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The luggage is out of the closet and in the process of being packed for the upcoming tour of Greece, Israel, and Petra. I leave with the Ultra Grand tour on Tuesday the 16th and I am ready to get home to Israel. Our first stop will be Greece and the some of the lovely islands. The groups all get to Israel on the 22nd. I am staying in Israel until November 15th. I’ve Already heard back from my B&B and they have missed me. Oded promised not to put me near or in the burned room. I’ve got my list made out of new places and people that I want to see. I will also be seeing some dear friends. Yes, the Texas pecans are packed for Will’s pie. The extra bag I am taking already looks like a small grocery store, but, I love taking a little bit of Texas to him.

I am looking forward to getting at the truth at what is going on in and around Israel.

I will try and update everyone from the tour. It will all depend on the availability of computers and how much time I will have to blog.

Please pray for travel mercies and for hearts, eyes and ears open to the words of Yeshua.

This is it. The last blog from Jerusalem until I return in the Fall. Thank you all for reading it and for your comments. I really thought that my family would be the only ones reading the blog. Little did I know that you all really liked hearing what is going on in Israel. Thank you also for your prayers. They have meant so much to me and my family.

Happy 4th of July…..

I think Gary Bauer says it best in his column:

Tuesday, July 3, 2007
To: Friends & Supporters
From: Gary Bauer

Independence Day Message

In recent weeks I have kept up a regular stream of reports on the struggles confronting our country. As the 231st birthday of America dawns tomorrow, let us set aside these concerns for a moment.

Instead, let us look back to that day in 1776 when 56 men signed the Declaration of Independence and birthed a nation that was to become a “shining city on a hill,” the guardian of liberty and the leader of the free world.

They were merchants, farmers, clergymen and lawyers, men who stood to lose their wealth and standing in society for signing their names to that document we cherish today. All their lives they had served as loyal subjects of the king. They were all educated men who understood what they were undertaking by rebelling against the British Empire.

While honoring their courage, Americans often forget the sufferings of the Founding Fathers. For the most part, the War for Independence destroyed the lives of these men.

John Hart, signer from New Jersey, had to flee the deathbed of his wife, leaving his 13 children to disperse into hiding from the British, who vandalized his farm. Returning a year later to find that his wife had passed away, his children were missing, and his livelihood had been destroyed. He died within weeks, dejected and alone.

Carter Braxton, a signer from Virginia, had his fortunes destroyed by the British Navy. He sold his home and properties to pay his debts, and died impoverished.

At the Battle of Yorktown, Thomas Nelson, Jr., signer from Virginia, encouraged General Washington to fire on Nelson’’s own house, which was being used as a headquarters by General Cornwallis. Without a home, and having lost his fortunes in the war, Nelson died bankrupt.

These are just a few examples of the sacrifices these men made for the United States when it was little more than an idea. Countless more over the history of this nation have given their lives for the cause of liberty. And today in Iraq and Afghanistan, Americans are sacrificing again for our nation.

As we celebrate and enjoy our freedoms on this Independence Day, let us not forget the daily sacrifices of our men and women overseas. Let us rededicate our hearts to our country and “with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence and mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.”

In closing, I would like to offer a brief word of encouragement to our pastors who are on the front lines of the culture war. John Peter Gabriel Muhlenberg is a lesser-known hero of the War for Independence. He was a pastor and a member of the Virginia House of Burgesses. In 1775, a year before the United States of America was to be born, he preached a sermon on Ecclesiastes 3:1 “For everything there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven.” Pastor Muhlenberg closed his sermon with, “In the language of Holy Writ, there is a time for all things. There is a time to preach and a time to fight. And now is the time to fight.” And temporarily shedding his clerical robes, he revealed to the congregation that he was wearing the uniform of an officer in the Continental Army.

Pastor Muhlenberg’s message is inspiring to all Americans. But his example as a man of God fighting for our God-given rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness should give increased fervor and devotion most especially to those who lead us in the fight for faith, family and freedom.

God bless you, God bless Israel and God bless America!

It is hard to believe that I am heading back to the States tomorrow night. The time has just gone by so quickly. It always does when I am in my spiritual home. I have been so blessed to be here and the Lord willing I will be back in the Fall.

