MARCH 30, 2009
A new experience in Jerusalem for me today…and one I hope I don’t repeat. First, I am still not feeling great, so everything that is difficult seems magnified. My voice is really bad…and that takes a toll on me! Somehow one of my ninth graders managed to break off the cable cord to the TV—so our days of watching Macbeth and Julius Caesar have come to a screeching halt. I don’t know how to get it fixed, so that will be a project for tomorrow.
Then this afternoon right before school was out, Adam came to my office and asked me if I would do him a favor. Adam does everything for everyone, so no way I would turn him down. He needed someone to take Trish and 3 girls to a Bible Study after school…and since I drive the Peugot (5-speed), he asked me. I agreed—not knowing where we were going. I put my backpack in the back of the car, and the 3 girls and a young 19 yr old boy who is a mission intern here—actually from Austin, TX—rode with me. So we take off for the Mount of Olives—I have never driven there…but he assures me I won’t have any problems getting home. We arrive, and they all get out—and they take my backpack with them—by mistake. The Lord blessed me because before I put it back there, I took my Israeli phone out just in case I needed it on the way home. And boy did I need it. I got completely, totally, hopelessly lost and found myself headed for Tel Aviv in the midst of a decidedly Jewish neighborhood and in an area I had never seen—now Jerusalem has very few street signs—and those are in Hebrew. So I’m lost—and traffic is terrible, terrible. In my opinion, everyone here drives like what I’ve heard New York City cab drivers drive—every man for himself and very fast. Then I looked at the gas gauge, and it was on empty! So I called Adam—he said the gauge doesn’t work and I have plenty of gas. But he can’t help me because I have no idea where I am, nor do I know of any way to explain where I am. I just kept driving—turning here and there—and I know that some people might not agree, but I am telling you that the Lord got me home. All of a sudden, I saw a sign for Beit Hanina—and I managed to cross over and get on it—then there was a sign for Ramallah—and I crossed over to it…and there I was on the road to our neighborhood. Of course, during this time, Mary, Elaine and Wilma and Bethany and Adam were praying for me! It was a bit unnerving! Trish brought my backpack home later, so all is well again!
I am in my new room tonight—and it seems so spacious and nice. I am very grateful for it…and hope to get a new bedspread and a lamp to make it look even nicer.
I’ve heard news of Pastor Yousef’s sermon on Sunday morning—I surely would like to have heard it—but I hear it was very convicting. I’ve had 2 emails today about it. He said some Christians are LLC. Little risk, little responsibility Christians. And if they are challenged to take a risk and take on a little more responsibility, they leave to another "club" where they can get what they want with giving little in return. It’s just so easy to fall into the trap of thinking personal peace and affluence are our primary reasons for living. Thank the Lord He jars us out of our complacency with powerful messages like that. I struggle so much with thinking that this is just a short-term commitment and that I can do this one day at a time—and I mark off the days on my calendar knowing that in June I can go home and nest in my big blue easy chair! I do hope to rest—but I so much want the Lord to bless me with ministry of His choosing!
I’ve also had wonderful words about Sunday School—22 ladies—and as many men were there Sunday. I’m so grateful…Karen is a wonderful, called teacher and God is blessing her desire to serve Him. Praise the Lord!
I hope to get to Haifa to see Yousef and Christine in the next month or so. Now that I know the process of renting a car, I hope to able to venture out more often.
Thanks for your interest and emails and prayers—please continue to pray for me, my family and Jerusalem School.
Love
Beth
Monday, March 30, 2009
Sunday, March 29, 2009
MARCH 29, 2009
We’ve had a really wonderful experience this week end. I rented a car—and it was easy as can be. It was a little 4-door Hyundia—and Wilma, Mary and I took off Saturday afternoon about 3:00 from Jerusalem heading to the Dead Sea to En Gedi Spa and Resort. We were able to get a room there and enjoy a great overnight time. The rooms were sorta like little cottages—it is a very large place with a beautiful swimming pool and large dining room. The meals were included, so we had a delicious dinner and breakfast. We arrived too late to enjoy the pool, and it opened too late this morning. It is still very cool there in the morning.
The sights around were just nearly too much to describe. From our room, we looked out on the Dead Sea and the Jordanian mountains were beyond that...and behind our rooms were the Judean hills. Jordan is on the other side of the Dead Sea, and the mountains are just spectacular—they look pink and purple—and the reflection in that Dead Sea water was just amazing. The water itself is deep green or deep turquoise or deep blue—or parts were brown…depending on when and where you looked. Then on the Israeli side, the mountains were sheer sandstone—so high and full of cliffs and caves. That is the area where David and his men hid from King Saul. They were right behind our room and we got some beautiful pictures of that. With the Jordanian mountains, the Dead Sea and the Judean hills—I can’t really put words to the beauty and grandeur I saw this week end.
With the room, we were given entrance to the En Gedi Spa across the highway. It is right on the Dead Sea…we changed into swim suits and rode the little “train” (?)down to the beach. For those who know me and my water-phobia, you will know how antsy I was about getting in the Dead Sea. Wilma kept saying, “You cannot drown in the Dead Sea.” And I kept hearing the young man in Chicago saying, “NO ONE ever falls off of a Segway”—but I did! Wilma and Mary sunned in beach chairs and I enjoyed a shaded one for a good while. Then I knew I had to get in—so I headed out—Wilma beside me and Mary snapping pictures! Mary got some really good pictures—through the whole process of my getting in! The water was very cold—because it’s too early for warmer water. It is the most amazing thing—you really do float…and there are absolutely no creatures of any kind in that water. And the bottom is flat beds of salt…it is salty and oily too. I got a bit in my eye that stung pretty good, but other than that it really was about the most unusual experience I’ve had. We took pictures of the salt that was coated on everything down there—it looks just like frozen ice. There were two bicycles lying on the beach that were completely covered in salt…been there for some time. The water has receded dramatically, so they may have been in the water at some time.
We really enjoyed a very relaxing time there—and then showered, changed and headed on down the road to the Dead Sea Resort area. There are a number of very large, very nice hotels there—and shops, beach chairs, etc. There were many people down there—almost none at the En Gedi beach where we had been. And the weather was really warm…but at this area, the salt at the bottom of the water was in little balls instead of flat beds—I brought home 3 little balls of salt with me. We ate, got coffee at Aroma’s and headed home. We dropped Mary off with all our stuff, and Wilma and I returned the car. It seemed like we had been on a vacation—even though it was just barely over 24 hours!
We went right by Masada, and we could have done that too today. But I didn’t really feel great—still have a cold and almost no voice—so we just enjoyed the Dead Sea. Elaine has not been to Masada either, so we plan to go one Sunday for the day.
Next Sunday is Palm Sunday—and we plan to join a huge throng of people who traverse the path Jesus took from the Mount of Olives down to the Old City. Wilma has never done that—even though she has been here 3 years—and Mary wants to do it again—and Elaine wants to go and I’m sure there will be others of us. So that will be quite an experience also.
Our roommate Joy is back in the states, so we are three now in the apartment. I do plan to move into Joy’s room—sometime this week. It is larger and has a very nice, large piece of furniture that is a closet with drawers and shelves. I’ve grown so accustomed to my little room with its bright furnishings I am going to miss it. But the larger room will be nice…for the next 69 days—but who’s counting?
My junior students had a really rough week because of their classmate’s mother’s death—I have prayed so much for them—and for Bashar and his little brother and the rest of the family. They are really a close bunch of kids—and I am so blessed to teach them. Having grown up in a small town—and with only 21 people in my graduating class from Groom High School—I really relate to their long-time friendships. Those friends will mean so much to Bashar in the coming months.
The yearbook deadline is Tuesday-March 31—so I do pray that all goes well there. Those girls have really worked—especially Natalie. She is such a mature, capable young girl. I admire her very much.
Erin leaves in the morning for Turkey—and we are hoping and praying she can get back in the country next Friday—and be able to finish the school year. She does plan to go home in June to Atlanta—enroll in school to finish her degree in Middle Eastern studies. She is such a loving, sweet and pretty young girl—the kids all really love her.
