Monday, June 30, 2008

Israel, Mongolia and writing

What do the above have in common? The fact that two of my sons are, or will be going, to those countries. As mentioned in other blogs, my oldest son just flew out of Newark last week to work at www.shevet.org which is a Christian organization which helps children who live in neighboring countries to Israel --have heart operations. These children would die without the operation. Sadly, occasionally a child dies even with the operation. But in general, most of the children then go on to live a normal life! What a blessing that Ethan gets to work in a job that is so meaningful!
He has had to raise support which has been a challenge but the wonderful blessing to that is seeing God provide and learning to trust. And it has renewed my understanding of what I knew as a young Christian but often forget in the midst of so many causes--of what a blessing it is to be able to give to God's work!

My middle son is going to Mongolia July 4th for eleven days. He will be going to National Parks and also studying goat herders. This goes along with his work in the Serengeti where he studies the effects of poaching animals and its affect on the environment in Tanzania. (Hopefully I explained that sorta' right. ) He is very excited and because he will be away my daughter-in-law and grandson will be visiting in the east for a few days so I will get to see them. Also my youngest son and daughter-in-law are coming for July 4th! This should be a wonderful week.
Writing has to do with these things because there is potential for an article about the work of Shevet down the road. And also a possibility of a children's article about the wild horse of Mongolia. We will see if either of these come to fruition in the near or distant future!

Sunday, June 22, 2008

Ethan goes to Israel

Tomorrow my oldest son is leaving for Israel -- again! After being in Israel for nine years almost continually, Ethan arrived back in the US December 20, 2007. We thought it might be permanent but God had other plans. These past six months have been quite a journey not only for Ethan but for John and myself. Ethan was seeking what was next and the Lord has opened up the door for him to return to Israel to work at www.shevet.org This is an organization that brings children into Israel for heart operations that will save their lives. These children come from surrounding countries and the logistics are many. It has been quite wonderful to see God open up this door and then the steps as they evolve. Not having had to live by faith materially myself, it is interesting to watch one's child take this step (although actually we all live by faith each day if we know the Lord.)

During the months that Ethan has been home, writing has played a large part in his life. He began by writing academic articles for the torah class website (he just finished #4)..."Did the Messiah speak Hebrew or Aramaic?"....and also submitted a book proposal at a writers conference. He also took a fiction writing class which he thought was excellent with Angela Hunt and Nancy Rue. In addition he has been writing info about Shevet as he gets ready to return to Israel. And he has helped his father by editing his novel and helping him set up a website! We've been on a journey and tomorrow will be the first day of a new one for all of us. Hopefully it will be an exciting one for Ethan as he goes down the new path the Lord is opening up.

Friday, June 13, 2008

Home to Montrose

Today was an absolutely beautiful day! Perfect weather wise. And though we were surrounded by messes of things that we need to do to get settled, we still enjoyed it. No sight of "Blackie" the bear that we have seen in June the past few years thankfully. We took the Uhaul back and are slowly beginning to clean up and put away. And Ethan is preparing to leave for Jerusalem in ten days. Our visit to our daughter's house in Nashville was wonderful and worked out well with their schedule. Then tonight my daughter-in-law in CO called and reminded me that my son had flown to a wedding in Canada. Before that I talked to my other daughter-in-law and we caught up on the news in Baltimore. Hopefully the "Baltimoreans" may be able to visit over July 4th! So in essence I've touched base with all the kids and that's before Father's Day which is coming up this Sunday (and which I'm totally not prepared for.)

Since this blog is about writing, I should mention that I received an email rejection today but that is good! It means I actually sent an article out. June is the halfway point of the year and I plan to copy my friend in FL and begin setting writing goals for the last half of the year. I don't want it to get away from me like the first half did. And goals are a big part of that! Since I'm ill prepared for Father's Day.....maybe I can write a piece for John that he would enjoy!

Wednesday, June 4, 2008

John's website is ALMOST up!

Yep, that's true. After all these weeks of work and planning, John can actually see his website. At the moment he still is not totally satisfied with it but the core of it is finished. He still has to "tweak" it as he says. He has literally spent hours on it and has lots of "buttons" (or whatever one calls them....) for people to go to and see what's there. I think he has had a lot of fun doing it. And even Ethan, our oldest son, says that John has "turned a corner" re internet use. By trial and error, he has learned a great deal.

I'm taking a break to write this blog as we are in the midst of packing. John, Ethan, and I are hoping to finish up tomorrow (pack and mail some boxes to PA) and then go south on Friday to meet some friends for lunch and then cross over to Venice to see John's mother and then head to Nashville to see our daughter and son-in-law and finally head to PA next Weds. and (God willing) arrive there on Thursday!

Since last week Ethan has also finished up a fourth article for the Torah Class website. And he has a ticket to fly to Israel on June 23. He still needs an apartment but may go there and stay in his old apartment and then look for a new one. He is hoping to work part time the first month and also take Dr. Buth's Greek class (six week class). Most of all please pray that we can locate his passport by the departure date. We were hoping it was being help in PA at the post office but now we are fearful that it has been forwarded to FL and will arrive after we leave.

Hopefully we will get off well Friday and John's website will be "tweaked).