שָׁלוֹם (Shalom), blogworld.
That was too predictable, wasn’t it?
😉
I just wanted to say hello.
My mind is still a bit muddled from the jet lag but the tiny fact that I can’t seem to make out a single coherent thought has never stopped me from talking heretofore so I shall proceed.
And besides, y’all are forgiving and this should help:
Just another thing I love about Atlanta: Octane cappuccinos. By the way, what is the best cappuccino you’ve ever had? That is a random but profound question for a Friday, don’t you think? It just makes my entire week when the barista makes the little intricate designs with the foam.
Have I mentioned that I keep waking up at 4:00 in the morning hungry for hummus?
Yesterday I spent hours on end making this very basic video slideshow from my pictures from Israel. My new hobby as of late is photography (and yes–it has taken the place of cooking for now). Israel is quite a location for the photo enthusiast, let me tell you. Please understand several things before you watch the slideshow:
- 1) I am not Rich Kalonick, though he did walk me through several things via text message yesterday. For the first time I think I fully respect the work he does when he creates the slideshows for the LPL events. It takes more time and work than you might imagine. So thanks, Rich!
- 2) The slideshow is quite long, running about twelve minutes. By no means should you watch the whole thing if you are bored to tears. You have complete control and you can’t say I didn’t warn you! 😉
- 3) This slideshow reflects about 5% of the people and places on our trip to Israel. I literally whittled down 2,000 photos to about 200. Sadly, there was just no way to include them all here. But on the bright side, if I had included all 2,000 the video would have been about six hours.
Having made this disclaimer, I do so much hope you enjoy it!
Israel Trip from Melissa Fitzpatrick on Vimeo.
Music added: “Beautiful” by Shawn McDonald & “I Stand Amazed” by Chris Tomlin.
Our trip was truly incredible. I have some more substantial thoughts that I would like to share but I will get back to you with those ponderings when I am not in such a fog–hopefully sometime next week.
Have a wonderful weekend, Siestas! We sure love you!
Warmly,
Melissa
I could not stop the flow of my tears no matter how hard I tried!!! Thank you for the time and effort you took to put this video together to bless us!!
When I saw the picture of the Wailing Wall and all the pieces of paper, I thought, “If I only had 1 prayer I could put on 1 piece of paper, and tuck it into that wall, what would it be?” My immediate thought? My Dad’s salvation. . . that I have prayed for for 23 years now.
Thank you again!!! Sending a big cyber hug your way!
Michele
Dear Melissa,
Thank you for making the slide show! The pictures were just beautiful and the added music was perfect! (No disclaimer was needed!) You did an outstanding job of documenting and presenting your journey! For those (like me)who will most likely not have the opportunity to actually visit personally, being able to view this slideshow means so much! Thank you, again, for sharing it on the LPM Blog, because it truly touched my heart!! Stacy
Mims, Florida
That was amazing. Thank you for sharing. I felt like I was there and I watched the whole thing and wasn’t bored once.
Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! I cannot wait to go there myself–with a guide of course, to help point out things that I wouldn’t catch on my own (which I’m sure would be a lot). There truly is so much to learn about our God and our Jesus–we can learn more and more, yet there is still so much we don’t yet know. How wonderful He is!
Wow! Such a beautiful pictorial perspective.
Oh Melissa – I just watched this with tears streaming down my face! My family went to the Holy Land in March of 2008, and when I say that my heart longs for that land, I mean it to my depths. It is amazing how I was only there for 2 weeks and yet my mind, body, and soul long to return. Thankfully I don’t have to wait much longer. My family is returning next spring (2011) and it literally brings tears of joy to my eyes. Thank you for sharing! I look forward to hearing some of the thing that God revealed to you! There truly is no place on earth like it. It suddenly becomes very clear why so many wars have been fought over that tiny piece of land…
Again, thank you for sharing!
Melissa,
Thank you so much for sharing these beautiful photos. Truly a blessing for those of us who may never get to go to Israel. God bless you sweetheart.
In Jesus Love,
Mischelle
The pictures, the music, the emotion, the privilege, the blessings, are all there for me to see. Thank you for your love to all of us to post all of these memories on the blog. I think it must have been a wonderful experience to travel together and see these places.
