Bird Viewed from Balcony April 17

Sometimes the best place to be is right at "home". I was out on our balcony today, and look what I saw! There's 2 of them. I don't know if they are native to this area or just passing through on their way north after their winter vacation. Some BEAUTIFUL sites around ISRAEL!!!

Me and the Sea. The biggest distractor in my life - I've found - is me.

Life to the fullest. Full as can be.
Do I really want that? The good life isn't free.
Trouble is near. Take the bad with the good.
Praise God for both? I've been told that I should.

So often caught up in
what's the "to-do" list today
I forget to get past
the obstacles
so clearly in my way.
The grey will rain,
there's cleaning to do.
"I'm not able"
- someone's better -I'll leave that for
the other to-do.
The other to-do
list that's mine
or a to-do list for another.
Either way - it can wait
after all - there's
"alway's tomorrow".

We think that's the case
as we live out our days
then we look at the calendar and
sometimes feel crazed.
Oh - my! How the days
have flown by us this year!
Where did they go?
What did I hold most dear?
Was it my loved ones desires?
As I intended "to-do"?...
or was I really in fact waiting for
a better time for each "to-do".

To Do
Ta Da
When will we be done?
When can we have days that are
filled only with fun?
How about on that day
 when we follow the Son.
We "all" want to. We try to. We say that we do.
Yet, is it on our to-do list - ? - to say
"Christ, I'll follow you!"
I'll follow you thru this day,
lead each step that I take.
Remind me to follow
with every mistake.
But how do I know
that I'm on the right path?
Because you give me sweet clues,
and say "What you have a need for - Just Ask!"
I can see in the way
that you've answered my prayers
that you've guided me
even when I've denied you were there.
When I've felt to myself so proud
to have done
something wondrous
others say wow!
I deny that the Son
gave me the
gift that I needed.
I say Thanks! Yes, it's good, ...
just a little conceited.

Every word that I say
should show THANKS!
that God has led me this far
and he's leading me today.
If that's not how I act
and that's not what I say,
then maybe - just maybe
I am going the wrong way.

20 days

Today is already April 4! Wow. Only 20 more days and I'll be heading back to the US. 

Dig by our apartment complex

There's supposedly "construction" going on right next to our apartment building. My theory is that they are actually doing an archaeological dig...at least prior to any construction, to make sure they are not building on anything ancient that needs to be preserved. Because you never know when something old is gonna turn up that hasn't yet been discovered. See the guys laying down? It's 10 am! The worst part is, around here, the guys pee out in the open all the time. And the spot where these guys are laying is the same area where the workers walk over to to pee. There are porta-potties on site that are never used.

Purim

Last week-end, many of the Israelis celebrated a holiday called Purim. This holiday lasts the entire week-end from sunset on Thurs, to sunset on Sat.

I was surprised to notice this holiday listed on the calendars we put together (of animal photos Steve took in Africa) and sold last year to raise money for mosquito nets for Malawi children through Josephine's efforts with International Health Project. Have you ever heard of it?

This holiday commemorates Queen Esther's saving the Jewish people, from Haman, and his plot to kill all Jews in the Persian empire. This celebration revolves around food since Esther requested banquets with her King and Haman - So they give food to each other as gifts, and they eat special triangular pastries called "hamantashen" - or in Hebrew - oznai  Haman - Haman's ears.  I'm so bummed we missed out on eating some of those ears!!! I didn't read about them until after Purim. Also, this celebration is similar to the US's halloween - kids and some adults dress in costumes. We did see some of that.

These days it's Hamas that wants the end of the Jews. Haman. Hamas.
And I'm starting to like humus!

God knows how this will end.

Jihad bombing Israel

Lately, there has been an increase in offensive moves from Islamic forces to Israel. 50 missiles this past week-end, one on Sunday, more yesterday. Israel is retaliating: 9 in the West Bank were killed. This is the worst it's been in a while. Concerns are rising here. Please, if you think of us, pray that we remain safe.
And that Israel is able to continue to be free of war and deadly conflict, despite all the uprising in the surrounding countries and these provocations from the Islamic Jihad.

Week-end in Galilee

Friday and Saturday (Israeli week-end days) Steve and I travelled to Galilee and the area to the north.

We were our nearest to Syria during this trip when we went to the Golan Heights. We were right across the border from Lebanon as we hiked to see 4 waterfalls at the Nahal 'Iyyon Nature Reserve also known as "The Oven". This Nature Reserve is in Metula, which is the most northern city in Israel.

