Egypt - July 12

Are we having fun yet?? Yes, Ken, Si,Da

The only way to drive a boat. Oh yea

The cabin is very nice.

Tom is saying thank you. Isn't the color of the water blue and so clear?

Steve & Lois snorkling by Coral Island. We went down here when it was still in Israel.

Lois talked me into going in the water so here I am drying out. Next time I am bringing my swim suit. (-:

Happy Birthday Joseph!

A very heartfelt, one day late, happy birthday to you, my son! We were in Petra on your birthday and thought of you often. Didn't have internet access to catch you on your day. We love you much and pray God's best for you always! We've had many thoughts and conversations about our "almost Sabra" son Joseph... :-)

Love and happy birthday,

Dad & Mom

I Found the Place !!!

Today while looking for a place to do laundry I decided to go from the bus stop like we use to walk to the hostel and I found it. Here are some pictures - it is a beautiful place.

Tom, baby Jesse and I use to sit in the gravel (where the garbage can is) looking for little shells (I still have the shells) and playing with the ants. When we would see one ant – we would put a piece of apple in front of it. The ant would climb on it and then go away a little later a line of ants would come and break off pieces of the apple, returning the way they came.

The room we stayed in is gone now it is where the palm trees are.

We were living here when it was first bought in 1979 just being the caretakers until someone came down to start the remodeling.

It does the heart good to see it in this great condition. The people there are nice.

My brother worked at an Italian restaurant as a cook here. One time he treated us to a wonderful dinner. He was a great cook. I remember how good it felt in the restaurant to be warm.

The Heat

Today after I droped off Tom at the boat (pictures coming) I met a wonderful family. Entering my car it was 130º - now that was hot! Nana it is really strange, I know the heat got to me at home but here it feels good. If you were here you would agree.

Past blogs, New pictures

I have added some pictures to past blogs, so scroll down at your leisure. It has been very relaxing no phones, haven’t watch TV, listened to the radio or even listened to the I-Pod. It is strange how I want to call Tom on the cell phone to communicate when he is in a different spot then me. Hopefully our cell phone will work in Jerusalem. In Tiberias the phone didn’t even work in the rooms and you could only make local calls from the hotel.

I love it down here. Yesterday was cooler. I like it better when it is hotter. I have memories of living here in December and us dressed in sweater and coats while the people from the northern countries were running around in swimming suits. Yesterday at times I was wearing my sweater.

I need to go take Tom to his diving time. Hopefully I will meet up with Lois and her friend today.

Love to ya all.

Shalom, Cindy

Under The Red Sea, Eilat, Israel – Day 1

What can I say? I have no reference point for what I’m seeing other than pictures in books and magazines. The types and numbers of hard and soft coral are stunning. To say dozens would not be an understatement, and this is an undersea landscape that begs for hyperbole. The fish species are also in the dozens, and I want to say hundreds. I’m trying to enjoy each dive, and at the same time I’m feverishly snapping away whenever possible to capture the moment. I wish I had a photographic memory, or that I could trust it a bit more, but alas I do not, so pictures will have to do. In the meantime, I won’t bust out the Latin fish ID just yet, at least not on this blog… maybe I’ll save that for the photo site where I will upload more pics. I’m still working on the best way technically to take pictures in warm blue water with my little point and shoot. These few photos are all day 1, from the Missile Boat deep dive, Neptune’s Tables, and Coral Beach.

The Jordan River

OK, I'm going to go back in time a few days... any hopes that I had of making this chronological are just unrealistic. This is a blog, right? Not an orderly historical account? OK, enough nitpickiness, here we go!

These pictures are taken where the Jordan flows into the Sea of Galilee at it’s North end. I like this spot because it is not commercialized like so many other spots in Israel. I understand the commercialization… it is a major source of many people’s living and a boon to the State of Israel. At the same time, it is nice to find those quiet places where, at least in the imagination, it’s not hard to see the 1st century life that Jesus lived. Jesus walks beside still waters… and in concrete jungles and smoke choked cities.

The banks of the river here are lush and green, even in heat of summer. There is a small turn off leading to an old concrete and metal bridge crossing the river. It is blocked off at both ends by large concrete blocks so only foot traffic can cross. Large wooden timbers span the metal frame of the bridge, which no doubt made it a bit of an adventure to cross even in its day. High trees frame a spot of shade and repose, and a good sized pool has formed here that would be great for an occasional dip. And, lest we forget that Israelis are very human as well, it appears to be a bit of a “party spot” on occasion. Jesus brings quiet peace to every human who opens their heart to Him… whether partying, broken prodigal or proud Pharisee willing to humble themselves, or weary pilgrim on the road. Love you Lord….