David's DI Team (click here--Destination Imagination-- to find out more) made it to the state finals again this year. He LOVES it and so do we. Next season, I am really hoping that I can run a team with Elijah and Ann on it too, I just need to figure out the participation rules. It is an awesome program that implements so many different learning styles and teaches teamwork, creativity, critical thinking, smart-spontaneity, etc.
Last night I took Elijah to see "How To Tame A Dragon". We had such a good time together, sharing popcorn and whispering during the movie. Elijah wanted to know what Cinemas meant, so he went around asking the employees until they could give him an answer. One finally told him it meant "theaters", but when we got home and looked it up in the dictionary, the technical term is a film or movie. Hmmmm. Afterwards we puttered around Kmart, which made us covet toys, when what we really needed was shirts. He picked out one for David and one for himself (only 4$ each, score!) and I got a new button-up shirt (pink of course).
Enjoying a day at home today. Catching up on housework, planning to put Mary Poppins on for the kids, and looking for a recipe to use up the gobs of instant oatmeal that Paul bought. Can you make granola with instant oatmeal? I'll soon find out. I will post a recipe for regular oatmeal that you bake and is soooo yummy in our tummy.
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Some Snippets and Words for Marriage
I do NOT know how to do half-way! In fact that's why I'm having a hard time blogging lately. There is so much more I want to share, but can't, or shouldn't, or I don't have my act together, like on my Israel pictures, and can't share that either. Ugh! Fruuuuustrating! Not that I have any mysterious secrets or anything, just stuff that I know is not for "blog land". Then I wonder... am I still being real and honest if I'm not laying it all out there? Thus my over-explaining habit.
So
instead
some
snippets
from the last couple of weeks.
The things I don't want to forget (or maybe I do!)
We spent a lot of extra time at the Church last week. The kids love playing hide-n-go-seek in our building because it has so many nooks and crannies. So, I'm in the Chapel working with a group of people, the front doors are locked and my kids are going crazy hiding and seeking. All of a sudden I hear screaming and crying and here comes Hannah, hands down her pants, yelling "I hurt my v****a!" over and over again. Oh my.
At a Lion's Club meeting, Paul and I were sitting together with Mary. One of the old friendly guys comes up to Paul to say "Wow, did you have another baby?" (We only go a couple times a year) "Don't you know what causes that?" he says. (Like we haven't heard that question a MILLION times!) Pauls says "Nope, all I know is I go to bed at night and wake up with a smile on my face in the morning". They laughed so hard, I was looking to crawl under the table.
We had some excitement a few days ago when an animal got into our garbage that was out on the curb. Paul: likes to put it out 2 days early. Me: I like to run like a mad woman chasing down the garbage man as he drives past our house. I'm only in charge when Paul's not here.
When we woke up on Wednesday morning, the garbage was knocked over and there were dirty diapers, meat wrappers, toys and art papers strewn all over the street. There was no way we could pretend it wasn't us. The boys went to help some, the girls watched, and they were all complaining about the stuff they saw that I had thrown away (I played stupid... who me??). Hannah was convinced a T-Rex got into it. Ann was worried about the mess. I knew my coffee was getting cold. The boys worked on it until it was time to go to school. They are such great little guys. Paul cleaned up the rest, but we saved the stirofoam meat wrappers because it had big bite marks and teeth prints in it. Very cool for us to study and try to figure out what kind of animal it was. After some research, we concluded it was a skunk. Except for Hannh who still insists it was a T-Rex.
For Sunbeams, Girl Guards and Moonbeams last night (Youth Activities) we did Pedicures. It was so much fun! I was so glad to have 4 other adult helpers between 18 children. Paul did Adventure Corps with the boys (I think about 10) and they are engineering/building with popsicle sticks and hot glue. I really, really, really love my "job"!
And now... a thought...
At CBS (Community Bible Study) this morning, I was given a prophetic word that convicted me and encouraged me to more diligently care for my husband and children before all others. I know from experience that when I am putting my energy into my family, it naturally spills over into my ministry and it is a beautiful flow. And like I like to remind my darling hubby... and he tells me too... when I am caring for him, I am helping him be a better Officer(Minister). We may not get any credit from our "powers that be" for that, but that doesn't make it any less important. It just makes it more special because it's the stuff that only God sees and the one person that we are closest to in all the earth, our hubbies.
Thank you, Lord, for marriage!
So
instead
some
snippets
from the last couple of weeks.
