SHALOM
We're 3 weeks into this crazy adventure of living in Israel! As in any move whether that's down the street or over the ocean - you just never know what to expect! We've taken the "unexpecteds" in stride and we're well on our feet now.
We've covered well over 60 miles on foot (pushing a double stroller) since we arrived. Included in that was 4 airports - Fresno, Dallas, Frankfurt & Tel Aviv & 35 hours of travel. We arrived to an apartment that was filthy dirty from top to bottom so for the first 6 days John and I scrubbed every inch of this apartment-sometimes 6 hours a day. It is now clean & liveable!
So 3 weeks later, where are we at? We've figured out how to set up life in Israel but we haven't learned Hebrew...yet. We're trying! Jack will be passing us up quick as he's enrolled in an all Hebrew preschool!
So much to say! These weeks have had their peaks and valleys but God has been faithful - with His provision, His love, His guiding us to encouraging Scriptures and caring for our little family in more ways than we could ever imagine.
Israel is our new home & we welcome you to come and visit!
I would love to be friends on Facebook - I post regularly on there with pictures of everyday life. I too, would love to see your life!
In no particular order, here are some pictures:
Our apartment building - we're on the 3rd floor of 3 story building.
Jack on his first day of gan (preschool). It's all in Hebrew so he'll be immersed & should learn to understand & speak within 6 months!
Violet at her favorite place - the beach! Tel Aviv, Israel.
Beach-combing with Violet - sea glass everywhere! It was the best! Although Violet prefers to pick up rocks. She developed an eye for the sea glass after awhile & we were on our way to filling up a jar!
Or...Bethlehem...means Place of Bread. (a street near our house - we live nowhere near actual Bethlehem). Fitting that the "Bread of Life" would come from here.
John 6:48
A large Jewish cemetery - facing east to be the first to be raised by the Messiah as He will come from the east.
Our family in Joppa (Jaffa) -quite interesting to read about:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaffa
Violet waiting for Jack to run into the frame...so they could continue on in their RUNNING through Joppa!!
Life happens everywhere, even in picturesque Israel (Old City). Looks like congratulations are in order, looks like it's a girl!
Menorahs for sale in the Old City near the Jaffa Gate.
Jack with his colorful drawing of "Nextiba" - his imaginary place that is "happy", "has light houses" and he's "a harvester" there. Hmmm, the mind of a child!
Dinner with new friends! The Bylstra's (Keith & Laura) invited us over for pizza! They have a little 3 year old girl, Maryann who was & will be a wonderful friend to Jack & Violet - they played together so well (making forts & wrestling after only an hour together)! Also pictured is Matt & Jeanette Smith who are also studying at JUC this year. And the Blystra's other roommate, Emily, in her 3rd year at JUC. Such hospitality! (L to R-Matt, Jeanette, Keith, Laura, Emily & John).
Picturesque old postcards in a display case down one of the quaint walkways in Joppa.
Since we have no yard whatsoever and Jack who would live outside if we let him - we had to bring the outside in. So we hauled sand from Tel Aviv all the way home...and he's been a happy camper ever since!
A falafel pita - the most delicious thing ever (aside from schwarma)...falafel balls, hummus, spicy sauce, onions, tomatoes, cucumbers, shredded cabbage (like coleslaw almost) & pickles. It's so good! Come visit, we'll treat you to one!
A brightly colored board advertising all the events happening in the city - it's fun to live in a big city again! Jerusalem always has something going on. Air Supply is playing tonight...if only we had a babysitter!
Our bathtub(s)!! It's amazing how hard these two can laugh while taking a bath! It's like an event during the day! And yes, water goes everywhere! If only I could fit in one...
Violet in the morning - in her little chair by the window waiting for her egg or oatmeal with her blankie.
*Watching Shalom Sesame (Israeli Sesame Street) The Count started counting in Hebrew, "Echad (1)!" and Violet shouted, "Schtayim (2)!"...I guess it's true when they say kids catch on to language quickly!
Just a pretty view walking around the Old City (25 minute walk from our house).
At the Western Wall. The kids have been troopers - we're always out looking at something!
The new spin on the university sweatshirt! Yarmulka!
Walking up the path from John's school - JUC (http://www.juc.edu/).
As long as we stick together & stick close to God - we can do anything!
