A week ago I left Texas for New York City. After a 3 1/2 hour plane ride I met a girl in my group at the airport and hopped on a bus towards brooklyn. We took the subway into the heart of Brooklyn to meet the rest of our team. We started the trip off with Israeli food (aka humus!!! yummmm).
Here are a few photos I snapped in NYC
We went into the big toy store on 5th right by Central Park, and I had to play the big piano
Central Park!!
Our hotel had a gorgeous view of the city from the roof!
Next we headed to Pennsylvania!!
We had a lovely view of the NYC skyline on our way towards PA
View on the drive
Our view from the camp. We put on a kids camp in PA, which helped our team bond and made me ache for my Pine Cove community.
AFter the long holiday weekend we drove back to the city.
At somepoint I ended up buying a fedora (I've never worn a fedora nor have I ever really been a hat person, but It's growing on me)
We had reservations in Times Square that night and we were late getting back into the city so we sprinted through Brooklyn.
I managed to snap this picture on the way
Had to get my standard jumping picture at Times Square.
Our plane didnt fly out of New York until l10:15pm so we had another day in the city.
We went to Williamsburg where there is a Hasidic Jewish comuunity and also a hipster area. To prep for Israel we wandered the streets of the Jewish community, walking into bakeries to try their pastries and children's toy stores. It was the kind of community where women left their children outside of the store in their stroller while they shopped inside. They know and trust everyone in the community and we were very much outsiders. We were able to talk to a few women about their traditions and beliefs and customs, it was very interesting and beneficial.
Next we walked to the Hipster neighborhood, where I felt much more at home.
Hipster picture! (too bad I didnt have my fedora, am I right?)
Picture of the group trying to be Hipster, I'd say we did a pretty okay job.
Then it was off to the airport. I got a little car sick on the way to the airport, and then got on a =n 8 hour flight to Rome. Where I sat in the middle seat... and didn't sleep.
Flying into Rome... LOOK!!! IT'S ITALY!! Be still my heart.
We flew Alitalia, which means all the flight attendants spoke Italian, which was frustrating because I don't remember like anything.
But, at the airport I was able to order GELATO!!!! And it was actually good!!
YUMMMMM!!!
Leaving Rome, a bitter sweet moment because I love me some Italy and it will always have a piece of my heart. But the final destination was ISRAEL!!!
The flight was only 2 1/2 hours, but it felt like the longest plane ride ever. I also had a middle seat on this flight, but that okay.
Flying into Tel Aviv!!
I cant believe I made it to Israel. We drove straight to Jerusalem where I crashed after not sleeping for 32 hours... it was a long long day.
This morning I woke up for the most part refreshed and ready to conquer the day. Plus we have the cutest little backyard area.
View of the Old City walls
Jaffa Gate
We stopped for lunch in a square before we went through security at the Western Wall. During this time I spotted a large group of students from the University of Texas. It's nice to know there are fellow Texans in the area! Maybe I will stumble upon them again and say Howdy (there were quite a handful of good looking young men among the group, not to mention the wealth of beautiful men in Jerusalem itself ;)
Walking through the streets of the Old City
The Western Wall. Such a cool experience to be able to pray here. The women's section is on the right and the men's on the left. It is bad to turn your back towards the wall because it is the closest one can get to the Holy of Holies and therefore seen as turning your back towards God, so after you are done praying you walk out backwards. This is used more by the women than men maybe because the men are allowed to sing and dance and therefore might turn their backs toward the wall when dancing.
Our group at the Western Wall
We then walked through the New City and stopped for our first tasting of Israeli coffee
The shopping mall built right off the walls of the Old City
I love the Israeli flag banners hanging off of all the buildings
The stones used throughout the city for the buildings are called Jerusalem Stones. Supposedly, at sunset, they turn the city into a beautiful golden color. I pray that I will be able to witness an amazing sunset overlooking the city while I am here.
details throughout this beautiful city. The flowers are absolutely stunning right now.
Now we are back home for the evening with a promise to check out the "local" coffee house just a few blocks away from where we are staying in the German Colony. Today was a long day with lots of walking. Thankfully it cooled off around 3:30 and ended up being enjoyable weather.
It was such a wonderful day. I don't think I've really realized where I am yet, it hasn't hit me. But after praying at the Wailing Wall and wedging my prayer between the stones I am reminded of God's faithfulness in my life and that He will never leave me.
It is no secret to anyone that I have no idea where I am going next in life. I've graduated college. So now I'm schooless, jobless, and relationshipless. Today I was reminded how much I'm not trusting God.
After sharing with my mom the happenings of the day and my prayer at the Wailing Wall, she reminded me of Psalm 40:1-5:
"I waited patiently for the Lord;
he inclined to me and heard my cry.
He drew me up from the pit of destruction,
out of the miry bog,
and set my feet upon a rock,
making my steps secure.
He put a new song in my mouth,
a song of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear,
and put their trust in The Lord.
Blessed is the man who makes
The Lord his trust,
who does not turn to the proud,
to those who go astray after a lie!
You have multiplied, O Lord my God,
your wondrous deeds and your
thoughts toward us;
none can compare with you!
I will proclaim and tell of them,
yet they are more than can be told."
Another passage I am reminded of in my current situation of life is Romans 8:26-28:
"Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good."
This is my prayer as I am in Israel and have no control over my future, whether that mean Grad School abroad, an entry level job in the states, or living with my parents to save up money for future plans. God knows where I will be after I return from Israel and I know it will be for His will and His purposes, and in that I can find my comfort.
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