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We’ve moved into longer-term digs. More photos to come, but I’ll put this here for now. That is our cat Sunshine under the blankets, whether for warmth or because it provides comfort in new surroundings.

On Friday, we returned to Bethlehem to meet a colleague and explore more of the city. During a visit to the Church of the Nativity, we saw stained glass feature that delighted us when were visiting in 2015. It’s one of the most expressive camels we’ve seen outside of the animated film The Star. We…

…when I learned about “Carrot Jeans”. These are the days of miracles and wonders.

Last night we were back at Ascension Church on the Mount of Olives for an evening of spoken word and music provided by musicians playing cello, piano, organ, and oud.

Riley decided on getting a haircut after worship today, so we got a colleague’s recommendation for a nearby barber shop nestled on the Via Delarosa.

After picking up the kids from school (Yes, they have school on Saturday.) we popped over to the Mount of Olives to attend a St. Nicholas Day celebration at the Church of the Ascension. It was a joint event of German, English, and Arabic Christian congregations, and included singing, snacks, and a special guest appearance.

For my birthday, we took a trip to Jaffa Beach in Tel Aviv. We toured some of the waterside galleries and shops, then went to a restaurant called The Old Man and The Sea and found out just how filling a salad course can be. The kids splashed in the Mediterranean while we enjoyed the…

The family treated me to Christmas High Tea at the American Colony Hotel in celebration of my birthday tomorrow. As you can see, it was something. The hotel derives its names from the American Colony, Jerusalem, which was established in the Old City in 1881 as a communal Christian utopia. The community disbanded in the…

This morning we helped prepare Advent wreaths for the chapels at Lutheran Church of the Redeemer. The aromatic evergreen tree branches came from the grounds of Augusta Victoria Hospital at the Mount of Olives. Afterwards, we made a quick trip to the mall before it closed for Shabbat. Have a joyous weekend.

We attended Taizé worship last night at the Church of the Ascension on the Mount of Olives. Inspired by the Taizé Community in France, it features sung prayers and spoken scripture in multiple languages, and extended silent reflection. Last night’s service was followed by a communal meal of bread, borscht, and ice cream. (pause) Not…