Grad students, Mike Kramer and Carrie Jernigan, fall in love and life seems perfect. Then, they meet each other's family and discover that their backgrounds are more dissimilar than either had realized. Mike and Carrie set out on a journey to prove their love is strong enough to overcome not only the cultural and religious differences of many generations, but the surprising tests life brings as well. Marilyn Thomas takes the colorful threads of love, family, history, faith, forgiveness, and reconciliation and weaves an intriguingly beautiful tapestry that tells a timeless tale. From Eastern North Carolina to the narrow streets of Bucharest and Jerusalem, the journeys of two families intertwine in a truly fascinating love story. The Journey Begins was previously published as The Gentile and The Jew.