Melissa,
Thank you for sharing, I started crying when “I Stand Amazed” started. My husband and I celebrated our tenth anniversary last year in Israel around the same time you all were there. May His Peace reign again there!
love,
Wendy
Shalom,
The video was breathtaking!
My hands were held up to the Heavenly’s as I watched with joy,peace,hope,and love for this awesome LPM ministry outreach!!
Beth,Amanda, & Melissa,
A perfect gift for those who GIVE!!
With “Heaven Bound” blessings,
Kim Safina
oh how I wish I could have been there with you all. Wonderful, beautiful vimeo, thank you so much for sharing it with the blogsphere. Many blessings to you Miss Melissa, for sharing the trip with us, welcome back.
Andrea Porter
Beautiful! and thank you for sharing the music of Shawn McDonald – wow, love it!
Melissa:
COuld you or someone at Living Proof Share the tour company that you worked with on this trip (or was it more of a “friend” situation) Would love to get a solid recommendation. Our church tried doing it themselves last year, but is seeking a good referral.
Leslie Olson
Apple Valley, MN
Your pix were AMAZING – what a fantastic experience for all of you.
Leslie, we used Templeton Tours.
Melissa,
Thanks for bringing back some very special memories for me! I went to Israel in 1999 and your pictures brought back the sounds, smells, and emotions like it was yesterday. I felt like I came truly alive while I was there. A part of my heart stayed when I left.
I truly loved every picture, but I have to tell you that the picture that made me smile the MOST was the FISH!!! I also had my picture taken at lunch in Tiberius with a St. Peter’s fish from the Sea of Galilee. It was delicious! The day we spent on and around the Sea of Galilee was one of the happiest days of my entire life. In case you were second-guessing yourself for including the fish picture, I want you to know that it made my day! It made me feel a connection with you and I hope that day was also one of your very happiest. (did you check in it’s mouth for a gold coin?)
Blessings!
Laura
sooo loved it! Awesome. Thank you for capturing so much and sharing it.
Amazing, Melissa! Amazing! You did such a great job, my friend. Thanks for sharing the photos…it’s my dream to go to the Holy Land one day. Thanks for letting me see it through your eyes.
Living Proof is regularly in my prayers.
In Him,
Susan
Melissa,
I really enjoyed the photos of Israel, but I had to run by here to let you know the Shawn McDonald song, “Beautiful”, that you included has quickly become a favorite around our house. I’d never heard it and it makes me want to fall on my knees, with hands raised in praise…the best part?…it also makes my 15 year old son do the same thing. Can’t beat that, siesta! Thanks. 🙂
Kristi
Wow! my dream was to go to Israel…now my dream is to go to Israel with Beth as my guide 🙂 what beautiful pictures! thanks for sharing!
Melissa,
Thank you so much for sharing your pictures. Beautiful and very moving!!!
Wonderful! Took me back to my trip to Israel for the taping of Jesus the One and Only in 2000. Thank you!
Amazing photographs for someone who is learning! Seriously, your work is great! I love the composition, the perspective and the colours! Thanks for sharing them!
Wow!! Beautiful and breathtaking. Thank you Melissa for the time you took to create and share this with all of us. I watched it from beginning to end and didn’t want it to stop. My heart and soul response to seeing where Jesus lived is more than words can describe. I can’t wait to share this with my boys (15 & 12). Blessings ~Renee
Great slideshow! If you ever want a nice slideshow with no work you might want to check out Animoto.com. We use it alot at our church when we need to put together something like this. I love reading these blogs!
blessings to you melissa! just viewed the video at 12:30 a.m. and it is the perfect ending to a long drama filled week! thank you for the time you took and sharing with us! i’m gonna watch it again when i need a reminder of what reality really is! Our Jesus walked and talked on this earth and He still lives and He will walk and talk with us on the New earth again!
Melissa that was wonderful! 🙂 It gave me goosebumps the whole time. I wish I knew the names of all the places you all visited. 🙂 Thanks for sharing your photos with us!
Melissa, the pictures from the trip are gorgeous; you are quite the photographer! What type camera did you use on the trip?
beautiful photos! i think i was visiting the holy land at the same time you all were there. what an amazing and life changing experience!
~shalom!