Thank you for your interest and patience to read through all my gabbing and send me little comments and emails. I appreciate your love and prayers for me and my family and for Jerusalem School.
Love
Beth
We’ve had a really wonderful experience this week end. I rented a car—and it was easy as can be. It was a little 4-door Hyundia—and Wilma, Mary and I took off Saturday afternoon about 3:00 from Jerusalem heading to the Dead Sea to En Gedi Spa and Resort. We were able to get a room there and enjoy a great overnight time. The rooms were sorta like little cottages—it is a very large place with a beautiful swimming pool and large dining room. The meals were included, so we had a delicious dinner and breakfast. We arrived too late to enjoy the pool, and it opened too late this morning. It is still very cool there in the morning.
The sights around were just nearly too much to describe. From our room, we looked out on the Dead Sea and the Jordanian mountains were beyond that...and behind our rooms were the Judean hills. Jordan is on the other side of the Dead Sea, and the mountains are just spectacular—they look pink and purple—and the reflection in that Dead Sea water was just amazing. The water itself is deep green or deep turquoise or deep blue—or parts were brown…depending on when and where you looked. Then on the Israeli side, the mountains were sheer sandstone—so high and full of cliffs and caves. That is the area where David and his men hid from King Saul. They were right behind our room and we got some beautiful pictures of that. With the Jordanian mountains, the Dead Sea and the Judean hills—I can’t really put words to the beauty and grandeur I saw this week end.
With the room, we were given entrance to the En Gedi Spa across the highway. It is right on the Dead Sea…we changed into swim suits and rode the little “train” (?)down to the beach. For those who know me and my water-phobia, you will know how antsy I was about getting in the Dead Sea. Wilma kept saying, “You cannot drown in the Dead Sea.” And I kept hearing the young man in Chicago saying, “NO ONE ever falls off of a Segway”—but I did! Wilma and Mary sunned in beach chairs and I enjoyed a shaded one for a good while. Then I knew I had to get in—so I headed out—Wilma beside me and Mary snapping pictures! Mary got some really good pictures—through the whole process of my getting in! The water was very cold—because it’s too early for warmer water. It is the most amazing thing—you really do float…and there are absolutely no creatures of any kind in that water. And the bottom is flat beds of salt…it is salty and oily too. I got a bit in my eye that stung pretty good, but other than that it really was about the most unusual experience I’ve had. We took pictures of the salt that was coated on everything down there—it looks just like frozen ice. There were two bicycles lying on the beach that were completely covered in salt…been there for some time. The water has receded dramatically, so they may have been in the water at some time.
We really enjoyed a very relaxing time there—and then showered, changed and headed on down the road to the Dead Sea Resort area. There are a number of very large, very nice hotels there—and shops, beach chairs, etc. There were many people down there—almost none at the En Gedi beach where we had been. And the weather was really warm…but at this area, the salt at the bottom of the water was in little balls instead of flat beds—I brought home 3 little balls of salt with me. We ate, got coffee at Aroma’s and headed home. We dropped Mary off with all our stuff, and Wilma and I returned the car. It seemed like we had been on a vacation—even though it was just barely over 24 hours!
We went right by Masada, and we could have done that too today. But I didn’t really feel great—still have a cold and almost no voice—so we just enjoyed the Dead Sea. Elaine has not been to Masada either, so we plan to go one Sunday for the day.
Next Sunday is Palm Sunday—and we plan to join a huge throng of people who traverse the path Jesus took from the Mount of Olives down to the Old City. Wilma has never done that—even though she has been here 3 years—and Mary wants to do it again—and Elaine wants to go and I’m sure there will be others of us. So that will be quite an experience also.
Our roommate Joy is back in the states, so we are three now in the apartment. I do plan to move into Joy’s room—sometime this week. It is larger and has a very nice, large piece of furniture that is a closet with drawers and shelves. I’ve grown so accustomed to my little room with its bright furnishings I am going to miss it. But the larger room will be nice…for the next 69 days—but who’s counting?
My junior students had a really rough week because of their classmate’s mother’s death—I have prayed so much for them—and for Bashar and his little brother and the rest of the family. They are really a close bunch of kids—and I am so blessed to teach them. Having grown up in a small town—and with only 21 people in my graduating class from Groom High School—I really relate to their long-time friendships. Those friends will mean so much to Bashar in the coming months.
The yearbook deadline is Tuesday-March 31—so I do pray that all goes well there. Those girls have really worked—especially Natalie. She is such a mature, capable young girl. I admire her very much.
Erin leaves in the morning for Turkey—and we are hoping and praying she can get back in the country next Friday—and be able to finish the school year. She does plan to go home in June to Atlanta—enroll in school to finish her degree in Middle Eastern studies. She is such a loving, sweet and pretty young girl—the kids all really love her.
Thank you for your interest and patience to read through all my gabbing and send me little comments and emails. I appreciate your love and prayers for me and my family and for Jerusalem School.
Love
Beth
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
MARCH 24 (2)
Adam called me earlier in the evening with very sad news. The mother of one of my students, Bashar, was killed in an automobile accident this afternoon. It was a very bad wreck—nine people were injured. Her car was broadsided and flipped and she died at the scene—is what I understand.
I went with Adam to the family’s home—Bashar had gone to his cousin’s house, so we went there. He is just a wonderful young man. He is one of my junior students that I talk about all the time—just an incredible group of young people. They were every one there—along with several of the senior girls. They all love each other and are so kind to one another. Two of the boys were planning to stay the night with Bashar…and two more were coming early in the morning. Shane was there and told them not to worry about school tomorrow —any of them. So I doubt they will be there. Several of the girls’ moms were friends with this lady also.
His mom was a Christian and his dad is Muslim. While we were with them, Bashar got a call that he could make the decision whether to bury her Christian or Muslim. Either way, the funeral most likely will be tomorrow. Their custom is to bury the next day—the Muslim funeral would be the next morning and then the home is open to visitors for three days.
Bashar has one little brother who is 9 years old. He was with Bashar, but he wanted to go home, so someone took him. His name is Fadi, and he looked so completely lost and alone. My heart hurts for them so much.
The girls were telling me about this woman—she must have been quite extraordinary. She had two PhD’s—and traveled extensively. She was currently working on some big project in Saudi Arabia. Several of the girls talked about what a lovely woman she was.
The girls in the class, Zeina, Misoon, Manar, Ginan and Cathren, and I had made plans to go to the coffee shop Aroma’s Saturday after school…Amir and Khalid were making plans to crash the “party.” I don’t know whether that will work out or not, but I enjoy them so much and hope to be able to spend time with them. You know, the Bible says God is love…and His love fills us and I have seen His love just fill me up for these kids. He is blessing me in allowing me to know them and enjoy them in class.
Please pray for this family—so devastating and such a shock. Death has a way of jerking our perspectives back in place—things that seemed important aren’t so important in the big scheme of life. Please pray that we at Jerusalem School may minister God’s love to them and to the other students as well.
Love
Beth
Adam called me earlier in the evening with very sad news. The mother of one of my students, Bashar, was killed in an automobile accident this afternoon. It was a very bad wreck—nine people were injured. Her car was broadsided and flipped and she died at the scene—is what I understand.
I went with Adam to the family’s home—Bashar had gone to his cousin’s house, so we went there. He is just a wonderful young man. He is one of my junior students that I talk about all the time—just an incredible group of young people. They were every one there—along with several of the senior girls. They all love each other and are so kind to one another. Two of the boys were planning to stay the night with Bashar…and two more were coming early in the morning. Shane was there and told them not to worry about school tomorrow —any of them. So I doubt they will be there. Several of the girls’ moms were friends with this lady also.
His mom was a Christian and his dad is Muslim. While we were with them, Bashar got a call that he could make the decision whether to bury her Christian or Muslim. Either way, the funeral most likely will be tomorrow. Their custom is to bury the next day—the Muslim funeral would be the next morning and then the home is open to visitors for three days.
