On this day, in which I will begin my EA service in just a few hours, I sit in my hotel in Jerusalem and ponder all I have to be thankful for.  Many people have participated in sending me to this place.  For my family and close friends, who have let me go so far away for so long, thank you. I miss you!  For my religious order, TSSF, my contacts at Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) and Fellowship of Reconciliation (FOR), especially in Minnesota,  and my national coordinator in EAPPI-US, Thanks so much for everything.  For Lord of Life Lutheran Church and University Lutheran Student Center, Thanks so very much for all your love and support as I’ve anticipated this venture of service. Lord of Life: you sent me out so beautifully.  For your love, thank you so much!  For Luther seminary, students and faculty who have nurtured my learning and helped bring me to this place, thank you.  And for all of you who are following my blog, thank you for your care and concern for peace and justice in Palestine and Israel, for standing in solidarity with those who are suffering.  I head for Yatta tomorrow afternoon for placement orientation.  It will be overwhelming.  Keep the prayers coming, and I will make every effort to inform you as I go, so we will be partners in peace-making together with Jesus, who said, “Blessed are the peace makers, for they shall be called the children of God.”