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If Ever I Loved Thee…

22
Dec
2011
Category: Dvora  Tags: ,  4 Comments

The song, “If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus ’tis now,” has been running through my mind, over and over.

Last week (Dec. 11) I signed a contract to rent an apartment, and learned that the landlord was very happy to think I might stay at least five years, if not longer! And I was happy to discover that the land in front of the entrance to the apartment belongs to the apartment: In other words, I am free to plant flowers or trees, or vines there, as long as it is nice and doesn’t disturb the neighbors. What fun!

The day after signing the contract, I went out to get some much needed errands done. While between stores, I couldn’t shake the thought to visit a store where I had started to buy a set of dishes, only to learn a few pieces in that the pattern was sold out and there were no plans to bring in more. Well, the thought wouldn’t go away, and I went, and lo and behold, I found the missing soup bowls for the set! I went to the checkout, and asked if by any chance they had any more dinner plates. I only needed one more to finish service for six, but wanted an extra, just in case. The clerks actually argued over whether or not to take my request, so certain was one that they were not to be found in the country! The other clerk won out though. She said, it won’t hurt to ask, and she took my name and phone number. And I didn’t here from them. But I was thankful for my soup bowls!

Still, despite so much to be thankful for, I’ve found myself hit with the holiday blues. Missing Rich, the kids, and struggling with a pain in my ankle that won’t go away. A couple of days ago I found myself again counting my alters, and wondering, “Lord, am I really where you want me? Has it really been You leading me all this way, including to marry Rich, or am I just deceiving myself.”

As I prayed, I felt the Lord reassuring me, and yet, in my fear of self, I said, “I just need a sign, something I can look at.” The thought entered my mind, “Lord, give me two plates to finish my set. I know I only need one, but please give me two.” And then I felt stupid asking even that… you know how it goes. Prayed a bit longer, read more in my Bible, and went to sleep.

The next day (yesterday, Dec. 21), I got a phone call at work. It was the store that I had visited. They had received exactly TWO of the plates I needed. Did I still want them?

And I am awestruck again, at what an amazing God I serve. How much He loves me, in the little things and in the big things. Carrying me through the dark times, and giving me visible encouragements to keep me on track!

And as I consider Christmas, I am reminded again, that THIS is the message of Christmas, not just “love” but God’s love poured out on man: God limiting Himself into human flesh for you and me–not to give us a set of dishes–but to restore our relationship with God and bring us forgiveness of sins.

Christmas is meaningless without an empty grave. But with it? What a wonderful reason to again sing with the hymn writer, “If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus ’tis now.”

May you, my friends and readers, have a blessed Christmas, rejoicing in our Savior’s birth, that we might be born again!

Packing, Packing, and MORE Packing

11
Jul
2011
Category: Dvora, Family, Life in Michigan  Tags: ,  One Comment

So, what has been happening in the good ol US of A? I landed with my feet running. Had a great flight to the US. Was able to pay extra for a bulkhead seat. The seat reclines more, and I was allowed to have my hand luggage on the floor for the entire flight, serving as a foot rest. As a result, no swollen feet after 11 hours of flying!

Landed in early morning, and was met by my step-son Roy. We had a nice visit, he took me to his brother’s house where I picked up my car, and then had to get a new battery for my cell phone. From there, on to my friend Sue’s, and a nice evening. Slept well, began sorting through things the next day, a concert that night… fought and won the battle against jet lag.

Spent every day last week at Lloyd and Kristina’s going through everything and making the difficult decision: What comes to Israel and what gets thrown away, sold, or given away. Once I made the decision that I am getting rid of as much as possible, somehow, things went easier. I think, all those seemingly wasted hours in Israel where my mind ran in circles wondering what to keep, what to get rid of, were not wasted after all. Deep inside of me, many decisions had already been made, and I was surprised how much I was able to part with.

When I first came to Israel, it was with two suitcases, and a few boxes of books that I mailed to myself… that was it. This time, I’m returning with many more memories and items… and yet there is the full realization these things are only temporary. When I go to my true home, none of these things will go with me… And so I review everything and whittle down, and make sure these are the things I want for this side of heaven, that are worth taking with me.

My brother-in-law is working hard scanning all my photos and negatives, a wonderful blessing. The thought of shipping and storing a life-time of photos was rather overwhelming. Now they will all be accessible in digital format… I am so thankful for his willingness to help me.

Had a great time with Andrea and her boyfriend Josh. We played putt-putt golf and went out to dinner. I hadn’t played putt-putt literally since the first time I left for Israel to live. Layers of memories. She gave me a birthday present that I love… really nice socks with bumble-bees on them. And to understand why I like them so much, you have to know how much I hate socks that rub against my feet the wrong way, or footies that fall off because they don’t fit right, and you’d have to know my connection with bumble-bees… any way… she couldn’t have picked a more special gift for me.

And isn’t that like God? Giving GOOD gifts to His children. He works in our lives in so many amazing ways, giving gifts that He knows only we would appreciate. All of us are so blessed with so much. What He gives to one is not what He gives to another. He knows what each of us needs and works so uniquely in each of our lives.

Thank you Lord for the gifts you give us, in friends, family, and most of all, a citizenship in Heaven, and a home waiting for us that will never corrupt, rot or rust… all because of YOUR gift of Jesus to us and redemption and salvation that no one can take away.

So Many Cherries on the Cake

19
Jun
2011
Category: Dvora, Israel  Tags: ,  2 Comments

Well, yes, it was my birthday, but there were no cherries on that cake… rather, the expression is from the Hebrew… and in English, “the icing on the cake.”

You see I did have a lovely birthday celebration with many of my friends, and my godchildren, and the Chinese congregation. What a mixture of languages and cultures, from American, Hebrew, Arabic to Chinese! Languages wafting through the air like incense.

