I'm trying really hard to get into the Christmas spirit. I don't think it's happening. I wonder if they do special Christmas stuff in Bethlehem? It's only a few miles from Jerusalem to Bethlehem, I should definitely try to go there. But when you don't have transportation, a few miles can seem really far.
I've been searching for good Christmas music on iTunes and I've come to the conclusion that I already have all the best. So I thought I would list a few of my faves, just in case you're looking for some good stuff. Here's my top ten:
1. "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" by Barenaked Ladies and Sarah McLachlan
(This one is good to play over and over and over... just put it on "repeat")
2. "O Holy Night" by Tracy Chapman
(She puts so much soul into it—it just makes it so divine)
3. "Let it Snow" or "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" by Chris Isaak
(Okay, I couldn't decide. That voice—you just gotta love it!)
4. "Go Tell it On the Mountain" by James Taylor
(What can I say? It's JAMES TAYLOR...)
5. "Tennessee Christmas" by Amy Grant
(Being the daughter of a tender Tennessee man, you know this would be on my list!)
6. "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" by Jars of Clay
(This was my fave version until the Barenaked version came along. I still love it though.)
7. "Children Go Where I Send Thee" by Natalie Merchant
(Well, I've been a fan for years and she doesn't disappoint on this)
8. "Christmas Time" by Smashing Pumpkins
("Smashing Pumpkins?" you say... Honestly, I know nothing else of theirs, but this song is addictive)
9. "In the Bleak Midwinter" by James Taylor
(Again—it's JAMES TAYLOR)
10. "Carol of the Bells" by Destiny's Child
(Saul got me hooked on this one last year!)
In addition to the above list, I have two absolute favorite Christmas CDs:
"Your King Has Come" has amazing renditions of a bunch of the traditional carols from a group of Christian artists. I think that these are my all-time favorite versions of these classics:
"O Come All Ye Faithful" by Mandy Ihrig
"What Child is This?" by Billy Cerveny
"O Holy Night" by Matthew Perryman Jones (okay, it's really hard to decide between this and the Tracy Chapman version)
"It Came Upon a Midnight Clear" by Jill Phillips
"O Come, O Come Emmanuel" by Matthew Smith (I love singing "and ransom captive Israel...")
The other incredible CD is "It's Christmas Time" from the artists that do "City on a Hill". It has two of my favorite traditionals:
"Do you Hear What I Hear" by Out of Eden
"In The Bleak Midwinter" by Paul Coleman Trio
And even though I'm sometimes a traditionalist at heart, it also has some great original songs:
"Manger Throne" by Third Day
"Babe in the Straw" by Caedman's Call
"Bethlehem Town" by Jars of Clay
"Child of Love" by Sara Groves
Well, if any of these songs enrich your Christmas in some way, all this typing will have been worth it. At least it's put me in more of a hollie jollie mood!
Wednesday, November 30, 2005
Tuesday, November 29, 2005
something to be thankful for
Okay, we're finally able to post photos again, so here it is:
Be thankful that you didn't have something like this on your Thanksgiving table to make the little boys cry. That's right, it's the sweet potato casserole disaster with the pink and white striped marshmallows (using that term loosely) in it's pre-charred state!
Yummy!
(but not really)
Be thankful that you didn't have something like this on your Thanksgiving table to make the little boys cry. That's right, it's the sweet potato casserole disaster with the pink and white striped marshmallows (using that term loosely) in it's pre-charred state!
Yummy!
(but not really)
on missing things...
Just upstairs from where my friend Hanna works, there is a music store filled with beautiful guitars and other instruments. They have Washburns there. I never expected to see a Washburn guitar in Israel. That's the brand of Daddy's last guitar; the one he gave to me. The one I left behind in the states. The only "thing" I cried over leaving behind. My sweet brother is taking good care of it for me, though, and I hope he gets it out every now and then to play a little.
I've been in the shop a couple of times and Hanna went with me today. She is an amazing musician who does fun stuff like drumming on her pillows or on water and recording it. How creative is that? Anyway, we went in looking today. I really want to have a guitar here. There are so many quiet moments when I just want to pick one up and play my little heart out. That's usually the only time I play -- when it's just me and God. I think His ears are more forgiving than most people's are! Maybe one day I'll get one. Right now, my novice status won't let me justify the expense.
God's grace really is sufficient. All the things that I thought I would totally miss just haven't been that big of a deal. Food wise especially, other than me making myself give up Coke--four days and counting! As I sit here and try to think of things I miss, I'm actually having a hard time, because there are upsides to not having some things...
I miss having a clothes drier, but my washer is amazing and the clothes just don't seem to get worn out as much.
I miss having a car, but I definitely don't miss buying gas and car insurance.
I miss movies, but my time is better spent without them.
I miss Barnes & Noble, but -- okay, I really miss Barnes & Noble! But at least I found a little shop that has two of my favorite magazines: Elle Decor and Marie Claire Maison!
Of course there are things that nothing can replace or even make up for, like my family, my friends, Cat and Daddy's Guitar. But God is good and He keeps us connected. So I'm thankful for that. Well that's enough sentimentality for now. I have to work.
