First National Blog of Mobussell

Second Bulldozer Attack in Jerusalem Today

2008-07-22T22:51:00.005+03:00

You can read about it here: JPOST LINK. BBC LINK.

I was at work, at the US Consulate about 5 blocks away, and when we heard all the sirens of emergency vehicles going by we knew something bad had happened. I called Elisheva, who was at home napping with the kids, to let her know what was going on.

In Hebrew, the word for a terrorist act is particularly poignant - פיגוע (pigua, pronounced "PE-goo-ah"), which means "hurting". When there is an attack everyone tangibly feels it. There is nothing to describe the tension. Thank God no one but the terrorist was killed, but many peoples' lives were irreversibly damaged by his actions.

I had to walk past the scene of the attack just a couple hours after it happened. I go every Tuesday after work to Succat Hallel to prepare for the youth prayer and worship watch, and the attack happened on a street that's on my way. The silence in the area was stifling, and the "bulldozer" (really a front-end loader, but what difference does it make?) was still sitting in the street waiting for a crew to remove it. King David Street is a main thoroughfare and Israel has had plenty of practice taking care of these sorts of things quickly and neatly. On our way home later that night there was almost no sign that anything out of the ordinary had happened at all that day.

I praise God, for He is our shield and our protection. Things get intense here, but I know that I know that I know that we are exactly where God wants us. Please keep us in your prayers, and pray for the Peace of Jerusalem, the salvation of Israel. What a deep love He has for Israel. I was reading during the watch tonight in Jeremiah 33:19-26 about how God's covenant with Israel is permanent. Though Israel may fall away (and has time and time again - don't we all), He has kept and will continue keep His promises to Israel, every last one. He is faithful, even when we are unfaithful. He watches over us, keeps us from harm, showers love upon us, gives us hope - oh, how He loves! Who is like Him? He is our Rock, our Refuge, a Strong Tower and an Ever-Present Help in time of need. He does exactly as He promises. How can I not put my trust in Him? Who can take better care of us? When it's my time to go, it's my time to go and there's not much I can do about it. Who else knows how many days I have on this earth? Who else should I trust to keep me? I can think of no one.

We love you and miss you all! Blessings from Jerusalem!

Russell, Elisheva, Levi and Liat

The Kids are Growing!

2008-07-06T21:47:00.008+03:00

Here are a few more photos, some from our trip to Ashkelon at the beginning of June and some more recent photos of Levi and Liat (and me - sorry we don't have all four of us together yet... we're working on it) as well as a couple I played around a bit with in Photoshop, and also a special surprise video - a new development just this week!

Levi & Abba at Spaghetti's, one of our favorite restaurants in Jerusalem

Abba & Levi step into the Mediterranean at Ashkelon

Liat soaks up some rays on the beach

Levi loved being buried in the sand, and we didn't have to worry about him running off!

But he does look a bit worried about that tide...

Liat loved the water!

A few shots of our beautiful daughter:

And Levi is getting so big!

I couldn't remember if I posted this one before or not, but here's a shot from one of our favorite hiking places, the White Valley or Emek Lavan, just a short walk from our house. This was taken in February - still a little chilly but a good, dry day for hiking.

Photo of an Arab village just outside Jerusalem called Silwan, behind it are the hills of the West Bank.

And three chums on a couch :)

Finally, Liat's latest and greatest (just taken today) - she is beside herself with excitement!

Postville in the NY Times

2008-05-24T11:10:00.001+03:00

Here's a link to the front-page article:

270 Illegal Immigrants Sent to Prison in Federal Push

Back in business

2008-05-22T22:45:00.001+03:00

My modem fried a couple weeks ago, and I've been so busy and fried myself I haven't gotten it replaced until today.

So here I am once again.

Back online.

Yee-haw.

60 Years and Counting

2008-05-07T15:14:00.003+03:00

We are celebrating Israeli Independence Day (Yom Ha'atzmaut) beginning tonight. Tomorrow marks 60 years since Israel declared their independence in 1948. (Read the BBC article.)

Also, through the end of the week we will be involved with the second annual One Thing conference held here in Israel. This year, due to pressure from ultra-orthodox and anti-missionary organizations, we have had to move the conference to a different location and hold it on an earlier date. You can read all about One Thing Israel here.

Beyond that President Bush will be visiting Israel once more, this time for only two days next week. This means lots of busy, stressed people at my workplace, as well as some interesting traffic the two days he will be here. I can only hope it is a productive two days.

A few thoughts from the "Songs of Ascents" as we celebrate Israel's independence and our heavenly Father's good grace:

Psalms 124
"If it had not been the Lord who was on our side,"
Let Israel now say -
"If it had not been the Lord who was on our side,
When men rose up against us,
Then they would have swallowed us alive,
When their wrath was kindled against us;
Then the waters would have overwhelmed us,
The stream would have gone over our soul;
Then the swollen waters
Would have gone over our soul."

Blessed be the Lord,
Who has not given us as prey to their teeth.
Our soul has escaped as a bird from the snare of the fowlers;
The snare is broken, and we have escaped.
Our help is in the name of the Lord,
Who made heaven and earth.

Psalms 126:1-3
When the Lord brought back the captivity of Zion,
We were like those who dream.
Then our mouth was filled with laughter,
And our tongue with singing
Then they said among the nations,
"The Lord has done great things for them."
The Lord has done great things for us,
And we are glad.

Psalms 127:1
Unless the Lord builds the house,
They labor in vain who build it;
Unless the Lord guards the city,
The watchman stays awake in vain.

Psalms 130:7-8
O Israel, hope in the Lord;
For with the Lord there is mercy,
And with Him is abundant redemption.
And He shall redeem Israel
From all his iniquities.

Psalms 131:3
O Israel, hope in the Lord
From this time forth and forever.

And finally,
Psalms 122:6-9
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:
"May they prosper who love you.
Peace be within your walls,
Prosperity within your palaces."
For the sake of my brethren and companions,
I will now say, "Peace be within you."
Because of the house of the Lord our God
I will seek your good.

In Memory

2008-04-26T21:36:00.003+03:00

Grace L. McIntosh
(Feb. 25, 1916 - Apr. 26, 2008)

Today

2008-04-16T21:52:00.003+03:00

So we're getting ready for another Pesach (Passover) - this will be my fifth, I think. We're having Elisheva's family over at our house, as well as our sister-in-law Shiri's sister, her husband, and their two kids. Altogether we will be thirteen people, if I'm not mistaken. Should be interesting.

Getting ready for the holiday this year is making me think about all the other years we've celebrated, and I have to say that my favorite two were the ones we did at the Magpie. It was so much work, so many people, but so much fun doing it with old friends, new friends, and of course family, in a place that we loved. Anyway, this year in Jerusalem.

Something struck me as quite funny today and made me think of old familiar faces. I was at the shuk (open-air market) getting a few things for the big meal, and as I turned a corner I saw fish heads. Fish heads. Roly-poly fish heads. It made me think of the song and a few people who knew the song, too, and I cracked up. It was nice. And smelly. I didn't get any fish heads.

Fish heads.

Ichs.

Stuck...

2008-04-13T20:09:00.002+03:00

... between a rock and hard place.

Frustrated, and sometimes quite angry.

Looking forward to change.

Hoping.

Dreaming... slowly, lightly... who knows what tomorrow will bring?

Blessed beyond anything I could have asked for.

But still stuck.

Feeling misunderstood, and
wishing I could communicate more effectively.

- just thinking presently.

Bye.

Makes me sad...

2008-03-04T22:44:00.000+02:00

For Sale

Photos

2008-02-04T00:12:00.000+02:00

Well, Elisheva beat me to it - she's posted some photos of our beautiful kids on her Xanga here:

http://www.xanga.com/knowHim

Check them out!

Love & blessings!

2008-02-01T13:26:00.000+02:00

So I've had the flu these last three days, and Elisheva had it the five days before me... here's hoping the kids are spared.

In other news, we've had snow in Jerusalem! Just a few inches, and it's already melting away, but I'm told it was really pretty the first morning. Levi's really been having fun in the snow, and I'll post some photos soon.