The things I don't want to forget (or maybe I do!)
We spent a lot of extra time at the Church last week. The kids love playing hide-n-go-seek in our building because it has so many nooks and crannies. So, I'm in the Chapel working with a group of people, the front doors are locked and my kids are going crazy hiding and seeking. All of a sudden I hear screaming and crying and here comes Hannah, hands down her pants, yelling "I hurt my v****a!" over and over again. Oh my.
At a Lion's Club meeting, Paul and I were sitting together with Mary. One of the old friendly guys comes up to Paul to say "Wow, did you have another baby?" (We only go a couple times a year) "Don't you know what causes that?" he says. (Like we haven't heard that question a MILLION times!) Pauls says "Nope, all I know is I go to bed at night and wake up with a smile on my face in the morning". They laughed so hard, I was looking to crawl under the table.
We had some excitement a few days ago when an animal got into our garbage that was out on the curb. Paul: likes to put it out 2 days early. Me: I like to run like a mad woman chasing down the garbage man as he drives past our house. I'm only in charge when Paul's not here.
When we woke up on Wednesday morning, the garbage was knocked over and there were dirty diapers, meat wrappers, toys and art papers strewn all over the street. There was no way we could pretend it wasn't us. The boys went to help some, the girls watched, and they were all complaining about the stuff they saw that I had thrown away (I played stupid... who me??). Hannah was convinced a T-Rex got into it. Ann was worried about the mess. I knew my coffee was getting cold. The boys worked on it until it was time to go to school. They are such great little guys. Paul cleaned up the rest, but we saved the stirofoam meat wrappers because it had big bite marks and teeth prints in it. Very cool for us to study and try to figure out what kind of animal it was. After some research, we concluded it was a skunk. Except for Hannh who still insists it was a T-Rex.
For Sunbeams, Girl Guards and Moonbeams last night (Youth Activities) we did Pedicures. It was so much fun! I was so glad to have 4 other adult helpers between 18 children. Paul did Adventure Corps with the boys (I think about 10) and they are engineering/building with popsicle sticks and hot glue. I really, really, really love my "job"!
And now... a thought...
At CBS (Community Bible Study) this morning, I was given a prophetic word that convicted me and encouraged me to more diligently care for my husband and children before all others. I know from experience that when I am putting my energy into my family, it naturally spills over into my ministry and it is a beautiful flow. And like I like to remind my darling hubby... and he tells me too... when I am caring for him, I am helping him be a better Officer(Minister). We may not get any credit from our "powers that be" for that, but that doesn't make it any less important. It just makes it more special because it's the stuff that only God sees and the one person that we are closest to in all the earth, our hubbies.
When I have it backwards, I am not at peace and we all suffer. I have had it backwards the last 2 weeks, because of the demands of the moment that I had little control over. I thank God for His filling-in-the-blanks and my happy, flexible children, but my hubby needs more of me.
It is time to reign it in again! Watch out!
I am passing this on to my readers because I know how great the struggle can be between honoring and blossoming in our God given roles as women and honoring our God given "addendum" roles as Salvation Army Officers, or your "fill in the blank" ministry, a. k.a. job. (for some women, the ministry is to work outside the home in order to bring in some extra bacon that you otherwise couldn't survive without) What I'm saying is... pay attention to your marriage. Do whatever it takes to form it into "one flesh". Be of one mind, be a team, be entirely each other's. This is the one human relationship that requires all of you, all the time. Fruitful marriages come second only to creation. It was God's first intention of mankind relating to each other. And the Lord God said, it is not good that the man should be alone,
I will make him an help meet for him.
I will make him an help meet for him.
-Genesis 2:18
Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife:
and they shall be one flesh.
-Genesis 2:24
and a quote I like...
and a quote I like...
Man's best possession is a sympathetic wife.
--Euripedes Antigone
Thank you, Lord, for marriage!
Monday, April 5, 2010
Our Goings On
I haven't been so much in the mood for blogging lately. In fact, I haven't even been on the 'puter much.
We finished up hosting our week-long Cadets last night. Very busy, lots of work, but all very well worth it. They were each such a blessing to our Corps(church). Most of them stayed with our fabulous Advisory Board members. The kids (and Paul and I too!) were exhausted every night- just the way I like it. Smile. We had a week of VeBS, Public Relations, Church Services, Fellowship Programs, Community Care Ministries, etc. I fed them all lunch and dinner every day. I sure don't know how the Duggars do it! I was only planning, shopping, preparing, cooking for 17 people for 2 meals a day. There are 21 Duggars!