So, we've been the farthest north in Israel, and also the farthest south - when we were at the Red Sea.

We have also been at the lowest place on the globe - at the Dead Sea.

We have been near the borders of Egypt, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon.

While we were away for the week-end, missiles were fired on southern Israel from the West Bank. The Israeli Defense fired back, and also destroyed two illegal tunnels which were being dug for the Hamas to enter into Israeli territory. Here's something I found while researching to understand more of what is happening here:

Hamas claims that the whole of Palestine – including what is now Israel – belongs to Islam.

Similarly, all Israeli leaders – Begin, Rabin, Netanyahu, Barak, Sharon, and Olmert – have always claimed that the entire land of Israel, including the occupied Palestinian territories, belongs to the Jewish people, stressing their deep emotions for every inch of it.

Israel is building settlements for Jewish people to live on the land in Israel which is not occupied by any individual Palestinian. Thereby staking claim to this land. This is my understanding. Recently Palestinians brutally murdered an Israeli family. Israeli gov't response was the approval of more Jewish settlements. 

Sunday night...a missile hit here in Ashqelon. Steve heard it, along with the immediately following sirens. No one was hurt. 

Night falls on the Sea of Galilee

 The Sea of Galilee at Nightfall. This spot on the sea is across from Tiberias.

Rabbi lecture

Flipping thru channels on the TV trying to find something in English, I found a rabbi (I think, couldn't read anything about his title or where he was from as all the writing was in Hebrew) who was giving a lecture in fashion similar to lectures I've seen in Caledonia on cable with Christian professors giving their take on the bible. So, I listened for a while - somewhat out of boredom, but also a little curious about what he'd talk about.

His discussion was about the Jewish population. He made Leah out to be a heroin for contributing so greatly to the Jewish population. The one thing that really struck me was that he encouraged young Jews to have more children with this: Another rabbi some time ago had asked him to gather young couples together for dinner and discussion. At that meeting, he told them that many Jews had been killed in the holocaust, and that it was their duty to have children in order to provide bodies for their souls.

Did you know that Jewish people believe this about the souls of their people who have passed away?
I didn't.

Yesterday we passed by a Jewish cemetery. The graves are all above ground.

I'm so glad I have Jesus.

There are so many who don't!

Dumb

Walking along the shore today, a man said something to me in Hebrew.
He startled me because I was engrossed in looking at the beautiful shells...there are so many here!
So, he repeated - in Hebrew - what he said. And this time he pointed at my watch.
I figured out he wanted to know the time. I held up 5 fingers as it was almost 5 pm.

He said "You don't know HEBREW?" Like he couldn't even imagine that! I'd love to know Hebrew. I think even if I could count to 10, that would be helpful.

Anyway, I felt really, actually, dumb - as in - not able to speak.
I am. What a stark reminder.
There is SO much I have to learn!

Weather and Video Clips

I've added at the top of the page a weather box, which shows the temperature today in Ashkelon where we are living. It is in Celcius...today it's 23 C which is 73 F. Sunny. Warm. Nice.

Also, on the side there are a couple little pictures under the 'video bar'. Those are videos I've put on YouTube so that I could easily display them here. If you click on them, it will become larger so you can see it better.

I'm not the best at laying out this site. I might get better as time goes on. Hang in there. I keep trying to make it better!

SHEEP

Psalm 23:1 The LORD is my shepherd. I shall not be in want. (NIV)

Jesus said; "Take the boat out."

It's not possible here in Ashqelon to not look at the sea all day. I find myself gazing at the glistening water and the waves hitting the shore. Love to watch the boaters and imagine how totally fun that would be to go out on a boat on the Mediterranean!

As I was walking on the pier, a couple guys heading out on their boat motioned for me to join them. Tempting. Surprising really how tempting that was. But I do really love boating! No way I'd go out without Steve. Maybe I'll get him out there walking with me and we'll both be invited. :-)

Later on the pier, a pretty multicolor cat came up to me and meowed and let me pet it. Poor thing really needs a bath! Then it would so beautiful! It followed me quite a while as I walked away.  I just may go back daily to see these cats. I can talk with them just as easily as with most of the people around here!

Missing

It's been almost 2 weeks now since I've been away from home.
And although there are many things I'm kinda happy to be away from, there are quite a few more that I'm really starting to miss!

