Just one day left until I fly off to Israel on my four month sabbatical! I can hardly believe that the time has come. After my last time at aerobics this morning, I spent most of today trying to pack everything into two suitcases--and not exceed the 70 pound per bag limit. Having to take clothes for two seasons makes it more difficult to know what to include, and with my new "Home Repair Team" ministry responsibilities, I feel like I need more work clothes for outdoors as well as indoors. However, everything made it into my two bags, and I think I am safely under the weight limit for each one. My carry-on is sure heavy though! British Airways only allows one item--period--and so I had to repack my laptop and its accessories into my other carry-on, which already has books and magazines, camera items, folders with all of my important papers, ipod gear, and miscellaneous stuff.

Yesterday was my last Sunday at church until July. I gave a report about my sabbatical, my new ministry role, where I will be living (so close to all the holy sites!), and thanked everyone who contributed to my sabbatical fund. I have received more than $3000 over my budget of $9000! The generosity of my congregation is awesome to me, and I could sense their strong interest and support and love as I stood before them yesterday.

Then I received quite a surprise from the guys in my Wednesday morning Bible study group! Three of them came to the platform with an Ace Hardward bag, loaded with construction gear, and proceeded to deck me out in all of the paraphernalia of a home repair geek! Gary Hamaguchi sort of narrated this part, making spiritual parallels to each of the items that Bob Diliberto and Ed Montague were putting on me (e.g. knee pads--for the hours I will be spending in prayer). Next, Carolyn Ahlem came and presented me with a beautiful leather yarmulke, inscribed with a verse from Isaiah, so I will be prepared to enter all of the Jewish holy sites with a proper headcovering. Finally, Pastor Bruce invited people to come and lay hands on me as he prayed for me, for my sabbatical experience, and for the church, as I take this four month break from my ministry roles here in Hilmar. It was very powerful being surrounded by my church family and to receive this physical act of blessing and affirmation from them.

My next post will be coming to you from my new home in Jerusalem! Please keep me in your prayers as I fly from San Francisco to London, then on to Tel Aviv, arriving early Thursday morning in Jerusalem, the City of Peace. Shalom!