waking up in jerusalem

is like waking up anywhere else, really. and, to be honest, i'm not that fond of it. however, there was something a little different in the air this morning. something new. something different. something unknown. something beautiful.

today was shabbat, sabboth, saturday. and today israel rests. buses don't run. shops aren't open. people stay home... and rest. today i rested from a long day traveling and a long journey ahead.

i am blessed by my home here. my host parents are the definition of hospitality. already midge is trying to convert her small storage room downstairs into a bedroom so i can stay with emily and rebecca. (i think midges likes me and doesn't want me to go too) :) she's cute and i enjoy talking with her. she and harvey blatt are the typical old couple you imagine them to be.

my housemates are: rob, a 60 something volunteer at king of kings, a messianic assembly here. he has incredible stories and his soothing, calm, grandfatherly voice begs me listen to him. elizabeth is 24 and finished her studied at jerusalem bible college last year and is back to volunteer at bridges of peace, a food bank. shirley lives in the downstairs apartment, in her 40s she is the director of some organization that helps jews from ukraine make allyah (move to israel).
of course, my friend emily, 20 , from new zealand arrives tomorrow night. i live in the tv room on the pullout sofabed and i couldn't be happier to have a place to sleep at night and friendly faces to meet when i walk out my door.

highlights of my day were:
1- going to the messianic congregation with my host family. it was all in hebrew and i had a headset to listen to the prayers and sermon. it was a wonderful experience. i liked to worship in hebrew (the songs were also translated at the bottom of the slide).
2- going to the market. i was all kinda of overwhelmed, but i managed to select a few vegtables, fruit, juice, meat and cheese, humus and bread, and soy milk! they have banana flavor. i can't wait to try it! mom, i told rob you like to see the brocery store in different countries... you would have loved this!
3- talking to my parents on skype! it was wonderful to see you both. i love you!

and now it is 10:45pm and i am back to tired. tomorrow i have no agenda. which i like.
shabbat shalom.