Israel 2024 - Week Two

Thurs, Nov. 14 - Visit with Stephanie

We went to meet our pregnant friend Stephanie with her smallest son Eli at The Grand Cafe near her home.

Oh my goodness! She is due to deliver their third child just after we leave israel.

Eli is 2 years old and so cute!

Grace is as sweet as she is lovely!

Eli loved playing with Grace.

Trying out the slide from the bottom

I can do the slide!

Mommy, this is so much fun!

Best friends forever....

Playing between deep discussions about life, marriage and Abraham....

Fri, Nov 15 - Sat, Nov 16 - Shabbat Guests

So much Shuk shopping! I need a Rambam drink from Uzi Eli. He passed away a few years ago, but his family is still going strong at his stall.

Yossi greeted us at Tzidkiyahu, and even gave us a discount today!

Raoul bought us flowers for Shabbat. I was overcome by tears, feeling so blessed as we prepare for Shabbat. Thank you, Lord!

We are in preparation for our second Shabbat in Israel.

These are long time friends Koen, Joeky and their daughter Sarah, who lost her husband to illness 3 years ago.

Isn't Grace so beautiful as she lights the Shabbat candles with so much joy?

Why are there 2 challot instead of 1 challah? Do you know why?

Perfectly seasoned cauliflower and Broccoli!

We remember that our guests love meat. Raoul searched hard to find the very best meat to serve us all. Thank you , honey! Thank you, Lord!

The Lord saved 1 piece of cod for us at the fish place in the Shuk. Look at how deliciously prepared this is by Grace!

Yummy rice lentil dish!

Raoul believes that learning photography will pull Sarah out of this very dark place and open the door to real conversation.

How does this work?

And what is this for?

She is already opening up a bit more.

Raoul teaching Sarah cameras

Koen and Joeky are so grateful to us for helping Sarah live again.

What a fun Shabbat together!

Grace and I took a little walk on Shabbat.

This sculpture represents the eternal flame of God for the Jewish people.

Grace in the YMCA archway

We love this archway

We saw a few unaffordable places for sale.

Posters remind us everywhere of the hostages still in captivity.

What a great place to live

Grace looks pretty by this bright green tree.

Another beautiful place to live

There is a lot of new construction even during war time.

We can dream...

There are no squirrels, but many cats!

It would be a dream come true to live in Jerusalem.

Another new building under construction

Another day in paradise

Sun, Nov 17 - Prayers at the Wall

Can you spot us? Look for the red hat!

This road leads to the Jewish Quarter in the Old City.

Sarah is getting some great shots!

Sarah is practicing her photography on the way.

Here's an interesting composition.

Israeli flag against the backdrop of the Western Wall

An IDF soldier coming to pray

Another soldier praying

Raoul was just sitting in the Kotel (area of the Western Wall) when he was suddenly surrounded by young, beautiful Israeli female soldiers.

Karen Faith is taking the opportunity to write some more prayers at the Wall.

I have more prayers to write.

Thinking carefully as I write...

Just a few more prayers...

Pretty doves nesting in the Western Wall

Great eye for photos, Sarah! Great editing, Raoul! Beautiful!

Iconic visual of the wall

Praying carefully for each prayer request

The men's side of the Western Wall

We took photos of each prayer at the wall.

Special prayers for Raoul!

Karen Faith and Grace with their prayer requests

One at a time...

Read, pray, place in the wall...

We prayed to the Lord for each prayer request before placing it in the wall.

It's such a special place

But don't stand directly under the bird's nests....

Seeking God's blessings for the people we love.

Praying one prayer at a time...

Thank you Lord for hearing our prayers.

Don't forget this one!

Just one more...

We love this whole "Kotel" area...

Taking a picture of Sarah taking a picture!

Sarah became more comfortable with us throughout the day.

In front of the women's side

And the men's side...

It looks like we are the only ones here!

There are actually many people praying here today.

Religious or secular, everyone comes to the Wall to pray.

White dove nesting

The doves nesting in the Western Wall are so lovely.

What beautiful doves...

Come'on honey! You can make it!

Here is a musician in front of the 3rd Temple's gold Menorah.

We stopped to see Stephanie's husband, Maor, at his family's jewelry shop in the Old City.

What a lovely musician we passed as we walked back through Mamila Mall.

Raoul invited Sarah to dinner so we could get to know her better.

Fabulous mushroom risotto

Beautifully prepared whole fish

Thank you honey for this delicious meal!

We told Chaim, our server, that it is Sarah's birthday and he delighted us with desserts! This is yummy Lemon Maringue Tart.

The Chocolate Cheesecake was beyond amazing!

Thank you so much honey! Thank you, Lord!

Mon, Nov 18 - Meeting with Tzippy & Oded

There is a double rainbow this morning over the Judea and Samaria area!

The Great Synagogue of Jerusalem

Raoul spent special time out with Grace

Yummy ice cream!

Tzippy and Oded took us to dinner at the Inbal Hotel. It was so sweet of them to make time for us. They have 26 children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren in the army all at the same time!

Delicious Salad

Bread with Marrow bone

Slow cooked lamb

We told the waitress that it is Tzippy's birthday. She had so much fun!

Last year we met her son Noam on the Army base. They are related to our friend Stephanie. It's a very small world in the land of Israel!

Tues, Nov 19 - Work Day in Jerusalem & Visit from Moti

We walked with Grace to the Grand Cafe so she could get some concentrated work time. Isn’t Raoul so adorable?

What a perfect day for a walk.

Of course we need to eat before we walk back!

It is tomatoes with eggs and cheese

Look- a British tea house in Jerusalem!

It looks so cute. We have to return here.

We walked across the street and wanted to test the internet speed. Oops. That means we need to eat something to get the code!

We better try the cherry cheesecake because everyone we bring with us loves cheesecake too!

Here is one of our concert spots. The last time we came here, it was raining and dark. It is much easier to spot this elderly home in the sunshine.

What beautiful leaves as they change color along the train path back from the Baka area.

Moti came from the army to meet us at the apartment. He had to run downstairs for a moment and asked us to watch his gun. I think it will be best to stay on this side of the gun.

Raoul gifted Moti and his son Shiloh with powerful flashlights as they are both in active duty.

This is one of the things the soldiers handle when not on base. Notice that Moti is wearing another flashlight gift from Raoul that helps at home and on the Base!

May God's Holy Spirit protect and keep Moti and Shiloh!