I've been in the shop a couple of times and Hanna went with me today. She is an amazing musician who does fun stuff like drumming on her pillows or on water and recording it. How creative is that? Anyway, we went in looking today. I really want to have a guitar here. There are so many quiet moments when I just want to pick one up and play my little heart out. That's usually the only time I play -- when it's just me and God. I think His ears are more forgiving than most people's are! Maybe one day I'll get one. Right now, my novice status won't let me justify the expense.
God's grace really is sufficient. All the things that I thought I would totally miss just haven't been that big of a deal. Food wise especially, other than me making myself give up Coke--four days and counting! As I sit here and try to think of things I miss, I'm actually having a hard time, because there are upsides to not having some things...
I miss having a clothes drier, but my washer is amazing and the clothes just don't seem to get worn out as much.
I miss having a car, but I definitely don't miss buying gas and car insurance.
I miss movies, but my time is better spent without them.
I miss Barnes & Noble, but -- okay, I really miss Barnes & Noble! But at least I found a little shop that has two of my favorite magazines: Elle Decor and Marie Claire Maison!
Of course there are things that nothing can replace or even make up for, like my family, my friends, Cat and Daddy's Guitar. But God is good and He keeps us connected. So I'm thankful for that. Well that's enough sentimentality for now. I have to work.
Monday, November 28, 2005
a few ramblings
Okay, it's 10:38 pm and I'm eating Ben & Jerry's coffee ice cream in between typing words. I'm trying to get rid of the headache I have from giving up Coke. It's been three days. Three very long days. But I gotta give it up. I don't sleep well when I drink it later in the day and lately I haven't had the willpower to stop at one with lunch, so it's better if I just don't have it in the house at all.
I'm giving up beef as well. Hanna and I went to Burgers Bar for lunch and I couldn't eat my burger. The meat tastes funky and has a weird, almost undercooked texture to it. As much as I love beef, I just can't take it. If it wasn't for chicken, I would think that I'm turning vegetarian. Sometimes I go days without meat, and so far it's been fine. Must be the grace of God.
And can I just rant for a minute about my credit card company? I tried to make two purchases this weekend and they were declined. So I called the company to see what was up because I'm nowhere near my limit and have paid on time every month. I have called them three times already to tell them that I am living in Israel and that I need to be able to use my card here. She told me that they have blocked my account since the beginning of October because they couldn't get in touch with me to confirm some purchases on my card. Purchases that I have made in Israel, but she thought they were made in Illinois because the abreviation for Israel is IL. Sigh. I don't think there is a Jerusalem in Illinois. I talk to the same lady every time. She remembers me. Anyway, she said she would take care of it all right away. But something tells me that I need to call every few weeks and just to make sure we're on the same page.
At least I finally got gas for my stove delivered today. You know all those delivery guys that can't find my apartment? Well, these two just stood outside yelling my name. At 7:30 this morning. I thought that was creative (or at least effective). And Racheli had said that it would be 150 shekels. Nope. Try 270 shekels. I'm hoping it lasts a bit longer than three weeks this time.
Well, without the benefit of caffeine, I'm starting to get very sleepy... Maybe I've ranted enough for one night. So I'll end hopeful that tomorrow will be better... "Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul." Psalm 143:8
I'm giving up beef as well. Hanna and I went to Burgers Bar for lunch and I couldn't eat my burger. The meat tastes funky and has a weird, almost undercooked texture to it. As much as I love beef, I just can't take it. If it wasn't for chicken, I would think that I'm turning vegetarian. Sometimes I go days without meat, and so far it's been fine. Must be the grace of God.
And can I just rant for a minute about my credit card company? I tried to make two purchases this weekend and they were declined. So I called the company to see what was up because I'm nowhere near my limit and have paid on time every month. I have called them three times already to tell them that I am living in Israel and that I need to be able to use my card here. She told me that they have blocked my account since the beginning of October because they couldn't get in touch with me to confirm some purchases on my card. Purchases that I have made in Israel, but she thought they were made in Illinois because the abreviation for Israel is IL. Sigh. I don't think there is a Jerusalem in Illinois. I talk to the same lady every time. She remembers me. Anyway, she said she would take care of it all right away. But something tells me that I need to call every few weeks and just to make sure we're on the same page.
At least I finally got gas for my stove delivered today. You know all those delivery guys that can't find my apartment? Well, these two just stood outside yelling my name. At 7:30 this morning. I thought that was creative (or at least effective). And Racheli had said that it would be 150 shekels. Nope. Try 270 shekels. I'm hoping it lasts a bit longer than three weeks this time.
Well, without the benefit of caffeine, I'm starting to get very sleepy... Maybe I've ranted enough for one night. So I'll end hopeful that tomorrow will be better... "Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul." Psalm 143:8
Friday, November 25, 2005
keep me out of the kitchen on holidays
I think maybe I'm a kitchen disaster waiting to happen when it comes to the holidays. Last Christmas, I stopped up the sink so bad it took forever for Jon Mark to get it unclogged (how was I supposed to know the disposal couldn't handle potato peelings?). But I think that God had mercy on me because He let the food I cooked turn out really good; especially the sweet potato casserole. It was really yummy despite the fact that I completely made up the recipe as I went along.