Bashar has one little brother who is 9 years old. He was with Bashar, but he wanted to go home, so someone took him. His name is Fadi, and he looked so completely lost and alone. My heart hurts for them so much.
The girls were telling me about this woman—she must have been quite extraordinary. She had two PhD’s—and traveled extensively. She was currently working on some big project in Saudi Arabia. Several of the girls talked about what a lovely woman she was.
The girls in the class, Zeina, Misoon, Manar, Ginan and Cathren, and I had made plans to go to the coffee shop Aroma’s Saturday after school…Amir and Khalid were making plans to crash the “party.” I don’t know whether that will work out or not, but I enjoy them so much and hope to be able to spend time with them. You know, the Bible says God is love…and His love fills us and I have seen His love just fill me up for these kids. He is blessing me in allowing me to know them and enjoy them in class.
Please pray for this family—so devastating and such a shock. Death has a way of jerking our perspectives back in place—things that seemed important aren’t so important in the big scheme of life. Please pray that we at Jerusalem School may minister God’s love to them and to the other students as well.
Love
Beth
MARCH 24, 2009
What a great day we had Sunday—we (Wilma, Mary, Kristen and I) rode the train to Tel Aviv…but not without a bit of delay. Wilma called the taxi company at 8:15 and asked for a taxi to take us to the train station—our train was to leave at 9:40, so he was to meet us at 9:00 at the school. He showed up at 9:15; he could not speak or understand any English; he seemed at first not to know where the train station was, but he did know; he drove no faster than 40 mph…very, very slow for a taxi! We arrived at the train station and the guy out front was saying, “Hurry-Hurry”…we all got inside just in time to see the train weaving its way out of the station! The next one was in 2 hours! YIKES! So we walked (hiked uphill) across the highway to Jerusalem Mall and had coffee. The train pulled out at 11:40—at a leisurely pace through beautiful scenery—a pretty stream running down the side of the ravine and caves everywhere. It was a nice scenic ride, but I was a bit nauseous because it wobbled and turned and curved…and on the way back, I held a barf bag all the way! Too slow for me!
BUT when we arrived in Tel Aviv, we got off at the 2nd stop and rode an escalator across the freeway—it was covered, but otherwise open to the elements and high above the cars. It was really a neat experience. It opened straight up into a mall—similar to Jerusalem Mall, but larger. We ate at a nice restaurant—wonderful food. I can’t wait for some of you to come and taste the delicious food—it’s just different.
Kristen took some very good pictures from the observation deck—seeing the city and the sea—really beautiful. Tel Aviv is a much larger and more secular city—the people seemed to me to be more westernized (?) The stores are full of really beautiful things—home furnishings, shoes, jeans, gift shops, bath/body shops, apparel shops for all ages. Wilma and I bought some shoes—sandals that are made to conform to your feet and have a strong sole and support. We have to be really careful about our shoes because of the slick stone floors and steps. I continually pray for safety as I navigate those stairs constantly.
Monday was our day for a vehicle—we now get the Peugot because Darrell /Eula get the truck. It was Joy’s last Monday, so we took her to eat at her favorite restaurant: Askaydina’s. And it was so delicious…it started pouring rain while we were eating, so we had a slippery ride to the grocery store and on home…but we got home safely.
Today we learned that there has been a rash of burglaries in our neighborhood. Kristen’s landlord told them they needed to be sure to lock up and keep their windows closed and locked. Then Austin’s landlord told him the same thing—and said they were targeting buildings that had Christians …and that it is a gang from Beit Hanina…so please make that a matter of prayer—our safety and the protection of everyone’s things. To get into our building requires a key (unless someone doesn’t shut the front door completely). Then to get into our apartment requires a key. We have veranda doors that are also locked—all with double turns…sorta like Fort Knox! And our windows have bars and a metal shade that comes down at night. I feel very safe.
Austin & Katie were blessed to receive a work visa today—very rare. They have 6 months…and then should be able to renew it for five years. We are all so grateful for that—they are a really neat couple.
Thursday night is Joy’s little going-away party—the four of us, Wilma, Kristen and Erin are who she wants to come. She leaves at 8 a.m. Saturday, so around 4 a.m. Sat., Mary & Elaine are going to ride with Adam to take her to Tel Aviv! She is really having a hard time leaving. Plus she is trying to pack and box things and leave things and also, she is leaving a few boxes in case she is able to return in the fall.
Erin (young girl who has been here 3 years and lives across the hall with Wilma—from Georgia) is leaving Monday to go out of the country to Turkey …she will stay 5 days—she has to be out of the country before the visa expires and stay out until after the last day. She is packing assuming she will not be able to get back in. We are praying she can get back in. She teaches 5 classes—at the high school level. So please make that a prayer request also.
I read a poem this morning by Elizabeth Barrett Browning that has been on my mind all day—I really like it.
The earth is crammed with heaven
And in every common bush is God-
And those who see it, take off their shoes-
The rest sit and pick blackberries.
I believe the Lord is with us—all the time, everywhere and in all circumstances and that He opens our eyes to beauty, blessings, and joys in so many ways. So often, I, like the rest, focus on trivial things like picking blackberries and miss the awesomeness of the presence of God in the most common bushes. I am seeing the most beautiful sight outside my apartment window—the sky is just the strangest color and the hills beyond make a scene that is eerily beautiful. God told us to be still and know that He is God—in rest and repentance and quietness and trust is our salvation. I thank Him for the privilege of being here, and I pray that He blesses each of us with a clear, magnificent revelation of who He is.
Just wanted to share as a word of encouragement—I appreciate your interest and prayers for me and my family and Jerusalem School. I’ve been really concerned about Shane, my principal. He has really been down the last week —some difficult situations at school, etc. And he has such great plans and enthusiasm—and what he wants to do is great, but it will take time. Please include him in your prayers…Several needs in this blog—our safety, Erin coming back in the country, Shane, the school, me and my family. Love ya’ll
Beth
What a great day we had Sunday—we (Wilma, Mary, Kristen and I) rode the train to Tel Aviv…but not without a bit of delay. Wilma called the taxi company at 8:15 and asked for a taxi to take us to the train station—our train was to leave at 9:40, so he was to meet us at 9:00 at the school. He showed up at 9:15; he could not speak or understand any English; he seemed at first not to know where the train station was, but he did know; he drove no faster than 40 mph…very, very slow for a taxi! We arrived at the train station and the guy out front was saying, “Hurry-Hurry”…we all got inside just in time to see the train weaving its way out of the station! The next one was in 2 hours! YIKES! So we walked (hiked uphill) across the highway to Jerusalem Mall and had coffee. The train pulled out at 11:40—at a leisurely pace through beautiful scenery—a pretty stream running down the side of the ravine and caves everywhere. It was a nice scenic ride, but I was a bit nauseous because it wobbled and turned and curved…and on the way back, I held a barf bag all the way! Too slow for me!
BUT when we arrived in Tel Aviv, we got off at the 2nd stop and rode an escalator across the freeway—it was covered, but otherwise open to the elements and high above the cars. It was really a neat experience. It opened straight up into a mall—similar to Jerusalem Mall, but larger. We ate at a nice restaurant—wonderful food. I can’t wait for some of you to come and taste the delicious food—it’s just different.
Kristen took some very good pictures from the observation deck—seeing the city and the sea—really beautiful. Tel Aviv is a much larger and more secular city—the people seemed to me to be more westernized (?) The stores are full of really beautiful things—home furnishings, shoes, jeans, gift shops, bath/body shops, apparel shops for all ages. Wilma and I bought some shoes—sandals that are made to conform to your feet and have a strong sole and support. We have to be really careful about our shoes because of the slick stone floors and steps. I continually pray for safety as I navigate those stairs constantly.
Monday was our day for a vehicle—we now get the Peugot because Darrell /Eula get the truck. It was Joy’s last Monday, so we took her to eat at her favorite restaurant: Askaydina’s. And it was so delicious…it started pouring rain while we were eating, so we had a slippery ride to the grocery store and on home…but we got home safely.