Change

2008-01-27T01:38:00.000+02:00

I've just been surfing through some of my posts from the last 2 years, remembering. It's been a while since I've really written something more than a this-is-what's-going-on-and-here-are-the-photos post. So, maybe I'll write something a little more introspective tonight.

These last 6 or 7 months have literally been a blur. It's as if I've been running up a steep incline as fast as I can, and just now I've paused for a moment to look back on what I've done and where I am. I'm out of breath. I feel in the process I've lost the clarity I set out with. My glasses have gotten a little dirty.

I miss old friends. Daily. I miss family, too, every time I look at Levi and Liat. I wish the Why's in life had easier answers. Do I have a say in any of this? I do, but do I?

I'm sorry for the downer of a post. It's been a downer of a week. Please pray for us. I feel the challenges we have ahead are more difficult and muddier than the ones we've already overcome, and I just need encouragement. "Can I get an amen?!" - I always disliked it when preachers used this tactic, but now I really need one.

Jerusalem is slowly, slowly becoming a home.

Love.

End of Year Blowout!

2007-12-30T21:24:00.000+02:00

First, a couple of videos:

And now a few photos:

Levi's cooking up a storm!

Brother and Sister

Liat joins us on our date night

We took Levi & Liat to a horse farm/petting zoo near our house on Saturday

Rub a dub dub!

Whoa!

Liat with Safta Nancy

Our beautiful baby girl

And one last one taken just this afternoon:

Happy New Year!

Meanwhile, back at the ranch...

2007-12-27T00:06:00.000+02:00

Just a quick note to let you all know that Christmas pictures and videos are in the works and will be posted soon. I started working on it tonight, but it's just taking too long to upload everything and I'm feeling a nasty cold coming on, so I'm heading for bed. Hopefully by this weekend I'll have the goodies posted.

Love and blessings!

Stop It!

2007-12-16T16:34:00.000+02:00

Bits of stuff

2007-12-03T20:26:00.000+02:00

First things first: a few pictures! We have some shots from Levi's 2nd birthday party (a little late, I know). Here's the cake I made for him (chocolate cream cake with dark chocolate ganache icing). There is a tradition in Israel to put one extra candle on your cake for the coming year, hence three candles on Levi's cake. He had a lot of fun blowing them out!

Chocolatey, messy Levi

Shiri (Mike's wife, Levi's aunt), Levi, Sheva, and Safta (Grandma Nancy) holding Liat

Levi's having fun!

Levi opens a toy motorcycle, a gift from his aunt Carmela

Levi got loads of toys as well as a new winter coat and some books for his birthday. The following Sunday, we took Levi to the Jerusalem Zoo for some more birthday fun. Among the many exhibits there, he loved watching the penguins swim around, as well as "Lemur Land" - an enclosure you can enter where lemurs roam free and you can get as close as you'd like. At one point, a lemur crawled under Levi's stroller and he thought it was hilarious! They also have a children's petting zoo with several examples of farm animals. Levi went up to the sheep and was saying, "Baa, baa," trying to get a response. For the longest time they just stared at him, and then one finally answered him. It was so loud it scared him. I hate to say, but it was the funniest thing! I wish I could have gotten it on video, but all I got was this shot of him "Baa-ing" at the sheep.

It was a beautiful day here last Saturday, so I went for a hike. Here's a shot with the outskirts of Jerusalem in the distance.

Elisheva and I (with Liat) on our date night last week

Last Friday, we had Elisheva's family over for supper and a rousing game of Risk. Here's Shiri, Mike (watching David like a hawk) and Ariel.

Levi helped Abba set up for the game

I'm sorry we don't have more photos of Liat - I'll post more as soon as I get them.

Now, just a few things I'm enjoying about Jerusalem at the moment (or, How I Keep from Missing Home During the Holiday Season):

-Persimmons are at their peak season here, and 4 shekels buys a kilo (roughly $0.50/lb.) at the open-air market. Holy persimmon, Batman!

-It's been in the 60s all week long, and it's December! DECEMBER!

-A 40 minute bus ride to work downtown every morning means a 40 minute window to read a good book or watch some very interesting characters. People watching is the national past-time in Israel, especially on buses.

-I have an avocado tree growing in my living room. I planted it the day after we arrived here in Jerusalem and it's now about 2 feet tall.

-We are just now getting some green grass in the yard outside our apartment building. It never rains in Israel from April through September, so when it does start raining we start seeing green again.

-If there is any snow at all this winter (which happens once every 5-10 years or so), everything here will shut down like it's the end of the world. This country is not prepared for snow, and it could be rather amusing.

-For Hanukkah, Israelis traditionally eat these special jelly-filled donuts called "sufganiyot." As Hanukkah is only a day away now, you can find these deadly delights everywhere. It's become a quest of mine to find my favorite one, so from time to time I have to get one for research purposes. As I haven't found the best ones yet, my research continues....

Happy Hanukkah!

Peace Talks?

2007-11-24T16:45:00.000+02:00

Asher Intrater is a leader in the Messianic Jewish body here in Israel. Here is an article of his I'd like to share regarding the upcoming meeting at Annapolis. He gives valuable insight into this situation - please pray for the Peace of Jerusalem!

The original article as well as a link to Asher's homepage can be found HERE.

I would also like to note that we've experienced two minor earthquakes in Jerusalem within the last week. (You can read about the in the Jerusalem Post HERE.) An interesting lead up to this event? We shall see...

Annapolis and the "Peace Process"
©November 17, 2007 Asher Intrater

Later this month Arab and Israeli leaders are scheduled to meet for another round of "peace talks". The peace process has been characterized by many disappointments and a few victories. The very subject raises fierce reactions on both sides of the issue, within the Israeli community, the Christian community, and the Muslim community. We need to pray; yet how exactly are we supposed to pray?

Well, of course, we can pray, "Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven" – Matthew 6:10. Here are some points for consideration:

Against the Peace Process

Most of the peace proposals are simply a concession on the part of Israel, without any corresponding concession on the part of the Muslim nations or the Palestinians.
In the last few years, Israel has withdrawn totally from all the territory in both Lebanon and in Gaza, only to be met with missile attacks and war from both Hamas and Hizballah.
The commitments to Israel from the international or Arab communities are often not fulfilled. For instance, the recent peace agreement with Lebanon required enforcement of non-rearmament of Hizballah from Syria and Iran. Yet there has been intensive rearmament and flaunting of the agreement.
Even if a more moderate Islamic government will sign an agreement with Israel, it will mean nothing in the case of a takeover by more radical Islamic forces. This has already happened in Gaza, is in the process of happening in Lebanon, and is threatening even Egypt and Jordan.
In any case, the clear biblical rights to ownership of the Land of Israel are totally ignored by the Muslim world and the international community. The land was given to Israel by covenant with the Patriarchs. The return and resettlement of the land after the exile was promised by God repeatedly to the Prophets. The international community accepts Muslim claims to the land for religious reasons, yet is unwilling to consider the biblical position.
The forces of Islamic Jihad are growing around the world, and their goal is the destruction of Israel by violent means. Any peace discussion ignoring the goals of international Jihad is a delusion, similar to Chamberlain's efforts to appease Hitler before World War II.
The Bible indicates that the current conflicts will continue to increase until there is a full fledged international attack upon Israel (Zechariah 12 – 14). Those attacks are seen as an attack on Yeshua (Jesus) personally, and He will fight against those who fight against Israel in that day.

