When I tell people we are taking the kids to Egypt, I get two responses: The first is sudden, like a knee jerk reaction: “Have you seen the news lately?! Is Egypt even safe to visit?” The second response, from the same person, comes a few seconds later with a smile that begins to spread wide across their face: “Wow. Ever since I was a kid I’ve always dreamed of going to see the pyramids.”
But before I can even address the first question, I have to start with how this all began.
Our family of four has a New Year’s tradition. We sit together and take turns setting the timer for three minutes (the first year we did this, we only set the timer for 30 seconds so the kids could work up to three minutes over time). For three minutes, we sit quietly and listen. Some might call this prayer, but it’s more of a listening exercise. We are listening for any impressions, words, pictures, senses that God may have for that person in the coming year. We write it down in our family prayer journal and then share what we got with each other. For example, this year Blaze looked at Pascaline after we were done with her three minutes. He said “Sissy, I saw you in a classroom surrounded by friends. You were wearing all kinds of patterns, colors, designs and really stood out. I felt like God said to me “She’s one of a kind Blaze. There is no one like your sister.” Man, when an eight-year-old boy says this to his big sister … words can’t describe the joy that spread across her face (and mine!). If I haven’t lost you yet (because I know this listening exercise may sound odd to some), we take three minutes for each person and then we end by taking a final three minutes to listen for what the New Year may have in store for our family.
Last year was crazy! We all had our own journals, and we wrote down what we sensed before we shared it out loud. Pascaline, 10 years old at the time, had the word “go” and saw our family on an adventure in a foreign land. Blaze, 7 years old at the time, also wrote down the word “go” and saw a globe spinning. Brian had the word “go” too and saw our family looking over a world map. And you guessed it, I had the word “go” and saw us crossing oceans. This had never happened to us before, and we were sure that 2012 was going to be a year of expansive travel for us as a family. Oddly enough, it was the first time in four years that we didn’t go abroad at all. But all last year, the desire to go to Egypt was growing in our hearts, visiting our dreams, coming up in homeschool and conversations over the dinner table.
About four months ago, Brian and I both started to feel a stronger pull toward Egypt. We had no idea why. But if you remember…
to read the rest go to A Focused Life.
xo,
m
First – Blaze is so wise beyond his years and I love what he said about Pascaline!
Second – can I go with you? I have always wanted to go there!
Can not wait to hear and see about all of your adventures! Prayers for safe travels.
Melissa Michelle Reflections liked this on Facebook.
Amanda Mays liked this on Facebook.
So inspirational!
You had me at “she is one of a kind!” Seriously what a gift to teach our kids to just listen and tune in. Love that you allow your children to confirm things also. They listen so much more than we do. Pure. Thanks for posting. May you have a blessed and enriched trip and praying for some divine opportunity for you in Egypt!
I can’t wait to see and hear about your trip as well. My parents took our family to Egypt when I was in high school. It was an amazing experience to go in the pyramids and tombs, sail on the Nile and learn about ancient history and the bigger world out there. I’m still thankful for that trip 30 years later!
WOW! That sounds REALLY fun! I hope you have fantastic adventures and safe travels! When I was a kid I wanted to go to Egypt more than anything. As an adult, I haven’t had the calling yet, but still find it fascinating. I can’t wait to hear about your experiences!!
This is why we’re going to south-east Asia this summer – we just feel called to do it, and that now is the right time for our family.
Allison W. Laster liked this on Facebook.
Rachel LaCour Niesen liked this on Facebook.
Danniell Saunders liked this on Facebook.
Encounters Travel liked this on Facebook.
Natalie Teabo liked this on Facebook.
Laurie Morrissette Roy liked this on Facebook.
Sherri Koop liked this on Facebook.
Phillipa Dugaw liked this on Facebook.
Margaret Connell liked this on Facebook.
Sharon Kaye Hedman liked this on Facebook.
Cindy Moore Spicer liked this on Facebook.
Normajean Hedman liked this on Facebook.
Love you guys MeRa! You know you have our prayers! This is just amazing! I was going on and on about this to Brittany last night as I was reading your email. I was going on & on about this last night to Randy when he was trying to sleep! lol God is in this and he is right there with you every step of the way opening every door you walk through!!! We are so excited to experience this journey with you and your family along the way. You know you have our prayers!
Mohamed Khalil liked this on Facebook.
Sue Christianson liked this on Facebook.
GO! <3
Wish your family a safe journey!, but disagree with your reasoning to travel to Egypt. It is true that the people suffer from lack of economic stability just like they do here. It is apparent that you maintain a somewhat affluent lifestyle and perhaps are not exposed to the poverty found here in the United States where tourism dollars are desperately needed too. The attacks on the Christians( including murder) and secular Islamic freedoms by Islamic fundamentalists and extremists are real and accelerating as I type and you read this missive. One of the only weapons against this tragedy is an economic boycott against this growing tyranny in Egypt such as we do with Iran, to keep up pressure on the current regime to force change for the common good of the people while there is still time. Have you ever refused to purchase something because of principle such as an Item or service that was overpriced. Maybe you would boycott items that involve animal research or use animal fur. I’ll bet you wouldn’t purchase an Ivory trinket! In principle by going to Egypt at this time you are helping not necessarily condoning it’s repressive regime. Yes, I know this is only my opinion, and technically that would mean not going to places like China, Russia and anywhere else were people are repressed, but we must back our principles where we may. You may try to justify your travels to Egypt at this time with helping the poor there with tourism dollars, but to that I say poppycock! It’s where you want to go and nothing is going to stop you from your desire is all. I hear the Egyptian pound is at an all time low and you will certainly get a bargain.
Chelsea Asmus liked this on Facebook.
Yo. Need to talk to YOU before you go!!! Soooo excited for your family!!
As someone who just came back from living in the Middle East I wholly support this venture! Unfortunately it seems to me that many people are grossly misinformed on the current situation in Egypt (as is apparent by Mr. Garcia). They need to go through a process of change and reform just as others have in previous times. But enough about politics.
Egypt is one of my favorite places that I have visited. I know you’ve already booked your itinerary but if you get the chance to ride a boat along the Nile at sunset or do a sunrise viewing at Mt. Sinai, Do it! Even if you don’t believe in the story of Moses, seeing Sinai at night is amazing, you’re able to see the Milky Way!
Good luck and God bless! It will be an amazing experience!
Jill Phipps liked this on Facebook.
Thanks so much for your comments of support! Now I just need to find someone to help me pack my Christmas stuff up!! Good grief! It looks like a Christmas and Travel Show explosion went off in my living room!
Kelley Ritchie I was JUST THINKING the same thing!!! Email me times you can call me girl! We must!
I love this plan! Most of our older kids were able to travel internationally with us on various adoption trips (we have 6 adopted kids) and our feeling is that the experience seeing other cultures was much more world-broadening than Hawaii or Disney.
Mary, momma to many
Tovah Paglaro liked this on Facebook.
[email protected]