We thought we needed one of our neighbors to help us carry some furniture to the basement - turns out we needed 4 neighbors, three 10-year olds, and two toddlers to help rearrange our furniture, fix our curtains, clean our house and brighten our lives. We are constantly amazed at the amazing network of friends we have here in Israel.

We had 10 or so friends from the Embassy over Wednesday night to watch American Idol (I can’t belive I’m admitting this publicly!) and play games (1 game of Puerto Rico, 2 games of Settlers, and quite a bit of UNO). A great time was had by all, especially by the dog, who was slipped so much contraban that she puked twice after everyone left. I look forward to next Wednesday night, when we’ll do it all over again - hopefully minus the puking. (If you’re reading this, you’re invited).

Mom arrives tomorrow, and we’re so excited we could scream. We’ve been cleaning all day - my fingers are permanently pruned and are going to smell like bleach for a long time. It’s 6 o’clock at night and Franklin is still in his pajamas. It’s all worth it though - we love having mom here. It’s just great to have someone around who thinks you’re fantastic, always right, and the most loveable thing on the planet (and she empties the dishwasher every morning). If any of you Israel based ex-pats are in need of a little mothering, feel free to borrow mine, she’s a fantastic rent-a-mom.

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Outside it’s been deeply cold and rainy. The wind over the past few days has been amazing, billowing and gusting, forcing it’s way through the seams of our house. Two days ago we had a freak dust storm - dust in the sky, dust in our noses, dust hitchiking the wind into our house. We’ve even had more than our fair share of hail.

And yet, the almond trees are in full bloom - their blossoms stubbornly clinging to branches whipped into a frenzy by the wind. They are our annual promise that the weather won’t always be like this. It seems like they always bloom during the very worst weather, seemingly way too early. Today, this heart is warmed by their optimism.

Life in Israel, best of | 1 Comment »

By the way, January’s photos are up in the gallery. Enjoy!

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A post from Franklin:

Does God speak to us? How often have we, who believe, asked ourselves this question? I know I have many times.

Today while working at home I was reminded of many blessings that God has given me and I found myself thinking of my parents. A couple who never held anything good from me, and have, to this day, remained faithful and true to each other. Are they perfect? No, but they are my parents and I couldn’t be prouder. So, that brings me back to the question “Does God speak to us?â€? Though I often wonder where God is and why I seem so far away, He came and filled my mind today and spoke to me of things I have long ago forgotten, and I couldn’t help but sing “Thank You.” He reminded me He’s been there all along.

This brings me back to Mom and Dad, because, as I sat there recounting things for which I owe Him the highest praise they kept coming back to my mind. I realized again what a blessing they are to me. I am one who tends to show his love and appreciation by doing, not necessarily expressing verbally how I feel. Separated by many miles, I have fallen down in the “doing�, so I hope you know Mom and Dad, “I love you!�

I liken Mom and Dad to the Sun and the Moon. Forget the greater and lesser for that doesn’t come into play here. Dad is like the Sun, steady, providing warmth and needs of life. Mom is like the moon, when full, causing you to look up and dream, settling the heart after a long tough day, engendering hope for the day to come.

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I was drifting off to sleep just now - warm and cozy in a quiet house, knowing that Franklin won’t be back from his guitar class for a good 2 hours.  I woke up confused by a sudden racket, it took me a long few minutes to understand what was going on.  It was the weather.

It’s been drizzling off and on today, and I’ve seen a few thunder-less lines of lightning.  But a few minutes ago, the sky opened up an unleashed quite a hail storm. The hail wasn’t that big, maybe the size of marbles, but it was really dense.  It seems to have settled into regular thunder and lightning, but I’m out of bed.  I hope Franklin doesn’t have to deal with messy weather on his way home.

Back to bed for me.

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