MAY 17, 2009
Please pray for my friend Kenneth Broussard—he’s in the hospital in Houston AGAIN! His heart is having a hard time keeping up with him.
God blessed me so richly with the past few days…Ross gave Wilma and me permission to be off Saturday and gave us the use of a school vehicle…the Peugeot—with no air conditioning, but nonetheless a great little car. So we drove to Tiberias Friday and stayed in a bed/breakfast overlooking the Sea of Galilee. We sat on the deck and looked out at the mountains and across the sea to Engev—and the whole sea where Jesus walked and talked and they fished and lived near here. It is my favorite place in Israel…he preached the Sermon on the Mount near here—and met the disciples here after he arose…and they had fish for breakfast on this shore. It’s such a real place—no extras added by man. I would love for each of you to be able to visit this place.
We met Yousef/Christine, etc. at the River Jordan at 10:00—and witnessed a very meaningful baptism—I bought a video (the place videos each large group event) because I know James Moore and Bro. Joe and others will want to watch. Yousef baptized his twin children—Allan and Julie who are 13. And his brother-in-law Osama baptized his little girl Nancy who is 9. There is much more to tell about this baptism, but I’ll wait until I can talk in person.
Then we all went to the Jordan Park up north about 20 miles and spent the rest of the day there. They cooked ke-babs and we had salads and garlic-toasted pita…and homemade desserts. We had a marvelous time with all the church members—a really large group and so so so interesting…and very nice to us.
HOWEVER…for the first time it was hot—very hot…stifling hot…no wind and about 90 degrees…whew! I’m not very good in that hot! AND then we headed home—3 hour drive in a very HOT car…and wind blowing through but it was hot too! We were like people in desert—no water and no water stops! It was Shabbat—so nothing was open. We finally found a little store about 1 hour from Jerusalem and stopped for water…but we were a pitiful sight! Dusty, sun-burned and swollen feet! We laughed at ourselves—and were very grateful to get home, take a shower and get those feet up!
I don’t know words to express the joy of being in Tiberias overnight and then spending the day with that church group. Christine and I stood by the River Jordan and prayed for our friends the Basses—she is praying in Arabic, but my spirit just fills with joy knowing that we are in one accord…even though I don’t know the words she is saying. Truly, the spiritual bond in the family of God is the most amazing thing…crosses all barriers—language, culture, etc.
Thank you for your emails and prayers…only 3 weeks, and I pray I will be able to board the Delta bird and fly home…please continue to pray for me, my family and Jerusalem School. We have 13 more days including finals—pray we finish the school year in a God-honoring manner.
Love
Beth
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Friday, May 15, 2009
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
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
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
Monday, May 11, 2009
May 11, 2009
MAY 11, 2009
Thanks for the comments…you are right Bro. Joe! Busted! It’s too funny how fast news travels. Even across oceans and more oceans and even more oceans…am I that far? It feels like it.
I do pray everyone had a wonderful Mother’s Day—I got to talk to my girls and my grand-girl…and my sister, so that was a good day for me. I’m so grateful for special, set-aside days that enable us to gather and have sweet memories for a lifetime. We are really blessed to have many years of sweet memories on Mother’s Day.
School is a little hectic these days—seems everyone is thinking it is over, and “surely you don’t mean for us to do work,” and surely not the seniors too! We’ll hang in and get to the finals on June 1, 2, and 3. Then they have graduation on June 7.
Jerusalem is also a little hectic this week—the Pope is making a visit and the streets are tied up or closed off…some of our teachers live in the Old City and couldn’t get out today…or on the Mount of Olives. The Pope’s Jerusalem residence is on the Mount of Olives…I’ve been told that, and I assume it is true…
I had a real treat Saturday night…I got to go to Ramallah with two friends. The city is so huge—buildings all over the hills and so many people. My friend was driving, and I was very glad…I couldn’t have done it! The streets are narrow and were teeming with people and all sorts of activity. It was so alive and pulsating. We parked and shopped some…we were looking for cake decorating tips, so we stopped in a couple of little home stores and finally found what we wanted. But as we walked, we passed a store called Stars and Bucks… yep…with the green Starbucks logo and all. It was so funny—so we went in and they had mugs and tee shirts and sweatshirts! So we made some purchases…I know my girls are going to like that. We intended to come back and have coffee, but after we ate it was too late. We ate at a Mexican restaurant — nachos and quesadillas…and it was very good. We had pico de gallo…and everything. We had such a good time—the music was playing just like the guys who walk around playing in the Mexican restaurants in Texas. The atmosphere was just super…lots of people…and we ate and laughed and talked. So nice…I’m looking forward to La Suprema every Thursday night—make plans everyone!
