Shalom dear friends....
It has been a long while since we have published a post. This update will be a few of the many pictures we've taken this year amidst the nonstop life of living in Israel. It is certainly NEVER boring here, that is for sure. So here is a glimpse into part of our year.
With the many tasks that Jim has around the office with his administrative duties, he relishes every opportunity to spend time with our brave defenders.
Iron Dome air defense system located in the north of Israel. This photo is from earlier in the year on Mount Hermon where they do have snow sometimes until spring.
When traveling in northern Israel, you will often see tanks being moved from place to place.
We had the opportunity to go on a tour of Samaria (north of Jerusalem) and learn more about the amazing communities there. If you come to Israel, we highly recommend finding time to visit Judea & Samaria during your visit. Most people hit the usual sites, but the Biblical heartland of this region should not to be missed.
Daily life troubles.....
Paying utility bills online.
Lights shining on the Jerusalem Old City walls.
We were invited to attend a Pesach (Passover) Seder this year with friends.
Linda made her favorite - matzah ball soup!
Special foods for Pesach.
Garlic is in season and VERY popular at Pesach.
There is a very popular tv series call Shteisel (available on Netflix) that is about the ultra-religious Jewish community. The show is in Hebrew, but has English subtitles. It gives an inside view to a world many are unfamiliar with. While the name of the show is the name of the family in the series, its origin is from a restaurant in Jerusalem near the iconic Mea Shearim neighborhood. Linda went with a friend one day to try their food - which was like eating straight from a Jewish momma's kitchen. AMAZING!!!
A friend learning to make challah (traditional Sabbath bread) and doing great at it!
If you come to Israel, and have never visited Magdala, it is a must-see. Just a few years ago the archeological site opened to visitors. It is the original city of Migdal that Mary "Magdalene" (meaning "from Migdal") was from. The city is still in the process of being excavated, and is proven to be 2,000 years old. The synagogue (where Yeshua - Jesus - would have taught) has also been uncovered. The above picture is the "pulpit" in the congregation built on the site - outside, in the background, is the Sea of Galilee.
This amazing artwork - representing the woman who was healed when touching Yeshua's garment - is in the basement of the church.
The original synagogue in Migdal dated 2,000 years ago.
The beautiful Sea of Galilee - "HaKinneret" in Hebrew.
Many of the vineyards in Israel grow in the natural rocky soil.
The more difficult the soil conditions are for the vines, the better the grapes.
Interesting....
There are many, many signs like this throughout Israel.
This is a park just south of the Galilee called "Gangaroo" - a kangaroo park. Linda had been wanting to visit for years, so when some good friends were in Israel, we took the opportunity to check it out.
We also went to "Monkey Forest" west of the Galilee.
Needless to say, Linda was happy, happy, happy at these two wildlife reserves!!
We don't eat out very often, but another must visit place is this restaurant on the Jordan River just south of the Kinneret (Sea of Galilee). It is at the baptismal site that everyone is familiar with, but is only open in the evening (when the baptismal site is closed). We highly recommend it, and the food is delicious (a reservation is suggested) and they are open on Friday and Saturday evenings.
Our table was right by the water.
If you have never been to Israel, be sure to try the local "street food" - falafels and shawarma - at least once. The style is somewhat like Subway where you can tell them what you want on your sandwich.
Another opportunity we were able to take part in was a visit to an Israeli innovative company called Mobileye. They are inventing a driverless car. It was extremely interesting to hear the thought process behind some of the issues they deal with in this concept.
Group photo of our tour.
Most people who have been to Israel at least twice realize how quickly everything changes around here. Jerusalem is in the midst of a HUGE project just outside our headquarter's office. If you are familiar with the "String Bridge", also known as the "David's Harp Bridge", this entire area is undergoing a complete overhaul with several high-rise buildings going up, a high speed train to the airport, the convention center is expanding (it will be the largest in the Middle East), and the main road coming into the city will go underground through a tunnel to decrease traffic congestion. It is a site to behold! We are on the 6th floor of the Central Bus Station, so we get a bird's eye view of this amazing transformation.
And in the midst of all this construction, we enjoy the beautiful blue skies in Jerusalem. From spring until autumn, we have no rain. Yes - NO RAIN. It's lovely. For basically 5-6 months, you never need to check the weather report, it's the same every day. And then, in the fall, we pray for rain, and every drop we receive is a blessing from Above.
One of our favorite juices.
Loveliness of erev Shabbat....
Border Police at the bottom of Ben Yehuda Street & Jaffa Street - Zion Square.
Way in the north of Israel near the Lebanon border is Tel Dan National Park. In this park is an ancient gate. So ancient, that Abraham would have come through this gate on his journey to Canaan!
Celebrating Jim's birthday this year.
Every year (since forever...) Linda makes a homemade carrot cake.
As a surprise this birthday, we went to a shelter in northern Jerusalem and helped to walk the dogs.
Notification from an app to learn Hebrew... sometimes life just gets too busy...
We attend a home Bible fellowship each month. One of the couples that have attended is our friends Merv & Merla Watson. If you've ever heard the song Jehovah Jireh, then you know their work. In their 80s now, they have written and sung hundreds of songs. This rendition is the original melody...
Israel Independence Day!
We were invited to join the Lone Soldier Center for their Independence Day
celebrations at this park in Jerusalem.
Sacher Park - BBQ - Israeli style!
We were honored to visit a base in the north this year where Jim had the opportunity to speak to reserve commanders who were meeting for training and strategies. While we aren't able to show you the pictures we took, we got a glimpse of new improved tanks recently put into service in the IDF. Technology has improved even the way tanks are designed. The picture above, is an old out of use tank outside the gate of the base.
This year we learned of an amazing organization in Jerusalem called Shalva. They work with all kinds of children with life challenging disabilities, from being blind, to having down's syndrome and everything in between. We heard their center had a cafe, and decided to visit. If you are spending time in Jerusalem, we also highly recommend checking this place out. We will definitely go again.
The center is not far from the Shalom Hotel.
The food was delicious! Prices are in Israeli Shekels, and are quite comparable to most restaurants - but you also know it's going to an unbelievable organization.
We're going to end this update with the same picture we began with. It was also taken at Shalva. May we all be encouraged to take a big step back and gain a new perspective in life - God's perspective. Let us choose to live in hope in all our circumstances - and express God's Hope to all those around us.
