. He cleared his throat and with a strong voice began reading aloud.

As the beautiful words of Matthew 5 filled the air, I was broken...

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled..."

In that moment, I was lost in the beauty. Completely awed by the love of my Savior. Jesus spoke those words, on the very mountainside that I was sitting on, so very long ago; and yet, they haven't lost their power. They still comfort. They still teach. He still comforts. He still teaches.

The scenery before me was breathtaking. The green grass, the solid rocks, the water's edge. I gazed out, and heard it once again..."Do you follow me?"

We traveled to Capharnaum next and then on to Tabgha to see the area where the feeding of the five thousand took place.

 

We also visited Peter's Primacy and walked on the rocky beach where Jesus reinstated Peter by asking him three times if he loved him. My mom and I crouched near the heart stones that were placed there and held up the "I love you" sign for a picture. Afterwards, we walked to the edge of the Sea. So clear. So beautiful. I bent down to touch the water, and I heard it again..."Do you follow me?"

 

The boat ride into the Sea of Galilee was unbelievable. The weather was perfect and as we recited the Lord's Prayer for KSBJ's pray down at high noon, I was once again awed by where I was. I looked out over the waters and imagined what it might have been like to be tossed about by the waves in the middle of a raging storm. What a sight it must have been to see Jesus walking on the water towards the boat! I looked down at the Sea below me and a part of me (a big part of me!) wanted to jump off right then and there! But, had I been on the boat during the storm that day, would I have had the faith? Would I have walked out to Jesus like Peter did? Would I have given up everything and followed Him, had He asked? I looked back at the shore, completely lost in thought.

After the boat ride, we enjoyed tilapia from the Sea of Galilee! (The whole fish was ordered by another team member. We were brave on this trip...just not THAT brave!)

We then arrived at the Jordan River, and I was a mixture of nervousness and excitement! As I changed into the white robes and made my way down to the river's edge, I couldn't keep the smile off my face. When it was our turn, I stepped into the ice cold water. While catching my breath, I heard it again, "Brooke, do you follow me?" I wadded to Rick, a fellow team member, and he grabbed my hand. He looked at me and asked, "what is your profession today?" And I answered, "Jesus is Lord!" When I came up out of the water, I was able to watch my mom go under. As she came up, I couldn't contain my tears. My life is His. All of it. What a beautiful reminder this time in Israel has been of that fact! Through the storms, He is good. He carries His children in the palm of His hand and nothing, absolutely nothing, can snatch us out.

Though it was cold going in, coming out of the Jordan, all I felt was warmth... and in my heart, I finally answered the question that He had been asking me all day, "Yes Lord, I will follow you."

"Listen to the Stories" (March 13)

I was captivated as our bus pulled out of the hotel parking lot this morning. With a 90% chance of rain in the forecast, I was completely awed by the sight of the sun rays peeking through the clouds. It was cool, but not too cold, and the scenery was absolutely breathtaking. Mountains so green and  crops so plentiful. "Luscious" was the only word I could think of to describe the sights I saw. The Promised Land. We were making our way through The Promised Land! "A land flowing with milk and honey." The land God gave to His people of long ago. I can only imagine what the Israelites were thinking when they came upon a land so green. So beautiful. So luscious. After wandering for so long in the desert, they too must have been captivated. As Joshua led the people across the Jordan River, the command of The Lord must have been playing over and over in his head. In his heart: "Be strong and courageous, for you will bring the Israelites into the land I promised them on oath, and I myself will be with you." The waters, the trees, the fruit, the grass, the mountains, the valleys. I can only imagine their faces! Faces, no doubt, filled with mixed emotions. Wonder at the beauty of their surroundings and fear of the great unknown.

When Saad, our tour guide, pointed out Mount Tabor, explaining the transfiguration that happened there, we all looked, and were astonished to see a cloud hovering over the highest region. At that moment, Luke 9:35 came alive: "A voice came from the cloud, saying, 'This is my Son, whom I have chosen, listen to him." Oh, the amazement that Peter, James, and John must have experienced in that moment!

Our bus pulled up to the edge of a body of water, and as the doors opened, Saad's thick accent rang out: "Listen to the stories of the Mediterranean Sea! Listen to the waves, they'll speak to you." I smiled as I made my way out onto the beach. Oh, if the waters could only speak! The stories they would tell! 

We walked along the sand, exploring Herod the Great's ancient Aquaducts. When my mom and I reached the wet sand, we couldn't help ourselves! Though it was cool, we took our shoes and socks off and rolled up our pants! And yes, dear friends, we splashed around in the Mediterranean Sea!! Then, the rain came! A fast and furious downpour, lasting only long enough for everyone to make a mad dash to the bus. So crazy! So fun!

