Week 1 (it is long, feel free to skim if anyone is actually reading these at all haha)

It feels like I have been here a very long time but also as if I just arrived. When I try to recount my experiences to friends and family, I am already having a difficult time remembering what happened on each of the past days. I will try to provide a brief recap of what I have experienced since I arrived, how I have been feeling, and some of the ways I have seen God’s faithfulness.

New Word: חֶשְׁבּוֹן This translation includes the vowels, a special treat for you (:

Pronunciation: hesh-bone (the first h is pronounced like there is

something stuck in your throat haha)

Definition: It has several uses. When you ask for the check at a restaurant, this is what you request! It also is the name for a bank account.

In my last post, I was still in quarantine. Looking back, it was a nice transition to being in a completely new place where I have countless items on my to-do list. It forced me to take time to rest, relax, and plan a little bit. Sammy (one of my new roommates and classmates) and I went together to get our serological test to determine if we have antibodies for COVID to get an early release from quarantine last Monday. By Monday night, we had our results, positive for antibodies, so all we needed was the all clear from the Ministry of Health. Sammy, being the unstoppable and determined woman she is, called the Ministry of Health at 12:30am to get them to send us our official release from quarantine. This girl is incredible, loyal, and a ball of fire 

By Tuesday morning we were free! I moved into the dorms, which are just a short walk from the quarantine location. I helped Sammy move her luggage to where she is subleasing until our apartment lease begins on September 1st. We then navigated our way They directed us to an INCREDIBLE falafel restaurant. They were truly delicious (although I don’t think they compete with a good cheeseburger or enchilada in my book). After our falafels, we went on the hunt for an Israeli SIM card. Up to this point we were mainly functioning off of WiFi which can be very challenging in a new location. We found a kiosk in the mall that seemed to have the plan we were looking for, Golan. When we showed them the package we wanted, they told us it was impossible. After some convincing they decided to try and set it up. After about an hour of them trying and us not really knowing what was going on, they announced again that it was impossible. BUT, right as we were beginning to leave, they made a phone call, and all of a suddenly it worked!! WE HAD INTERNET SERVICE!!! I have no idea how, or even what plan I have. I don’t even know how to access my account, but that is a problem for another day. We embarked on the long walk back and decided that was quite enough for one day. God was so good though, because when I returned to the dorms, the WiFi wasn’t working. Thankfully, I was able to contact the proper sources because I now have an Israeli phone number. SO. If you are reading this and want to contact me. Please comment on this post and I will get you my new phone number. Or reach out via social media, or email if you have my email. But you will NOT be able to get in contact with me via my old phone number. I would love to communicate with each and every one of you, it is just very hard to get every single person my new number if I don’t know who wants it (:

On Wednesday, Lauren (another one of my roommates) got out of quarantine and joined me in the dorms!! This has been really sweet to get to know her better and hear her heart. I’m very excited for when all four of our roommate group gets to live together! We were planning to go to the bank, but the national bank was down so that was no longer an option. Josh (one of my classmates that knows a decent amount of Hebrew) showed us a hummus and falafel restaurant nearby where we all enjoyed lunch and learned several new words. We also went grocery shopping and got some basics. Josh was kind enough to lend us his grocery transport cart so that we didn’t have to carry them all the way back to the dorms (about a 15 minute walk). Everyone I have met has truly been so kind. I think Lauren and I ended this day sharing a salad in a pot with our only fork that was gifted to us by Nick. I guess you get to know people quickly in this type of setting haha 

Thursday held yet another adventure. We had planned to go to the bank in the morning to get accounts so that we would be able to pay our rent and utilities here. After first going the wrong way for atleast 15-20 minutes, we turned around and made our way to the bank. Sammy, Lauren, Nick, and I all went together. Believe it or not, we spent 5 hours at the bank trying to open accounts. After 4 hours, they had opened Sammy and Lauren’s accounts and were in the process with Nick when they told me they wouldn’t be able to help me that day and I would have to return Sunday. Sammy had other ideas. She wouldn’t take no for an answer and lo and behold, they helped me open an account that afternoon! Praise the Lord!! I didn’t want to go through that kind of wait again!! They say patience is a virtue and I definitely had the opportunity to work on it at the bank!

