May 13, 2009

MAY 13, 2009
Today is my sister Sue’s birthday…Happy Birthday to the best sister ever. I have a wonderful sister and a wonderful brother…I am very, very blessed.

We had a wonderful church service tonight…just a small group and we each shared a favorite scripture. Then we sang scripture songs—like the one from Psalm 63 “Your loving-kindness is better than life…” It was really nice to join with brothers and sisters in Christ and rejoice and praise Jesus together. We will all be going separate ways in a few weeks—and many of us may never see each other again…but in Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit, there is a unity that is so precious and comforting. I am very grateful to know this part of the family of God.

After church, Mary, Kristen, Eula and I went to Aroma's on French Hill and enjoyed treats, coffee and fun fellowshipping...after stopping by Jafar's on the way home, we parked the truck and headed home...

I was also blessed to enjoy a long conversation today with a fellow co-worker who told me about the engagement process for young men and women in the Arab culture. My co-worker is such a nice young man—he has taught me many things and I’m grateful for the privilege of knowing him. I’ve invited him, his wife and three children to come to America sometime—so we can roll out the red carpet for them!

The seniors leave for their trip to Italy tomorrow—they will be gone 10 days…so that means no senior classes. BUT Trish is going on the trip, so I’m going to take one of her classes—seventh graders! So that will keep me moving—probably a bit faster than I’d like!

I’m hoping to be able to go in to the Old City tomorrow with Austin and Katie. They are going to take me to an area where I can buy some gifts…then I’m looking forward to joining Yousef and Christine in Tiberias for the baptism and then to Golan Heights for church-fellowship on Saturday. What joy that will be.

Thank you for your encouraging words—I pray all is well with each of you. Please continue to pray for me, my family and Jerusalem School. The seven-year-old daughter of Mr. Baseem, one of the teachers at our school, died last Sunday. She had been quite ill for several months—they had taken her to several hospitals…but she was just too ill. Please pray for this family in the loss of this precious child.

Love
Beth