We had a lovely Easter that started at 5:30am and ended at 7:00pm. The kids each got an Easter basket from the Bunny and we shared the Risen Gospel before we headed to the Corps at 7:00am. We enrolled 2 Cradle Roll Babies, 3 Jr. Soldier Children, and 5 Adherent (Adult Members) at church. I LOVE our Church!!! We took the Cadets to Casa El Mirador for lunch after the Services, but before the 2 afternoon services at the nursing homes. There were 7 Cadets and 3 accompanying Officers. There were 7 Chouinards. We could've been our own Brigade. I LOOOVE having a big family, (even if I do get shy and about it.)
David started Baseball season. He has also been building amazing electrical things in his free time. He is such an engineer. He is so smart, I'm concerned that things just come to easy for him and he won't be ready for the day a real challenge comes his way. He is really enjoying playing with Mary lately too and is a good brother and son.
Elijah has been doing more at the Church, leading Sunday School Assembly is his heart's desire right now. At school, he whips through his schoolwork and spends lots of his time in other classsrooms tutoring the other children. He even goes to the 3rd grade class (he's in 2nd) to help. That's all well and good, but not enough in my book. He is so ambitious to learn, just like his brother, and I don't want that wasted, and that concerns me too. He is a passionate little guy.
Ann is learning how to read. I'm teaching her phonics, math concepts, and how to tell time. Aunt Kathleen taught her how to spell "two" and "three" while we were gone and I find it written all over the house. Ann goes to dance still and is practicing for her June recital. She is always singing Jesus songs, in fact the other night I had to tell her to go to sleep because she wouldn't stop singing. She is a sweetheart!
Hannah is practicing her free will. She is testing her boundaries, but nothing too bad other than spraying Mary in the face with our hair-water-sprayer. (I sprayed her in the face to see how she likes it- and she laughed like crazy! So she had to put her nose on the wall-of-shame and she cried her head off) That's just our Hannah girl. She's a spunky one and I love every bit of it. What would my world be without her! I ditched her on Paul yesterday for our Church service at the Veteran's Home while I went to Columbia Basin because I just thought 4 children for me is equal to one Hannah with Paul. Ha!ha!ha!
Mary is standing and.... bouncing! She walks all over hanging on to stuff with one hand, but when we all get around her to encourage her to walk, she just stands there, hands up in the air, and bends her knees up and down laughing her head off (because we are too). Over the last week, she started pushing herself up to stand (and bounce), but she hasn't figured out that she could let go of the furniture to stand too. She says "Mooooom" (cuz the other kids do), and "Da" and "By-By" and points like crazy to stuff she wants.
Thank you, Lord, for LIFE!
Lots of real life stuff to do that I enjoy far more than computing.
We finished up hosting our week-long Cadets last night. Very busy, lots of work, but all very well worth it. They were each such a blessing to our Corps(church). Most of them stayed with our fabulous Advisory Board members. The kids (and Paul and I too!) were exhausted every night- just the way I like it. Smile. We had a week of VeBS, Public Relations, Church Services, Fellowship Programs, Community Care Ministries, etc. I fed them all lunch and dinner every day. I sure don't know how the Duggars do it! I was only planning, shopping, preparing, cooking for 17 people for 2 meals a day. There are 21 Duggars!
We had a lovely Easter that started at 5:30am and ended at 7:00pm. The kids each got an Easter basket from the Bunny and we shared the Risen Gospel before we headed to the Corps at 7:00am. We enrolled 2 Cradle Roll Babies, 3 Jr. Soldier Children, and 5 Adherent (Adult Members) at church. I LOVE our Church!!! We took the Cadets to Casa El Mirador for lunch after the Services, but before the 2 afternoon services at the nursing homes. There were 7 Cadets and 3 accompanying Officers. There were 7 Chouinards. We could've been our own Brigade. I LOOOVE having a big family, (even if I do get shy and about it.)
David started Baseball season. He has also been building amazing electrical things in his free time. He is such an engineer. He is so smart, I'm concerned that things just come to easy for him and he won't be ready for the day a real challenge comes his way. He is really enjoying playing with Mary lately too and is a good brother and son.