Sunday was a stay-at-home day for me. I am working on a scope-sequence curriculum guide for English for the school…and I finished 7th, 8th, and 9th. I will try to finish in the next week or so…for sure in 25 days! Because that will be June 6…and I am planning to get on the Delta bird and fly out on that day —the Lord willing.
I think I am going to get to go to Haifa on Saturday—and join with Yousef and Christine’s church group to go to Tiberias…they are baptizing…and having a big church fellowship. My friend Wilma and I plan to go either Friday night or Saturday morning.
We all got to enjoy pictures of Maegan and her friend Steven going to the 9th grade prom…according to her grandmother, she was the prettiest girl! Her hair was gorgeous, her make-up was perfect, her little black dress was just perfect and she had on black, sequined Converse tennis shoes! And she looked darling—take my word for it…from an old-fashioned grandmother …the tennis shoes were great!
I’ve had wonderful cards—my friend Madeline sent me a biggie—4 pages hand-written! And my friends Bobbie and Colleen both wrote me little updates! And my friend Dee has sent me many cards—and I love getting each one. Thank you for remembering me…and for praying. Wednesday (May 13) is my sister’s birthday—so I’ll have to wish her a happy day via the email!
Please continue to pray for Sue’s recovery, for Sandra’s hand-healing, for little Baby Bass and others who are having health issues…please pray for me, my family and Jerusalem School.
Love
Beth
Thanks for the comments…you are right Bro. Joe! Busted! It’s too funny how fast news travels. Even across oceans and more oceans and even more oceans…am I that far? It feels like it.
I do pray everyone had a wonderful Mother’s Day—I got to talk to my girls and my grand-girl…and my sister, so that was a good day for me. I’m so grateful for special, set-aside days that enable us to gather and have sweet memories for a lifetime. We are really blessed to have many years of sweet memories on Mother’s Day.
School is a little hectic these days—seems everyone is thinking it is over, and “surely you don’t mean for us to do work,” and surely not the seniors too! We’ll hang in and get to the finals on June 1, 2, and 3. Then they have graduation on June 7.
Jerusalem is also a little hectic this week—the Pope is making a visit and the streets are tied up or closed off…some of our teachers live in the Old City and couldn’t get out today…or on the Mount of Olives. The Pope’s Jerusalem residence is on the Mount of Olives…I’ve been told that, and I assume it is true…
I had a real treat Saturday night…I got to go to Ramallah with two friends. The city is so huge—buildings all over the hills and so many people. My friend was driving, and I was very glad…I couldn’t have done it! The streets are narrow and were teeming with people and all sorts of activity. It was so alive and pulsating. We parked and shopped some…we were looking for cake decorating tips, so we stopped in a couple of little home stores and finally found what we wanted. But as we walked, we passed a store called Stars and Bucks… yep…with the green Starbucks logo and all. It was so funny—so we went in and they had mugs and tee shirts and sweatshirts! So we made some purchases…I know my girls are going to like that. We intended to come back and have coffee, but after we ate it was too late. We ate at a Mexican restaurant — nachos and quesadillas…and it was very good. We had pico de gallo…and everything. We had such a good time—the music was playing just like the guys who walk around playing in the Mexican restaurants in Texas. The atmosphere was just super…lots of people…and we ate and laughed and talked. So nice…I’m looking forward to La Suprema every Thursday night—make plans everyone!
Sunday was a stay-at-home day for me. I am working on a scope-sequence curriculum guide for English for the school…and I finished 7th, 8th, and 9th. I will try to finish in the next week or so…for sure in 25 days! Because that will be June 6…and I am planning to get on the Delta bird and fly out on that day —the Lord willing.
I think I am going to get to go to Haifa on Saturday—and join with Yousef and Christine’s church group to go to Tiberias…they are baptizing…and having a big church fellowship. My friend Wilma and I plan to go either Friday night or Saturday morning.
We all got to enjoy pictures of Maegan and her friend Steven going to the 9th grade prom…according to her grandmother, she was the prettiest girl! Her hair was gorgeous, her make-up was perfect, her little black dress was just perfect and she had on black, sequined Converse tennis shoes! And she looked darling—take my word for it…from an old-fashioned grandmother …the tennis shoes were great!