I went downtown (Ben Yehuda) to finish my last-minute shopping. I had forgotten a couple of anniversaries. My mother likes the Ahava hand and foot cream and I had not gotten it for her yet, so now my list is complete. I try and take back Elite chocolate bars for Mark, but I think they would melt, so that will have to wait until Fall. Walking down the mall, I heard the sounds of two violins and a mandolin. It seems they, too, know the Godfather theme. The strings were lovely and it made for a nice walk.

Met with Sharon Sanders of Christian Friends of Israel for lunch at the Anna Ticho house. I arrived early and so I went to the museum in the house. Dr. Albert Ticho and his wife Anna came to Israel in 1912 where he was an Ophthalmologist. When they bought their house, off of Jaffa Street, in 1924, they converted the lower story into an eye clinic which served both rich and poor. Dr. Ticho collected Hanukkah lamps. I think I read he had about 300 in all. When he died in 1960, some went to the Israel Museum and many are shown in his study. Anna Ticho was an artist who drew the landscape of Israel. Her art can also be found in the Israel Museum.

When Anna Ticho died in 1980, she bequeathed the house, all of its collections, and its library to the people of Jerusalem to serve as a public center for art.  Jaffa street is so busy and this huge two story house is an island of quiet. I wandered room-to-room looking at her artwork in pencil and watercolor and his Hanukkah collection. The gardens are lovely and dining outside was refreshing. As always, fellowship with Sharon is very special.

I also, did the grocery store pilgrimage. The butcher just laughs when I point. Bought a few things for Will. My father would always buy me groceries when he visited me. It was his thing and I appreciated it. It is not that Will needs the groceries, but it makes me feel good. I did not need the groceries either, but I understand now why my father did it.

News from Israel Today. I like this publication. It is owned by Believers and their news is spot on. You can subscribe to their magazine or get an on line edition.

Headline News
Sunday, July 01, 2007

UN chief says Lebanon, Hizballah violating truce with Israel

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon at the weekend submitted a scathing review regarding implementation of the resolution that ended last summer’s war between Israel and Lebanon’s Hizballah terrorist militia.

In his report to the UN Security Council, Ban first took aim at Hizballah, which he harshly criticized for failing to provide a sign of life from two Israeli soldiers it abducted at the outset of the conflict.

“I share deeply the anxiety of the families [of Eldad Regev and Ehud Goldwasser] and call again on Hizballah to reconsider this posture, which contradicts basic humanitarian values,” wrote Ban.

The review went on to confirm, contrary to the repeated claims of Beirut, that advanced weaponry provided by Iran and Syria continues to pour through Lebanon’s borders en route to Hizballah.

UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which brought the bloody 34-day war to an end on August 11 of last year, calls on Hizballah to unconditionally release Regev and Goldwasser, and demands that Lebanon prevent the rearming of the terror group and end Hizballah’s military domination of the southern parts of the country.

Comment: Finally, someone at the UN is getting it.

From the Jerusalem Post:

Suit over Smoking laws filed.
It seems that one of my favorite restaurants is being sued by 7,000 customers because if has failed to observe the no-smoking laws. I must admit that the worst part of eating at Focaccia is the smoking. There is a patio outside and everyone wants to sit out there, so the smokers and the non-smokers sit side by side. There is room up in the main house, but it has no ambiance. I hope the smoking stops. It is kinda odd to read about a restaurant in the newspaper and know that you are familiar with it. I will probably eat there one more time before I leave.

Netanyahu moves up Likud Primary to Next Month.
The Likud‘s 115,000 members will go to the polls in an August 7th party leadership race after Likud chairman Binyamin Netanyahu announced on Monday that he was moving up the primary. “We need to finish the internal race so we’ll be free to devote all our attentions to winning the general election.” Primaries in the Likud are normally held a few months before the general election. Comment: I’d vote for him!

Said to be the biggest Latin festival in the world, Fiesta 2007, the three day event at the Ganei Yehoshua fair grounds in Tel Aviv’s Park HaYarkon, boasts authentic South American cuisine as well as a chance to learn the tango and flamenco first hand in the dance work shops.

“All Muslims are not terrorists, but all terrorists are Muslims.” —Zola Levitt

I would have to agree with my late husband. Look around the world and most of the conflicts are with the Muslims. I am grateful that there are people who are sounding the alarm in Zion. Thank you!

