Where has the time gone? I have three weeks until I return to my home in Ohio. As I sit here, I can't wait to be back among my family and friends who I love so much! Today, I really miss the Ohio falls that sometimes happen (though this year it sounded like it jumped from summer to winter :)): the beautiful colors on the trees and a hot cidar in my hands. But, as much as I miss home, I will miss Israel that much when I'm back home. I will miss first and foremost the incredible group of friends, a family, I've made here. Lord willing, through e-mail, the internet, and phones I'll be able to keep in contact with people, though it will never be the same again fellowship-wise as it has been. I feel like I'm going through the graduation emotional severance all over again. I just did this 6 months ago! It's hard to have to accept that, because of our finiteness and the fact that time and space seperates the body from its members, I have to move on. I will always have my memories, Praise the Lord of grace Who gave us great times! I will also miss the sites, the smells (well, most of them :)), the significance of this land, the "atmosphere" of Israel , Sambooki :)  . . . but these I will take back with me through my memories as well.

The most important thing I will take back with me from Israel is what my Lord taught me this semester. How can I stop praising Him for this GREAT SALVATION He has given me! How can I want anything less than only Himself for my satisfaction? How can I expect joy to come from anywhere else? How can I doubt His goodness and sufficiency in the midst of my inadequacy? He has shown Himself so completely good to me this semester that I cannot wait to see what lies ahead! With additional pictures of the character of the land and why events happened how they did throughout scripture because of the lay of the land, with a somewhat better understanding of how Egypt was important for the early Old Testament, with additional understanding of how the Jews read certain passages and their thinking behind their theology, and with the added sensitivity to the political situation in the Middle East, I have gained a richer knowledge in certain areas and an understanding that I still have SO much to learn in others! Not only have I learned from my classes here and what the Lord has taught me, but I have also TRUELY enjoyed learning from my fellow students and friends! All those great discussions of anything and everything, those times of hearing about experiences I'm not familiar with and haven't been able to experience, all those times of wrestling with differences of opinions and hearing how the Lord has chosen to work in lives, learning the significance of language and (trying) to learn certain significant words, and simply hearing your hearts, I thank each and every one of you who has touched me this semester. I will not forget you. I look forward to the day when, whether on earth or in heaven, we may meet again and catch up. :)

I will be home soon. I miss you all at home and can't wait to catch up with you!

The Lord is GOOD, and His blessings flow like waterfalls!! I love music . . . you know that. I prayed for the opportunity to use my musical abilities here abroad . . . not completely understanding how MUCH He would choose to use me!! Please, I write this to make myself as a small, broken, clay vessel that the Lord is choosing to pour into . . . nothing I say is asking for any praise on my behalf because everything I am and have been and will be is all HIM!! He's given me to opportunity to be a part of the worship team as we lead worship through music Friday nights (I am able to play piano and sing here! Praise be to God the Giver of all things good!). I might be able to teach an actual music class in one of the city's schools on a volunteer basis. And the best . . . I'm actually going to be teaching privately!! The Lord gave me a family to teach piano to . . . and tonight, I was able to share a little of that knowledge with them! Not only am I excited about teaching them, but they are some of the most receptive students I've taught and have a love to learn it that is rare in America! I am so happy, the Lord is AMAZINGLY Good! Praise Him in the highest Heavens, and may the music of my fingers and lips and my teaching be His music for His glory alone!

Ok, I'm going to attempt to talk about one thing that's happened here! It's been SUCH a great experience so far!!

This pic on my profile (cuz I'm too lazy right now to try to figure out how to put pics actually in the post :) I've had a lot of problems trying to figure out how to upload my pics here . . . ) is me on top of the New City Wall. This was on Sunday afternoon when we took a 5 hour trip around the Old City (saw the Dome of the Rock, the Wailing Wall, the Church of the Holy Sepluchar, and lots of markets :)). I'm loving wearing skirts here . . . so comfortable :) I got sunburned this day, though :)

More later!

ps sorry it's sideways! haha!

It's never goodbye, it's always, "see you later," in Christ . . .

So, see you later :) (Although, I'll be here on xanga, I'll just be logging on in a different location ;)

I love you all. Please pray for me, and know that I'm in God's hands EVERYWHERE (Praise Him for THAT :)) and I'm striving to do His work.

And I'll definitely have some pretty sweet pics and stories to show and tell :)