Hope you enjoy this~ Gabriel Chouraki~ Musician of Excellance in the IDF band.
Shabbat Shalom Ya'll
Friday, October 26, 2012
Thursday, October 18, 2012
Joint Military Drill
Such a whirl of activity starting this past month~ First the Hagim with a major house move in the middle. LOTS of lovely company for Sukkot~ including our son and his family. Now everyone has gone and The 2 Spies are getting back to 'normal'.
For us, 'normal' seems to have made a right-hand turn and is traveling in a whole new direction. The past several years we have lived in a lovely, small, 'retired-honeymoon-cottage' (our term for an empty nest apartment.) We haven't entertained much nor been very active. Just enjoying retirement and family.
However, 'Someone' took hold of the corners of our lives and gave a really good shake. Everything has been up-ended with a move into a two story 4 bedroom house. (Thus the son could build his sukkah with us and move in for the week) We are certainly able to entertain more and to host whole family activites~ which will be our joy.
But, on a more sober note, we also feel that the empty space may be used for unforeseen events in the future. During the last war with Lebanon, many people had to leave the North and find a safer place to stay to wait it out. We are feeling that something similar will happen again. It is our hope to be ready to be hospitable should our fellow Israelis need a refuge.
We are sharing this today for two reasons.
One: Israel is getting ready to hold a joint military drill with the United States. Over 1,000 U.S. troops as well as Navy ships arrived last week. These drills will last a month. To read more about these drills click here.
These drills are another reminder of the very real possibility of war for Israel.This brings us to reason number two we are sharing.
Always striving to bring a positive report about Israel, you may be wondering what The 2 Spies can find positive about war preparations.
We are reminded that we are a Covenant Nation. G-d has promised to never leave us or to break this covenant. In spite of 'wars and rumors of wars', we can stand firmly rooted in the reality of our relationship with the 'Shomer of Israel'~ the One who neither slumbers nor sleeps. The true Captain of our IDF. The One who has written us on the palm of His hand. We know that there will be devastating events in our future. Events come and go. Circumstances always change. What great peace in the midst of battle to know that we are being held by the One who never changes.
So, He will prepare us. He will provide physically what we need~ gas masks, emergency supplies, medical equipment~ for us~ a large home. But more importantly, He will provide the Peace that Passes understanding. And in this The 2 Spies can bring the most positive report ever.
For us, 'normal' seems to have made a right-hand turn and is traveling in a whole new direction. The past several years we have lived in a lovely, small, 'retired-honeymoon-cottage' (our term for an empty nest apartment.) We haven't entertained much nor been very active. Just enjoying retirement and family.
However, 'Someone' took hold of the corners of our lives and gave a really good shake. Everything has been up-ended with a move into a two story 4 bedroom house. (Thus the son could build his sukkah with us and move in for the week) We are certainly able to entertain more and to host whole family activites~ which will be our joy.
But, on a more sober note, we also feel that the empty space may be used for unforeseen events in the future. During the last war with Lebanon, many people had to leave the North and find a safer place to stay to wait it out. We are feeling that something similar will happen again. It is our hope to be ready to be hospitable should our fellow Israelis need a refuge.
We are sharing this today for two reasons.
One: Israel is getting ready to hold a joint military drill with the United States. Over 1,000 U.S. troops as well as Navy ships arrived last week. These drills will last a month. To read more about these drills click here.
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| Trucks transporting 'Patriot' batteries |
Always striving to bring a positive report about Israel, you may be wondering what The 2 Spies can find positive about war preparations.
We are reminded that we are a Covenant Nation. G-d has promised to never leave us or to break this covenant. In spite of 'wars and rumors of wars', we can stand firmly rooted in the reality of our relationship with the 'Shomer of Israel'~ the One who neither slumbers nor sleeps. The true Captain of our IDF. The One who has written us on the palm of His hand. We know that there will be devastating events in our future. Events come and go. Circumstances always change. What great peace in the midst of battle to know that we are being held by the One who never changes.
So, He will prepare us. He will provide physically what we need~ gas masks, emergency supplies, medical equipment~ for us~ a large home. But more importantly, He will provide the Peace that Passes understanding. And in this The 2 Spies can bring the most positive report ever.
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Ein Gedi
One of The 2 Spies went hiking on Yom Rishon (Sunday) As long as I have lived here I have never hiked Nahal David ( Ein Gedi). Not sure why not. When we came on tour the bus driver just pointed them out on our way to Masada. Having a willing house guest and a son who has hiked most of the Israel trail convinced me that it was time.
Sunday, leaving early to beat the traffic and the heat, we made our way out of Jerusalem toward the Dead Sea. We beat the traffic. We did not beat the heat. It had to be the hottest day of the year~
Heat or no, I was determined to do this. Packing food and water into a just-bought-at-the gift-shop back pack (I forgot mine at home) I was ready for the day. Only to find out 'NO FOOD ALLOWED'.
Wanting to be a 'typical' Israeli and ignore the rules because they are obviously for everyone else EXCEPT me I was going to take my snacks anyway. My son however, shamed me into being obedient and leave it behind.
Of course I was thinking this was an all day hike and now I was going to STARVE. Little did I know that the hike is only about 35 minutes long. That's all. Longer if one choose to lounge in the water. (Yes, in this national park one is allowed in the water)
We hiked Nahal David, lounged quite a bit and came out rested. Hot but happy. After a bite to eat, we decided to hike Nahal Arugot. This trail is longer and was supposed to have springs all along the way. I guess it depends on which trail one takes and how much rain we've had. We took the high road and wound our way up the rocky crags.
After huffing and puffing for about 20 minutes I asked our guide how much further (without complaining as said guide does not tolerate complaining) After seeing how far away our goal was, I took my water bottle and arranged to meet them back down the hill at an eddy I saw there.
Needless
to say, getting out of the blistering sun and heat and sitting in the
water for 40 minutes really made this Spy's day! Thanks to my Trail
guide and our gracious companion for a great day.
Sunday, leaving early to beat the traffic and the heat, we made our way out of Jerusalem toward the Dead Sea. We beat the traffic. We did not beat the heat. It had to be the hottest day of the year~
Heat or no, I was determined to do this. Packing food and water into a just-bought-at-the gift-shop back pack (I forgot mine at home) I was ready for the day. Only to find out 'NO FOOD ALLOWED'.
Wanting to be a 'typical' Israeli and ignore the rules because they are obviously for everyone else EXCEPT me I was going to take my snacks anyway. My son however, shamed me into being obedient and leave it behind.
Of course I was thinking this was an all day hike and now I was going to STARVE. Little did I know that the hike is only about 35 minutes long. That's all. Longer if one choose to lounge in the water. (Yes, in this national park one is allowed in the water)
We hiked Nahal David, lounged quite a bit and came out rested. Hot but happy. After a bite to eat, we decided to hike Nahal Arugot. This trail is longer and was supposed to have springs all along the way. I guess it depends on which trail one takes and how much rain we've had. We took the high road and wound our way up the rocky crags.
After huffing and puffing for about 20 minutes I asked our guide how much further (without complaining as said guide does not tolerate complaining) After seeing how far away our goal was, I took my water bottle and arranged to meet them back down the hill at an eddy I saw there.
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| Home of the Ibex... and King David for a season |
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| ALL THE WAY UP THERE??? |
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| Sweet young lady from the States (One of The 2 Spies at heart!) |
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| You're right here 'Mom' |
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