Maybe that's why Sandra put me in charge of the sweet potato casserole yesterday. Let me just say that when two little boys would rather cry than eat your casserole, you KNOW it's bad! Well, part of it could have been that the marshmallows here are totally different than the great little miniature ones back home in the states. I knew I was in trouble when Jon Mark came back from the store with big pink and white striped ones. Then I let it burn, so it was kinda like marshmallow roasting gone crazy on top of an interesting sweet potato concoction that even I didn't like (and I love sweet potatoes in almost any format). Real brown sugar would have probably helped as well. (I have a photo of the pre-roasted version, but for some reason, it's not letting me upload the image.)
Well, the rest of the meal was really yummy, and the time together was great fun. I did kinda miss being able to watch a football game or two, but it wasn't that big of a deal. I was thankful that I had to walk home, though, cause I really needed the exercise after all that stuffing.
Some other good news on the food front: when I went on my quest for Karo syrup yesterday morning, I not only found it but I also found Hunts tomato sauce! Maybe there's yet hope for my spaghetti. I was so excited I grabbed all that my arms could carry. I don't know if Hunts is really the best brand or if I just feel that way because that's what Mama always used. Either way, I guess it doesn't really matter. I think that maybe God and Mama teamed up to give me a special Thanksgiving gift from Heaven all wrapped up in beautiful red cans!
All in all, it was a very Happy Thanksgiving.
Maybe that's why Sandra put me in charge of the sweet potato casserole yesterday. Let me just say that when two little boys would rather cry than eat your casserole, you KNOW it's bad! Well, part of it could have been that the marshmallows here are totally different than the great little miniature ones back home in the states. I knew I was in trouble when Jon Mark came back from the store with big pink and white striped ones. Then I let it burn, so it was kinda like marshmallow roasting gone crazy on top of an interesting sweet potato concoction that even I didn't like (and I love sweet potatoes in almost any format). Real brown sugar would have probably helped as well. (I have a photo of the pre-roasted version, but for some reason, it's not letting me upload the image.)
Well, the rest of the meal was really yummy, and the time together was great fun. I did kinda miss being able to watch a football game or two, but it wasn't that big of a deal. I was thankful that I had to walk home, though, cause I really needed the exercise after all that stuffing.
Some other good news on the food front: when I went on my quest for Karo syrup yesterday morning, I not only found it but I also found Hunts tomato sauce! Maybe there's yet hope for my spaghetti. I was so excited I grabbed all that my arms could carry. I don't know if Hunts is really the best brand or if I just feel that way because that's what Mama always used. Either way, I guess it doesn't really matter. I think that maybe God and Mama teamed up to give me a special Thanksgiving gift from Heaven all wrapped up in beautiful red cans!
All in all, it was a very Happy Thanksgiving.
Wednesday, November 23, 2005
it snuck up on me
Not seeing any decorations of turkeys, pilgrims, pumpkins and such here in Jerusalem, Thanksgiving actually snuck up on me big time. I don't know if I'm ready for it. Actually Sandra and I are going to cook tomorrow. They have fresh turkeys at the souk, which, even though we may have to cut off a few parts that most Americans don't usually have to deal with, are reportedly quite good. Potatoes, sweet potatoes and corn are in abundance here, so no problem with our favorite starches. It will be a bummer to not have green bean casserole though as canned soup is not really in existence here, let alone those yummy fried onions!
I think Sandra was able to find pumpkin pie filling though, and in the morning I'm off on a quest for light corn syrup to make pecan pie. Neither of us actually have pie pans, though and they don't really sell them here. You have to use the disposable tin ones, but the edges are actually straight, rather than slanted. Should be interesting.
Of course it's not really about the food, is it? Although the tradition of the meal keeps us close to our memories of those we love who are far away, or even in my case, gone Home to Heaven. It's about thankfulness. A line from one of my favorite songs is "A thankful heart prepares the way for You, my God..." It's so true. When we start being thankful, the world becomes a better place and we become better people.
Today as I was waiting for my friend Hanna for lunch, I was sitting in a little square at the bottom of Agrippas Street. The sky was a perfect blue and the air had that beautiful crispness that comes with the autumn. And I sat there thinking, "Oh, God, I have been such a brat these last few days... wanting more than I have, not trusting You to meet my needs, when my needs have always been more than met by You." So I just began to thank Him for random things that came into my mind. And it started to melt away the ice around my heart, and my outlook started changing.
I have so much to be thankful for; I have so many people that I love and who love me back. I have a sweet little home in a city that I have longed for so many years. I have a sound mind and skill to support myself. There's technology that keeps me connected, cell phones in case I get lost. Indoor plumbing is a biggie to be thankful for! And even though the souk can be so stressful at times, I was walking through there today looking at all the beautiful fruits and veggies and spices and nuts and raisins and cheese, and I was so thankful that it's there. Thankful that I'm able to walk where I need to go, and thankful for buses and taxis when it's too far to walk. And think me vain if you wish, but I'm so thankful for good make-up, shampoo and great smelling soap. And I'm really thankful for deodorant.