For the Peace Process

Biblical prophecies indicate that there will be a time of prosperity and peace for Israel, before the coming of the Messiah and the End Times wars (Ezekiel 38:10-11, Zechariah 2:4, Joel 2). The apocalyptic wars are not described as coming from the local Palestinian communities, but from larger international coalitions on the outside.
From a military point of view, the real threats to the survival and existence of Israel are not from the Palestinians, but from larger nations such as Syria or Iran. (It used to be from Iraq as well, but the American presence there has neutralized that danger for the immediate future.)
The New Covenant calls for us to pray for the governments to bring peace and order, which will make for a better condition in which to share the gospel (I Timothy 2:1-6).
Peace and reconciliation are preferable from a biblical view point. War is seen as justifiable, when peace efforts have failed. The concept of peace, even in a limited and partial way during this age before the coming of the Messiah is seen as a blessing, not a curse.
There are some 2 million Palestinians living in Israel and the West Bank (Judah and Samaria). A solution has to be provided for their civil rights. Israel does not want, nor can we afford, to incorporate them into Israeli society. Although Israel must maintain control of security, autonomy for the Palestinians over their own day to day living must be granted.
Because of the large number of Palestinians, a continued military control without any diplomatic solution is untenable, physically and financially.
Because of the higher birth rate among Muslims, clear borders must be set up between the populations, lest the Jewish majority within Israel proper be endangered in the years to come.

What about the Moderate Muslims?

Some would say that there is no such thing as a moderate Muslim. From my talks with Arab Christian friends, most agree that there are a large number of moderate Muslims, perhaps even the majority.
However a moderate Muslim is still a Muslim. A moderate Muslim does not believe in using terrorism or military attack to destroy Israel. However, his Muslim worldview denies the biblical covenants, ancient and modern history, and views the Jewish Temple Mount area as a "holy" place to Islam.
The moderate Muslims have been unwilling or unable to curb the actions of the radical Muslims. Their "neutrality' in regards to Jihad violence ends up being a kind of passive support which enables that violence to continue.

From a Spiritual Viewpoint

Ultimately, only Yeshua can bring peace to the Middle East (Luke 19:42). We should not look to any politician, left wing or right wing, to bring a full solution. Yet we should pray for the government leaders to act with wisdom and integrity to provide at least a temporary and partial solution.
Among the Body of Messiah, we are called to present an alternative example of reconciliation through the love of Yeshua. Messianic Jews in Israel and Palestinian Arab Christians have been demonstrating that kind of reconciliation for years.
Christians worldwide should respect and support the Israeli government's right to decide its own measures on security and diplomacy, without coercion. Ultimately it is the people here, our citizens, our soldiers, and our leaders who will have to pay the price.

Please PRAY for our ongoing ministry in Israel of indigenous evangelism, planting Messianic congregations, the discipleship training center, prophetic praise and prayer watches in Hebrew, and financial aid for the needy.

2007-11-12T12:04:00.000+02:00

So, guess who's been really bad about updating lately... me. I'm sorry.

I would upload some photos, but the batteries have gone dead in my camera. They died while I was taking pictures of Levi's birthday party, so I do have some photos from that and also a video or two. As soon as I can, I'll get those up here.

We've been busy adjusting to two little ones (again - you'd think we would have gotten the hang of all this with Braden, but every child is different!), working, and Succat Hallel. Work has been going rather well, and this next week my bosses are going for vacation to Madrid and leaving the place for me to run on my own. It should be interesting.

At Succat Hallel, we've committed to overseeing the Youth Watch on Tuesday evenings along with another young couple. We also attend a few other watches throughout the week, including one for toddlers that Levi will be going to this afternoon. They sing songs and play different instruments; Levi loves it.

Like I said before, I'll be sure to upload those photos of Liat and Levi, as well as a video or two perhaps, as soon as I can.

Blessings from Jerusalem!

A few more photos

2007-10-08T12:36:00.000+02:00

I can't believe Levi's going to be 2 already! His birthday is this Friday. Of course, a couple photos of our beautiful daughter are also in order, as well as a surprise. The last photo is what we found this morning after Levi had been quiet for a few minutes. Somehow he had climbed up onto our kitchen counter and found the salt. Yikes!! The footprint was kind of funny, though, so I had to get a shot of that.

A few more photos of our family

2007-09-16T21:40:00.000+02:00

Levi on the phone with Grandma Deb

My girls

Story time!

Liat

Rosh HaShanah

2007-09-15T01:04:00.000+03:00

We've been celebrating Rosh HaShanah these past two days. It means literally "Head of the Year," and it is traditionally celebrated as the New Year in the Hebrew calendar. Biblically, it was a day set aside for feasting, resting, and blowing the shofar, or ram's horn. You can read about it in Leviticus 23, starting at verse 23. This is a season of awakening - the ram's horn is a call to wake up - and preparation for the next two holidays, Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) and Succot (Feast of Tabernacles/Booths, Feast of the Ingathering). You can read more about the holidays here:

Rosh HaShanah
Yom Kippur
Succot

Everything has closed for the past two days, and will also be closed tomorrow for Shabbat. We began the holiday Wednesday evening with a big meal at Mike and Shiri's, featuring the traditional apples and honey, a symbol of the sweet new year to come. We've given and been given honey cakes, and we've been bums for a couple days. It's a good holiday.

Daylight savings time will end here Saturday night, so we should be 7 hours ahead of Iowa instead of the usual 8 hours until it ends there as well.

Anywho, I'm tired. It's almost 1:30 am here... I should get to bed.

Praise God!

2007-09-06T22:48:00.001+03:00

I got a job! I'll be working in a coffee shop in the U.S. Consulate here in Jerusalem. It's owned by an Israeli couple and I'll be their only employee. The pay isn't stellar but we need some income, and a little pay is better than no pay. Pending no problems with my security clearance, I'll be starting next Tuesday.

I've been caught in this Catch-22 situation as I've been job hunting. I need to go to Ulpan to learn Hebrew in order to get a decent job here, but without a job I cannot afford Ulpan. Thankfully, God smoothed over all these details, as all our customers work in the Consulate and speak English. I still need to go to Ulpan, but at least for now I have some income.

Anywho, I'm tired now and going to bed. Blessings!

As promised...

2007-09-03T12:52:00.001+03:00

2007-09-02T01:10:00.000+03:00

I'm going to post more photos of our beautiful baby girl soon, but a friend showed me this today and I have to share it with you. This story about Messianic Jews was aired on a national news show in Israel last February. It's a good glimpse of what God is doing here, as well as the secular and religious perspectives on this move of God in Israel. The congregation they show is the one we attend here in Jerusalem, Shemen Sasson (Oil of Gladness), and you can see Elisheva's brother, Mike, as well as some of our friends here.

I have to preface the video by saying that Messianic Jews are Jews who believe that Yeshua (Jesus) is the Messiah. They are a minority in Israel, numbering somewhere between six to ten thousand in a country with a population of seven million. Messianics are misunderstood by many of their Jewish brethren, and there are organizations in the Orthodox Jewish community that even spread rumors and lies about the believers here (you see some of that in the broadcast). The show is in Hebrew but has English subtitles.

2007-08-28T14:14:00.000+03:00

Well, I didn't get the editing job with God TV. I actually received the email from the manager the night before Liat was born, but we've been so preoccupied with our beautiful daughter we haven't had much time to think about it. I have to say, I'm really disappointed. I went through three interviews, the last with a manager from England, and waited (my raw emotions read "wasted") two months to get an answer from them. The whole time the managers here were telling me that they really liked me and were trying to get me hired. And from what I gather, although they really wanted to hire me the management in England had the final say. I guess England wanted someone with more experience than what I have, and I can't argue with them there. I knew it was a long shot, but it was probably the best job I could have hoped to get here.

Well, maybe not. We'll see what God has in store. In this last week I've been swinging from one emotional extreme to the next and it's exhausting. One moment I'm ecstatic over the birth of my first daughter and joyful over all that comes with newborn life, and the next I'm overcome with self-doubt, disappointment, discouragement, and a feeling of hopelessness. I've been digging through all the online job ads and classifieds looking for an opportunity, but I just don't qualify for much and the language is still very much a barrier... God help me.

I knew I wasn't coming here with some stellar resume and a clear career path. We've come here following the beckoning of the Lord, and I know He knows what's best for my family and me. We came here with one open door, Succat Hallel, and that has been great. We've been involved in a few "watches" a week, which consist of two-hour worship and intercession sessions. There are a lot of different things going on here, but the watches we are a part of are mainly focused on youth and Israel.

