T-minus 8 days until I leave!

Please be patient with me as I explore this here blogosphere and get my bearings straight as I figure out how to write a good blog.

Here's an update on how my Israel preparations are going so far. I have an apartment ready to go. I have all the books I need. I have my visa. I have my plane ticket. I have filled out all necessary forms and prepared all necessary documents. I have gone to the doctor and the dentist. I have figured out online banking, set up a Charles Schwab account, and done everything else necessary to bank in Israel. I have bought new hiking boots, new climbing gear, and have everything ready to hike, camp, and climb in Israel. Except for a few small things here and there, the only things really left are to buy some last minute items (e.g. toiletries) and pack. And then I'll be gone!

It's bittersweet, really. In this moment I can really only help think of Abraham, hearing God's voice and leaving the land of his father. I, too, will be leaving the land of my family, and my friends. I will be away from home for an entire year. The great thing about our modern world is that I can connect to everyone via phones, mail, or the internet--Skype will be a great tool for this year. Yet you all will still be far away.

Yet Abraham wasn't told to just go to any old place. He went to the Promised Land--and so will I. It is the homeland of my people, and for me it is in many ways a second home. This will be my third time there, and I have already lived there for almost half a year. While on the one hand I will miss home, on the other hand June 25 (my flight date) can't come soon enough. While I will miss my family (who better visit!), my friends, and Sam (fortunately for only two months--it could be worse), on the other hand I cannot wait to begin.

And so I will spend these last eight days doing what's most important to me: no, not lighting a menorah, but relaxing with friends and family. Soon enough, I will be on a plane headed toward Eretz Yisrael. Thus will begin one of the biggest steps in my life journey so far. And just like Abraham, I'm sure that I, too, will come out of this a changed man.

-Eric

PS - Please bear with me as I decided to write this at 1am!

PPS - Here's one of my favorite pictures of Israel: expect many more once I get there!

Night view of the Old City of Jerusalem (from a random hostel)