Diamonds and Druze for Austin & Hannah!

This has been a wonderful week in the life of the Benjamin and Baker families.  A week ago our son, Austin, and his girlfriend, Hannah Baker, arrived here in Israel.  They are staying for two and a half weeks, and we couldn’t be happier!

I am so happy to announce that last Monday night Austin asked Hannah to be his wife!  And she said, “Yes!”  They went out to dinner while Gary, Preston and I led the Monday night corporate gathering at Succat Hallel. After they finished eating at a nice restaurant overlooking the Old City, they walked back to our apartment stopping off at the lookout next door.  It’s a beautiful place overlooking the city.  It is a sentimental place for Austin.  When he lived here a few years ago, he spent a lot of time there before God in some sweet quiet times.  He read a letter to her and asked her to be his wife. She cried. He cried. Then when they got back up to the apartment, we all cried!

We had three laptops set up on the table in the living room waiting to skype the Vandeputs in Belgium, her family in Mansfield, and the Watkins and Hannah’s sister, Sarah, in Grand Prairie.  We skyped all at once.  It was definitely an amazing experience.  Gary and I just sat back and smiled through our tears the whole time.  It was a memory we will never forget.

Early the next morning we left for the Galilee.  We took them to Ceasarea on the coast, then Mt. Carmel where Elijah defied the armies of Ahab, and then we ate lunch at a Druze Village in the Galilee not far from Nazareth.  I LOVE Druze food…seriously!

We then traveled to Tiberias, stayed at a hotel there (definitely unremarkable), and the next morning went to the Mt. of Beautitudes, Capernaum, and the Golan Heights.

What great memories.  I feel privileged to have this special time with them right after their engagement.  We are making the most of every minute!  I love Austin and Hannah!  We are so blessed to have Hannah join our family as another daughter, sister and aunt!