Today we learned that there has been a rash of burglaries in our neighborhood. Kristen’s landlord told them they needed to be sure to lock up and keep their windows closed and locked. Then Austin’s landlord told him the same thing—and said they were targeting buildings that had Christians …and that it is a gang from Beit Hanina…so please make that a matter of prayer—our safety and the protection of everyone’s things. To get into our building requires a key (unless someone doesn’t shut the front door completely). Then to get into our apartment requires a key. We have veranda doors that are also locked—all with double turns…sorta like Fort Knox! And our windows have bars and a metal shade that comes down at night. I feel very safe.
Austin & Katie were blessed to receive a work visa today—very rare. They have 6 months…and then should be able to renew it for five years. We are all so grateful for that—they are a really neat couple.
Thursday night is Joy’s little going-away party—the four of us, Wilma, Kristen and Erin are who she wants to come. She leaves at 8 a.m. Saturday, so around 4 a.m. Sat., Mary & Elaine are going to ride with Adam to take her to Tel Aviv! She is really having a hard time leaving. Plus she is trying to pack and box things and leave things and also, she is leaving a few boxes in case she is able to return in the fall.
Erin (young girl who has been here 3 years and lives across the hall with Wilma—from Georgia) is leaving Monday to go out of the country to Turkey …she will stay 5 days—she has to be out of the country before the visa expires and stay out until after the last day. She is packing assuming she will not be able to get back in. We are praying she can get back in. She teaches 5 classes—at the high school level. So please make that a prayer request also.
I read a poem this morning by Elizabeth Barrett Browning that has been on my mind all day—I really like it.
The earth is crammed with heaven
And in every common bush is God-
And those who see it, take off their shoes-
The rest sit and pick blackberries.
I believe the Lord is with us—all the time, everywhere and in all circumstances and that He opens our eyes to beauty, blessings, and joys in so many ways. So often, I, like the rest, focus on trivial things like picking blackberries and miss the awesomeness of the presence of God in the most common bushes. I am seeing the most beautiful sight outside my apartment window—the sky is just the strangest color and the hills beyond make a scene that is eerily beautiful. God told us to be still and know that He is God—in rest and repentance and quietness and trust is our salvation. I thank Him for the privilege of being here, and I pray that He blesses each of us with a clear, magnificent revelation of who He is.
Just wanted to share as a word of encouragement—I appreciate your interest and prayers for me and my family and Jerusalem School. I’ve been really concerned about Shane, my principal. He has really been down the last week —some difficult situations at school, etc. And he has such great plans and enthusiasm—and what he wants to do is great, but it will take time. Please include him in your prayers…Several needs in this blog—our safety, Erin coming back in the country, Shane, the school, me and my family. Love ya’ll
Beth
Thursday, March 19, 2009
MARCH 19, 2009
Thanks so much for the encouraging emails—Janet, you really said just the nicest things in your comment, and I appreciate you and your words.
Thursday is like Friday in the states—no school tomorrow, so everyone enjoys this day. After school today Kristen and I went to Mamilla Mall—she had ordered a necklace and it was ready to be picked up. It was her first time to drive there—and of course, I’ve never driven there…so we were pioneers! She went straight to it, parked that truck in a tiny spot in the parking garage, and we laughed and had a good time. Then tonight we had Kristen and Brian/Sara over to watch the movie FIREPROOF…and we really enjoyed that. Tomorrow night Brian and Sara have invited us over for dinner…so that will be fun also. Joy is busy packing—after being here 3 years, she has quite a job ahead of her. She leaves March 28—next Saturday.
Not much news—so I’ll write again after the week end. Hope everyone is doing well—please pray for my friend Kenneth—he’s having a CAT scan Friday—just surely do want that guy to be up and running on all cylinders.
Thanks for your prayers and encouraging words—please continue to pray for my family and Jerusalem School.
Love
Beth
Thanks so much for the encouraging emails—Janet, you really said just the nicest things in your comment, and I appreciate you and your words.
Thursday is like Friday in the states—no school tomorrow, so everyone enjoys this day. After school today Kristen and I went to Mamilla Mall—she had ordered a necklace and it was ready to be picked up. It was her first time to drive there—and of course, I’ve never driven there…so we were pioneers! She went straight to it, parked that truck in a tiny spot in the parking garage, and we laughed and had a good time. Then tonight we had Kristen and Brian/Sara over to watch the movie FIREPROOF…and we really enjoyed that. Tomorrow night Brian and Sara have invited us over for dinner…so that will be fun also. Joy is busy packing—after being here 3 years, she has quite a job ahead of her. She leaves March 28—next Saturday.
Not much news—so I’ll write again after the week end. Hope everyone is doing well—please pray for my friend Kenneth—he’s having a CAT scan Friday—just surely do want that guy to be up and running on all cylinders.
Thanks for your prayers and encouraging words—please continue to pray for my family and Jerusalem School.
Love
Beth
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
MARCH 18, 2009
You know how a cortisone shot makes you feel better? I had a huge cortisone shot the week of March 9-14—a visit with my precious loved ones, and I am still feeling the effects of that healthy time! The last 3 days have gone so fast—I have been busy and I have slept a minimum of 10 hours every night—so they have really gone fast. I know that many of you are praying for me, and I am so grateful and ask that you continue. I do pray for my health—and ask that you pray also. I was really glad to see my students—and they have been so nice to me and seemed glad I was back. One of my junior girls has been accepted to Phillips Exeter Academy in New Hampshire for next year—and I am so proud of her. She is just an incredible girl, and I would love all of my family and friends to get to meet her.
I have had a problem with two comments on my blog and have prayed about a response. I think you can read the comments if you would like to. An offense was taken because I used the word Israel in the title of the blog. Until I came here, I didn’t know that Arabs called this country Palestine or the Holy Land. My daughter made my blog, for which I was very grateful, for me to be able to communicate with my family, friends, church family and others. It is a personal blog.
Then this anonymous person is offended because I shopped at a mall that was built over ground that was taken at the cost of Arab lives, and he/she included very detailed information that I had absolutely no way of knowing.
I am here to teach students at this school out of a sincere desire to see them be successful in higher learning institutions. I am learning every day about the culture, and I am making a genuinely sincere effort to learn and avoid offenses. Rather than sending anonymous comments that are hurtful, I would appreciate an honest comment that is helpful.
Everyone who knows me understands that my being here is not my natural self. The only explanation is guidance and strength from God. Without sounding like a martyr, (because I’m not!) I long for my comfortable home, my time with Melissa, Maegan, Holly and my family and friends…so I am surely not here to cause offense. And if I have done so, it is out of ignorance.
I have no idea who reads this blog—obviously someone who doesn’t know me at all. My purpose in writing is to tell my story as I am experiencing it while I am living in this country. Several of my good friends told me they don’t read it because I write too much!! Chatty Kathy! That’s the truth!
Tonight at Bible Study we watched Max Lucado’s film RESURRECTION. It is really wonderful. Tomorrow night we are planning to have movie night in our apartment and watch FIREPROOF…so that will be fun.
I appreciate your interest and prayers for me…and I love the emails! Thanks for loving me. Please continue to pray for my family and Jerusalem School.
Love
Beth
You know how a cortisone shot makes you feel better? I had a huge cortisone shot the week of March 9-14—a visit with my precious loved ones, and I am still feeling the effects of that healthy time! The last 3 days have gone so fast—I have been busy and I have slept a minimum of 10 hours every night—so they have really gone fast. I know that many of you are praying for me, and I am so grateful and ask that you continue. I do pray for my health—and ask that you pray also. I was really glad to see my students—and they have been so nice to me and seemed glad I was back. One of my junior girls has been accepted to Phillips Exeter Academy in New Hampshire for next year—and I am so proud of her. She is just an incredible girl, and I would love all of my family and friends to get to meet her.
I have had a problem with two comments on my blog and have prayed about a response. I think you can read the comments if you would like to. An offense was taken because I used the word Israel in the title of the blog. Until I came here, I didn’t know that Arabs called this country Palestine or the Holy Land. My daughter made my blog, for which I was very grateful, for me to be able to communicate with my family, friends, church family and others. It is a personal blog.
