Lazy Day at the Dolphin Reef

You won't find a dolphin mentioned by name in the King James Version of the Bible. There are people who believe that the Tabernacle in the Wilderness was covered with dolphin hide rather than badgers' skins. Certainly, biblical words sometimes really mean something different than we think at first glance. But dolphins' skins on the Tabernacle is a new one for me. I'd have to do some serious study before I buy into that idea! 

Regardless, when my mom came to visit us in 2011, we rented a car and took her on a three-day excursion to Eilat, which is located on the northern tip of the Red Sea. (Aqaba in Jordan is Eilat's "twin" city, separated by a no-man's land.) Eilat has a marvelous Dolphin Reef and we went there one balmy afternoon.  

I remember that day as lazy and so relaxing. It is not often that I do nothing for an entire afternoon but doing nothing seemed like the right thing at the Dolphin Reef. 

A Lesson from a Christmas Cup

Okay, so this might seem really random. But I had this "aha" moment a while back and thought I would share it with you. 

This past Christmas, my mom gave me a cup with the Hebrew alphabet on it. I was thrilled. It was just the kind of gift that I like. 

When I was a kid, I read everything I could. I read books as I was walking to school, I read during the day, I read at night when I should have been sleeping. You get the picture. I also read the packaging of food I was eating, from cereal boxes to canned goods. I guess the habit has stayed with me because I was reading the front of a bag of Garden of Eatin' Blue Corn Tortilla Chips. What did I find? The kosher symbol. No big deal, right? It is on a lot of products.



But my brain suddenly linked the kosher symbol to a letter in the Hebrew alphabet that I had just been looking at on my Christmas cup. It is the letter "kaf." It is similar to the English "k." Look at the two photos and you will see it too!

I have learned that there are about 700 companies that issue kosher certification! Each company has its own unique symbol, called a hechsher. The one shown here is the symbol of a kosher supervision company called KOF-K.

Ein Bokek

Ein Bokek is a hotel complex located at the southern end of the Dead Sea in Israel. 

Exploration Essentials

On our days off while working overseas, we make sure to take two essential items with us when we go on our educational sightseeing excursions: Our camera and plenty of water! 

I have literally thousands of photos. There are so many things to see and we snap away, sometimes waiting until later - when we have more time - to figure out what we were looking at! 





Our photos have been reference points for me time and again when I have been studying a certain subject or place. They are not just memories; they are a photographical record of history. 

As to water, especially when it is hot, it is essential. We are not always close to stores so we try to always keep extra water with us. 

Beit Jimal

If you follow this blog much, you realize that I like to journey off-the-beaten-paths. Beit Jimal was a pleasant discovery as we took an unplanned turn and wound our way up the hill to this site.

Although I question that it has any true biblical link, this monastery which houses St. Stephen Church is a lovely setting in the Judean Hills not far from Beth Shemesh. This is said to have been the burial place of Stephen, Gamaliel, and Nicodemus. This sounds rather far-fetched to me and the Bible does not say this is where they were buried, but we enjoyed walking through the grounds nonetheless, thankful that there are such beautiful places in the world. 

Clouds of Promise

While traveling north on Israel's Highway 70, we saw this beautiful scene. When I see this photo, I can't help but think of some very notable Scriptures about glorious biblical events that involve clouds.

Acts 1:9-11 
And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. 

And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;

Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven. 

I Thessalonians 4:15-17
For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 

For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 

Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 

Bar Bahar Restaurant

There are many things I love about Israel, but one of them is the food. It is right up my alley…lots of fresh vegetables, hummus, yummy pita bread… 

Israel has a lot of outdoor cafes that are so much fun. In 2009, we were staying in Moshav Avi-ezer and went to Bar Bahar Restaurant in Nes Harim one day. We sat on the deck and had a light lunch as we enjoyed the view of the hills. It was a lovely afternoon. We hiked in the hills and enjoyed the quiet and beauty of God's natural landscape. 

Ayalon Canada Park

Figs, olives, dates, Roman ruins…this park in central Israel nearly has it all.    

                                 

Here, Bill is giving a salute. We'd just come from Jordan, where there are many classic pictures of King Abdullah smiling and saluting in all kinds of public places.

This was one of our budget rental cars. We always get the cheap kind because we sightsee on a budget. Sometimes, a rental car company is out of the tiny economy cars and we get a free upgrade. That is always welcome.

So, yes, this is King Bill in his royal automobile!