Hmmm … getting home was a bit of an epic in itself, but I’m too tired to go through it today. You’ll have to wait to get the scoop tomorrow. For now, I thought I should at at least leave a note that said we were safely home in our own beds. O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good.

Alright everyone, everybody take something into the house. 🙂

Three hours down, seven to go. I can’t say I’m in a hurry to get back but this flight is feeling long..

I miss it so much! Now is probably a good time to just write down memories.

If I close my eyes, I can imagine my room with the’dashes of light’ coming through the blinds. Waking up, according to my biological clock, wondering what time it is. Spending those first waking moments looking for help from my Guide. Going for a run down the beach to the mall and back. Feeling the sharp sting of the rocks and shells cutting into my feet but feeling exhilarated from the wind in my face and feel of my hair blowing free behind me–and miles of endless water beside me. Later in the day, the beach will fill with people. Tourists in bathing suits, locals in long sleeves and jackets, two boys strumming on a guitar singing, a couple holding hands, joggers…mostly men. I return from the beach–my feet aching from the sand and salt, walking along the cement. Finally I grudgingly slip my sandals back on and walk in the door–to the elevator- turn right to room 102. Only this time, Jake isn’t here to press the buttons for me and open the doors 🙂

By now, the downstairs is humming with life. Jake is playing with Thomas, Danny is on his laptop and Heidi is feeding Isaac. We all eat our favorite cereal..honey nut cheerios or honey bunches, have a Bible reading and take turns with the shower.

Time to plan the day. Should we head north to the Sea of Galiee? Drive into Jerusalem for the day? Or shed some layers and head into the deserts of the Dead Sea? It’s a tough choice. No matter the decision, rest assured we will see a variety of landscape and experience a multitude of temperatures. Sneakers are always the best way to go, along with a jacket or scarf for the evening.

We finally make a decision, scope out the territory on the map and head down to the car with Jake to lead the way. Stationed between Isaac to my right and Jake to the left, I have the best seat in the’ house.’ After a quick check for essentials–doggy, Thomas, blanket, 2 bottles and pacifier, we are ready to go.

5-1-4-6-2-*. The engine starts and we’re off. We take a left out of the tunnel and head through the traffic circle. We take a right at the second circle and head out towards the highway.

We’ve been on the road for a half hour. Jake’s been giving me spelling lessons–frontwards, backwards and upside down. He does a great job of reading me his books.

An hour later, the car is silent as Jake nods off to sleep and Isaac exchanges his bottle for a pacifier. Just up ahead is a security checkpoint. The Israeli soldier, who looks to be about eighteen years old, barely glances at us and waves us on through. As we wind our way through the hills, we do our best to avoid cars wandering in and out of the lanes. Just when we are speeding along comfortably, a traffic light looms nearer. It’s a flashing green–time to brake. Minutes later, the light turn orange and the road erupts with the sound of cars honking at the car in front of them who dared to delay momentarily. ” Daddy’ eep? Daddy’ eep? Jake asks eagerly.

“No Jakey, Daddy didn’t beep. The other car did,” comes the reply.

After a day full of many miles of walking and sore feet, we are ready to forgo the pleasure of cooking and experience the joy of Israeli fare. We’ve eaten our share of falafel for the day so we’re ready to try something different. Since a high quality hamburger is a high quality meal we need to make our choice of restaurant accordingly.

As we sit down to eat, we are greeted with’shalom’ and admiring glances at the beautiful little blond boy sitting beside us. If he asked, there is a very good possibility Jake could get us a free appetizer. The menu is full of strange and wonderful choices. When the food arrives, we are treated to the sight of portions for two, except it’s for one person.

Four full stomachs later, it’s time to get the boys home to bed. We know we are almost at’ Jake’s house, jake’s house!” when we round the bend, drive by the park to our left, and veer to the right. ” Jake’ive? Jake’ive?” It’s time for a chauffeur switch. With Jake at the helm, we are good for a few twists and turns until we reach the’unnel.

After unloading the various possessions we’ve acquired throughout the day..a rock here, a flower there..we are escorted up the ramp with Jake leading the way. The door miraculously opens. As we pile into the elevator, Jake is already on his tiptoes ready to push #1 for the first flor. Right, right left. Should we ever get disoriented, Jake knows exactly how to lead us to his house. Time for Bible reading. Tonight, we hear about Joshua being told to take his shoes off. Tomorrow night the trumpets will blow. Jake gives us a good visual demonstration of both.

What song would you like to sing Jake?” The answer is predictable.” A-ta”. ” Now there’s none like good old Joshua and the battle of Jericho.” We pray and thank the Lord for His help and protection today. A couple hours later and the room is silent. I look up from recording the day’s events and see Danny sorting through the pictures of the day. He is soon joined by two eager spectators- ready to request photo editing or annihilation.

It’s about that time. Time for the sweet cravings to attack. We sit in our chairs, look out the window and fight the urge, but the temptation is too much. If only the mini mart would obey the law and close at a decent hour, those drumsticks and Reeses might not sound so good. But they do. They always do. It’s time to thank the Lord for His goodness and close our eyes in sleep. As my eyes close in slumber, I savor the feeling of talking to my Savior in the promised land. ” Every day will I bless thee and I will praise thy name for ever and ever. Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised and his greatness is unsearchable.”

I may never see another sunrise or sunset in the promised land, but I will soon see my Savior coming back for me. Until then, I can only praise Him for all that is past and trust Him for all that’s to come.”

Thank You Lord Jesus.

So we usually use this site to note the events and happenings of consequence in the lives of Danny and Heidi. Today is different … we have to record a traumatic event in the life of little Jake.

First, we should begin by mentioning that Jake has an incredible memory for things that happen to him. When he was only 18 months old, he was in the basement with his Daddy who was using a power drill in the ceiling. For some reason or another, the drill dropped and scared Jake, causing him to cry. He still remembers this event and loves to tell the story of when Daddy "uffed" the "enh-enh". (Jake-speak for crashing a drill.) Or ask him about the time that Daddy picked up a snake from the bush in front of his house when he was only 20 months. He doesn’t forget events easily.

Nor does he forget people. Every night when he’s going to bed, we always ask him who he wants to pray for. It’s always the same two people: "Ate-mama" and "unca Cag". That’s great-grandma (or Grandma Rule) and Uncle Craig for those people who haven’t learned the dialect.

This week combined both things – events and people. On Saturday morning when he woke up, "Ata" wasn’t sleeping soundly in the other bed.

"Ata downstows?"

"No Jakey, Ata go bye-bye."

"Ata bye-bye? Bye-bye?"

The face is enough to break the heart … and every morning it’s the same conversation. Jake has lost the first person who ever shared a room with him.

Traumatic events. 🙂