Elijah has been doing more at the Church, leading Sunday School Assembly is his heart's desire right now. At school, he whips through his schoolwork and spends lots of his time in other classsrooms tutoring the other children. He even goes to the 3rd grade class (he's in 2nd) to help. That's all well and good, but not enough in my book. He is so ambitious to learn, just like his brother, and I don't want that wasted, and that concerns me too. He is a passionate little guy.
Ann is learning how to read. I'm teaching her phonics, math concepts, and how to tell time. Aunt Kathleen taught her how to spell "two" and "three" while we were gone and I find it written all over the house. Ann goes to dance still and is practicing for her June recital. She is always singing Jesus songs, in fact the other night I had to tell her to go to sleep because she wouldn't stop singing. She is a sweetheart!
Hannah is practicing her free will. She is testing her boundaries, but nothing too bad other than spraying Mary in the face with our hair-water-sprayer. (I sprayed her in the face to see how she likes it- and she laughed like crazy! So she had to put her nose on the wall-of-shame and she cried her head off) That's just our Hannah girl. She's a spunky one and I love every bit of it. What would my world be without her! I ditched her on Paul yesterday for our Church service at the Veteran's Home while I went to Columbia Basin because I just thought 4 children for me is equal to one Hannah with Paul. Ha!ha!ha!
Mary is standing and.... bouncing! She walks all over hanging on to stuff with one hand, but when we all get around her to encourage her to walk, she just stands there, hands up in the air, and bends her knees up and down laughing her head off (because we are too). Over the last week, she started pushing herself up to stand (and bounce), but she hasn't figured out that she could let go of the furniture to stand too. She says "Mooooom" (cuz the other kids do), and "Da" and "By-By" and points like crazy to stuff she wants.
Thank you, Lord, for LIFE!
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
We're back from our trip to Israel and Jordon. I hit the ground running (after getting over my nausea-jet-lag-spell that lasted about a day). I am getting ready for our Cadets (seminary students) that are coming to the Corps (church) next Monday. It has become more than just a Corps event, but a family event too because the kids are so excited also! Besides that, catching up on several things at home and the Corps. Whew!
BUT.... with all that, I have a newfound peace admist it all. I think it comes from the realization of just how insignificant I am in this world. I know I'm important to a handful of people, but other than that, the only one who really makes a difference in this world is God. Even anything that I could claim, comes from Him.
We had such an amazing trip. It has really made an impact on me. All of these things affected me: group dynamics, second honeymoon with Paul, "legalism" issues, culture and attitudes of all the people we came in contact with, Muslim and Jewish religions, history, places, new knowledge, fresh understandings and soooooo much more.
I am so thankful for getting to go. The kids had a wonderful time with their Aunt and Cousin. I am still hearing about all of their fun and experiences. I am also feeling especially blessed to be able to better explain and teach about Jesus to my children. They have such an appetite to learn everything I did. They are loving hearing about our experiences such as hiking up to place that John the Baptist was beheaded and why he was beheaded. And about my baptism in the Jordan River (they have watched it like 10 times!) And about Masada and the Sea of Galilee and about the Muslims in Jordan and how they're not all terrorists.
Paul and I are still sorting out all of our pictures and video and souvenirs. I do still plan to post about some of these. I am just finding it so hard to put such an amazing experience into words.
BUT.... with all that, I have a newfound peace admist it all. I think it comes from the realization of just how insignificant I am in this world. I know I'm important to a handful of people, but other than that, the only one who really makes a difference in this world is God. Even anything that I could claim, comes from Him.
We had such an amazing trip. It has really made an impact on me. All of these things affected me: group dynamics, second honeymoon with Paul, "legalism" issues, culture and attitudes of all the people we came in contact with, Muslim and Jewish religions, history, places, new knowledge, fresh understandings and soooooo much more.
I am so thankful for getting to go. The kids had a wonderful time with their Aunt and Cousin. I am still hearing about all of their fun and experiences. I am also feeling especially blessed to be able to better explain and teach about Jesus to my children. They have such an appetite to learn everything I did. They are loving hearing about our experiences such as hiking up to place that John the Baptist was beheaded and why he was beheaded. And about my baptism in the Jordan River (they have watched it like 10 times!) And about Masada and the Sea of Galilee and about the Muslims in Jordan and how they're not all terrorists.
Paul and I are still sorting out all of our pictures and video and souvenirs. I do still plan to post about some of these. I am just finding it so hard to put such an amazing experience into words.
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Our Journey to the Center of the Earth- Israel
Tuesday, March 2- Depart Los Angeles for Frankfurt.