And speaking of “thank yous,” I do want to thank Greg, our web master, for helping me with the blog. He makes me look like I know what a blog is.

How many times can I say that I have been serenaded at breakfast by the piano. This morning was an almost all American program. Cole Porter, even the theme from Godfather was played. Just delightful.

After breakfast, I felt the need to go to the Old City. I wanted to pray at the Western Wall. I just haven’t been down to the Jewish Quarter enough this trip. So, off I went—I walked the whole way. It was only about a 15-minute walk. It is still the upward hills that get me tired, but I arrived and headed to the Wall. It is Bar Mitzvah day and there were lots of people at the wall. The wall is divided between the women’s side and the men’s. Women cannot go on the men’s side, (and vice versa) so the women stand on chairs some of them throw candy at the Bar Mitzvah boy. It is more of a Sephardic tradition than Askanazi. I had to laugh because some of the candy is hard and it hits the men on the head.

I was quite taken with God’s promise of these young men becoming men. A new generation of Jews. Quite positive in a world that is on the brink of madness. I prayed and then headed to visit with some friends at the shops.

Visited with Israel at Blue and White. Always good to see him. He said that lots of people were in the Cardo yesterday. I knew that when I went by the Temple Mount and saw all the buses lined up outside the walls. It really looked like lots of people yesterday. It is good for their business. I must say, I thought tourism was over, but everywhere I go, there are tourists.

I read in the Jerusalem Post this morning that June was Ben Gurion Airport’s busiest month. “More than 860,000 passengers on 6,288 international flights passed through the airport last month, making June the busiest month this year. The June figures keep the airport on pace to process an estimated 9.24 million travelers this year, the highest number of any year except 2000.” That just means that there are planes traveling through Israel on their way to other countries. I think that in 2000, the number of tourists in Israel was about 2 million.

The weather has just been great: Mid 80’s again with a great breeze—cool in the shade and then warm when I am out walking in the sun. I bet I have eaten a half-dozen whole watermelons since I have been in Israel. They are just so sweet and good.

More news from the Jerusalem Post:

Front Page: Trouble finding 250 eligible prisoners hinders release.
The difficulty in finding 250 Fatah security prisoners who have been in jail for a long time but do not have “blood on their hands” is the reason the cabinet was not asked Sunday to approve the prisoner release Prime Minister Ehud Olmert announced last week at the Sharm e-Sheikh summit, The Jerusalem Post has learned.

Other News: Following UK boycott call, U.S. university heads to arrive today.
The heads of several American state universities and university systems will arrive in Israel on Monday for a week of briefings by Israeli educations officials, politicians, and academics, as well as prominent Palestinian leaders. The trip isn’t about advocacy, says the AJC’s (American Jewish Committee) Eran Lerman. We’re going to talk about the need to sustain an open environment for debate, a reality in which support for Israel is not outside the scope of political correctness. It’s important that the issue of Israel not be suppressed, he said. Academic life in America has become more oppressive and repressed than American society outside the campuses, and this is due to the imperative of political correctness. There are issues that can be openly discussed in American society, but universities are overly sensitive, Lerman added.
Comment: I am hoping to see some of them before I head back to the States. I’ll help them understand Israel. Just give me five minutes.

Iran Blasts Blair’s Appointment an Envoy.
Comment: Got to be good news for everyone, if Iran is upset with Blair.

Web holds key for country’s Exporter’s.
Almost 90 percent of Israel’s exporters either currently operate, or are in the process of creating, an Internet site for their companies, reported a survey conducted by the Israel Export Institute and Google-Israel.

Hizbullah rockets disturbed the peace of dolphins, whales too.
Hizbullah rockets fired during the Second Lebanon War caused dolphins and whales off the Mediterranean coast to wander slightly, according to researchers at the University of Haifa. Neither dolphins nor whales abandoned their “homes” in the sea, but there were fewer in these areas, as they temporarily wandered north or south during the war, the researchers said.

Psalm 37: 5, 6 — Commit your ways to the Lord; trust in Him, and He will act. He will make your vindication shine forth like light, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.

Shalom from a cooler Jerusalem. Last night a cool breeze came into the city and today is not as hot as it has been—maybe in the mid 80’s with a lovely breeze.