Thankful for street musicians and the aroma that surrounds me as I walk past my favorite bakery on my way to Sandra's. And I'm really thankful for Sandra and Jon Mark and those wonderful boys. I'm thankful for people who smile, thankful for hooded jackets on rainy days, thankful for sunshine and trees, moon and stars and a bit of grass in the middle of this big stone city. I'm thankful for good lotion, lip balm, my favorite quilt and the cozy throw that my brother just sent me. Thankful for red and mossy green and yellow, and most other colors as well. Except maybe teal. I'm thankful for great stores with cool furniture and accessories -- even if I can't buy any of it; sometimes it just makes me feel good to look. I'm thankful that laughter sounds the same in any language.
I'm most thankful for Jesus, though. My Messiah. My Yeshua. My friend. My Husband. My Savour. My king. My Forgiveness. My Love. My Hope. My Peace. My Security. My Joy. My Truth. My Way. My Life... None of the above would mean a thing without Him.
I could go on and on and on. But I won't. Not here anyway, but hopefully I will keep going in my heart and I will go to sleep being thankful and will wake up being thankful. I hope.
I think Sandra was able to find pumpkin pie filling though, and in the morning I'm off on a quest for light corn syrup to make pecan pie. Neither of us actually have pie pans, though and they don't really sell them here. You have to use the disposable tin ones, but the edges are actually straight, rather than slanted. Should be interesting.
Of course it's not really about the food, is it? Although the tradition of the meal keeps us close to our memories of those we love who are far away, or even in my case, gone Home to Heaven. It's about thankfulness. A line from one of my favorite songs is "A thankful heart prepares the way for You, my God..." It's so true. When we start being thankful, the world becomes a better place and we become better people.
Today as I was waiting for my friend Hanna for lunch, I was sitting in a little square at the bottom of Agrippas Street. The sky was a perfect blue and the air had that beautiful crispness that comes with the autumn. And I sat there thinking, "Oh, God, I have been such a brat these last few days... wanting more than I have, not trusting You to meet my needs, when my needs have always been more than met by You." So I just began to thank Him for random things that came into my mind. And it started to melt away the ice around my heart, and my outlook started changing.
I have so much to be thankful for; I have so many people that I love and who love me back. I have a sweet little home in a city that I have longed for so many years. I have a sound mind and skill to support myself. There's technology that keeps me connected, cell phones in case I get lost. Indoor plumbing is a biggie to be thankful for! And even though the souk can be so stressful at times, I was walking through there today looking at all the beautiful fruits and veggies and spices and nuts and raisins and cheese, and I was so thankful that it's there. Thankful that I'm able to walk where I need to go, and thankful for buses and taxis when it's too far to walk. And think me vain if you wish, but I'm so thankful for good make-up, shampoo and great smelling soap. And I'm really thankful for deodorant.
Thankful for street musicians and the aroma that surrounds me as I walk past my favorite bakery on my way to Sandra's. And I'm really thankful for Sandra and Jon Mark and those wonderful boys. I'm thankful for people who smile, thankful for hooded jackets on rainy days, thankful for sunshine and trees, moon and stars and a bit of grass in the middle of this big stone city. I'm thankful for good lotion, lip balm, my favorite quilt and the cozy throw that my brother just sent me. Thankful for red and mossy green and yellow, and most other colors as well. Except maybe teal. I'm thankful for great stores with cool furniture and accessories -- even if I can't buy any of it; sometimes it just makes me feel good to look. I'm thankful that laughter sounds the same in any language.
I'm most thankful for Jesus, though. My Messiah. My Yeshua. My friend. My Husband. My Savour. My king. My Forgiveness. My Love. My Hope. My Peace. My Security. My Joy. My Truth. My Way. My Life... None of the above would mean a thing without Him.
I could go on and on and on. But I won't. Not here anyway, but hopefully I will keep going in my heart and I will go to sleep being thankful and will wake up being thankful. I hope.
Saturday, November 19, 2005
Happy Birthday Sweet Friend!
Sandra's birthday was this week and we've been scheming for a while about a surprise party for her. So yesterday I braved the souk to pick up ingredients for Jon Mark to make her a cheesecake. Friday. I forgot how bad Friday was at the souk. I almost broke down crying a couple of times in the cheese store. I hadn't eaten all day and by the time I got home I was a mess. I tried to work a little, but my hands were shaky and I just decided to give it up and take a nap. Naps are wonderful; I woke up feeling so much better.
So today, Hanna and I kidnapped Sandra for a few hours so Jon Mark could prepare for the party. I smuggled in the cheesecake ingredients under the guise of returning a suitcase I had borrowed. Little did she know what was hidden inside! We went to Abu Ghosh and had Lebanese food (yum!) and then we went to En Kerem for coffee. It was so nice to have some girl time. Here's Sandra being her serious self...
We finally got her home to the party and hopefully she didn't suspect a thing; but I suspect she might have. Either way, I think she had a good time and Jon Mark did a smashing job on the cheesecake and homemade salsa. There were lots of kids there and I got to meet some new friends as well. As I was talking to one girl and told her that I grew up in North Carolina, she said, "Hmm, you don't have a Southern accent..." Which really made me laugh, cause let's face it; I'm as Southern as they come....
