I’m homesick….

This has to be one of the cutest pics in the world. Brand new shoes on the feet of a 5-year-old about to go to her first day of Kindergarten. This was taken last August (’08) of my oldest grandchild, Ashlyn Rose Watkins.

Here she is ready to walk out the door. Don’t you just want to squeeze her?!

Ok…now seriously… this is the best. This was at the end of the day when we went to pick her up. Her sister Madysen just ran and fell in her arms. She didn’t like being without her big sister all day! The look of relief is all over Ashlyn’s face!

Here’s Mommy with her two older girls. Ahhh….reunions are grand!
I want to tell Ashlyn congratulations for making it through a whole year of school. You did such a good job. You were a blessing to your teacher, Mrs. Summers. She really loves you. You are such an obedient girl and you love Jesus with all your heart. Way to go, Ashlyn!

Fast forward 8 months. This is our last shabbat meal with them before we left for Israel. I just can’t contain myself they’re so cute.

Lyric, Destiny, and Ashlyn posing. Hmmm. Who do they get the posing thing from? What I’d give right now for a big hug from all these adorable people…..

Well, this post has nothing profound written in it but VERY profound, beautiful, purpose-filled, and precious people displayed. I’m very homesick right now, so this is therapy. Please bear with me….

Serenity at Its Finest

Last shabbat Gary and I decided to get away for a few hours before our busy week started. Since we had rented a car to pick up Hunter from the airport a couple of days before and couldn’t take it back due to Shavuot (Feast of Pentecost) and Shabbat, we said, “Hey, let’s go to the Dead Sea!” The drive was about 1 hour and 15 minutes and was wonderful. We stopped at a public beach across the road from En-Gedi. This Dead Sea area was a refuge for King David. I can really understand why he loved it. The cave at En-Gedi is where David cut the corner of Saul’s robe off. (I Sam. 24)
Notice how the mountain slopes down to the sea on the right. The picture below is a continuation of this mountain where En-Gedi is located.

The cave is hidden back in this mountain. It’s a nice hike up there and a beautiful waterfall at the mouth of the cave.

We sat on a bench and read our books in silence. The Dead Sea is a picture of serenity to me. There is not an outlet for the sea, therefore there is no current, no ripples, and no waves. The salt content is 34% and it is 1240 ft. deep. The water is heavy and sooo blue. This was actually one of the world’s first health resorts (Herod the Great)! The mountains of Jordan (Moab) on the east bank reflect off the water.

I absolutely love this place. We’ll definitely be going back whenever we get the chance….