(First, let me apologize for the lack of entries on this blog. We were so incredibly busy I only had time to upload pictures each night. I didn't even have time to add captions. Sorry.)

We awoke at 6:00 AM Friday morning, wolfed down a quick breakfast and left for Tel Aviv. The security at the airport was really amazing. With few exceptions, everyone behaved themselves even though we were all tired and looking forward to getting home. One interesting note: I always pack a pair of small scissors with me but I forgot to stow them in my check-in bag. The screener found them but told me they were OK in my carry-on. If they passed Israeli security they'll pass any security.

Our plane left on time at around 11:00 AM. As usual, the ten hour flight was uneventful. (My monitor worked this time.) I did something I have never done before: I sat in the wrong seat. Deeply engaged in a conversation with a new friend, the rightful owner to the seat educated me on my error. I asked if she would mind sitting in my seat and she didn't care so I continued my conversation with my new friend. We ended up speaking all the way to Newark.

After a mad dash through Customs and security (again), and then having to wait an extra hour to board, we eagerly boarded our plane. To my surprise I was seated next to my new friend again. (He invited me to speak at his church and I  accepted.) Our joy was short-lived: we sat on the tarmac for over two hours, praying that the storm holding up our departure would break up a bit so we could leave. It did and we arrived in LA at about 1:00 AM Saturday morning. My roommate in Israel had arranged a hotel room for me but one of the team members needed help connecting with his 6:00 AM flight so I stayed up all night talking with him and helping him get checked in.

I boarded my flight and thankfully sat in my seat (1-C) and enjoyed a wonderful quiche while my cohorts in coach were trying to swallow stale peanuts. (I spent an additional 5000 miles before I left to assure my first-class flight home. I highly recommend it.) I arrived home fresh and rested (yeah, right) on Saturday at about 11:00 AM.

I'll write more later. Time to try to stay awake. Thanks to all for your prayers.