Israel 2010 Post Script

I never realized how much TV I watched, until returning home, too much. I miss Israel already. I miss the evidence of life, interaction of people who are strangers, but don't seem so as there are not all the social physical boundaries. I definitely miss the food. I can't say I have not refrained from the junk after a few days home, but definitely conscious of it. I am amazed at ALL the walking we did, only to return home and scoff once again at walking to our coffee shop here only 3 or 4 blocks away. I am way to spoiled by the convenience of a car, and I am dedicated to overcoming it somehow. I missed our pets, and glad to be home with them. They were nervous a few days, each time we left, not knowing if or when we would return. I have way too much junk here at home, must have a game plan for releasing much of this. There was much ado seeing the kids again, but even more so with the grand babies! How is it such yearning to just hug little tiny people and the world be so complete in that moment? I missed my yard, even though it needs much work come Spring, I love it's invitation to participate. I miss the food of Israel and we are currently cooking Israeli food weekly, both from experience and cookbooks. So there are aspects both here and there to miss.....

Israel 2010/2011

This is my last night here in Israel. There are so many things I did not share, while you were still overwhelmed with what I did post.

In reviewing, I have found blunders, mispellings, tired thoughts, and excitement gone awry. I offer no excuse other than late night ramblings waiting for my turn on the internet, only to have to post some 3 or 4 times, before succeeding with out being bumped. Oh yes, and sometime during all the blogging the year changed, I did not notice.

I have also learned things of myself. Please pray for me that these things stay in my heart upon returning stateside.

Packing was an ordeal. I know I must go through security, so I have to consider security issues, safety, fragile items, art relics and more. I have brought home a huge collection of plastic bags with Hebrew writing for a special project. They are bubbling out the zipper. If security checks me, I am sure the officer will give me looks as he tries desperately to see what might be inside each bag. Feel free to ask me in a month or so how that project is coming along....

In the end I know there are still things to share, so I will post only once more of those things. Know that my daughter and I will return tired and sad from leaving my husband and Israel. I do not cry much, but as I get older and reality has had its time with me, I know that tears will come. I will also rejoice in seeing the rest of family that I have missed so much.

So goodbye for now, see most of you soon enough, keep us in prayer, mostly my husband. And pray for the land of Israel. I hope you will visit or make Aliyah soon!

Israel 2010 Coming into Jerusalem

We have barely left the Negev before beautiful green appears.

Coming into the city.

So many things have changed since our last trip. This bridge is modern marvel. I would like to spend more time understanding and viewing it. Not only is it spectacular visually, but extreme in function. There is a huge banding of light that runs underneath it. It also has a secured and seperated walk way, wide enough that it also allows bicycles.

So much is changing fast, new buildings everywhere. They are relatively in keeping with the past, but as you can see progressing rapidly.

A city is still a city.

Israel 2010 Find

My husband had found this hiking. The glass is a color not found in my bottle collection, plus it has Hebrew writing on the bottom.

2010 Israel Jerusalem

Mount of Olives

Mount of Olives from a distance.

At the base of the cemetary area.

Peeping through a hole in a temporary wall, excavation at another site.

The city at dusk.

A neighborhood, Arab I believe.

Israel 2010 Dung Gate

Israel 2010 Crowding in Jerusalem

Towards the Western wall. The people crowd to say prayers, touch the wall, and place prayers in the creavices.

It is interesting, that while this is not necessarily tourist season, people arrive during the holidays to walk where our Jewish Messiah walked.

There were many barely able to walk, or hear, but have made the journey.