Our Holy Land Adventures

Sunday, May 3, 2015

One Hundred More Sunsets...

Two short weeks ago we said goodbye to our second group of students and last week the third and last group arrived on Wednesday.

It's an interesting thing you know, they come and go.

The students that is.

But it's more than that.

They aren't just students.

We share meals. We share laughter. We share tears and testimonies.

We share bus rides. We share cookies and camel rides.

We develop friendships and relationships that last longer than the normal on campus class.

Each student is unique. Each class is made up of different dynamics.

We become friends.

In a way our new friends are like sunsets.

Each one is unique. Each one shares a memory with me. Each one touches me.

But they are constant and leave a lasting impression that will be forever etched

in my heart, my mind and my soul.

It dawned on me the other day that Ron and I have only one hundred more sunsets to watch from our porch here in Jerusalem.

One hundred more sunsets.

One hundred new friendships.

I am blessed.

Wednesday, March 18, 2015

YES....Jerusalem in Snow!

The date was February 20, 2015.

And there was snow.

A LOT OF SNOW!

All week long the Jerusalem Center was a buzz with the forecast of snow.

Everything that was scheduled was subject to change depending on the snow.

In case you didn't know, it doesn't snow here much. Actually it might snow every ten years or so.

But...last winter Jerusalem and much of the Middle East experienced record snow fall during the month of December. Jerusalem was unprepared last year when the snow fell. Travelers were stranded for hours on the freeway. The city hadn't heeded the warning that it would be a storm of the century. So this year when snow was forecast the country went crazy to be prepared...actually I think they went a little overboard.....maybe that's from living in Iceburg, uh I mean Rexburg, Idaho.

Actually, when this new semester of students were scheduled to arrive January 7, 2015, snow was also in the forecast and so Jerusalem was so prepared the police gave days and times when they would shut down the roads leading from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. The country was extremely prepared but the "huge" storm never showed up. When the students arrived we actually had to stay in a hotel south of Tel Aviv because the roads were closed...ANYWAY!

Back to the storm in February...as I mentioned, during the whole week everyone was on their toes and trying to make educated guesses as to when and if it really would snow. It was rainy. It was quite cold. But no snow yet. We all went to bed February 19th half anticipating snow but still not convinced. I was the first one up in our apt. and this is what I saw...

It was magical. It was beautiful. It was bright.

And more than anything it was PEACEFUL!

I opened the door to our back patio and just listened. Total silence. No cars, trunks or the honking of horns. Everything was shut down. Every single thing. For the first time since we have arrived here...

there was PEACE.

In a country such as this where noise is an everyday occurrence and expectation it was nice to just sit and look out over this beautiful city and not be distracted by the horns of frustration or the voices of contention. Slowly the center came to life with the oohs and ahhs of the students and before long they were busy making snow angels and snowmen for their Facebook pages and blog posts.

The quiet didn't last long but while it was here it was a beautiful thing.

Sunday, February 1, 2015

People, ponies, piasters and proprietors of Petra!

Another fantastic journey to the country of Jordan!

Since I already posted about the sites and history of Jordan I decided to do something different this time. The history runs deep and there are plenty of ruins around every corner, but what about modern day Jordan and Petra? What do you see today?

For starters, Jordan is NOT a Palestinian country. It is Jordan and therefore the people are Jordanian. The flags in this picture are flying half mast is respect of the death of

King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia. Both of these countries claim to be the direct descendants of Mohammed.

The monetary unit used in Jordan is the JD - Jordanian Dinar and the coins are called PIASTERS!

One JD is worth 1.4 American dollars...never can figure it out!

As we entered PETRA it was just as breath taking and spectacular as the last time I saw it. But this time the PROPRIETERS and their shop titles and wares caught my eye. It is the low season right now for tourists and as I passed each shop I had the desire to buy something from each of them. They are poor and most rely solely upon the sale of their goods.

As interesting as their wares, were the PEOPLE who were selling their items.

Some are old, weather worn and wrinkled.

Some are young and innocent and should be at school learning to read and

playing with other children.

Some can look hard, unhappy and almost intimidating.

Then there are the PONIES (actually they are donkeys, but I needed a "P" word)

We are all told to NOT ride the donkeys as they can be dangerous and there have been accidents in the past. Every time we turned around they they were.

And what would Petra be without camels?

When I come to this place I feel like spoiled and rich. I realize how blessed I am.

I'm reminded how fortunate I am to live in America.

I am thankful for a husband. And for his job that he looks forward to every day.

I am thankful for teachers. I am thankful for opportunity.

I'm grateful to travel and open my eyes to other realities in the world.

We walked 24,076 steps or 10.04 miles according to my FIT BIT (thank you Tanner)

while we were at Petra today.

Another great day in the Holy Land!

Saturday, January 17, 2015

Randomnessess from the Holy Land!

For those who know me know that if I don't have laughs and humor in each day then it isn't a complete day. While we have been here there are many moments of laughter, smiles and good 'ol fun. I thought I would post some of them since some of you have inquired about what do I do for fun!