Protect Our Men at Arms

(Today's blog is dedicated to our dear friend CR as her precious Yishai has gotten his call-up. I remember well dear Sister what it is like. Hugging you.)

Things have escalated here. Most of you already know that as you are following the news closely. And praying along with us. We appreciate your support and concern.

Because of the escalation, 16,000 reserve soldiers have been called to duty. Possibly more since the sirens have gone off in Jerusalem this evening. War here is an amazing process to watch. Our leaders make decisions like no other country in the world.

Hamas has placed their 'launch pads' in highly populated areas not caring who gets hurt. In order to minimize civilian causalities, the IDF has dispersed warning leaflets above several locations in the Gaza Strip. This video is from Thursday, Nov. 15, over Khan Yunis.

The Arabic leaflet reads: "Important announcement for the residents of the Gaza Strip: For your own safety, take responsibility for yourselves and avoid being present in the vicinity of Hamas operatives and facilities and those of other terror organizations that pose a risk to your safety. Hamas is once again dragging the region to violence and bloodshed. The IDF is determined to defend the residents of the State of Israel. This announcement is valid until quiet is restored to the region. Israel Defense Forces Command."
 

Rather than fire random missiles into Gaza in an attempt to stop this onslaught and the cowardly rain of rockets from there into Israel, the IDF is preparing to send precious soldiers in on foot in order to spare Gazan civilians. IDF commanders began Friday morning to brief their troops in advance of a possible ground operation in Gaza.

As parents who had 2 sons who served, we well remember... please join with us in offering continual prayer for our precious sons and husbands.

Ron Bronstein~ Shuffling Through the IDF

 The 2 Spies could not stop smiling while watching this young soldier's video. He has a unique way of documenting his military beginnings. We hope you enjoy him as much as we do. Be sure to leave a comment for Ron below~


Original Article Here

 IDF soldier Ron Bronstein has found a way to blow off steam in between training drills and boot camp. He shuffles.

The 24-year-old from St. Louis has been with the Israeli military since March of this year, and he brought his special brand of dance rhythm along for the ride. Over the last few months he’s enlisted friends to help film him as he dance-shuffles across desert scapes, barracks and air force facilities. Basically, every day he’s shufflin’.

“The day I was drafted, I stood excited at the enlistment office and I wanted to document the moment, to preserve the experience. At every stage, from being drafted to the end of basic training, I asked my friends to document me dancing, and that’s how they got to know me, as the guy who every few minutes asked them to film him,” he told Yedioth Ahronoth.
Bronstein made aliyah in 2007. He uploaded his dance video last month onto YouTube, and it has already garnered nearly 70,000 views.

What is Your 18 Year Old Doing?

There is an awesome right of passage here in the Land that most everyone experiences~ Military service. All 18 year olds are expected to enter the armed forces or do alternate service. It is a reality of living in a country surrounded by enemies and it is a responsibility that the youth carry on their very young and inexperienced shoulders. But they do not carry it alone.

There are those who served before them, walking beside them helping them with their load. There are family members, friends and neighbors, who encourage them, pray for them and cheer them on in their duty. There is a special place in our hearts for these young men and women and we all see them as 'our' children. There is a mixture of our pride for them and our fear for them.

Not everyone has an 'incredible' time in the military but one thing all have in common~ it makes changes in your life for ever. Some for good. Some not so good. The bottom line is that G-d is there through each step holding each soldier in His hand and  all will eventually turn out for the good.

(The 2 Spies have adopted their own army unit to pray for the soldiers and send them 'goodies' and needed equipment)

HaShem... protect our men at arms....

Here is a song dedicated to the IDF by DOV: