4 Months in Israel/Palestine

Four months ago, almost to the hour, we were arriving at Tantur's grounds in a shared airport shuttle. It was the first time my older three had lived overseas in 7 years, and Miriam's first time ever. It's hard to believe we're just days shy of being halfway through our time in the Jerusalem area. I've struggled a lot in these four months. There have been times of tears and despair and more than one family fight. But there have also been times of such beauty, growth and connection. I'd like to try to remember some of the highlights...

Beauty:

• Tantur's grounds  -- The sound of wind blowing in the tall pine trees, the tinkle of the garden's fountain, citrus trees and olive trees, roses and hibiscus, olive trees, sunsets
• Worship with others -- praying and singing in a Taize service, prayers and songs in both English and Arabic in various churches
• The wonder of seeing Selah Marie for the first time, such a gorgeous and precious baby, my last.
• Invigorating views of the Mediterranean Sea at Caesarea, the Dead Sea from Herodium, green hills near Megiddo and the Carmel range, and craggy hills in the Jerusalem area.
• Amazing ancient architecture and ruins, from the walls of Jerusalem to the Crusader city of Akko

Growth:

• Miriam continuing to speak better, including 'reading' us stories and copying adult phrases like "Here you go" and "Oh, okay!"
• Miriam learning how to use the potty
• Josiah and Naomi embracing the prospect of learning Arabic
• Ethan's continuing fascination with math
• Selah crying less and smiling more
• The kids and I learning about modern Palestinian history and reading many books that help us begin to understand the Nakba and the conflict.

Connection:

• Beginning of friendships, especially with some neighbor families who also have kids, and with Steve's office mate.
• Numerous visitors and short-term residents here, including Catholic priests and neighbors' relatives, who have been encouraging and interesting to talk with.
• Good friends for the kids -- Miriam has 5 neighbor children close to her age who she loves to play with, and the big kids have a few friends too!
• Many encounters with folks who care deeply about the plight of Palestinians, from a pastor/doctor couple who visit Gaza to a Notre Dame grad student interning at an NGO to a pastor who regularly preaches about justice.