I never dreamed I’d start a publishing company. God knew it was coming long before I did.  

THE JOURNEY OF A JOURNAL
In March 2019, I returned from my first trip to the Holy Land longing to go again. The experience was moving, overwhelming, and yes, really life-changing.

I wanted to be better prepared for my next trip, so I began researching best practices for packing, long-haul travel, and tips specifically for a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. I also wanted a journal to use on my next trip with prompts to help me record my spiritual experiences. 

I searched for these resources but couldn’t find them, so I decided to create them myself. It was a hard and worthwhile endeavor requiring many, many, many new skills. I’m grateful for the patient, gifted folks who helped me along the way, including a beautiful support group of spiritual writers. 

Prototype #1 was completed and field-tested on my second trip to the Holy Land in February 2020. I came back with great feedback, ready to work on edits, and then the pandemic hit. The project went into hibernation for over a year. 

In the fall of 2021, it was time to awaken the journal for another round of editing. I’d be heading to the Holy Land in March 2022, and wanted the new journal with me and our group. Enter Susi, a brilliant book designer at Creative Blueprint Design. God provided the partner I needed to finish the journal. (It’s pictured above. Isn’t she gorgeous!)

The new journal was a big hit with those who used it, but surpise, it needed another round of edits. What I thought was the final journal would be Prototype #2. 

Then things got really interesting. A travel company was interested in the journal as a gift for those booking a Holy Land trip with them. This meant I needed to start a publishing company. Via Lexi was born.

After rounds and rounds and rounds of conversation and rounds and rounds and rounds of editing, I realized the journal would need to become two journals, a smaller journal for the travel company and my dream journal for those who’d like journaling pages plus additional spiritual resources.

The small Holy Land journal and the dream Holy Land journal continue in the editing process with the goal of publishing them in 2023. Thanks for your prayers. 

So, the original idea of a journal became two journals, plus a publishing company, plus a website, plus a planning and packing guide plus a study guide. It feels like the parable of the mustard seed, something small growing and spreading in surprising ways. 

It’s exciting and humbling to think about the thousands of folks who will encounter God in the Holy Land while using these resources. To God be the glory!

Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. (Ephesians 3:20-21)