Valetine's

Valentine's Day was fun. It passed without the enormous fanfare that we see, but the flower shop was busy and as a florist I was intrigued by the arrangements that were made and some of them were so beautiful. They looked like small flat baskets on which they arranged lovely roses and greenery. Of course I had to get some flowers too, and two cute Valentine teddy bears for Carlos and George, Laila's children.WEll, when all was totalled I did not have enough shekels to pay, but did have dollars which I had not been able to change yet. So, I decided to do like the Palestinians do, I asked if I could bring the rest of the money the next day, to which I was given the answer, "just as you like". The owner knows me and he graduated from Hope School, so the next day I was able to bring the rest of the money. I just laughed to myself because I could just see myself telling the clerks in our small, local grocery store, Holiday Market, that I would pay the rest of my bill the next day!! This is whay I love about this culture, once you are a friend, you are trusted.
I also decided to visit the Lutheran Church on Sunday and of course did not understand anything, but was warmly greeted. It was communion Sunday, and lo and behold we were all given a chunk of bread which you were supposed to hold in your hand until the goblet with wine came around. As I was contemplating having to drink out of the same goblet as everyone else, which really did not appeal to me, I accidentally dropped a crumb of bread. Within seconds a small child and a man quickly came over and picked up the dropped treasure. A rather embarrassing moment, but later I found out that the bread is considered to be holy and you can't leave it on the ground. It was a moment I won't forget, and I bravely drank out of the goblet, but found out later you may also dip the bread in the wine. It was another one of those wonderfully amazing experiences that challenge all of your senses and your comfort zone.
The Israeli elections did not go well for Palestine, lines have hardened and I feel disheartened by the results. Israel sees no need to back down at this point. The suffering of Gaza is beyond words and it was a cruel attack. Even if you think Israel has the right to defend itself, as I do, the death of 13 Iraelis does not warrant the killing of more than a thousand people and the wounding of several thousands and that does not take into consideration the destruction it caused and the lack of medical supplies. Please keep praying for the people of Israel and Palestine. I am glad the peace lamp at Sierra Pines still burns. Love, yvonne