But still, I'm left wondering what more the Lord wants of us here. I know He hasn't blessed me with a work permit for nothing, and I certainly need to support my family somehow. So, though I'm overjoyed at my daughter's birth, I'm brooding over all of this constantly. Please keep us in your prayers - we really need breakthrough and the favor of the Lord here.

Big Brother and Baby Sister

2007-08-25T12:38:00.000+03:00

It's been incredibly warm today, in the mid-nineties but it feels worse. We've got the windows shut to keep the cool night air in our apartment and all the fans going.

Liat spent her first night at home with us last night and there were a lot of things we had forgotten about newborns - changing their diapers and clothes umpteen times a night, the poop, the puke, more puke... She is a quiet girl, though, and seems content to sleep most of the time.

Here are a few pics and a video of Levi's first moments with Liat at home. He was so gentle and tender with her, and was excited by her tiny toes, fingers, nose... he's so happy to be a big brother!

Also, just for clarification, we bought a gift for Levi "from Liat" to help the transition go more smoothly. We mention in the video the toy farm animals that she gave him.

2007-08-24T13:36:00.000+03:00

We're home! And we have a name!

Liat Aliyah Abbott

(pronounced "LEE-aht all-ee-YAH")

Liat means "you are mine" and Aliyah means "going up" or "exalted"
When someone has moved to Israel, the expression used is that they have "made aliyah," so it is an appropriate name given our family's present circumstances. And gave her the name Liat as if God were saying to her, "You are Mine."

We're all happy to be home and waiting for Levi to come back to us from Nancy's apartment... then we will be a reunited family!

2007-08-23T22:25:00.000+03:00

I spent the whole day at the hospital, and just now got home (it's almost 10:30 pm here). Elisheva is doing well, although she is tired and weak - can't imagine why. Our baby daughter is so beautiful, and very healthy. She's an expert at nursing already, and also an expert at pooping. Mother and daughter should be able to go home tomorrow morning. Levi has been a real trooper and even gave his little sister a kiss today. Thank you for all your prayers - things have just worked out wonderfully.

Here are a few more pics:

with the proud Abba

having a spirited conversation with Nancy

snuggling up to Uncle Mike, Elisheva's brother

and then with Aunt Shiri, Mike's wife

Meet the Newest Abbott!

2007-08-22T22:53:00.001+03:00

They are a bit out of order, but here are pictures of our daughter. We still have not named her, but we will decide before we sign the birth certificate tomorrow.

IT'S A GIRL!

2007-08-22T10:01:00.000+03:00

Born Wednesday, August 22, 2007 at 5:30 am at Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital, Jerusalem, after 23 hours of labor

9 lbs. 7 oz. (she's a big baby!)

She has not been officially named yet...

Mother and baby are both healthy and resting at the hospital, while I've come home to sleep (hospital regulations - no room for Abba)

I'll post pictures and make phone calls after I rest - we've all been up for almost 30 hours...

2007-08-21T09:41:00.000+03:00

Contractions are every 5 minutes now and more intense. I think that we have the real deal this time.

Stayed tuned for more news...

And in other news...

2007-08-20T13:48:00.000+03:00

No baby yet. Still waiting...

In the meantime, here's a recent photo I took on an excursion up to the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, where the Dome of the Rock stands today. It is technically under the jurisdiction and control of the Israeli government, but it is administered by the Waqf, a Jordanian faction given authority over the Temple Mount and the Muslim shrine by the Israelis to prevent World War III, or something like that.

Well, now really, here's the photo, a Study in Domes:

Update:

2007-08-16T19:07:00.000+03:00

We've stalled... everything's fine, but no baby yet. This second time around is so different. Keep on praying, though.

Just a quick note:

2007-08-16T09:29:00.000+03:00

Elisheva's experiencing some of the more definite first signs of labor - lower back pain, pressure, some contractions - so we're expecting the baby to come soon. We've called our doula, who will be with us at the hospital to coach Elisheva through labor and be an advocate for her throughout the process, and we've called Nancy, who will be with us at the hospital as well, and Carmela, who will be watching Levi for us.

Please pray for us as we prepare to welcome our new child into this world. Thank you and God bless you!

Greetings from Levi

2007-08-02T18:27:00.000+03:00

Levi says hello and shares a bit about his life here in Israel. He's eating yogurt and is a bit messy, but cute nonetheless.

I think the video quality is better if you play it from the YouTube website - just click on the YouTube icon in the bottom corner of the video and it should take you to the posting. It's 4 minutes and 30 seconds long, but it's certainly worth the wait to hear a few of the words Levi is saying lately.

Enjoy!

2007-07-29T16:46:00.000+03:00

Hello.

Just wanted to post this info in case anyone is interested. This would be a wonderful introduction to Israel, a great way to gain new perspective on this part of the world, or just a good excuse to come visit us. At any rate, tickets to Israel can run anywhere from $700 to over $1000, so start saving up now!

One Thing Jerusalem '08
www.onethingjerusalem.com
(the above link does not work just yet, but you can possibly find more info soon at www.jerusalempraise.com)

Each year Succat Hallel hosts a major Israeli and international youth and young adult conference in Jerusalem called 'One Thing Jerusalem'. Come and experience three days of extravagant worship, inspiring teaching and wonderful fellowship in a context of seeking the Lord for spiritual breakthrough in this region of the earth. Finish it off with a 4-day optional tour of the land of Israel. Be there!

One Thing Jerusalem '08 will be held June 20 - 22, 2008.

This is officially post No. 200.

2007-07-25T01:47:00.000+03:00

So, it's late here (almost 2 am) and I had an Ice Aroma earlier tonight, so I won't be sleeping anytime soon...

So I might as well update.

We took part in the march for Tisha B'Av last night. Tisha B'Av is a day of fasting and mourning over the destruction of both temples (and the lack of a temple today). As per tradition, we gathered together in a square and read the book of Lamentations together, then we marched around the Old City walls. Halfway around the city, at the Lion Gate, we paused to hear a few speeches by various distinguished persons, then we continued around the rest of the city and went home.

This was my third year participating, and it's really been a privilege, as a Gentile, to be in this place and march in solidarity with Israel. Elisheva and I spent some time at Succat Hallel tonight, and we both felt the heaviness... it's difficult to explain... but I believe it was an intercessory burden. If I could give you a word picture, it was like trying to walk through an incredibly thick fog, so thick it was suffocating and it's all you can do to keep from stumbling. We were trying to press in and worship, but this heaviness kept us back. I believe God was giving us a glimpse of the suffocating bondage that many in the Orthodox and religious Jewish communities are in spiritually. Without the revelation of Yeshua as the Messiah and our only righteousness and justification before God, all the prayers and good works will get us nowhere. Even with this revelation, we are no holier or more righteous in God's sight because of what we do. It is because of our faith in what Jesus accomplished on the cross for us that we are counted as righteous.

I read Lamentations this afternoon and saw how Jerusalem's destruction was a shadow of what Yeshua would endure on the cross. Read it sometime and let me know what you think. It's only a shadow, but many verses parallel Isaiah 53.

I think all this heaviness has me thinking depressing thoughts, too. I think I need to get out of Jerusalem for a breather soon. It's a very intense, dramatic place to live, even day to day, and all this drama gets to be too much for me. I just need a breather. I hear this happens in Jerusalem.

2007-07-22T02:07:00.000+03:00

Our first newsletter from Israel went out this month, and I think everyone has received it by now. If you haven't, and would like a copy, please email me at mobussell@hotmail.com and I'll get one to you. If you have received it, we'd appreciate feedback and would be happy to answer any questions - just email.

In other news, I've applied for a job with God TV, a Christian television company that broadcasts out of Jerusalem to the whole world. I interviewed for both a video editing and a transmission operator position. The editing position is the one I'm really hoping for, as it would be a great way for me to build upon my background in photography as well as branch out into a new medium (in other words, I'd really enjoy this job), and the transmission operator position has kind of difficult hours for a father of young children. But, a job is a job and I'd be glad to get either, really. The company is based out of England, so all of my info and a video of my interview had to be sent there for review before the management in Jerusalem can get back to me. So we wait. And pray. And wait some more.