Friday!! As you can see, each day has been filled with tasks that took longer than expected but ended up okay. This day wasn’t much different. Our goal was to get rav kav cards, which is what you use for public transportation here. We embarked on the long walk to City Center, about 35-40 minutes. Once we got there, we found the bus station and all the lovely shops inside. After waiting in line for 30 minutes, we got out our documentation the school told us we needed and asked for a rav kav card. The woman working wasn’t impressed. In fact, she made it clear we didn’t have the right thing and she wasn’t going to give us a rav kav card. Once again, Sammy to the rescue! She countered, saying yes we have the correct documentation and others have been able to get their rav kav. It went back and forth as such for several minutes, when finally, the woman made a call and handed the phone to Sammy. After explaining our situation, we handed the phone back and the woman agreed to issue us rav kav cards!! Victory felt so sweet  We celebrated by getting some pastries at the bus station and a late lunch which included chicken!! Finally, MEAT!!! It was sooo delicious. As we walked back, we saw some of our classmates wanted to get together to watch the opening Olympic ceremony. It sounded like a great way to meet more classmates and enjoy some air-conditioning, so we stopped and bought some group snacks and headed that way. Indeed, it was a wonderful time. There we met up with Steffi, Jack, Caroline, Zoe, Sydney, Freddy, and Risper (the 4th roommate of our group!!). There were internet and connection problems, but it was a great time. But then the most exciting and unexpected thing happened. Jack and Caroline announced they had to be leaving soon. The reason was they were heading to church!! A Christian church!!!! I had not been able to find a Christian church, so this was very exciting!! Lauren and I decided to join, so we hurried back to the dorms and changed into slightly more conservative/modest clothes just in case. We truly had no idea what to expect. After meeting back up with Jack and Caroline, we began the 40-minute walk to our destination. It was well worth it. The church had simultaneous translation into both Russian and English. We enjoyed the worship and fellowship. Afterwards we met several people who spoke English. The sweetest woman introduced herself to us and proceeded to introduce us to everyone she could  it was very tender. We even got invited to a couple’s home for an evening in the near future!! The streets were quiet as we walked back as Shabbat was beginning. It seemed much shorter with the cool of the evening and the wonderful conversation we were able to have with Jack and Caroline. I can’t wait to get to know these two better and I pray we will be friends.

Saturday is Shabbat. Lauren and I had a very slow and relaxing morning that was very much needed after our busy week. Sammy and Risper joined us in the afternoon to begin our assigned biochemistry review that must be completed before the class starts. When it cooled down, we went for a walk and found a delicious Asian restaurant where we got supper  The owner was very kind and patient as he explained the menu since we couldn’t read a word of it! It was a wonderful day.

So, that was what I have been doing. But maybe some of you wonder how I am doing. If you know me at all, you won’t be surprised by this answer. I am doing okay. I am learning and adjusting. Quite honestly, I am still trying to wrap my mind around how I am here. If I think about the length of time I will be here and what is ahead for too long, it gets really heavy very quickly. But I know the Lord will never give me more than I can bear, and I know He is the one guiding my steps as long as I rest in Him. I have been so blessed by phone calls, video chats, and messages from home. I miss everyone so much. I have also felt so blessed by the people I have met. God has already answered so many of my prays in big ways. I was worried I would come here and have to figure everything out by myself and do everything by myself. This happened quite a bit during my last overseas trip. But the opposite has been true. People have included me and walked with me as we struggle and sometimes, we succeed while other times we fail and try again later. He also provided a church! I am trusting everything is going to happen in His timing. I would love to hear what is going on in your lives and ways I can be praying for you! Sleep can sometimes be quite elusive, but these moments are perfect for prayer. Growth is HAPPENING!!! I love you all BIG!!!!!!