With wet pants, sandy toes, and damp hair, we made our way to Caesarea (where Paul defended himself before King Agrippa and spent two years in prison, recorded in Acts 26). As we walked up to the Roman Theatre (the place where Peter preached to Cornelius in Acts 10), the sun was shining. We walked down to the edge of the Sea and collected seashells. Walking back up, we were able to take in the entire excavation site, being able to only imagine what the great city of Caesarea had once been.

 

 

Our next stop astonished me, The Jezreel Valley. We hiked up a mountainside in Megiddo and overlooked the place that is called Armageddon, "the symbol of the final conflict taking place at the coming of the Messiah." Solomon fortified the entrance to the Jezreel valley in 10th century BC,  and the excavation site was remarkable. Walls still standing, after thousands of years. So fascinating! On our decent, we came upon a Megiddo water system and ventured down into it's depths. So cool! What an adventure!

On our way back to the hotel, we stopped in Nazareth. (The place where Jesus grew up.) The once little city isn't so little anymore. It was booming! There were people everywhere! Even still, our group had the incredible opportunity to visit a small ancient synagogue and sing a praise song together. (A neat experience!)

On every "holy" site in Israel, they've built a church; a big cathedral. Including the place where they believe the angel appeared to Mary in Nazareth. I walked through that church, and my eyes welled with tears. She was an ordinary girl, with a beautiful soul. And God saw her. At the water well. He chose her, ordinary her, to be the mother of His son. That fact amazes me; more than cathedrals, shrines, or certain places on a map. Only God can make the ordinary extraordinary.

What a beautiful day! A day filled with sunshine and grace from our sweet Lord. I can't wait for tomorrow!

If only the rocks, the seas, and the mountains could talk! Oh, I would sit for hours. Hours upon hours, listening to their stories...

We Made It! (March 11-12)

Woohoo! We made it!! After our flight landed in Israel, we made our way to the hotel. It was dark as the bus, full of weary travelers, made it's way across the holy city. It was raining and the pitter patter on the roof was oddly comforting. The tour guide welcomed everyone and then conversations began to pop up across the rows. I couldn't  help but smile as I listened. Movies seen on the plane were excitedly discussed. A super fast subway ride and a crazy airport bus adventure was wildly remembered and everyone agreed that the price of a cup of coffee at the London airport was outrageous. (And I totally agree; HOWEVER, the fact that we drank coffee in LONDON is just plain awesome!!) A lady in the back of the bus wanted to know if the signs that she saw on the side of the road were written in Hebrew or Arabic, and the man near her answered that he thought they were written in both. My mom gently nudged me and said "look!" I peeled my eyes from my typing and excitedly turned towards the window. "What do you see?!" She shrugged her shoulders and exclaimed, "I don't know, but it looks old!" (Oh my! I can already tell this is going to be a fun trip!) There is a 7 hour time difference. Needless to say, we are super exhausted and a little incoherent in our thinking.  So, when our tour guide decided to start our day tomorrow at 8:30am instead of 7:30, we were thankful! We have a jammed packed itinerary waiting for us and we cannot wait to get it started!! However, an extra hour of sleep is greatly appreciated!

 

 Thank you for your love and prayers. They mean so much!! Goodnight!

A "Jaw Dropping" Experience!

Last Spring, I answered the phone and my jaw dropped as I heard “Brooke! You have been chosen as one of the 5 finalists for KSBJ’s Israel trip giveaway!” 

WHAAAAAAAT?!

Completely overcome with excitement and nervousness, I babbled my way through a 20 minute interview, heard a few details of what was to come,  and then hung up.

Jaw still dropped. Mouth wide open. 

WHAAAAAAAT?!

You see, the week before, KSBJ on-air DJs encouraged listeners to apply online for a chance to win a trip for two to the Holy Lands. I heard the announcement multiple times and even remember thinking to myself, “how awesome would that be?!” But, it wasn’t until I heard “applications are due by midnight tonight” that I seriously thought about applying. (I mean really, what could it hurt?! I never win anything anyways!)

Or so I thought!

As the fast and furious contest began, and snippets of the interviews were aired, I completely fell in love with the other four contestants! A pastor’s wife, a United States veteran, a sacrificial mother, and an influential minister. All four with unbelievable testimonies. All four so deserving of this trip! 

The weeks went on, and dearly loved contestants were eliminated. 

Yet, somehow, with a dropped jaw, l stood standing. 

And as I answered the phone, early that Friday morning of the reveal, I was completely overcome by emotion. As Bill and Pam from the morning show congratulated me and asked me a couple of questions, it took everything I had in me to hold it together. As I hung up, however, all control was lost. Tears flowed freely down my cheeks. 