I created a portfolio of my work as a part of applying for the editing job, and you can see it online at http://mobussell.carbonmade.com. Please let me know what you think.

Other than all this, we've been alternating shifts at Succat Hallel, praying and worshipping and taking care of Levi. And we're waiting for our next child to arrive. We're really ready for baby to get here, but Elisheva's due date is still over 3 weeks away! Praise God, He knows when the right timing will be.

As far as Succat Hallel goes, it's been amazing to see the response to One Thing amongst the young believers. Many who attend the youth watch and the young adult watches (Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings) have begun fasting once a week corporately, asking God to pour out healings, signs and wonders in their generation. I give a testimony in our newsletter from one young Israeli, Shmuel, who is seeing these things, and we continue to hear of more. Praise God!

Anywho, we love you, and I'll try to post some photos of the family soon...

The Quick Post

2007-07-02T14:02:00.000+03:00

One Thing was amazing! God is starting something new here in Israel! Will tell more in the newsletter!

We have internet and phone... email me for the number...

Our next newsletter is in the making and will be out soon. If you haven't already, email me at mobussell@hotmail.com with "Newsletter" in the subject line, and I'll add you to our email list. Email is really easier and the less expensive (free, really) way to get this newsletter out, so please email me.

Here's a pic I took the other day...

Three Israeli Defence Force soldiers praying at the Western Wall.

More to come soon!

A bit of an update...

2007-06-23T16:38:00.000+03:00

What a week it's been. Elisheva and I keep saying like it feels like we've been gone for a month - we've been so busy!

We've been spending every morning this last week at the Mizrad HaPanim (the Ministry of the Interior), changing Elisheva's last name on her Israeli ID and trying to figure out what status Levi and I will have here in Israel. There was no small difficulty in getting things done - the red tape here is miles long - but Levi and I will have some sort of temporary residency, and I was blessed to receive a work permit just last Thursday. This really is a miracle because it usually takes several months to get a work permit, but the Lord gave us favor with the clerks working there. Praise God!

We went to a training meeting yesterday for the ministry team for the One Thing conference. It should be amazing and I'm really looking forward to it. After the meeting we went to Gan Sacher, the largest park in Jerusalem, for a picnic with one of the congregations. It was good to see some familiar faces and relax in the park.

Well, I've got to go soon. I'm hoping after we get our phone connection (on the 28th) we'll be able to get some internet service, too. I'd really like to upload some photos and even maybe a video... we'll see how this all pans out.

Till then, much love!

- Russell

Our New Address

2007-06-15T20:35:00.000+03:00

We have arrived in Israel!!!

As with many things in life, our journey here was a battle, but I won't share that story just yet. I don't have a lot of time, and my only internet access is at Elisheva's mother's apartment, but I just wanted to let you all know we've arrived safely.

Also, our new address here in Israel is:

Russell and Elisheva Abbott
Rehov Mexico 22, Apt. 6
Jerusalem 96581
Israel

Yeah, the street (rehov) our apartment building is on is called Mexico. There's a wonderful park and a supermarket just across the street, and the buses stop just outside our apartment. It's really a great apartment, and I'll share some photos in a future post. Nancy (Elisheva's mom) did a wonderful job getting a few necessities for us before we arrived, and we have a couch, a couple chairs, a rocking chair, a table, dishes, silverware, a refrigerator, stove, a bed, blankets... the list goes on. We sold off everything in America and now we get it all over again!

Anywho, I'll post more soon. Much love from Israel!

- Russell

2007-06-11T07:09:00.001+03:00

I have only a few minutes to update here so I will be brief and to the point.

We love you all. :)

God found a home for our cats - a pastor and his wife in Decorah have taken them into their home. God bless them!

Getting rid of all of our stuff was indeed liberating, but it seems as we finish packing there is still an awful lot left over to store away. Please pray God gives us favor and leniency with the airport peoples as we move our reduced belongings to Israel.

God is providing for our every need! We have an apartment in Jerusalem, we have some of the essentials we will need when we arrive, and we have enough for a few months living expenses!

Please know that we are indeed grateful for all that our friends, family, and loved ones have given to us as we have prepared to leave. Time limits us, but we wish we could sit down with all of you and thank you in person. This hardly makes up for that limit, but thank you... thank you for your prayers, thank you for your time, and thank you for the money you've given. Nothing has been forgotten or overlooked, and beyond our eyes, our Father has seen what you've done for us and He will reward your kindness.

We will be fairly low-key for the next couple days as we take care of a few last minute details and shove off. We certainly look forward to seeing you all again in God's timing.

Blessings all around!

- Russell, Elisheva and Levi

2007-06-02T19:36:00.000+03:00

Wow... what a week. Our sale went really well, as I said in my last post, and we sold all but a couple tables full of stuff. I gotta say, though, I don't think I ever want to do something like that again. I'm just glad it's over.

It turns out that the couple who were going to take our cats... ummm... couldn't... so if you'd like a couple of free, wonderful, cuddly, neutered, got-all-their-claws, great-with-children, black cats, please email me (mobussell@hotmail.com) and we'd be elated to work something out. For the moment they are staying with the Landa's, but they've already got 2 cats of their own so it's really not the best situation for everyone.

We spent all day Thursday cleaning up our place and moving the last bit of stuff over to the Josephson's, where we'll be staying until we leave. We finished cleaning around 2 in the morning, and we were wiped. I'm still a little fried. Once again, not something I'd like to do again anytime soon. And, again, I'm glad it's over.

Change really is the only constant in life. Change and God. And death and taxes, too. God, change, death, taxes and eggplant... NO! Wait, let me start over...

2007-05-30T06:59:00.000+03:00

Just to let you all know, our sale is going well. We still have a lot of stuff to move out the door though, so Wednesday, the last day of the sale, is Half Price day. Praise God, we did find a home for our cats - they're going to a family on a farm with two kids. It sounds like a good place for them and they'll get lots of love and attention.

Must . . . get . . . sleepy-sleep . . . .

good night

Announcing:

2007-05-26T21:54:00.000+03:00

YARD SALE
AT OUR HOME
703 S. MILL ST., DECORAH
MONDAY, TUESDAY, & WEDNESDAY
MAY 28th - 30th
ALL DAY, OR UNTIL
EVERYTHING IS GONE!
WE'VE GOT TO SELL IT ALL OFF
BEFORE WE GO TO ISRAEL

(On a more personal note, selling off nearly everything you own is an overwhelming, stressful endeavor and quite freeing at the same time. Strange. Please come buy our stuffs.)

Some of the stuff we are selling:

baby items
small kitchen appliances
toys (baby & toddler)
vacuum cleaner
books - new & antique
frames
electronics - video/dvd & computer accessories
dishes, silverware
clothing - men's, women's, baby
some furniture, lamps
DVD's
men's hats
1960 J. C. Higgins Flightliner boy's bicycle
Westinghouse record player - new needle
records - Jazz & various

...and lots more!

call (563)382-4192 for more info
Also, FREE TO A GOOD HOME: 2 incredibly friendly black cats, both neutered and have all claws, great with children, very laid back and cuddly, indoor or outdoor, 3 yrs. old, brothers

2007-05-23T07:11:00.001+03:00

We've got a newsletter/announcement typed up with all the details about our move, and if you'd like to receive it email me at mobussell@hotmail.com with "Newsletter" included in your subject line.

A few updates post script: we've got our tickets and we'll be leaving June 13th. We will be joining the staff of Succat Hallel (click to read about this ministry), and Elisheva will be translating for Lou Engle at the IHOP One Thing Jerusalem conference at the end of June. We're still trying to find an apartment in Jerusalem, so please lift this up in your prayers. Many thanks and God bless!

"Baby steps... Baby steps..."

2007-05-18T22:18:00.000+03:00

Well, I really appreciate the words of wisdom and encouragement I've received since being laid off. I gotta tell you all, however, that we've had something of a move in the works for some time. I couldn't say much about it here before I told my family, but I'd like to let you know that we're planning on moving to Israel in June.

