Only a few hours until we depart.
Our flight leaves Nashville tomorrow at 2.30pm. Nashville-Dallas, Dallas-Madrid, Madrid-Athens. Arrive 4.05 local time on Wednesday.
Looking forward to being back in Greece again. It's been a long time since we were there back in the summer of 1993. That time we were newly married, no kids, and we spent a month camping around the Greek mainland coast. We have very few photos from that trip because our bags were stolen by Bulgarian gypsies in Sophia train station (long story).But I did find this old pic of me when I spent a couple of weeks in Greece on my motorcycle trip, 1 year before I met Janna. I visited a number of the New Testament cities. Here I am perusing some ruins and wondering about the Christians that lived there. The modern city can be seen in the background.
Our flight leaves Nashville tomorrow at 2.30pm. Nashville-Dallas, Dallas-Madrid, Madrid-Athens. Arrive 4.05 local time on Wednesday.
Looking forward to being back in Greece again. It's been a long time since we were there back in the summer of 1993. That time we were newly married, no kids, and we spent a month camping around the Greek mainland coast. We have very few photos from that trip because our bags were stolen by Bulgarian gypsies in Sophia train station (long story).But I did find this old pic of me when I spent a couple of weeks in Greece on my motorcycle trip, 1 year before I met Janna. I visited a number of the New Testament cities. Here I am perusing some ruins and wondering about the Christians that lived there. The modern city can be seen in the background.
HELLO FROM JANNA, STILL PACKING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT....I'M TOO EXCITED TO STOP. JUST FOUND A BETTER DEAL ON A CAR RENTAL FOR THE ENTIRE TIME IN GREECE! MY FRIEND JOANNA (AKA VANNA) ADVISED ON THAT INSTEAD OF TAKING 3 TRAINS AND A TAXI TO OUR FIRST DESTINATION, AND RENTING A FEW DAYS LATER AS WE HAD PLANNED. WELL, TOMORROW'S GOING TO BE CRAZY, HOPEFULLY THE FUN KIND!
Bye bye Matt, Janna, Gabriel and Grayson!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteMay God go with you on your once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! I am so glad that y'all are getting to go on this trip. I have no doubt that it'll be a GREAT time for all.
Matt, I think you'll be pleasantly surprised at the places Janna has picked out. I hope that your time in Greece is enlightening, productive and FUN! I am pleased that you will get to be with your parents and siblings again back at your home town.
Janna, congratulations on an amazing job of planning for so so many weeks. You are very talented at being able to do this. Many people would not even want to attempt it because it seems like such an overwhelming task. You have a gift of administration and Matt is fortunate to have you be able to do so much!
When you start to feel the tension rise, remember you're on holiday and just LET IT GO!! You've done ALL you can do to plan, call ahead, reserve, etc. so enjoy even the glitches and "wrong things" that come up. I remember once when I had planned a getaway for my kids and it fell through twice. They were very discouraged. I said, "We will not be discouraged. We are going to watch how God turns these things into blessings for us." Finally, on the third try to get away, it worked, but then two major problems arose. I prayed about it and God turned those bad things into very good things in a miraculous way. It ended up that we had SO much fun and it was evident that HE made it happen!
So let Him work the miracles in the (seemingly) impossible mistakes that come about and give Him the glory that He will make your mourning turn into laughter. (Besides, there are things that sometimes you simply cannot control, no matter how much you try to control them. That's when God can do His fun work.) Then you will be a testimony to your family because they will see that you are reacting with joy instead of tension and frustration. They will be joyful with you--what fun!
Gabriel and Grayson, you two are such big boys to be traveling overseas to many different lands! What a fantastic privilege to get to be with your parents and experience things that most children don't get to experience! You will have so much fun and I am happy that God is allowing you to go as a whole family. It is also good that you will see your daddy's side of the family and spend time with them. You will enjoy being with your cousins again and playing with them. Have fun on the airplane ride over there! We are thinking and praying for you all!
God speed to you all! God bless to you all! Go in peace and serve Him in the ways he sets before you all!
Love,
Lisa and Aunt(ie?) Lisa
those crazy gypsies! they were masters at stealing in the WWII concentration camps as well. From what I've read, they managed to steal all kinds of stuff!
ReplyDeleteHaven't heard from y'all! I hope the flight, etc. went well.
Hey guys! The blog page and idea is awesome!
ReplyDeleteNow we can follow you on your journey, even if it's only here.(whinning, cuz I want 2 b there!)
Keep us posted on all you accomplish through God's great commission.
Love the Gillards, -Archie, Gloria, Austin & Adam
HOORAY for the Hillgillies!
ReplyDeleteJust this morning, I was thinking about you - saying a godspeed prayer for you - and there it was...an email!
Gypsies love little boys too, so keep them close (snicker, snicker...like you wouldn't!). I hope all the best travels and love the idea of this blog.
The Chamber Chat was Wednesday. We had Bro Ben Chapman from Lighthouse on the program. Remember talking with Mike about that we were out and about? It worked out really well - what an amazing man of God.
Please, please let me know if there's anything I can on this end. I am happy to help however you need me if a need arises.
Hugs from us to you,
Jen et al