Yesterday I delivered a package to Steve from Stephanie's classmates. It was an envelope filled with little notes from the kids asking questions about Israel. Predominately they want to know what the weather is like here. The next most popular question is "What do you miss about Michigan?" For Steve, he only misses his girl. Maybe those questions are what are making me miss so many things today...it's so on my mind, I decided to make the list. So here's my miss-the-most list:

1- Of course, Stephanie. But also her classmates both from Cal El and Christ Our Savior. I really enjoy their perspectives on things in general. Stephanie's viewpoint and explanation of goings-on typically make me laugh, even though that's not her intent. I just love her fresh way of thinking and putting her unique twist on wording.

2 - Miracle whip, WHITE tuna, cheddar cheese, celery. From what I can tell, you just can't buy these things here. There's mayo, light tuna, all kinds of white cheese (although we have no clue what kind they are except the swiss is easy to discern), and amazingly fresh wonderful produce. Options are very much more limited here regarding groceries in general. We got a few items from the deli in the grocery last night - but we don't know what they are! And it's not like you can ask unless you speak Hebrew. It was challenging enough to communicate with the person behind the counter which items we wanted and how much - forget about how it's sliced. How do you say "I'd like it paper thin" in Hebrew?

3 - Mayson, obviously also tops the list. Our new kitty as of Christmas. Here there are so many cats roaming around - but they won't come close to you. A few days ago I saw 2 kitties playing on the pier. So cute! But even though they were only about 10 weeks old, they were already frightened of people. I sat on a rock with one and spoke to it, but as soon as I inched nearer, it jumped away. Some of the wild cats are out in the open, although you really don't hear meowing. It's kind of odd. As I walked slowly, I noticed many more cats lying the shadows.

4 - Shopping for bargains. We really have no idea if/where there are discount stores. It seems there aren't.  So far the only shopping I've been able to do is for groceries. I saw a sign for 1 + 1. And another sign that said 1 + 2. I wonder if that means "buy one get one free" or two free. I may never know. Not extremely important though, since it's difficult to know if you're gonna like something enough to want more than one, when you really don't know what it is!

Tell ya what I don't miss - at all:

The grey sky that dominates most days in Caledonia.
TV ads promoting high fat food.
Junk mail.

One thing is for sure, there's good and bad no matter where on earth you are!

My first sighting of a shepherd with a flock in Israel.

IG in Israel: Megiddo

IG in Israel: Megiddo.

Decided on the place where it is said, the last battle on this earth will take place, as the first site to see in Israel. Revelation 16: 15-16 "Behold I come like a thief! Blessed is he who stays awake and keeps his clothes with him, so that he may not go naked and be shamefully exposed. Then they gathered the kings together to the place that in Hebrew is called Armageddon."

March 5, 2010. Woke up in Ashqelon to the sound of men shouting. My first thought was that a team was already out on the beach playing volleyball. No. These guys were swimming in the Mediterranean....naked. What a welcome to Israel!

(Steve assured me this is NOT normal, that it is NOT a nude beach, and that he's never seen - or been involved - in such activity since he's lived here. )

So, a bit later as we were deciding where to spend the day, as we read this verse in Revelation - it seemed appropriate to go to Megiddo ~ which in Hebrew is Armageddon.

At the gate to Megiddo.

This is a photo of the fab art I brought along with me to Israel. It is a photo that Steve recently took of a palm tree here in Ashqelon, near the apartment. I added the words. You can see them better on our website at www.SweetWolf.com. We love how the piece looks and fits here in the apartment. That wasn't planned, but it definitely goes well here and adds nice color to an otherwise white and beige apartment.  The fabric is poplin - nice! I highly recommend it. No wrinkles and this is just after the trip folded up in my suitcase from Michigan to Israel. 

Jaffa Oranges, Fresh Flowers and Nice SweetWolf FabArt as a lamp covering.

Steve has been telling me of these remarkably sweet oranges that he's been enjoying in Israel. I even told the person sitting next to me on the way to Madrid that I was looking forward to the fresh fruit and veggies, especially the Jaffa oranges. On the drive to the apartment from the airport, there were multiple vendors along the roadside selling fresh flowers. I mentioned to Steve that those flowers were so pretty - thought I gave a good hint, but he didn't stop.


What a fun surprise to find this waiting for me at the apartment!

It's nice to be here!

Tel Aviv

This is a photo from my window of the airplane as we were landing in Tel Aviv.