On The Sea and the Shores of Galilee

I write this post having seen a number of other places since,

knowing now that it's one of my favorite places.

It was a beautiful Sunday morning, as we headed to church on the boat!

On the path, a local musician was playing Blessed be the Name on his clarinet!

I can't explain the feeling!

Obviously our boat was a lot larger than the one the disciples travelled on with Jesus,

but it was just so surreal, to say it again, 

to be in this place where most of the ministry of Jesus took place.

The captain turned off the engine and it was very quiet on the water as we sang, 

all of us from different parts of the continent.

The Judean hills around us.

It is on this lake that the disciples cried out in fear one night when a storm came up. 

Now the lake does not look like it could get that stormy,

but the Israeli guide told us that because the lake is like a bowl

that heats up, when the winds come it can be prone to sudden violent storms. 

Our message was that, after Jesus asked the disciples why they were afraid

and calmed the storm, they were overwhelmed with a different kind of fear,

asking "Who is this, that even the wind and waves obey Him?"

The storm on the Sea of Galilee is the only seascape ever painted by Rembrandt. It depicts Jesus calming the waves, saving the lives of fourteen men. Why fourteen? It is because Rembrandt included a self portrait (a selfie) of himself on the boat, next to Jesus and his twelve disciples. 

I love that!

The following day, after seeing other places, we came back to the shores of this lake

to a somber teaching about Peter, 

the one who said he'd be willing to die for Jesus, but denied him three times.

It is believed to be on this site that Jesus showed Himself to His disciples after He arose

and three times Jesus asked him if he loved him.

John 21: 17 says that Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?" 

He said, "Lord, You know all things; You know that I love you."

Jesus said, "Feed my sheep."

It was the shore that Jesus had first called him to follow Him,

and now, as He found him fishing again, Jesus gave him another chance.

And Peter never turned back.

He died for his faith. 

These are a couple of the precious lessons we had, not new, 

but impactful as we sat on the boat and on  the shores of Galilee. 

 

Tel Aviv, Jaffa and Caesarea

We flew into Tel Aviv about midnight last Thursday, after approximately  24 hours of travel.

I had not expected at all to get emotional, but as we saw the twinkling lights along the shoreline, 

I was surprised by some unexplainable tears.

The next morning we woke to this gorgeous view of the Mediterranean.

We met our friends, who had flown in a day before, for a walk on the boardwalk 

and lunch on a beach patio. 

In the evening we met the rest of the tour group, mostly people from the USA. 

Our first morning the bus driver took us just a short ways away to Jaffa (Joppa),

a city that is maybe 4,000 years old. 

For us today, it is hard to imagine a city could last that long.

The first story that was brought to our memory was that of Jonah and the whale

as we read it in the book of Jonah. 

It's possibly one of the first Bible stories I ever heard as a child,

never imagining that I'd someday see the port he escaped from.

We walked through the narrow, winding cobbled alleys

adorned with arches and balconies.

The ancient architecture is unbelievable.

Obviously it has been refurbished in many spots, but it is easy to

see the original coming through.

It was on a rooftop in this city, while staying at Simon the Tanner's home,

 that the disciple Peter had a vision

which led him to realize that he had to share the gospel

with more than just the Jewish people.

Our tour guide, an Israeli, not a Christian, led us to this spot.

I find it interesting that he knows the Bible so well, without claiming any kind of faith. 

It just tells me that spiritually he has nothing to prove.

Of course, he said, it may not be the exact spot, 

but stories of any significance to a family tend to be passed down from one generation to the next,

they guard the facts and therefore have merit. 

We stopped for lunch.

It was amazing!

And then we headed to Caesarea by the Sea, the place Peter was called to go in his vision 

to see a Roman centurion named Cornelius, who was waiting for him.

It's a story that changed everything for us as Gentiles

and somehow becomes more real, seeing that these places are actually there. 

Now the house of Cornelius has disappeared  ... 

but the park that has been built around the archeological sites tells quite a story as well.

This city was built by Herod the Great and dedicated to Caesar Augustus,

during the time that Judea was ruled by Rome.

(This explains to me why Cornelius would have lived there)

Today we see glimpses into the kind of entertainment that was enjoyed in their open theatre as well as in the hippodrome, watching chariot races.

all with a gorgeous view of the Mediterranean. 

And just beyond the view of a field of wildflowers, 

are the remains of Herod's palace ...

a small picture of the reality of life. 

"Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away."

Jesus

 

Easter Highlights

Sunday's service, with the reminder that we are not just celebrating the cross 

but more-so the empty tomb, was the best way to begin our day. 

The worship singing was especially meaningful. 

Family came for dinner, happy to see each other after spring break vacations. 

Tehya came a bit early, eager to help.