Then this anonymous person is offended because I shopped at a mall that was built over ground that was taken at the cost of Arab lives, and he/she included very detailed information that I had absolutely no way of knowing.
I am here to teach students at this school out of a sincere desire to see them be successful in higher learning institutions. I am learning every day about the culture, and I am making a genuinely sincere effort to learn and avoid offenses. Rather than sending anonymous comments that are hurtful, I would appreciate an honest comment that is helpful.
Everyone who knows me understands that my being here is not my natural self. The only explanation is guidance and strength from God. Without sounding like a martyr, (because I’m not!) I long for my comfortable home, my time with Melissa, Maegan, Holly and my family and friends…so I am surely not here to cause offense. And if I have done so, it is out of ignorance.
I have no idea who reads this blog—obviously someone who doesn’t know me at all. My purpose in writing is to tell my story as I am experiencing it while I am living in this country. Several of my good friends told me they don’t read it because I write too much!! Chatty Kathy! That’s the truth!
Tonight at Bible Study we watched Max Lucado’s film RESURRECTION. It is really wonderful. Tomorrow night we are planning to have movie night in our apartment and watch FIREPROOF…so that will be fun.
I appreciate your interest and prayers for me…and I love the emails! Thanks for loving me. Please continue to pray for my family and Jerusalem School.
Love
Beth
Sunday, March 15, 2009
MARCH 15, 2009
Just a quick word tonight to let you know that I am safely back in Jerusalem in my little apartment. I am very very grateful for the wonderful week at home—so blessed to spend time with my loved ones and accomplish every task I needed to do.
Melissa took me to Houston to the airport Saturday and we went right in, parked and were in line at Intercontinental when one of the staff people said you are supposed to be at Hobby! It was less than 2 hours before take off and pouring rain and Melissa and I didn’t really know how to get going out of the airport and headed down south. Sandra was praying—and I was hyperventilating! And we made it. Melissa drove up, we dumped out the luggage and I got straight in line…had no problems whatsoever. Then when we got to Atlanta—what a wonderful airline Delta is and a wonderful airport Atlanta is—people everywhere helping you and telling you where to go…I was in line to get my boarding pass and thought about my make up bag—I had left in my bathroom drawer. So I ran to the duty free store…and bought new make up—all Clinique…then went back to the gate to wait and wait and looked in my backpack and there it was…the orange make up kit. I was just in an addled state. So I need prayers that I will maintain my little bit of sanity!
Today when I arrived in Tel Aviv, Wilma and Erin had volunteered to come get me. They had been shopping in Modiin—great city and new mall…and they surprised me by coming to get me. I had on black track pants w/a white stripe, black turtleneck, white cotton jacket, black tennis shoes…and Wilma was dressed in exactly the same thing. We laughed and laughed. And took pictures. I am going to send to Melissa and hope she can put one on the blog. When I came in the apartment, everyone was so excited and nice…so that made me feel good. It’s late and I’ve been traveling 18 hours and need to get to bed…just wanted to share that I’m home!
Thanks for your prayers…please continue to pray for me and my family and Jerusalem School.
Love
Beth
Just a quick word tonight to let you know that I am safely back in Jerusalem in my little apartment. I am very very grateful for the wonderful week at home—so blessed to spend time with my loved ones and accomplish every task I needed to do.
Melissa took me to Houston to the airport Saturday and we went right in, parked and were in line at Intercontinental when one of the staff people said you are supposed to be at Hobby! It was less than 2 hours before take off and pouring rain and Melissa and I didn’t really know how to get going out of the airport and headed down south. Sandra was praying—and I was hyperventilating! And we made it. Melissa drove up, we dumped out the luggage and I got straight in line…had no problems whatsoever. Then when we got to Atlanta—what a wonderful airline Delta is and a wonderful airport Atlanta is—people everywhere helping you and telling you where to go…I was in line to get my boarding pass and thought about my make up bag—I had left in my bathroom drawer. So I ran to the duty free store…and bought new make up—all Clinique…then went back to the gate to wait and wait and looked in my backpack and there it was…the orange make up kit. I was just in an addled state. So I need prayers that I will maintain my little bit of sanity!
Today when I arrived in Tel Aviv, Wilma and Erin had volunteered to come get me. They had been shopping in Modiin—great city and new mall…and they surprised me by coming to get me. I had on black track pants w/a white stripe, black turtleneck, white cotton jacket, black tennis shoes…and Wilma was dressed in exactly the same thing. We laughed and laughed. And took pictures. I am going to send to Melissa and hope she can put one on the blog. When I came in the apartment, everyone was so excited and nice…so that made me feel good. It’s late and I’ve been traveling 18 hours and need to get to bed…just wanted to share that I’m home!
Thanks for your prayers…please continue to pray for me and my family and Jerusalem School.
Love
Beth
Saturday, March 7, 2009
MARCH 7, 2009
I’ve looked forward to writing this date for such a long time—finally tomorrow is almost here!
Just wanted to tell you about our day yesterday. Wilma and I headed out about 10—with Erin. We parked at Mamilla Mall underground parking…and strolled and shopped. The weather was absolutely perfect…and the scenery just so beautiful. As you walk along, the city is all around—built on sides of mountains…all those white stone buildings. It is just so beautiful. We bought a couple of things—and then headed to Focaccio’s Restaurant. It is one of a few that does not close for Sabbath—so we could meet at 2:00. We had a surprise birthday party for Mary, my roommate, and had a wonderful group—Shane, Sarah, Simone, Darrell & Eula, Austin & Katie, Kristen, Adam & Bethany, Trish, Elaine, Joy, Wilma, Erin and me…We all came from different directions—Joy and Mary rode a taxi together…and were the last to arrive. Mary was completely shocked—she had no idea there would be a group. The four of us were supposed to eat for her birthday…so it was great. The food is pretty mixed—and very delicious—but not Arab. We were there over 2 hours—laughing and eating and telling funny stories. They all were saying afterwards how good it was to get together like that—just to enjoy each other. So we hope to plan other get-togethers to just relax and take away the stress.
I got to buy two newspapers and enjoy reading them last night. There was a terrible incident on Thursday—a man driving a bulldozer flipped a police car into a bus of girls who were dressed in costumes and were on their way to a hospital to visit patients. The policemen were injured; none of the girls was hurt; several bystanders had to be treated for shock; they shot the driver of the bulldozer—he was an Arab man from Beit Hanina—the neighborhood down the road from us.
Today was Saturday school—and the seniors were to go on some sort of trip to visit Bethlehem University…it seems most of them skipped! So they are in a bit of trouble! They have senior privileges—which means they can leave the school for lunch…of course only 2 of the girls have cars, so they all walk somewhere to eat. Now that the checkpoint is gone, several new restaurants have opened in our neighborhood, so I guess they go there. Last Thursday, they were almost 10 minutes late back to school, so they lost their privileges for this next week! No telling what will be the consequence for missing the field trip.
However, my day was nice—only had to have two classes—and we had quizzes in both of them. I sat with a couple of classes that were missing teachers…so I was busy, but not with seniors! We have no substitute teachers, so when one of us is missing, another teacher has to cover for that missing teacher. It is a real problem.
I’ve been blessed to be in on a wonderful secret…Adam bought Bethany an engagement ring and is going to propose this week end…he had told me when we went to the basketball tournament a couple of weeks ago. Her mother is here visiting from the states. Bethany’s sister/husband also live here—they attend Hebrew University, so she is staying with them. They have all gone to Netanya and Tiberias for the week end—where the beach is. He came to our apartment Friday a.m. to show us the ring. He is so cute—29 yrs. old…he is the new principal for the elementary level…just took over for Dr. Theo who had to leave. they both are very committed to the Lord and to missions—she spent last year in Russia teaching in an American school…and has led several tour groups here in Israel through the years. She just called Mary to tell us about it…so they are engaged!
Trish’s parents are coming next week end (March 14)…they live in St. Louis—and have never been here. And Darrell/Eula’s daughter is coming for Easter …and Wilma’s daughters are supposed to come for Easter. So that’s fun looking forward to company.
Joy, my roommate, will be leaving March 28…her visa expired and was not renewed. Then Mary leaves May 15—she is getting married.
Wilma and I (and her daughters if they get to come) are trying to plan an excursion during the Easter breaks—we have two 4 day breaks…one for Easter and one for the Orthodox Easter.
Thanks for your prayers and interest. I’m looking forward to a few days in Texas. Please continue to pray for my family and Jerusalem School.
Love
Beth
I’ve looked forward to writing this date for such a long time—finally tomorrow is almost here!
Just wanted to tell you about our day yesterday. Wilma and I headed out about 10—with Erin. We parked at Mamilla Mall underground parking…and strolled and shopped. The weather was absolutely perfect…and the scenery just so beautiful. As you walk along, the city is all around—built on sides of mountains…all those white stone buildings. It is just so beautiful. We bought a couple of things—and then headed to Focaccio’s Restaurant. It is one of a few that does not close for Sabbath—so we could meet at 2:00. We had a surprise birthday party for Mary, my roommate, and had a wonderful group—Shane, Sarah, Simone, Darrell & Eula, Austin & Katie, Kristen, Adam & Bethany, Trish, Elaine, Joy, Wilma, Erin and me…We all came from different directions—Joy and Mary rode a taxi together…and were the last to arrive. Mary was completely shocked—she had no idea there would be a group. The four of us were supposed to eat for her birthday…so it was great. The food is pretty mixed—and very delicious—but not Arab. We were there over 2 hours—laughing and eating and telling funny stories. They all were saying afterwards how good it was to get together like that—just to enjoy each other. So we hope to plan other get-togethers to just relax and take away the stress.
I got to buy two newspapers and enjoy reading them last night. There was a terrible incident on Thursday—a man driving a bulldozer flipped a police car into a bus of girls who were dressed in costumes and were on their way to a hospital to visit patients. The policemen were injured; none of the girls was hurt; several bystanders had to be treated for shock; they shot the driver of the bulldozer—he was an Arab man from Beit Hanina—the neighborhood down the road from us.
Today was Saturday school—and the seniors were to go on some sort of trip to visit Bethlehem University…it seems most of them skipped! So they are in a bit of trouble! They have senior privileges—which means they can leave the school for lunch…of course only 2 of the girls have cars, so they all walk somewhere to eat. Now that the checkpoint is gone, several new restaurants have opened in our neighborhood, so I guess they go there. Last Thursday, they were almost 10 minutes late back to school, so they lost their privileges for this next week! No telling what will be the consequence for missing the field trip.
However, my day was nice—only had to have two classes—and we had quizzes in both of them. I sat with a couple of classes that were missing teachers…so I was busy, but not with seniors! We have no substitute teachers, so when one of us is missing, another teacher has to cover for that missing teacher. It is a real problem.
I’ve been blessed to be in on a wonderful secret…Adam bought Bethany an engagement ring and is going to propose this week end…he had told me when we went to the basketball tournament a couple of weeks ago. Her mother is here visiting from the states. Bethany’s sister/husband also live here—they attend Hebrew University, so she is staying with them. They have all gone to Netanya and Tiberias for the week end—where the beach is. He came to our apartment Friday a.m. to show us the ring. He is so cute—29 yrs. old…he is the new principal for the elementary level…just took over for Dr. Theo who had to leave. they both are very committed to the Lord and to missions—she spent last year in Russia teaching in an American school…and has led several tour groups here in Israel through the years. She just called Mary to tell us about it…so they are engaged!
Trish’s parents are coming next week end (March 14)…they live in St. Louis—and have never been here. And Darrell/Eula’s daughter is coming for Easter …and Wilma’s daughters are supposed to come for Easter. So that’s fun looking forward to company.
Joy, my roommate, will be leaving March 28…her visa expired and was not renewed. Then Mary leaves May 15—she is getting married.
Wilma and I (and her daughters if they get to come) are trying to plan an excursion during the Easter breaks—we have two 4 day breaks…one for Easter and one for the Orthodox Easter.
Thanks for your prayers and interest. I’m looking forward to a few days in Texas. Please continue to pray for my family and Jerusalem School.
Love
Beth
Thursday, March 5, 2009
MARCH 5, 2009
I am barely able to constrain myself—only 2 more days before I leave to come home for a few days…I got my suitcase down today and it looks wonderful lying on the floor!
Had such an enjoyable evening—and I wanted to share about the food. In October, Jack/Linda Park introduced me to a young man who is a friend of theirs. He works in ministry in Life Agape—which is under Campus Crusade. He’s young (36), an Israeli-Arab believer…his wife-Sued—is Palestinian…and they have an 8 month old baby Chris. They live in Nazareth—because Sued can’t live in Jerusalem…and if they live in West Bank, etc., George would lose his Israeli citizenship…long and complicated story…but not uncommon at all.
George has 4 brothers and 2 sisters—his parents have an apt. in the Old City—and they have a home in a village outside Jerusalem. One of his sisters is married to a Palestinian—they live in Ramallah and have 2 teen age children. The sister can come in to see her parents, but her husband and children are not allowed to come in…so when the family wants to see them, they go to Ramallah…difficult situation.
Anyway—we went to eat tonight at an Arab restaurant called Pasha’s…I wished for my gourmet-wise daughter Holly, my friend Dee and my nephew John…and everyone else who likes different and delicious food. First they bring out appetizers—about 10 plates with all sorts of things on them…some potatoes—I can’t really tell how they were cooked—boiled with maybe some lemon on them & other seasonings; hummus; yogurt; tomatoes in yogurt; finely chopped onions/tomatoes/cucumbers; avocado pureed w/something; three little sticks of something like thin bread fried; some kind of Lebanese dish that had 3 pieces of something that looked almost like an oblong hush puppie, but was ground wheat w/meat inside; falafel; a large plate of tomatoes & cucumbers & parsley; a large plate of tabula—a salad that is uniquely Arabic—has little pieces of finely ground wheat and something green…that’s why I was wishing for my gourmet friends! THEN…they brought a platter that had lamb chops cooked perfectly and 3 ka-bobs…and fries…the meat was just wonderful —it was lamb and chicken. Then after they cleared the table they brought dessert which was a platter of sweets about the size of donut holes—some kind of bread fried in little balls…very different…not my favorite…but ok…The restaurant was nice—and the people around so interesting. There was a birthday party next to us—about 10 people…for a man who was 50. They sang and had a cake—turned the lights down in the restaurant so they could do the cake/candles! They were having such fun. Several families seated around us—and a couple of tables of men. Seldom see in a restaurant Arab women out to eat in a group…maybe, but I don’t see them.
George has a desire for a ministry in short films…he wants to produce short Christian films set here in Israel. He said there are some set in Egypt, but none here in Israel…isn’t that interesting. He had meetings today to introduce his vision. He asks for prayer for that ministry.
I had an email tonight from my friend Jan Davis—teaches at PNGHS—she and her son Dallas will land in Paris at Charles DeGaulle airport Monday morning at 8:50. I leave CDeGaulle airport in Paris Monday morning at 10:15—so we are definitely hoping to at least be able to wave and hug—there will be some serious screeching going on if we actually see each other.
Thanks again for your prayers and interest in this adventure. Please continue to pray for my family and Jerusalem School.
Love
Beth
I am barely able to constrain myself—only 2 more days before I leave to come home for a few days…I got my suitcase down today and it looks wonderful lying on the floor!
Had such an enjoyable evening—and I wanted to share about the food. In October, Jack/Linda Park introduced me to a young man who is a friend of theirs. He works in ministry in Life Agape—which is under Campus Crusade. He’s young (36), an Israeli-Arab believer…his wife-Sued—is Palestinian…and they have an 8 month old baby Chris. They live in Nazareth—because Sued can’t live in Jerusalem…and if they live in West Bank, etc., George would lose his Israeli citizenship…long and complicated story…but not uncommon at all.
George has 4 brothers and 2 sisters—his parents have an apt. in the Old City—and they have a home in a village outside Jerusalem. One of his sisters is married to a Palestinian—they live in Ramallah and have 2 teen age children. The sister can come in to see her parents, but her husband and children are not allowed to come in…so when the family wants to see them, they go to Ramallah…difficult situation.
Anyway—we went to eat tonight at an Arab restaurant called Pasha’s…I wished for my gourmet-wise daughter Holly, my friend Dee and my nephew John…and everyone else who likes different and delicious food. First they bring out appetizers—about 10 plates with all sorts of things on them…some potatoes—I can’t really tell how they were cooked—boiled with maybe some lemon on them & other seasonings; hummus; yogurt; tomatoes in yogurt; finely chopped onions/tomatoes/cucumbers; avocado pureed w/something; three little sticks of something like thin bread fried; some kind of Lebanese dish that had 3 pieces of something that looked almost like an oblong hush puppie, but was ground wheat w/meat inside; falafel; a large plate of tomatoes & cucumbers & parsley; a large plate of tabula—a salad that is uniquely Arabic—has little pieces of finely ground wheat and something green…that’s why I was wishing for my gourmet friends! THEN…they brought a platter that had lamb chops cooked perfectly and 3 ka-bobs…and fries…the meat was just wonderful —it was lamb and chicken. Then after they cleared the table they brought dessert which was a platter of sweets about the size of donut holes—some kind of bread fried in little balls…very different…not my favorite…but ok…The restaurant was nice—and the people around so interesting. There was a birthday party next to us—about 10 people…for a man who was 50. They sang and had a cake—turned the lights down in the restaurant so they could do the cake/candles! They were having such fun. Several families seated around us—and a couple of tables of men. Seldom see in a restaurant Arab women out to eat in a group…maybe, but I don’t see them.
George has a desire for a ministry in short films…he wants to produce short Christian films set here in Israel. He said there are some set in Egypt, but none here in Israel…isn’t that interesting. He had meetings today to introduce his vision. He asks for prayer for that ministry.
I had an email tonight from my friend Jan Davis—teaches at PNGHS—she and her son Dallas will land in Paris at Charles DeGaulle airport Monday morning at 8:50. I leave CDeGaulle airport in Paris Monday morning at 10:15—so we are definitely hoping to at least be able to wave and hug—there will be some serious screeching going on if we actually see each other.
Thanks again for your prayers and interest in this adventure. Please continue to pray for my family and Jerusalem School.
Love
Beth
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
MARCH 3, 2009
Just as I started to write this, Elaine came in with a piece of mail! My precious brother wrote me a letter! Thank you so much Brother—I loved every word…so glad you get the blogs…and it’s a good thing you are retired…I rattle on so much that people who work don’t have time to read all this!
I had an accident today. I know it could have been much worse—and I thank so many of you for praying for protection for me. My physical injuries are minor, but I did become a bit upset. Much more so than when I crashed the Segway into the light pole in Chicago!
I think I’ve written that our building is multi-storied and we have stairs (44 steps between my floor and the office…several times a day—and 44 more to the canteen for lunch) and 2 elevators. The elevators are slow and most people avoid them because they are so weird. They are rectangular and very narrow boxes that barely hold 2 people and are like no elevators I have ever seen. To get on one, you pull this metal door open and walk in. Then these metal accordion doors shut—all very narrow. Today I started to step in one, and it had not come down level with the floor and I stumbled. I fell headlong into it and hit my head on the back wall…I was a little stung—but then the door closed…and I was on the floor—it started moving and I just was not okay! I finally managed to reach the button and get to the main floor and shove the door open and crawl out. Shane and Erin were both close by, so they took sobbing me into his office, got me an aspirin and I settled down. It was the fright more than the hit on the head and bumps on my legs.
I went to my next class—and my head stopped hurting, and I finished the day. I even tutored from 3 to 4…no pain at all. And I am fine tonight. I just wanted to share that to say thank you for praying for me—I know I could have really hurt myself…and also I walk EVERYWHERE…up and down stairs that are very slippery and on terrible roads home…a fall could happen so easily. So I am grateful for your prayers for my safety.
Tonight Wilma, my friend who lives across the hall with Erin, came over and invited me to come over to their apt and meet some people from Houston! So I went over—they are a sister and brother (her name is Joyce…can’t remember his) but they are on staff at Lakewood Church—they have a Muslim background. I’m not sure the connection with Wilma or how they know them. Nice to meet Texans! I asked him if he had spoken at FBC Houston, and he had. I thought he was the one I had heard on a CD from my sister, but he mentioned a name that I recognized as the one I heard.
This may sound a bit whining…just a realistic picture of life here. I just took a quick bath—very quick because there is absolutely NO heat in the bathroom... and the water was barely tepid…I woke up this morning at 2 a.m. and got up and turned the hot water switch on so I could have a hot shower at 6 a.m….but unless we do that or turn the switch when we first get home OR if the sun shines, we don’t have hot water! Leaving the switch is too costly on the electric bill…(?) and if it is on, we nearly always lose electricity and have to go downstairs and flip the breaker! Friends and family, never take that hot shower for granted!
Having a little accident and taking a cold bath—both very small things. In the midst of all of these things, God is blessing me and deepening my relationship with Him in such a wonderful way. I am very very grateful for His presence and His grace—it’s just so amazing. I know that for this season in my life, He has invited me to a new place…and even though I don’t understand so many things, I am grateful for His plan that even includes oldies like me. Today after I had fallen, I was saying I’m too old for all this…I just want to go home…and Erin was saying, No you’re not…and outside the office was this young man—a 10th grader that I’ve gotten to know—his name is Majd—and he was just so sweet and came by and wanted to get me something…he came back with some ice cream and offered me some. It was just so sweet. I feel really blessed to have formed some good relationships with so many of these kids…and above all, I pray that they would know it is God loving them through me…please pray for that for them.
One more funny thing…I called a number tonight that I thought was Cindy’s (my new friend from Woodville who was here on a tour with FBC Houston and is staying until March 31), but the lady who answered didn’t know Cindy. BUT she picked up on my American voice...and just chatted away…asked me for names of restaurants, etc…she was from Toronto (kept saying eh! Just like my nephew John Erickson!) so I told her about Maegan and I visiting Prince Edward Island…and we just had a nice conversation!
I am looking forward to being home a few days—and then returning until June 6. I appreciate your prayers and interest in this adventure…please continue to pray for my family and Jerusalem School.
Love
Beth
Just as I started to write this, Elaine came in with a piece of mail! My precious brother wrote me a letter! Thank you so much Brother—I loved every word…so glad you get the blogs…and it’s a good thing you are retired…I rattle on so much that people who work don’t have time to read all this!
I had an accident today. I know it could have been much worse—and I thank so many of you for praying for protection for me. My physical injuries are minor, but I did become a bit upset. Much more so than when I crashed the Segway into the light pole in Chicago!
I think I’ve written that our building is multi-storied and we have stairs (44 steps between my floor and the office…several times a day—and 44 more to the canteen for lunch) and 2 elevators. The elevators are slow and most people avoid them because they are so weird. They are rectangular and very narrow boxes that barely hold 2 people and are like no elevators I have ever seen. To get on one, you pull this metal door open and walk in. Then these metal accordion doors shut—all very narrow. Today I started to step in one, and it had not come down level with the floor and I stumbled. I fell headlong into it and hit my head on the back wall…I was a little stung—but then the door closed…and I was on the floor—it started moving and I just was not okay! I finally managed to reach the button and get to the main floor and shove the door open and crawl out. Shane and Erin were both close by, so they took sobbing me into his office, got me an aspirin and I settled down. It was the fright more than the hit on the head and bumps on my legs.
I went to my next class—and my head stopped hurting, and I finished the day. I even tutored from 3 to 4…no pain at all. And I am fine tonight. I just wanted to share that to say thank you for praying for me—I know I could have really hurt myself…and also I walk EVERYWHERE…up and down stairs that are very slippery and on terrible roads home…a fall could happen so easily. So I am grateful for your prayers for my safety.
