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the end.....

it's been awhile since i last wrote here, and a good deal has happened......
dave came, along with 2 other guys from the church and we toured around israel.....galilee, capernaum, the dead sea, and lots in and around jerusalem....maybe it's cliche, but i think my favorite part of the touring was the garden tomb.....even if they can never be sure that's where it actually happened, it was a special place :)
we came back to the states on thursday, and it was too soon.....it was great to see my family again, and i was able to spend some time with friends at steph's wedding, but it's not the same.....
saturday at the wedding someone said something and all of a sudden there was an ache in my heart, a longing for israel, for jerusalem, for friends still , for experiences, and for more than i can even put into words -- but the ache was deep, profound....
it's now tuesday, a few days later and everyday new things i encounter remind me, arousing the ache.....restaurants, friends, things on tv, even looking at the sunset. subtle, strong, and sharp -- i have a longing in my heart for israel.
i wonder, though, if it is not israel, but the experience and the people i long for....there are many, many things about israel that i will miss and treasure, but the experience changed me, the people -- now my friends -- affected me, i encountered and experienced God....this is what i miss and why i have an ache in my heart.....

the 5 or so weeks i spent in israel were amazing.......and it's extremely difficult to explain, to put words to the experience, to the new love i have......God is so good, so much more than i could ever deserve....

and my friends, you are incredible :)

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