Evy gave us each a handmade card with a heartfelt message. 

I know that these special mementos have their season, 

so it tears me up. 

Jack still accepts help at the buffet, making sure he's okay with  everything that lands on his plate. 

And how did they all get so big? Three of them (plus the one in Indonesia) showing off braces. 

Tehya and Paeton flip back and forth between being adults or kids. 

It was a wet day, so we decided to hide the baskets in the basement and crawl space,

My H and Tehya had cordoned off the stairs to keep everyone away until it was time.

Teddy volunteered to do the ribbon cutting,

saying, "I've wanted to do this for my whole life!"

There were some really good hiding spots, so good that clues were necessary!

One of our neighbors gave us an amp with a mic that they did not need anymore. 

It was just what some of the girls needed for their creative outlet,

while the boys played hockey in the crawl space and later sat in the hot tub to chill. 

Jack is always right there with the big boys. 

For Faspa the girls brought together charcuterie style food ...

and of course, there was the Paska station where everyone added extra icing and sprinkles. 

In a few days my H and I are heading to Israel, a dream come true for him!

We will see the places that take us back to Bible times,

to see and experience the places where Jesus walked. 

I hope to post some highlightes of our time as we go. 

 

Shopping my Closet

 

The wonderful thing about living with seasons is that we get to switch out our wardrobe every 6 months or so. Or am I the only one who can hardly wait for the change?

One morning I decided this is it. I have to see what my options are. I was not planning on a post. This is just an exercise that helps me not to stand in my closet and say I have nothing to wear. If I take pictures, it helps me realize, that I have options. 

So, when I looked at these, I realized that I could share another "9 pieces / 9ways"... for old times sake. Please don't roll your eyes. The only thing to make this combo 9 pieces, is that I would have to switch out the goldish t-shirt for the pink and not wear the blue hoody under the jean jacket. But, all in all, this is a little taste of variety that, as you can see, could be mixed up even more. This includes an outfit for travel, casual cream colored jeans, no wrinkle palazzo pants,  and a skirt that is handwashable/no iron. Packing to go to a warm place, I could add a sundress and a pair of jean shorts. 

Only God

 I can't help but look at this as a miracle.

Tiny shoots, perfectly shaped like rosebuds.

New life, and so beautiful!

Nature shows us who God is,

by creating life out of death. 

God's word tells us that, although we will die,

if we believe in Him, we will pass from death to life.

John 5:25

Simple theology, I can believe 

because God has proven His power over death,

not only in nature, but by raising Jesus.

Renowned singer, Andrea Bocelli,

shared in an interview that the reason he believes in God

is because he cannot attribute the miracle of life to chance.

This is what I see when I look at my beautiful sedum springing forth

or remember the joy of holding a newborn baby.

Life is a miracle,  the hand of God.

"Our Lord has written the promise of the resurrection, not only in books alone,

but in every leaf in the spring-time." ~ Marting Luther

Marching On

And so quickly it's time to celebrate another run of birthdays!

You know that I love the sense of anticipation while setting tables!

We met at the bowling alley and formed our teams.

Here we have the Go Pros!

Shaun and Ben both have birthdays this month. 

Papa with the girls named their team "Pickle Bros" (Go figure!)

The birthday girl in this group being Natalie.

And me with the boys ... "the Strikers"

(which in reality did not describe us well)

The birthday boy is Landon.

After bowling, pizza and cake was the perfect reward for all! 

I love the interaction happening here.

When Natalie was little she often talked about her desire when she grows up, to be a princess.

Well, at 17, she's almost grown up and we can easily see her as being just that. 

Meanwhile, I have to insert a photo of our pretty birthday girl in Indonesia,

who turned 15 this week. She looks like she's in a movie! 

And zooming back home, Landon blowing out 15 candles as well.

He was born on March 17th - in case you are wondering about the bowtie. 

He grows every time I look away! Seriously, quite handsome too! 

I didn't get a photo of Shaun with a cake, but we didn't miss singing for him. =)

Now ... the one that has an extra tug at my heartstrings!

I think back to this day, 

March 3, 1983, when we welcomed our baby boy into our family,

and my heart just swells with joy at remembering the surprise and excitement all around.

I thought life with girls was perfect, but I didn't know it could get even better

experiencing life from a boy's perspective,

the curiosity, enthusiasm and taking risks.

I learned to love things, because he did. 

It was like observing a shadow of his daddy

and watching him grow.

So, with all of that in the distant past now,

 it is still hard to believe how days and seasons have flown by.

Ben, on this special day we give thanks for the memories

and for all that you are today,

a protector and lover of your family,

sensitive yet strong, and honoring  God with your life. 

May He shine His face on you and

protect and bless you as you enter a new decade. 

Love, Mom and Dad