Finally sent in my application to get a new passport with my married name.

Why am I renewing my passport now, you may ask? Well, nightskyre and I are planning to go to Israel next spring with a group from our church.

Yes, Israel. We expect that the current conflict will have died down by then - at least enough that tourists can get in and out of the country again.

And, as my pastor jokes, "What better place to die than in the Holy Land?"

Disclaimer: I do not feel there is anything especially holy about Israel; however, it will be very cool to see the places talked about in the Bible. I expect it will make it all feel more "real" to me.