This time last year, part 9

Masada. Chilling. Hike down the Snake Path. Swim in the Dead Sea. Spa treatments afterward. Wine and cheese and good fellowship in the evening.

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!
May they be secure who love you!

                               Psalm 122:6

This time last year, part 8

First stop on the first day of the Grace church tour was Joffa, just south of Tel Aviv. (It was really nice to just be on the bus and not driving / navigating in our own car!) Viewed the Gan ha-Pisga statue and the artists' colony in old town Joffa. From there, we headed south and east to the Valley of Ela, where David slew Goliath. Then we continued south to Be'er Sheva, the place where Abraham settled in the land of Canaan. Continuing south, we ended our first day's journey at the Dead Sea, 1300 feet below sea level.

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!
May they be secure who love you!

                               Psalm 122:6

This time last year, part 7

Early morning walk down through the Hennon Valley, then up to the Kiddron Valley, took photos of the tombs there, then walked back up to the southern end of the Old City, and past the King David hotel on the way back to the hotel. Packed our stuff, then headed to the Israel Museum and spent the afternoon there. From there, we headed to Tel Aviv to meet our church group.

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!
May they be secure who love you!

                               Psalm 122:6

This time last year, part 6

A walk to find a post office, then up through Yemin Moshe on our way to the Old City, the YMCA bells "singing" an old hymn as we walked past, exploring through the Old City, amazing sculptures on the Mamilla Mall, the Ramparts Walk where we had stunning views of the southern portion of the city, felafel and fresh squeezed orange juice in the Jewish Quarter, sitting in the Hurva Square for a while and people watching, scarf shopping on David Street, and ending the day at Nona's Chocolate. A perfect day.

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!
May they be secure who love you!

                               Psalm 122:6

So, I'm not a feminist - part 8

It's been a few years since I've done this series, and this article encouraged me to start this series up again.

The excerpts below are good:

"You’d think the feminist elevation of agency would result in women who take pride in being responsible for their own bodies. You’d hope that telling women that they can do whatever they want would imply that they’re responsible for what they do. You’d think serious feminists would argue that true empowerment is something you lay claim to, not something the federal government dispenses in all its benevolence."

"In fact, for all practical purposes, the patriarchy no longer decides whom American women can sleep with and when. That’s great. But if you don’t want men in Washington telling you how to use your sexuality, you shouldn’t expect them to subsidize it."

Preach it, sister. 

It's Monday

Starbucks chai.
Laundry going.
Candle burning.
Work email read.
Pretty music playing.
Quiet house.
Sunny morning.
Missing family.

This time last year, part 5

Our first day exploring the Old City of Jerusalem. I was instantly in love.

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!

 May they be secure who love you!

                               Psalm 122:6

This time last year, part 4

This day took us south to Jerusalem.

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!

 May they be secure who love you!

                               Psalm 122:6

This time last year, part 3

Photos from Nimrod's Castle, northern Galilee near the Syrian border.

My wonderful travel companions, Juli and Carol.

This time last year, part 2

Banias Falls, northern Galilee

Northern Galilee region, looking into Syria

Banias Falls trail

trail marker