Friday, March 30, 2012

Sundown

We had time change today.  Pretty awesome to know you are on Jerusalem time, don't you think?  But, actually, we are always in the same time zone as Israel when we are in Ukraine.  The only difference is that our time changes happens on different calendar days.  {Ukraine's time change was a week ago.}

The Sabbath starts on Friday evenings at sundown and lasts until sundown on Saturday evenings.  The whole country pretty much shuts down on this day and it is truly a day of rest.  On Sundays, everyone goes back to work and school.

And, kids in America and Ukraine (and anywhere else you might be reading from)... be grateful.  Jewish kids have school six days a week (Sunday - Friday).  My kids are in a hurry to finish up this school year, so they do not mind adapting to this little cultural point for awhile.  Could be that they only have one week of school left, though.  Somehow I don't think they will be so obliging to the idea of a six-day work week once they get into the grind of a new school year.

{And, yes, my studious students have worked very hard to finish up early.}

Enjoy your weekend of rest, my fabulous friends.  Your comments leave me overwhelmed, and I am humbled that you would take the time to read these posts and go a step further to share some love.  Please know how truly grateful I am for each of you.  You have made this transition time in our lives much easier with your prayers, love, and words of encouragement!

Nehemiah 13:19a And it came to pass, that when the gates of Jerusalem began to be dark before the sabbath, I commanded that the gates should be shut, and charged that they should not be opened till after the sabbath: 

Leviticus 23:32 It shall be unto you a sabbath of rest, and ye shall afflict your souls: in the ninth day of the month at even, from even unto even, shall ye celebrate your sabbath.

10 comments:

  1. I am fairly new to reading your blog. I just found it right before you posted about leaving for Israel.

    I just wanted to tell you how much I have been blessed by reading and seeing the photos in each post. Thank you so much for sharing this with us.

    Blessings!!!!

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  2. Oh I am so ENJOYING your posts. Thank you so much for investing in all of us (blog land). I am always edified by your sweet spirit and joyful countenance. PRAISE THE LORD!

    And now I am affirmed. I just told my husband I am schooling the children (my three "4" year olds) tomorrow (Saturday), and think I might make it a regular. LOL We will identify with our Israeli treasures. :o)

    God bless you as you continue to serve Him!
    Loretta Smith
    John 13:34-35

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  3. Eric just did a study on the Jewish days for Resurrection last year...SO interesting! Enjoying your Israel posts!

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  4. Beautiful sunset! Wow, we are so far from being finished in school for the year! (Mommy joined the house construction crew which meant no school for an extended period of time!) :( Love you and we are enjoying these posts!

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  5. What a BEAUTIFUL photo!!! Sorry I haven't taken the time to comment since you started posting from Israel, but I'm so glad you got there ok and seem like you are settling in ok. I am really loving your posts so far. It was so fun to show the kids the Garden Tomb on your blog right after we read about it the Bible. I think our Bible curriculum for the rest of the year might just be your blog. LOL Please continue to blog your journey there. What a blessing. How are your kids handling the change?

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  6. Mrs. Jolene, your posts are so interesting and I love the picture of Brianna. She is so beautiful and I can't believe how big she is getting. We are praying for all of you and I look forward every day to see where you guys are next.

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  7. That is one of the most beautiful pictures ever!!! :D I am sooo happy for you guys....it is so neat that ya'll are in Israel!!! I'm so proud of ya'll(: I have just now got back to my computer to read your stuff(: I love your email forwards you send!!! Thank you so much!!! <3 *hugs*

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    1. Thank you, Haley! It really wasn’t a planned moment. The kids had run up a little hill to jump up on a weird-looking statue (that we say looks like a hippo eating a big cracker ). You can even see part of the statue in the picture, if you look again.

      I was looking up at them and there it was…. The palm trees, the sun setting, the buildings in the background (which you can see better in other pictures I took but didn’t post). Anyway, I hollered up at Brianna and said, “You’re in Israel! Put your hands up in the air and cheer!” And there it was!  Love it when that happens!

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  8. I am so glad to know that you all are doing so well. I do pray for you, and I am thrilled to see how the Lord is using you. I was concerned when the last thing I heard was the suitcase. I should have known something awesome would be going on. I don't usually check my e-mails 'til the week end. Have a wonderful week. Love, MaryAnn.

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Thank you for your encouraging comments! "As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country." Proverbs 25:25