*WHEW - FINALLY!*

Please be praying for us as we make this move. It's a big step of faith for us and their are at present a million (it seems) unknowns and details that have yet to all work out. We were discussing this move before I got laid off, so it was more or less just another step in this direction. I'll blog more about it all as things fall into place, but again, please keep us in your prayers.

Many thanks and much love.

A lot of questions answered, still more to come

2007-05-09T23:32:00.000+03:00

So, yeah, I got laid off Monday morning. Let the rollercoaster ride begin...

More Brownie Photos

2007-04-28T10:39:00.000+03:00

Here's the full set of photos that turned out from my first Brownie Six-Twenty excursion. Four out of eight isn't really so bad. The rest were overexposed: too large an aperture, too long of an exposure, or probably both. I'll have to consult my notes from that day to find out exactly why. Also, I scanned the film differently this time, giving me sharper results, so I decided to include the Madison's home a second time here for comparison's sake.

My personal favorite would have to be the last photo, the wider image of the Porter House. And I have to say that the car in the second photo really bugs me. Next time I go out, I'll have to pay closer attention to these details before I open the shutter. Enjoy, and please let me know what you think.

Results from my Brownie

2007-04-26T21:48:00.000+03:00

A few months ago, on a snowy day, I took my Brownie camera out and tried a few experiments. I played around with exposure time and aperture and hoped I was holding the camera steadily enough. I wasn't really sure what I would get, and with only 8 exposures on the 620 film roll I didn't have much room to experiment with. Yesterday (what a dawdler I am!) I took the film in to be developed at Positive Images across the street from the Magpie. The large format film was too large for their machine so they were unable to make prints for me, but they did give me a name of someone who might. In the meantime, I scanned a few of the photos in and played around with them in Photoshop a bit.

So, here's one of the photos, a shot of the Madison's home. It's blurry, but still interesting, I think. I'll post a few more when I get a chance; let me know your thoughts.

I wish I had something nicer to post

2007-04-11T08:44:00.000+03:00

Everybody is sick in my house. Well, everybody except for the cats and me.

Levi's been sick since last Thursday night. I'll spare you the pithy details and just call it a stomach virus. We're making sure he gets plenty of fluids, we've been to the doctor, and we're just waiting for it to run its course.

And now, today, Elisheva's come down with what he has. Please pray for my family... hurdles, obstacles, and challenges we have, and this just adds to the "fun." I get to be Mr. Mom tomorrow, and might just stay home from work. We'll see.

Levi in the Park

2007-03-29T19:33:00.000+02:00

Hmmm.. is there a bias in the house?

2007-03-13T02:20:00.000+02:00

Note: I found this editorial on Ha'Aretz, an Israeli newspaper in English. Admittedly, Israel is no spotless lamb, but those who espouse the world view described here have a very definite aim - the destruction of Israel. God has been very clear on this issue: those who bless Israel will be blessed, and those who curse Israel will be cursed (Genesis 12:3).

The Plot: Use the UN to rid the world of Israel
By Bradley Burston

Imagine, for a moment, that several constituent members of the United Nations had an interest in the eventual elimination of the state of Israel.Just to indulge the fantasy one step forward, imagine that - having failed through war to push Israel off the map, having failed through persistence to wait until despondent Israelis simply picked up and left the land to the Palestinians - they conceived a scheme to leverage their move. With the United Nations.

They would use the UN to undo for them what, in their view, the UN once did to them. The UN, the reasoning holds, made this mess in 1947, by passing General Assembly Resolution 181, the Partition Plan for Palestine that created a Jewish state. Now the UN can help clean up the mess. And the map.The ultimate goal, would be to have an official body with a name as irreproachable as the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination endorse the Palestinian demand for the right of Palestinians and their heirs to return to properties and lands they claim within Israel.Far-fetched? Of course it is. But if somehow it were true, it might unfold like this:

First, establish a UN Commission on Human Rights.

Stack the membership of the commission with officials of some of the most reprehensible regimes on the planet, beginning with Sudan, the site of what the UN has determined is currently the worst humanitarian crisis anywhere.This will ensure that the committee, which will turn a blind eye to all human rights violations in places like Myanmar, China, Cuba, Russia, Nepal, North Korea, Congo, Gabon, Guatemala, Libya, Zimbabwe, Pakistan, Azerbaijan, Saudi Arabia, and, especially Darfur, will be free to focus its work solely on Israel.

If you go too far, and the commission has become an obvious embarrassment even to the United Nations, to the point that even the General Assembly votes 170 to 4 to replace the panel with a more even-handed successor, change its name, to the Human Rights Council.

Make sure that the Organization of the Islamic Conference and a coalition of African despotisms keep the Darfur genocide off the agenda.

Make sure that the new Council specifically condemns only one country - Israel.

Make sure that it does so repeatedly - eight times over the past year. Pass a rule which states that a permanent feature of every council session will be a review of charges of human rights abuses by Israel.

Propose a rule change, which would fire many of the council's rapporteurs, experts who document human rights abuses - but which would specifically exempt from firing, those who monitor the Palestinian territories.

In its current session, beginning on Monday in Geneva, see to it that the heart of the deliberations will be a report commissioned by the panel that compares Israeli actions in the territories to apartheid in South Africa.

Finally, bring the Right of Return issue - phrased to suit foreign consumption, before the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination of the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.Now we're getting somewhere. Now Israel can be attacked and delegitimized on the one issue on which leftist and rightist Jews in Israel agree. Now Israeli military policy is irrelevant. Now the issue of occupation is irrelevant. Now even day-to-day issues of discrimination against Arabs are irrelevant. Now Israel can be attacked for its very essence. Now Israel can be attacked by people thousands of miles away, who, turning their backs on their own histories of colonization, maltreatment and annihilation of indigenous populations, xenophobia, and immigration curbs against unwanted peoples on the basis of color, creed, illiteracy and poverty, will be happy to preach regarding the way the Holy Land's problems should be solved.What's one less Jewish state in the world, after all?

On Daylight Saving... a thought

2007-03-09T21:40:00.000+02:00

A writer in 1947 noted, "I don't really care how time is reckoned so long as there is some agreement about it, but I object to being told that I am saving daylight when my reason tells me that I am doing nothing of the kind. I even object to the implication that I am wasting something valuable if I stay in bed after the sun has risen. As an admirer of moonlight I resent the bossy insistence of those who want to reduce my time for enjoying it. At the back of the Daylight Saving scheme I detect the bony, blue-fingered hand of Puritanism, eager to push people into bed earlier, and get them up earlier, to make them healthy, wealthy and wise in spite of themselves." (Robertson Davies, The Diary of Samuel Marchbanks, 1947, XIX, Sunday.)

A Bit of Fry and Laurie - "Mystery"

2007-02-28T19:33:00.000+02:00

2007-02-23T05:16:00.000+02:00

So Levi and Elisheva (and baby #2) made it to Israel safely. They will be there until around the middle of March, so until then it's just me and the cats. We'll see who survives the longest...

In other news, things have been stressful at work. There have been some lay-offs and will probably be more sometime soon. I'm just riding it out, doing my best and hoping I still have a job next week.

And now for something completely different:

I've been enjoying vintage ads lately, and I've come across some interesting things. I'm not quite sure what this photo was advertising, but I'd be hard pressed to buy it, I think.

Take me to your leader.

2007-02-12T07:33:00.000+02:00

Well, I've got a doozy of an update tonight - lots going on.

For starters, I turned 26 last Thursday (the 8th). Woot. I had a lovely lunch with friends at our home and then took off for a cabin in the woods outside La Crosse. I've been to this spot before, and my gracious wife agreed to let me treat myself to some solitude, peace, and quiet for a night. What a treat.