I’ve had wonderful cards—my friend Madeline sent me a biggie—4 pages hand-written! And my friends Bobbie and Colleen both wrote me little updates! And my friend Dee has sent me many cards—and I love getting each one. Thank you for remembering me…and for praying. Wednesday (May 13) is my sister’s birthday—so I’ll have to wish her a happy day via the email!
Please continue to pray for Sue’s recovery, for Sandra’s hand-healing, for little Baby Bass and others who are having health issues…please pray for me, my family and Jerusalem School.
Love
Beth
Friday, May 8, 2009
May 8, 2009
MAY 8, 2009
School always seems to move fast in May—and it’s true here also. We’re all busy with progress reports for the mid-nine-week grade. The students in my classes have been reciting poetry—“The Road Not Taken” for the 9th graders/ that one and “Mending Wall” for the 11th graders/ and “I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud” for the 12th graders. I truly enjoy hearing all those poems from students—some of them really got dramatic with their presentations!
I am very grateful for the comments to the blog—and yes, Brother Joe! I am a detail person—unfortunately, it’s usually too much detail! And my daughters often say, “Mom…get on with the story!”
I am especially grateful for the compliment from my anonymous commenter. And also for the encouragement to continue to learn about the situation in this country—I do know there are people who cannot travel about in this country. I’ve been privileged to talk with several of my students who are in that situation. I am very blessed to have spent this time in Jerusalem and to have formed lasting relationships with some incredibly wonderful people. I pray that all that I have experienced will be used according to the purposes of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Thank you for your prayers, emails, cards and encouraging words. I pray this Mother’s Day is a blessing to each of you…I will miss being with my family. We have some really special memories from times spent on Mother’s Day. My daughters, Melissa and Holly, and my granddaughter Maegan are the source of great joy in my life…I thank God every day for the blessings of those girls.
Please continue to pray for me, my family and Jerusalem School.
Love
Beth
School always seems to move fast in May—and it’s true here also. We’re all busy with progress reports for the mid-nine-week grade. The students in my classes have been reciting poetry—“The Road Not Taken” for the 9th graders/ that one and “Mending Wall” for the 11th graders/ and “I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud” for the 12th graders. I truly enjoy hearing all those poems from students—some of them really got dramatic with their presentations!
I am very grateful for the comments to the blog—and yes, Brother Joe! I am a detail person—unfortunately, it’s usually too much detail! And my daughters often say, “Mom…get on with the story!”
I am especially grateful for the compliment from my anonymous commenter. And also for the encouragement to continue to learn about the situation in this country—I do know there are people who cannot travel about in this country. I’ve been privileged to talk with several of my students who are in that situation. I am very blessed to have spent this time in Jerusalem and to have formed lasting relationships with some incredibly wonderful people. I pray that all that I have experienced will be used according to the purposes of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Thank you for your prayers, emails, cards and encouraging words. I pray this Mother’s Day is a blessing to each of you…I will miss being with my family. We have some really special memories from times spent on Mother’s Day. My daughters, Melissa and Holly, and my granddaughter Maegan are the source of great joy in my life…I thank God every day for the blessings of those girls.
Please continue to pray for me, my family and Jerusalem School.
Love
Beth
Monday, May 4, 2009
May 4, 2009
MAY 4, 2009
We had a wonderful time in Haifa. Wilma, Christy, Erin and I picked up our rental car (a super duper speedster we named Blue Bullet!) and headed out of Jerusalem about 2:30 Saturday afternoon. Driving in to Haifa is absolutely amazing—the view of the Mediterranean Sea as you drive down in to the city is so gorgeous. I’m sure people who live there take that view for granted, but we really enjoyed it. We stayed at The Colony Hotel—and it was so great. It is a boutique hotel—in a 103 year old building that has been completely refurbished—located on the street that leads to the Ba’Hai Gardens—which are so beautiful that you must look them up on the internet. The décor in the hotel was so tastefully done. We had adjoining rooms with big high beds and lots of pillows—and we were on the front side with big windows that opened out on to the area in front of the hotel. The area is called The German Colony & is a big tourist area of the city. People were walking everywhere—and there were many restaurants with outdoor seating and twinkling lights…Yousef, Christine, their 3 children Allan, Julie and Lina and Jack and Linda came to the hotel and we all walked to this absolutely wonderful restaurant. We went in and down to a room…and were seated around a long table…some of us were on the sofas around the table and some on small hassocks all around. And the food—the best Arab food I’ve had…we had hummous, salads, chicken, delicious hamburger meat cooked with tomatoes and seasoned just perfectly and much more—we had this lemon drink with mint that I’ve had before…but not this delicious. It was thicker and so good. We relaxed and enjoyed our time talking and laughing and eating! Just great…
They invited us to tour the recording studio…so Wilma and I went with them while Christy & Erin stayed around the hotel and enjoyed dessert, etc. at the restaurants. We were absolutely overwhelmed at the recording studio facilities—a radio station, recording room, room to film TV sets—such as Jack teaching, etc.—and much more. The ministry of that recording studio is just incredible. I know I shouldn’t be surprised, but sometimes what God has done in people’s lives just knocks me over. Actually, Yousef and Christine are incredible—so sweet, humble and fun to be with. We went up to their home and enjoyed tea and brownies with them—and another American couple from Seattle joined us. They had been there before—helped with the building of the church. He is a retired engineer—I think…really nice and fun couple.
