This is the Day that the Lord Has Made.

June 29

Today was a very nice and relaxing day. It was nice to get a little break before starting the tour! We all got to sleep in a little bit and then we broke off into different groups to do different activities. Some of us went to play softball, some of us went downtown, others went to the grocery store and others stayed at home. I went downtown with Kaytra, Rachael, Danielle and Erica. It was really cool because Rehovot is definitely not a touristy part of Israel, so we were really able to just see Israelis in their every day life! Shopping, walking, talking… so much fun! Somehow, we were still looking pretty touristy though because one lady asked us, but it was cool because when we told her we just finished volunteering at Kaplan, she started thanking us and blowing kisses at us! Anyway, it was just cool being a part of Israeli daily life by riding the bus and walking around like a normal Israeli! I mean, that’s how you learn more about the culture! By being immersed in it! 

When we got back Heather had made us some mac and cheese, which was pretty exciting and then we got ready for our Shabbott dinner that a wonderful couple from the hospital threw for us! So we had devotions, which was wonderful as usual. Bruce and Chris are some of the wisest people I have ever met. I respect them immensely! We finished up the first chapter of Philippians tonight and Bruce talked about how when we value something, we are willing to pay for it. I mean, think about the most expensive thing you have. Your house or your car… your coach bag or a pair of shoes… just think about how much you value you it because you paid a high price for it. Well, guess what. Being a believer is no different. How much of a price are we willing to pay for something we should value most in our lives? Being a believer might cause suffering and persecution. How much are we willing to sacrifice? The truth is, we should be willing to pay any price for something we value MOST. But are we? It’s a hard question to ask, and a question I myself don’t know if I can answer. But it’s something I WANT to answer. I want to say that I am willing to sacrifice anything for Yeshua, but honestly, at this point, I don’t know if that’s true. And that’s something I will be working hard at and praying about so that I can get to that point. Who knows where the Lord will lead me out of college, but I pray that at that point, I will be willing to go wherever He leads.

Anyway, Shabbott dinner was absolutely AMAZING. I mean, Ruth, the woman from the hospital that put it on for us, spent THREE DAYS cooking for us! There was so much food I feel like I’m going to explode! Her and her husband care for us so much, it just fills my heart with so much joy. Her husband said that us being at his house for dinner tonight tripled his joy! I am just in awe of the hospitality of these people and the love they have for us. It breaks my heart that they don’t have a relationship with our loving Yeshua so that they can experience His endless love. But man, it was a long night of eating and laughing, we sang for them… It was a wonderful night.

I will never forget this place or these people. This trip was the best decision I could have made, and it is worth the price I had to pay. If I ever get the chance to do this again, I would do it in a heart beat. Being able to spend time in this culture and love on these people is wonderful. I really don’t know how to put this feeling into words. I just can’t stop smiling, my cheeks should have a six pack by the end of this trip!!

Anyway, I still can’t believe I’m halfway done. But I am going to live in the moment and soak in every second that I am here.