Upon my return Friday evening, Elisheva delivered some interesting news - she and Levi had an unexpected opportunity to go to Israel for a month and, if they went, they would be leaving in a week. All she needed was $400 to cover the ticket. Now, $400 for a plane ticket to Israel is cheaper than dirt cheap. Dirt cheap tickets to Israel in the slowest times of the year run around $750 - 800, and during the busiest can be anywhere from $1,200 - 2,000. Four-hundred dollar tickets to Israel are not something you just pass up. And within a few hours of my return home, God had provided exactly $400 for the tickets. We didn't have to borrow anything - it was all taken care of. I gotta say, God is into the details. When He makes a way, He makes a way. I just couldn't say no. I know He has something in mind, a plan and a purpose for the timing of this trip, but at the moment I haven't a clue what that might be. Stay tuned as we find out just how good God is...

And in other news, my good friend and mentor Scott Tidwell has come to visit this weekend. He and his family have been doing God's work in Pennsylvania these last couple years, and I can't begin to tell you what a blessing it has been to see Scott again. Elisheva, Levi and I went with him to Austin, MN, this morning where he spoke at the church Adam and Crissy have moved to. We all had lunch together with Barry and Mary Thompson, the senior pastor of Austin Christian Fellowship and his wife, and then came back to Decorah where Scott spoke again at Souled Out. It's been refreshing to see him again; I only wish his wife Sherry and their three daughters could have come along. We'll just have to make a point of getting out to visit them in Pennsylvania.

Anywho, I'm operating on about four hours of sleep (and not all consecutive, mind you), so I really ought to get to bed. Much love to all!

2007-02-04T04:02:00.000+02:00

Right, so just so you know, I'm still alive.

And that's about it.

Oh, and Elisheva's very much a pregnant woman.

And I love her very much.

And that's really just about it.

I think.

Oh, and Levi's great. Just great. Couldn't love him more (though I will tomorrow).

And that's really all I have to say.

2007-01-05T03:12:00.000+02:00

So sorry for all the confusion. The previous post is actually a satellite image of the small island nation of Cyprus in the eastern Mediterranean, just south of Turkey and northwest of Israel. Elisheva and I are discussing attending a school in Cyprus before we make the move to Israel. If we do, this won't be for another year, and by then we'll have two wonderful children to bring along... hmm... not an impossible feat, but quite difficult, I'm sure. We shall see...

Hmmm...

2006-12-28T08:05:00.000+02:00

????

Sad News

2006-12-19T09:38:00.000+02:00

My Great-Grandfather, Ward Abbott, passed away yesterday. He was 97 years old. If you recall, I posted some pictures of him from our family reunion last July. Here they are again:

Ward Richard Abbott

My Great-Grandfather with 12 of his 14 children

Five generations of Abbott men: my Great-Grandfather, Ward, my Grandfather, Dean, my Dad, Richard, me, and now Levi

Just something simple to share

2006-12-13T10:25:00.000+02:00

We've got another

in the

Yay buns!

Desktop Blizzard

2006-12-09T06:35:00.000+02:00

I was just tinkering around today, and I found a neat trick - I've got a desktop blizzard. Here's how to do it (if you've got Windows XP):

First, right-click on the picture below and select "Save Image As..." or the corresponding command in your internet browser (I use Firefox). Save it anywhere you'd like, but be sure to save it as a GIF - this is important.

Next, right click on your desktop and select "Properties". In the Display Properties window, select the "Desktop" tab. Click on "Browse" and find the GIF file you just saved. Open this file, then, in the drop-down Position menu, select "Tile". Click "Apply" or "Okay" - you now have a desktop blizzard!

Just thought this was funny

2006-12-04T07:23:00.000+02:00

Amazing Opportunity

2006-12-03T18:54:00.000+02:00

Just wanted to highlight Mrs. B's Xanga today (see link at right). She's throwing out this great opportunity to bless an Arab believer in Israel, Wisam, who wants to be a bridge for peace. Check out what she wrote and please do consider giving to him - I believe God has some great things in store for his future and wouldn't it be great to be a part of that?

And now for something completely different:

I picked up an old Kodak Brownie at an antique store here in town. It's a Target Six-Twenty, sans flash, but it's got a choice of two aperture settings, portrait and landscape viewfinders, and a B setting (leaves the shutter open as long as you'd like). I took it all apart the other day and cleaned up the mirrors and lenses, etc., put it all back together and now I just need some film. It's been my latest toy (No, Levi, not a toy... umm... Abba's toy) and I can't wait to try it out.

Okay, that's probably enough post for now. Time to do something responsible... the budget (yuck). Later.

An Important and Urgent Message - You Must Watch!!!

2006-11-16T09:52:00.001+02:00

2006-11-07T09:30:00.000+02:00

Well, today's the day. After six months of taking care of little Braden, today we will have to hand him over to his adoptive parents. I won't say it's been a pretty six months, in fact it's been the most difficult six months of our lives. But Braden is one happy, healthy, chunky six-month-old baby boy, and he is going to a family who loves him and will raise him to know and love God. I have seen God provide and glorify Himself and His infinite wisdom at each turn and plot twist as this drama unfolded, and it's been a privilege and a blessing to be a part of it.

Please pray for my wife. She has bonded so much with Braden, and this will be unbearably hard for her to let him go. I love her so, and she has such a big heart. If it weren't for her stepping in and intervening Braden would be another child lost in the "system," shuffled around from foster home to foster home. I'm not saying it doesn't work in some cases, but I will maintain that the current system is a far cry from effective as a whole, a broken system churning out broken people, and I'm glad we could save Braden from that difficulty.

I'm tired, and I should go to bed. I'm listening to Jelly Roll Morton as I type, and it's a funky sort of strange to be typing to Jelly Roll Morton at quarter to two in the morning. Who cares. Good night.

2006-11-02T08:23:00.000+02:00

It's interesting how, in one sentence, someone can pat you on the back and kick you in the groin.

I'm reeling.

Latest Photo Creation -

2006-10-29T06:57:00.000+02:00

Just a little courthouse juxtaposition. I had an architecture professor once who had this obsession with the American alley. Come to think of it, what a strange obsession. But, honestly, I like alleyways, too. I don't know why, but I do. Anywho, I'm tired and grumpy, and the whole world is getting on my nerves tonight. Well, probably not the whole world. Whatever. Just my world.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

2006-10-12T19:33:00.000+02:00

My son is 1 year old today!

Happy Birthday, Levi!

Crazy Busy Weekend

2006-10-09T06:38:00.000+02:00

I was an usher at Adam and Kelly's wedding on Saturday (gone from home from 8 am 'til midnight)

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Elisheva's sister Carmela and our two friends Lee and Noelle were here visiting Saturday and Sunday (we stayed up 'til 3 am watching an Israeli movie and talking - I miss Israel and I remember how much I love Israelis)

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We shared a Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles/Booths) meal with a lovely family Sunday afternoon at their home (harps are cool, and three people playing harps in their living room is even cooler - what a blessing)

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Souled Out worship service Sunday night (God is good and His love endures forever)

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One pooped Russell.
Here's hoping for a calm and restful work week.

A fruity British commercial that made me laugh

2006-09-18T06:28:00.000+03:00

2006-09-09T22:28:00.000+03:00

Had some troubles with our internet... problem solved now.

I was reading Steve's blog today and it got me thinking. Church is certainly not a building, and I think some of us get that. But do we also realize that church is not a business? Should pastors be for hire? Hmmm.... [Read Steve's Blog]

Certainly these thoughts are touching some rather, well, touchy topics for me at the moment. And also I realize that this could be misconstrued or misunderstood. Recent events just have me thinking about the Bride in general, that's all. That's it. I'm not passing judgment on anyone. I hate the need for disclaimers.

We need the Body to be the Body. Hands, feet, fingers, eyes, ears, the heart, the mouth... it's like we're paralyzed. The Vegetable Church. We need more than just one man leading a congregation. We need apostles, prophets, teachers, pastors, and evangelists, not one individual trying to wear all five hats. WAKE UP, CHURCH! GET INVOLVED!

I met a couple of Israeli guys today in a toy store downtown. I was just about to leave - I don't really know even why I went in; I had no intention of buying anything - when they walked in speaking Hebrew. I said, "Hey, you're Israelis, right?" Of all the clever things to start a conversation with. Anywho, we chatted for a bit. They've been here a month and will be here five more. Roni and Gilad. Roni's looking forward to seeing snow, and they both miss bamba and all that Israel is. They were so friendly and refreshing. I felt more alive talking to them for five minutes than I have in months. I should have invited them for supper, but I didn't. I hope I run into them again.

