Well, it has been over 1 1/2 months since our last post. Why so long this time do you ask?? We had an unexpected blessing - our daughter came to Israel to visit us for 4 weeks!! Well….not totally unexpected, she told us of her desire to come about a month before her arrival.
We were a little torn before she came, with it being a “surprise visit”, we had “no money and no time.” How were we to make this a quality visit? One for us all to remember and cherish? We were extremely busy at work, and couldn’t take much time off. We also were tight on funds, God always provides for our daily needs, but there wasn’t extra for “touring” around Israel and showing her the Land we love, where her parents call home.
But there’s an answer to all this - GOD. He knows our hearts, and Stephanie’s. He knows ours needs and He knows the desires of our hearts. And sometimes, He gives us what we don’t need, but what He wants to give us, as His children, to watch us delight in the gifts He provides, thanking Him as our Heavenly Father, Who watches over us, not only to protect us, but to delight in us as well. He uses people as vessels to share His love and gifts, and we send our heartfelt and humble thanks to those who truly made our time very, very special with our daughter.
As a planner, this soon and upcoming visit was a bit overwhelming for Linda, who likes to have everything in order - and there were NO plans put together, especially with not knowing how this was all going to work out. BUT GOD. He placed it on people’s hearts to provide for this trip special trip. Even as much as to say, “This is to do something special when Stephanie comes.” God blessed us over and above what we could have even imagined. With no worries of provision - not in provision of finances and not in provision of time. And in this post we are including many, many pictures of our visit. But first a bit about the time she was here.
While we were still very busy at work, and only took a total of 3 days off during her 4 week visit, we managed to keep very busy. Some days while we worked, Stephanie was very independent and travelled around Jerusalem by herself, touring several museums or shopping. We were very proud of her confidence and courage to travel the city - both walking and by public buses & the train.
Knowing that Israel, and Jerusalem indeed, had been experiencing almost daily acts of terror (stabbings, car rammings, etc) since the beginning of October, Stephanie felt confident enough in knowing God wanted her to come that she chose to not be afraid. The day she arrived, there was a horrific car ramming attack in Jerusalem, not far from where we work. Due to this attack, and several others like it, the most vulnerable bus stops had bollards installed, including the bus stop by our house.
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| By our apartment. |
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| Bus stop by our apartment. |
During the 4 weeks of her time here, there were near daily attacks, many in Jerusalem. She was vigilant, yet unafraid; and as parents, we would have been able to tell if she was nervous. There were two incidents that were a “bit close to home”, however. The first happened while Linda and Stephanie were walking around in the Old City of Jerusalem by themselves one Sunday. They stopped in a t-shirt shop (to get her husband a very cool Star Wars shirt in Hebrew) on David Street. The shop was near the border of the Christian Quarter and the Muslim Quarter. While the shirt was being made, all of a sudden there were several Israeli Police running down the steps in front of the shop. They then proceeded to go back up past the shop, yelling to everyone to get out and head up towards Jaffa Gate. Knowing something was happening, we got out as quick as we could and headed up. We tried to warn tourists heading down not to go, that the police had it blocked due to an incident. Then while trying to help a woman with directions where she needed to go, Stephanie said here they come! The police walked right past us, only 2 feet away, with the attacker. This was the closest we have been to an incident. In the mean time, Jim was trying reach Linda & Stephanie by cellphone because there were terror alerts in the Old City.
They finished their shopping in the Christian Quarter before leaving the Old City. As they walked out Jaffa Gate, and headed towards Jaffa Road, Linda asked Stephanie a question - one that was very important, not just as her daughter, but as an American visiting Israel during the terror attacks. She wanted to know how she felt - was she afraid? Knowing that just the day before, 2 people were killed - stabbed to death - right where they were walking, outside Jaffa Gate. And now to have been so close to an incident in the Old City. How did that make her feel?? Linda could tell by the way she was acting that she was okay, but she wanted to hear her tell what she felt. Stephanie couldn't really put it into words...but to say that she did not feel scared or frightened to be in the same spot as the attack at Jaffa Gate....same with the attempted attack near the t-shirt store. She said she felt safe...but yet it was hard to explain... We know exactly how she feels. It's the same as us. By human nature we should be afraid, and yet we're not. You can sense God's Hand of protection, and yet it's more than that - it's His Peace that goes beyond our understanding...
The only time she told us she did feel uncomfortable was some time later. She was taking the public bus to our office by herself. The bus stopped at a normal stop, and suddenly Police entered from the middle of the bus. They walked just a couple of rows past her, grabbed a man and took him off the bus. As the bus pulled away, she watched them searching the man. It was then that her mind started rolling.....this man was only a few rows behind her....what if the bus driver hadn't alerted the police of a suspicious man....what could have happened - that didn't...??? She was a bit shaken when she arrived at our office that day. However, she didn't let this stop her. She still continued using public transportation by herself, and walked around the city and shopped and went sight seeing. She is an amazing young woman, and a testament to the God Whom she serves.