Sunday we planned to relax and sleep later than usual, but we discovered that our beautiful room on the front with the open windows made us really close to the street traffic! It was a busy place…but we managed to rest and then enjoy a huge breakfast. I have been blessed to enjoy so many of these delicious breakfasts that I hope I will continue to have them when I come home. They had a large array of cheeses, olives, cucumber w/dill, diced tomatoes /cucumbers, yogurt w/granola & honey, cereal, freshly baked breads, boiled eggs, egg casserole and real pancakes with the trimmings.
We packed up, checked out and headed for the tourist information center…we wanted to go to Elijah’s cave—and we learned that there is a traditional site and a site that has been designated as the cave…it has all sorts of paraphernalia, etc…so we opted for the traditional site. The young girls took over the driving on Sunday…so we found our way through villages and up a mountain to the Carmelite Monastery. We would have liked to go in, but it is closed on Sunday. However, it is so beautiful up on that mountain…so we parked the car and hiked…yep, my family is not believing that I hiked, but I did. We walked around a winding road and looked down at the valley…I think it is the Valley of Jezreel, but I may be wrong. I do know that I was on Mount Carmel where Elijah confronted the Baal prophets…all in 1 Kings 18 (I think)… and it was an experience that I don’t know if I have words for. I kept thinking about how it says that when the rain cloud came, Ahab and his men in chariots began racing down the mountain and Elijah was empowered to run faster than they did…I could somehow just see this short, feisty man with his arms pumping and his legs spinning tearing down that mountain. There are many places that are vertical stone slabs embedded in the mountainside, so I think it would have been difficult to maneuver a chariot down…but that is just my imagination! There are huge boulders and multiple olive trees—with their gnarled trunks. We also saw these little animals that are so darling—hyrax—never heard of them before, but they are funny little brown furry animals with big brown eyes about the size of a small rabbit.
Being there on that mountain was really a very special experience for me….for all of us. Erin, Christy and Wilma have all been teaching here in Jerusalem for 3 years…and they had not been there…so it was really nice for all of us.
We headed back in to the city to a mall! We enjoyed a delicious meal and a couple of hours of shopping…then we headed for the hotel—so Jack & Linda could meet us and take us to church. We got a little lost—quite a bit lost actually, and ended up being late…but they met us and we got to New Covenant Church. The service was so wonderful (do I use this word too much??? ) Of course, the music is just great—Yousef is a very talented guitarist, his brother-in-law Osama is a fabulous keyboard player—then they have a drummer, another guitar player and 4 ladies singing with them. Of course, the words were Arabic, but praise music is praise music…and it was wonderful (oops!)
Yousef preached about the delights of God’s Word—and reminded us of the joys of the Word. We listened through a translator on a head set.
Linda and Jack led us from the church to the edge of town so we wouldn’t get lost, and we headed back to Jerusalem. Because of some high way problems, we were a bit later than we wanted…but it was well worth it.
I returned the car today and said Thank You Lord—once again…He has blessed me with life-changing experiences. I pray that I can share all he has done with each of you in a way that will deepen your relationship with Him as He has done with me. His grace is so completely amazing—that He would allow me to be so blessed.
However, today at school, I was questioning the blessings—two parent conferences and a plea for help from Shane with one of my classes! It’s springtime and children everywhere and of all ages are ready to be free of the constraints of the classroom! One of the dads with whom I met was so very nice and appreciative of the work we do with the kids. That’s always a blessing.