Photo Fraud

2006-08-19T04:59:00.000+03:00

Check out this video from aish.com about news agencies posting doctored images to make the damage in Lebanon look worse. Check it out here:

PHOTO FRAUD

In Training

2006-08-18T18:27:00.000+03:00

I've finally started training for my new job at Camcar as a quality technician. They've changed my schedule, also, so for this week and next I'm going in at 11 am and leaving at 7 pm. After next week, I'll be on first shift (7 am - 3 pm) for the remainder of my training (6 - 8 weeks), then back to second.

This new job has been a welcome change. It feels somedays like chemistry class, though. Most of the parts I inspect will be for what they call our Hitech customers and they go into hard drives and other electronic applications - tiny, tiny parts. I'll be doing a lot of testing to determine how clean the parts are before they are shipped, and this is the part that involves the mad scientist laboratory equipment: testing for anions and cations, bromides and phosphates, nitrates and chlorides, using rubber gloves and beakers, highly flammable liquids... makes my head spin. Needless to say, I'm finding it a little more interesting than my previous position.

Anywho, I need to finish my breakfast and head off to work. Good day!

OkGo - an ingenious music video

2006-08-13T19:48:00.000+03:00

2006-08-11T21:57:00.000+03:00

Recent events have prompted much introspection...

Feeling blue, feeling random.

Ella Fitzgerald is great. She's also dead, so she's not that great now, but I quite enjoy recordings of her voice.

I need an eraser. I used to have this wonderful Magic Rub eraser that I used down to a nubbins - I loved that thing. But I need to get a new one. I really haven't had much need for one in a long time.

It's not so much that I'm addicted to coffee, but I think that I'm addicted to coffeeshops, or at least one in particular. I need to cut back.

Seeing old familiar faces is sometimes very difficult.

UN drafts a resolution regarding the conflict in Lebanon

2006-08-06T10:04:00.000+03:00

Read the draft here.

Nice... uh, yeah... I applaud the UN's attempt to bring peace, but do they know who they're dealing with here? This (Lebanon) is the nation who has failed to comply with resolutions 1559 (September 2004) and 1680 (May 2006). This (Hezbollah) is a fanatical rogue militia bent on Israel's destruction. They're not into negotiating. They're into stealing, killing, and destroying. Sound familiar? Lebanon has neglected to implement these resolutions because much of its population supports the actions of Hezbollah and views them as a resistance movement, not terrorists. They see their aggression as justifiable.

So, what exactly does a UN resolution accomplish? A warm fuzzy for the members of the UN Security Council? "Look, we're doin' somethin'!"

It's all in vain, for this is only a small battle in a greater war, one that's lasted 2,000 years and will continue until Messiah returns. This battle may end, but the war will continue because Satan hates Israel. Read Revelation 12 - God spells out quite plainly that Satan (the dragon, the accuser) hates Israel (the woman) because it was through her that Yeshua (Jesus, the child) was born into this world. Yeshua crushed the snake's head, defeated death and Satan on the cross, and because Satan could not have Him, he takes out his hatred on Israel. Read it... it says it all right there.

Islam is not, despite all some may tell you, a peaceful religion. It is the brain-child deception of Satan, bent on destruction, and headed on a collision course with the will of the Lord. I say, hasten the day! Expose the truth!

How to Effectively Polarize a Small Town in Five Easy Steps

2006-07-28T08:57:00.000+03:00

In the works...

2006-07-26T09:44:00.000+03:00

So I've been experimenting for a while with bunches of my photos, trying to make them look like old daguerreotypes or collodion prints (early forms of the photograph). Anyway, I was looking through some of my old shots from Israel in 2003, came across this photo of some synagogue ruins in the Old City of Jerusalem, played around a bit, and, well... here:

BEFORE

and AFTER

Let me know what you think!

Kudos to Livni; here's hoping Olmert stands his ground, too

2006-07-25T07:28:00.000+03:00

Check out this article from Ha'Aretz, an online Israeli newspaper in English:

RICE TELLS LIVNI: AVOID HUMANITARIAN DISASTER

2006-07-16T19:55:00.000+03:00

Levi has a few important things to say...

2006-07-12T08:52:00.000+03:00

This video may take a while to load, but it's worth the wait. Enjoy!

Very Cherry

2006-07-08T07:47:00.000+03:00

Photos from an Abbott Family Reunion

2006-07-04T08:04:00.000+03:00

My Great-Grandfather, Ward Abbott

2006-07-04T08:03:00.000+03:00

12 of his 14 children (my Grandpa, Dean Abbott, is seated to his left)

2006-07-04T08:02:00.000+03:00

Five generations of Abbotts

2006-07-04T08:01:00.000+03:00

Levi laughing

2006-07-04T07:57:00.000+03:00

Our "Guy Smiley"

Pooh and the Royal Musicians at Buckingham

2006-06-28T10:14:00.000+03:00

I just thought this was a funny picture - found it on the BBC

- still a Tory in many ways -

Just when you thought you were halfway through...

2006-06-21T19:57:00.000+03:00

I can't say much of anything, but I am really, really frustrated with this whole "foster care/private adoption" situation we're in. It seems some people and lawyers (who at the moment do not classify as people in my blog) fairly enjoy moving like molasses - or tar - or solid lead- when it comes to the welfare of a now 2-month old baby boy. It seems that everyone we talk to has had their head in the sand for the last two months and only just now realize that we might need to get things moving....

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And as the wilted, geriatric hands of the government grasps the mighty crank that turns "the workings" of this institution, we all stop and stare and wonder...

selah

... can it work? Will the rusty cogs turn?
And our man changes another diaper. And he waits.

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I may be a bit biased, but my son is the cutest boy in the whole wide world.

2006-05-19T09:57:00.000+03:00

2006-05-15T10:03:00.000+03:00

Well, let me just say it's been a crazy couple of weeks. Rather unexpectedly, Elisheva and I became foster parents to a newborn baby boy. We've had a rather difficult time adjusting to juggling two babies, but it has been well worth it and he and Levi are both growing and doing very well. I can't imagine I will have much time to post (this is a rare occasion just now), but please be praying for him, his biological mother and father, his adopting parents, and us as we all walk through this process. Hopefully his adopting parents will get to bring him home within 6 weeks to a few months, providing all goes well. It's a rather sticky situation, so I will just leave it at that.

Much love to you all!

p.s. God is indeed a good Daddy!

My first "niece"

2006-04-24T00:56:00.000+03:00

Eden Grace Humburg - Welcome to the world!
Congratulations, Adam & Crissy!

2006-04-21T09:41:00.000+03:00

Found this on eBay:

It is the ORIGINAL photograph, an albumen print, taken by Julia Margaret Cameron of Sir John Herschel. Herschel was an astronomer and chemist who experimented with light sensitive materials and photographic chemistry in the early 1800s. He discovered the "fixer" or "hypo" that was used to permanently fix photographic materials.

This photo was taken in April of 1867. Cameron looked to Herschel as a great friend, teacher, and inspiration. It was Herschel who, in 1842, sent Cameron the first examples of photography she had ever seen. It wasn't until 1863, though, when she received a camera as a gift from her daughter, that she began her photographic career. The rest is history. Check out more of her portraits here.

The photograph is being sold now on eBay by an auctioning firm out of New York. Starting bid: a scant $60,000. Chump change.

Finally, pictures as promised

2006-04-18T17:18:00.000+03:00

Waiting in the airport at Zurich for our connecting flight to Tel Aviv

2006-04-18T17:17:00.000+03:00

Bet HaKerem, the suburb of Jerusalem that Nancy lives in

2006-04-18T17:16:00.001+03:00

Ben Yehuda St., a walking mall in Jerusalem, early in the morning

2006-04-18T17:16:00.000+03:00

Downtown Jerusalem, the modern city

2006-04-18T17:15:00.000+03:00

Breakfast at Aroma, a popular coffeeshop in Israel