"Team Witty!" as Jack would say!
Lots of love!
John & Laurie, Jack & Violet.
We've covered well over 60 miles on foot (pushing a double stroller) since we arrived. Included in that was 4 airports - Fresno, Dallas, Frankfurt & Tel Aviv & 35 hours of travel. We arrived to an apartment that was filthy dirty from top to bottom so for the first 6 days John and I scrubbed every inch of this apartment-sometimes 6 hours a day. It is now clean & liveable!
So 3 weeks later, where are we at? We've figured out how to set up life in Israel but we haven't learned Hebrew...yet. We're trying! Jack will be passing us up quick as he's enrolled in an all Hebrew preschool!
So much to say! These weeks have had their peaks and valleys but God has been faithful - with His provision, His love, His guiding us to encouraging Scriptures and caring for our little family in more ways than we could ever imagine.
Israel is our new home & we welcome you to come and visit!
I would love to be friends on Facebook - I post regularly on there with pictures of everyday life. I too, would love to see your life!
In no particular order, here are some pictures:
Our apartment building - we're on the 3rd floor of 3 story building.
Jack on his first day of gan (preschool). It's all in Hebrew so he'll be immersed & should learn to understand & speak within 6 months!
Violet at her favorite place - the beach! Tel Aviv, Israel.
Beach-combing with Violet - sea glass everywhere! It was the best! Although Violet prefers to pick up rocks. She developed an eye for the sea glass after awhile & we were on our way to filling up a jar!
Or...Bethlehem...means Place of Bread. (a street near our house - we live nowhere near actual Bethlehem). Fitting that the "Bread of Life" would come from here.
John 6:48
A large Jewish cemetery - facing east to be the first to be raised by the Messiah as He will come from the east.
Our family in Joppa (Jaffa) -quite interesting to read about:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaffa
Violet waiting for Jack to run into the frame...so they could continue on in their RUNNING through Joppa!!
Life happens everywhere, even in picturesque Israel (Old City). Looks like congratulations are in order, looks like it's a girl!
Menorahs for sale in the Old City near the Jaffa Gate.
Jack with his colorful drawing of "Nextiba" - his imaginary place that is "happy", "has light houses" and he's "a harvester" there. Hmmm, the mind of a child!
Dinner with new friends! The Bylstra's (Keith & Laura) invited us over for pizza! They have a little 3 year old girl, Maryann who was & will be a wonderful friend to Jack & Violet - they played together so well (making forts & wrestling after only an hour together)! Also pictured is Matt & Jeanette Smith who are also studying at JUC this year. And the Blystra's other roommate, Emily, in her 3rd year at JUC. Such hospitality! (L to R-Matt, Jeanette, Keith, Laura, Emily & John).
Picturesque old postcards in a display case down one of the quaint walkways in Joppa.
Since we have no yard whatsoever and Jack who would live outside if we let him - we had to bring the outside in. So we hauled sand from Tel Aviv all the way home...and he's been a happy camper ever since!
A falafel pita - the most delicious thing ever (aside from schwarma)...falafel balls, hummus, spicy sauce, onions, tomatoes, cucumbers, shredded cabbage (like coleslaw almost) & pickles. It's so good! Come visit, we'll treat you to one!
A brightly colored board advertising all the events happening in the city - it's fun to live in a big city again! Jerusalem always has something going on. Air Supply is playing tonight...if only we had a babysitter!
Our bathtub(s)!! It's amazing how hard these two can laugh while taking a bath! It's like an event during the day! And yes, water goes everywhere! If only I could fit in one...
Violet in the morning - in her little chair by the window waiting for her egg or oatmeal with her blankie.
*Watching Shalom Sesame (Israeli Sesame Street) The Count started counting in Hebrew, "Echad (1)!" and Violet shouted, "Schtayim (2)!"...I guess it's true when they say kids catch on to language quickly!
Just a pretty view walking around the Old City (25 minute walk from our house).
At the Western Wall. The kids have been troopers - we're always out looking at something!
The new spin on the university sweatshirt! Yarmulka!
Walking up the path from John's school - JUC (http://www.juc.edu/).
As long as we stick together & stick close to God - we can do anything!
"Team Witty!" as Jack would say!
Lots of love!
John & Laurie, Jack & Violet.
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