More Israel... The Temple Mount

I have a few more posts on Israel.  Close to the last day we were there, on Thursday, our group was able to go on top of the Temple Mount.  Apparently no HUC group had been able to go on top before because of higher security.  I was amazed how pretty bare it was on top except for the huge Mosque on top.  It is amazing how the city is so divided in sections and really there are no or few Muslims in the Jewish quarter and no Jews in Muslim quarters.  Here are a few pictures at the top.  I had to be pretty covered to go up to the top.

The Western Wailing Wall from climbing to the Temple Mount

What We Are Doing...

 We have finally made it the week when Daddy comes home!!!  Yippee!  We can hardly wait!  Michael comes home on Friday so a few more days!  So what have we been up to?  Spending time outside washing the cars and playing with Aunt Rachel last week. 

 Having picnics with Cousin Jonathan.  We have 2 new pools and the boys are enjoying time in the pools and the sun!

 And on the 4th of July we went to a parade with the Koesters clan and then went to visit some sweet friends Steve & Stephanie L. that had a huge 4th of July party complete with fireworks.  Jeremiah kept pointing to the fireworks and stayed up way past his bedtime- we didn't leave until 10:30pm.  I guess you figure when you can cross an ocean by yourself with a little one that you can do anything. :)  Maybe.  :)

Dutch Wonderland

While we were with my parents last week, we took a day to go to Dutch Wonderland, a little kiddie amusement park.  We had grown up going here as kids.  Though I admit, it has changed a bit- they still have some of the same things though a bit more modern- antique cars, bumper cars, the slide with the burlap bag, the cow you can milk and the boat ride around the lagoon.  It was fun to take Jeremiah there with his Pop-pop and Mom-mom and kind of my parents to take us there before their big trip to Africa the next day.

Making It...

Jeremiah and I are alive and making it in Daddy's absence- though barely.  :)  The Lord has been so faithful to us in these last weeks to give us grace to recover from sickness when we got home and great family to come around us, make us dinners and spend time with us.  An award winning Aunt Rachel who took Jeremiah overnight last Thursday so I could go out with the girls- Nicole and Sara for a wonderful evening at a hotel!  And Rachel (my sister) who flew back with me on Saturday and stayed until Tuesday and was wonderful help and company.  My sister-in-law who has made us dinner and Michael's parents who have given us dinner too and sweet friends from church taking care of us.  I feel like the Lord has been so gracious to us!  So thank you so much for all your prayers for us during these 3 weeks!  I am excited that a week from tomorrow Michael will be coming home- we are getting closer!  (I am trying to post more pics but my camera will not download them right now.)

Random Thoughts:
1. So we have had only one real mishap this week- I put my cell phone thru the washing machine on Monday and spent the day trying to figure out what to do and how to get a new phone.  Oh my- what impeccable timing! 
2. Around this time of year, July 3, I always stop and think about 3 years ago on July 3 when I was going to the hospital having a D & C and mourning the baby we lost.  Dates like these make us stop and reflect on God's higher ways and workings in our lives and His Sovereign care and rule over all! 
3. And yes, Michael is doing fine.  He found a pottery with a snake on it yesterday which was a big find in the digging world of Dan.  He is tired from the heat and physical work but is really liking it- though I think he will be ready to come home. 
4.  And as my sweet friend Laura has said before absence does make the heart grow fonder in marriage and in parenting as well- I do agree with her that a deep seated gratefulness blossoms in one's absence as I realize all that Michael does to help us around the house and with Jeremiah.  Oh- not to mention he misses his wrestle time- it is just not the same with mom.  :) A daddy has big shoes to fill- Jeremiah is keeping those slippers warm Daddy- we can't wait until you come home soon!

En Gedi

Another unique place we visited was En Gedi.  En Gedi is wear David hid from Saul at one point in his life. It is beautiful cliffs with waterfalls and natural springs- truly an oasis in the dessert.  I think this was one of my favorite plaes in Israel.  We enjoyed being refreshed in its cool waters from the dessert heat. 

On another not, we are persevering here in the States.  The transition has been much rougher than anticipated with some sickness, but thanking God for His sustaining grace to persevere!  This is the longest Michaeland I will be away from each other and I do have to admit in times of weaknes, that his arrival still seems a long way off, but I do know the Lord is teaching me to run to Him more.  It is so easy to run to your husband wth cares and conerns but I am reminded through this that my soul must long for Him alone and be satisfed in Him fully!  The Lord is kind to teach us these things in times when we are weak and needing Him.

Masada

One of my favorite sites on our trip was Masada- a huge fortress built along the Dead Sea in the Judean wilderness- it is amazing!!!  Apparently the Jews used this as a fortress and hid away when the Romans were invading.  When they finally broke into the fortress- they found all but a few women and children dead- they had slain one another saying it would be better than going into captivity.  Their motto- "Masada will never fall again."  Now many of the army come and it is seen as a symbol of Jewish pride.  We took a cable car to the top as it was very hot and we had Jeremiah with us- I really wanted to climb the hour long path up- maybe some day!  :)  Jeremiah was such a trooper hiking around all for 3 hours at the top of the fortress.  The views  from the top- amazing!

Our Group

 Jeremiah loved to visit the shop owners in the marketplace.  This son of a shop owner loved Jeremiah.  He loved to walk him down the street.

 Last Monday we spent the day at the Israel Museum which contained several major artifacts that these grad students loved!  The weird building at the bottom contains the original Dead Sea Scrolls found at Qumrun.  This is a picture of most of our group.

The Longest Day...

Jeremiah and I made it back safe and sound on to American soil.  All I can say is that yesterday was the longest day of my life but God was so faithful.  We woke up at 4am after a pretty restless night for me to head to Tel-Aviv.  Jeremiah and I only had a few meltdowns all day. :)  We waited about 5 hours in the airport before our flight, thankfully we found a play area in the airport, and we rode the moving walkway and then looked at planes. By the time we got on the plane, Jeremiah was so tired he passed out in my arms during take off.  A kind steward gave me a whole bottle of water for the flight. I also met many kind grandma ladies that "adopted" Jeremiah.  There were a few men and ladies on the flight that offered to hold Jeremiah for me.  I sat next to a sweet Jewish couple from Haifa that loved Jeremiah.  They passed him down the aisle on many occasions to help me out.  Everyone mentioned how well Jeremiah did on the flight.  I also met many other families and there were lots of kids on the flight.  He took a nap on takeoff, in the middle of the flight and during landing.  And the rest of the 11 hour and 15 minute flight- we looked at books, ate lunch and dinner.  We walked the aisles a lot and went and looked out the window.  We played with toys and looked at cartoons.  The day did just seem so long and halfway through the flight- I began to feel sick and was running to the bathroom with Jeremiah a lot.  Last night when my parents picked us up- we both were so exhausted- I couldn't wait to get in bed last night and thankfully Jeremiah and I slept great.  I am still recovering some today- I did end up getting sick in the car on the way back last night and this morning just felt very weak and like a truck hit me.  Literally the last hour of the flight, I was praying for grace as I felt so exhausted and felt like I was going to be sick, but praise the Lord he sustained us and gave us strength!  Keep praying for us that we would get adjusted to life back in the states while daddy is in Israel and that I would soon feel better.  Thankfully all is well when you are with Grandma and Aunt Rachel!