Newsletter Article

It is hard for me to believe that it has already been 3 weeks that I have been gone. Time goes by so fast. The first week really is just one of letting go and unwinding, by the time we got to the Maui, I was really feeling good. The last week has been filled with much angst as I try to determine if I should still go to Israel. To be honest — I am getting pushed both ways.

But it really sunk in to me that I was gone, when I was talking with Pastor Mark at Dyer UMC and he mentioned to me that he had presided over Betty Foltz’s funeral. I hadn’t even known she had died. When I asked Nancy about it she said that she figured if I wanted to know things like that I would have to ask. That was hard. Because I will pretty much stay in the dark, unless I again, find out in a crazy sort of way.

What is really been the hardest part is being in the area, yet not being in communication with YOU, my friends. I miss the relationships, the laughter and the tears. I miss the men’s bible study, I miss the staff, I miss each of you on Sunday mornings. But, that is part of the process.

I am working on "Wrestling With God". Starting in a few days, I will be asking some questions on my blog that will invite you to respond. I have had to add a "word recognition" protocol, because I was starting to get a lot of spam. Sorry about that. I also may require that you use your name. Be sure if you comment to let me know who you are!

A small portion of my Hawaii pictures are up on the web. I took close to 2,000 pictures and have only a small few up for you to see. I am working with the others to do something with them.

Until I leave for Israel, I probably will not do a lot of changes to the website. I will, however, try to keep up with my blog on a daily or every other day routine.

So, Steve, what is the deal with Israel?

Boy, that is such a tough question to answer right now. I have talked with many, many people — trying to get an honest appraisal of the situation. What I have come up with is:

• I will probably never have an opportunity like this again to go and spend a month in Israel in solitude.
• The situation is bad in the north right now, but even as I write, the UN is starting to make cease-fire, if not peace overtures.
• The southern part of the country — which includes Jerusalem, is calm and safe. In talking with someone in Israel right now, their comment was: "you would never know what was going on up north by the things happening in Jerusalem."
• I have found somebody who can help me spend part of my time in Jordan (if that is what I desire)

Once I decide not to go, I can’t change my mind. By continuing the plans to go — I will still have the option to bail at a later date if that need arises.

So, as of this moment (Sunday, August 5th) I am still planning on going. Keep me in your prayers, that I can make the best possible decision when the time comes.

Thanks to everyone who has looked at the websites. I appreciate your comments. If you haven’t yet look the address for my website is: www.smconger.com. The address for my blog is www.smconger.blogspot.com.