Last Blog Entry for a Season

Well, it's been eight weeks since our return from Israel. I'm sitting at my computer looking out at the most severe snowstorm Indiana has had in years. We are now experiencing bitter cold but we managed to escape major power outages in our area and we are thankful. This storm will probably go down in history as one of those "Remember the storm of 2011...?" I must admit a tiny part of me was thinking back to those warm days of sunshine in Jerusalem a little wistfully. However, the extreme heat was a challenge at times.

As I typed "eight weeks," I could hardly believe it's been that long since we left. It's been a whirlwind ever since and just this week I feel as though I am on top of most things--perhaps the enforced weather conditions has had something to do with that. I'm teaching a Ladies Bible Study and we had to postpone this week's study due to weather, and I was going to share a power point presentation on our time in Israel with another ladies group on Thursday, but that also has been postponed due to the weather. That gives me some additional time to prepare, relax, ponder and reflect over this past fall. It has been fun for me to share with friends about our various experiences. Our Pastor has invited both Larry and I to share about Israel with our church family in early March on a Sunday night. All of these opportunities are welcomed as we love to talk about Israel, the people we met, and the insights gained. As I have stated before, God's faithfulness and mercy is so abundant and we have experienced it.

Our hearts are saddened as we see the turmoil in Egypt and the heartache that exists in the lives of these people. Our prayers are for peace and freedom for this particular situation and for all that is happening in the Middle East--a strategically important place in God's plan.

Our Christmas with our children and grandchildren was blessed and refreshing to our hearts. Since our return, two former colleagues from Taylor University have died, a college friend from our student days at Biola University has been diagnosed with cancer and a former colleague at Taylor has become engaged. Life is full of joys and sorrows and these last eight weeks have reminded me again of this truth and that life is like a vapor. My constant prayer is that God will help me to redeem the time and to be cognizant of the fact that our lives are in His hands and to value each day and opportunity He brings into our lives.

Larry and I count ourselves blessed to have spent August through early December teaching and volunteering at Jerusalem University College. It is an experience we are willing to repeat if God opens those doors again. Even though we were stretched and out of our comfort zones at times, the experience was enriching spiritually, emotionally and even physically. We walked and walked!

My current goal is to return to my writing this month and have a first draft of the book on my brother Ron completed by June. The time I had to write in Israel was so valuable. I am grateful for those uninterrupted moments. I hope to come back to my blog in the future but for now will focus on my book, studying and teaching my Ladies Bible Study, and ministering to women God brings into my life. Thanks to those who have encouraged me and allowed me to enter into your life via Jerusalem Jottings. Shalom for now.