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A beloved teacher passed away suddenly...

Today, during a routine tonsillectomy, a 26 year old teacher passed away. Ustaz Sharif was beloved by all who knew him. I had the privilege of sitting in on some of his 5th grade geography classes last school year. I also have had the opportunity to see him in action. He loved students. He could always be found going the extra mile, intervening in student conflicts, showing compassion and concern. He was a kind, soft-spoken man who didn't take any nonsense in his classroom. The children are heartbroken at this shocking loss.

I have a knot in my stomach as I think about just how quickly this life can end. This young man was full of life. He was the kind of teacher that makes a positive difference in the lives of his students. It doesn't seem possible that he is gone. Just a few days ago he chaperoned the school swimming trip. Just a few days ago he was walking the halls of the school. It was too soon for him to go. :( I suppose this is how death is: one day someone is here with us and the next day they are gone. I didn't have the honor of knowing him well, but I had a great deal of respect for him and looked forward to the day when he would teach my children. He was that kind of teacher.

Prayers for his family and the teachers and students at Frere School in Jerusalem are appreciated.

Rest in Peace Ustaz Sharif. You will be missed by many. :(

Coffee...how I love you!

Written in 1587 by Sheik Ansari Djezeri Hanball Abd-al-Kadir. But the sentiments ring true as much today as then...

"Oh, Coffee, you dispel the worries of the Great, you point the way to those who have wandered from the path of knowledge. Coffee is the drink of the friends of God and of His servants who seek wisdom.

...No one can understand the truth until he drinks of its frothy goodness. T hose who condemn coffee as causing man harm are fools in the eyes of God.

Coffee is the common man's gold, and like gold it brings to every man the feeling of luxury and nobility...Take time in your preparations of coffee and God will be with you and bless you and your table. Where coffee is served there is grace and splendor and friendship and happiness.

All cares vanish as the coffee cup is raised to the lips. Coffee flows through your body as freely as your life's blood, refreshing all that it touches: look you at the youth and vigor of those who drink it.

Whoever tastes coffee will forever forswear the liquor of the grape. Oh drink of God's glory, your purity brings to man only well-being and nobility."

Ahem. Yes. Well...powerful words. I'm still waiting for that nobility and splendor. But I do love coffee!! :)

Georgia Kate's studio birthday pictures!

I realize this might be overkill for some of you! If we're friends on FB and you're also on SS, then you have seen these pictures already! :) But I can't resist sharing them on my blog because they make me smile! We took Georgia Kate for her annual birthday pictures on Saturday. Last year she refused to even smile and we walked away with 3 semi-decent pictures of a little girl who looked slightly put-off. This year? It was like a completely different girl! She was happy to smile, pose, and even dance a little! She did most of what the photographer asked of her, and we had more than 20 great pictures of our little girl!

These are some of my favorites! Enjoy the cheekiness (literally and figuratively!) that is Georgia Kate!

Georgia Kate is 4 and more!

It's hard for me to believe that it has been 4 years since Georgia Kate was born! She turned 5 on October 9, and we had a little celebration for her. We also had our visas renewed by the Israeli Government for another year, which is always a praise since it's not a given! We're thankful that we can continue our lives here for as long as God keeps the door open! We had a camping adventure with friends, continue studying Hebrew, squeezed in a trip to the zoo, and I was able to participate in a filming of the British TV show, Songs of Praise! Watch for me on BBC 1 on Sunday, December 1. I also got to meet the show's host, Aled Jones, who is quite a phenom in his own right! I had no idea!

In any event, life is NEVER boring living in this land! Here are some picture highlights from our recent adventures!













































































Today is my sister's birthday! These are the moments when it's especially hard to be away from home! Happy Birthday, Regina! Miss you tons!!!!!