Tonight Wilma, my friend who lives across the hall with Erin, came over and invited me to come over to their apt and meet some people from Houston! So I went over—they are a sister and brother (her name is Joyce…can’t remember his) but they are on staff at Lakewood Church—they have a Muslim background. I’m not sure the connection with Wilma or how they know them. Nice to meet Texans! I asked him if he had spoken at FBC Houston, and he had. I thought he was the one I had heard on a CD from my sister, but he mentioned a name that I recognized as the one I heard.
This may sound a bit whining…just a realistic picture of life here. I just took a quick bath—very quick because there is absolutely NO heat in the bathroom... and the water was barely tepid…I woke up this morning at 2 a.m. and got up and turned the hot water switch on so I could have a hot shower at 6 a.m….but unless we do that or turn the switch when we first get home OR if the sun shines, we don’t have hot water! Leaving the switch is too costly on the electric bill…(?) and if it is on, we nearly always lose electricity and have to go downstairs and flip the breaker! Friends and family, never take that hot shower for granted!
Having a little accident and taking a cold bath—both very small things. In the midst of all of these things, God is blessing me and deepening my relationship with Him in such a wonderful way. I am very very grateful for His presence and His grace—it’s just so amazing. I know that for this season in my life, He has invited me to a new place…and even though I don’t understand so many things, I am grateful for His plan that even includes oldies like me. Today after I had fallen, I was saying I’m too old for all this…I just want to go home…and Erin was saying, No you’re not…and outside the office was this young man—a 10th grader that I’ve gotten to know—his name is Majd—and he was just so sweet and came by and wanted to get me something…he came back with some ice cream and offered me some. It was just so sweet. I feel really blessed to have formed some good relationships with so many of these kids…and above all, I pray that they would know it is God loving them through me…please pray for that for them.
One more funny thing…I called a number tonight that I thought was Cindy’s (my new friend from Woodville who was here on a tour with FBC Houston and is staying until March 31), but the lady who answered didn’t know Cindy. BUT she picked up on my American voice...and just chatted away…asked me for names of restaurants, etc…she was from Toronto (kept saying eh! Just like my nephew John Erickson!) so I told her about Maegan and I visiting Prince Edward Island…and we just had a nice conversation!
I am looking forward to being home a few days—and then returning until June 6. I appreciate your prayers and interest in this adventure…please continue to pray for my family and Jerusalem School.
Love
Beth
Monday, March 2, 2009
MARCH 2, 2009
No news from me since Friday evening…but I’ve had no news! I stayed in the apartment once I blew in Friday evening-soaking and cold to the core…until this morning when I left for school. It was really nice. We watched some movies and read and enjoyed our time inside.
Today was just a normal school day—but the building was absolutely freezing. There had been no heat since Thursday, so all the rooms were so cold. Everyone sits with hats and coats on…my 12th graders and I circled in the back of the room by the heater…there are only 10 of them, so we just huddled close to the only warm thing in the room. I wore my new coat—and I was cute (relative term for those who don’t know me very well), but I was cold! So tomorrow I’m going to be so layered that I’ll look like a stuffed toy.
Our principal—Shane Scott—that I’ve talked about before is just such a neat guy. He has been trying to institute something called Days of Peace…and he put on the bulletin board a big #1 for the first day that the 7th-12th graders went without any fights. After a few weeks, he separated the 7th and 8th…and the 9-12 finally made it 10 days today…the other group is still on 0! So tomorrow we are going to have an ice cream social during their break time for the 9-12 kids. The funny thing is that the 9th graders have their break (which is like a lunch time) with the 7th/8th graders…so the 9th graders will be eating their ice cream in front of the other kids…Shane is trying so hard to get them to behave…looks a little difficult to me! AND who wants ice cream??? It’s freezing here! We suggested hot chocolate, so he’s going to have that too. I just really like his desire to do things for the kids and the school. He is very energetic and very intelligent. And his wife Sarah is too—just so sweet and very intelligent also. And they have such a heart for these kids.
Remember that Monday is our night for the truck…so Mary, Joy and I were joined by Adam and Bethany as we headed out for the grocery store. Then we stopped at the chicken place and got us all a piece of chicken…came home and Elaine had made potato salad for us…so we had a meal all together tonight. It was nice. Then Mary and Joy went to a meeting at Christ Church in the Old City (where Mary attends all the time). The group that led the conference at the church on the Mount of Olives is going to be leading the meeting.
Thanks again for your emails and prayers…AND I got another piece of mail. My friends Lois and Betty mailed me a Valentine with a bookmark in it! Thanks friends…I loved getting it…I actually got it Friday night.
I appreciate your prayers for my family and for Jerusalem School. I also ask that you pray that my departure Sunday will be easy—I have to get a ride to the Hyatt Hotel; get on something called the Sharoot (?) to ride to the airport in Tel Aviv. I’ve never done any of that before…so please pray that things go well…and that things go well leaving. Trish (who had to leave suddenly because of a death in her family) had a really hard time getting through security to leave. I also have a 12 hour layover in Paris—from 10 p.m. to 10 a.m., so I’d appreciate your prayers for me during that long layover.
I’m so grateful to be able to come home—I have business and doctors to see—and I get to see my girls and my family and my friends and my dog and life as I remember it!…I am really looking forward to being there…even though it is just a short time.
Love,
Beth
No news from me since Friday evening…but I’ve had no news! I stayed in the apartment once I blew in Friday evening-soaking and cold to the core…until this morning when I left for school. It was really nice. We watched some movies and read and enjoyed our time inside.
Today was just a normal school day—but the building was absolutely freezing. There had been no heat since Thursday, so all the rooms were so cold. Everyone sits with hats and coats on…my 12th graders and I circled in the back of the room by the heater…there are only 10 of them, so we just huddled close to the only warm thing in the room. I wore my new coat—and I was cute (relative term for those who don’t know me very well), but I was cold! So tomorrow I’m going to be so layered that I’ll look like a stuffed toy.
Our principal—Shane Scott—that I’ve talked about before is just such a neat guy. He has been trying to institute something called Days of Peace…and he put on the bulletin board a big #1 for the first day that the 7th-12th graders went without any fights. After a few weeks, he separated the 7th and 8th…and the 9-12 finally made it 10 days today…the other group is still on 0! So tomorrow we are going to have an ice cream social during their break time for the 9-12 kids. The funny thing is that the 9th graders have their break (which is like a lunch time) with the 7th/8th graders…so the 9th graders will be eating their ice cream in front of the other kids…Shane is trying so hard to get them to behave…looks a little difficult to me! AND who wants ice cream??? It’s freezing here! We suggested hot chocolate, so he’s going to have that too. I just really like his desire to do things for the kids and the school. He is very energetic and very intelligent. And his wife Sarah is too—just so sweet and very intelligent also. And they have such a heart for these kids.
Remember that Monday is our night for the truck…so Mary, Joy and I were joined by Adam and Bethany as we headed out for the grocery store. Then we stopped at the chicken place and got us all a piece of chicken…came home and Elaine had made potato salad for us…so we had a meal all together tonight. It was nice. Then Mary and Joy went to a meeting at Christ Church in the Old City (where Mary attends all the time). The group that led the conference at the church on the Mount of Olives is going to be leading the meeting.
Thanks again for your emails and prayers…AND I got another piece of mail. My friends Lois and Betty mailed me a Valentine with a bookmark in it! Thanks friends…I loved getting it…I actually got it Friday night.
I appreciate your prayers for my family and for Jerusalem School. I also ask that you pray that my departure Sunday will be easy—I have to get a ride to the Hyatt Hotel; get on something called the Sharoot (?) to ride to the airport in Tel Aviv. I’ve never done any of that before…so please pray that things go well…and that things go well leaving. Trish (who had to leave suddenly because of a death in her family) had a really hard time getting through security to leave. I also have a 12 hour layover in Paris—from 10 p.m. to 10 a.m., so I’d appreciate your prayers for me during that long layover.
I’m so grateful to be able to come home—I have business and doctors to see—and I get to see my girls and my family and my friends and my dog and life as I remember it!…I am really looking forward to being there…even though it is just a short time.
Love,
Beth
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)