Will and I went to the Museum of Natural Science. It is located just up the street from where Will lives, so it was a natural for us to walk to and visit. It was OK. Not like other museums I have been to in Israel. This one is not as quite as sophisticated as others. But, it was interesting to see the plants and animals of Israel.

We then walked to downtown and had a very nice lunch at an Argentinian place. We were served lamb in plums, gazpacho, and and an appetizer of stuffed grape leaves. The grape leaves were more Israeli than Argentinian, but still very good.

There are no newspapers on Saturday, so today, the news was all about the UK. The newspaper is also smaller than any other day of the week. I was startled a bit by the location of the first car because it is an area that Zola and I have visited many times. Just the reality of what and where evil is astounds me. I am grateful to know where my safety is and it is in Him.

More news from the Jerusalem Post:

Cabinet set to establish panel on criteria for freeing 250 Fatah prisoners.
Comment: I am hoping this panel goes the way of most committees and nothing gets done for many months. This should give Israel time to see if Abu Mazen is serious about peace.

Pope to revive Latin Mass that called Jews “perfidious.”
The 16th century Tridentine mass—recited every Good Friday—referred to Jews as perfidious (look it up) and claimed that they live in blindness and darkness. Vatican officials stressed that the current text contains no derogatory reference to Jews.
Comment: I am just not sure if this promotes the love that Rome should have for the Jews.

I went back this morning to the “sifting” of the Temple Mount. I think there is a John Denver song that goes “some days are diamonds, some days are stone.” I sifted for about 4 hours and found little other than pottery shards and more pottery shards. I still enjoyed it. I would sift or dig everyday. For me, it is another connection to the land of Israel. Interestingly, one small group from New York sifted for about an hour and then I was pretty much by myself for a couple of hours until 3 others came into the area. They were from Texas. I couldn’t believe it. Kathy and Les are with Wyclif Bible Translators. Their tour group had left earlier and they had stayed to see a little more of Israel. It was a good visit.

Numbers 22:2-25:9, Micah 5:6-6:8

Let it be a word of comfort to us: God can change any ordered and planned curse into a blessing.

I think Israel is setting some kind of heat temperature record. I keep hearing that this heat is unusual for Jerusalem.

I did a couple of Shabbat errands. So, the chicken is in the crock pot and the pecan pie is made.

I met some friends at the Hillel Cafe on Jaffa street for a late lunch. That talk was about the weather and the new ice cream at the cafe: A vanilla/coffee ice cream mix with a chocolate sauce with nuts poured on top of the ice cream. I may not eat for a week. As we are leaving the cafe, the street is almost empty and it is only 4pm. Just about all the stores are closed with few exceptions. A few produce and flower stalls are still open, hoping to make that last-minute sale.

Will and I will have a quiet Shabbat. Tomorrow, we may go to a couple of museums that are open.

News from the Jerusalem Post Christian Edition:

From our Muslim friends… Let me preface this by saying that at the forum I went to with the “new” Palestinian thinkers, the question was asked if Muslims and Christians could live together. Their answer was “of course Muslims and Christians can live together; the Koran says so.” So, here is news from Iraq:

Iraqi Christians told to convert or die.
Dozens of Iraqi Christian families have been forced to seek refuge in churches in the Baghdad area rather than convert to Islam. Reports from the Assyrian International News Agency indicate that Islamists are targeting members of the ancient Assyrian (Chaldean) churches, forcing them to either convert or pay the jizya—a protective head tax demanded by the Koran. Those who refuse either option are threatened with death. Christians fleeing into churches are not being allowed to take any belongings with them.

From the Jerusalem Post:

CNN puts Israel back on the map.
Following an inquiry from the Jerusalem Post, CNN has corrected a feature on its web site that failed to identify Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and which had instead listed it as “Jerusalem, null.”

’07 Alyia from North America to be largest in 25 years.
Immigration from North America is expected to increase five to ten percent over last hear, marking the largest level of aliya from that region in a quarter century, the Jewish Agency reported, Thursday. In 2006, 3,200 Americans and Canadians moved to Israel and adopted Israeli citizenship, the highest figure since 1983.

