Days around the City

Scott left today for his final study days outside of Jerusalem.  They will mostly be up in the region of Galilee.  He is especially enjoying the teaching this round.

The kiddos are enjoying Grandma being here.  Ryan escorted her to Yad Vashem where they spent the entire day together.

The next day Em took her to the Burnt House in the Old City.  This house dates back to 70AD when the Temple was destroyed.  Remnants of a priests home were discovered there - also destroyed by fire.  Very surreal and vivid experience of what it might have been like during such death and destruction.

The comic relief for them involved entering the Old City by the wrong gate and winding up in the Muslim Quarter.  Not necessarily a dangerous place to be, but not exactly where I wanted my 9 year old daughter and 65 year old mother to wind up alone.  I was at the house when Emily called and said, "Mom, where are we?"  Then, sweet Ryan offered "to go get them!"  Ha - no thank you.  Three of my people lost in the Old City isn't my idea of a fun day!  They did manage their way out and we all met for a late lunch at Big Apple Pizza.

The night before Scott left, he and I went out for a late night bite with neighbors James and Rachel.  They are a hoot.  We laughed and talked for almost 4 hours.  So amazing that our paths have crossed here at the Nov apartment in Jerusalem.  Two Israelis, two Americans, Jewish, Christian, husbands, wives, parents.  It was a no-holds-bar discussion about all of it.  We learned so much about each other and I am so grateful for the intimate time with new friends.  Have already invited them to come see us in Texas!

Em and I are feeling our legs and abs today after joining Rachel for a Birkam Yoga class last night.  We met with a few of her friends outside on a front porch.  Best way to exercise ever - underneath the wide-open sky.

Scott returns tomorrow - Thursday night and then will be all finished with his coursework.  We will do some final things around the city with Grandma then start doing a bit more traveling around Israel.  Almost a month from our return home already.  Ryan and I agreed last night that we have mixed feelings about that.  Happy to be returning to our home, friends and family, but we will also miss the home we are just now really figuring out and settling into.