It's a New Season!

Danger!

I forgot to mention that these signs are all along what used to be the Syrian border, before the border was pushed back. However, the mined border still stands and the mines have not been removed. You won't see that in the States!

Israel: Part IX--Bethlehem

Political spoiler alert: We came back a little more pro-Palestinian than I expected. As I've stated before, the political situation is complicated, and I don't pretend to understand it AT ALL. But it was eye-opening to be faced with it in person.

Bethlehem is in the West Bank, which means it is Palestinian. While only 5 miles south of Jerusalem, it is divided from Jerusalem by a big 20-foot cement wall built by Israel that extends 450 miles. The Palestinians use their side as a giant canvas for artwork of all varieties, but most of it political. It's purpose: to keep Palestinians out of Israel, which is all fine and dandy if you're Israeli.

Bethlehem, while Arab, used to be mostly Christian, like 70%. In the past few years, the population, mostly the Christian population, has dwindled, and now is only about 30% Christian. I found this interesting, because we think of Arabs as Muslim, and that's not always true. We also think of Arabs as anti-Israel, but there are Arab communities within Israel's borders that are Muslim and support Israel. One such group are the Druze, who are Muslim, but their children attend Israeli schools, serve in the Israeli military, and they receive Israeli health benefits and pay taxes. Again, complicated.

While in Bethlehem, we visited the obvious tourist attraction, the Church of the Nativity. It is built over the cave believed to be the birthplace of the Savior. Three different churches share a building and hold their individual services there: the Roman Catholics, the Greek Orthodox, and the Armenian Apostolic.

The star in the floor marks the very spot believed to be where the Savior was actually born. We waited in a LONG line to get in there, and then waited behind Catholics (we think) who knelt down in that very small space to kiss the star. The stained glass above is a lovely depiction of the Nativity.

We also visited an olive wood factory, which was an OSHA nightmare, but enjoyable. You know, power tools without guards, people breathing in sawdust without wearing masks, etc. Much of the olive wood stuff is carved by hand. The places that do it mostly with machine sell lesser quality at much cheaper prices.

After visiting the olive wood factory, we shopped in the associated souvenir shop. Before we were set free to look around, the owner asked if he could talk to us for a minute. He asked us to pray for them and the Israelis, that the conflict could be resolved. He is proud of his heritage, but told us that he has more friends on the Israeli side of the wall than the Palestinian side. He was sincere in his plea for peace. I came away from that experience believing that most of the people on both sides just want to live their lives, without fear and conflict.

We also met a young man named Abraham, who was Palestinian Christian. (That's him in the middle.) He gave me a different perspective on the devisiveness of Israeli-Palestinian life. He explained that several weeks before, a Palestinian man had gone into a Jewish school and shot some kids, and that because of his crazy, single-minded actions, there had been repercussions in Bethlehem. The Israeli army had come through and gunned down four men in the street, claiming they were behind the shooting in the school. They weren't involved. One of the men who was killed was standing next to his twelve-year-old son. Abraham explained that now, when the kid grows up wanting revenge, and decides to go over the wall and kill someone, the Israelis will call him a terrorist. But he wouldn't be if he hadn't watched his father die right in front of him for no reason. Abraham felt that the Israelis sometimes incite the situation. He's probably right.

Israel: Part VIII--Qumran and the Dead Sea Scrolls

The Dead Sea scrolls were found in eleven caves northwest of Qumran beginning in 1947. The scrolls were made of papyrus, copper, or leather (the best preserved material) and were stored wrapped in linen inside earthenware jars. Scholars believe the fragments of manuscripts explain the beliefs of a religious sect of that time. The scrolls were written over a 300-year period, from 250 BC to AD 50. The Dead Sea scrolls include all the Old Testament books except Esther, along with other commentaries, prayers and songs, and rule-books.

What I found interesting is that scholars dispute the use of brass and gold as writing tablets when discussing the authenticity of Joseph Smith's account of the Book of Mormon. Some of the scrolls that were discovered were carved copper. Not the same as brass or gold, but still a metal used as a method of recording. I think people just used whatever material they had at hand.

Excavations in Qumran show a succession of settlements dating around 150 BC to AD 68. The last settlement was destroyed by Romans during the first Jewish revolt. Qumran appears to have been a refuge for people displeased with those controlling the temple in Jerusalem.

