Hiking in the Negev

Hello friends and family! We just got done eating dinner at our hotel here at the Salt Sea! We had a BIG day today as we wandered all over the Negev desert. We got to stop at Tel Arad, experience some Bedouin hospitality, hike through Ein Avdat and finish the day by floating in the Salt Sea. Not bad for our first full day in Israel! We’re pretty pooped, as you might assume, as we are still adjusting to the time and the 8 or so miles we hiked today!

The Lord has been gracious to us – the weather was beautiful today and we continue to have good health, great attitudes, and no injuries! Keep those prayers comin – they are a blessing to us!

Tomorrow we journey up the coast of the Salt Sea to visit Masada, Ein Ghedi, and Qumran. Looking forward to bringing you an update tomorrow night!

Enjoy the pictures from our day today…..

Matt

Shalom from Israel!

At long last we've made it to Israel safe and sound! Thanks so much for your prayers!! We arrived on time here at about 3:15pm local time (much earlier than we anticipated) - which provided us with an unexpected opportunity to go on our first hike right after we got out of the airport! We made our way into the Shephelah to the Valley of Elah and the Tell of Azekah which is the location of the story of David and Goliath. After a great hike, we made a two hour treck down into the desert to the city of Arad where we are staying the night. Tomorrow will be our day in the southern/desert region of Israel and we'll end up staying at the Dead Sea tomorrow night. Not sure about internet access there, so forgive me if there's not an update tomorrow.

We are all doing really well! Everyone is feeling just fine and we are all in good spirits. Pray that we get a good night's sleep tonight and are ready to go tomorrow!

More updates as we have opportunity!
Shalom,
Matt

Chillin in Jersey

We made it to Newark! We've got a few hours of layover here before we
head across the pond. This will be our last post for a while until we
get to our hotel in Arad some 14 (ish) hours from now. We're all
doing great and really excited! Shalom!

At DFW airport!

We made it from Tyler and are awaiting our flight to Newark in a few
minutes! Pray for us!!

Israel Here We Come!

Welcome to everyone who will be following our Israel trip this year! It is my hope that I will be able to mooch enough wifi each day to be able to post a few pictures and a recap of what our days are like in the Best of the Lands. As you keep up with our travels, please remember that we will be in need of your prayers each day. We are asking God for safe travel, good weather (it's hard to learn in the rain), eyes that see, ears that hear, and hearts that understand.
We look forward to sharing all our stories and pictures with you all upon our return. Until then, though, tune in to this blog for updates! I will typically update in the evening which is around lunch-time in the States. Feel free to leave comments as well - I will pass them along to the group!
Shalom!
Matt

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Teething!

Just a quick update to post this adorable picture that Darcie took of Heidi and I just the other day.  I took her outside to watch Cinco play in the yard and about every 10 seconds Heidi would put her arm out and reach for me and then look up and smile - just to make sure I was still there.  Awww.  She's officially started teething as well - she's got one little pokey guy sticking out on the bottom side and she's been a little more fussy than usual - but not too bad.  As soon as it's in, we'll put some pictures up.  Hope all is well with our friends!