Finally!

After a year of planning and dreaming, we are finally on the airplane and on our way to our journey "Beyond the Iron Curtain." I am so thankful to share this opportunity with my sweet Rachel as a celebration of her high school graduation. I am also thrilled to experience places of historical significance and to understand the effects of people's beliefs and decisions. I pray that I will keep my eyes, ears, and heart open for what the Lord wants to teach me. I pray the same for Rachel. I hope we will gain an understanding of the history with all of its injustices and triumphs, but I pray that we will also seek to answer the following questions:

1. How do these lessons apply to our world today?
2. How can we live to love and help people today?
3. How can we help others find freedom today?
4. What is God calling each of us to do with what we learn?

Through our history and literature studies this school year, I have enjoyed the privilege of watching Rachel's heart explode with a love for

and a desire to defend the "underdog," to speak out against injustice with great passion, and to love the unwanted. The timing of our trip to Eastern Europe is not accidental....I am interested to see what is in store and how we are changed by this experience.

Also praying for Pete, Timothy, and Riley and hoping they are settled in Florida for their discipleship weekend and missions trip. I hope and pray we all return home with a fresh passion to live for Jesus stirring in our hearts.

So thankful for my family and the many blessings God has given!