Wednesday, March 3- Depart Frankfurt, Germany for Tel Aviv, Israel. Meet our Israeli tour guide. Visit Jaffa beofre proceeding to Herzelya.
Thursday, March 4- Caesarea, Megiddo, Tiberias
Today we pass through the fast growing towns and farms of the Plain of Sharon enroute to Caesarea, site of major events in the lives of Peter and Paul. It's on to Megiddo, inspiration for James Michener's "The Source", and prophesied site of Armageddon. Archeological digs reveal 20 layers of civilization, including fortifications of King Solomon and the water tunnel of King Ahab. Megiddo provides a magnificent view of the fertile Jezreel Valey, at the crossroads of the ancient Via Maris. We'll drive through the Jezreel Valley to Sepphoris, the former Roman capital of the Galilee and the famous seat of the Sanhedrin, the ancient Jewish ruling council, in the second centruy AD. Sepphoris is comprised of a Crusader forttress, a Roman amphitheater and numerous impressive mosaics. Then through the rolling hills of the Galilee to Nazareth. Nazareth Village brings to life a farm and Galilean village, recreating Nazareth as it was 2000 years ago. It is a window into the life of Jesus, the city's most famous citizen. Overnight in Tiberias.
Friday, March 5- Sea of Galilee
We will visit an ancient boat believed to be from Jesus' time found in the Sea of Galilee in 1986. We walk into Old Capernaum with the ancient synagogue; on to the site of the Mulitiplication of the Loaves and Fishes (Tabgha), the Sermon on the Mount and the Mount of Beatitudes. In the afternoon we wil journey north to Caeserea Phillipi (Banias Spring) where Peter confessed "You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God" (Matthew 16:16)
Saturday, March 6- Northern Galilee
Today we will journey to Hazor originally conquered by Joshua in 1300 BC. King Solomon began reconstruction here and King Ahab erected a magnificent palace here as well. Later we visit Bethsaida. We will now be literally walking in the footsteps of Jesus. We will take a most memorable boat ride on the Sea of Galilee, in a replica of the ancient wooden boat used in Jesus' day.
Sunday, March 7 (Paul's Birthday!) - Jordan Valley, Jerusalem
This morning we will visit the Jordan River and I will be baptized by water in the Jordan river. Maybe Paul too, although he's already been baptized. We will drive along tte Jordan Valley to Beit She'an to see the expansive excavations taking place at this ancient Roman Decapolis City. We'll stop at Gideon's Spring where Gideon selected his soldiers to do battle against the Midianites. Then we'll go up to Jerusalem. We will enter the city as pilgrims did since ancient times to fulfill the words of the prophet "I was glad when they said unto me 'Our feet shall stand within thy Gates, O Jerusalem' " (Psalms 122:1-2)
Monday, March 8- Jerusalem, Bethlehem
Start the day at the top of the Mt. of Olives. Take the "Palm Sunday Walk" to the Garden of Gethsemane, the Church of All Nations and drive across the Kidron Valley. Enter the Old City through St. Stephens Gate (Lions' Gate) to the Muslim Quarter, visit the beautiful Church of St. Anne and the Pool of Bethesda, Pilate's Judgment Hall, and the Ecce Homo Arch. Walk along the Via Dolorosa, into the Christian Quarter, and see the Stations of the Cross. Drive to Mt. Zion to see the House of Caiaphas and the Upper Room of the Last Supper. We will visit Bethlehem and see Manger Square, the Church of the Nativity, and view Shepherd's Fields and the Fields of Boaz and Ruth.
Tuesday, March 9- Masada, Dead Sea, Qumran
Depart to Masada, overlooking the Dead Sea, the lowest spot on Earth, where we ascend by cable car to visit the remnants of Herod's Palace and where in 73 AD the Zealots made their last stand against the might of Rome. Visit to Ein Gedi, fabled Spring of David, and proceed to Qummran where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found in 1947. We will go for a swim, rather a "float", in the salted waters of the Dead Sea.
Wednesday, March 10- Jerusalem
Today, we investigate the excavations at the Western Wall Tunnel. Visit to the reconstructed Jewish Quartter, walk through the Cardo, the orginal Roman street and see the amazing remains of the massive wall built by King Hezekiah. See the important excavations taking place at the Western Wall and the Southern Temple Staircase. On the Temple Mount, where Abraham was to sacrifice Isaac. See the Dome of the Rock and al-Aqsa Mosque that now stand there. Visit the Shrine of the Book where the Dead Sea Scrolls are displayed and the recently opened Bible Lands Museum. End the afternoon at Golgotha and the empty Garden Tomb. Special time is planned for worship, communion, meditation and inspiration. Paul and I are also bringing prayers from our people to put in the Wailing Wall, the foundation of the Temple.