"I Not a Baby, I a BOY!"

The other morning I was in the office, and I hear Seth say, "Mom, look at my trucks! C'mon, Mom, look at my trucks!" So I went out and this was what I saw:

He'd climbed on the back of the chair and perched them on top of the lamp. Every day we say, "He's such a BOY!" And we love it!

Israel: Part VII--The Dead Sea

The Dead Sea is 1400 feet below sea level, which means you don't even get sunburned there. It was hot, and the water was strange: thick, full of minerals and salt, and slick. The Great Salt Lake is about 14% salt, and the Dead Sea is about 31% salt. We were able to put our feet straight down and float like a pencil.
The Dead Sea is shrinking. We saw a lovely spa resort that had been built on the shores in the sixties (we think) and now the edge of the water has receded about a mile, so the spa looks like it's in the middle of nowhere.

The shore is made of salt and mineral formations, and it's

very slick. We couldn't really swim, because if

you splash, the water can get in your eyes (or someone else's) and it burns like crazy. We bathed for probably 15 or 20 minutes, and by the time we got out, I was ready. The peeling sunburn on my shoulders from Egypt was starting to burn from all the minerals and salt. The best part was that everyone (no matter how old) got in and swam. We laughed and had floating contests and just relaxed. The men had a contest to see who had the most stomach sticking out of the water. It was a different and fun experience.

Swimming Lessons

Hannah and Ellie LOVE swimming! We just started lessons again, and Hannah is working on level 6, which is side breathing, freestyle, and swimming the length of the pool. Ellie has never had lessons before, but when the instructor saw her jump in over her head and come up smiling, she put her in level 2. Ellie grins through the entire lesson. I've never seen her so excited about anything before! She's already working on level 3, and loving every minute.

Israel: Part VI--Golan Heights

The political situation in Israel is, of course, complicated. One of the things I really enjoyed about our guide was her simple explanations of the historical events, culture and the people that have influenced Israel and the surrounding countries. It's complicated, and my limited experience does NOT in any way qualify me for a political discussion. However, I may discuss some things that I found interesting. For further information, there are TONS of books out there, and when I've read some, I'll share.
Okay, the Golan Heights is an area on the eastern border of Israel that has been a constant border dispute with Syria. At one time, Syria owned everything east of the Sea of Galilee that wasn't absolutely flat. Since some of the hills roll right down to the shore, Israel basically had their enemy up above them on the mountain, looking right down into their backyards. Imagine the physical and psychological advantage! During the Six-Day War in 1967, Israel pushed the border back from the edge of the hills about 13 miles, and they have defended that disputed territory ever since. We visited a spot right on the top, at the northernmost border that divides Lebanon and Syria from Israel. There are old military bunkers there where the army used to physically defend themselves. We looked down into Israeli settlements, Syria, and Lebanon. Now, however, while the area is still disputed, it is a cold border, and tourist attraction, complete with coffee shop and ice cream stand. I think that means no fighting is going on, obviously because the military is no longer posted there.

Bunkers with cement walls to protect the walkways. Down under the hill is where they camped and presumably strategized.











This sign was funny. It shows distances in kilometers to major political places.






What's a UN bus doing at a tourist trap? Oh, and the junk hanging around my neck? That was all REQUIRED by the tour director. We called ourselves "human hangers."