When uploading pictures to share, we had no idea that it would be soooo many!!! Not only that, but they are all out of order.....it doesn't really matter to most of you what order it is in, so please enjoy with us this very special visit we had with Stephanie.
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| Judean Mountains in the desert. |
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| Beit Guvrin, first stop after airport. |
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| Helicopter...maybe because of car ramming attack that just occurred in Jerusalem. |
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Stephanie's first day by herself, Yad Vashem, Israel Holocaust Museum.
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Another day to herself - Israel Museum.
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The three of us were blessed to deliver fleece jackets to two bases of the Israel Air Force.
First stop was the Air Force Museum. |
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Air Force Museum.
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Air Force Museum.
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At the second Air force Base - pictures not allowed, except this one.
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Shopping at the shuk - open market.
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Shopping at the shuk - open market.
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Visit to Bethlehem the week before Christmas.
This is the spot where Orthodox religions believe Jesus was born. |
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Rose in Bethlehem.
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Lunch in Bethlehem.
Fresh falafels, hummus and pita - what more could you ask for?
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Bethlehem
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Star Wars came out while Stephanie was here, so of course we had to see it!
There's a new 3-d Imax theater down the road from us.
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Going to visit the Old city of Jerusalem.
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Walking on the ramparts walk - on the Old City walls.
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Walking on the ramparts walk - on the Old City walls.
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Walking on the ramparts walk - on the Old City walls.
Mount of Olives behind.
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King David's Palace.
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Walked from the City of David through Hezekiah's tunnel (the dry one) to the Pool of Siloam.
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On our way towards the Dead Sea - lowest place on earth.
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The Dead Sea is quite beautiful with the morning sun shining on it.
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Masada - took the cable car up, but hiked down!
You can barely see the snake path in the middle/right.
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On top of Masada.
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On top of Masada.
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On top of Masada.
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On top of Masada.
Dead Sea in the background.
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| Hiking down Masada. |
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Desert Mountains.
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Our destination and oasis in the desert for the night!
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Camel & guest ranch.
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Relaxing before the next ride.
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For some reason, we had dual rooms, one inside, this one (where we kept our belongings and showered)
and one more of a tent structure, which we chose to sleep in.
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Outside our room.
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Above our "tent". We had a roof balcony with a view of the desert.
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Outside our "tent".
Stephanie enjoyed the hammock. |
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Our sleeping quarters for the night.
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Peaceful view in the middle of nowhere.
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View from our roof.
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Peacock on the roof.
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Group heading out for their ride.
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Sun close to setting before our ride.
We thought it may be too late for a ride, but it was the perfect time!
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Hanging out before we go.
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Here we go!!
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Everybody's ready!
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Moon - rise!
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Heading back to "camp" after our ride.
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Outside our room.
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After dinner coffee - bedouin style.
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After coffee - toasted marshmallows,
and getting to know our fellow guests around the fire.
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You don't see this sign in the States....
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In the middle of the desert.
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Hike at Ein Avdat.
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Hike at Ein Avdat.
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Hike at Ein Avdat.
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Hike at Ein Avdat.
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Hike at Ein Avdat.
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Hike at Ein Avdat.
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Hike at Ein Avdat.
Jim & Stephanie hiked out of the gorge, and Linda drove around to pick them up.
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Ummmm......
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Path along the cliff edge. No railing.
They still have a long way up to go!
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Yeah, that's the cliff edge.
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Hiking up, up, up!
See the little people below?
They're just getting started.
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Hike at Ein Avdat.
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Top of the gorge after hiking out - Ein Avdat.
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They conquered the hike!
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Garden at burial place of David Ben Gurion, at the very top of the gorge.
Ibex freely roam everywhere. |
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Ibex
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End to a beautiful day.
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Camel ride from at the ranch.
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"Famous" windmill in Jerusalem.
First neighborhood built outside the Old City walls.
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YMCA Jerusalem.
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King David Hotel Jerusalem.
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Hot Chocolate break at Christ Church coffee shop in the Old City Jerusalem.
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Inside Christ Church.
Oldest Protestant Church in the Old City Jerusalem.
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Walking around the Jewish Quarter of the Old City Jerusalem.
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The Cardo in the Jewish Quarter, would have been "Main Street" Jerusalem.
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Picture of what it may have been like.
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Cardo.
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Original paving stones.
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| Wall below. |
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King Hezekiah's Wall.
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| Southern end of the Temple Mount, Southern Steps of the Temple Mount, and the Mount of Olives. |
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Fresh baked pita in the Jewish Quarter.
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View towards Jaffa Gate and Jerusalem Old City walls.
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Jim & Stephanie delivered more jackets to the army up North on the Lebanon border.
