From Yom Kippur to Succot

So so very much to say,

certainly too much to articulate at a single point.

We here in Jerusalem are certainly blessed.

We here in Jerusalem are certainly tried and tested.

and the two are not mutually exclusive.

If this city's namesake really does mean Peace,

then it surely fits.

Not that the city is peaceful, but rather, that the peace of God, surpassing understanding, is that much more necessary.

Necessary to maintain a joyful disposition.

Necessary to see through the fog of disguise, to see the blessing beyond.

My test has been to set aside my preconceptions of what is best.

If i ask God for a fish, and He gives me a piece of bread, am i to argue?

of course not.

i trust the omni- benevolence and sovereignty of God.

I trust His transcendent wisdom.

22 people all with the same schedule, all with unique and individual walks with the same Saviour God.

It is beautiful.

We were blessed the other day to take a trip to the Jerusalem Holocaust Memorial and Museum (name?).

I had previously been to the Holocaust Museum in New York, giving me a certain frame of reference.

We were there, without rest, for ~4 hours, and still were not exhaustive with the available material.

One facet emphasized by our guide before we began, was the distinction in perspective this museum takes when contrasted with the others around the world. He said that most often the history is taken from the viewpoints of the Nazis: that their own history and brutality is told through a cold lens of objectivity.

However, this Museum focuses rather on the perspective of the victims.

While exhibits detailing the torture and mistreatment of the Jews are present, they are precluded by half a museum dedicated to testimony, personal artifacts, etc.

In essence, I concluded that while other museums focused on the inhumanity of the Holocaust,

This museum rather focused on the humanity of the Holocaust's victims.

It was very powerful.

In fact, the Israeli government requires all foreign dignitaries to take a trip to it, before beginning their other business. Evidently, Chondolisa Rice was turned away because she refused to go through the exhibit.

Just a short time ago, Yom Kippur was celebrated here. and today is Succot, the feast of Tabernacles. The feasts are very interesting, and are worthy of their own posts (perhaps sometime in the future).

Suffice it to say, we as 3 month fixtures get to see the waves of religious observers: orthodox Jews in peculiar hats, Loud and obnoxious Pentecostals from the American Mid West, Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Priests and Nuns, Chinese Christians pilgriming to Israel to preach the Gospel back to its source; even most obscure "Christians" who dress as Jesus and wander around like vagrant Hippies.

In other news, Kristin and I do our best to involve ourselves with our peers, staying a social couple that doesn't distant ourselves. we have been blessed with the encouragement of others about our relationship; we have been graced with the respect, appreciation, and support of those here.

Yet we still try to find time regularly to meet and convene with one another, to stay on the same page, and enjoy one another's company.

Through it all, Kristin and I count ourselves blessed, and prayerfully and pensively consider our future; educationally, vocationally, locationally, romantically, etc.

Pray for our time, and our campus, as we seek to find and learn that which has been prepared for us by God.
- Matthew