Thursday, March 11- Jerusalem, Petra
This morning we leave Jerusalem and head to Petra, Jordon. (Jordon is a country where you most definately MUST behave yourself.) Before we cross the Arava Bridge into Jordan, we visit the Timna Tabernacle.
Friday, March 12- Petra
This morning we tour the city of Petra, lost to the world for centuries, the "Rose-Red City Half as Old as Time" lay hidden in the mountains of southern Jordan. It had been a stronghold and capital for the Nabateans. It had a fatally vulnerable fault: its water came by aqueduct from nearby Wadi Musa. When the secret was discovered and the aqueduct cut, it fell to Rome in AD 106. When Rome entered, already there were Nabatean tombs, temples and monuments cut directly out of the red rock. This afternoon we travel part of the way on horseback and the rest on foot through the deep and narrow passages which occur naturally, carved millions of years ago be erosion. The Treasury finally appears magnificently and immediately in front of us after we emerge from what seems like a hundred turns in the ravine. Now we'll begin our exploration of what both the Nabateans and Romans left or us to witness. The most adventurous (yep, that'll be Paul and I for sure!) will be invited to hike up to the spiritual "High Place", site of the sacrificial alter and offering a spectacular view of teh ancient city.
Saturday, March 13- Petra, Mt. Nebo, Amman
Today we start our journey north to Amman. En route visit Machaerus it is the place where Salmon danced in exchange for the head of John the Baptist on a platter. Proceed to the city of Madaba. It is well known for its outstanding Byzantine mosaics. We will see St. George's Cathedral, including the earliest surviving original map of the Holy Land in a mosaic floor dating to AD 560. Continue on to visit Mt. Nebo which is reputed to be the burial place of Moses. Visit the recently opened Lot's Museum. Lastly, we will see Jerash, a very famous Roman ruins site.
Sunday, March 14- Begin our journey home.
*I keep thinking of Matthew 2:28- " a voice is heard in the desert... Rachel weeping for her children..." . That will be me in Israel (ha!ha!) Missing my children and soooo wishing they could experience this with us. Poor Paul will be getting an awful lot of attention seeing as I will need to put my mothering energy somewhere! I don't think he'll mind though.
Paul's sister and her daughter are coming from Michigan to care for the children while we're gone. (I am so grateful!) The kids are SOOO excited. They are wanting us to leave. They love their Aunt and Cousin. And Paul and I can really enjoy ourselves because we know they are in loving and capable hands. I just hope the kids aren't too upset when we come back. (ha!ha!)
We feel so blessed to be able to go. Thank you, Lord!
Wednesday, March 3- Depart Frankfurt, Germany for Tel Aviv, Israel. Meet our Israeli tour guide. Visit Jaffa beofre proceeding to Herzelya.
Thursday, March 4- Caesarea, Megiddo, Tiberias
Today we pass through the fast growing towns and farms of the Plain of Sharon enroute to Caesarea, site of major events in the lives of Peter and Paul. It's on to Megiddo, inspiration for James Michener's "The Source", and prophesied site of Armageddon. Archeological digs reveal 20 layers of civilization, including fortifications of King Solomon and the water tunnel of King Ahab. Megiddo provides a magnificent view of the fertile Jezreel Valey, at the crossroads of the ancient Via Maris. We'll drive through the Jezreel Valley to Sepphoris, the former Roman capital of the Galilee and the famous seat of the Sanhedrin, the ancient Jewish ruling council, in the second centruy AD. Sepphoris is comprised of a Crusader forttress, a Roman amphitheater and numerous impressive mosaics. Then through the rolling hills of the Galilee to Nazareth. Nazareth Village brings to life a farm and Galilean village, recreating Nazareth as it was 2000 years ago. It is a window into the life of Jesus, the city's most famous citizen. Overnight in Tiberias.