During her 4 week visit she went to all of Israel's borders except Egypt.
(Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, and the Mediterranean Sea)
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We learned how wine was made 1,000's of years ago.
This winery still makes wine this way.
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Lunch after our tour.
Dairy farms and goat's milk cheeses are very popular in Israel.
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Touring ammunition Hill with her Dad on a cold day.
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You can climb through the bunkers and trenches.
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Ammunition Hill.
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Jim & Stephanie went to eat lunch at a very yummy restaurant in the shuk (open market).
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They had a new friend....
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Jerusalem had a garbage strike for a few days!!
This is the shuk at Jaffa Road by the lightrail train tracks.
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Visiting another museum with her Dad.
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Mt. Herzl Cemetery.
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Best burger in Jerusalem!
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Damascus Gate - Old City Jerusalem.
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Original Damascus Gate, down below and to the left of the current one.
This is from the time of the Second Temple.
Many believe this is the gate Yeshua would have left on the way to the crucifixion.
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| Next Museum. |
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Rockefeller Museum.
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| Stuff in the museum is ancient - up to 3,500 years old!! |
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Golden Menorah of Gold.
Fashioned according to the Bible, ready for the 3rd Temple.
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Hurva Synagogue in the Jewish Quarter of the Old City.
Our next tour.
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Inside the Hurva, looking down from the balcony.
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| View of the Old City Jerusalem from the roof of the Hurva Synagogue. |
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Museum in Zichron Yaakov.
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Another yummy cheese dinner.
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Fireplace in the dairy farm restaurant.
You don't see a lot of fireplaces in Israel, trees are a precious resource.
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Our temporary home away from home in Chorazim in the Galilee.
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Lake Kinneret - Sea of Galilee.
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Next museum...
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It's bigger than this picture makes it look.
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| It's an amazing story how they retrieved this from the water. |
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Lake Kinneret - Sea of Galilee.
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Lake Kinneret - Sea of Galilee.
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Mount Arbel. This is where it all started.
When Stephanie visited in spring 2014, we hiked this mountain together.
We sent a picture of it to her this past October.
next thing we knew, she was on a plane on her way....
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| The Banias is the Biblical location of Caesarea Philippi. |
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Banias - rock rabbits roam freely.
Looks like a rat, bigger than a rabbit...
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Beginning our hike.
Israel has at least 70 national parks with amazing hikes and trails.
Each year, for only $70, we buy a park pass (good for 2 people) for unlimited visited for one year.
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Roman era bridge, about 2,000 years old.
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Waters coming from Mount Hermon.
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Palace of King Agrippa.
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One of the great things about Israel's national parks
is you can walk through all the archeology and touch history.
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Ancient city of Caesarea Philippi.
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It is very likely Yeshua (Jesus) would have taught in this Synagogue.
Matthew16:13 When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi,
He asked His disciples, saying,“Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?”
14 So they said, “Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”
16 Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
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2,000 year old Synagogue - Caesarea Philippi.
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We drove up to Nimrod's fortress (on the way to Mt. Hermon)
to watch the sun set over the mountains. |
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Stephanie's birthday dinner - perfectly Israeli!!
Chicken kabobs, falafels, hummus with lamb, loads of salads, fresh baked pita...
Yum, Yum, YUM!!!
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Rosh Hanikra on the Lebanon border.
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| Ride down to the water caves. |
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| And they DID!!! |
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Walk down into the caves.
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| Underground water caves. |
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| Beautiful January day!! |
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Closer to the capital of Lebanon than Israel's capital!
Kilometers...not miles....about 75 miles from Beirut.
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Old City of Akko, north of Haifa.
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Akko, Acco, Acre....all the same.
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| Knights Templar time period. |
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One of many tunnels.
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Cannon. This is a walled city like Jerusalem.
Napoleon tried to conquer it, but couldn't.
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Knights Templar tunnel.
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Another day, another sunset.
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Our last sunset together before Stephanie returns back to the USA.
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Lighthouse at the tip of Akko.
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Okay - these are really out of order....bear with us....
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The board says she arrived!! Not much longer to wait!!
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A happy reunion.
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Beit Guvrin bell caves (day of her arrival).
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Ancient city at Beit Guvrin.
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Stephanie arrived on the last day of Chanukah.
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We let her light the candles for the 8th day.
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Ummm....don't remember which archeology site this was.....
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| Somewhere in the dessert.... |
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Yummy Bedouin dinner at camel ranch.
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Yummy Bedouin dinner at camel ranch.
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Yummy Bedouin dinner at camel ranch.
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Yummy Bedouin dinner at camel ranch.
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After dinner we went into another tent to learn how to play these drums.
Had great fun and laughter with our fellow guests.
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| Rosh Hanikra. |
Thanks for enjoying our visit with us!!!
We are grateful to you, and give thanks to the LORD!!