Well, Happy Birthday, my dear sweet friend. Thank you for adopting me into your family! I hope you enjoy many wonderful moments in your new swing... if you can get the kids off it long enough!
So today, Hanna and I kidnapped Sandra for a few hours so Jon Mark could prepare for the party. I smuggled in the cheesecake ingredients under the guise of returning a suitcase I had borrowed. Little did she know what was hidden inside! We went to Abu Ghosh and had Lebanese food (yum!) and then we went to En Kerem for coffee. It was so nice to have some girl time. Here's Sandra being her serious self...
We finally got her home to the party and hopefully she didn't suspect a thing; but I suspect she might have. Either way, I think she had a good time and Jon Mark did a smashing job on the cheesecake and homemade salsa. There were lots of kids there and I got to meet some new friends as well. As I was talking to one girl and told her that I grew up in North Carolina, she said, "Hmm, you don't have a Southern accent..." Which really made me laugh, cause let's face it; I'm as Southern as they come....
Well, Happy Birthday, my dear sweet friend. Thank you for adopting me into your family! I hope you enjoy many wonderful moments in your new swing... if you can get the kids off it long enough!
Friday, November 18, 2005
stop worrying, y'all
I guess it's been a few days since I've written anything here. Life got hectic all of a sudden. I have quite a bit of freelance work to get done in a short time and also we had two birthdays this week, not to mention my little escapade into the world of woodworking.
Several people have emailed concerning my last two posts saying that I seem a little down. I'M OKAY. REALLY. Life just happens and it's probably no different than back home, with the exception of a little language barrier and a few other minor differences. I guess I may just be a little too transparent sometimes, and I probably shouldn't write late at night when I'm tired!
So what's the news? Hmmm -- well I finally got my new printer and it's working so far. Yay. And two gas technicians came to fix the gas leak the other night, so the line is fixed but they haven't delivered the new tank, so I still have no gas for the stove. Oh well, guess you don't know what you can do without till you have to, huh? The funny thing about the two tech guys -- one could speak English really well and the other not at all. And the one that couldn't had the other one ask me if I wanted to go out for a drink! Hmmm, what's the Hebrew for "No, thank you"? Lo, toda. I actually like to be able to communicate with someone before I go out with them. (That's not my only requirement, by the way, so stop worrying, Bons!)
Oh, and the best thing is that a group of us are doing Mike Bickle's (http://www.fotb.com/) study on the Song of Solomon on Thursday nights and it's really great so far. I'm looking forward to digging deeper into it. I think the most profound thing that I have learned so far is that God has intentionally placed these 7 different longings in our hearts that only He can fulfill: 1) to be fascinated/not bored 2) to possess beauty and feel beautiful 3) to be great/successful 4) for intimacy without shame 5) for assurance that we're enjoyed (liked) 6) to be whole-hearted and passionate and 7) to make a deep and lasting impact. Knowing those longings are put there by God makes me go, "What? You mean it's okay to feel this way?" A definitive "yes" to that; it's just not okay to try to fulfill them with the world... Amen to that!!!!
Several people have emailed concerning my last two posts saying that I seem a little down. I'M OKAY. REALLY. Life just happens and it's probably no different than back home, with the exception of a little language barrier and a few other minor differences. I guess I may just be a little too transparent sometimes, and I probably shouldn't write late at night when I'm tired!
So what's the news? Hmmm -- well I finally got my new printer and it's working so far. Yay. And two gas technicians came to fix the gas leak the other night, so the line is fixed but they haven't delivered the new tank, so I still have no gas for the stove. Oh well, guess you don't know what you can do without till you have to, huh? The funny thing about the two tech guys -- one could speak English really well and the other not at all. And the one that couldn't had the other one ask me if I wanted to go out for a drink! Hmmm, what's the Hebrew for "No, thank you"? Lo, toda. I actually like to be able to communicate with someone before I go out with them. (That's not my only requirement, by the way, so stop worrying, Bons!)
Oh, and the best thing is that a group of us are doing Mike Bickle's (http://www.fotb.com/) study on the Song of Solomon on Thursday nights and it's really great so far. I'm looking forward to digging deeper into it. I think the most profound thing that I have learned so far is that God has intentionally placed these 7 different longings in our hearts that only He can fulfill: 1) to be fascinated/not bored 2) to possess beauty and feel beautiful 3) to be great/successful 4) for intimacy without shame 5) for assurance that we're enjoyed (liked) 6) to be whole-hearted and passionate and 7) to make a deep and lasting impact. Knowing those longings are put there by God makes me go, "What? You mean it's okay to feel this way?" A definitive "yes" to that; it's just not okay to try to fulfill them with the world... Amen to that!!!!
Tuesday, November 15, 2005
new experience #349
I thought trying to decipher my mail in Hebrew was hard.
Tonight I went to a class with Racheli. It was a class was on woodworking. I don't know what I was thinking; I didn't even think about the teacher only speaking in Hebrew. Duh. It was a very long 4 1/2 hours, and I'm still finding wood chips in my hair.