And then “Abba” Wong (I call him Abba because he and his wife have been like adopted mom and dad to me here in Israel in many ways.) asked me to come in to talk with my future Chinese students. When I had first heard about teaching English with the English Bible as a text book again, at Noa’s baptism, I was thrilled. Could it get better? I didn’t think so. As soon as I made the commitment, the thought was in my mind, what book should I begin with? My mind quickly wandered over several, but knowing most of my students would be ladies, somehow, I couldn’t shake the thought of the book of Esther.

So now Abba Wong is asking me to come and meet some of my future students, one of whom is a guest professor at one of the universities in Haifa. We greeted each other, exchanged names, and then I was asked to share a little about what I would be teaching. So I prayed, and felt peace, even though the professor was a man, to say that we would be learning from the book of Esther. His eyes lit up. “Really?” and then he continued, “I’ve tried reading the Old Testament, and the only book that I think is not boring is Esther!”

Did I need further confirmation that good doors are opening before me?

So on Saturday, several friends mentioned they thought I needed to get my ticket back to Israel as soon as possible, since prices are going up. I had tried from the US to contact ElAl to check the price of tickets for returning Israelis, to no avail. In the meanwhile, I finally found a reasonable ticket for August 7… which would still let me have a Sunday with my congregation and family before returning. But reasonable only if ElAl would not work out.

Finally succeeded to get them on the phone. The ticket was reasonable, but only from JFK to Tel Aviv. I would have to purchase the Grand Rapids to JFK portion separately… and THAT was a horse of a different color. No direct flights to JFK and paying for each piece of luggage… made the other option cheaper.

So, the office is closed today, tomorrow I order my return ticket…

All that overshadows the bad news I received from my doctor on June 16… my blood work for the new job came back and I’ve been diagnosed with diabetes Type 2. So I’ve started on meds, and am trying to be more careful about what I eat.

The Lord is good, and His mercy endures forever. As I considered all these things this morning, all I could do was lift a grateful heart up to my God and thank Him for how He does care for me and direct me so gently. Carried by His grace every day, surrounded by His love… what more can I ask for?

Just to be Clear…

10
Jun
2011
Category: Dvora, Israel  Tags: , ,  One Comment

A few people wrote that they were not sure what was going on with me… so I thought I’d write this quick update. I have signed a contract to begin work, sometime in August, at a local hospital as their English Editor for Critical Documentation. I have also found a place to live from Aug-Feb one block from the hospital!

I have friends who have been looking for work for over 2 years, and am very grateful to the Lord for opening these good doors for me. So, on June 30 I leave Israel to return to the US and pack up my things, see my family, say goodbye, and then head back to Israel in August. The job includes 4 weeks paid vacation a year… so I’m hopeful to be able to visit.

I have to admit, the timing is not deliberate, but does seem weird to me… Rich and I had our religious wedding here in Israel on August 10, 2007; he went to be with his savior on August 16, 2010, and in August 2011, I’ll be returning to Israel to live… all to show that the cliches are true: reality is stranger than fiction… and my reality is not as strange as many of the stories I’ve heard from others who have come here to live.

Today is a special day as well: my second god-child, Noa, is being making her public commitment of faith by immersion today! She was hoping I could be here for this day…

So much to be thankful for… she also likes the song, “Who Am I” by Casting Crowns, so I’ll be singing that today for her… and agree totally with the ending… Whom shall I fear? And the answer… No one, because I belong to my Lord, and He IS good!

Thanksgiving in Colorado

23
Nov
2010
Category: Dvora, Grief  Tags: ,  4 Comments

I thought I would write more once I got settled in Colorado, but find that time goes by and suddenly, I’ve been here two weeks! I am enjoying being with my friends, and so very thankful for them. I have a lovely room that gets lots of bright warm sunlight in the daytime, and is cozy at night, despite the chill nights. Guay my cat is adjusting to the change, and finds the lace interesting. He moves from sun spot to sun spot, enjoying laying in the sun, while I work at the computer, read, or visit with Layla and Jon.

This is a strange state of affairs. I feel, in one sense, in limbo, neither here nor there. I miss people in Michigan, and even some aspects of Michigan itself (though not Michigan weather), I am enjoying meeting new people in Colorado, the weather is wonderful, and the view – pure majesty – reminding me of the Psalms, “The mountains declare the glory of God.”

Yet grief is a part of my every day life in some form of another. Loss of home, loss of family, loss of my husband, no longer being in a choir… The knowledge that where I am is temporary, and why, is a very real part of my every day in one way or another. Tears always find a way to rain on something… but if rain is needed for growth, then maybe so too are tears. That is not to say I am moping or depressed all the time – on the contrary – only that to see me smiling and enjoying life here does not negate the very real sorrow that has affected every part of my life in one way or another.

I enjoy being able to read my Bible and journal in the mornings, working through various Bible studies, and the occasional devotional. It never ceases to amaze me how I’ll open up something to read and somehow it is exactly appropriate for that very day, and the thoughts I struggle with. Email, Facebook, and other messages challenge to focus on thankfulness. And I am thankful…

Thankful that the God of comfort brings comfort to my heart.

Thankful that Rich is with the Lord, healthier and more whole than he ever was on this earth.

Thankful that my Savior has forgiven and cleansed me, and is so very patient with me.

Thankful that my step-children are in better care in HIS good hands, than they could ever be with me.

Thankful for precious friends

Thankful for work

Thankful that I can walk, breathe, move, and use my senses.

Thankful that God is unchangeable, reliable, trustworthy, and that I belong to Him.

I pray that you too will have a thankful thanksgiving, no matter how you are challenged.

In HIS Grace,

Dvora

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