Now we are counting the days!

By this time next week we should be in Istanbul!We are getting excited about our next adventure. Ferrell calls this trip "Steps of Paul and John" because it takes us to sites the apostle Paul visited, and also to the towns referred to by John as the "seven churches" in the book of Revelation. However, those who have previously been on this trip say that it is called "steps" because there is so much walking involved. We haven't called in a personal trainer to help us prepare, but, bring it on...walking and everything!

Through this blog I will try to keep you updated with anecdotes and photographs along the way. For a more scholarly report of the trip, check out Ferrell's blog at: http://ferrelljenkins.wordpress.com/

We have been sent the list of people who will be on the tour, and to us it looks like a list of old friends! Here is our "cast of characters" for this adventure:There are 44 on the tour, and 20 of these are from north Alabama. (The rest of "y'all" on the bus will have to learn to speak southern!) There are seven from the congregation where we worship. You know that Olen and I are going, but so are Brad and Pam. Brad recently returned from spending time in Iraq, so this will be a much more pleasant trip for him. Pam's "Aunt Shirley" will be on the trip, and Shirley has been on so many of Ferrell's trips that I am sure she can't even count them. Margaret is like us, still reeling from the trip to Israel three weeks ago. Sharon is a newcomer to the travel group, but a lovely and very special young lady.

Others from the north Alabama area include Jack and Donna Jo. We have made many trips with this couple, all thoroughly enjoyable. Their son, Billy, and his wife, Carole, will be going with us this time. Steve and Harriet were with us in Egypt, Israel 2006, and on the trip to central Turkey. Benjie and Mary Jane have been on several of Ferrell's trips, including Israel 2006 with us. Mike and Peggy went to central Turkey, and Israel 2008 with us, plus they managed to squeeze in Ferrell's Scotland trip in the middle of those. Their suitcases must stay packed and beside the door! Our son-in-law, Norm, is on the trip. Like us, Norm is still adjusting to home-time after the Israel trip. Frank and Virginia are taking the plunge. This is their first trip with Ferrell, but we know they will enjoy it, since these two enjoy everything. Frank should keep us laughing.

There are a few people on the trip who are NOT from North Alabama, but we love them anyway! Buddy and Catherine were with us in Central Turkey. Kathy and Judy (the California ladies) were with us in Israel 2006 and in central Turkey. They are always a great addition to the group, along with one of my oldest and dearest friend, Lucy. She might not appreciate that "oldest" comment, but we have been friends for about 55 years, so you do the math! Lucy was on the Egypt trip with us, and managed to squeeze in the Scotland trip along with Mike and Peggy last fall. Jared and Bonnie will be with us. Bonnie is Brad and Pam's daughter. They were with us in Israel in 2006. Richard and Marilyn are Jared's parents, so I guess Jared and Bonnie will have to behave, since they have both sets of parents (plus "Aunt Shirley") along on the trip!Boyd and Linda were so much fun on the Israel trip in 2006, but at the last minute they had to cancel out of the central Turkey trip due to inopportune illness. (We missed you! Don't pull that stunt again!) Jim and Diana are joining the group. Jim has been to central Turkey and to Israel 2008, but he has finally convinced his better half to join us this time. Welcome, Diana! David was on the Israel 2006 trip...spent part of the week borrowing clothes due to the fact that his suitcase took a more scenic route to its destination. Maybe you'll have better luck this trip, David. Susan is quite a traveler. Like Shirley, she has probably lost count of the Jenkins trips she has been on. If you want to be in middle of the party, pick a seat on the bus near Susan. Ashley and Ivy were with us in Israel in 2006 and in central Turkey. They didn't get enough of Turkey, we hear, so they are going early to re-visit Cappadocia. (Do you two plan to take another hot air balloon ride?) Dave and Marge enjoy travel so much that they plan to go to Istanbul early and take in the museums in a bit more detail. Dave is my "Oreo cookie buddy". I have finally found someone who loves Oreos almost as much as I do!

That is about all, except for the three we don't know. One is Glenda, and she is Sharon's friend, so we are sure she is great and we are looking forward to spending time with her. We don't know Steve and Vicki, but in a group like this I am sure it won't take long.

Did I forget anyone? Oh, yes...our esteemed leader, Ferrell, and the lady who "takes care of him" (her words, not mine), Elizabeth. Wonderful people. What would we do without them?So now you have the "cast of characters". Soon we will begin.

I will try to do a post with photos every day, if the hotels have systems that will allow that. I have found that some systems will not allow me to enter photos without reducing the size (and sometimes the quality). However, I think if you double-click on the photos you will be able to see them in larger size. Try that and see if it works.Very soon we will be on our way to another great adventure, and you are welcome to read along with us on another "journey with Jane". Thanks so much for your words of encouragement, and we love it when you leave comments on the blog. It lets us know that someone out there is actually reading what we are writing. We check the comments daily, but of course we don't have time to answer each one individually while we are gone. Pray for us to have a safe and enjoyable trip. It won't be long now..........
Posted by Jane at 8:02 AM 0 comments