Yesterday, the world saw former PM Tony Blair appointed envoy to an organization of Muslim states. I am often asked when I speak in congregations who the Antichrist is. I sometimes laugh and say “it is not Prince Charles.” I also tell them, “I don’t care; I will not be here when the Antichrist takes control.” I do not mean it as a flip answer. I mean it for us to focus on the good news that we have. The appointment of Tony Blair has really stirred my prophecy focus. Jack Kinsella said it best yesterday in his Omega Letter.

Assessment:

Now we return to the Prophet Daniel. He identifies the Antichrist as a ‘prince’ of Rome and a covenant of seven years’ duration that must be confirmed. That covenant ALREADY exists in the form of the failed Oslo Agreement based on formula of ‘land for peace.’ Daniel 8:25 says that the Antichrist, “by peace shall destroy many,” and Daniel 11:39 says he “shall divide the land for gain.”

Let’s pull it together before moving on. The Antichrist is a ‘prince’ of Rome who confirms a destructive peace agreement based on the principle of dividing the land for gain.

Until 2002, it had been the United States that has been banging its head against the wall in an effort to enforce the terms of Oslo. In 2002, the US effort was replaced by a joint four-power effort involving the US, Russia, the UN and the EU known as the Road Map For Peace. Both efforts ended in dismal failure.

Now the Europeans are going to take the lead. The ‘Quartet’ has named outgoing Prime Minister Tony Blair as the new peace mediator between Israel and the ‘many.’

The reason that Tony Blair was tapped for the job is because he is a European and not an American. Europe has been trying without success since the mid-1990’s to replace the United States as the leading peace broker between Israel and the Arabs.

The Europeans believe they can break the deadlock by guaranteeing the integrity of Israel’s borders. Israel is, geographically, in Europe’s back yard, and the Arabs trust the Europeans much more than they do the Americans.

Blair is a champion of the ‘two-state’ solution that would see the creation of a Palestinian state beside Israel. Israel will only agree to such a solution if there is a credible guarantor of its security.

Blair told parliament: “The absolute priority is to try to give effect to what is now the consensus across the international community — that the only way of bringing stability and peace to the Middle East is a two-state solution.”

That means a secure Israel and a Palestinian state “that is not merely viable in terms of its territory but in terms of its institutions and governance,” he said. “I believe it is possible to do that but it will require a huge intensity of focus and work.”

Blair’s credibility doesn’t come from his history as British Prime Minister, but from his position as a leader within the European Union. Not the ‘king’ — he isn’t the head of the EU, but a ‘prince’ so to speak. As an envoy from Europe, he speaks for Europe. As a former Prime Minister of Britain, he has the gravitas necessary to do the job.

I am NOT naming Tony Blair as the Antichrist. I don’t know who the Antichrist will be, and I really don’t care. It might be Tony Blair — it might be his successor. But with his appointment the torch has been passed from Washington to Brussels.

What is important to us as Christians is not the identity of the Antichrist, but the recognition that someone who has his Biblical qualifications has stepped up to the plate.

As Christians, we are not charged with looking for the soon appearance of the Antichrist. Instead, we are to be watching for the soon appearing of Christ. But when we can see the events of the Tribulation beginning to take shape and form, it tells us that the clock is indeed winding down quickly on the Church Age.

Before the Antichrist can be revealed, 2nd Thessalonians 2:7 tells us, the Restrainer is ‘taken out of the way’ at the Rapture. It is AFTER that, Paul explains, “And THEN shall that Wicked be revealed…” (2nd Thessalonians 2:8)

Think of it this way. When the calendar says it is Thanksgiving, it means that Christmas is just around the corner.

When the signs point to a leader of the Revived Roman Empire taking a leading role as Middle East peace envoy, it at the very least means that Thanksgiving is just around the corner.

