the peace of Jerusalem

I went to church this past Sunday and they handed me a card with a picture of the old city on the front and an inscription on the inside reading: "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem. Psalm 122" So, I look up that verse in my Bible. Coincidence of all coincidences, I had read that chapter 2 days before I got this card. And I marked it and dated it noting that I was in Jerusalem when I read it. I won't quote it all here because you would might just skip over this post if I quoted a whole chapter of scripture- but it is basically a prayer of David, seeking the good of the city. Something has been coming on quite slowly for me, and being shown in a hundred different ways- the importance of what's going on here, in Jerusalem. It's in the news, it's in the streets, it's in people's minds and hearts. Now, I am not a Zionist and I don't really put a lot of stress on the actual importance of the buildings and the locale of Jerusalem, but after everything that has occurred here, I think it is important to take a step back and really ponder it all.

I have a few different angles on this, so bear with me...

Today, I was taking the twins on a walk when I guy semi-accosted me, singing his praises to the twin's beauty...or something (he was talking in another language). I didn't really know what to do. He had stunned me into hesitation, and then I couldn't just ignore him. So he just started talking. He talked about Netanyahu (Israeli leader) & Abbas (Palestinian leader) and the Palestinian state. He talked about his 5 family members that were killed by the Hamas (Palestinian Islamic political party that governs the Gaza strip). He talked about how the Palestinians don't want peace and Abbas won't negotiate, etc, etc. And he wasn't speaking English very well, and I don't really have a strong opinion on either side, so I just let him go. But, as I was standing there with the twins in the pram, I was struck by his convictions. I had heard so many people speak so strongly about the different sides to the Palestinian-Israel issue, but I hadn't really heard it directly from the heart of someone who cares like he did. He cares so much that he feels the need to share his feelings with a random American girl he passes in the street. And I can't argue with him. I don't know what it feels like to have family members blown up in bus bombs. I don't know what it feels like when someone wants to take your home away from you. But, the truth is, there is probably one Palestinian who would share there woes for every Israeli. There is so much hurt in this nation, just in this one tiny city...and to think, 3000 years ago, David had already started praying for peace here.

I live in West Jerusalem- the Jewish side of the city. A few blocks away there is a tram road that separates West Jerusalem from East Jerusalem- the Arabic side. At midday I can hear the Muslim prayers rising up from East Jerusalem. In this place, religion is everywhere...and the effects of religious (and thereby political) differences are blaring. Jews live in the Jewish neighborhoods and Muslims live in Islamic neighborhoods. There are Jewish buses and Arabic buses. There is Arabic and Hebrew on every sign. It is literally two different worlds waring with each other. And it is all so convoluted and confusing, that there truly isn't a right side and a wrong side. Everyone is to be pitied and everyone is to be blamed.

So, I was thinking through all of this as I was walking down the street one day. I was thinking about how impossible it all seemed. I know some people can right off one side or another in favor of Biblical prophesy, but that doesn't actually solve anything. In my mind I go through all the things that would have to change for their to be peace. I think about all the compromises that would have to be made or the lives that would be ruined. I think about all the fear their is here. It's not just a matter of politics, it is a matter of lives. It feels like such a lost cause. I pray for the peace of the city, but I don't really see any way it can come about. And then, I was reminded of the power of God. There isn't anything I can do, or Abbas can do, or Netanyahu can do, or anyone can do. It's impossible. But, cliche or not, nothing is impossible for God. No one is outside His will. And that gives me hope for this country. I can pray in faith, knowing that the Lord's will will be done, that his plan is greater than anything I could ever imagine. He has not forgotten his people.

I prayed at the Western Wall last night. As I stood there, I felt engulfed by the pain and hope that had been brought to that place for thousands of years. It made me feel sorrow for what's happened and renewed faith in God's almighty power.

It's the first day of the New Year today (Rosh Hashana), so here's to a new year and a renewed hope!

a week in..