My friend Sandra broke her right hand! Please pray for her healing—and for all of those who are missing hearing her play beautiful music. I thank you for your emails and comments and most of all for your prayers. Please continue to pray for me, my family, and Jerusalem School…the high school finals are June 1, 2, 3…and then I plan to leave June 6. I have realized that as much as I look forward to coming home, I will shed tears when I say good bye to the people I’ve met here at Jerusalem School—especially the kids. Five of the students will be in Austin & San Antonio in June…and I plan to go see them…hope to take a caravan of whoever else would go with me. I want everyone to meet them. I also learned that two of my ninth graders will be going to New Hampshire (or Vermont?) to a conference called Seeds of Peace…students from all over the world gather and discuss ways they can be part of spreading peace in the world. Isn’t that something!
Love
Beth
We had a wonderful time in Haifa. Wilma, Christy, Erin and I picked up our rental car (a super duper speedster we named Blue Bullet!) and headed out of Jerusalem about 2:30 Saturday afternoon. Driving in to Haifa is absolutely amazing—the view of the Mediterranean Sea as you drive down in to the city is so gorgeous. I’m sure people who live there take that view for granted, but we really enjoyed it. We stayed at The Colony Hotel—and it was so great. It is a boutique hotel—in a 103 year old building that has been completely refurbished—located on the street that leads to the Ba’Hai Gardens—which are so beautiful that you must look them up on the internet. The décor in the hotel was so tastefully done. We had adjoining rooms with big high beds and lots of pillows—and we were on the front side with big windows that opened out on to the area in front of the hotel. The area is called The German Colony & is a big tourist area of the city. People were walking everywhere—and there were many restaurants with outdoor seating and twinkling lights…Yousef, Christine, their 3 children Allan, Julie and Lina and Jack and Linda came to the hotel and we all walked to this absolutely wonderful restaurant. We went in and down to a room…and were seated around a long table…some of us were on the sofas around the table and some on small hassocks all around. And the food—the best Arab food I’ve had…we had hummous, salads, chicken, delicious hamburger meat cooked with tomatoes and seasoned just perfectly and much more—we had this lemon drink with mint that I’ve had before…but not this delicious. It was thicker and so good. We relaxed and enjoyed our time talking and laughing and eating! Just great…
They invited us to tour the recording studio…so Wilma and I went with them while Christy & Erin stayed around the hotel and enjoyed dessert, etc. at the restaurants. We were absolutely overwhelmed at the recording studio facilities—a radio station, recording room, room to film TV sets—such as Jack teaching, etc.—and much more. The ministry of that recording studio is just incredible. I know I shouldn’t be surprised, but sometimes what God has done in people’s lives just knocks me over. Actually, Yousef and Christine are incredible—so sweet, humble and fun to be with. We went up to their home and enjoyed tea and brownies with them—and another American couple from Seattle joined us. They had been there before—helped with the building of the church. He is a retired engineer—I think…really nice and fun couple.
Sunday we planned to relax and sleep later than usual, but we discovered that our beautiful room on the front with the open windows made us really close to the street traffic! It was a busy place…but we managed to rest and then enjoy a huge breakfast. I have been blessed to enjoy so many of these delicious breakfasts that I hope I will continue to have them when I come home. They had a large array of cheeses, olives, cucumber w/dill, diced tomatoes /cucumbers, yogurt w/granola & honey, cereal, freshly baked breads, boiled eggs, egg casserole and real pancakes with the trimmings.
We packed up, checked out and headed for the tourist information center…we wanted to go to Elijah’s cave—and we learned that there is a traditional site and a site that has been designated as the cave…it has all sorts of paraphernalia, etc…so we opted for the traditional site. The young girls took over the driving on Sunday…so we found our way through villages and up a mountain to the Carmelite Monastery. We would have liked to go in, but it is closed on Sunday. However, it is so beautiful up on that mountain…so we parked the car and hiked…yep, my family is not believing that I hiked, but I did. We walked around a winding road and looked down at the valley…I think it is the Valley of Jezreel, but I may be wrong. I do know that I was on Mount Carmel where Elijah confronted the Baal prophets…all in 1 Kings 18 (I think)… and it was an experience that I don’t know if I have words for. I kept thinking about how it says that when the rain cloud came, Ahab and his men in chariots began racing down the mountain and Elijah was empowered to run faster than they did…I could somehow just see this short, feisty man with his arms pumping and his legs spinning tearing down that mountain. There are many places that are vertical stone slabs embedded in the mountainside, so I think it would have been difficult to maneuver a chariot down…but that is just my imagination! There are huge boulders and multiple olive trees—with their gnarled trunks. We also saw these little animals that are so darling—hyrax—never heard of them before, but they are funny little brown furry animals with big brown eyes about the size of a small rabbit.