Friday, March 5- Sea of Galilee
We will visit an ancient boat believed to be from Jesus' time found in the Sea of Galilee in 1986. We walk into Old Capernaum with the ancient synagogue; on to the site of the Mulitiplication of the Loaves and Fishes (Tabgha), the Sermon on the Mount and the Mount of Beatitudes. In the afternoon we wil journey north to Caeserea Phillipi (Banias Spring) where Peter confessed "You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God" (Matthew 16:16)
Saturday, March 6- Northern Galilee
Today we will journey to Hazor originally conquered by Joshua in 1300 BC. King Solomon began reconstruction here and King Ahab erected a magnificent palace here as well. Later we visit Bethsaida. We will now be literally walking in the footsteps of Jesus. We will take a most memorable boat ride on the Sea of Galilee, in a replica of the ancient wooden boat used in Jesus' day.
Sunday, March 7 (Paul's Birthday!) - Jordan Valley, Jerusalem
This morning we will visit the Jordan River and I will be baptized by water in the Jordan river. Maybe Paul too, although he's already been baptized. We will drive along tte Jordan Valley to Beit She'an to see the expansive excavations taking place at this ancient Roman Decapolis City. We'll stop at Gideon's Spring where Gideon selected his soldiers to do battle against the Midianites. Then we'll go up to Jerusalem. We will enter the city as pilgrims did since ancient times to fulfill the words of the prophet "I was glad when they said unto me 'Our feet shall stand within thy Gates, O Jerusalem' " (Psalms 122:1-2)
Monday, March 8- Jerusalem, Bethlehem
Start the day at the top of the Mt. of Olives. Take the "Palm Sunday Walk" to the Garden of Gethsemane, the Church of All Nations and drive across the Kidron Valley. Enter the Old City through St. Stephens Gate (Lions' Gate) to the Muslim Quarter, visit the beautiful Church of St. Anne and the Pool of Bethesda, Pilate's Judgment Hall, and the Ecce Homo Arch. Walk along the Via Dolorosa, into the Christian Quarter, and see the Stations of the Cross. Drive to Mt. Zion to see the House of Caiaphas and the Upper Room of the Last Supper. We will visit Bethlehem and see Manger Square, the Church of the Nativity, and view Shepherd's Fields and the Fields of Boaz and Ruth.
Tuesday, March 9- Masada, Dead Sea, Qumran
Depart to Masada, overlooking the Dead Sea, the lowest spot on Earth, where we ascend by cable car to visit the remnants of Herod's Palace and where in 73 AD the Zealots made their last stand against the might of Rome. Visit to Ein Gedi, fabled Spring of David, and proceed to Qummran where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found in 1947. We will go for a swim, rather a "float", in the salted waters of the Dead Sea.
Wednesday, March 10- Jerusalem
Today, we investigate the excavations at the Western Wall Tunnel. Visit to the reconstructed Jewish Quartter, walk through the Cardo, the orginal Roman street and see the amazing remains of the massive wall built by King Hezekiah. See the important excavations taking place at the Western Wall and the Southern Temple Staircase. On the Temple Mount, where Abraham was to sacrifice Isaac. See the Dome of the Rock and al-Aqsa Mosque that now stand there. Visit the Shrine of the Book where the Dead Sea Scrolls are displayed and the recently opened Bible Lands Museum. End the afternoon at Golgotha and the empty Garden Tomb. Special time is planned for worship, communion, meditation and inspiration. Paul and I are also bringing prayers from our people to put in the Wailing Wall, the foundation of the Temple.
Thursday, March 11- Jerusalem, Petra
This morning we leave Jerusalem and head to Petra, Jordon. (Jordon is a country where you most definately MUST behave yourself.) Before we cross the Arava Bridge into Jordan, we visit the Timna Tabernacle.
Friday, March 12- Petra
This morning we tour the city of Petra, lost to the world for centuries, the "Rose-Red City Half as Old as Time" lay hidden in the mountains of southern Jordan. It had been a stronghold and capital for the Nabateans. It had a fatally vulnerable fault: its water came by aqueduct from nearby Wadi Musa. When the secret was discovered and the aqueduct cut, it fell to Rome in AD 106. When Rome entered, already there were Nabatean tombs, temples and monuments cut directly out of the red rock. This afternoon we travel part of the way on horseback and the rest on foot through the deep and narrow passages which occur naturally, carved millions of years ago be erosion. The Treasury finally appears magnificently and immediately in front of us after we emerge from what seems like a hundred turns in the ravine. Now we'll begin our exploration of what both the Nabateans and Romans left or us to witness. The most adventurous (yep, that'll be Paul and I for sure!) will be invited to hike up to the spiritual "High Place", site of the sacrificial alter and offering a spectacular view of teh ancient city.