No matter how different the culture is...even though I don't have any people to hang out with...even though I haven't figured out how to spend my time off yet...the life with the kids is pretty much the same thing. The crying continues, the laughing continues, the nap times are the same, the food's a bit different...but still good. We still have rose wine at dinner and coffee every morning. So, I guess I should just take comfort in the day to day.

Funny moment: today Sam spilled yogurt on himself and Mia wiped it off of his leg and ate it.

And even if I was having the worst day in the world- I just put the kids to bed and turned the tv on. Guess what's on. SISTER ACT 2!! I love this movie so much. Pray the kids stay asleep so I can watch it all.

Margot is at a neurologist appointment right now. I really don't know if there is any cure for febrile seizures- and I hope that is what they are. Or that this is just some fluke. But, she hasn't had any more seizures since the last the 2 a few days ago- so that bodes well.

Alright- Sister Act 2 is distracting, so I am going to get back to that. Have a great day!

in jerusalem

So, things haven't started here exactly as I expected. I live about five minutes away from the Damascus Gate into the Old City, but I have only actually gone in twice. And, to be honest, they weren't the most relaxing walks I have ever taken. But I'll get back to that. The reason things have been a bit different than I had imagined was because Margot (one of the twins) had a seizure on our second day here...then she had two more the next day. As you can imagine, it really changes the feel of everything. Not only did Sam & Michelle spent two evenings in the hospital, which makes my presence necessary on the home front. But, taking care of a baby who has seizures is pretty fearful business. I don't think I have ever known fear like I had when Margot had her fit on Tuesday. I was holding her when it happened and I think my heart stopped a little. The past two days I have been in constant prayer that I won't let fear take me over. I want to be strong and sure and helpful. But, more than anything, I want Margot to be healthy. Thankfully, these seizures (we believe) were fever-induced. So, as long as she doesn't have a fever, she should be okay. Please pray that she is okay.

Fear wears you out. And working overtime wears you out....so that might be another explanation for why I haven't been pumped to explore Jerusalem. Also, I don't really have any friends here as of yet. The current plan is to just stalk the students at Sam's University. I've had success with that method in the past (Lauren Angert, Katie Zurcher, Erin Lynch & Leanna Brown)...so I hope it will work again. I only have a short time here, and I really feel like it is a city you need to have company to explore (especially being a woman). You will be happy to hear that I have found my favorite bookstore already! I bought a book so I can teach myself Hebrew. I am very much looking forward to the day I can read right to left.

I have drawn a few conclusions from what I have seen of the city: mainly, this place is NOTHING like I have every experienced before. I have never felt so out of my element before. And maybe I am just being hyper-sensitive because I don't want the people in my ultra conservative neighborhood to be offended, or because I want to be above reproach, or because I don't want people to get the wrong idea about me. When I walk through the Arab market streets in the old city, I keep my eyes forward and the smile off my face. The shop men are constantly trying to entice me with their wares, and young boys yell out directions to me. I am afraid that if I so much as glance at my map, I will get a swarm of people trying to give me advice and "help me" find my way. I thought I had reach a safe place where no one would bother me when I got into the Jewish Quarter, but some old man saw me glancing at my map while I was sitting on a bench and he just came up and started giving me a tour without so much as asking me. I hate being rude, but I wasn't about to follow this random man around an unknown city. Sometimes I just hate being bothered.

But that's not really the annoying thing. I think what really bothers me is that, in the attempt to stay neutral and be invisible, I don't really get to enjoy being me. I can't laugh or smile, because the shop men always notice and make some obnoxious comment. I can't be open and gregarious because this isn't a friendly city. I can't dance in the streets when I hear great Arabic music coming from one of the stalls...and I so want to dance. I think that, for me, having friends around kind of takes the pressure off. I am safe in a group. I can somehow find both anonymity and self-expression in a group. By myself I just feel vulnerable. So- I will let you know how that stalking goes so I can get on with some real exploration.

