Seth's upcoming trip

I can't believe Seth will be leaving in just 2 weeks (from yesterday)! This has come far too quickly.

Some of you probably have no idea what I am talking about. Let me fill you in. Seth has the amazing opportunity this summer to participate in an archaeological dig in Israel. As an Old Testament Archaeology and History student, this will be an invaluable experience in his academic career. He will be digging for 3 weeks at the biblical city of Hazor. For more information on this site see this page from BiblePlaces.com (one of our favorite sites--and not just because Seth works for its creator) :) or the official excavation page.

In addition to the dig, Seth will also be participating in a study tour, teaching at several sites! This is such an exciting opportunity for him as it combines so many of his talents (esp. teaching), passions (esp. Israel), and ambitions (esp. to teach in Israel). The group will be lead by one of our professors from the IBEX program--with which Seth and I both studied in college and Seth would like to teach. As an added bonus, the group leader is none other than Pastor Darrell Beddoe, the father of my college roommate. We have had so many connections with their family since Anna and I became roommates our freshman year at TMC (Sarah became a roommate in our apartment our senior year, Seth and I worked with Dave and Deb in the youth group at Santa Clarita Baptist Church, I "nannied" for 3 of Dave & Deb's 4 kids [Katie, Calvin, and George]). So to be honest we were not all that surprised to find out who Seth would be touring with. After all, why not?!

So this is the trip Seth will be embarking on in just 2 short weeks. Although the opportunities are golden and the events are exciting, we are both approaching June 18 with some sadness and anxiety. Seth is obviously dreading missing 5 weeks of Benjamin's rapid development. We are hoping he will start crawling in the next 2 weeks (he's close!) But in the scheme of things this is like the first big step (aside from school) toward our dream. It is so rewarding to see Seth making a real "career move." Gratification has been so delayed as he works "any ol' job" to get us through school. So I am excited for the boost to his morale that this trip will provide. It is so satisfying to see my husband doing that at which he excels.

I suppose I should mention that I, too, will be traveling during this time. I will spend 3 of the 5 weeks in California. Benjamin and I will spend most of this time in Orange County with the grandparents, but I am also thrilled for the opportunity to attend the 5th annual campout organized and attended by some of our very closest friends (mostly fellow music alumni from TMC).

We would cherish your prayers: for preparation, for Seth as he travels far and wide, for me as I travel not-so-far but alone with a baby, for our continued communication as a family despite the distance, and for our happy reunion mid-July.