Saturday, March 13- Petra, Mt. Nebo, Amman
Today we start our journey north to Amman. En route visit Machaerus it is the place where Salmon danced in exchange for the head of John the Baptist on a platter. Proceed to the city of Madaba. It is well known for its outstanding Byzantine mosaics. We will see St. George's Cathedral, including the earliest surviving original map of the Holy Land in a mosaic floor dating to AD 560. Continue on to visit Mt. Nebo which is reputed to be the burial place of Moses. Visit the recently opened Lot's Museum. Lastly, we will see Jerash, a very famous Roman ruins site.
Sunday, March 14- Begin our journey home.
*I keep thinking of Matthew 2:28- " a voice is heard in the desert... Rachel weeping for her children..." . That will be me in Israel (ha!ha!) Missing my children and soooo wishing they could experience this with us. Poor Paul will be getting an awful lot of attention seeing as I will need to put my mothering energy somewhere! I don't think he'll mind though.
Paul's sister and her daughter are coming from Michigan to care for the children while we're gone. (I am so grateful!) The kids are SOOO excited. They are wanting us to leave. They love their Aunt and Cousin. And Paul and I can really enjoy ourselves because we know they are in loving and capable hands. I just hope the kids aren't too upset when we come back. (ha!ha!)
We feel so blessed to be able to go. Thank you, Lord!
Friday, February 26, 2010
Update, Scrapbooking and Japanese Girl
Well, I'm so thankful to be feeling back to normal again. I got caught up on a lot yesterday, thanks to my dear hubby who watched the kids for me while I ran 7 errands in 80 minutes, including vacuuming and washing the car. (I was pretending to be in an Olympic sport) We are desperately trying to squeeze so many things in before we leave for 16 days!
I will be heading into the Corps with the girls to catch up there too.
Then company this afternoon, then back to the grindingstone.
Here are some pics from the last couple of weeks:
We've started a new project around here and the kids are loving it.
Scrapbooking!
When the Back To School Supplies were on sale last fall, I stocked up on 10 cent
spiral notebooks.
Then I've been grabbing magazines from the free shelves at the Library.
Some glue sticks and scissors, wa-la.
Cheap, easy, fun.
The kids pull it out any time and work on them. They'll sit there for an hour creating. It is a God-send for sure during these winter months of being cooped up inside.
Ann's
Elijah's
David's
Hannah mostly sticks to drawing "Space-Ships" (her new thing) on the cover and inside pages.
I've even started one. I find it quite relaxing and decompressing.
I'm going to pull together the supplies to make this available to our Church Game Room children in the summer too. I think they will enjoy it as much as we have.
A couple weeks ago when Paul flew down to El Paso, I stuck a couple of chopsticks in Ann's bun (from ballet) and she suddenly became a very serious "Japanese Girl". Then she and Elijah and Hannah used her easy bake oven because she wanted to make a Japanese Girl dinner. Before I knew it, we were all involved and I tried to make it special by eating at the coffee table and drinking our last bottle of sparkling cider in my most precious teacups, meant for precious people.
And then there's Mary.
I had to strap her down in her high chair because she kept tyring to pull all the food and dishes off the coffee table and the kids were losing their patience with her. She was content in her chair while she watched me fold laundry, visit with one of my ladies on the phone, and co-ordinate the special Japanese Girl dinner.
I am thankful that David still enjoys these simple things.
I know he is getting older and I will have to step-it-up so that he can have as much fun as everyone else. Too many boys his age just turn to the TV or video games, and believe me he tries sometimes,
but I'm not selling out.
He has an amazing mind, what child doesn't?
Thank you, Lord, for giving us a mind that creates and imagines!
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Us Sickies
All us girls in the house are major sickies. Baaad stomach virus. Paul had to take Mary and Hannah to the ER on Monday night, Ann and I woke up with it Tuesday morning. We've just been laying around in a stupor, with our handy barf bowls (aka the popcorn bowls). You should see the laundry, or maybe not ;)
Paul has his game on, I think he likes taking care of us sickies, which is so not my forte.
It's killing me that I'm not able to get things done at home and at the Corps to be ready for our big trip!
I know we're getting better though. I am just praying that my energy comes back in full swing soon!
Several people at the Corps(church) have it too. The Dr. said it's going around.
I hope we didn't start it.
I hope we didn't start it.
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