You will be proud to know that there is one way that I am absolutely asserting myself. I have dressed ultra conservative for the past few day, and I am quite enjoying it. I feel like the less I look like a foreigner, the less I am going to be bothered by the locals. But, Michelle told me that I might have better luck if were to put up my hair. Blond Israelis aren't very popular, as you might imagine. And I guess having your hair down is just asking men to harass you...something I will never understand. But, being me, and being particularly happy with my hair as I choose to wear it, I decided to forgo taking Michelle's advice. That was the last straw, as it were. I will dress conservatively. I will refrain from smiling at random people. I will avoid eye contact. But I will NOT change how I wear my hair. Maybe that is a bit of unneeded stubbornness, but that's just how it's going to be.

And that is all for tonight.

My life is crazy and random and tiring and lonely and full and adventurous and scary...but I wouldn't have it any other way. I have comfort in the fact that you are all there caring for me and thinking of me and praying for me.

Lots of love from Jerusalem,
Kelly

upon my last day in Geneva

I am moving to Jerusalem tomorrow.

As you might know, Sam Fiore has been in Israel for the past 3 weeks taking classes and getting the apartment ready for us. It was with a big smile and a breath of relief on my and Michelle's part that we welcomed him home on Thursday. These past three weeks have been some of the longest of my life, and Michelle had it much worse than me. Thankfully, I was able to take a bit of a break and travel around the Loire Valley with Melissa and her boyfriend. It was the perfect last trip before going to Jerusalem. And, if you are under 25, you should totally try to visit all the castles because you only have to pay the reduced fare! Of course, if you live in America, it probably wouldn't be worth the discount if you have to fly across the ocean, but it was quite nice for me. So, 10 castles, 2 churches, and a couple bottles of French wine later, I sent Melissa and Daniel back to the states and I headed back to Geneva for my last week.

And now it's my last day. Geneva is going to miss me.

This morning was chilly and wet as I drove to church. And there was also a fly in the car that kept buzzing around my face- it was terribly infuriating. I really couldn't get my mind focused. And the rain kept pouring down on my windows....then I'd go through a tunnel and it would stop. Then rain. Tunnel. Pouring rain. Tunnel. Fly in my face. Then rain. Tunnel. You get the idea. Very distracting as a driver. I had my umbrella open and my jacket around me as I walked into church. I like the cold weather, so I wasn't really bothered. (I actually enjoyed getting to make use of my new leather jacket.) But, I didn't realize what the day had in store.

After church, I went to lunch. After lunch, I got in my car and drove home. Now, during lunch the clouds apparently all got together and talked about my leaving. Or maybe they heard everyone saying their farewells to me, and decided to give me a little goodbye present. When I walked outside, I walked into the most beautiful day. The sun is shining and there is a fresh cold breeze coming down from the mountains. It reminds me of apple picking in Georgia. It reminds me of Katie Zurcher's mountain/lake house and its wood-burning stove that heats the whole house. It reminds me of cuddling up in quilts drinking hot cocoa out of big mugs and marveling at the changing leaves. It is big comfy sweater air. It is run around in fields air. I am trying to soak it all up before I go to Jerusalem...where I hear mountain breezes and wood-burning stoves are hard to come by.

I had to say goodbye to a lot of people today. It was horrible. I hate saying goodbye. I would rather say "see you later" or just not say anything at all. The thing is, there are some people I am going to miss and I am going to keep in touch with, and there are some who I was just friends with for this season of life, and others who I was always around, but never really got to know. And all of those differing relationships make for some very awkward farewells. Especially because my mind is spinning at the idea of moving to Jerusalem tomorrow- so I don't even know what to think about it all, much less what to say.

There are also some people who are worried for me. Jerusalem is a pretty volatile place, and it will probably get even more so with the coming UN conference and the Palestinians requesting to be recognized as a nation. But, please don't be. I know without a shadow of a doubt that this is where the Lord is taking the Fiores. And I also know that where I am in life is exactly where God wants me to be. This isn't a mistake or something I am unsure of or something I am nervous about. If you believe in things being ordained by God- than you have to believe this is. It's exciting and it's nerve-wracking and it's crazy. But, at the end of the day, it is just following the plans the Lord has for me.

And, if nothing else, it is going to be an amazing adventure.

I will miss you too Geneva! Shalom!

Boswell out.