Being there on that mountain was really a very special experience for me….for all of us. Erin, Christy and Wilma have all been teaching here in Jerusalem for 3 years…and they had not been there…so it was really nice for all of us.
We headed back in to the city to a mall! We enjoyed a delicious meal and a couple of hours of shopping…then we headed for the hotel—so Jack & Linda could meet us and take us to church. We got a little lost—quite a bit lost actually, and ended up being late…but they met us and we got to New Covenant Church. The service was so wonderful (do I use this word too much??? ) Of course, the music is just great—Yousef is a very talented guitarist, his brother-in-law Osama is a fabulous keyboard player—then they have a drummer, another guitar player and 4 ladies singing with them. Of course, the words were Arabic, but praise music is praise music…and it was wonderful (oops!)
Yousef preached about the delights of God’s Word—and reminded us of the joys of the Word. We listened through a translator on a head set.
Linda and Jack led us from the church to the edge of town so we wouldn’t get lost, and we headed back to Jerusalem. Because of some high way problems, we were a bit later than we wanted…but it was well worth it.
I returned the car today and said Thank You Lord—once again…He has blessed me with life-changing experiences. I pray that I can share all he has done with each of you in a way that will deepen your relationship with Him as He has done with me. His grace is so completely amazing—that He would allow me to be so blessed.
However, today at school, I was questioning the blessings—two parent conferences and a plea for help from Shane with one of my classes! It’s springtime and children everywhere and of all ages are ready to be free of the constraints of the classroom! One of the dads with whom I met was so very nice and appreciative of the work we do with the kids. That’s always a blessing.
My friend Sandra broke her right hand! Please pray for her healing—and for all of those who are missing hearing her play beautiful music. I thank you for your emails and comments and most of all for your prayers. Please continue to pray for me, my family, and Jerusalem School…the high school finals are June 1, 2, 3…and then I plan to leave June 6. I have realized that as much as I look forward to coming home, I will shed tears when I say good bye to the people I’ve met here at Jerusalem School—especially the kids. Five of the students will be in Austin & San Antonio in June…and I plan to go see them…hope to take a caravan of whoever else would go with me. I want everyone to meet them. I also learned that two of my ninth graders will be going to New Hampshire (or Vermont?) to a conference called Seeds of Peace…students from all over the world gather and discuss ways they can be part of spreading peace in the world. Isn’t that something!
Love
Beth
Friday, May 1, 2009
MAY 1!
MAY 1, 2009
It’s May!! And it is a beautiful day in Jerusalem. The sun is shining and the air is cool. Just perfect! I’ve enjoyed a whole day at the apartment—spiffing things up a bit for our party tonight. We are having a party to honor Mary—she is getting married this summer. The girls (13) are all coming to eat pizza, cheesecake (made by Elaine—yummy!), and watch a movie. We have all given recipes to Erin, and she has made Mary a recipe book—she’s very creative, so I’m anxious to see it. I have the candles burning all over the living room! My SS class sent me a Tyler candle, and it dominates!
Tomorrow after school, Wilma, Christy, Erin and I are going to Haifa and spending the night. We plan to have dinner with Christine/Yousef Dakwar and Jack/Linda Park. Yousef pastors the New Covenant Church in Haifa—so we plan to go to church Sunday night and drive home afterwards. We hope to go to Mount Carmel on Sunday.
My friend Wilma leaves on May 19, so I’m not looking forward to that! She is going early because her granddaughter is graduating from high school. She has been such a blessing to my life—so cheerful and fun and congenial. She is wonderful with the kids—she teaches 3rd grade, and they love her. She loves the Lord, and He uses her generous, obedient heart in His ministry. Her plans are to be in Texas in September…her friend Chrissie Shaheen is going to be speaking at Lakewood Church, so Wilma and Christy both plan to be with her—hopefully we’ll get to see them then.