Another way of putting it is the way Jesus did:

“And when these things BEGIN to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.” (Luke 21:28)

News from the Jerusalem Post:

“Saudi king blames Israel’s intransigent peace policies for chaos in the PA.”
Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah arrived in Jordan on Wednesday fo talks on restarting PA-Israeli diplomacy and stopping the violence wracking Iraq and Lebanon. And the beat goes on…

Letters:

Sir, Consider the photograph accompanying your report of Monday’s Sharm e-Sheik meeting. Prime Minister Olmert is shown sitting beside 3 Arab leaders. There is Jordan’s Abdullah II, an artificial king whose clan rules over a population that’s 70% Palestinian Arab. Maintaining Jordan as Hashemite causes much of Israel’s troubles with the Palestinians. Then there is Mubarak, a dictator who does nothing to stop arms and men entering Gaza through tunnels at the Philadelphi Corridor. And finally, Abbas (Abu Mazen), a Holocaust denier whose security forces made no effort to fight off Hamas and whose Fatah offshoots such as Al-Aksa brigade are part of the problem. And yet it is Olmert who is giving all, and getting nothing but empty words. John Lalor, Dublin

I will paraphrase from a letter from Avraham Grossbaum of Jerusalem: The Arabs complains that the occupation of Gaza continues because Israel controls the borders and collects customs for imports. But that is what sovereign states do on their borders. Does Israel still control the Rafah crossing point between Gaza and Egypt? I thought that Egypt and the PA, under the supervision of the European Union are calling the shots there. Gazans are unable to work in Israel? Guess what? Canadians are unable to work in the U.S. and Americans are unable to work in Canada. Perhaps, one can explain how allowing Gazans to work in Israel would make them less dependent on Israel. Gaza lacks resources for economic viability? What happened to all the aid money that was sent to Arafat? What happened to the industrial parks that were built along the border between Gaza and Israel to provide employment for Gazans? The Gazans attacked them because their hatred for anything Israeli is more important than their own economic well-being. The 1967 lines were merely cease-fire lines not borders. There are all kinds of attempts by the Palestinians to bring about an end to the “occupation.” The one thing forgotten: displaying a sincere desire for peace.

Sometimes, the letters to the editors are better than the regular columnists!

I also want to get the book “The Path to Paradise: The Inner World of Suicide Bomber and their Dispatchers” by Anat Berko. She is a retired IDF Lt.-col. with a Ph.D. in criminology from Bar-Ilan University. She spent years interviewing thwarted suicide bombers and their dispatchers, finding that there is a mindset that is as foreign as it is unfathomable to people like us who can see another people with different values and not necessarily want to destroy them. Sounds like a must-read for me.

I wanted to get a head start on the Shabbat grocery buying and so I went to the “big” grocery store. I thought I would pick up a few things and ended up with 4 big bags. I did not know I was buying so much. It was easy, because I bought produce, sliced meat and other things I recognized without having to decipher my Hebrew. Just the prices. Everything is in kilograms and liters. Why didn’t I pay attention in school? I was not the only one getting a head start. The pre-Shabbat frenzy is starting early—no doubt because of the heat. It is still hot. It is summer, and it could be a whole lot worse here.

Speaking of prices… Gasoline here in Israel is about $6.00 a gallon. Prices are also higher in Europe. So, I am thinking we should be grateful for what we pay for gas in the U.S. As Zola said, “the second the world figures out another way to power our cars, no one will speak to the Arabs again.”

Ps 102:15 for thy servants take pleasure in her stones, and love her dust.

Morning breakfast came with a piano version of HaTikva (Israeli national anthem). It was just so touching. I thought about standing up and singing, but sat down immediately when I realized that I do not carry a tune. I also heard, Exodus and more Mozart. I am really enjoying my breakfasts.

Yesterday at breakfast, I met a group from Applewood Baptist Church in Wheat Ridge, Colorado. It was the first time for Pastor Wittman and his wife, but as he said, not his last. He had brought a group from his church. Makes my day. I wish more pastors would bring their congregations. Israel changes your life.

Also at the hotel is a group of Labor Union leaders. The group is from all over the U.S. and are leaders in their different unions. On top of that, there is a group led by a Rabbi from the U.S. And let’s not forget the Europeans who are there too.

Staying at this hotel reminds me of the TV series “Hotel.” The different people come and go. Something different everyday.

But, the big news for me is that: I GOT TO DIG! I had heard that there was sifting for the project of sifting the Temple Mount Debris. I found a phone number, got directions and off I went to “sift.” I went early in the morning because of the heat, but I did not have to worry. It is covered and was actually very pleasant.