It was nice of the teacher to let me try it out before I enrolled, though, and the time with Racheli and her sister was good. But as I talked to him about it, I said that my Hebrew was horrible, and he just replied, "I know." And then told me that if I wanted to take the class, I would have to come to at least three lessons by myself so he could teach me in English. Not going to happen. Let's face it, I really don't have a big need to know how to use a lathe right now. Well, it was an experience anyway.
At least we stopped by the mall on our way home. That was really nice. Ahhh, it is a beautiful mall. I don't think I'll go there that often, but it will be a nice little escape for me when I need it. Maybe I'll be able to find good shampoo there. I stopped by the pharmacy last night and they only had about 4 brands!!! Ugghh. I am so spoiled when it comes to hair care stuff and I really miss my favorite shampoo! I don't think that good hair is high on the list of priorities around here and a lot of women wear hats anyway. Guess I'll just have to stock up next time I'm in the states.
Still no gas for the stove. Still no printer. Fed-ex still can't find my apartment. Still can't make spaghetti sauce. Guys still bugging me on the streets. Welcome to Israel.
Tonight I went to a class with Racheli. It was a class was on woodworking. I don't know what I was thinking; I didn't even think about the teacher only speaking in Hebrew. Duh. It was a very long 4 1/2 hours, and I'm still finding wood chips in my hair.
It was nice of the teacher to let me try it out before I enrolled, though, and the time with Racheli and her sister was good. But as I talked to him about it, I said that my Hebrew was horrible, and he just replied, "I know." And then told me that if I wanted to take the class, I would have to come to at least three lessons by myself so he could teach me in English. Not going to happen. Let's face it, I really don't have a big need to know how to use a lathe right now. Well, it was an experience anyway.
At least we stopped by the mall on our way home. That was really nice. Ahhh, it is a beautiful mall. I don't think I'll go there that often, but it will be a nice little escape for me when I need it. Maybe I'll be able to find good shampoo there. I stopped by the pharmacy last night and they only had about 4 brands!!! Ugghh. I am so spoiled when it comes to hair care stuff and I really miss my favorite shampoo! I don't think that good hair is high on the list of priorities around here and a lot of women wear hats anyway. Guess I'll just have to stock up next time I'm in the states.
Still no gas for the stove. Still no printer. Fed-ex still can't find my apartment. Still can't make spaghetti sauce. Guys still bugging me on the streets. Welcome to Israel.
Saturday, November 12, 2005
acclimation
I think I'm experiencing blogger's block. Every time I start to make an entry, I go blank.
I had a really hard day on Thursday and I'm not sure I've recovered from it, plus the cough that I picked up in Cyprus has decided to turn into a cold so my brain feels fuzzy. I'm not sure what happened to make that day so bad, but I kept feeling like a spiritual bomb had gone off right in front of me. It was the first day since I've been here that I really wanted to go home. And it only took two months!
Friday was much better. Much, much better. I was able to talk to a friend online for about 3 1/2 hours and it really did a lot to lift my spirit. Thank God for Instant Messenger! I can't imagine what the bill would have been had we been talking on the phone.
So I guess the newness is wearing off and as I settle into my new life here I am starting to realize the lonely place of starting over again. I've been there before, and in the past my coping mechanisms have not been the most healthy in the world. When I first moved to Texas, I used to go to the mall just to be around people, which was pretty pathetic; but the crowning moment of desperation came when a telemarketer had called and I just kept talking to him. He eventually said, "uh, ma'am, I have to go now..." Have you ever had a telemarketer be the first to hang up? Now that's truly pathetic!
Well, here I haven't made it to the mall yet, and I have no telemarketers to talk to, so I'm finally having to turn to the right place for comfort--my heavenly Father. That's a good thing. And I am drawing closer to Him and crying out more and more, but I gotta tell you that I'm really missing Old Navy and Barnes & Noble right now.
I've basically given up on the spaghetti sauce thing. Maybe I'll try again some day. And I'm about to give up on the printer and just go buy another one. They still haven't replaced my broken one. Maybe I am learning patience. When I got back from Cyprus, the gas was out for my stove, so I called my landlady to get it replaced. It's been almost a week and I still don't have gas. And basically it's not bothering me.
So maybe I'm acclimating. That's good. But I'd really love to run to Wal-Mart and pick up some Nyquil right now. Well, the pharmacy will open back up tomorrow and I can go get whatever the Israeli equivelent might be.
And just an amazing little note to end with: In my Cyprus entry, I talked about a Palestinian named Steve. Steve was on our flight back from Cyprus and the last I saw of him, they had taken him into a side room for a questioning session. He had expected that and so we weren't surprised. He did eventually get through customs, but since they close the Gaza border at a certain time every day, he wouldn't have been able to get in. So he took a sherut (shared taxi) to Jerusalem where he would stay with a friend. On the sherut, he got into a conversation with an ultra orhodox rabbi and the rabbi told him that he had been reading the New Testament and was interested in learning more about Christianity. So he asked Steve to share with him, and then He invited Steve to stay at his house that night.... How amazing is that!!!! Talk about mysterious ways!
