The Third Time Around! Arriving at Jerusalem

Well, here we go again for our third stay in Jerusalem!  I am glad they keep letting us return; but this time is different because my two college kids will be staying behind to attend BYU.  So my heart is in two places.  We said goodbye to Megan and Carrie at the SLC airport and they drove our cars home.  There were hugs and a few tears and promises to video chat weekly.  

Ten checked bags plus 5 carry-ons plus 5 personal items, a little overwhelming even though it's less than previous trips.  A big thank you to those who helped us survive the last few crazy weeks of preparation,especially Lisa Merrill and Robert Francis and the Craig crew who helped us late into the night before we left.

The trip went smoothly, 18 hours from first lift off to last touch down.  We met up with the Esplins and their four children in Salt Lake City, and we look forward to getting to know them better this year. The stewardess handing Amanda and Emily's drinks said, "Sprites for Santa and the Shark."

 In New York, we met up with the Ludlows and enjoyed their company.

 Roy and Jeanna Huff met us at the airport and together with our friends in the Jerusalem Center Security Staff, escorted us to our new home.  This is an apartment we hadn't stayed in before, so here are a few photos.  There is a nice living room area which opens into the kitchen.  The patio surrounded by rose bushes looks out over the city

 I love the quiet-closing cabinets throughout the apartment.  We arrived on a Friday evening, with no chance to shop, so some food staples were provided for us, and we felt very graciously welcomed.  The apartment has the ability to adjoin the next suite over, but the connecting door is sealed off at the moment, and thankfully not even noise from flute practice seems to reach our neighbors.

 The bathrooms have been updated, very bright and modern looking, with distinctive tile around the mirrors.  And slam-free cabinets. Even the toilet lid lowers itself quietly.  The powder room is below:

 And below is bathroom  number 2 with a shower/tub.  So far, as of day four, sharing one shower has not really been a problem.

 Lisa's room is quite small, but this loft bed makes good use of the space. There is a deep closet on the wall to the left as well as a bulletin board.

 Amanda and Emily share this room below with bunk beds and a walk in closet off to the left.  We arrived around dinner time, unpacked a little, then most everyone went to bed about 9 and woke up around 2 or 3 am.  The early wakings are starting to taper off by now, four days later.

 The master bedroom has a patio door, nice bedside tables with lights, and an entire wall of cabinetry off to the right.

The day after we arrived was the Sabbath (Saturday), which was a real delight. There's nothing like singing hymns about the Savior while looking over the city where he suffered, died, and rose from the dead.  Actually, I was recovering from laryngitis, so I couldn't really sing yet, but I did get to play the piano for primary.  The oldest two Judd girls and the two Ludlow girls are the only teens in the branch, but there were about six other kids in primary besides Emily and the Esplin kids.  Two of our caregiver friends are still in town, but most other friends from the branch have moved.  Saturday evening we connected with Megan and Carrie, and they are adjusting well to our absence and their new upstairs neighbors, Paul and Diane Epperson and their two kids.  Diane is my sister's sister-in-law and a very dear friend, and I am glad to have her watching over things in our absence.  

We spent Sunday shopping in East and West Jerusalem.  I got to drive, which is quite the adrenaline rush and very fun as long as I have someone along to navigate.  We drove right through the heart of the Jewish section of town to a store which carried Kirkland dried blueberries and many American brands.  We were grateful for any English subtitles on packages as we struggled to tell the difference between the chicken nuggets and the corn-filled schnitzel.  Or the plain vs. flavored yogurt, and dozens of other little decisions.  Then we drove to the Palestinian section of town for chicken and beef, which was ground right in front of us, and fresh fruits and vegetables.  Frank was glad to see the plums are in season.  

We get our pita at a little store up a narrow alley near Saladin street, and the employees will usually give visitors a free sample.  My pita was really hot, and I accidentally dropped it on the floor.  The teenaged employee graciously said in very good English, "That's okay," then picked up my pita and handed it back to me.  I just smiled and held it until we got back to the car, then eventually threw it away and ate a different one.

On Monday, we gathered up the kids and headed to the Anglican school to meet homeroom teachers and help everyone feel comfortable before school really begins on Wednesday.  Most kids liked the new cafeteria's pizza and some saw friends they had met years before.  They are happy to have access to the Library, especially the younger kids whose Harry Potter fetish was interrupted in the middle of the Half-Blood Prince.

Later on Monday night, for family home evening, we drove with the Esplins and Ludlows to an overlook of Jerusalem,took photos, and talked about the importance of this little spot of land.  Why Jerusalem?  It's a land of challenges and obstacles, but also a land of covenants and opportunities.   Psalm 125:2 says, "As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the LORD is round about his people from henceforth even for ever."  I think the Lord knew that here, his people would have the right amount of challenges to keep them humble, such as the arid climate and centuries of external rule, and the right amount of opportunities to accomplish his work, such as the strategic location at the crossroads of the ancient world, where disciples of Christ could spread the good news  throughout the Roman world.  I believe God puts us each where we can be stretched and tested and also feel involved and useful to him in his work.  I am already feeling that out-of-comfort zone feeling, and I look forward to finding out how I can be a benefit to those around me this year.  

Then we finished off the day with falafels, the Middle Eastern version of fast food.  At the tiny falafel shop on Lekhi street (like Lehi with a gutteral "h"), we ordered falafels in pitas with pickles, cabbage, french fries, hummus, and tahina.  They were 10 shekels each (about $2.50).  To yummy to eat in a tidy way!

 Spencer Esplin wasn't a big fan of falafel, but he did love the Palestinian dance music playing on the restaurant's tv.  He imitated the dancers on the screen, to the delight of the owner, who turned the volume up high and gave us some free french fries.