The project began in November 2004 by archaeologist Dr. Gabriel Barkay under the auspices of Bar-Ilan University. Why? Because in 1999, illegal construction and excavation took place on the Temple Mount that caused irreparable archaeological destruction. This is part of a larger trend of illegal work of the Wakf (the Moslem religious body in charge of Moslem holy sites). The dirt dumps from these illegal works, saturated with archaeological material, were removed by bulldozers and trucks and discarded in the Kidron Valley. Though these remains are no longer in their original context they include great and important potential. Important artifacts from various periods, from the first Temple period until today have been found.

I cannot tell you how excited I was to sift. The site is set up with buckets everywhere. All I had to do was pick up a bucket, dump it in the sifter, check for artifacts, call over a staff member to check for things I might have missed, sort according to pottery and other things, and then empty the sifter in a wheel barrell. I stayed for 4 hours. I found a coin. Probably Roman. I also found all kinds of pottery, glass, metal, and bones. I am going to try and go back before I leave next week.

The newspaper is filled with Tony Blair as the new “hero” of the Middle East. Is it me or is prophecy being fulfilled right before our eyes?

Shalom from a still hot Jerusalem.

As I was walking this morning down Emek, I noticed the boxes of produce stacked up at the restaurant door ways. It was not the first time I had noticed it. The restaurants are closed early in the morning and do not open for hours and yet the vendors just put the boxes and boxes of onions, potatoes, carrots and whatever the restaurant needs for the day outside their door. No one takes anything, nothing happens to it until the restaurant takes it inside. It is so sweet.

There are just some news stories I refuse to comment on or write about. I refuse to give the terrorists more publicity. I will continue to pray for all Israeli soldiers and any journalists being held by the terrorists.

According to the Jerusalem Post, 50 French immigrants arrived in Israel as part of a community aliyah project, with plans to live in Ashdod and Jerusalem. Mazel Tov! Keep ’em coming!

Israeli scientists have created a microscopic-sized submarine that when injected into the bloodstream is able to travel through the body to provide medical treatment.

According to a survey by Mercer Human Resource Consulting, Moscow is the world’s most expensive city to live in, according to a survey of 143 cities. Rounding out the top five, London, Seoul, Tokyo, and Hong Kong. Tel Aviv came in 17th. As for quality, Zurich and Geneva ranked one and two.

Staying cool.

Shalom from a very hot Jerusalem! Temperatures should reach near the 100 mark. I know hot—being from Texas—and this is hot!

Will and I ventured up to the Galilee area this weekend and got into the heat there also. Still, it is good to be in Israel. We ended up staying at one of the nicest hotels in the Galilee area, The Rimonim. Interestingly, the name means pomegranate, which is also the Hebrew name for a hand grenade.

The Israeli schools have just gotten out for the summer, so lots of families were traveling. I like bringing the summer tour the first of June because most tourists have gone home and the Israelis do not start traveling until the middle or the end of June. So it is sort of a down time for tourism. However, I noticed this time that other groups know this and are traveling at the same time. Just more blessings for Israel.

We left Jerusalem early Friday morning and had time to visit the city of Katzrin and the Golan model (www.magic-golan.co.il [Hebrew]). The Golan model shows all the towns of the Golan and has a presentation about the area and its history. It really enforces the importance of the area. The Golan is about 300 sq. miles. Do not let anyone tell you that is it unimportant or it is a small piece of land. It is strategic to Israel’s safety.

Across the street is an Olive Oil factory (www.capernaumvista.com) that looks like it is an Italian villa. A retired Colonel (Avner) in the IDF army started this factory and has one of the only machines that pits olives before pressing them into olive oil. Will and I met Avner and enjoyed seeing the olive oil factory. I am hoping to come back for a nice lunch or dinner.

We always hope to have time for the artist’s village at Aniam. We did, and I found a couple of birthday gifts for some of my friends who have birthdays in July. We visited with Hanan Milner at his gallery (www.studioart.co.il) and bought one of his small watercolors. Will had an article about the artists published in a travel magazine and the artists we visited all thanked him. Hanan even had the article to show us. It is close to the Gamla site and is just so original. Israeli art by Israeli artists, not the usual tourist gifts.

That was Friday and it was very full. We treated ourselves to the Scott’s Hotel for Shabbat dinner and it was good as always.

We got an early start on Saturday and headed to Tel Hazor. It was a good thing, because it started getting hot early in the day. Hazor was very interesting. The largest Tel in the Galilee area.

