Out of My Mind

After telling many people in my life that I feel Called to go to Israel next year, I've received many different responses. Some of concern, some of joy and encouragement, and some of disdain.

I understand the concern. There's a lot going on in that part of the world. I'm living with psoriatic arthritis and celiac and will need to manage those things while far, far away from home. I'm taking my eleven year old daughter, who also has joint issues, with me to this foreign and potentially dangerous place. It's a big deal. A huge deal It will take a lot of money, time, and resources. I must be out of my mind if you look at it from that point of view.

I appreciate the joy and encouragement. I love hearing from others who have made the journey how wonderful, life-changing, and eye-opening of an experience it was for them. I would be out of my mind not to go, looking at it through their eyes.

I even understand those criticizing my choice to spend thousands of dollars on this trip when our family finances are at times a struggle. It's a lot of money. I am completely aware of that. It's going to take a lot of work and creativity on my part to raise the money to go, as I'm not cutting into our family's normal finances whatsoever to make this trip. I'm open to taking donations toward the trip from those who wish to donate, but am not counting on one cent of donation to get us there. 
I'm excited that my daughter, Haley, is going to learn a lot about money, about gluten-free baking (her way of raising money), about Israel and planning a journey there (her homeschool requirement for making the trip), and about earning your way toward your dreams. You can read about her journey on her blog, fuzzy yellow horse. We'd both be out of our minds to not take this opportunity for growth.

There are some things in life that I feel pulled toward - called to do. This trip is one of them. I've tried many times to talk myself out of it. But still, I feel compelled. I'd have to be out of my mind to not listen to the insistent voice that drowns out all doubt and tells me - go.

Photos of Israel taken by Brian Rajcok