Thank you for your love and support throughout the 2011 year!!! 

With the kids out of school for the Sukkot holiday, we decided to do something unique, non-traditional, and just plain yummy over the break…. we hosted a Sukkot Sushi Outreach!

Thanks to the help of the some of the YWAM team, we introduced the kids to the deliciousness of the Japanese culture. Most of them have never tried sushi, let alone made it themselves. We taught them how to make it, how to use chopsticks, and most importantly, how to eat it!

A wonderful time was had by all, and at the end of the day we had some of the cutest, satisfied customers in all South Tel Aviv! It was fun to do something different, and enjoy the holiday together…

 (Full collection click here)

And I would like to take this time to thank ALL of you who have supported Shine International, and me personally this year!  As I look back, I really am amazed with everything that happened, and super excited about what is to come!  May you have a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS and I pray that everyone is able to spend some time with loved ones and remember the REASON for this SEASON!

HOPE EVERYONE HAD A WONDERFUL THANKSGIVING!!!

This year there were TONS of people there.  I think the fact that the weather was nicer this year, brought out more locals (and by locals, I mean Men.  Women were few and far between).  As I stood looking toward the crowd, I thought, “and what a contrast to the few animals that were there to witness his birth..”

I had other moments that took me back.  Moments of, “I can’t believe I’m seeing this here” like the infamous STARS and BUCKS coffee shop (close enough to attract Starbucks lovers, but not close enough to break any infringement rights).  Can you imagine if Mary was like, “Oh, Stars and Bucks!!!” We traveled all this way, I could really use a cup of Stars and Bucks coffee to get me through this…” hehehe. (ok, well even if Mary wouldn’t have been excited, I sure was)

And of course, we all have this nice little image of what it was like that night… in a cute little manger, surrounded by the shepherds, wise men, donkeys, sheep, and the shining star on top.  I’m sure our pop culture plays a big part in that; but as I stood, posing next to the famous “nativity scene” in front of the Arab Christian tourist shop I actually took a moment to imagine what it was really like that night.

More or less, likely in a small cave or some sort…cold…smelly…dark…birth-pains…

This is how our Savior was born.

And I was humbled.

For as I looked all around me, 2000 + years later, I saw an extreme of opposites surrounding me.  Now versus then.

But ONE thing remains the same: The REASON!  His LOVE remains the same both then and now.  He came for them; He came for us.  He died for you; He died for me. No matter how much our world changes, for better or worse, this one constant will remain the same….and I love HIM even more today than yesterday.

Bethlehem is a wonderful place to be on Christmas Eve, and I hope the tradition continues for years to come, but the location is just that…. a location.  What matters is what’s in our ❤!  That is the truth of Christmas!  Much love to all of you, from my beloved Bethlehem!

(and wouldn’t it be fun to join me next year!?!)

I honestly think that getting the turkey fresh from the market is the key, cuz it was the best turkey I’ve ever had!!! (and I’m not just saying that because I cooked it).

Turns out that Becca makes the most amazing, incredible, mouth savoring Apple Crisp IN THE WORLD! We taught our friends from Finland/Holland/Israel all about Thanksgiving Day Traditions (including American Football, Chia Pets, and Aluminum Trees w/rotating light discs….don’t ask!) We played a bit of Texas Hold-Um using 10 Cent Shekels, and all in all, it was a wonderful day!  You wanted to see some pics, so here you go….

The infamous “tweezing” of the quills and feathers left on the turkey (I finally got smart and starting using my tweezer instead of killing my fingers):

Our guy Before and After:

(To see the entire Thanksgiving collection, click here)

Hope Everyone had as wonderful a day as I did!!! Now….on to Christmas/Chanukah!

This is my 1st time EVER hosting and cooking Thanksgiving dinner, and I’m nervous.  Add to that my turkey-experience today, and I’m almost at full-blown freak-out mode.

We bought our turkey at the shuk (Israeli market), which does not normally sell whole turkey, so I was pleasantly surprised when I found out we were able to get it.

The good news is that they DID de-feather and be-head him….the bad news is they did NOT do a good job.  After my bloody bus ride home, lugging him with me across the city, and leaving a blood trail on the floor, I put him in the sink to wash him off. This is when I noticed that the neck was indeed included in the deal (stuffed inside) and there were remnants of feathers all over.

AHHHH! Let the freak-out begin. My first Thanksgiving cooking, and I have to begin by pulling out feather pieces.  I will update you with pictures and details on how it went…. until then

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!!

During Sukkot (aka: The Feast of the Tabernacles found in Lev. 23:33-44) Israeli’s are called to remember the time in which the Israelites wandered in the desert for 40 years, with no permanent house dwelling.  The word Sukkot is the plural form of the Hebrew word, Sukka, which means booth or hut, in remembrance of the fragile dwellings the Israelites lived in during these times.

My flat-mate turned our varanda into a sukka, which technically we are supposed to eat and sleep under. I did eat under it (though I eat most of my meals on the varanda), but sleeping out there didn’t quite happen  I think she did a really good job, and I was pleasantly surprised, returning home to see our varanda all “sukkoted out”. (I really don’t think that is a word). hehehe

Happy Last day of Sukkot!

How does The Feast of Weeks overlap with Pentecost.  Well, after the crucifixion of Jesus, the disciples had gathered together to celebrate the festival (as good Jewish would) when what was known as the outpouring of the Holy Spirit came upon them and tongues of fire rested above their heads.  

So there you have it. Once again. The same holiday celebrated for two different reasons…

Jewish: The Feast of Weeks 

Christian: the Pentecost

I will be be celebrating both, thank you very much, and enjoying my Friday and Saturday as a holiday