So, I started learning the alphabet yesterday. To me, is seems like I'm still making a lot of weird smiley faces. Give it a few weeks, I'm sure it will start looking less like smiley faces. Wish me luck!
6.12.2017
A Bunch of Smilies?
I will start learning Arabic in just over two weeks!!! I've been wanting to learn this language for over 10 years. I have three family members who already speak Arabic and I am keen to join their ranks.
So, I started learning the alphabet yesterday. To me, is seems like I'm still making a lot of weird smiley faces. Give it a few weeks, I'm sure it will start looking less like smiley faces. Wish me luck!
So, I started learning the alphabet yesterday. To me, is seems like I'm still making a lot of weird smiley faces. Give it a few weeks, I'm sure it will start looking less like smiley faces. Wish me luck!
6.05.2017
Happy Shavuot!
Shavuot is the Jewish holiday that comes 50 days after Passover. In the Christian tradition Shavuot is known as Pentecost.
The 50 days between Passover and Shavuot is the timeframe in which crops are most vulnerable. If they are not harmed by too much rain or too much heat during these 50 days, then the harvest will be a success.
Well, it was a successful 50 days. We've got some figs and apricots in our backyard which we are looking forward to eating!
Happy Shavuot and may God bless all of your harvests as well!
(It's traditional to make a flowered wreath during Shavuot. So, when in Rome...er, Israel)
The 50 days between Passover and Shavuot is the timeframe in which crops are most vulnerable. If they are not harmed by too much rain or too much heat during these 50 days, then the harvest will be a success.
Well, it was a successful 50 days. We've got some figs and apricots in our backyard which we are looking forward to eating!
Happy Shavuot and may God bless all of your harvests as well!
(It's traditional to make a flowered wreath during Shavuot. So, when in Rome...er, Israel)
5.29.2017
Joppa - Not Just Southern Tel Aviv
I went to Joppa last week, which is the city exactly south of Tel Aviv. I'm moving to Tel Aviv in 4 weeks, so it was nice to get another view of where I'll be living:
Joppa also happens to be one of the oldest (if not the oldest) continuously populated city in the world. There is evidence of many different kingdoms ruling over Joppa, including an Egyptian arch. Joppa is the port city from which Jonah tried to flee to Tarshish. Peter was in Joppa when he had a vision of a sheet descending from heaven full of animals.
So, it is kind of a historical city - as these guys like to point out.
It's also a nice city in which one can enjoy tamarind juice (a drink introduced during the Ottoman Empire) and waves (a joy introduced by God that has been delighting and soaking people since forever).
Joppa also happens to be one of the oldest (if not the oldest) continuously populated city in the world. There is evidence of many different kingdoms ruling over Joppa, including an Egyptian arch. Joppa is the port city from which Jonah tried to flee to Tarshish. Peter was in Joppa when he had a vision of a sheet descending from heaven full of animals.
So, it is kind of a historical city - as these guys like to point out.
It's also a nice city in which one can enjoy tamarind juice (a drink introduced during the Ottoman Empire) and waves (a joy introduced by God that has been delighting and soaking people since forever).
5.22.2017
Hezekiah's Tunnel
Last week I got to walk through a 533-meter-long, nearly 3000-year-old, tunnel; Hezekiah's tunnel.
It is believed that this tunnel is the one mentioned in 2 Chronicles 32:2-4 and 2 Kings 20:20. Diggers (probably using stone tools) started digging from either side. Miraculously, and truly it is a miracle, they met in the middle. They still can't really explain how they were able to meet in the middle instead of missing each other.
When I lived here before I never visited this tunnel. I was admonished by my dad afterwards because this was one of his favorite attractions in Israel. So, to make up for my oversight years ago, I went twice in one week. I went once on an official tour so that I could learn about it.
It is believed that this tunnel is the one mentioned in 2 Chronicles 32:2-4 and 2 Kings 20:20. Diggers (probably using stone tools) started digging from either side. Miraculously, and truly it is a miracle, they met in the middle. They still can't really explain how they were able to meet in the middle instead of missing each other.
When I lived here before I never visited this tunnel. I was admonished by my dad afterwards because this was one of his favorite attractions in Israel. So, to make up for my oversight years ago, I went twice in one week. I went once on an official tour so that I could learn about it.
Then a few days later I went with the family that I'm staying with and acted as tour guide for them!
There were some nerves at first but everyone really enjoyed it in the end!
5.15.2017
Father Benjamin?
If someone were to describe my family they would likely mention our love for these two things: Israel and wolves.
Even as adults all of us kids feel a close tie to Israel and wolves. Three of my siblings even have part wolves as pets.
Since being in Israel these last several months I've discovered that the tribe of Benjamin can be represented by a wolf!
This has led me to the conclusion that my family is very possibly descended from Benjamin. The love of wolves and the land of Israel has been passed down from generation to generation in our DNA! (or at least, I kind of hope that this is the case...)
Even as adults all of us kids feel a close tie to Israel and wolves. Three of my siblings even have part wolves as pets.
Since being in Israel these last several months I've discovered that the tribe of Benjamin can be represented by a wolf!
This has led me to the conclusion that my family is very possibly descended from Benjamin. The love of wolves and the land of Israel has been passed down from generation to generation in our DNA! (or at least, I kind of hope that this is the case...)
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