We headed to Kiryat Shemona and drove around to see if all was well. The city looks good and many of the places that were hit by the rockets of last summer have been repaired.

Up to Metulla where I interviewed a farmer at the Dado outlook. Mount Hermon has no snow. I am so used to seeing snow on the famous mountain. I was just surprised.

I also did a stand-up interview at a border fence. All was quiet, but the Hizbollah flags were very visible from where we were standing. We saw U.N. cars and SUV’s traveling the roads in Lebanon. Why are the Hizbollah flags still flying if the U.N. is doing their job? Then I read today in the Jerusalem Post that five UN peacekeepers were killed and three others seriously wounded Sunday. The attack took place about 3 miles from Metulla, right where we were. Something is not right if even the enemies who have sworn to uphold all the U.N. sanctions, do not keep their word.

Finally back to the Rimonim to clean up and to meet with Brooke for dinner. She is one of those people who just encourages other Believers and it is good to be with her. We visit, and finally to bed. I am exhausted. This touring is hard work!

On Sunday, I watch the sun rise over the Golan. It is one of my favorite times. The Sea of Galilee and the sun rising over the Golan. Wow! God’s majesty at His finest.

A big congratulation to Brittany Brannon, Miss Grand Canyon State Teen America from Arizona. She and her family are Zola tour pilgrims. We love you!

We check out of Rimonim and head to Rosh Hanikra and the grottos. Rosh Hanikra is also a border with Lebanon. Last summer, the grottos were closed. They are tunnels formed by sea action on the soft chalky rock, the total length is about 200 meters. The grottos are reached by a cable car. It takes one minute to reach the entrance of the caves.

On to Nahariah to see how it was doing after last summer’s action. I found it very crowded with people and there is little evidence of destruction by the rockets. People are amazing. They go about their daily lives. I loved seeing it.

We swing by Haifa again to see if the destruction has been repaired and, again, all is well. In fact, Will talked to one guy who grumbled at him that “Hey, it is OK.” The guy acted like it was just another bump in the road. Life does go on.

We were scheduled to be at Yarkon Field by 4:30 for Will to interview a couple of the Baseball players in the IBL, Israel Baseball League. So we have time for a late lunch at, of all places, IKEA in Netanya. I have never been to an IKEA, even in the States. What an experience. Believe it or not, it has a Kosher restaurant—one side is milk and the other side is meat. You also have to sit on the milk or the meat side. So, I get turkey wrapped in a flour tortilla. I was thrilled to have any Mexican food. Will got “Swedish” meatballs. After we ate, we walked around and looked at the furniture and the other goodies. I may even go to the one in Texas.

BASEBALL! I love baseball. So I was excited to be able to go to the game. We were given tickets by Galtronics. Thank you! We got to Yarkon Field, which is in Petah Tikva, at about 4:30 PM with the game starting at 6 PM, between the Petah Tikva Pioneers and the Modi’in Miracle. There are people there and it is hot, so I search for the shade while Will does his interviews. All the teams of the league were there to show support for the opening game and they were all signing baseballs, and caps. It reminded me of how baseball was in the beginning. Families were there and the field was not a big stadium. We didn’t even have to pay for parking, which was a field that had recently been mowed.

It was Kosher—meaning it was a meat meal, not a milk meal, so no nachos for me. 🙁 The best burgers and hot dogs by Burgers Bar. 🙂 You have to think about that one a minute: Kosher baseball. Finally, the national anthem, HaTikva, was sung. I had tears in my eyes as I looked around the baseball field and thought how far Israel has come. The Miracles won 9-1. I must admit that about 80 percent were Americans, but the Israelis that came seem to catch on to the game.

Headlines from Jerusalem Post:

“PM [Olmert] Helping PA Risky, but necessary.”
One question from me: Why is it necessary? Charles Krauthammer asks “…what other country on Earth is expected to supply the very means for a declared enemy to attack it?” You want to be a country, then be a country!

“Historian Michael Oren points out that the PA has received more per capita aid than did Europe under the Marshall Plan.”

Please keep PM Olmert in your prayers as he meets in Egypt. I pray he does not give away more at the expense of the Israeli people.

Today is a catch up day: Laundry and mail.