independence day at the dead sea

If I could be anyone in the world right now, I would be Elastigirl from "The Incredibles". I'm peeling. Shoulders and back. It's bad. Last Wednesday was Independence Day here and I went with three friends to the Dead Sea for the day. We all got a bit fried in the sun (but we also agreed that it was totally worth it). If I were Elastigirl, I could just reach around and peel all the dead skin off my back and give it a good scratching.

I had never been in the Dead Sea before and I must say that it's one of the strangest feelings ever. The water has a huge concentration of salt and the consistency of oil. And you bob. You can't sink. I kept laughing at myself because I couldn't get the hang of it and all of the sudden my legs would just shoot straight up in the air. I felt like a Weeble—I kept wobbling, but I didn't fall down.

It was such a relaxing day, though. And there were some pretty interesting sights. Umhmm. Some bodies are just not meant for bikinis. That's just all there is to it. And you try not to look, but it's like passing by a car accident; you have to look. It's like a bikini wreck. And old, tubby guys in skimpy little speedos? What's up with that! Well, dispite the "view" and getting sunburned, it was really a wonderful day. We rented a car to get there, and it really made me miss the freedom of having a car. I don't mind walking to work and walking to get groceries and pretty much walking everywhere else, but sometimes you just gotta get out of the city. And I miss being able to go pick up stuff that I want—like lava rocks. I would love to get some for my little garden to cut down on the mud when I water, and I would love to get a swing to put in the garden, but I have no way of getting the stuff home. It's probably just as well, cause that stuff's probably really expensive here anyway!

I can't believe I've already been at Bridges for Peace for over a month. It feels so natural to be there, and it's going well I think. My life is so incredibly different since I came back from the states this time. I'm still getting used to it. All of a sudden, I have so many more people in my life and so many more social engagements. I'm starting to feel so much more like myself again. I'm really thankful for the six months of "acclimating" that God gave to me, but it really made me hunger for more relationships as well. I love people (well, most people, anyway!) and it's hard when you feel so isolated. I've also plugged into a local church fellowship called "King of Kings." I know I've needed that accountability, but just haven't felt at home until now.

The Davis boys are still the love of my life, though I feel like I don't see near enough of them. Sunday was Levi's 6th birthday and I took him to the toy store and let him pick out a gift and then we went to McDonald's with Jeremiah and Sandra before heading out to Andrew's soccer game. Those little guys are such a gift from God to me; I don't know what I would do without them.

Well that's probably enough for now. I need to go find some kind of back scratcher!