Don't Stop Praying!

What a wonderful life we have here!  We are semi-retired and can mostly work from home. We have a great apartment that meets our needs and does not drain our finances~ along with a wonderful landlord (a BIG plus in Israel) We live in a village with most of our grandchildren living in walking distance. The weather is perfect most of the year around. There is an abundance of tasty fresh fruits and veggies and marvelous ethnic places to eat out at reasonable prices. Best of all~we are 20 minutes drive from the holiest place on earth~ Jerusalem.

Our lives here are not really much different than they were in the states. We work, spend time with friends and family, have hobbies we enjoy, watch silly movies and visit the local sites. We go for walks, picnic, hike, swim, bike and play sports. Life goes on in a most enjoyable way.

But~there is an element~ a cloud that hangs over Israel. It is an impending threat of evil that could take everything away in a heart-beat. To live, surrounded by enemies, is a daily reality. The nations around Israel~ elsewhere~ would like to see us vanish. Walking our streets are those who are being raised to think only in terms of removing us~ no matter what method. We are forced to 'make deals' like the one recently to free Gilad Shalit (which btw was NOT a prisoner exchange! It was a trade of a hostage for murderers!)

We won't go on and describe any more what you can read in your daily Israeli paper. We do want to share one reason why our life here is SO GREAT in the face of all that is evil.

This Spy has taken to going on daily 'power walks' to improve my health. I turn on my Mp3 and sing my way around our village. This week I started walking on the main road outside the gate that has been paved for joggers. It's a lovely tree lined area and has the added plus of being flat. (important since I'd like to start running) These morning times have been marvelous~ so beautiful.

Today~ the same place I walk, 4 Arabs dressed like Orthodox Jews tried to get a female soldier into their car. There is a great fee offered for kidnapped soldiers. She, of course, got away. (They're not too smart~ orthodox men would not talk to a female). Why am I sharing this?

It is your prayers that make a difference. Do not think that your prayers are for nothing. There are daily results, moment by moment where they are answered~ like this soldier who was alert. Like the children who were attacked last Shabbat in the next city over from us who got away. Like me, walking and finding only life on my path. I do not take my safety for granted.

Your obedience to pray for the peace of Jerusalem~ and thus all of Israel. You continually reminding G-d to make Jerusalem a praise on the earth. Your tireless intercession and partnering with G-d and all that He is doing here in these last days. Because of your prayers, there is a cloud that covers us that is greater than the evil. It is this covering of Grace that holds back the affect of the darkness. Under this mantle of Grace we not only function~ we prosper! We are able to be filled with joy!

Continue to pray~ without ceasing. With our eternal gratitude!