Long Live Israel

We are just days away from our oldest son returning to the IDF. He'll sign on 5 more months. The position is a combat driver on the Gaza border on an emergency crew and doing regular patrols. I suppose after 3 years of mandatory service, it will feel good for him to finally have a paying position. I'm trying to have peace about it, and to a certain degree I do have peace. I remember when we made the decision to move to Israel, someone said that we could die here in Israel. And I thought, 'people die everyday in America too.' So I suppose again I could ease my own mind a bit to think that my son could die doing any other occupation. The fact that he's chosen to defend our country gives me great pride. I pray that no harm comes to him or any of the other soldiers here. And if I weren't a mother, I'd likely join the IDF myself! We are a small country, and our enemies are many. Of course the fact that our country and army are small gives way for God himself to receive the glory for the very existance of Israel. We only exist because God chooses to give us that privilege. As long as He chooses for us to continue, what have we to fear? So, to the Goliath monster nations who are waving their fists and shouting "death to Israel", I say, as a little shepherd boy once did, "I come to you in the name of יהוה the God of Israel" With my son, brave as King David himself, on the borders, I think we can all sleep a little safer. Thankfully he has the same great faith as David, and with that he knows that it is his Mighty Merciful Creator that defends Israel, defends him and his fellow soldiers. Chai Israel Chai!

Israel has aged me!

Today was a historic moment in my life. I found my first two gray hairs. Now to some this might seem trivial...but it hit me hard. I didn't take it so well. Literally the first thought that came to my mind was that having a son in combat did this!

I had a difficult childhood. Some very traumatic events left me spending most of my life trying to forget things. Now that's all behind me and I find my self trying to remember things. I swear my memory has stayed in America. Between losing my memory and finding gray hair, the aches and pains in my body, I really don't feel 39 anymore!

We are on the countdown until our son finishes his mandatory 3 years of service. Today is day 50. Fifty days left til we intend to celebrate his freedom. As I was celebrating in my mind today, and thinking that maybe this will slow down the growth of gray hairs on my head, my son calls to give us the news he is considering signing on longer. I could see the hair turning gray before my eyes as he spoke! With my poker face and encouraging voice, I don't let on that inside I'm screaming 'NOOOOO!'
I tell him to pray about it and think it through....and don't sign anything until someone nuetral has read it. I get off the phone and pray. What can I do? God's will be done in his life despite what I want. What's a few more sleepless nights on my knees anyway? That's just part of motherhood. And so the struggle continues. Even though I feel like someone just rained on my parade...Israel is thirsty and dry....so bring on the rain.

How can I sleep tonight?

Our son that is in the IDF, was given a day at home before all the "activity" was expected with the votes coming in for a PA state. Doesn't matter if the international community voted for or against...we were sure the Palestinians would be acting like...well...Palastinians. Any excuse to throw a rock. And so it is, that even though the world was discussing the fate of Israel today, and votes pouring in in favor of the Palestinians....the Palestinians were shooting Israeli cars, stoning our infants with one in critical condition after the 16 mo old was hit in the head by a rock...and countless other incidents today. Our son returned to base just over 48 hours ago...and he has laid down to rest for less than 3 short hours.

For those of us in the north, it was just another normal day. Kids came home from school and rushed off to play with friends, or do homework, or go to Karate lessons. My husband worked a full 10 hours while I worked 4hours with my 2 yr old in tow. And while we went about our normal activities, my mind kept returning to what my son might be doing. I checked the news periodically. At one point he called breathless to say, "turn on the news" but of course he couldn't tell me what was happening on the phone.

Later in the day as the sun went down, my children sang and played piano, others doing homework and husband reading the news on the internet. As I washed the dinner dishes I wondered how we could go on acting so normal while I knew many were in battle or in danger. I wondered how the residents in Jewish villages in Judea and Samaria could sleep tonight. I wondered how would I sleep tonight knowing my son can't. Sleep is a luxury that those who watch over Israel can't afford.

My son told me how going from one incident to another to another he and his commander were nodding off. The adrenaline was gone and they were beyond exhausted. He managed to catch a nap only to wake up not knowing how long he'd slept, where he was, how he got there, what day it was or if it was morning or evening. Took him an hour to get his bearings. As he was telling me how strange it was to be that exhausted, an emergency call came in "gotta go" click. and so I go back to doing the dishes...while I know my son is rushing off to who knows what.

Almost seems wrong to act so normal...yet this is our new normal, and life goes on and we have to keep living. As they say, praise the Lord now pass the amo. We pray, we defend, and we keep living. I could stay up all night on my knees ...crying into a pillow because I'm worried about my son. Or I can suck it up, muster up my strength, tuck the kids in and... sleep. Someone has to take care of the other children, and I'll be no good to them if I don't. "He Who watches over Israel never slumbers or sleeps" this applies to the IDF (mothers and loved ones of the IDF) as well as YHVH God Almighty. Think I'll give Him the nightshift tonight.