Melissa has emailed me about the closings and cancellations of places and events because of the danger of the swine flu. I do pray each of you takes special care of yourselves. I called my friend Glen Provost and got the scoop on this new outbreak. He reminded me to constantly wash my hands—because that is the most common means of spreading germs…so I’ve spread that word!
I got good news from Melissa about Maegan—she was named to the Academic All-District Athletic team…and she got fitted for a letter jacket. Great Maegan! She has some big events coming up—9th grade prom, recital and her 15th birthday! All in May—and Nan will be enjoying them vicariously from across the sea!
Last night Mary, Elaine, Wilma and I watched a movie at our apartment—while all the rest of the group gathered on Shane’s roof and had a really grand time. They strung lights across the roof—he has a perfect place to have people over. Most people use their roofs to entertain—they are very nice…ours is not as nice as others because it has pipes, etc. It’s so beautiful up there at night—so high and the lights just seem to go on and on all over the hills of Jerusalem. They barbecued and ate and laughed and had a really good time. They initially planned to join together to share pictures from their Jordan trip, but it blossomed into a real party. They invited all of us, but we “oldies” chose to watch a movie in our jams in our warm apartment!
I do pray all is well with each of you—I appreciate your emails and comments and prayers—please continue to pray for me, my family and Jerusalem School. My sister is still recuperating from surgery—and is experiencing quite a bit of pain. Also, her house got water—first time since she’s lived in Houston—since 1967. So she is still at Brenda and John’s. Thanks for your prayers for her—please continue. I hope to see everyone June 7—10:15 a.m.!
Love,
Beth
It’s May!! And it is a beautiful day in Jerusalem. The sun is shining and the air is cool. Just perfect! I’ve enjoyed a whole day at the apartment—spiffing things up a bit for our party tonight. We are having a party to honor Mary—she is getting married this summer. The girls (13) are all coming to eat pizza, cheesecake (made by Elaine—yummy!), and watch a movie. We have all given recipes to Erin, and she has made Mary a recipe book—she’s very creative, so I’m anxious to see it. I have the candles burning all over the living room! My SS class sent me a Tyler candle, and it dominates!
Tomorrow after school, Wilma, Christy, Erin and I are going to Haifa and spending the night. We plan to have dinner with Christine/Yousef Dakwar and Jack/Linda Park. Yousef pastors the New Covenant Church in Haifa—so we plan to go to church Sunday night and drive home afterwards. We hope to go to Mount Carmel on Sunday.
My friend Wilma leaves on May 19, so I’m not looking forward to that! She is going early because her granddaughter is graduating from high school. She has been such a blessing to my life—so cheerful and fun and congenial. She is wonderful with the kids—she teaches 3rd grade, and they love her. She loves the Lord, and He uses her generous, obedient heart in His ministry. Her plans are to be in Texas in September…her friend Chrissie Shaheen is going to be speaking at Lakewood Church, so Wilma and Christy both plan to be with her—hopefully we’ll get to see them then.
Melissa has emailed me about the closings and cancellations of places and events because of the danger of the swine flu. I do pray each of you takes special care of yourselves. I called my friend Glen Provost and got the scoop on this new outbreak. He reminded me to constantly wash my hands—because that is the most common means of spreading germs…so I’ve spread that word!
I got good news from Melissa about Maegan—she was named to the Academic All-District Athletic team…and she got fitted for a letter jacket. Great Maegan! She has some big events coming up—9th grade prom, recital and her 15th birthday! All in May—and Nan will be enjoying them vicariously from across the sea!
Last night Mary, Elaine, Wilma and I watched a movie at our apartment—while all the rest of the group gathered on Shane’s roof and had a really grand time. They strung lights across the roof—he has a perfect place to have people over. Most people use their roofs to entertain—they are very nice…ours is not as nice as others because it has pipes, etc. It’s so beautiful up there at night—so high and the lights just seem to go on and on all over the hills of Jerusalem. They barbecued and ate and laughed and had a really good time. They initially planned to join together to share pictures from their Jordan trip, but it blossomed into a real party. They invited all of us, but we “oldies” chose to watch a movie in our jams in our warm apartment!
I do pray all is well with each of you—I appreciate your emails and comments and prayers—please continue to pray for me, my family and Jerusalem School. My sister is still recuperating from surgery—and is experiencing quite a bit of pain. Also, her house got water—first time since she’s lived in Houston—since 1967. So she is still at Brenda and John’s. Thanks for your prayers for her—please continue. I hope to see everyone June 7—10:15 a.m.!
Love,
Beth
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