Rain and Almond Blossoms

Shalom!  I have a huge praise report.  Last week one of the rabbis here in Jerusalem called for a day of prayer and fasting to repent before God.  He said that God had been withholding rain because they hadn’t repented of their sins.  I don’t really know the particulars of what they were repenting for, but whatever it was worked! They had their day of repentance last Thursday and the rain began on Sunday and didn’t stop until Thursday.  It wasn’t a light sprinkle either. We had thunder, lightening, the whole bit!  Friday and Saturday were beautiful sunny days, but the weather report says the rain should start up again on Sunday with the possibility of a little snow too.  I think this has made it obvious that when His people repent He really does “hear from heaven” and respond.  The challenge now is not returning to the sins they repented of.


       On my way back into town from the Temple Mount I noticed a couple stop to take a picture of something (looked like they were photographing a tree).  When they finished and walked on I saw an orthodox man stop where they had been standing, turn and give the tree a funny look. I could see he was a bit confused as to what they had found so interesting.  Isn’t that our first response when we see someone look at something? We are curious, so we want to see what it was.  Then I had a revelation from God.  If I spend my life gazing on Him, completely focused on Him then when people see me they will start trying to figure out what I am looking at! And if I am gazing on Him I will be made into His image and filled with His love to overflowing which means I will need to pour it out on those who come my way or else I will not have the capacity to take in more of His love.  I just stopped in the street and had a WOW moment.  That is something I can do! Sometimes evangelism feels overwhelming to me, but this is certainly something any of us can do.  I have a friend here who is one of the most loving people I have ever met. God’s love just oozes out of her and everyone who knows her just wants to hug her and receive love from her.  She knows half of the shop owners in the Old City and they all get this huge grin on their faces when she comes by because they know she will have a kind word and love for them. That is exactly what I want to be like.  An oozer of His love to all in this world.


I will close with something a friend sang out during a time of worship yesterday. “Love is not love till you give it away, so we give it away as You gave it away.”


     Thank you all for your many prayers for me!  Over the last week God has been providing more for me financially, so I think what is needed is down to about $1,700. Praise the Lord! He is faithful.  A huge thank you to those of you who have given into this. I love each and every one of you and look forward to seeing you all in a few more months! Hugs!


~Lydia


Pictures -  #1 My friend and I having a fun moment on the Temple Mount. Someone had just taught her how to give elephant kisses.  

#2 Almond blossoms!!  

#3 Downtown Jerusalem, I love this city and the people sooooo much!