Eighty-four days and counting

With talk of war buzzing in the air, its hard to have great expectations. But still I pray, and hope, and .... count! There are 84 days left til my first born son finishes his service in the IDF (Israel defense forces) God willing. Tzahal stands for צה"ל Tzavah stands for army ... haganah stands for defense force,....L'Israel (for Israel).

Its quite likely we'll have plenty to pray about these last 84 days. With an upcoming vote in the UN in Sept concerning the division of Jerusalem to make a Palestinian state. Of course it is the prayer of all Israelis to keep our beloved Jerusalem undivided. It seems absurd to us that the international community would pressure us to divide our capitol and Holy City of David. We've shared it from the beginning with all faiths and people.

With this mounting pressure,comes the expectation that there will be a fight on our hands in the near future to stand our ground and hold our land. Yesterday our son was given special training for these expected conflicts. It puzzled me that with less than 3 months of service left, they are giving them such intense training. I'm thankful for the training, and I pray that our army will be well prepared and equipped. Mostly I pray there will not be loss of life and no loss of land. I pray that our economy and government hold up strongly in the days ahead. I continue to pray, and count.

If Rocking Chairs Could Talk

I have a favorite rocking chair. When I was pregnant with my 4th child 12 years ago, we got an unfinished wood rocking chair. We stained it and sealed it with a clear coat. It wasn't special and I didn't imagine that it would last this long but it's nearly good as new. This chair has rocked many hours. It has had at least 6 homes and traveled more than 7000 miles. Its rocked countless babies and comforted hundreds of guests. Its arms have held mine up during sleepless nights with nursing newborns, sick or injured toddlers, and scared orphans from afar.

If this chair could tell us stories, we'd likely find a world of adventures in its 12years lifetime. This chair has felt my tears, heard my prayers, held the weight of many children in my lap for a storybook. It has survived two wars and one tornado. It has enjoyed views from porches in the Amish country, and now faces Jerusalem the Holy City for my morning prayers. If this chair could talk, it would no doubt tell us how it has served faithfully to so many.

Some might think its silly to think that a chair could have stories, but I think everything has a story. And someday I'd like to write down the history, the stories that this chair has. It might get passed on to one of my children and grandchildren and this beloved chair will share even more adventures with them. This chair may not have a voice but it has a special place in my heart.

Milestones

February 27th we began our journey to Israel. We arrived Feb 28th, 2006, 5 years ago! Reflecting on it all is rather sobering. When I think of all the challanges of acclimating, the trials we endured, the transformations we've gone through, and what we have learned, it is numbing. I read an article recently that stated 50% of North American new immigrants to Israel, return within the first 5 years. I don't know if that information is accurate, but I wouldn't doubt it considering I have seen more people come and go than stay. And I can't count the number of times I myself have wanted to leave. Though I am fully grateful to the Almighty that we've been given the privilege to stay. Despite all my protests and complaints, God in His goodness has allowed us to enjoy the bad with the good, and not return to the mudpits of Egypt! Baruch Atah Yehovah!

Learn Hebrew with Pictures and Audio ( English - Hebrew Dictionary )

Learn Hebrew with Pictures and Audio ( English - Hebrew Dictionary )

All is vanity

Today my 11yr old son was sitting at the computer in the living room, with his hand raised. He then realized he was not in school, and no teacher was coming to answer the question he had about what was puzzling him. It gave me a chuckle but then I realized I am like a child sitting in a room with no teacher, with my hand in the air, waiting for answers. We are trained for years that someone has an answer to our problems, and simply raising our hand brings forth an answer. Instead of searching, and researching, instead of digging, studying, weighing out facts and seperating fiction, we take someone else's word as truth.

It reminds me of the scene in Fiddler on the Roof when Tevia is hearing an argument between a young liberal and an old conservative; "You know he is right" and then to the other, "and he is also right" but one interjects, "they can't both be right" to which Tevia says, "you know you are also right". I've been swamped with commentaries and debates and books. I see that he is right and he is right.

I think its time I put my hand down.

I don't want a bandaid. I want the cure! I don't want square pegs to fit in circle holes just because they can be made to fit. I want real truth. Real facts that line up and fit, not because I make them fit, or someone else did, but because its what is right.

When we came to Israel we thought we had "arrived" at some place of spiritual completeness. I soon realized that this was just the beginning and we had alot to learn. That process is only in its early phases. Each stage we go through teaches us that we have even more to learn, and we will never have "arrived". Israel continues to be our teacher. My mind, spirit, being, continue to be transformed by the many lessons offered in living life here.

As wise King Solomon teaches us; all is vanity. Ecclesiastes 12:12 And further by these, my son be admonished; of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh. Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter; Fear God, and keep His commandments; for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgement with every secret thing, whether it be good or whether it be evil.