YOU GUYS. I’M GOING TO ISRAEL IN 2 DAYS.
I grew up in church, so I was raised learning about the Holy Land in Sunday School. Flipping through the maps in the back of my Bible and learning about the footsteps of Jesus, Paul and all the other guys and gals was great, but I never really thought about going there myself. Even after Angie went there in 2012.
Fast forward to 2017, when Mom took an epic journey to Israel with our church. Guys, Mom won’t even go to the grocery store alone AND SHE WENT TO ISRAEL.
It was so powerful, she hasn’t stopped talking about it ever since. So we figured, why not go?
If non-traveling Mom can do it, I certainly can.
Hodgie. Oft mistaken for a tatted John the Baptist.
For the first time in Orth sibling history, Big Sis is leaving the younger ones to explore the world on their own. That’s right. Since she visited the Holy Land already, Angie’s staying back at basecamp and Hodgie and I are braving the Middle East without her. (Fortunately we’ll have our tour guides!)
Our itinerary follows in the footsteps of Jesus, from birth to crucifixion to resurrection. We’ll visit Nazareth, sail the Sea of Galilee, walk the roads of ancient Jericho, explore the Judean Desert and wander historic Jerusalem. It’s a lot to absorb in 10 days, don’t you think?
What I’m most excited for:
- Getting baptized in the Jordan River.
- Sailing on the Sea of Galilee.
- Floating in the Dead Sea. (Angie says there’s nothing in the world like it, and even gave some good tips.)
- Watching Hodgie eat anything besides his daily man-child diet of Taco Bell.
What I’m most nervous for:
- Getting a tattoo. Following in Mom’s footsteps, Hodgie and I will get matching tattoos at one of the oldest tattoo shops in the world.
- Overwhelming emotions. It’s humbling to know I’m about to walk where Jesus walked. Regardless of what you believe, I’m going to the place where my savior lived, and that’s very special to me. Remind me to pack waterproof mascara.
It’s going to be a full 10 days of emotions, history, walking, tattoos and watching Alex cringe while trying any food he doesn’t recognize. I really can’t wait.
I’ll be sharing our pilgrimage on Instagram, so follow along at @AngieAway and @RaeAway!