I had a really hard day on Thursday and I'm not sure I've recovered from it, plus the cough that I picked up in Cyprus has decided to turn into a cold so my brain feels fuzzy. I'm not sure what happened to make that day so bad, but I kept feeling like a spiritual bomb had gone off right in front of me. It was the first day since I've been here that I really wanted to go home. And it only took two months!
Friday was much better. Much, much better. I was able to talk to a friend online for about 3 1/2 hours and it really did a lot to lift my spirit. Thank God for Instant Messenger! I can't imagine what the bill would have been had we been talking on the phone.
So I guess the newness is wearing off and as I settle into my new life here I am starting to realize the lonely place of starting over again. I've been there before, and in the past my coping mechanisms have not been the most healthy in the world. When I first moved to Texas, I used to go to the mall just to be around people, which was pretty pathetic; but the crowning moment of desperation came when a telemarketer had called and I just kept talking to him. He eventually said, "uh, ma'am, I have to go now..." Have you ever had a telemarketer be the first to hang up? Now that's truly pathetic!
Well, here I haven't made it to the mall yet, and I have no telemarketers to talk to, so I'm finally having to turn to the right place for comfort--my heavenly Father. That's a good thing. And I am drawing closer to Him and crying out more and more, but I gotta tell you that I'm really missing Old Navy and Barnes & Noble right now.
I've basically given up on the spaghetti sauce thing. Maybe I'll try again some day. And I'm about to give up on the printer and just go buy another one. They still haven't replaced my broken one. Maybe I am learning patience. When I got back from Cyprus, the gas was out for my stove, so I called my landlady to get it replaced. It's been almost a week and I still don't have gas. And basically it's not bothering me.
So maybe I'm acclimating. That's good. But I'd really love to run to Wal-Mart and pick up some Nyquil right now. Well, the pharmacy will open back up tomorrow and I can go get whatever the Israeli equivelent might be.
And just an amazing little note to end with: In my Cyprus entry, I talked about a Palestinian named Steve. Steve was on our flight back from Cyprus and the last I saw of him, they had taken him into a side room for a questioning session. He had expected that and so we weren't surprised. He did eventually get through customs, but since they close the Gaza border at a certain time every day, he wouldn't have been able to get in. So he took a sherut (shared taxi) to Jerusalem where he would stay with a friend. On the sherut, he got into a conversation with an ultra orhodox rabbi and the rabbi told him that he had been reading the New Testament and was interested in learning more about Christianity. So he asked Steve to share with him, and then He invited Steve to stay at his house that night.... How amazing is that!!!! Talk about mysterious ways!
Tuesday, November 08, 2005
Cyprus
I'm back from my little trip to Cyprus for the worship conference and despite a little chest congestion, I think I made it through fine. Actually the conference was really great. We were pretty wiped out by the time we got there because we had to leave at 3:00 am and neither Sandra, Jon Mark or I slept at all that night before.
The hotel was really nice and we had great little balconies with a beautiful view of the Mediterranean. I must say that it would be hard to get used to living around Cypreans, though. They seem to be so easily offended and get into yelling matches way worse than any I've seen in Jerusalem. I thought Jon Mark was going to come to blows with a taxi driver at the airport who didn't want to wait for Sandra and the boys, he just wanted to leave without them. So we unloaded everything from that taxi and took another one. We won't talk about my little run-in with the little old man bussing tables in the food court.
So the conference. Wow. God really did some things in my heart. The ministry hosting the conference is based on Isaiah 19:23-25:
"In that day there will be a highway from Egypt to Assyria. The Assyrians will go to Egypt and the Egyptians to Assyria. The Egyptians and Assyrians will worship together. In that day Israel will be the third, along with Egypt and Assyria, a blessing on the earth. The LORD Almighty will bless them, saying, "Blessed be Egypt my people, Assyria my handiwork, and Israel my inheritance."
There were people there from Egypt, Israel and Assyria (Lebanon) as well as America and Scotland, all praying and worshipping the Lord together in unity. Arabs and Palestinians side by side with me and my heart for the Jewish people. And I loved them. These people captured my heart and God used them to open my eyes to some things. I have to confess that in general I have had a major dislike and mistrust for both Arabs and Palestinians. But God in His mercy allowed me to see a different perspective through the eyes of Steve, a Palestinian living in the Gaza Strip.
Steve, who is a friend of Jon Mark's, was on our flight from Tel Aviv to Larnaca and he and Andrew and I ended up taking a taxi to the hotel together. I politely asked a few questions about Gaza and the recent pull out of Israelis, and I just as politely listened to him tell how much easier life was for the Gaza Palestinians. All the while I listened, I was still thinking that the whole thing had been evil and cruel to the Israelis who lived there. But over the course of the conference, I got to know Steve and his heart, and God opened my eyes a bit. In the past I have been guilty of totally associating all Palestinians with terrorism. I would think that they're all just a bunch of evil radicals who want nothing more than to kill innocent people because they are Jews. The reality is that the radicals are actually a minority of the whole; it's just that we only see the actions of the radicals in the press, not the actions of the everyday Palestinian.