I fell to my knees. Jaw still dropped. (Chin completely calloused.)

Oh, to be a part of the family of God! What a tremendous blessing! (I always knew my family was big, I just didn’t know how big until this experience.) 

I am so very thankful for KSBJ and Educational Opportunities Tours and for the incredible opportunity they have given my mom and I to travel to the Holy Lands. This is a trip of a lifetime and we couldn’t be more excited to embark on it together! 

I am also very grateful for all of you who not only voted for and supported me through this contest, but who have also loved me and my family and have carried us to the Father through prayer for so long. I honestly don’t know how people make it through this life without the Body of Christ to lean on. We are truly blessed, so dearly loved, and we couldn’t be more thankful for each one of you!

Our trip is March 11-20th. The fact that we are leaving so soon definitely excites me, but also makes me a little anxious. Leaving Titus for ten days is going to be difficult. However, I know that he is first and foremost HIS, and so, I am doing my best to trust Him fully and completely. Our God is good! There is no doubt in my mind about that. He is good, He is Sovereign, and He is faithful. To Him be the glory!

I look forward to sharing our trip with you all through my blog!

So, dear family and friends...

stay tuned!!!

"Don't Miss Today"

Contentment. The word I have chosen for this year. A goal I long to achieve. The seed I desire takes root in my heart. 

Just the other day, I found myself looking out the window at my mom’s house. Staring out at the driveway. Thinking about the future. Lost in my thoughts, I was just about to let out a discontented sigh, when all of a sudden, a little boy ran around the corner and jumped full force on to my back, knocking the air, quite painfully, out of me. Frustrated,  I stood up, grabbed his arm and peeled him off of me. I tossed him on the couch and gave him a “don’t mess with me” look as I walked into the kitchen. My mom was there. She took one look at me and then turned toward the dishes in the sink. She knew I was in one of “those” moods. (You know the one: the “poor me, my life stinks” kind of mood.) I leaned against the kitchen island and said, “I keep thinking that one day, things are just going to change. Like, out of the blue, a beautiful change is going to come driving down the driveway and make everything better.” She didn’t even turn around. Instead, she just plainly said, with her back to me, “well, it’s not going to happen like that.” In response, like a bratty teenager, I made a disgusted, shocked face and then rolled my eyes, which is something I hadn’t done to my mom in years! (So thankful her back was turned!)  After a moment, she faced me. Softly and gently she said, her voice full of love and compassion, “and if you keep you’re thoughts focused on what could happen tomorrow, you’re going to miss today. Don’t miss today, Brooke.” 

Today. 

Not yesterday.

Not tomorrow.

Today.

“Don’t miss today, Brooke.” 

Today, I am 29 years old. A widow. A deaf educator. A mom. I live out on my parent’s property. Next to my mom, who is also a widow. In the country. In a town I never thought I would end up in again after college. I have a son. He is strong willed; yet oh,  so very precious. His name is Titus Michael; meaning “a giant; a gift from God.” He is big for his age, a thinker, and when people ask him what he wants to be when he grows up, he answers: “I want to be a mighty man!” He makes me smile. He makes me laugh. Today, he made me cry. His tantrums are fierce. His hugs are beautiful. His voice is perfect. He loves to play with our dog. A dog that showed up on our doorstep last January. Her name is Selah (say-la) Grace; meaning “to pause and reflect on the grace of God.” A name that Michael and I were going to name our first daughter. But that was then. Yesterday. This is now. Today. And today, our dog is Selah.  And that’s ok. The sun is shining, the wind is cool. My blinds are open and I can hear the birds singing. Each week, I am in five different school districts; teaching deaf and hard of hearing students. Today, I'll be in two of those. My job can be stressful; but oh, so rewarding! I hope to run three miles today. I started running three years ago, after I lost my best friend to brain cancer. I wanted a challenge. Something hard. Something that I had never done before. For him. For me. I wanted to see if I could do it. And I did. Today, I’ve felt weak. I’ve fallen to my knees. HE has picked me up. HE has sang over me. HE has made me strong. 

Today, I am not alone. My heart is full. My cup runneth over.  

Today, I am blessed. I am protected, forgiven, cared for, and loved. 

Today, I am thankful. My life is a gift. My salvation a treasure. 

My hard heart is being tilled. The soil has begun to soften.

The Gardener is at work.

Contentment. The word I have chosen for this year. A goal I long to achieve. The seed I desire takes root in my heart. 

Don’t miss today.

“But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing the LORD’s praise, for He has been good to me.” -Psalm 13:5-6