In the midst of it all

Today's post will be very short, as we are preparing to go away for a couple of days for our 25th wedding anniversary.  Jim likes to joke that if he had told me 25 years ago that he was going to take me to Israel for our 25th anniversary, I would have been thrilled!  Which of course I would have been, and am. :)  I now say to him, if you would have told me 25 years ago that you were going to take me to Israel in the middle of a war for our 25th anniversary, I would have told you that you were crazy!!  We can only say, we would truly rather be nowhere else on earth than where we are right now.

We  were honored once again to visit another army base near Gaza on Friday night, to visit corporately and one-on-one with the soldiers to encourage them.  We were literally "dodging rockets" during the entire time - the drive there, during our visit with them, and driving back home.  Once again, we could sense a strong peace and the Hand of God's protection.  Fear or anxiety was no where near us, just an overwhelming privilege of being able to cheer on those protecting this Land.  We are grateful for the invitation from the commander to come encourage his troops, it was a blessed time right before Shabbat (Sabbath) began.

Iron Dome taking out 2 rockets above us

On our way home, we stopped to watch the sun set, and thank God for yet another gift of Shabbat as we blessed the bread and the juice in remembrance of all He has done for us.

Yesterday, Saturday, we had a temporary cease fire.  We used this opportunity to spend a relaxing Shabbat day at the beach.  The peace of God was so evident, we even took a nap in the sun.

Today, even though Israel agreed to another 24 hour ceasefire, Hamas continued firing rockets, starting last night.  Israel has thus again begun protecting Her people as well.  Here's a 2 minute video review of the operation posted by the IDF yesterday.  We pray, and ask each of you to join us, for the innocent Gazan civilians.  The leaders of terrorism know no limits to the evil schemes they use (including putting their own people in harm's way) to continue their confessed desire to exterminate the Jewish People.  This is not a new war, it's just the latest.

So, now we are headed to the central coast to reflect on the blessings God has given the two of us to be a team - in unity for His purposes.  And if opportunity arises, and another invitation is given......we will go visit our boys.

Thank you for your continued support, prayers and encouragement - we are representing YOU when we tell the troops of those around the world who are praying for them.

Friday night with the troops