Back in Israel

Well, I'm back, settled in, and all unpacked now that both bags have finally arrived (one decided to take its own vacation in London for a couple days!). Life has returned to its busy schedule and quickly passing days. On Wed, the day after I got back, I took a train into Tel Aviv to meet my aunt and uncle for lunch. They were heading into Jerusalem later that afternoon, and I was thrilled at the opportunity to see them. It was a beautiful day to walk through Tel Aviv to Cafe Matsada where I don't think any of us finished the huge portions of delicious food that were given to us. After lunch, we collected their bags and headed to the train station. I headed north to Hertzliyya and they took a train east to Jerusalem.


Saturday, the healthy Dukes(there has been a lot of sickness going around the community this winter!) and I went to church and worshipped with the believers at Grace and Truth. It was wonderful to see all of them again and to catch up on how they had been the last month and a half. I was excited to be able to say hi to them in Hebrew, and I even managed a few verbs in past tense! My success wasn't without its sobering reminders of how much I still have to learn. By mixing up an ending on one of my words, I think I told one of my friends, "It's good to see me," instead of "It's good to see you"! Will I ever get this right?!


Thank you all so much for your prayers. My trip went well, and I'm glad to have it behind me. I love you all and thank God that He has given me the privilege of knowing each one of you.

Voila!

Our new home-improvement project is finished! (almost) Kait had picked out the countertop, cabinets, and floor that would replace the yellow tinged floor and counter that had come with the house. (The picture doesn't really capture the yellow effect!) The new pieces had been waiting in the garage until we could cut out the old and bring in the new. There were a few bumps along the way like a vanity that was too short and a countertop that was too long. Power tools are very cool and wonderful things, and Dad fixed any problems that we had.

We didn't attempt to do the floor ourselves. Replacing and plumbing was enough for us. After we got the bathroom put together the way we wanted it, we called the floor guys and within a week, they had us taken care of. Now all that remains is cutting and replacing one floor board and a little touch up paint.

Tamar's Wedding Reception

Last week, I was able to introduce my family to my pastor from Israel and his family. I was going to do the introduction in Hebrew but chickened out! Tamar, my Israeli pastor's youngest daughter, just got married and moved to her husband's home in Washington. Pictures of the bride and groom and their wedding are posted in an entry a couple before this one. Marcus and Tamar's church family threw them a wedding shower Jan 3, and her parents and sister were all here to celebrate with her.

It was fun to see them in the NW and to be able to introduce them to my family. They showed clips of the wedding video and had a photo album of the wedding. The photo album even opened backwards, just like a Hebrew book, with the "getting ready" pictures just inside the back cover. These pictures are of Dad talking with Bracha and of Mom, Annette, and Kait laughing with Shlomite.