I asked Steve, "Do you love Gaza?" He said, "Yes I love Gaza. Nobody else loves Gaza, but I love Gaza. And God loves Gaza. And God can fix Gaza. No one else can." During the conference we had many conversations about loving one people group but not the other. And we came to the conclusion that we can love both; we can open our hearts a little more. And God can totally cause Palestinians and Israelis to live side by side in peace. I didn't believe that before. I believe it now. Reality is that nobody wants the Palestinians. Israelis say, "Why won't the other Arab countries take them in?" Other Arab countries don't want them either. Can you imagine the hurt and rejection these people must feel? I can't. But I can do what God allows me to do by not being one of the ones to persecute and reject them as well.
I was also blown away by the team that came from Lebanon (see picture) and by the Egyptians as well. There were such tender hearts there and a connectedness that I haven't really felt before with total strangers. I can't describe it. I wish I could.
One evening we started to pray over people in the arts and of course, I went to be prayed for. Not knowing of my crying out to God on Daddy's birthday to heal my shattered heart, a man named Michael looked straight at me and started praying over shattered hearts. Then Sandra started praying over me that God would give beauty for ashes, and suddenly it hit me. I've read that verse so many times and it never clicked before that when people were in mourning, they covered themselves in ashes. Beauty for ashes; beauty coming out of mourning. That's where the anointing on my artwork will come from; the ashes of my mourning.
It wasn an incredible time. I was really sorry to say goodbye. But my heart has been enlarged, my vision expanded, and that is a very good thing!
The hotel was really nice and we had great little balconies with a beautiful view of the Mediterranean. I must say that it would be hard to get used to living around Cypreans, though. They seem to be so easily offended and get into yelling matches way worse than any I've seen in Jerusalem. I thought Jon Mark was going to come to blows with a taxi driver at the airport who didn't want to wait for Sandra and the boys, he just wanted to leave without them. So we unloaded everything from that taxi and took another one. We won't talk about my little run-in with the little old man bussing tables in the food court.
So the conference. Wow. God really did some things in my heart. The ministry hosting the conference is based on Isaiah 19:23-25:
"In that day there will be a highway from Egypt to Assyria. The Assyrians will go to Egypt and the Egyptians to Assyria. The Egyptians and Assyrians will worship together. In that day Israel will be the third, along with Egypt and Assyria, a blessing on the earth. The LORD Almighty will bless them, saying, "Blessed be Egypt my people, Assyria my handiwork, and Israel my inheritance."
There were people there from Egypt, Israel and Assyria (Lebanon) as well as America and Scotland, all praying and worshipping the Lord together in unity. Arabs and Palestinians side by side with me and my heart for the Jewish people. And I loved them. These people captured my heart and God used them to open my eyes to some things. I have to confess that in general I have had a major dislike and mistrust for both Arabs and Palestinians. But God in His mercy allowed me to see a different perspective through the eyes of Steve, a Palestinian living in the Gaza Strip.
Steve, who is a friend of Jon Mark's, was on our flight from Tel Aviv to Larnaca and he and Andrew and I ended up taking a taxi to the hotel together. I politely asked a few questions about Gaza and the recent pull out of Israelis, and I just as politely listened to him tell how much easier life was for the Gaza Palestinians. All the while I listened, I was still thinking that the whole thing had been evil and cruel to the Israelis who lived there. But over the course of the conference, I got to know Steve and his heart, and God opened my eyes a bit. In the past I have been guilty of totally associating all Palestinians with terrorism. I would think that they're all just a bunch of evil radicals who want nothing more than to kill innocent people because they are Jews. The reality is that the radicals are actually a minority of the whole; it's just that we only see the actions of the radicals in the press, not the actions of the everyday Palestinian.
I asked Steve, "Do you love Gaza?" He said, "Yes I love Gaza. Nobody else loves Gaza, but I love Gaza. And God loves Gaza. And God can fix Gaza. No one else can." During the conference we had many conversations about loving one people group but not the other. And we came to the conclusion that we can love both; we can open our hearts a little more. And God can totally cause Palestinians and Israelis to live side by side in peace. I didn't believe that before. I believe it now. Reality is that nobody wants the Palestinians. Israelis say, "Why won't the other Arab countries take them in?" Other Arab countries don't want them either. Can you imagine the hurt and rejection these people must feel? I can't. But I can do what God allows me to do by not being one of the ones to persecute and reject them as well.
I was also blown away by the team that came from Lebanon (see picture) and by the Egyptians as well. There were such tender hearts there and a connectedness that I haven't really felt before with total strangers. I can't describe it. I wish I could.
One evening we started to pray over people in the arts and of course, I went to be prayed for. Not knowing of my crying out to God on Daddy's birthday to heal my shattered heart, a man named Michael looked straight at me and started praying over shattered hearts. Then Sandra started praying over me that God would give beauty for ashes, and suddenly it hit me. I've read that verse so many times and it never clicked before that when people were in mourning, they covered themselves in ashes. Beauty for ashes; beauty coming out of mourning. That's where the anointing on my artwork will come from; the ashes of my mourning.
It wasn an incredible time. I was really sorry to say goodbye. But my heart has been enlarged, my vision expanded, and that is a very good thing!
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