What I Have to Look Forward To

ADVICE FOR ANYONE MOVING TO TEXAS
1. Save all manner of bacon grease. You will be instructed later how to use it.
2. Just because you can drive on snow and ice does not mean we can. Just stay home the two days of the year it snows.
3. If you do run your car into a ditch, don't panic. Four men in the cab of a four wheel drive with a 12-pack of beer and a tow chain will be along shortly. Don't try to help them. Just stay out of their way. This is what they live for.
4. Don't be surprised to find movie rentals & bait in the same store.
5. Remember: "Y'all" is singular. "All y'all" is plural. "All y'all's" is plural possessive.
6. Get used to hearing, "You ain't from around here, are you?"
7. If you are yelling at the person driving 15 mph in a 55 mph zone, directly in the middle of the road, remember, many folks learned to drive on a model of vehicle known as John Deere, and this is the proper speed and lane position for that vehicle.
8. If you hear a redneck exclaim, "Hey, y'all, watch this!" Stay out of his way. These are likely the last words he will ever say.
9. Get used to the phrase "It's not the heat, it's the humidity". And the collateral phrase "You call this hot? Wait'll August."
10. There are no delis. Don't ask.
11. In conversation, never put your hand on a man's shoulder when making a point, especially in a bar.
12. Chili does NOT have beans in it.
13. Brisket is not 'cooked' in an oven
14. Don't tell us how you did it up there. Nobody cares.
15. If you think it's too hot, don't worry. It'll cool down-in December.
16. We do TOO have 4 Seasons: December, January, February, and Summer!
17. A Mercedes-Benz is not a status symbol. A Ford F-150 is.
18. If someone tells you "Don't worry, those peppers aren't hot"you can be certain they are.
19. If you fail to heed my warning in #18 above, be sure to have a bowl of guacamole handy. Water won't do it.
20. Rocky Mountain oysters are NOT oysters. Don't ask.
21. If someone says they're "fixin" to do something, that doesn't mean anything's broken.
22. Don't even think of ordering a strawberry daiquiri. What you really mean to say is 'Margarita.'
23. If you don't understand our passion for college and high school football just keep your mouth shut.
24. The value of a parking space is not determined by the distance to the door, but the availability of shade.
25. If you see a slower moving vehicle on a two lane road pull onto the shoulder that is called "courtesy".
26. BBQ is a food group. It does NOT mean grilling burgers and hotdogs outdoors.
27. No matter what you've seen on TV, line dancing is not a popular weekend pastime.
28. "Tea" = Iced Tea. There is no other kind.
29. Everything goes better with Ranch dressing.

Boat Ride on the Sea of Galilee

People waterski on the Sea of Galilee. Perfect water, too!

Big boat!

This was our dinner on the other side of the lake. It's a variety of tilapia called St. Peter's Fish, and it was deep-fried with the head and tail still attached. The presentation was a bit of a surprise; the gasps and giggles when they brought it out were funny. Obviously, we had to take pictures. After John cut off the head for me, it was quite good!

Israel: Part V--Mount of Beatitudes

On the site commonly referred to as "The Mount of Beatitudes," where the Savior gave his famous Sermon on the Mount, there is, guess what...a Catholic church! The site is gorgeous, with manicured gardens and a view of the Sea of Galilee. We sat (in the shade) and read Matthew chapters 5-7, and enjoyed a peaceful spiritual experience.

This is me, smelling the tree. I think it was an orange tree, and it was FRAGRANT!

Israel: Part IV--Sea of Galilee

We were really lucky to spend three days in the Sea of Galilee area. Beautiful, green rolling hills and valleys, lots of farms, and the sea itself. At 8 miles wide and 13 miles long, we would call it a lake. It's also the second-lowest lake in the world (behind the Dead Sea) at about 600 feet below sea level. Our hotel was a resort called Ein Gev, right on the eastern shore, and our bungalow had it's own patio that opened out onto a grassy area before meeting the seashore. When we finally got to swim in it, it was cool and lovely with a little bit of scum (pollen) floating on the top. The sand was made of tiny seashells.

The places we visited while we were there: Capernaum, the Mount of Beatitudes, Nazareth, all three of the tributaries of the Jordan River, which empties into the Sea of Galilee, the Golan Heights, Tiberias, and we had a boat ride across the Sea of Galilee.

The Church has three branches that meet in Israel: Tel Aviv, the Jerusalem Center, and Tiberias, on the western shore of Galilee. We got the opportunity to visit the building the Church has recently purchased and remodeled for the chapel. One interesting bit about Israel: people don't generally own the land on which they build their homes and businesses. The land is owned by Israel. But somehow, the Church owns the land that building in Tiberias is on. We don't even own the land where the Jerusalem Center is, but we own that piece on the shore of Galilee. This is what it looks like:

It's a remodeled home. The people who owned it previously had pretty much trashed it. When the family came back to see what the Church had done with it, they were amazed. It has a balcony, seen below, and the view from the balcony is stunning.

Here's a quiz...

I found on Allison's page. I thought it was fun.

I am a Canna What Flower Are You?